What’s Nxt?

Thermarest Nxt Series pads: If you are in the market for a new pad and can manage to wait until next year it might be worthwhile. Thermarest’s new series of pads are going to be quieter and lighter than the current models as well as 1/2″ thicker (at 3″) , which will be nice. I have to admit I had switched to a thicker Exped pad at nearer 4″ because of my back. They claim they will be 83% quieter for those folks who have trouble sleeping – not me!

The standard X-lite (Nxt)  will be  R 4.5 (+.3R) and the much same weight – 12.5 oz ie 354 grams – 6 grams less – but the 5’6″ short (Womens) will be 330 grams) and and the X-Therm Nxt R 7.3 R (+.4R) The X-Therm will weigh a whole 1.5 oz less  at 15.5 oz ie 439 grams – 31 grams less. I know these numbers don’t quite add up. We will just have to wait…They have not yet announced a replacement to the Womens.

Recommended prices are NeoAir XLite NXT (MSRP: US$199.95, regular), NeoAir XTherm NXT (MSRP: US$229.95, regular)

Of course they don’t have photographs of them yet but here is a photo of my old Thermarest X-lite Women’s which the infant Spot grabbed at first bite, dragged out through the dog-door and chewed extensively on the front lawn before I noticed. I repaired it with some (marvellous) cuben tape which has held up now for ten years and I guess thousands of nights’ sleep.

The culprit (then):

And the result:

Here is another cuben repair on an Exped mat similarly slashed by Honey:

Here also are a couple of early ‘reviews if you want to learn more:

https://outdoorindustry.org/press-release/therm-a-rest-neoair-xlite-nxt-sets-a-new-standard-for-lightweight-comfort-and-performance-in-sleeping-pads/

https://myoutdoors.co.uk/gear-news/updated-for-202-3-therm-a-rest-neoair-nxt-series-xlite-nxt-xtherm-nxt

PS: I doubt Thermarest are making their new pads any more dog-proof than their old ones!