Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad Evaluate

Backside Line

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL is the Cadillac of warm-weather tenting mattresses – plush, light-weight, and surprisingly packable for its dimension. Three different variations of the NeoAir are on our greatest backpacking sleeping pads information, however due to its comfortable floor, the Topo Luxe earns a spot on our greatest tenting mattresses information.

It’s robust to enhance on a product we already love, however Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has discovered the Topo Luxe does precisely that. This one is an inch thicker, has extra foam, and is even comfier than the opposite NeoAir members of the family which can be centered on backpacking. Ian has spent over 20 nights on this mannequin. He has discovered that the 4 inches of thickness and horizontal baffles ship superior consolation and stability. 

An included pump sack helps with inflation, so that you received’t be huffing and puffing after an extended day on the path. The XL dimension is a bit heavy for backpacking, however the common mannequin trims down weight sufficient that it’s an honest possibility for multi-day treks when consolation is high precedence.

Nonetheless, the NeoAir Topo Luxe XL isn’t constructed for chilly nights. Its 3.7 R-value means you’ll wish to save this one for heat situations. The rounded edges cut back usable house, and our testing decided the cumbersome valves aren’t essentially the most streamlined. It’s additionally on the expensive aspect – although the sturdiness and luxury assist justify the associated fee. If you happen to want a lighter or hotter possibility, Therm-a-Relaxation’s different NeoAir fashions is likely to be a greater match. For fair-weather adventurers looking for a comfortable night time’s sleep and a small packed dimension, this one is tough to beat.

Consolation

The Topo Luxe might appear to be a standard backpacking pad, however it’s simply as comfy as any tenting mattress. Like a lot of the competitors, this one is 4 inches thick, so we didn’t backside out when sleeping on our sides or take care of any strain factors. The horizontal baffles create a steady floor that stops the sinking, bouncy really feel that’s frequent in different air pads. And Therm-A-Relaxation provides a bit of sentimental cloth on high for a easy really feel in opposition to the pores and skin.

We advocate the most important pad attainable for automotive tenting – on this case, the XL – as a result of we like loads of room to unfold out. Nonetheless, the Topo Luxe is available in a number of sizes and widths, together with Common, Common Vast, Giant and XL. It’s simple to select the proper size in your physique form and sleep type.

There are some cons to the Topo Luxe, although. Ian tends to toss and switch within the night time, and he discovered the rounded edges cut back the usable sleeping space in comparison with mattresses with vertical partitions. We just like the 50D polyester cloth on high, however it’s slippier than a lot of the competitors. Nonetheless, these are minor points. This factor delivers a luxurious sleeping expertise general, which is the explanation we preserve it in our arsenal.

Ease of Use

Establishing camp is a breeze with the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL. The included pump sack inflates the pad rapidly, saving our breath after an extended day of taking part in outdoors. The horizontal baffles assist distribute air evenly, stopping the awkward bulges and bounciness of lesser pads. The light-weight design makes it simple to hold and retailer in our trunks, and it packs down surprisingly small for a four-inch-thick pad. Deflating is simply as easy, due to the twin valve system. The dump valve means there’s no struggling to squeeze out each final little bit of air, and also you’ll solely must roll this pad up as soon as. Whether or not you’re automotive tenting or backpacking, this pad’s simple to make use of when organising for the night time.

In contrast with self-inflating mattresses, although, the Topo Luxe is extra work. With a self-inflating mannequin, you possibly can unroll it, pop open the valve, and stroll away. With the High Luxe, it took us a median of 8 minutes to inflate totally utilizing the pump sack. Nonetheless, we’re often not in any rush when tenting, so it’s not an enormous deal.

Additionally, we discovered the valves are cumbersome. They’re bigger twisting plastic valves that stick out, to allow them to jam into the aspect of your tent. They may also be a little bit finicky when making changes, and so they accumulate filth extra simply than slicker supplies.

Heat

As a result of its R-Worth is just 3.7, we solely advocate this Therm-A-Relaxation mannequin for delicate situations and heat summer time nights above 40°F. It’s 4 inches thick, so there’s nonetheless loads of separation from the chilly floor. In hotter temps, we had no bother retaining physique warmth due to horizontal baffles that evenly distribute heat and cut back chilly spots. 

As soon as temperatures drop under freezing, although, it struggles – another excuse this mattress doesn’t rank larger on our information. Within the footage all through this text, we had been testing the Topo Luxe on a frozen lake round 10,000’ within the Entrance Vary of the Colorado Rockies with in a single day temps of 35°F. This pad wouldn’t have stored us heat sufficient by itself, so we added a foam pad beneath for two extra R-Worth factors, which made it a lot comfy for the 35°F low.

Warmth retention is compromised by the air-filled design, which doesn’t entice heat as successfully as foam-filled choices. If winter tenting is on the agenda, a better-insulated pad can be a better selection.

Packed Dimension

Packing this mattress down is refreshingly easy. Because of a giant dump valve, this factor deflates effectively on the primary roll, and packs right down to an impressively tiny 6 by 11 inches. The included pump sack doubles as a storage bag. At simply over two kilos for the XL (and even lighter for the Common dimension), it balances consolation with portability nicely. Whether or not it’s stuffed within the nook of a storage room or tucked inside a backpack, it doesn’t take up extreme house in comparison with comparable luxurious sleeping pads.

The Topo Luxe is among the lightest choices on our tenting mattresses record, however it’s nonetheless bulkier than ultralight fashions constructed for ultralight backpacking. The thick development doesn’t pack down in addition to thinner air pads. The valves are additionally on the bigger aspect, including some additional bulk when saved. Nonetheless, should you don’t thoughts backpacking with a bit extra weight, this one affords a very distinctive degree of consolation.

Ought to You Purchase the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL?

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL is ideal for campers and occasional backpackers who need a plush, supportive sleeping pad with out the effort of a cumbersome air mattress. If you happen to’re in search of an impressive stability of packability and luxurious, this one is within the Goldilocks zone. At 4 inches thick, it affords a comfortable, well-structured floor that rivals an actual mattress whereas nonetheless packing down effectively. It’s a handbook inflation system, however the included pump sack makes inflation fast and easy, so setup is a breeze. That mentioned, should you’re on a funds, prefer to unfold out, or plan to camp in colder climate, this one will miss the mark. We don’t advocate the Topo Luxe for temperatures under 35°F due to its decrease R-value. It’s additionally a bit heavy for backpacking, and the value tag is steep in comparison with wider, heavier, and extra comfortable automotive tenting pads. Nonetheless, in case your high precedence is consolation and also you solely backpack and automotive camp a handful of occasions a 12 months, this one is the proper center floor.

What Different Tenting Mattresses Ought to You Take into account?

Try our greatest tenting mattresses record for options:

Paria Recharge XL Evaluate: The Paria Recharge XL is a stellar budget-friendly different to the Topo Luxe: it’s additionally 4 inches thick, manually inflated, and on the decrease finish of heat. Nonetheless, this one is lighter by half a pound.

Sea to Summit Consolation Deluxe XL Evaluate: If you happen to’re extra of a automotive camper, the Consolation Deluxe is value contemplating. It solely prices a bit greater than the Topo Luxe, however it’s extra comfy, a lot hotter, and simpler to inflate.

Therm-A-Relaxation LuxuryMap XL Evaluate: LuxuryMap is one other Therm-A-Relaxation mannequin with an inexpensive price ticket and a thick, cozy design. Nonetheless, this one is healthier for automotive campers because it’s heavier and bulkier than the Topo Luxe.