Originally Posted: June 2023
Updated: September 2026
Gear Review: Sleeping Quilts, Pads & Pillows for Mountain Camping
Enlightened Equipment Accomplice Double Quilt
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir NXT Sleeping Pad
Exped Ultra 6.5R Duo Sleeping Pad (preliminary)
Therm-A-Rest Stuff Sack Pillowcase
General Comments
A basic sleeping system comprises three items: an insulating cover, such as a sleeping bag or quilt; an insulating and cushioning pad; and a pillow. In my early years of mountaineering, I exclusively used a half-bag (sometimes called an “elephant’s foot”) for my insulating cover; a closed-cell foam pad underneath me; and a clothing stuff sack for my pillow. Things have changed a lot over the past 40+ years; sleeping gear has gotten better, and my metabolism has gotten slower. Nowadays, I use a double-width quilt (shared with my wife) in the summer, a mummy bag in the winter, and a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir inflatable pad year-round. I guess the only thing that hasn’t changed much is my pillow; I still routinely use a sack stuffed with clothing—but at least it’s a better sack.
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Affiliate Disclosure: My gear reviews may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something that I’ve linked to, I might get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Be assured, though, that my reviews are unbiased and involve only gear that I (or a mountain partner) have used extensively. For all items, I discuss the cons as well as the pros.
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Gear Review Summaries
Enlightened Equipment Accomplice Quilt Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Lighter and simpler than two single sleeping bags or one double bag.
- Allows great flexibility for venting in warm weather.
- Easier entry and exit than a sleeping bag.
- Greater width allows more body positions compared to a single sleeping bag.
- Many options for down fill power, temperature rating, length, and colors.
Cons:
- Lack of a cinchable hood reduces the thermal efficiency in cold weather.
- Open underside reduces the thermal efficiency on snow or frozen ground.
Bottom Line: An excellent alternative to conventional sleeping bags for two people camping in a broad range of summertime weather.
Product Link: Enlightened Equipment Accomplice double quilt
Similar Products & Links:
Therm-A-Rest Vela double quilt (similar to the Enlightened Equipment Accomplice but somewhat heavier and less expensive)
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Therm-A-Rest NeoAir NXT Sleeping Pad Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Far more comfortable than a closed-cell or inflatable foam pad.
- Better thermal performance per pound than other pads.
- Firmness can be adjusted to suit personal preference.
- Available in various lengths, widths, and R-values.
Cons:
- Requires inflating before use.
- Requires care to avoid punctures and tears.
- Body movements create a lot of noise.
Bottom Line: An outstanding combination of comfort, thermal performance, and low weight.
Product Link: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT sleeping pad
Similar Products & Links:
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Max sleeping pad (a wider, rectangular version of the standard NeoAir XLite NXT)
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT sleeping pad (a slightly heavier but much more insulative version of the standard NeoAir XLite NXT)
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Exped Ultra 6.5R Duo Sleeping Pad Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Double width eliminates annoying gap associated with separate pads.
- 3.5-inch thickness is more comfortable than most closed-cell or inflatable foam pads.
- Better thermal performance per pound than many other pads.
- Firmness can be adjusted separately for each half to suit personal preference.
- Available in two sizes, which are suitable for two-person and three-person tents.
Cons:
- Requires large volume of inflation air before use.
- Firmness adjustments are a bit inconvenient due to placement of valves.
- Requires care to avoid punctures and tears.
- Body movements create a moderate amount of noise.
- More difficult to roll up and pack compared to two separate pads.
Bottom Line: A supremely comfortable alternative to separate sleeping pads for couples who use a twin-size quilt and don’t mind a little extra set-up and take-down time.
Product Link: Exped Ultra 6.5R Duo M & LW sleeping pads
Similar Products & Links:
Big Agnes Rapide SL Tent Floor sleeping pad (a slightly less insulative double pad suitable for a two-person and three-person tent)
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Therm-A-Rest Stuff Sack Pillowcase Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Very light and very simple.
- Doubles as a stuff sack for sleeping bags, quilts, or clothing.
- Soft fleece covering is comfortable against bare skin.
Cons:
- Cylindrical shape is not ideal for head support.
- Comfort relies on having an adequate amount of clothing to put inside.
Bottom Line: A super simple and lightweight option when maximum comfort is not needed.
Product Link: This product is currently not available but will hopefully be back in production
Similar Products & Links:
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch Pillow (a simple rectangular pillow stuffed with compressible foam and fiberfill for more-traditional comfort)
Therm-a-Rest Airhead inflatable pillow (an inflatable contoured pillow that allows adjusting firmness by air pressure but requires greater care to avoid punctures)
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Full Gear Reviews
Enlightened Equipment Accomplice Quilt Review
For the past 12 years, my wife and I have been using a fiberfill double-width quilt for all of our car-camping trips during the spring, summer, and fall months. In contrast to using two conventional sleeping bags—or even a double sleeping bag—we love the freedom of movement and overall convenience afforded by our quilt. No zippers to zip, no restriction of arms and legs, no scooching in and out of the top opening, no stuffiness in warm weather…. The whole experience feels more like sleeping in a bed than sleeping in a tube!
We like our car-camping quilt so much that we eventually decided to buy a down-filled double-width quilt for backpacking purposes. Based on recommendations from several friends, we settled on an Enlightened Equipment Accomplice quilt, which is made by a Minnesota company that specializes in ultralight clothing and sleeping gear for thru-hikers. They offer the Accomplice quilt in three different lengths (regular, long, and extra-long), six different temperature ratings (50, 40, 30, 20, 10, and 0°F), and two different down fill powers (850 and 950). My wife and I chose a regular-length quilt rated at 40°F with 850 fill power down. Weighing in at a scant 25 ounces (just under 1.6 pounds), it allowed us to shave at least 2 pounds off our combined sleeping system.
Although our quilt is rated at a modest 40°F, we have frequently used it in temperatures below 30°F merely by wearing warm clothes to bed. For purposes of thermal efficiency, the Accomplice is designed with a sewn footbox and a simple draft collar. My wife has fastened the draft collar several times in cold weather, whereas I have not yet felt a need, but I do appreciate having the option. At the other end of the temperature spectrum, we both like using our quilt on those warm summer nights when a conventional sleeping bag would be uncomfortably hot; ventilation and cooling is easily accomplished by merely sticking our feet out of the bottom or folding back the edge.
In our experience, the double quilt really has only two drawbacks compared to a conventional sleeping bag. First, the lack of a hood and drawcord makes it difficult to completely seal out cold drafts. Second, the lack of an enclosed underside causes considerable heat loss when sleeping on snow or frozen ground. The combination of these two drawbacks means that our lightweight quilt is not a good option for early-spring trips on snow, for late-autumn trips in frigid weather, or for any winter trips. In all other conditions, however, the comfort, convenience, and weight-savings offered by our quilt always makes it our first choice. After four seasons of extensive use in a wide variety of conditions, we give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!
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Therm-A-Rest NeoAir NXT Sleeping Pad Review
My wife and I have been using Therm-a-Rest NeoAir inflatable sleeping pads for about 15 years, and in that period of time, we’ve managed to collect several different versions. We currently own two regular length (72-inch) pads, two long (77-inch) pads, and one short (47-inch) pad. More recently, our daughter Brooke began using a short pad of her own. Clearly, we are a NeoAir family! After previously spending many decades sleeping on other types of pads, including closed-cell foam pads and inflatable foam pads, I can report that these are a very welcome improvement.
The most immediately obvious advantage of NeoAir pads is their comfort. With a thickness of 3 inches, combined with the ability to adjust the firmness by blowing in more air or less air, they provide a level of comfort that we were never able to achieve with other pads. The big test for me is simple: can I sleep on my side without having my hip bone touch the ground? My NeoAir pads check this important box.
In the past, air mattresses always suffered from a lack of thermal performance due to convective currents within the mattress. NeoAir pads were the first air mattresses to accomplish adequate thermal performance with interior baffles rather than a separate insulating material such as foam, down, or fiberfill. The standard model of NeoAir—labeled as XLite NXT—delivers a very respectable R-value of 4.5, which is approximately twice the R-value of a conventional closed-cell foam pad. For serious winter campers, the NeoAir XTherm NXT offers an impressive R-value of 7.3! On the flip side, weight-conscious trekkers can get a full-length NeoAir UberLite that gives a respectable R-value of 2.3 at a weight less than 9 ounces.
Conveniently, the NeoAir XLite NXT pads are available in three lengths (66, 72, and 77 inches) and two widths (20 and 25 inches) to accommodate a variety of body sizes and personal preferences. The NeoAir UberLite comes in an uber-short 47-inch version that appeals to children, very petite adults, and ultralight hikers. When I’m really trying to shave weight, I use my 47-incher and simply put my backpack under my lower legs. Furthermore, Brooke, who is 64 inches tall, sleeps on a 47-inch pad on all of her trips.
For inflation and deflation, NeoAir pads originally came with a conventional two-way valve. Newer pads, however, have a more sophisticated valve that has a one-way setting for easier inflation and a high-flow setting for rapid deflation. In my experience, a regular-length pad requires about 25 to 30 good puffs to fully inflate. If this amount of effort seems unappealing at the end of a long day, don’t despair; Therm-a-Rest makes a tiny pump that will do the job for you.
NeoAir pads offer plenty of advantages over other sleeping pads, but they do have a couple downsides. One is common to all inflatable pads: if the outer fabric gets punctured or torn, the pad completely stops functioning. For this reason, the pads need to be handled very carefully. Keep them away from jagged rocks, sharp sticks, fish hooks, porcupine quills, cat claws, and campfire sparks. Fortunately, all NeoAir pads come with a small repair kit that will fix most small holes or tears. I put one of these repair kits in my backcountry trouble kit and have used it more than once.
The other downside to a NeoAir pad is an esthetic rather than functional issue: they are remarkably noisy in use. It may seem humorous, but the loud grunting and crunching sounds that are generated when shifting or rolling on the pad can be very distracting to other sleepers! I can assure you, however, that you do get somewhat accustomed to the noise over time. Nonetheless, I would strongly recommend that sensitive sleepers wear ear plugs.
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Exped Ultra 6.5R Duo Sleeping Pad Preliminary Review
My wife and I have slept on Therm-a-Rest NeoAir inflatable pads for many years and have been satisfied with them, but when we began using a two-person quilt more recently, those separate pads exhibited an annoying problem. Namely, they tend to slide apart during the night, leaving us with a large gap down the middle. We tried using nylon straps to hold the pads together, but there was still an uncomfortable crease right where our hips would inevitably land. After several years of frustration, we solved the problem with an Exped Ultra 6.5R Duo double-wide sleeping pad. Well, actually, we solved the problem with two different sizes of this particular sleeping pad. Read on.
The Exped Ultra 6.5R Duo is an inflatable pad constructed very similarly to the popular Therm-a-Rest NeoAir pads, with baffled chambers that reduce convective heat loss, plus a reflective layer that reduces radiant heat loss. Exped also added a very thin insulation layer to reduce conductive heat loss. The result is an impressive R-value of 6.9, which exceeds most other backpacking-oriented pads (as opposed to camping-oriented pads). Additionally, the pad’s 3.5-inch thickness delivers a higher degree of comfort than most other backpacking pads. Of course, all inflatable pads share the problem that a puncture or tear will render them non-functional, so great care is needed to keep them away from sharp objects. Exped includes a small patch kit with each pad.
A notable feature of the Ultra 6.5R is a longitudinal partition that separates the pad into two independent halves. This allows each half to be inflated to different levels of firmness according to the preference of each sleeper. It also dampens the bouncing caused the body movements of your sleeping partner. Inflation of each half is done via a one-way inlet port, and deflation is done via a high-volume exit port. For some reason, Exped decided to place these ports on the underside of the pad, so the pad must be inflated upside-down and then flipped over. Inside a tight tent, this seemed to be very inconvenient. After use, however, we discovered that it worked well to inflate one half, flip and fold the other half over, inflate that half, and then flatten out the pad.
All Ultra 6.5R Duo pads are sold with a Schnozzel Pumpbag, which consists of a nylon sack with a large rolltop closure at one end and a rubber nozzle at the other end. By scooping air into the bag and then closing the end, a considerable volume of air can be forced into the pad’s inflation port. Although a bit awkward at first, this operation becomes fairly easy after a few cycles. However, if you find the whole operation too much of a hassle, you can buy a 3.5-ounce battery-operated Exped Ultra Pump to handle the job more gracefully.
I was pleased to find that Exped has nearly eliminated one of the biggest complaints associated with the NeoAir pads: the grunting and crunching noise caused by body movements. I said nearly eliminated, because the pad is far from silent or noise-free, as advertised by Exped, but they have reduced the noise to a level that I regard as acceptable.
The Ultra 6.5R Duo is available in two sizes, both of which have a slightly tapered shape. The “medium” (M) size measures 72 inches long, 41 inches wide near the head, and 32 inches wide near the foot, whereas the “long & wide” (LW) size measures 78 inches long, 52 inches wide near the head, and 41 inches wide near the foot. It’s probably no coincidence that the LW dimensions closely match the floor dimensions of several popular two-person tents, including the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2, the MSR Hubba Hub 2, and the Nemo Hornet.
My wife and I wanted a pad that would fit nicely into both of our Big Agnes tents—a Copper Spur 2 and a Copper Spur 3—and it appeared that the Ultra 6.5R Duo LW pad would do the job. As such, that’s the pad we initially purchased. What we found in practice, however, is that the LW pad is slightly too large for our Copper Spur 2; it pushed outward on the tent walls and put a considerable strain on the door zippers. Because we were happy with other aspects of the Ultra 6.5R Duo pad, we subsequently purchased the M model. This smaller pad easily fits into our Copper Spur 2 tent with room to spare. Similarly, the LW pad easily fits into our Copper Spur 3 tent. Although buying and owning TWO Ultra 6.5R Duo pads was not our original plan (after all, these things are not inexpensive), we have been delighted with the results. For backpacking and mountaineering trips that involve moving camp every day, we take our “lightweight” system: the Copper Spur 2 tent and Ultra 6.5R M pad. For trips that involve a multi-day basecamp, we take our “heavyweight” system: the Copper Spur 3 tent and Ultra 6.5R LW pad.
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Therm-A-Rest Stuff Sack Pillowcase Review
When it comes to a backcountry pillow, I like to keep things really simple. Sure, I’ll use an inflatable or cushioned pillow for car-camping, but on a backpacking or mountaineering trip, I’ve been using a Therm-a-Rest Stuff Sack Pillowcase for about 15 years. This item is nothing more than a cylindrical nylon stuff sack with a soft micro-fleece fabric sewn to the interior. By itself, the weight and bulk are minimal, but when you consider that it doubles as the stuff sack for my sleeping bag or quilt, then these factors become downright negligible. I also appreciate the simplicity; there is no filling material to stuff, no valve to fail, and no bladder to puncture.
In use, I’ve found that the sack is adequately large enough to hold my 30-degree down mummy bag or my 40-degree down double-width quilt. When I get to camp, I pull out the sleeping bag or quilt, invert the sack, and then fill it to approximately half-capacity with whatever spare shirts, socks, underwear, and outerwear that I have available. Even technical softgoods, such as a harness and webbing, will suffice in a pinch. The micro-fleece fabric, which encircles the entire sack, is very comfortable against my face. After several trips, I just toss the sack into a washing machine with my other mountain clothing.
This level of simplicity certainly comes with some downsides compared to other backcountry pillow options. For one, the cylindrical shape is not quite as supportive as a rectangular or contoured shape. Also, the pillow is only as comfortable as the clothing and gear that you put in it, so there have been a few times when I found the filling to be too thin or too lumpy. On the vast majority of occasions, however, this dual-purpose item does the job just fine.
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