Third edit:

I got a NeoAir XLite just as soon as they were available, and was deeply disappointed to find that my pad leaked air fast enough to notice in 30 minutes, and bee all but flat overnight. Sent it back.

Got a second one, and at first thought it had a slow leak, and given my history with the first one, posted again.

But I was wrong! It held air just fine.

Rather than re-write all about why, go to the post below and read it there.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=59717&skip_to_post=509838#509838

Bottom line: Great pad, buy one now!

Edited by grampa on 02/15/2012 18:05:44 MST.

Steve:

Be it sleeping pads or water bladders -- and yes, cars too -- an occasional lemon will manifest from time to time despite the best design, manufacturing and quality control process. A bummer that you got one, but if I were you, I would ask Backcountry for a replacement. I'm sure they'll pay for postage both ways.

Did you look for the source of the leak? I wonder if it was the valve, a seam, the fabric or something else.

Occasional problems occur in every manufacturing process. You say you are disappointed, but it is literally impossible for a manufacturer to be perfect, and you have no evidence of neglect of any kind, only a single story among many others telling different tales.

I feel this is a bit of an overreaction. If there is evidence of this being a wide-spread problem, then there is reason to be upset. Haven't seen any yet.

@ Ben: Backcountry charges the customer to return merchandise, and suggests ordering a second of the same item - apparently they don't do exchanges per se. I'm not sure I want one just now anyway - I'd like to see if this is a fluke or trend.

@ Kevin: Did not test for source of leaks. I'll let Therm-a-Rest do that when they get it back from Backcountry. Hopefully they can use the info to improve manufacture.

@ Brad: Therm-a-Rest boasts of their preeminent position in producing high quality sleeping pads for the last 40 years. Why should I not be disappointed in getting a lemon? This is not a $5 ensolite pad; it's a very expensive pad that I think the consumer has a right to expect will work well. In addition, if people who experience disappointment with a product keep quiet about it, how will the rest of us be made aware of a problem?

In contrast, a certain non-Therm-a-Rest producer of sleeping pads has been lambasted here for a run of pads which leaked (along with some apparently poor customer service responses on their part). I have that same pad, and it has performed perfectly. And I posted to that effect. One pad leaked, one didn't; in each case I posted the truth of my experience.

I have the first generation Neoair and the valves are a bit strange. When I sleep on my neoair, it stays firm all night long. If I ever have mine blown up and it is left out for awhile with me laying on it, it tends to lose some air. I'm sure some physicist can explain that to me, but that has been my experience. Your new one might not be defective, try sleeping on it!

My first NeoAir had a pin hole leak, fine for a night of sleeping. After I burst it trying to find that teensie leak, Cascade Designs allowed me to return it at my expense of course, they in turn sent me a new one which I have had no problems with since. Hard for them to test them before selling, I think you are over reacting too. It is a new product also. Be patient, Backcountry is the one you should be upset at. On the good side, Backcountry sent me a label to return some winter boots that were tight for me a few years ago, plus, they messed up and sent another pair when I was trying to get this worked out. They paid for the return on those too. Maybe ask for a Supervisor. They can send stuff back to manufacturers too, if they won't back up their stuff, buy elsewhere and tell us about it here.

Duane

@ Gabe: I've heard of that, and so after it slumped, I re-inflated it and took a half hour nap. Same result.

@ Duane: I had not realized that Backcountry produced the NeoAir X-Lite. Thanks for the update!

You blew hot air into it until it was tight. Left alone, the air cools and contracts in volume. I would add extra air to make sure it really does have a leak and not just contracting air. My pad always feels like it loses air when left to cool.
Maybe I am too optimistic, though. Good luck.

@ Ben: I inflated it with the MicroBurst (thus testing it at the same time!), and finished it off with about two breaths (the MicroBurst doesn't want to get it fully inflated). This was inside my office, room temperature. I don't think air cooling explains the loss of air.

And FWIW, the "slouching" pad drooped itself down to a pile of NeoAir, neatly folded into four layers - not sure how Therm-a-Rest trained it to do that, but it looks nifty.




Also FWIW, I am in no way upset at Backcountry, neither am I upset that they want me to pay for return shipping. Someone has to pay for it, and if I don't y'all will! Besides, the $6.99 they charge is less than what the corner Postal Shoppe would charge me for the same service. I regularly patronize Backcountry and will continue to do so.

Stephen, I am aware Backcountry did not manufacture your pad, I'm just saying they should exchange it for you, they can return it to CD. Some companies offer to pay for return shipping, some don't. You could buy locally and save the hassle.

Duane

I have plenty of stories about people sending their pads back to Cascade Designs and getting a replacement, I am sure they will take care of you in any way they needed to keep you as a customer.