I recently had the opportunity to put the new SpeedValve equipped Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite MAX SV mattress to the test over several trips in the Sierras.
The SpeedValve uses the Bernoulli Principle to achieve much more efficient inflation, promising two to three times fewer breaths than the non-SpeedValve version for a mere 5oz increase (the long version I tested weighed in at 1lb 5oz). In short, you blow into the opening at the top from about six to eight inches away, and the pressure differential pulls in the surrounding air to inflate the mattress with significantly fewer breaths.
My takeaway? With the same R-Value of 3.2, 2.5” of cushion, and all the USA-built goodness of the original, the NeoLite XLite MAX SV is a solid 3-season backpacking mattress worthy of consideration if you enjoy easy setup and aren’t a gram weenie. Just be sure to watch the instructional video beforehand—and maybe save the whiskey for after setup.
Read more about the questionable setting of my first series of testing and gain some insight on the iconic Therm-A-Rest brand in my full review for The Field.
