The Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft sleeping pad isn't the lightest at 25 ounces—goodbye, ultralight readers—but the 4.6-inch cushion is a true luxury, and it offers a great night's rest, which can be more valuable than shedding a few ounces. The Great Weight DebatePhotograph: Scott GilbertsonThere are two problems with carrying a big sleeping pad in the backcountry. Therm-a-Rest's new NeoLoft pad steps into this weight/size/comfort debate by leaning heavily on the side of comfort. It is undeniably big, relative to something like Therm-a-Rest's XLite pads or Sea to Summit's Ether Light series (our two favorite ultralight sleeping pads). Sleeping Pad TechnologyPhotograph: Scott GilbertsonI test organic mattresses for WIRED, and I use roughly the same criteria to judge sleeping pads.