Here is how these two sleeping pads compare on the numbers. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX | Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 79✓ | 77 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 7.3 R | 7.3 R |
| Weight | 22.9 oz | 21.5 oz✓ |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.12 R/100g | 1.20 R/100g✓ |
| Packed size | 3.72 L | 3.69 L✓ |
| Thickness | 3.0 in | 3.1 in✓ |
| Durability | 57 /100✓ | 12 /100 |
| Price | $250✓ | $250 |
| Features | 2Pump sack included, Repair kit included | 2Pump sack included, Repair kit included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX in blue, Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down 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 against the Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down is a study in priorities. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX is more durable and a little cheaper. The Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down is 1 oz lighter, stronger on warmth-to-weight, and a touch more packable. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (79 vs 77), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX if you care most about durability and price, which makes it the better call for rough ground and hard use. Pick the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down if low weight and warmth-to-weight matter more to you, or you are focused on counting grams on long miles.
The Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down. It is 1 oz lighter than the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX. It is more durable than the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down.
They are nearly tied at 79 and 77 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX for durability, or the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down for low weight. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.