I bought my first Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad in 2010 and it only took one very comfortable night to know that I would never return to sleeping on a closed cell foam pad again. At 5'5" the 3/4 length pad reached to just below my knees where I placed my backpack to raise and insulate my feet, this system worked great for me. The 3/4 length pad weighed 9oz and totaled 9.4oz when I included the small stuff sack which allowed me to pack the pad into a cylinder just larger than a soda can. With an R value of 2.5 I knew this would not be a pad that I would use for regular snow or winter camping, but it was perfect for my intended use on my upcoming Pacific Crest Trail thru hike. I did also carry a very thin 1/8th inch Gossamer Gear foam pad which I used during the day as my sit pad and then placed under my NeoAir at night for added protection from the puncturing spines of the many cactus in the desert stretch of the hike. I also found that the foam pad helped to keep the NeoAir from sliding around on the slick floor of my tent or groundcloth.
I carried and used my NeoAir for the entire 2650 mile length of the PCT without ever having to repair a leak. I continued to use this pad for all of my shorter trips for the years to follow and eventually it began to form what I referred to as a "tumor" near the head of the pad. This lump of air formed from separating of internal air chambers. It began small and grew to the size of a melon over the course of a year of regular use. It didn't bother me much as it was located where I would typically use a pillow and I took advantage of the additional head padding. I knew another hiker who had a similar "tumor" form at the foot of his NeoAir and upon contacting Cascade Designs his sleeping pad was replaced at no cost. I considered replacing my pad, but after many years of use and over 450 nights of comfortable sleep I feel that my pad has just run the course of it's life. It finally acquired it's first slow leak after many years, and rather than patch or replace the valve (both of which are easy fixes) I have decided to retire this well used, much loved sleeping pad and replace it with the newest NeoAir pad.
I actually purchased two new NeoAir pads, the Xtherm and and the Xlite. Between these two pads I know I will be sleeping comfortably in all seasons, all year round. I have used the XTherm a couple of times and have been happy so far (see other review). I will be using my new Xlite for many backpacking trips in Alaska this upcoming year as well as for nightly sleep all summer long for my job as a camping guide. I will provide a more detailed review of the Xlite after I have used for awhile.
Cascade Designs, Inc. is a great company who manufactures most of their products in the U.S.A. and Ireland. They have provided me with great customer service and great gear.The NeoAir will continue to be my sleeping pad of choice for any time I find myself sleeping on the ground, whether that may be on the floor of a friends house or in the deep wilds of the back country.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest