A close look at two sleeping pads buyers cross-shop. The Zoom UL Insulated leans on low weight while the NeoAir XLite NXT MAX answers with warmth, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 85✓ | 81 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 4.3 R | 4.5 R✓ |
| Weight | 14.0 oz✓ | 19.0 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.08 R/100g✓ | 0.83 R/100g |
| Packed size | 1.66 L✓ | 3.17 L |
| Thickness | 3.3 in✓ | 3.0 in |
| Durability | 12 /100 | 30 /100✓ |
| Price | $200✓ | $220 |
| Features | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ | 2Pump sack included, Repair kit included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Zoom UL Insulated in blue, NeoAir XLite NXT MAX in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated next to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT MAX and the trade-offs are clear. The Zoom UL Insulated wins on low weight and warmth-to-weight, and the NeoAir XLite NXT MAX pushes back on warmth and durability.
The Zoom UL Insulated is 5 oz lighter, stronger on warmth-to-weight, and more packable (1.7 L vs 3.2 L). The NeoAir XLite NXT MAX is warmer (R 4.5 vs R 4.3) and more durable. On the default GearScore the Zoom UL Insulated leads 85 to 81.
Pick the Zoom UL Insulated if you care most about low weight and warmth-to-weight, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the NeoAir XLite NXT MAX if warmth and durability matter more to you, or you are focused on colder nights and shoulder-season trips.
The Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated. It is 5 oz lighter than the NeoAir XLite NXT MAX.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT MAX. It is warmer (R 4.5 vs R 4.3) than the Zoom UL Insulated.
The Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated, 85 to 81 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Zoom UL Insulated for low weight, or the NeoAir XLite NXT MAX for warmth. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.