Two sleeping pads worth lining up side by side. The NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX leans on warmth while the Ultra 7R answers with low weight, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX | Exped Ultra 7R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 79✓ | 76 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 7.3 R✓ | 7.1 R |
| Weight | 22.9 oz | 22.2 oz✓ |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.12 R/100g | 1.13 R/100g✓ |
| Packed size | 3.72 L✓ | 4.29 L |
| Thickness | 3.0 in | 3.5 in✓ |
| Durability | 57 /100✓ | 12 /100 |
| Price | $250 | $220✓ |
| Features | 2Pump sack included, Repair kit included | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX in blue, Ultra 7R 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.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX and Exped Ultra 7R take different routes to the same job. The NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX wins on warmth and packability, and the Ultra 7R pushes back on low weight and warmth-to-weight.
The NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX is warmer (R 7.3 vs R 7.1), more packable (3.7 L vs 4.3 L), and more durable. The Ultra 7R is 1 oz lighter, stronger on warmth-to-weight, and thicker for more cushion. On the default GearScore the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX leads 79 to 76.
Pick the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX if you care most about warmth and packability, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Ultra 7R if low weight and warmth-to-weight matter more to you, or you are focused on counting grams on long miles.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX. It is warmer (R 7.3 vs R 7.1) than the Ultra 7R.
The Exped Ultra 7R. It is 1 oz lighter than the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX, 79 to 76 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX for warmth, or the Ultra 7R for low weight. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.