Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Sleeping Pad

I've used this sleeping pad mainly for short winter backpacking trips where a lightweight pad is important. Being closed cell foam it insulates quite well from the cold ground & is fairly comfortable. It is also very inexpensive. The only negative I've found is it's bulky size when rolled up. Even in the stuff sack, it is still a good size package. If you're on a budget, this is a good choice.

If you're on a budget and trying to save ounces I would buy this pad. Get the torso length pad and prop your legs on your pack to keep them warm. I also use mine as a makeshift pack frame for my Golite Pinnacle. If you're buying this pad for comfort you may want to look elsewhere. It provides a little cushion but I feel its' main function is warmth.

This is an ok sleeping pad. Adds an ok amount of cushion when sleeping. It does help with any annoying bumps and ruts on the ground when sleeping, but I would've preferred spending a few more bucks on a self inflating air pad. It is lightweight but does take up a lot of space, cant roll it tightly. It is a tough pad and will hold up to a lot of abuse.
This pad does provide some warmth from the ground. Pair this with a sleeping bag and you should be fine in any temp. It also protects your sleeping bag from packing out. If you need a cheap solution to a sleeping pad, it is better than the cheap blue foam pads, but Id prefer an air pad over this.

I keep an Ultra Lite pack in my vehicle. It doubles as an emergency pack should anything ever happen with the vehicle leaving me to walk to civilization. My brother and I recently went on a day pack. Once while it was snowing, we went for a hike for most of the day. When we stopped for food, We used our pads directly on the snow to have a place to set our packs and to sit while we boil water and eat. My Ridge Rest (3/4) kept me insulated from the ground better than expected and when I picked it up, there was no snow stuck to it. I used it again with my bivy sack and 50 degree rated down bag. Again it was snowing and the pad was more than enough insulation from the ground. I put my jacket folded flat under my feet just to keep things level. Even though it was 31 degrees, the 50 degree bag had enough help from the pad and the bivy to keep me warm. I have tried a similar arrangement without the pad and sleep was impossible because the ground sucks the heat right out of you. The pad is bulky when packed but it deploys in an instant. At nine ounces, the pad can be strapped to any part of your pack without causing a shift in weight distribution.
Note: A survival situation may go on for any duration of time and happen in any sort of terrain. Not only is it advisable that a survival pack has a pad but the pad should not be inflatable. Tow months in the mountains and it will surely fail if it has to hold air in order to work. With no pad, you may freeze to death even if you have all the other survival gear.

This pad is a good deal for the price. Yes it is a little bulky but if you want something smaller then go spend 75-100 bucks on an air pad. I used this in about 35 degree weather at night and the unsulated very well.
The ground was also very hard and I slept like a baby all night. For its bulkyness, it is very light. I just strapped it to the outside of my pack and it worked great. I would recommend this pad for anybody who doesn't want to spend 75 bucks on an airpad and doesn't mind a little bulkyness.

The RidgeRest is a great pad for those who don't need the benefits of an Thermarest-like air mattress. It is cushy enough for use on hard surfaces, and it warm enough (check the R value - it's higher than a comparable ProLite 3 pad) for fringe season hiking. Take two of them and you're good down to -20F or colder - I certainly am. The pad also makes a create framesheet for frameless packs, and rolls up nice to slip underneath a pack lid or be attached to your framed pack by straps or otherwise.

Skip getting the regular size and go with the short; it will save you five ounces. Just put your pack underneath your feet and put the top of the pad at your shoulders. Use a fleece vest or other insulation as a pillow.

I recently bought the Marmot Trestles 15 sleeping bag in a package deal with this pad. Reading the above reviews make me wonder if anyone here has even camped before!! This is a $20 ultralight closed cell pad--not an inflatable bed!! If you want a pad that is light, low priced, and actually quite comfortable, look no further! Just remember--this pad sleeps like a $20 pad. Got what I paid for and couldn't be happier with my purchase. ***** in my book!!

As most already point out, this pad is great other than that its incredibly bulky. As part of my lightweight hiking set-up, I slide this inside my bivy between the ground and my sleeping bag. Its relatively warm and comfy for a closed-cell foam pad. My only wish is that it could pack down tighter. I strap it to the outside of my backpack where it doesn't effect the weight, but can be a pain when maneuvering through tight spots. The pad is also relatively tough. Despite many a meeting with sharp branches and rocks, its holding up much better than the old generic blue foam pads.

I have both the 48 inch and the 72 inch Ridge Rest by Therm-a-rest. I use the 72 inch for winter camping. It provides just enough insulation for camping on snow, no extra. The 48 inch I use for summer backpacking and it is, in my opinion, the most comfortable thing you can carry at 9 ounces. It provides minimal comfort, but I am used to it and wouldn't carry anything heavier. It will not puncture or deflate in the middle of the night. It is not expensive. It is bulky, but I just tie it on to the back of my pack and that has never been a problem. Comfort is the only drawback. If you can afford the weight and cost of an expensive self-inflating Therm-a-Rest pad go for it. Otherwise this is a very good choice. Head and shoulders above a flat blue foam pad.

The ThermARest Ridge Rest is my first sleeping pad and I was sorely unimpressed on a recent trip. Our tents were set on a fairly flat section of a sand dune. It provided very minimal support and I tossed and turned constantly. I've learned that you definitely should not rely on just this pad to make you comfortable.

i purchased this along with a lafuma down 650g bag - and the two of them together have proven to be a formidable lightweight/comfortable sleeping team. it rolls up pretty tightly (not as tight as an inflatable pad, though) and is extremely lightweight. it's certainly all i need - and contrary to popular belief (it seems) i think that it is incredibly comfortable for its small size / light weight. highly recommended

Very light, a bit bulky, and warm enough for 3 seasons so far- (haven't tried it in winter yet)

I got the RidgeRest for its light weight and low maintenance, for which I can recommend it. However, I spent several miserable, minimal sleep nights on it. Maybe I'm just too old and fat/heavy for these closed-cell pads anymore, but this provided little more comfort than sleeping directly on the ground. I got up tired, aching, stiff, grumpy, and wondering why the heck I ever liked backpacking. I went back to using the heavier but far more comfortable and cushioning self-inflating pad. For a weekend warrior like me (just a night or two per trip--perhaps not enough time to "get used to it" as other reviewers noted), the extra ounces are well worth the decent night's sleep--without a decent sleep, I don't want to backpack.

This sleeping pad is simple but it definitely gets the job done. It is easy to roll up and put on the bottom of your pack. Although it may not be as comfortable as the other pads you put air in, it is cheaper, less hassle, and you never have to worry about having a leak. It also does a great job at keeping you warm while laying on a cold surface. Simplicity rules!!

This is best closed cell foam pad made, period. I use mine in conjuntion with an inflatable pad in really cold weather or on its own in moderate weather. I had one that I cut up to make square sitting pads for sitting on cold rocks or for standing on when belaying in cold weather. For the price, this pad can not be beat.

No worries of a deflating mattress due to puncture wounds or having to air up and deflate the mat every time you use it. For its size, the weight is pretty light and although it is larger than inflatables when packed, you can rely on it working properly.

Great price, Light, comfortable and kept me warm during my trip in January. If you want to see how I used this product you can read my review with the Outdoor Research Micro Night Bivy. The only thing is it is a little bulky for packing but I am very satisfied. I actually modified it to slide into my bivy.

This is a seriously comfortable & warm sleeping pad. I've owned two of these pads over the past 12 or so years and can attest to their quality and performance. Yes, they are a little bulky for the trail, but that has never really bothered me (I kind of like the old school look of it all wound up tight on my backpack). Forget about inflatable pads, waste of money, and they don't keep you warm. Go with the "Ridge"!

Inexpensive (compare to $100 for a Prolite), durable, and featherweight. I got the full length and it's still a full half pound less than a Prolite 3. I let mine uncurl inside the body of my pack to stiffen it and give the pack some shape around my tent and miscellaneous gear. You can beat up this pad and not worry about it. Unroll it and be comfortable if you're taking a long lunch break. Great pad, doesn't compress, but it more than makes up for it.

Considerating the price (30$) I think you can't have something better. Yes it tooks some volume but if you pack over/under your bag this should not be a consideration (it's very light). Same R value that some inflated models that cost 2 to 3x the price. I still haven't figure how to break that piece of equipement. Maybe if i achieve i might be able to get the originals qualitys by fixing with duct tape (won't be as easy with inflated ones!). If you handle easily the kind of confort provided by foam pads you might be very happy whit this one or it can serve you well as a second winter pad. If you aren't a dwarf/gnome, I will go for long model for maximum confort/ versality.

I went from 3 pounds (my old one) to 9 OZ with this sleeping pad. I am a little biased bacause the lighter weight by far makes up for the minimal difference in insulation. Also it's not just a sleep pad, there is a seat anywhere if you have one of these and keep it easily accessible. Whether you're near a warm campfire (don't get too near) or on a 10 minute break up a steep accent.

Got to add stucture to GoLite Trek pack I borrowed. Found that when I slept on side in shelters my hip bothered me and turned over every 20 mins. Will go back to my lightwt. thermarest air pad.

I found nothing exceptional about this pad and I would agree with the first review that I was a bit sore and tossed and turned in order to try to find a comfortable position. I think a thicker pad with more support will be in order next time. For the price I am ok with it for now.

This lightweight pad creates a forgiving layer between you and the debris that you choose to sleep on (sticks, rocks, etc). That’s it. I’d much rather have this than nothing at all - even though it is bulky. If you're looking for luxury and comfort, stay home. I have the longer one, but if you're counting ounces and still want a pad, the smaller pad should suffice.

We've been car camping for years. My wife and I setup an air queen size mattress on the back of our Land Cruiser. It's a great setup, but no matter how good our sleeping bags were, it was always cold in there.
Last week we used our Thermarest pads for the first time. Side by side, they cover the whole surface area of the queen size air mattress. And it no longer cold!
It's amazing. I slept over 10 hours the first night we tried them

Alvaro

It's a closed cell foam sleeping pad, what can I say? It's relatively comfortable. It is very short, so expect to sleep in fetal position if the ground is cold. I don't think I would buy this product again. It is extremely light, but too bulky for my purpose (multiple day mountain biking sessions). I would get the small, mummy-bag shaped inflatable sleeping pad next time.

Just bough the Ridge Rest to add to what is a growing collection of sleeping pads. I have a Z Rest and the inflatable Women's Prolite 4. I like all of them for different reasons. The Z-Rest and Ridge Rest are comparable in specs though I think the RR is slightly warmer and lighter. It is a little more bulky than the Z-Rest - but I tie them both onto the outside of my pack, so it doesn't make much of a difference for me. The Ridge Rest (and Z-Rest) are perfect for insulating you from the cold and from keeping any condensation in your tent from getting onto your sleeping bag.

Super light, comfortable enough, adds a lot of warmth, and this thing has gone through a buttload of abuse - it looks like it's been through a paper shredder and it's been through three boys' entire backpacking careers of six years each and still works like a charm. I still use this all the time. Tip - Especially if you are tall, you can still get the short and then put any extra gear (like your pack) under your feet for the same comfort and warmth without extra cost or weight.

Something they hadn't requested but were happy to get. Kids have a 4-man tent and these pads should work well for them. Thanks for the quick delivery.

Especially liked the size choices.

I used this cushion on a five day trip along the GA Appalachian Trail. It is light weight and helped my sleeping bag keep me warm. However, it was misearable at providing cushion between me and the hard ground. I'm upgrading to the Therm-a-Rest Prolite Sleeping Pad on my next trip.

This is a good simple pad. It is a bit bulky, but rolls up and clips easily to the outside of a pack. If space is a consideration, then check out an air pad. A foam pad is really useful for any terrain that has a lot of sharp objects like prickly plants or rocks. It also works well for camping on snow if combined with an air pad. The foam pad on the bottom keeps everything warmer, since air pads get really cold on snow.

Cheap, light, and gets the job done. 50+ miles of scruboak will understandably rip this little guy up a bit, but that won't detract from the comfort to weight ratio this thing brings to the backcountry. My only nitpick is that it could stand to be a bit smaller when rolled up.

If your looking for a light pad that can take a beating this is the pad for you. Super versatile and rugged. Also, a great pad for winter camping as closed sell foam keeps the chill off your back.
However, if your looking to be super comfortable pad or are just want to save some coin, Don't. Buy a nice thick pad as a poor nights sleep can ruin your day.

I have used this in Denali, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, and the High Uinta Wilderness, and this pad stands up to all terrains! You just unroll and roll up, no stuff sack needed, and it is so light, you will not even remeber it is there till you pitch camp!