# Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT (Therm-a-Rest) and REI Co-op Helix Insulated (REI Co-op) among sleeping pads. REI Co-op Helix Insulated is the cheaper of the two at $169.

## Side by side

| Spec | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT | REI Co-op Helix Insulated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $210 | $169 |
| Brand | Therm-a-Rest | REI Co-op |
| R value | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Pad type | air | air |
| Weight grams | 370 | — |
| Thickness (cm) | 7.6 | — |
| Dimensions (cm) | 183 x 51 cm | 182.88 x 50.8 |
| Packed size (cm) | 23 x 10 cm | 25.4 x 12.7 |
| Insulation type | reflective-film | reflective-film |
| Inflation type | pump-sack | pump-sack |
| Shell denier | 30 | 30 |
| Shape | tapered | mummy |

## Key differences

- R value: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT 4.5 vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated 4.9
- Dimensions (cm): Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT 183 x 51 cm vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated 182.88 x 50.8
- Packed size (cm): Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT 23 x 10 cm vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated 25.4 x 12.7
- Shape: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT tapered vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated mummy

## What reviewers say

**Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT** — Three whitelisted testers (CleverHiker, Switchback Travel, GearJunkie) field-tested the NeoAir XLite NXT and rate it a top ultralight three-season pad: 4.5 R-value at ~13 oz, highly packable (about a 1L Nalgene), and far quieter than the crinkly older XLite. All three flag the premium price. CleverHiker and GearJunkie also knock the pump sack; Switchback flags stiff, slippery baffles with slide-off and temperature-shift deflation. (3 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT: https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/neoair-xlite-nxt-sleeping-pad (cascadedesigns.com, verified 2026-07-11)
- REI Co-op Helix Insulated: https://www.rei.com/product/202288/rei-co-op-helix-insulated-air-sleeping-pad (rei.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/sleeping-pads/therm-a-rest-neoair-xlite-nxt-vs-rei-co-op-helix-insulated/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT ($210) vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated ($169) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/sleeping-pads/therm-a-rest-neoair-xlite-nxt-vs-rei-co-op-helix-insulated/
License: CC BY 4.0.