Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Mat

[Nuts]

They mentioned heat, i explained they are stored in insulated storage and used only at night (and only in Tassie)

[Jellybean]

Hi Jelly bean,

I wasnt going to bring it up (but you did ask)....
The pinholing has been mentioned previously?
Here's the other problem (and please, this may take a long time to happen in general use so i dont want to panic anyone. also just to mention that the Aust distributor has been more than helpful) (ive also sold a few and if this happens in the next 12mths just let me know):

Hi Nuts,

Thanks for the pics Do you know whether they were ever "overinflated" by the users?

Cheers,

JB

[alliecat]

There were a few reports of this type of failure on US forums shortly after the neoair was first available. I don't remember if there was any resolution from cascade designs other than replacing the mats. I'll check the usual hiking sites and if I find any more info, I'll post it here. But rest assured, Nuts, you are not the only person that has seen this problem with the neoair.

[Nuts]

JB they were used in covers, i doubt overinflated, it would be hard to do i'd think
AC the pics are the exped mats, so far no problems with the neo here

7 from 12 did this
8 from another 12 deflated with pinholing/delamination

[alliecat]

Oh, my mistake. Still - there have been the same sort of failures with the neoair so watch out for those too

7 out of 12 is just hopeless - obviously a design and/or manufacturing issue that needs to be sorted.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Just got my neo-air in the mail from the US. $200 cheaper than I was quoted from a local store.
Not yet used it in the field, but have had in in the lounge inflated for a while now and it looks and feels great! Alot thicker than my Thermarest and packs up to less than half the size! It is also amazingly light. I am so far impressed.

[jez_au]

Letting you know the outcome of my deflating neoair from the discussion earlier in this thread (http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2871&start=30#p46486) - the neoair deflated to an uncomfortable level within 3-4 hours. I had repaired 5 holes, all from a single night. Some of those holes were tempermental to find, I could find no other holes.

I contacted the Cascade Designs Australian distributor, despite me buying the product new from a private seller on ebay. They assessed the mattress and replaced it under warranty with no further explanation. They had asked me to send it to them with a letter detailing how much the mattress had been used, how it had been cared for and how it had been stored.

[ninjapuppet]

Thats very reassuring to hear. +1 to cascade designs!
you had a genuine issue with the mat, so its not like you were trying to scam them then to sell it off or anything.
I just hope they treat others this way too. I have heard they replaced an MSR tent's poles that snapped in hard winds, but that was MSR.

I chucked the labels out for my neoair, but do you know if its a lifetime warranty?
Contracts with words like that get me a little skeptical like my osprey exos pack having a "life time warranty" and yet looking quite flimsy.

[Charlievee]

I have a Neo Air and love it. A great mattress. I haven't noticed too much "crinkly noise" ; maybe my snoring overshadows that. I too, don't inflate it too hard. Regards, CV

[jez_au]

Hey ninjapuppet.

The Neoair has a "Limited Lifetime Warranty" as per label on mattress adjacent branding. Prior to reading the website, I did not think they would accept my warranty claim, either for it's use or my purchase method (private seller on ebay.)

Their website goes through the detail (http://cascadedesigns.com/Service/Warranty-and-Repair):

"If you experience any problems with a Cascade Designs product, the information below will help you with getting it repaired or replaced as quickly as possible."

"In order to keep our products in use and out of the landfills, Cascade Designs offers a repair service. If you cannot repair your product, please return it to the Cascade Designs Service Center. If possible we will repair non-warranty damage at a fair rate."

"Normal wear, abrasion, misuse, alteration, abuse, taking apart of the product, or improper washing and drying are not covered. This warranty does not cover damage caused by improper care, accidents, prolonged UV exposure, or the natural breakdown of certain materials over long periods of time."

You may need a proof of purchase to claim under warranty. This could possibly include original packaging and/or instructions. I purchased my mattress from the US (I live in Australia), but claimed warranty from the Australian dealer.

[leithel]

Just bought 2 Neoairs on ebay last night. A seller in the UK was elling the regular sized ones for $150AUD + $16AUD for postage. Looking forward to some comy nights sleep in the bush. My Krapmandu matt was horribly uncomfortable!

[Genesis]

Hi all,

This is probably my first post and need some advice for a sleeping mat, I have narrowed it down to the following:

1. Thermarest Prolite Plus Large
2. Thermarest NeoAir Large
3. Exped Downmat 7 Pump DLX
4. Exped Synmat 7 Pump DLX

I am favoring the exped at the moment due to the thermal rating, price/performance ratio and apparent comfort. However they
are heavier and bulkier that the thermarests on the list.

I just wanted to get some feedback from anyone who has experience with these mats.

Thanks heaps.

[legend]

My NeoAir has seen about 100 nights of use. The coldest it's been outside is about -3ºC with frost on the inside of the tent (Around Kosci this summer). As stated before, it does go down during the night, but 2 or 3 quick breathes put it back to 'normal' pressure.
I do make sure that I don't have small richea sp? (that pop through coral fern) not under my tent - lethal stuff if you sit on it too!
Others in my club use the mat in thermarest chairs - no problems as I speak.

[north-north-west]

My NeoAir has only had about twenty nights' use, but it isn't going down on me yet. Took a little bit to get used to the narrowness, but now I love it, though I'll be keeping the Prolite for winter.

[walkinTas]

How cold have the camps been where you've used the NeoAir? Could you feel the ground coldness? Its nice and light at 400g, but the Rvalue of 2.5 worries me.

[Nuts]

I like mine. It hasnt gone down on me yet though.

I have used them to a few degrees and to -7 with a solid thin closed cell foam mat under. When not on a platform I always take a c/c foam mat. The light one (i think) is 1.something mm and the winter 3/4mm. This is where the weight reduction thing makes my brain hurt though, perhaps a tad smaller pack could be used if the c/c mat wasnt carried.. but then the neo is a tad smaller than other mats... silly weight reduction thing...

Its also where the years of use thing comes in.. do you try a 1/2/3 then 4mm c/c 'under' mat? Do you race out when it looks like being cold in winter to try? Reviews can make things a bit easier but many seem written in relative haste?

[enduro]

I bought my first NeoAir in October 2010 and it has been on four trips so far. I started with an early thin Thermorest 3/4 which I have had for about 25 years and it is still going strong and purchased the NeoAir for the body length, weight and compressed size. I'm 185cm 90Kg and bought the large (192cm) model and failed to remember that my OR Alpine Bivy isn't quite that long! Still, it when down the OT with me for 10 days (min night-time air 4'C) and a few other places with the same temps. My -1'C Marmot 850 down bag was not warm enough and the -7 WM 850 bag was just perfect for this mat. With the lighter bag I kept waking up and could just feel the cold creeping in below, though was toasty around otherwise.

On the nights described above I was inside a bivy, on the ground and wearing Icebreaker 150 tops and bottoms.

Both mat's I have purchased cost about $150 inclusive delivery and were from the US. I've also managed to get an Arcterys Theta AR for under $AU400 delivered out of the US via a seller.

I've read reviews where ppl say the mat crinkles a bit, it does, but very little really. Anyone that would be disturbed by it either isn't tired or is unfamiliar with being out in the wilderness.

I've just sold my 192cm Large and the Medium length will arrive from the US next week. Hopefully I won't mind the falloff at below knee level with this one. My footsies normally hang off the bed anyway!

When I was looking at the lengths, I noticed Cascade Designs were not listing all the lengths and then in the last few days are only listing specs on the Large sized mat.

[Dale]

I recently bought a second hand Neo Air pad (although it had only been used once) - it's the original Neo Air, not one of the new fangled ones Looks like a nifty pad and great weight for thickness ratio. Anyhoo I'm thinking this will my go to pad on a week long hike. Interested to hear anyone's experience on durability as these mats have been out in the field for some time now and I know there are plenty of users on the forum.

Also interested if anyone has performed field repairs and whether you purchased the 'fast and light' repair kit ? I have a bunch of repair kits for other mats and wondering whether I can mix and match here ?

[enduro]

I've been using mine consistently since purchase in late 2010 and it is still functioning perfectly. I've used it in 4'C temps on earth and initially found it a bit too cool underneath in my OR Alpine Bivy, and -1 Marmut Hydrogen. Shifting into a -9 WM Ultralite solved the chill issues.

Whenever I lay my kit down for the night, I always check the ground area thoroughly for spikes and sharp sticks etc. If you one is using a thin tent base or not much at all it would be wise to carry a foot print for protection.

[sthughes]

2 years later still going strong. Used it heaps and take no real care. Only when camping on snow with nothing but a ground sheet under it have I felt cold. Not even tempted by new ones as it is pretty much perfect for me.

Also makes a decent camp stool if I wrap it in a pack cover to protect it a bit.

[enduro]

2 years later still going strong. Used it heaps and take no real care. Only when camping on snow with nothing but a ground sheet under it have I felt cold. Not even tempted by new ones as it is pretty much perfect for me.

Also makes a decent camp stool if I wrap it in a pack cover to protect it a bit.

you ought to post you sleeping gear that you used.

[Ent]

Hi

No issues after two years with no great special care. Sthughes seat looks good until it unravels and then looks hilarious For me it is too cold for camping on snow. The Exped downmat rocks in those conditions while Pro-lite (R4) is ok. As a certified gear freak I am tempted by the X-lite simply as it is R3.2 so might just cut the mustard for snow camping. Also bit lighter as I have the large size. Probably should wait for the X-therm but cost rather high. But with all Therma-rest and Cascade Design products, ridiculously over price if brought in Australia (like twice what it should be) plus large size hard to get. One of the few items that you do not compromise on comfort to save weight and pack space. Run out specials on the older models like mine but you might strike do not ship to Australia bands. At half the price the older model is good value. I have the Fast and Light repair kit but never needed it.

Do not hear much on the Exped UL competitor so interest to read what this site users have experienced with them.

Cheers

[norts]

I use the Neoair all seasons. Havent used it in cold conditions yet, it is really comfortable . I like its packed size and weight too.
The worst thing is pumping it up, I use the bag provided but it takes for ever. Had to pump it up only once while in the tent, was a bit of a pain .Last walk I did my son had the down mat and was laughing at me while i mucked around pumping up the all seasons, I know I can use my mouth but I dont want to put too much moist air in the mat if I dont need too.

I think I might revert to my Downmat 7 short for snow camping, goes up in a fraction of the time needed for all seasons. Dont think i would like to be sitting in a tent on snow and spending 10 minutes pmping up the mat.

Roger

[Dale]

Thanks for your feedback folks. I'll give this pad a whirl as colder temps kick off and see what temps it will handle. I agree for snow I'll be dusting off the Exped down mat. Must say I'm tempted by the new Exped UL down mat !

[Strider]

Mine without stuffsac or rubber band weighs 406g, so your 395g one is light.

Received my Neoair (Regular size) in the mail today - weighs in alone at 367g, and 382g with stuffsack. Does this make mine ultralight?

[ninjapuppet]

are you sure its not the medium size? medium is just a tad shorter than regluar.

ive measured about 5 different regulars and they are all around 395-405g

the medium is listed as 370g. either case, you simply will not notice the difference. If i gave you a 395g weight and a 367g weight and asked which is heavier, you might get it wrong half the time.

but if it is the regular.......then you're a luckky man strider!

[Strider]

are you sure its not the medium size? medium is just a tad shorter than regluar.

100% positive its a Regular

[Strider]

are you sure its not the medium size? medium is just a tad shorter than regluar.

100% positive its a Regular

OK. I have measured and reweighed. It is definitely a Regular, however, after proper zeroing of my scales it is now reading 364g

[Strider]

are you sure its not the medium size? medium is just a tad shorter than regluar.

100% positive its a Regular

OK. I have measured and reweighed. It is definitely a Regular, however, after proper zeroing of my scales it is now reading 364g

The abnormally light Neo has gone to a new home! Way too noisy for me so I sold it via Ebay and have ordered an Exped Downmat UL 7

[DarrenM]

Not sure if I've posted this before or not....
My 4 year old Neoair gave up the ghost 3 months ago after moderate all round use. Scared the daylights outta me when it delamed in the middle of the night blowing internal baffles like fireworks! I was on my own in the middle of nowhere and thought somebody was shooting at me. What a brave little soldier.....
Anyway....I've been fairly brutal with it, but not completely careless and it's been an awesome piece of kit which will be replaced very soon. As for snow use, if you're wearing appropriate clothing it's fine.