The Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Will Make You Forget You're Sleeping on the Ground
Until now, that is. The Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft sleeping pad isn't the lightest at 25 ounces—goodbye, ultralight readers—but the 4.6-inch cushion is a true luxury, and it offers a great night's rest, which can be more valuable than shedding a few ounces. The Great Weight Debate
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
There are two problems with carrying a big sleeping pad in the backcountry. First, there's the weight you have to carry, and then there's the amount of room it takes up in your pack. The ultralight community online will try to convince you that camp comfort—that is, your shelter and your sleeping set up—aren't as important as keeping weight down, so you can move fast.
Depending on your goals in the backcountry, that may indeed be true. But after trying it for quite a few trips, I've found it's not the case for me. For me, carrying a little more weight in the form of a heavier tent and sleeping pad affords me a better night's sleep, which helps me (on average) to hike further than I do with less weight but poorer sleep.
Therm-a-Rest's new NeoLoft pad steps into this weight/size/comfort debate by leaning heavily on the side of comfort. It is undeniably big, relative to something like Therm-a-Rest's XLite pads or Sea to Summit's Ether Light series (our two favorite ultralight sleeping pads). For all that, though, the Neoloft isn't that big when packed down, especially considering how big it is when you inflate it.
The NeoLoft reliably packs down to a size that's just larger than a Nalgene water bottle—about an inch bigger around and an inch taller for the regular wide size pad that I tested. It's a tight squeeze fitting the NeoLoft in my Hyperlite Junction 40 with the rest of my gear, but it works for shorter trips where I'm not carrying a ton of food. For trips longer than three or four nights, I'd want a 55L pack. (Naturally, this will depend a lot on the size of the rest of your gear. You can see what I carry at LighterPack.)
I'll confess that I was dreading testing this pad. I didn't want to lug it with me, but when I actually loaded it up … I didn't really notice the extra 8 ounces over the Nemo Tensor I usually carry. Again though, I am not trying to win any ultralight prizes. Rather, I'm looking for the right balance between weight and comfort. Sleeping Pad Technology
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
I test organic mattresses for WIRED, and I use roughly the same criteria to judge sleeping pads. Comfort while sleeping comes down to how well your pad keeps you warm, how well it relieves pressure, how well it provides support, and how stable it is to sleep on.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
VIDEO: Lionel Messi gets the jumbotron treatment! Coldplay frontman Chris Martin labels 'Leo' the GOAT as Argentina superstar avoids drama with wife Antonela Roccuzzo at Miami concert
Argentine superstar enjoyed family night out Smiled and waved when cameras turned his way Questions being asked of Inter Miami future Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Supposed couples featuring on the big screen at Coldplay gigs have generated plenty of headlines over recent weeks, but the Messis were happy to smile and wave when the cameras turned in their direction - rather than diving for cover. WATCH THE CLIP THE BIGGER PICTURE Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has been reunited with his partner after seeing her take in a summer trip to Italy that allowed time to be spent in the company of fellow former Barcelona WAGs. Messi and Antonela enjoyed an evening out with their three sons as they took in the live Coldplay experience at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida - with the Argentine GOAT playing his club football in the Sunshine State for MLS side Inter Miami. WHAT CHRIS MARTIN SAID Coldplay frontman Chris Martin referred to Messi, when serenading him with an impromptu song, as the 'number one sports person of all-time'. Many would agree with that assessment, given all that the World Cup winner has achieved. WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI? Questions continue to be asked of how much longer Messi will be in Miami. An extension option in his contract, which would take him through the 2026 World Cup, is yet to be triggered - leading to reports of interest in the Argentine being shown from elsewhere.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
TSA Says Sweat Can Trigger Extra Security Checks at U.S. Airports—What to Know
Airport security can be a stressful place, but try not to sweat it. If you do, you might end up with problems. Heat waves are sweeping across the world and the summer sizzle continues in the United States, so it's not unexpected travelers may get a little sweaty when traveling through the airport. But it turns out, getting too sweaty might actually cause delays and trigger the need for extra security screenings. In fact, a passenger who is visibly perspiring might trigger the need for a wand screening or extra pat down, according to a report from CNN. 'Added moisture from a person's body can alter the density of clothing, so it is possible perspiration may cause our Advanced Imaging Technology machines to alarm,' a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson told the network. 'If this occurs, the passenger may need to undergo additional screening, such as a pat-down in the area of the body where the [machine is] alarmed, to ensure there is no threat.' But while pat downs may make an already stressful environment even more so, security lines at U.S. airports might start to move a little faster now that the TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they pass through security. And that change may leave travelers with a lot less to sweat about. 'Ending the 'Shoes-Off' policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation's airports,' Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. 'We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.' Noem added: "Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards." A week after that announcement, Noem said she had started "questioning" the TSA's current liquid limitations in carry-on bags. But despite her comments, it may actually be years before travelers can take large liquids with them. Currently, travelers must limit liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols in their carry-on luggage to 3.4 ounces or less and store them in a quart-sized resealable bag, which may need to be placed separately in a bin. Travelers who are part of the agency's expedited security screening program TSA PreCheck are also limited to 3.4-ounces, but they are not required to remove liquids from their luggage during screening. Similarly, these travelers were not required to remove their shoes during security screening even before the new rule went into effect. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Do You Have An 'Aisle Lice' Problem? Here's How To Tell.
If you've ever taken a flight, you know the chaos that often ensues after landing when the pilot turns off the 'fasten seatbelt' sign. People are jumping to their feet, swinging their bags down and in some cases, even getting into altercations. And of course, there are the 'aisle lice.' This deplaning phenomenon is quite common, but it can be frustrating nonetheless. Below, travel and etiquette experts break down what the term 'aisle lice' means and what you should know about this behavior before your next flight. What does 'aisle lice' refer to? ''Aisle lice' is a term used to describe airline passengers who immediately stand up and cluster in the aisle as soon as the plane arrives at the gate, often before the seatbelt sign is turned off,' said Lauren Gumport, vice president of communications at Faye Travel Insurance. It's related to the concept of 'gate lice,' the folks who crowd the gate area at the airport during the boarding process, well before their group number is called. 'Anyone who has been on a commercial flight in economy knows the cramped nature of deplaning,' said Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the flight alert service Going. 'Elbows in faces, bags coming from all angles in the overhead bins and of course, the impatient people who crowd the aisle. Regardless of seat assignment, some people will rush to the front of the aisle in an effort to deplane as fast as possible.' Although aisle lice typically refers to those who refuse to patiently wait in their designated seat until their row's turn to deplane, the term might also apply to passengers who stand and take up space in the aisle at other inopportune moments. 'So long as the attendants have finished their service, it is perfectly acceptable to stand or walk back and forth to stretch your legs. If there is beverage or meal service, you need to remain in your seat.' said Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. 'While generally used when referring to airplanes, aisle lice can also be found on trains, buses, subways, and even boats,' she added. What's driving this phenomenon?'In some cases, people are trying to make a tight connection, and they are likely the ones to rush ahead with an apology attached to provide context as to why they need to cut ahead,' Nastro said. 'Others are just too impatient to wait either in their seat or near their seat, inching as close to the plane door as possible without any regard for the unofficial deplaning protocol. Maybe they are late for a business meeting, or family emergency.' Whatever the case, she added that it's rare to get a full explanation as to why a particular passenger feels they should be allowed to deplane out of order. Smith emphasized that there can be valid reasons for aisle lice behavior. For instance, there might have been a long delay that shortened passengers' connection times. In these cases, even a few moments can mean the difference between making the next leg or being stranded overnight. 'But other passengers are just done being seated and want to stand to stretch their legs,' Smith said. 'And yes, there are a subset of passengers that are just plain pushy.' After long delays, flight attendants often make a pre-landing announcement asking passengers arriving at their final destinations to stay seated and allow those with tight connections to deplane more quickly. However, not everyone honors such requests. 'Aisle lice behavior is often driven by a mix of impatience, anxiety and a desire to be among the first off the plane ― whether to catch a tight connection, beat the crowd to baggage claim or simply stretch after a long flight,' Gumport said. 'In some cases, it's habit or social mimicry. People see others standing and assume they should, too.' She added that standing prematurely doesn't speed up the deplaning process in most cases. 'And it can create unnecessary congestion and tension, especially in tight cabin spaces,' Gumport said. 'That said, I wouldn't label it malicious ― it's more of a minor annoyance.' Dollar Flight Club founder and CEO Jesse Neugarten agreed that the phenomenon can be annoying, but the urge is relatable. 'I've definitely found myself standing up earlier than I needed to, especially on long travel days,' he said. 'This is one of those classic examples of how air travel kind of brings out weird habits in all of us. Everyone's tired, no one wants to be last. It's not the biggest deal, but it's one of those things where if everyone just relaxed a bit, the whole process would be smoother for everyone.' How can you not let aisle lice disrupt your air travel experience?'Aisle lice has become an even hotter topic in some places,' Nastro noted. 'Recently, Turkish Aviation Authorities have implemented a fine for people who stand up too early in the deplaning process, specifically when it is not safe to do so. These are extreme cases of people really going beyond deplaning etiquette.'In places where passengers are not fined for bad deplaning behavior, however, there are different ways to deal with aisle lice. 'Stand by and let pass, or kill 'em with kindness,' Nastro advised. 'If someone does rush ahead, you can consider politely asking if they have a connection or emergency, and if not, just explain that there is a general deplaning etiquette that ensures everyone gets off as efficiently as possible. If the other person isn't willing to oblige, well, you tried to do your part.' Regardless of how you feel, she emphasized the importance of patience and common courtesy in the deplaning process. 'If there is room, I am all for some of the passengers standing up in the aisle because this allows those still seated in the row a bit more elbow room and the ability to actually look around their seats to gather all of their belongings,' Smith said. 'It also allows for the overheads to be opened, making for easier unloading. What is not OK is pushing those standing in the aisle. Not every aisle seat will be able to stand, and if the passenger across the aisle from you has already stood, you will need to wait.' For those bothered by the aisle lice rush, she recommended booking a window seat and remaining seated until the majority of passengers have disembarked so that you may leave at your leisure. 'Honestly, what is more of a nuisance, especially in airplane travel, are those passengers who stand lollygagging in the aisle, turning this way and that, surprised that it is their turn, while blocking others from disembarking,' Smith said. 'Passengers who require extra time or assistance should, as the airline state, remain comfortably seated, allowing others to pass.' She also urged travelers to pay attention to where their fellow passengers' heads are as they pull their luggage from the overhead for those who stand up in the aisle during the flight, Smith emphasized presuming positive intent. 'Not everyone is able to sit still for hours on end,' she noted. 'For others, it may be medically necessary for them to walk and stretch during the journey.' Related... The Rudest Things You Can Do While Boarding A Plane A Definitive Guide To Airplane Seat Etiquette Is 'Check-In Chicken' The Ultimate Airplane Seat Hack? Here's What Experts Say.
