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
CBS News
16 minutes ago
- CBS News
Celebrate Christmas in July at Peddler's Village, one of USA Today's best-ranked shopping centers in U.S.
It certainly feels like summer, as the Delaware Valley endures another round of extreme heat and humidity Friday. But for shops at Peddler's Village, the hot weather is also providing the perfect backdrop to celebrate Christmas in July. "You will find me, often dressed more or less like this," Tim Doherty said of his holiday-patterned outfit. "I have a few of these jackets." It's the perfect attire for Doherty, who owns Pine Wreath and Candle. His shop is one of the oldest at Peddler's Village. It's known for decking the halls not only during the holidays, but every day of the year. "We're part of their Christmas tradition," he said. That's easy to do when your store is full of unique pieces, from bedazzled nutcrackers to nostalgic ceramic trees and sparkling snow globes. But it's the Old World Christmas ornaments that are perhaps the shop favorites. There's a story to tell behind each one. "A plunger and a slice of pizza, and you're like, what's the story there?" Doherty said with a laugh as he recalled the ornaments one customer purchased. "It's always fun because people do share their stories." The Lucky Cupcake Company is expected to be packed on July 25 for their Christmas in July treats. "You can always add a little bit of naughty by adding some espresso to your frozen hot chocolate," owner Joanne Kolling said. It's just one of the many summer-themed holiday goodies visitors will find inside the cool shop. Other favorites include the Santa hat, strawberry shortcake cupcakes and the famous gingerbread cookies dressed in bathing suits. "Something that's going to be delicious and light, but still Christmasy," Kolling said. "They're going to love that they can come in and get them with a summer flair or a summer touch." Those with a sweet tooth can sign up for the shop's popular holiday cookie-decorating classes months in advance, before they sell out. Just steps away, shoppers are taken trans-Atlantic without leaving Bucks County. The Celtic Rose features authentic clothes, jewelry, treats and decor. "That you could get in Ireland or Scotland, but it saves you the trip," owner Karen Nocella said. Hands down, the holiday favorite here is a very Irish nativity scene. "Wise men, Mary and Joseph, Jesus, they're all sporting an Irish Aran sweater," Nocella said with a smile. "And we can't keep them in the store." It might take you until Christmas in December to get your hands on that one. USA Today 10Best has named Peddler's Village the No. 2 shopping center in the U.S. Locations were nominated based on the variety of stores, dining and entertainment options, and overall guest experience. Readers then voted to determine the winners. Peddler's Village is celebrating Christmas in July with events planned through the weekend. They're calling it "Santa's Summer Holiday," and we hear Santa himself will be stopping by for some of the fun.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Metro Transit to expand routes, add express Park and Ride service
Starting next month, Metro Transit will increase service on more than 20 routes across the Twin Cities area. Officials also say starting Aug. 16, they're adding service to the area's busiest routes, including routes 18, 6, 68 and 645. Route 61, which runs between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see expanded service every day. Metro Transit says it will open new express bus routes to and from Park and Rides in Blaine, Mounds View, Minnetonka, Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park starting on Aug. 16. It will also bring back two routes that were suspended during the pandemic lockdown: route 134 which operates between Highland Park and downtown Minneapolis, and route 765 which runs between downtown Minneapolis and the Target North Campus in Brooklyn Park. Metro Transit says the August expansion will represent a 5% increase in service. There are also additional service improvements coming later this year. Starting in October, trips on the Blue and Green lines will run more often starting at 7 a.m. Then in December, the E Line will open, running between Southdale and the University of Minnesota. In 2024, Metro Transit says ridership increased by 6% compared to the year before. In January, it also lowered fares: full-priced adult fares on non-express bus routes and the light rail are $2 a day. For young people, seniors and Medicare recipients, the price is $1.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
‘Quiet Vacations' Signal Silent But Glaring Fears Within The Company
Why are employees still taking "quiet vacations?" 'Quiet vacations' started as a push-back against ... More the hustle culture, but this year they have morphed into a warning about an unaddressed and glaring problem in the company. Why are employees still taking 'quiet vacations' after a year-long tug-of-war between employers and employees? Originally, 'quiet vacations' started as a push-back against the hustle culture among Gen Zers who prioritize wellness and work-life balance. This year, it has morphed into another reason that stands out above all others. Experts contend that it signals a loud warning about a glaring problem in the company culture. Why Employees Are Still Taking 'Quiet Vacations' Exactly one year ago, I wrote for about 'quiet vacations'--employees taking a break on the downlow, while maintaining the illusion of working with tactics like staying off-camera during meetings or managing emails only when necessary. A year later, 'quiet vacations' have continued as workarounds, motivated mainly by employee fear. A Harris Poll found that 78% of workers (mostly Gen Z and Millennials) don't take all their PTO, because they're afraid they'll be judged as slackers if they ask for time off. In another study, 29% of employees cited layoff fears, making them hesitant to take time off this summer. After witnessing the approximately 1.6 million workers laid off or discharged in May 2025 alone and the 8.4 million layoffs and discharges occurring in 2025 so far, employees are afraid of losing their jobs if they visibly show they are prioritizing their well-being. Dr. Marais Bester agrees that 'quiet vacations' have re-emerged because employees need a break but don't feel safe enough to ask for one. 'This whole idea of 'quiet vacations' says a lot about how people are really feeling at work. But this isn't just people being sneaky,' says Bester, senior consultant at SHL. 'It's a sign that many don't feel safe or supported enough to take a proper break. Instead, they find workarounds, jiggling their mouse to stay 'active,' turning video off on calls, answering just enough emails to look busy.' A recent Headway survey of 2,000 employed adults found that 35% of people have canceled planned vacation activities to prioritize work, and more than half say they've argued with a partner over their inability to unplug. One in eight report their boss expects them to stay connected, and one in seven fear losing their job if they don't. Bester asserts that, as a business psychologist, the 'quiet vacationing' trend is a symptom of a lack of psychological safety in regard to resting. 'When nearly half of a generation feels the need to fake being online while actually on holiday, we are not talking about laziness. We are talking about fear," Bester argues. 'Many employees, especially millennials, have internalized the idea that visibly working equals value, and that taking time off might makes them look less committed. In that context, pretending to work while quietly resting becomes a coping mechanism, not misconduct." 'Quiet Vacations' Signal A Call To Action Bester argues that 'quiet vacations' are a call to action for employers. 'If your people do not feel safe taking the leave they are contractually entitled to, it is not enough to say that time off is allowed,' he insists. 'You have to show it.' Bester advises business leaders to take four actions: He suggests that business leaders take leave themselves and talk about it without shame. 'Ultimately, quiet vacationing is not about laziness or entitlement, 'Bester explains. "It is about unmet needs. People want balance, but they do not feel safe asking for it. That is a cultural failure, not a personal one. If we want people to show up fully engaged, creative and resilient, we need to stop rewarding burnout and start valuing recovery. Rested people do better work. It really is that simple.' Research from Headway shows that nearly two-thirds of employees struggle to disconnect while on vacation, and it's impacting their mental and physical health. A full 34% say there's no one to cover for them and distractions pile up: 59% get emails, 22% get texts and 12% are bothered by phone calls from work, pulling them out of relaxation while away. Bester recommends that employers establish systems that would help employees disconnect, such as shared calendars, fair workload distribution and open dialogue. The Headway study found that some employees don't fake the scroll . They fake the sick day. A full one in three professionals admit to calling in sick just to enjoy the weather. 'Sunshine, it seems, has become a valid reason to lie to your boss,' the research surmises. Bester suggests that leaders flip their perspective to see what 'quiet vacations' actually are--presenteeism in disguise is still presenteeism, and it is costing you. "If someone feels like they have to fake being at work just to rest, that's not a performance issue - it's a culture issue. We need to stop treating time off like a luxury or a weakness. People come back from proper breaks with more energy, better ideas, and fewer signs of burnout. And when leaders make it clear that it's okay, actually encouraged, to switch off, trust builds. Because let's be honest: pretending to rest helps no one. Real rest does.' Bester points out that company culture starts with leadership and hiring. Hiring the right people, he contends, helps build a culture of trust, uplifting and in turn, productivity. 'In the age of AI, many are scared they may be the next to be laid off. That can't happen.' A Final Wrap On 'Quiet Vacations' Mental health experts are encouraging employees to celebrate International Self-Care Day this July, and take PTO and vacations to work through job burnout. Yet, corporate America continues to send the exact opposite message to the workforce: 'Don't take time off to take care of yourself because you might lose your job.' So how do employees reconcile these contradictory messages? Bester encourages employees to reflect on what's driving 'quiet vacations" by asking, 'Is it fear of falling behind? Worry about how you're perceived? Or is it a lack of trust in how your absence will be handled?" Once you name what's driving your need for 'quiet vacations,' he recommends that you open up the conversation—ideally with a manager— about the need to rest and how to plan for it without guilt. 'It also helps to normalize boundaries: set an out-of-office, turn off notifications and resist the pull to prove you are still around. Rest is not something you earn. It is something you need to keep functioning at your best,' he concludes.
