If three-season car camping, sidecountry or backcountry comfort is your objective, the new "Backpacking Comfort" range from Therm-a-Rest is definitely worth considering. Over the past six months we have tested the Boost 650 sleeping bag and Neoloft mattress for family car camping, shorter backpacking objectives, bivvying and spring in mountain huts at over 3,400m. 

Be aware that this is not intended to be a compact or lightweight set-up (though we will later argue that the NeoLoft mat stacks up well), but if your plans don't require fast, light and small, this is a versatile and extremely comfortable combination with some interesting features. 

Boost 650 -6°C Sleeping Bag - £310

The Boost 650 is available in two warmth options (-6°C/20F and 0°C/32F) in sizes Short, Regular and Long (user heights 168cm, 183cm and 198cm). Each size also comes with a Wide fit option. That's a lot of choices! For our test we chose a Regular (user up to 183cm) in standard width with the -6°C rating.

In Use

Targeted at the "everyday backpacker", the Boost 650 prioritises warmth and comfort while adding some useful practical features to make camp life a little easier.

It's worth noting that -6°C is the limit rating for this bag (in mummy mode), which is comfort rated at 0°C. Don't get me wrong - paired with the NeoLoft mat this is a solid three-season bag which we found comfortable in cooler UK nights and sub-zero high altitude early spring conditions (wearing appropriate layers), as well as not overbearing on warmer nights.

The standout feature of the Boost 650 is the "WarmZip" - an extra central zip on the front of the bag which, when closed, turns the wide rectangular bag into a more thermally efficient mummy shape and can add up to 6°C in temperature by drawing the fabric in towards the central line of the body. With the WarmZip and arm holes (see Features below) in addition to a standard two-way main zip, there are many options for rocking this sleeping bag, changing both the shape and space as well as dialling up or down the warmth and ventilation. This versatility is really useful for negotiating varying temperatures and users, and, though not yet tested in humid UK winter conditions, we feel it would be a good 3.5-season option for my co-tester, who runs hot and at 182cm is a perfect fit for the Regular size with little dead space to lose heat to. I personally appreciated having multiple mechanisms (WarmZip and main zip) to retain heat in the torso while dumping it from the lower body.

The wide semi-rectangular "open" shape is extremely generous, giving latitude for fidgets and side sleepers as well as those who dislike a more restrictive mummy shape. Even when the WarmZip is closed, the footbox is roomy and there is plenty of space for child-bearing hips and climbers' shoulders. Though on paper there should have been a lot of dead space for me at the lower user height range of the Regular (169cm), the puffiness of the Boost 650 means that it doesn't feel like I'm totally drowning in it, though this may be different for those with slighter builds.

The other potential downside of the generous shape is that it would be easy to overflow a narrower sleeping mat and therefore lose heat to the ground, though when partnered with the equally spacious NeoLoft mat, this was obviously not the case!

Materials and Construction

The Boost 650 features 650-fill RDS-certified zoned hydrophobic duck down, and displays good loft and insulation in both dry and more humid conditions. Though the fill power could obviously be higher, for its stated purpose (i.e. anything other than a full-on winter situation), it is definitely easier and more comfortable not to have to deal with the temperamental down pack of a higher fill power. The zoning focuses insulation on the upper body and core, which combined with the WarmZip means that most people will be happy with warmth distribution. So far, the down has also remained in the bag rather than trying to escape!

The shell and liner (both 20D 100% recycled rip-stop nylon) are definitely selected for comfort - this is a slinky, quiet bag which feels pleasant next to the skin.  The PFAS-free water repellent coating also stops the fabric feeling (or getting) clammy from either dewing or breathing.

Weight and Pack Size

In the -6°C regular size option, the Boost 650 weighs 1203g on the kitchen scales packed in its stuff sack (naturally this decreases for the 0°C model which comes in closer to 950g). This is obviously nowhere near the light end of the spectrum for sleeping bags, but the size, warmth and comfort it offers is a good counter to its weight as long as you're not having to carry it too fast or too far.

When compressed in the stuff sack (three pull tabs), the Boost 650 is surprisingly compact. It also comes supplied with a net for lofting while in storage. 

Features

The main two-way zip sits to the left on this bag and runs all the way down to the feet, which is convenient for those of us who like to dump heat by sticking our feet out. It also has a baffle insulation flap so that you don't get a cold spot along the zip.

The most innovative feature of the Boost 650 is the WarmZip, detailed above. We also like the zip arm-holes, which make activities such as reading, drinking and camping leisure pursuits (as well as operating the WarmZip) much more practical. These afford extra ventilation too.

A quick note on the zips: While the WarmZip has YKK anti-snag zips both top-down and bottom-up (which run very smoothly without munching the slinky fabric), it is a shame that only the top-down main zip is anti-snag, meaning that the bottom-up zip can catch a bit. The arm zips are normal zips, which work fine given you are within extremely close range when using them!

The Boost 650 also sports a snug-fitting hood with a drawcord closure and a collar press-stud, plus a plush padded neck baffle for comfort and warmth which, combined with the comfort of the NeoLoft mat, meant I was happy to go without a pillow. Additionally there is an internal storage pocket, useful for keeping your phone and headtorch batteries warm.

Aficionados of other recent Therm-a-Rest sleeping bags such as the Parsec and Questar may wonder what happened to two popular features, SynergyLink Connectors which keep the bag secured to the mat and the 'toe-asis' footwarmer pocket. It may well be that these more technical features have been forgone for what is a more comfort-focused set-up, but in our experience, neither is particularly missed - you would be doing really well to fall off the NeoLoft mat, though perhaps wriggly sleepers would be grateful for being kept orientated on the two arm zips and main zip to avoid confusion in the night!

NeoLoft Mattress - £250

The NeoLoft Mattress is available in two sizes, Regular Wide (66cm x 185cm) and Large (66cm x 198cm). We tested the Regular Wide in this review.

In Use

It's hard to review the NeoLoft mat without sounding a bit superlative, but we'll try. "It's the most comfortable thing I have ever slept on!", declared Ben after first contact, and to be fair, his view hasn't evolved since. 

This mat is extremely BIG. At 11.7cm (+) thickness you are nowhere near the ground, whatever position you sleep in, and given warm, firm but cushioned support to sleep comfortably. With the Regular Wide measuring 66cm x 185cm, it provides a suitably wide surface for your Boost 650, even in open WarmZip mode. Structured sidewalls give the mat excellent stability, complemented by chambers that act as side rails to provide a gentle boundary - you genuinely do feel spaciously 'cradled' by the mat. Being so thick, you could also opt for a lower level of inflation if you prefer a less firm mat, without fear of bottoming out in either a back or side sleeping position.

The flipside is that you may suddenly find yourself lacking space in your tent. For more generous car camping set-ups, this is unlikely to be a problem, but we soon found our small Marmot Grid two-person tent was now a one-person tent since no other mat could fit in the space left over once the NeoLoft was in place. The thickness also requires a bit more creativity where headroom is an issue, such as in an old-school army tarp bivi. It is also a bit odd if your tent partner has a much smaller mat, both in height and width and you will find that you dominate the available space. In more compact backpacking situations, it's definitely worth doing the maths ahead of time and thinking about where you fit everything that isn't your NeoLoft!

Yes, we did mention more compact backpacking situations. Though on appearance it would be easy to dismiss the NeoLoft as purely a car camping mat, it has many other credentials that will make you want to include it in your backpack for more adventurous purposes. Indeed, my co-tester has decided it is well worth a few extra grams on his current set-up to have the increased overnight comfort of the NeoLoft for his next mountain marathon.

Materials and Construction

As with the Boost 650, the soft stretch-knit 50D polyester upper of the NeoLoft is smooth and designed for comfort. Don't be fooled by the softness though. This is a tough (and so far bouncy pre-schooler-proof) mat, with 75D solution-dyed polyester on the bottom to protect it against uneven and spiky ground. The upper side's stretchiness is intended to be part of the NeoLoft's contouring support system by moulding to the shape of your body, and does a good job of preventing pressure points in back and side sleeping positions. It also stops the mat being audibly squeaky or crinkly if you move around in the night.

Inside the horizontal baffles of the mat are two stacked rows of triangular chambers designed to minimise convective heat loss in combination with a proprietary reflective coating to radiate your own heat back to you. Once again we were really impressed with the build quality - this mat is genuinely robust and durable as well as feeling plush and comfortable.

Warmth

With an R-value of 4.7, the NeoLoft is well over what you would expect for a three-season mat. Therm-a-Rest describe it as "all-season" and though we haven't used it in full-on winter yet, we feel confident that it will perform well in milder winter conditions. Due to its size and construction, there is a lot of surface area and air in the mat, so both of these could be factors in heat loss overnight in colder winter conditions - I'll add an update here once it has been through a full winter season.

Weight and Packability

We were definitely surprised (and pleased!) by the NeoLoft's weight and packability. Packed, the Regular Wide sized mat came in at 853g on our scales which is hugely competitive against other comfort mats on the market, especially considering its massive size. It packs up pretty small too. The carry bag for the mat is perhaps a little generously sized, so though it is easy to get the rolled up mat back in, the mat can definitely squash up smaller than this when beside other objects in a pack.

Inflation and Valves

For those newer to camping or anyone looking for an easy ride, this is a quick and simple mat to set up and pack down. The large pump sack allows for quick, hygienic and moisture-free inflation and has a useful set of diagrams printed on the side. The 'in' and 'out' TwinLock valves are clearly labelled and, if desired, you can blow into the one-way 'in' valve to top up your plump levels. We calculated our average casual inflation speed was just under 2.5 minutes, and deflation and roll-up about 20 seconds.

Value for money

Boost 650

At £310 (for the -6°C/20F in size Regular) the Boost 650 sits alongside other premium three-season offerings in price. Where other bags may boast a higher fill power, Therm-a-Rest have invested in features and these are its real strength, giving practicality and serious versatility to manage warmth and space.

NeoLoft mat

As a result of being a big, comfortable, warm, well-made mat (alongside the fact that it is made in the USA rather than somewhere with cheaper labour), the price tag of £250 for the NeoLoft (size Regular Wide) is naturally on the steeper side, especially if you are just looking for something to go car camping with. However, given its robustness, real comfort and versatility, it is a solid investment piece and worth consideration as a "quiver of one" if seriously fast and light isn't on your activity list. It also compares favourably against similar backpacking comfort options from other brands in a similar price band.

Ethics and environment

Though parent company, Cascade Designs, is not a Bluesign accredited partner, Therm-a-Rest note that the Boost 650 uses eco-conscious materials including 650-fill RDS-certified hydrophobic down and GRS-certified 100% recycled nylon shell and lining, coated with PFAS-free DWR. It is made in Vietnam. The NeoLoft mat is not made from recycled materials, but the high quality robust nature of the product means it is genuinely built to last. It is also made in the USA, so has to conform to stronger labour and environment regulations.

Verdict?

A comfortable night's sleep is worth investing in, and this set-up will see you through anything but super fast and light or the coldest of conditions. A choice of sizes in combination with clever features will serve a huge range of heights and body types while accommodating varying sleep warmths and styles.