Open main menu

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Venture

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Venture air-filled sleeping pad

Perfect for backcountry camping.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Rolls up small
  • Good and thick
  • Good price

Cons

  • There is no pump system
  • Shows dirt easily

88D0C8FC-232E-4B44-B2F6-5231B8C3292C.jpg
4B105689-787F-47FC-A70C-B788CE4296BF.jpg
I recently purchase one of these for a recent alpine expedition. I did not want to bring my old T/R feeling it was too bulky. After spending a couple of nights sleeping on some high elevation broken scree I am glad for the extra loft the Venture gave me. I never felt a thing. I like that it rolls to the size of a water bottle since there was a lot of scrambling and pack size mattered.

It takes a lot of air to fill, so check some of the local hacks to fill.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $80

A mattress that will give you a good night's rest, great addition to your gear if you're looking for an additional comfort after a long hike. It's cheap and very comfortable. Really a bang for a buck.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Cheap
  • Lightweight
  • Durable

Cons

  • Bulky when folded
  • Low R value
  • Needs a lot blowing to inflate
  • Noisy when you move

This product offers protection from the ground e.g. damp, cold, uneven surface. Very easy to set up—you just unroll it, blow for about 10 full breaths and you have an air mattress in the wilderness. There are youtube tutorial out there where you can make a inflator if blowing it is too hard for you. I have made one because inflating it makes me dizzy. 

It's very durable since it's made by Therm-a-Rest, materials are top notch. I am very satisfied with the performance of this product. I've been using it for about a year now and no issues at all. Just buy a repair kit just in case it punctures in the field. 

It has a low R value, so it's not made for the freezing temperatures, but since I live in tropical country I don't have any problems with that. Therm-a-Rest employs a Triangular Core Matrix construction to this product that captures heat and retains it so you will feel warm even you lie on damp or wet surface.

It's a bit bulky when you fold and store it, but for the comfort that you will get I think that's okay with me.

Overall this is great product and I love it.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $40

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Venture sleeping pad is a high quality pad that provides good value. It is a durable pad that allows for a comfortable night's sleep. It inflates easily and can be expected to last a long time.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Easy on the wallet
  • Inflates easily
  • Durable

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Not good for cold weather

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Venture is a good value for a very good air mattress. It inflates easily, but I have found that a plastic trash bag with a home made fitting on the bottom corner can be used to inflate it in a couple of minutes.

It is constructed of a very durable material that seems to be fairly resistant to punctures. I have used it for about ten nights total on the Appalachian Trail and for local camping and it does not lose any air overnight. I will say that I'm easy on my gear and I have always used it in a tent with a Tyvek ground cloth underneath.

The durability does have a cost. It is heavier than the ultra light sleeping pads that are available. Also, I used this pad in early spring when the nights were in the low 40's and I did get cold. I used this with a 23 degree down bag but I got cold from the bottom. The R rating on the pad is fairly low and is not really meant to be used in cold weather.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $69

Very comfortable, durable pad that is easily adjustable with the turn of an air release valve.

Pros

  • 20 deep breaths to inflate
  • Durability and strength of materials
  • Easy to adjust to comfort level
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • Not self inflating

Took the NeoAir out of the package and it is a dark grey color. First impression was that it was well made and durable. I thought I had bought a self inflating pad, so was a bit disappointed that it wasn't that type of pad.

Nevertheless, it was easy to blow up. It took my boyfriend about twenty exhales and then he turned the valve to keep the air from escaping. It felt really good when I laid down on it. Used it overnight in freezing temps and it stayed inflated. I placed my sleeping bag over the top of it and was very cozy. Wasn't at all noisy as I heard another reviewer say.

My only issue with it is packing it up. In order to get all the air out, I would suggest getting as much air out that you can possibly get before trying to roll it up. It makes a big difference when you tri-fold it.

Overall, I am pleased with my purchase.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $69

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

Price Current Retail: $52.99-$144.95
Historic Range: $36.95-$149.95
Reviewers Paid: $40.00-$80.00
Product Details from Therm-a-Rest »

Recently on Trailspace

Call for Reviews: Your Favorite Spring Gear