Thermarest Trail Pro or NeoAir

[AlmostThere]

I have NeoAir(s), Expeds, and the BA Q Core. After looking at how much those schnozzle sacks weigh for each I got the Cascade Tech/ThermaRest pump (same weight, less work) and with an adapter you can inflate even the Exped (the valves are different than the BA/NeoAir pads). It doesn't completely inflate to tightness but it doesn't have to, comfort point is when the pad is slightly soft.

The most comfortable is the Exped UL 7 Synmat, second is the Q Core, third is the NeoAir. I still have the original Neo Air, which I picked up when it first came out, and tho it was always blown up by mouth it is intact/not leaking.

[Adrn]

Thanks all for the personal experience and detailed information.
Now I am trying to decide on the NeoAir Camper(R-Value 2.2) vs Trekker(Green R- Value 3) vs All Season(R-Value 4.9). Knowing I may notice a difference between the camper and all season, am I really going to notice a marked difference in warmth between the camper and the trekker?

Thanks

[JWreno]

NeoAir for the last 5 years. Haven't had a leak yet and they inflate and deflate quickly. I tend to let out a little air when I get settled in the bag so it is more comfortable. I have been plenty warm with the NeoAir.

[balance]

After many years and different types of sleeping pads, the NeoAir XTherm that I used last year is by far the best. With an R-value of 5.7, I can use a somewhat lighter sleeping bag. I got the large, 25" wide, because I read that the 20" width can be confining. Glad I did. The weight difference is minimal. Nothing beats a good nights sleep after a long day hiking.

Please note: The stuff sack pump is terrible. Concerned about the build up of moisture, I got this little gizmo called the Instaflator, 1.7 ounces, $3.95, from Fly Weight Designs. http://www.themillair.com/index.html It works great and inflates the pad fairly rapidly.

That's me, sleeping like a baby.

[JWreno]

Wow 25 inches wide x 77 inches long. Pretty sweet. Didn't know they made a NeoAir that wide. Mine is the regular size. May consider for trips with less food weight. I don't need the R-Value in Summer with my bag so I will get the large Xlight version. I have a bunch of dividend money from my REI affiliated credit card so it will be a nice item to pick up. Last year I bought shoes and upgraded my son and wife's sleeping bags. Can't think of any major items on the wish list. Thanks for suggesting one.

[Adrn]

Thanks all that posted for helping me decide on going with a NeoAir. I was trolling Craigslist last night and, by dumb luck, came across someone wanting to offload a NeoAir All Season for $110. I emailed last night and, as of this afternoon, am the new owner of the pad + he threw in his InstaFlator free. He went down to $100 and I left happy. Inflated fine and checked out fine. Looks brand new. Now to put it to the test before I hit the mountains. Maybe try it in the back yard if it gets down to the 40s/30s again here before winter ends.

Regards,
-Adrian

[EpicSteve]

I don't think you'll regret your decision, Adrn. I love my NeoAir All Season! Internal Mylar makes it very warm and much more compact and lightweight than an Exped Downmat. Downside from the Mylar is it makes a lot of creaking noises when I move around on it. It doesn't feel delicate to me at all. Tried it out at home and within a few seconds of lying on it, I felt noticeable heat on my back, like lying on a heating pad on a very low setting. It's not so noticeably warm while camping on snow in sub-freezing temps, but I haven't gotten cold. My down bag is rated to +20 F and I usually find sleeping bag ratings overly optimistic for a cold sleeper like myself. (I have a ProLite 4 and only used it on one 4-day trip because I was too cold.)

The included stuff sack/hand pump is nearly useless. 20 minutes of pumping and only about 2/3 inflated. Thank goodness I tested it at home! On the recommendation of another HST member, I tried "The Instaflator" from Leslie's Pool Supplies. Now that IS a delicate looking device, but it's cheap and works great! It's also super light and compact. I had to spend some time in the plumbing section of my local hardware store before finding a plastic adapter to join it to the valve of my NeoAir and sometimes it does slip off while I'm inflating it, but it's still better than blowing moisture from my breath into my sleeping pad. I don't seem to be able to inflate it as fully as I think I should, but it's plenty thick and just soft enough for my taste. I'm certainly nowhere near hitting the tent floor by morning.