Hey guys,

I am in the market for a new sleeping pad and am having trouble deciding between two possible replacements. My current Z Lite is just not doing it for me as a cold side sleeper haha. This would be for a three season setup using a frameless pack. I'm 6'1", 170lb with a WM HighLite and would be hiking in Utah (most climates except desert in middle of summer, that's getting a bit hot for my taste :-)).

I'm mulling over whether or not to get the new XTherm (small) + GG Nightlight or go NeoAir All-Season.

It appears the XTherm + Nightlight is less weight by ~3.5oz, gives more flexibility in use (can use the Nightlight as a camping chair and as added support in pack). However the XTherm is new to market, am worried about buying a brand new product instead of giving it a few months to work out the kinks. Is this a viable worry, anyone heard how they're doing so far?

The NeoAir All-Season, on the other hand, is tested and reliable, but is a bit heavier and doesn't have the multiuse properties of the Nightlight.

Which would you go with? Or is there a dark horse third option you'd put in the mix? Would you recommend full length inflatable over torso only?

Thanks in advance!!

I'd go with the X-therm and nightlight, or you could try layering two closed cell pads for even less weight. Keep in mind the neo airs are often over weight, at least I've found, by an oz or 2. With an R of 5.7, you could probably take the xtherm down pretty far, with your pack under your legs, or maybe the nightlight or a sit pad too. The only issue is, if it fails and you just have that, you're going to be cold, or waking up repeatedly to blow it up again. I had my all-season develop a slow leak while in Zion this March (I was also using it as a backpack pad)...slow enough that finding it in the backcountry would have been difficult. It could be nice to have the nightlight as backup...

do you mean the xlite, not the xtherm. the Xtherm has a higher r value and is lighter than the all season.

i have a neoair all season, and i love it. however when i really am worried about getting cold during winter camping, i will always bring a closed cell foam pad. its stupid to cut a few ounces that could give you hypothermia if you punctured your pad.

order one from rei. that way if there is a kink, you can just return the pad. also, thermarest has their R & D pretty dialed in, I doubt that there will be any major issues with the pad.

I'd also consider just going for the regular length xtherm and a sitlight pad. The weight would be pretty close to what your looking for + more comfort and warmth. I'd hesitate to take the xtherm out in winter as a small pad, if you end up wanting to do that. I'm sure for others it would be enough though.

Thanks for all the insights! After all that you guys said I'm leaning towards the XTherm full length + Sitlight like you suggested @sgiachetti. Great points on needing a backup of some kind, and at the couple extra ounces the full length will be worth it. I'll keep you posted on what I end up getting and how well it works for me!

@edwardalbarton - Is two closed cell pads lighter than a GG Sitlight or Nightlight?
@denver_whitest185 - Yes, I'm talking the new XTherm. I'm a very cold sleeping, don't want a lower R-Value like the XLite haha