Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad Review

Bottom Line

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe XL is the Cadillac of warm-weather camping mattresses – plush, lightweight, and surprisingly packable for its size. Three other versions of the NeoAir are on our best backpacking sleeping pads guide, but thanks to its cushy surface, the Topo Luxe earns a spot on our best camping mattresses guide.

It’s tough to improve on a product we already love, but Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has found the Topo Luxe does exactly that. This one is an inch thicker, has more foam, and is even comfier than the other NeoAir family members that are focused on backpacking. Ian has spent over 20 nights on this model. He has found that the four inches of thickness and horizontal baffles deliver awesome comfort and stability. 

An included pump sack helps with inflation, so you won’t be huffing and puffing after a long day on the trail. The XL size is a bit heavy for backpacking, but the regular model trims down weight enough that it’s a decent option for multi-day treks when comfort is top priority.

However, the NeoAir Topo Luxe XL isn’t built for cold nights. Its 3.7 R-value means you’ll want to save this one for warm conditions. The rounded edges reduce usable space, and our testing determined the bulky valves aren’t the most streamlined. It’s also on the pricey side – though the durability and comfort help justify the cost. If you need a lighter or warmer option, Therm-a-Rest’s other NeoAir models might be a better fit. For fair-weather adventurers seeking a cushy night’s sleep and a small packed size, this one is hard to beat.

Comfort

The Topo Luxe may look like a traditional backpacking pad, but it’s just as comfortable as any camping mattress. Like most of the competition, this one is four inches thick, so we didn’t bottom out when sleeping on our sides or contend with any pressure points. The horizontal baffles create a stable surface that prevents the sinking, bouncy feel that’s common in other air pads. And Therm-A-Rest adds a bit of soft fabric on top for a smooth feel against the skin.

We recommend the biggest pad possible for car camping – in this case, the XL – because we like plenty of room to spread out. However, the Topo Luxe comes in multiple sizes and widths, including Regular, Regular Wide, Large and XL. It’s easy to pick the perfect length for your body shape and sleep style.

There are some cons to the Topo Luxe, though. Ian tends to toss and turn in the night, and he found the rounded edges reduce the usable sleeping area compared to mattresses with vertical walls. We like the 50D polyester fabric on top, but it’s slippier than most of the competition. Still, these are minor issues. This thing delivers a plush sleeping experience overall, which is the reason we keep it in our arsenal.

Ease of Use

Setting up camp is a breeze with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe XL. The included pump sack inflates the pad quickly, saving our breath after a long day of playing outside. The horizontal baffles help distribute air evenly, preventing the awkward bulges and bounciness of lesser pads. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry and store in our trunks, and it packs down surprisingly small for a four-inch-thick pad. Deflating is just as simple, thanks to the dual valve system. The dump valve means there’s no struggling to squeeze out every last bit of air, and you’ll only need to roll this pad up once. Whether you’re car camping or backpacking, this pad’s easy to use when setting up for the night.

Compared with self-inflating mattresses, though, the Topo Luxe is more work. With a self-inflating model, you can unroll it, pop open the valve, and walk away. With the Top Luxe, it took us an average of 8 minutes to inflate fully using the pump sack. However, we’re usually not in any rush when camping, so it’s not a huge deal.

Also, we found the valves are bulky. They are larger twisting plastic valves that stick out, so they can jam into the side of your tent. They can also be a little finicky when making adjustments, and they accumulate dirt more easily than slicker materials.

Warmth

Because its R-Value is only 3.7, we only recommend this Therm-A-Rest model for mild conditions and warm summer nights above 40°F. It’s four inches thick, so there’s still plenty of separation from the chilly ground. In warmer temps, we had no trouble retaining body heat thanks to horizontal baffles that evenly distribute warmth and reduce cold spots. 

Once temperatures drop below freezing, though, it struggles – another reason this mattress doesn’t rank higher on our guide. In the pictures throughout this article, we were testing the Topo Luxe on a frozen lake around 10,000’ in the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies with overnight temps of 35°F. This pad would not have kept us warm enough on its own, so we added a foam pad underneath for 2 additional R-Value points, which made it plenty comfortable for the 35°F low.

Heat retention is compromised by the air-filled design, which doesn’t trap warmth as effectively as foam-filled options. If winter camping is on the agenda, a better-insulated pad would be a smarter choice.

Packed Size

Packing this mattress down is refreshingly simple. Thanks to a big dump valve, this thing deflates efficiently on the first roll, and packs down to an impressively tiny 6 by 11 inches. The included pump sack doubles as a storage bag. At just over two pounds for the XL (and even lighter for the Regular size), it balances comfort with portability well. Whether it’s stuffed in the corner of a storage room or tucked inside a backpack, it doesn’t take up excessive space compared to similar luxury sleeping pads.

The Topo Luxe is one of the lightest options on our camping mattresses list, but it’s still bulkier than ultralight models built for ultralight backpacking. The thick construction doesn’t pack down as well as thinner air pads. The valves are also on the larger side, adding some extra bulk when stored. Still, if you don’t mind backpacking with a bit more weight, this one offers a truly exceptional level of comfort.

Should You Buy the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe XL?

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe XL is perfect for campers and occasional backpackers who want a plush, supportive sleeping pad without the hassle of a bulky air mattress. If you’re looking for an outstanding balance of packability and luxury, this one is in the Goldilocks zone. At four inches thick, it offers a cushy, well-structured surface that rivals a real bed while still packing down efficiently. It’s a manual inflation system, but the included pump sack makes inflation quick and effortless, so setup is a breeze. That said, if you’re on a budget, like to spread out, or plan to camp in colder weather, this one will miss the mark. We don’t recommend the Topo Luxe for temperatures below 35°F because of its lower R-value. It’s also a bit heavy for backpacking, and the price tag is steep compared to wider, heavier, and more cushy car camping pads. However, if your top priority is comfort and you only backpack and car camp a handful of times a year, this one is the perfect middle ground.

What Other Camping Mattresses Should You Consider?

Check out our best camping mattresses list for alternatives:

Paria Recharge XL Review: The Paria Recharge XL is a stellar budget-friendly alternative to the Topo Luxe: it’s also 4 inches thick, manually inflated, and on the lower end of warmth. However, this one is lighter by half a pound.

Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe XL Review: If you’re more of a car camper, the Comfort Deluxe is worth considering. It only costs a bit more than the Topo Luxe, but it’s more comfortable, much warmer, and easier to inflate.

Therm-A-Rest LuxuryMap XL Review: LuxuryMap is another Therm-A-Rest model with an affordable price tag and a thick, comfy design. However, this one is better for car campers as it’s heavier and bulkier than the Topo Luxe.