Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft might be the most comfortable pad we’ve ever tried (plus a freebie!)

This is a sponsored post brought to you by Thermal-rest.

tThose who spend a lot of time outdoors know that the “light is right” mantra eventually hits a wall when it comes to sleep. It can be easy enough to endure discomfort as you move during the day, but if you spend the night tossing and turning on the wrong mat, your hike will be nothing short of miserable.

Therm-a-Rest has long dominated the market with the NeoAir XLite, and the brand consistently ranked number one among the most used sleeping pads by AT hikers in our annual survey. However, for those who prioritize a little more comfort instead of shaving every ounce possible, the NeoLoft sleeping pad has entered the picture.

At first glance, the NeoLoft is an inflatable mattress and as such it works in the field. It’s a high-headroom, high-comfort luxury designed for side sleepers and those of us tired of feeling every root and pebble under our tents. As an added bonus, the weight penalty is less than you might expect. As an even bigger bonus, we want to give you one (free!).

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad At a glance

Price: $260
Weight: 1 pound 9 ounces
R value: 4.7
Thickness: 4.6 inches

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad Features (What Makes This Sleeping Pad Different?)

Despite what the name may imply, NeoLoft is not just a thicker version of NeoAir. Instead, Therm-a-Rest took a fan-favorite product and redesigned it in multiple ways to dramatically increase user comfort. This is what sets it apart:

1) Huge 4.6 Inch Loft: This is one of the thickest backpack pads on the market. If you sleep on your side and your hips usually bottom out with standard 2.5-inch pads, this is your solution.

2) Silent material: Unlike the old wrinkled “chip bag” of the original NeoAir series, NeoLoft uses a specialized internal construction and a 50D stretch polyester upper that is remarkably quiet when you move around at night. Did I necessarily notice this? No, because I was sleeping very soundly, but the friends I was camping with pointed out how little they could hear me during the night.

3) TwinLock Valve: Of all the sleeping pads I’ve tried over the years, Therm-a-Rest has my favorite value. While the NeoLoft valve differs from the NeoAir, it is still incredibly easy to inflate and deflate. There are dedicated «inlet» and «outlet» valves and a pump bag included, so deflation happens in seconds when you’re ready to break camp.

The pad comes with an inflator bag to use, but it only takes 30 to 40 breaths to fully inflate.

4) ContourCore Matrix (aka increased stability): The sleeping pad has a unique internal structure with 2 stacked rows of triangular chambers to minimize convection heat loss and reflect body heat back to you. The configuration also makes the mat much more stable, contributing to the «air cushion» feel compared to a typical sleeping pad. I can move around, sit on one end of the mat, and distribute my weight unevenly without the mat collapsing inward like other inflatables on the market.

Advantages of the Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad

1) Unmatched comfort: When I say incomparable, I mean without rivalry. The combination of the 4.7-inch thickness and stretch-knit top fabric creates a sleeping surface that feels more like an actual mattress than a piece of backpacking gear. As a restless side sleeper, I can confidently say that this is the most comfortable sleeping pad I have ever used.

2) Durability: With a 75D nylon bottom, this pad is significantly more puncture resistant than its ultralight siblings. I particularly enjoy camping with jeans and while I would never recommend using this pad without some type of protection underneath, I have had success simply placing this pad under the stars without the typical Tyvek sheet underneath.

3) Heat-to-weight ratio: While 25 ounces isn’t «ultralight» by almost any standard, for a pad this thick and warm (R 4.7), it is impressively packable and lightweight for the comfort it provides. I have found that its addition to my winter backpacking setup, where I carry quite a bit more weight on my back anyway, has not affected the distance I can comfortably walk with my pack on.

4) Stable edges: Many high-rise pads suffer from what I call floppy corners, where the pad will collapse and you will fall to one side if you distribute your weight unevenly. The NeoLoft’s internal baffles keep the edges firm and supportive, and I found unexpected joy in being able to sit on the edge of a raised platform in the morning while I put on my contact lenses and prepared to pack up my campsite.

Check out the Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft

The edges of this pad are ultra-strong, so I don’t fall anywhere in my sleep while moving.

How to Get Your Own NeoLoft Sleeping Pad

It seems unfair to talk for so long about the great features of the NeoLoft mat without giving you the opportunity to try it out for yourself. You can enter through the following form. Can’t see the form? Participate in the draw here.

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