Sleeping Pad

When purchasing an ultralight sleeping pad, to stuck between Sea to Summit Comfort Plus vs Thermarest Neoair XTherm is more common than you think. But don’t worry, in this guide, I will cover everything you need to look for when purchasing an ultralight sleeping pad, and at the end of this article, you will have decided on which sleeping pad is the suitable one for you.

In summary, Thermarest Neoair XTherm offers a smaller weight and packed size while providing a higher R-Value, and it’s more durable, therefore, Neoair XTherm is the perfect option for ultralight, cold weather backpackers and mountaineers. Sea to Summit Comfort Plus, on the other hand, brings an innovative Air Sprung Cell design on the table which makes it more comfortable, but the trade-off here is the weight, even though it’s not as warm as Neoair XTherm, Comfort Plus can keep you warm down to +15 ºF.

Specs: Sea to Summit Comfort Plus vs Thermarest Neoair Xtherm

Detailed Comparison: Sea to Summit Comfort Plus vs Thermarest Neoair Xtherm

In this detailed comparison, I compared the regular sizes of Sea to Summit Comfort Plus and Thermarest Neoair XTherm, BUT you can use this guide whether you’re looking for different sizes or different models such as Sea to Summit Comfort Plus SI, although the specs might change a little bit, the idea for the comparison of Sea to Summit vs Thermarest Neoair would be the same.

Weight

I wanted to start my comparison with weight because, not only it’s the biggest difference between two pads, it’s also the most important factor for most of you guys.

Therm-a-Rest provides the lightest sleeping pads in the quality sleeping pad market, that is one of the biggest reasons why the brand is so famous in the outdoor community.

For our comparison, with a 15 oz of weight Thermarest Neoair XTherm weighs almost half of Sea to Summit Comfort Plus (29.8 oz).

Packed Size

Packed size is generally the second most important issue. Although the difference is not so big, Thermarest Neoair XTherm is again the winner of this category.

While the regular size of Sea to Summit Comfort Plus packs down to Ø 5″ x 9″, Therm-a-rest XTherm packs down 1″ narrower with the dimensions of Ø 4.0″ x 9″.

But I should mention that the uninsulated version of Sea to Summit Comfort Plus (R-Value: 2.5) packs down much smaller than these two with the dimensions of 4 x 6.5 in / 10 x 17 cm.

Insulation

If you’re not familiar with sleeping pads, the warmth of a sleeping pad is measured by a value called the R-Value, the higher the number the better the insulation.

In our comparison, Thermarest is the winner here, with an R-Value of 6.9, Neoair XTherm can keep you warm down to -15 ºF. Sea to Summit Comfort Plus, on the other hand, offers an R-Value of 4.0 which can keep you from cold down to roughly +15 ºF.

Here is an R-Value to Temperature table I’ve created, so you would understand the correlation between the R-Value and Temperature Rating:

One other thing most 4 season backpackers and mountaineers look for is the Warmth to Weight Ratio, if you’re into extreme outdoor adventures packing the most efficient gear is extremely important. And for sleeping pads, the most efficient one is the lightest one that offers enough insulation (depending on your needs).

Since Thermarest Neoair XTherm offers a higher R-Value with a lower weight, I can confidently say that it’s much more efficient compared to Sea To Summit Comfort Plus.

Actually, calculating Warmth to Weight Ratio by dividing the R-Value to the Weight is not a thing, but still, this ratio as a number gives an idea for comparing sleeping pads.

So far, for the comparison of Sea to Summit Comfort Plus vs Thermarest Neoair XTherm, Thermarest is the superior one, but numbers are not everything, there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration, such as comfort.

With that being said let’s dive into the next section…

Comfort

As it can be understood by the name (Sea to Summit “Comfort Plus”), the comfort department is where Sea to Summit shines.

Most of the sleeping pads have horizontal or vertical baffles, but unlike these traditional designs, Sea to Summit Comfort Plus features Air Sprung Cells that react more effectively to your shape and sleeping position.

Also, unlike any other sleeping pad on the market, Sea to Summit Comfort Plus offers a two-layer design and each layer is inflated separately, so, if one layer leaks in the middle of the night you would still have another layer to keep you off the ground and additionally you can fine-tune the top layer to your desired level of firmness.

Given the facts, Sea to Summit Comfort Plus is the clear winner when it comes to comfort.

Thickness is an important factor for sleeping pads, both Comfort Plus and Neoair XTherm have a thickness of 2.5″. If you’re a side sleeper, depending on your weight you might feel the ground, therefore I would recommend going for a sleeping pad that is at least 3″ thick such as Nemo Tensor Ultralight or Big Agnes Air Core Ultra.

And if the weight and packed size is not a big issue, for an outstanding comfort take a look at the article where I talk about Thermarest Mondoking and Exped Megamat.

Sound

Unlike self-inflating (foam) sleeping pads, air sleeping pads use special kinds of films between the top and bottom layers to increase the insulation, therefore they’re much noisier than foam sleeping pads.

In our case, both Sea to Summit Comfort Plus and Thermarest Neoair XTherm makes a crinkly sound while laying and moving on them, but XTherm is slightly quieter.

Durability

Some people don’t prioritize durability, but when it comes to air sleeping pads, you should! Especially if you’re going for a high-end sleeping pad such as these two. Because unlike other outdoor gear, air sleeping pads are trash when they’re damaged (they do come with a repair kit but these kits only fix small rips).

Both Comfort Plus and Neoair XTherm features a 30D nylon top layer, but generally sleeping pads tend to get damaged from the bottom side, therefore XTherm features 70D nylon bottom layer whereas Comfort Plus features only 40D nylon bottom layer. Thermarest Neoair XTherm is the clear winner in the durability and longevity department.

Since we’re talking about durability, I should mention that Comfort Plus is TPU laminated to be water-resistant while XTherm isn’t. It shouldn’t be a deal-breaker if you go only tent camping though.

Features

Sea to Summit comfort plus brings really cool features to the table:

• It comes with a stuff sack that doubles as a pump sack to make the inflation process much easier and since you wouldn’t have to use your breath it prevents moist air coming into the pad.
• The pad is made of two layers, if one layer leaks during the night the other one would keep you off the ground.
• Comfort Plus is compatible with Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow: The pillow and the pad can lock together so the pillow wouldn’t slide off the pad during the night.

Check the latest price of Sea to Summit Comfort Plus on Amazon

Thermarest Neoair XTherm also have very innovative features as well:

• XTherm offers two different valve options, Standart Valve and Winglock Valve (this version comes with a pump sack as well). Neoair XTherm with Standard Valve is good enough to do the job, but the new and innovative Neoair XTherm with Winglock Valve can be inflated 3 times faster and deflated much quicker.
• As I’ve mentioned earlier, due to its innovative construction it provides an exceptional warmth to weight ratio.

Check the latest price of Thermarest Neoair XTherm

Sizes & Dimensions

Sizes of Sea to Summit Comfort Plus

Thermarest Neoair Xtherm

Watch the review here:

The most difficult situation that all ultralight backpackers will face once in their life, Exped SynMat Hyperlite vs Thermarest Neoair Xlite. First of all, one cannot clearly say that one is better than the other, both are quite high-quality sleeping pads. But I’ve prepared this comprehensive comparison to help you choose the one that is more suitable for you.

In summary, Thermarest NeoAir XLite weighs less, offers better insulation and Warmth-to-Weight Ratio, and it’s more durable. Exped SynMat Hyperlite on the other hand offers better comfort, sounds less, and packs down smaller. If you’re thinking of doing cold weather camping trips, don’t hesitate, go with Thermarest NeoAir XLite but if you’re a side-sleeper and don’t go camping below 28°F Exped SynMat Hyperlite might be a better option for you.

Specs: Exped SynMat HL vs NeoAir Xlite

Detailed Comparison: Exped SynMat and NeoAir XLite

Weight

Winner: Thermarest NeoAir XLite

I started my comparison with weight, because no doubt, weight is the most important factor for ultralight backpacking trips. And Thermarest NeoAir XLite is the winner in the weight department, the difference is very small though.

Medium (Regular) sizes of Exped SynMat and NeoAir XLite respectively weigh 15.4 oz and 12 oz. But Exped SynMat comes with a pump sack (2.1 oz), if you don’t want to carry the pump sack and use your breath in your trip it will weigh only 13.3 oz.

Packed Size

Winner: Exped SynMat Hyperlite

The second most important issue for the backpackers, (for compactness addicts out there, probably the most import factor). In this department, Exped Synmat HL is the clear winner.

Exped Synmat HL Regular (Ø 3.5″ x 7.5″) packs down %64 smaller than Thermarest NeoAir XLite Regular (Ø 4.1″ x 9″).

Insulation

Winner: Thermarest NeoAir XLite

Insulation of sleeping pads is measured by a term called R-Value. Basically, The higher the R-Value the better insulation you will get.

To understand it better, here is an R-Value to Temperature chart that I made:

Thermarest NeoAir XLite has an R-Value of 4.2 to keep you warm down to 10°F, on the other hand, Exped SynMat Hyperlite has an R-Value of 2.9 to keep you warm down to 28°F.

But if you really like Exped SynMat and if you’re into cold weather camping, don’t forget that there is also a winter version of Exped SynMat HL that can keep you warm down to -5 °F.

Also, for backpacking sleeping pads we generally look for Warmth to Weight ratio when comparing two sleeping pads.

As you can see it on the table, with the Warmth to Weight Ratio of 0.35 NeoAir XLite is %59 better than Exped SynMat HL (0.22) for cold weather backpacking trips.

I am comparing the regular sizes of the sleeping pads, but don’t worry if you’re looking for small or large versions as well, the differences between two pads are nearly the same in every size.

If you’re into winter camping, after comprehensive research I compiled the best cold weather sleeping pads.

Comfort

Winner: Exped SynMat Hyperlite

There are two points to be considered when it comes to the comfort of sleeping pads; Thickness and Shape.

Thickness

Thickness is especially important for side sleepers. Because when you lay on your side, more pressure is being made on the pad and you’re more likely to go deeper and feel the ground. Therefore if you’re a side-sleeper go for the thickest ones.

In the case of Exped SynMat Hyperlite vs Thermarest Neoair XLite, with a thickness of 2.8″ Exped SynMat HL offers a 0.3″ bigger cushion depth than Thermarest NeoAir XLite (2.5″).

If you like to see alternative comfortable sleeping pads, you can check out the article where I compiled the best sleeping pads for bad backs.

Shape

Both sleeping pads have a tapered form, they’re wider at the shoulder area and more narrow at the foot area (this design is for reducing the weight and packed size), therefore, if you’re a person who moves a lot during sleeping, you might slide off the pad, in that case, I recommend the rectangular-shaped Exped SynMat UL.

And for the Exped SynMat Hyperlite vs Thermarest NeoAir XLite comparison, Exped SynMat HL features anti-slip GripSkin honeycomb-pattern coating, therefore it’s harder to slide off the Synmat Hyperlite.

Sound

Winner: Exped SynMat Hyperlite

You might be thinking, sound, what is the relevance? But due to the insulation materials used in the sleeping pads, some of them make crinkly sounds if you move while lying on it.

And unfortunately, Thermarest NeoAir XLite is one of those sleeping pads. If you think you would be affected by the sound, then Exped SynMat Hyperlite Might be a better option for you.

Durability

Winner: Thermarest NeoAir XLite

The hardest job for sleeping pad manufacturers is to strike the perfect balance between weight and durability. For the comparison of Exped SynMat vs NeoAir XLite, Thermarest NeoAir XLite is the superior one, it features a more denier, ripstop fabric with a lower weight.

Thermarest XLite is made of 30D rip HT Nylon, Exped SynMat Hyperlite on the other hand is made of 20D Polyester.

Also, both sleeping pads come with a repair kit, but those repair kits are only usable for small rips, and since these pads need air to do their job. So to avoid these rips, don’t forget the clear the ground you pitch your tent.

Features

Exped SynMat comes with the Schnozzel Pumpbag to ease the inflation process and prevent the moist air that would be coming from the breath get into the pad and cause mold.

See Exped SynMat HL Customer Reviews

Thermarest, on the other hand, has designed a very convenient and innovative valve called WingLock, it eases inflation and deflation process, and also prevents moist breath to get into the pad.

See Thermarest NeoAir XLite Customer Reviews

Sizes & Dimensions

Sizes of Thermarest Neoair XLite

Sizes of Exped SynMat Hyperlite

Watch the Exped SynMat Hyperlite review here:

When looking for a large, 4-season, durable self-inflating sleeping pad it’s very common to not being able to decide between Exped Megamat 10 vs Thermarest Mondoking 3D. In this article, I will cover everything you need to know for both sleeping pads, so you can choose the one suitable for you.

In summary, Exped Megamat offers a bigger space, better insulation, easier deflation, and it sounds less. Therm-a-Rest Mondoking, on the other hand, weighs less and packs down smaller. It’s made of slightly higher denier fabric, therefore, offers slightly better longevity.

Specs of Megamat 10 vs Mondoking 3D

Detailed Comparison of Exped Megamat and Thermarest Mondoking

Weight & Pack Size

First things first, both sleeping pads are quite heavy and bulky for backpacking, they mainly made for car campings. Although the weight and package size are not the first priority for car camps, I can say that Therm-a-Rest Mondoking is a superior model here.

With a weight of 4 lbs 6 oz, it is 1 lb 11 oz lighter than Exped Megamat (6 lbs 3 oz). And with a 26″ x Ø 10.3″ packed dimension it packs down smaller than Exped Megamat (31.1″ x Ø 9.8″).

Dimensions

Although they both offer different sizes, Exped Megamat is the winner in the size department due to its variety of sizes.

But let’s compare their Large sizes: With the dimensions of 77″, they offer the same length and it’s more than enough if you’re not taller than 6′ 4″. But for the width Exped Megamat is the superior one, with the 30.3″ of shoulder girth, it offers 5″ wider space than Therm-a-Rest Mondoking 3D.

Also for those who’re camping with the significant other, unlike Thermarest Mondoking, Exped offers a twin model, check out the latest prices of Exped Megamat Duo.

Insulation

Insulation of sleeping pads is measured by a term called R-Value. It is a measure of the ability to resist the flow of heat, so the higher the R-Value the more insulation you will get.

With that being said, with the R-Value of 9.5 Exped Megamat 10 is the clear winner here since Therm-a-Rest Mondoking‘s R-Value is 7.0.

But to be honest, since they both offer a really high R-Value, it shouldn’t be a consideration point unless you’re going for extreme cold camping.

As I’ve mentioned before, neither of the sleeping pads are made for backpacking. If you’re into cold weather backpacking trips, check out my article where I compiled the best cold weather sleeping pads.

Comfort

Comfort is an extremely important issue especially for side-sleepers and for those who have bad backs. And if you’re one those people it’s highly recommended to go for a sleeping pad that is at least 3″ of thick, so you wouldn’t feel the ground when you lay down on the pad.

But luckily both sleeping pads are extremely thick, the cushion depths of Exped Megamat and Therm-a-Rest Mondoking are respectively 3.9″ and 4.25″. So both are suitable for bad backs and side sleepers.

For the comfort comparison of Exped Megamat vs ThermaRest Mondoking, there is not a clear winner, they both offer bed-like comfort, but I must say that people tend to find Exped Megamat more comfortable.

Ease of Setup

Since they are both self-inflating sleeping pads, they are quite easy to set up, just lay it on the ground and open the valve, after roughly 15/20 minutes it will be inflated and ready.

However, neither will be fully inflated, if you like it firm, you need to pump little air to adjust it to your desired level of firmness.

You don’t need to use your breath to inflate either of the pad (which would cause mold and end up screwing your pad in long term), Exped Megamat comes with a small pump, Therm-a-Rest Mondoking, on the other hand, comes with a pump sack.

Features

Both Megamat and Mondoking have 2 valves, the difference is; valves of Therm-a-Rest Mondoking are the same they can be both used for inflating and deflating. Valves of Exped Megamat on the other hand, have different purposes, one is specifically for inflating and the other one is for deflating.

Since it has a valve specifically build for deflating big amount of air, it’s a lot easier to deflate and pack down Exped Megamat. Also, Exped Megamat features a small nub on the inflation valve to deflate the pad just a little bit to adjust the firmness (it’s placed on the left valve as you can see at the picture above).

One important note: If you go with the newer and improved model of Therm-a-Rest Mondoking with Twinlock, the two valves of the pad are not the same; left one is specifically made for inflation, and the right one is for deflation (which can open all the way to decrease deflation time and ease the process). So if you go with the Twinlock model I must say that both sleeping pads are the highest quality and one is not better than the other.

Also, If you’re camping with a partner, Thermarest has a gear called Synergy Coupler to combine two Thermarest Mondoking into one double sleeping pad.

Check the latest price of Therm-a-Rest Synergy Coupler on Amazon.

Durability

Since they’re both self-inflating (Half Air/Half PU) sleeping pads they need air to do their job. And when they’re damaged, they’re useless. Therefore both come with a repair kit.

Since they’re most likely to get the damage from the bottom (due to rocks and sticks on the ground), Megamat’s and Mondoking’s bottom are respectively made of 70D and 75D Polyester, they’re both extremely durable. It wouldn’t be fair to say one of them is superior when it comes to durability comparison of Exped Megamat vs Thermarest Mondoking.

Sound

Due to the insulating material used in them, some sleep pads make a lot of noise when you move during the night. And most people don’t take sound into consideration when choosing a sleeping pad and they end up hating the pad and get a new one.

If the sound doesn’t bother you much, this may not be the first priority for you, but if it’s a deal-breaker for you, you should know that Exped Megamat is quieter than Thermarest Mondoking.

Exped Megamat Review

Exped Megamat is one of the most popular 4 seasons sleeping pad on the market, and its popularity is not based on great marketing, it’s based on its fantastic features, such as insulation, comfort, ease of setup, etc.

It has an R-Value of 9.5, if you don’t know what that number indicates, it basically means that this sleeping pad can keep you warm even in the most freezing/deadly conditions (It can keep you warm down to -54°F)

If you’ve ever done cold weather camping, you probably know how important the sleeping pad is, but if it’s your first time, you should know that in the freezing cold, your sleeping pad and sleeping bag will be your best friend. Therefore it’s really important to go for a sleeping pad that has a high R-Value.

Exped Megamat is a self-inflated sleeping pad, it doesn’t require an extra blowing, you just need to let it sit for 15 minutes and it’s ready to go, but if you like it firm you can just pump it 20/25 times to fully inflate the pad.

Unlike most of the pads on the market, Megamat features two valves; one for inflation and one for deflation. On the inflation valve, there is a little nub to release the air a little bit to adjust the inflation of the pad the way you like it.

Fun fact: you might think the pump is unnecessary but, blowing the pad with your breath causes mold which basically is the cancer of sleeping pads. So if you want to increase longevity, always use pumps for sleeping pads.

Dimensions of the pad are 77.6″ x 30.3″ so if your not a fellow taller than 6’4″ it offers more than enough space. And it’s a really comfortable sleeping pad, also, since it’s 3.9″ thick you don’t bottom out on this pad and don’t feel the ground which is great for side-sleepers and bad-backs as well.

Exped Megamat 10 LXW weighs 99.7 oz (pump and sack included), and it packs down to 31.1″ x 9.8″. As you might have guessed by now if you’re not Arnold Schwarzenegger the pad is not for backpacking. But if you’re going for a car camping it shouldn’t be a big problem.

It has a sidewinder sack, which means it opens from the side, and the sack offers a great room, so you wouldn’t struggle and fight with the pad to get it in and get it out of the sack.

Check the latest price of Exped Megamat on Amazon

Therm-a-Rest Mondoking Review

Therm-a-Rest Mondoking is the most preferred car camp sleeping pad on the market for those who are fond of comfort.

It’s a self-inflating sleeping pad, therefore, when you’re at the campsite, just put your pad on the ground open the valves, and when you’re done with other preparations (such as pitching the tent) your pad will be ready waiting for you (it generally takes 15 minutes to be inflated). You might need to pump a little more get it up to your desired level of firmness though. It also comes with a pump sack so you don’t need to blow it with your mouth.

The great thing about this pad is, it’s got an R-Value of 7.0, you can use this pad even in the coldest temperature you can imagine, it will still keep you warm.

For those who’re camping with their partner, if you buy two Therm-a-Rest Mondoking and one Therm-a-Rest Synergy Coupler, you can combine two single sleeping pads into a double sleeping pad.

Its dimensions are 25″ (Width) x 77″ (Length), and it has a thickness of 4.25″ which is great for side-sleepers and bad-backs.

It has one downside, it’s bulky, packs down to 26″ x 10.3″ and weighs 4 lbs 6 oz, therefore, it’s not an option for backpacking, but for a car camping, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Check the latest price of Therm-a-Rest Mondoking 3D on Amazon

Thanks to its quality products, perhaps the first brand that comes to mind when you think of a sleeping pad is Thermarest. Thermarest offers a huge range of products, but in this article, I will compare the two top foam sleeping pads in its line, Thermarest Z Lite vs RidgeRest.

If you’re in a hurry, the main differences between the two pads are: Thermarest Z Lite takes up less space due to its accordion design. While Thermarest Z Lite offers only small and regular sizes, Thermarest RidgeRest also offers a large size as well.

Specs of Thermarest Z Lite and RidgeRest

Detailed Comparison of Thermarest Z Lite vs RidgeRest

Insulation

When it comes to insulation, RidgeRest is slightly better, but the difference is small enough to say they are the same. R-Values of Therm-a-Rest Z Lite and RidgeRest are respectively 2.0 and 2.1, both can protect you from the cold up to 40 °F.

If you plan to camp in colder climates as well, take a look at my article on sleeping pads for cold weather camping.

Size

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite offers only 2 sizes; small and regular, RidgeRest on the other hand, offers 3 sizes; small, regular, and large. Therefore the winner for the sizes is RidgeRest (at least for tall ones).

Weight

Both of them have the same weight in the same size, so one is not superior in weight. Regular sizes of both Thermarest Z Lite and RidgeRest weigh 14 oz.

Packed Size & Compactness

So here we’re, the biggest difference between two pads is: While RidgeRest packs down to a cylindrical form, Therm-a-Rest Z – Lite packs down to a rectangular form due to its accordion shape. And, thanks to its innovative design Z – Lite packs down smaller and takes up less room compared to Thermarest RidgeRest.

Versatility

Both sleeping pads can be used for sitting, but due to its rectangular form, it’s much comfortable and easy to sit on Thermarest Z Lite.

Comfort

You should know that, compared to other types of sleeping pads, foam sleeping pads are the least comfortable ones. If you have a bad back or if you’re a side-sleeper I wouldn’t recommend a foam sleeping pad.

But if you’re okay with sacrificing the comfort a little bit, for the Thermarest Z Lite vs RidgeRest comparison, I can say that although the difference is very small and may depend on the person, people tend to find RidgeRest more comfortable.

Due to its material type and design, it really is a lifetime gear, you really need to try hard to make it unusable.

Although it’s not as small as air sleeping pads, it’s quite compact due to its accordion-style shape, and it’s also versatile, unlike any other sleeping pads, you can use this one for sitting as well (its height is 5″ when packed).

It features heat-trapping dimples, to maximize heat efficiency, and it has an R-Value of 2.0. But if you’re into cold weather camping, that wouldn’t be enough, if that’s the case take a look at my article where I gathered up the best cold weather sleeping pads.

Overall it’s a pocket-friendly, very durable, comfortable, and compact sleeping pad. One downside of the pad is, it’s only 0,75″ thick, therefore if you’re a side sleeper or if you have a bad back, it wouldn’t be a good choice for you.

Thermarest RidgeRest Review

Thermarest RidgeRest is the most basic type of sleeping pad that does the job at a really low price, and considering its price it’s much sturdy, light, and versatile.

Unlike Z Lite, it also offers a large size for tall fellows out there. Here’re the Specs for all 3 sizes:

It weighs only 14 oz, therefore, it’s great for ultralight camping (it’s a bit bulky though). It has an R-Value of 2.1, it’s not enough for winter camping but it keeps you warm for 3-season.

It’s not as easy as Z – Lite, but you can use it for sitting on it if you need resting during a hike. For those who’re on a budget, you can go with the Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest without any hesitation.