I used a Prolite 3 and a 20 degree down bag on AT in Ga in 06. Not too bad until windy night in the lower 40s. Got cold. I have also used a Montbelle UL90. I have not been cold while using it, but definitely NOT 1 inch thick as advertized (I measured it at about 5/8 to 3/4 inch thick).

I have used my Neo air 16 nights (so far). Nice and comfy! Have stayed warm into the low 40's using a Montbelle 30 degree down bag. It was especially nice on hard AT shelter floors. I have not had any durability issues or width issues (I am a small female, which at least for once is an advantage). I hope to get many more comfy nights on my Neoair.

In a way the Op question was a bit odd considering the two mats are not really meant to compete with each other. Anyway it just appended that before my last walk having with me the Prolite 4 I took advantage of the US price of the Neo (cheapper than "staff" price here...) and took the latter for a walk.
In fair weather I tended to use the Insulmat Max Thermo, the Prolite 4 is for cooler weather and it is the thinnest I can sleep on without getting grumpy (er)
No I am not bothered by the blowing up bit nor the supposed noise, I enjoy the weight and packed volume (or lack of) however it isn't the best mat ever, the only mat nor a compulsory mat...
Anyone that thinks it is too expensive, a gimmick, a rip off, not worth the switch (whatever...) should not buy this mat.
Franco

I got my NeoAir in S used off the Gear Swap here, its in excellent shape and there are no problems with it. However, I find it gets cold once the temperature drops beneath 7°C with the NeoAir, so I would carry a thin CCF mat, or, as I did, used my Rab eVent jacket as extra insulation, which worked perfectly fine.

I have a ProLite 4 but wouldn't bother with it anymore, its now the mat for the girlfriend who only comes rarely with me on a trip (sadly).

After sleeping on a thin self inflating mattress over the weekend, probably comparable to the prolite. I decided to get something more comfortable and am going for the neo air rather than the prolite plus due to the size and weight. Can anyone reccommend a length though? I'm 180cm and thin. My wife is smaller. Do you sleep with your head off the top of the mattress unless its too cold? I'm tempted to go for the small but dont want to be uncomfortable. We will more than likely be coupling it with a z-lite each for cooler weather. So a size on that would be helpful to :) thanks

Edited by benen on 03/21/2010 05:54:10 MDT.

The main advantage of the Neo is the comfort. Go for a regular 72" for you and a medium 66" for your wife.
Anything smaller and as you say, you'll be trying to figure out how to avaoid having your head or your feet balance in the air 3" above the tent floor.

I have the Prolite 4 short and the NeoAir short. I have kept and use both these pads depending on the expected temp I will encounter.

Prolite 4 is definitely the pad I take when the temp drops and as far as comfort goes, I think the NeoAir wins but only marginally for me. I like the Prolite because it has more usable width. Since the pad is thinner and firmer, you don't get the edge roll-off like you do with the NeoAir.

As far as inflation, my Prolite 4 still self inflates very well but I store mine with the valve open (fully inflated) and uncompressed and I think this is the key to the Thermarest self inflating pads. If you store them rolled up they will not self inflate. The NeoAir small doesn't take many puffs to blow up so that's not an issue either.

The real deciding factor for me is the size and weight of the small NeoAir... hard to argue with those specs.

Frankly, I don't know how you guys use a real short or torso length pad and put your pack under your legs.

When I go to bed at night, my pack is empty. How much extra stuff are you guys carrying? I hang my food bag, pitch my tent, and if it's cold, I wear my clothes to bed, my shell or any extra little insulation becomes a pillow. What's left besides a few hard misc items like fuel/first-aid kits, etc?

>> What's left besides a few hard misc items like fuel/first-aid kits, etc? <<

Bum Pad - multi use item.

Would there be much of an r value increase with a large neoair over a regular z-lite? Would I have to use the z-lite on top?

R-Values are supposedly cumulative. 2.5 for the Neoair + 2.2 for the zlite =4.7 R-Value. The debate goes on for whether or not the zlite is better on top than bottom.

The problem with trying to hypothesize over comfort levels is because there are too many variables--most importantly individual preference and tolerance for comfort.

Edited by T.L. on 03/21/2010 16:34:30 MDT.

Yeah I heard that but my question was about having a 25" neoair over a 20" z-lite. Would the 5" of overhang over the z-Lite greatly reduce the thermal effencency rather than having both pads 20"?

You could probably come up with a mathematical formula that would say some heat would be lost, but I doubt you'd be able to feel it.

But, putting the zlite on top would negate that issue I think.

Edited by T.L. on 03/21/2010 17:05:38 MDT.