Therma Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad Review

Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

Russ
Marietta, GA

Counter-intuitive, but great.

Hiker, outdoorsman, nature lover

Pros

Light

Cons

Rip-able

AUG

2007

The Thermarest Z-lite is a sleeping pad made from closed cell foam. It is quite effective at making your sleeping experience more pleasurable. It is just thick enough to relieve your pressure points when you sleep on hard flat ground and take the edge off the rocks in other terrain. Also, it's got a little bit of an egg carton texture added to help with both comfort and warmth. It's a lot prettier than the shiny green pads that leap to my mind when I hear 'closed cell', and it has a smooth surface that's easy to clean.

Counter-intuitive was kind of a strong word to use in the headline. I just expect camping gear to roll up, and this thing folds up like an accordion. I'm sure that it takes up less space this way, and it's easier to pack.

My only negative is the toughness of the Z-lite away from it's intended use. I know that it will stand up to me sleeping on it for a long time, but I sometimes fear for it's little life in transit. If it catches on a thorn bush or some piece of my junk while I'm carrying it, I can see it ripping easily. (I haven't seen it rip, I just fear it.)