Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Now Available

Late last year and in early 2009 some backpackers were a bit frustrated that they couldn’t get their hands on the latest and greatest piece of gear – The Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad.  The manufacturer didn’t have enough to fill the early demand.  The delay may have allowed some to reconsider it they really wanted to spend $120 or more on a sleeping pad (versus $40 for a Z-lite).  For those of you that have decided it is worth it; REI now has them available at: REI.com

Compared to the Therm-a-Rest Z-lite the NeoAir is better in many ways. The weight of both is about the same, the Z-lite is 14 oz for the Regular size as is the NeoAir; Z-lite is 10 oz for the small size the NeoAir is 9 oz for the small size.  The Z-lite has an R-Value of 2.2, the NeoAir an R-Value of 2.5 (better).  The NeoAir has a much smaller pack size 4” x 9” (water bottle size), the Z-lite pack size is 20” x 5.5” x 5”.  The NeoAir is also thicker and gives you a more comfortable nights sleep.  On the down side, the NeoAir is an air mattress so you have to blow it up, then deflate it to pack it (this can be a pain) and there is the risk of a leak.

 

Overall I really like the idea of reducing my pack size so I think I will give this thing a try.  Below is video review of the NeoAir.