A quick review of the Thermarest Neoloft sleeping pad, as mooted by @TeeDee. I wont go into data and stats here, as they are available all over the web.
As I’m older now - in my mid 60’s - I’ve done fewer motorcycle rallies over the past few years as I’m not sleeping that well on my original generation Thermarest self-inflating mat. Note that mat is still in perfect condition, but my shoulders and hips give me grief in the mornings after sleeping on it. So when I received an invite to a rally at which I knew a lot of old friends would be attending, I applied for a ticket and set about improving my sleeping arrangements.
After reading and watching a lot of reviews, I settled on the new-ish Thermarest Neoloft sleeping pad. OK, it is expensive, but I haven’t revised any of my camping gear in many years. For example I still use a Vango Hydra tent made in 1994, and a Vango Exodus 4L sleeping bag year-round. I have always been a fan of Thermarest products, and their positive handling of any warranty issues is well known. Fortuitously, my local bricks-and-mortar camping shop (Taunton Leisure) were having a sale, which included the Neoloft, so that was that.
What’s in the box? See here:
Thermarest Neoloft inflated with modified HiGear Comfort Pillow:
Neoloft packed in it’s stuff sack:
HiGear Comfort Pillow in it’s stuff sack:
In the end, the new sleeping pad and pillow take up a fraction more pack space than the OG Thermarest sleeping pad. The combo weighs a few hundred grammes more, but I was happy to take that compromise, as my motorcycle bears the weight rather than my back.
Last weekend I got to try the Neoloft out. Daytime temperatures were fine, but night time temperatures dropped quickly, and on the Saturday night we thought that we might find frost on our tents in the morning.
Inflating the Neoloft with the pump sack is a new experience to me, but in an open area I could fully inflate the pad with 5 gatherings/pumps. Inflating the pad in a smaller tent, where height and elbow room are limited, it took about 8 goes. Still very quick and easy though. The separated IN and OUT valves work well and are secure. The bottom material of the pad is harder and tougher than that used for the sides and sleeping surface, which are softer, stretchy and very pliable. I added a new HiGear Comfort Pillow, on the material cover of which I had added some broad elastic straps. That means that I’m no longer chasing the pillow around during the night. Result!
In the end, with a little pad inflation pressure management, I spent two warm, comfortable and peaceful nights of sleep. I’m a side sleeper, and it was a great feeling to have my shoulders and hips sink into the pad, while still feeling support along my sides and legs, all the while with no part of my body in contact with the groundsheet/floor. It is fair to say that I’m very happy with my choice, even if it is expensive. What price a good night’s sleep?
Cheers, Bob.
As I’m older now - in my mid 60’s - I’ve done fewer motorcycle rallies over the past few years as I’m not sleeping that well on my original generation Thermarest self-inflating mat. Note that mat is still in perfect condition, but my shoulders and hips give me grief in the mornings after sleeping on it. So when I received an invite to a rally at which I knew a lot of old friends would be attending, I applied for a ticket and set about improving my sleeping arrangements.
After reading and watching a lot of reviews, I settled on the new-ish Thermarest Neoloft sleeping pad. OK, it is expensive, but I haven’t revised any of my camping gear in many years. For example I still use a Vango Hydra tent made in 1994, and a Vango Exodus 4L sleeping bag year-round. I have always been a fan of Thermarest products, and their positive handling of any warranty issues is well known. Fortuitously, my local bricks-and-mortar camping shop (Taunton Leisure) were having a sale, which included the Neoloft, so that was that.
What’s in the box? See here:
Thermarest Neoloft inflated with modified HiGear Comfort Pillow:
Neoloft packed in it’s stuff sack:
HiGear Comfort Pillow in it’s stuff sack:
In the end, the new sleeping pad and pillow take up a fraction more pack space than the OG Thermarest sleeping pad. The combo weighs a few hundred grammes more, but I was happy to take that compromise, as my motorcycle bears the weight rather than my back.
Last weekend I got to try the Neoloft out. Daytime temperatures were fine, but night time temperatures dropped quickly, and on the Saturday night we thought that we might find frost on our tents in the morning.
Inflating the Neoloft with the pump sack is a new experience to me, but in an open area I could fully inflate the pad with 5 gatherings/pumps. Inflating the pad in a smaller tent, where height and elbow room are limited, it took about 8 goes. Still very quick and easy though. The separated IN and OUT valves work well and are secure. The bottom material of the pad is harder and tougher than that used for the sides and sleeping surface, which are softer, stretchy and very pliable. I added a new HiGear Comfort Pillow, on the material cover of which I had added some broad elastic straps. That means that I’m no longer chasing the pillow around during the night. Result!
In the end, with a little pad inflation pressure management, I spent two warm, comfortable and peaceful nights of sleep. I’m a side sleeper, and it was a great feeling to have my shoulders and hips sink into the pad, while still feeling support along my sides and legs, all the while with no part of my body in contact with the groundsheet/floor. It is fair to say that I’m very happy with my choice, even if it is expensive. What price a good night’s sleep?
Cheers, Bob.
