Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3 Sleeping Pad

Small, light, comfy, & warm.

Pros: Light weight and compact. Cons: A little cold, NOT for side sleepers. I like it, but I wake up every hour or so to achy shoulders and hips. Honestly, to me it's worth the extra weight and bulk for a better night's sleep.

I have owned this pad for several years now and have been overall impressed. It was designed to shed weight yet still be comfortable. No, it is not as comfy as other pads but it is lighter and saves space for other stuff. I do have to inflate it a bit more than some other pads I have owned in order not to hit the ground and I'm not a fat ass. If you want to save some weight and have some room for other crucial equipment, then this pad is the way to go. For a bit more padding with minimal weight get the Prolite 4.

This pad is rad. It packs nice and small. Also, it takes me about 8-10 big breaths to fill it up. That takes about a 2 minutes or less. I got the regular length and it gets the job done. As expected for a super light pad, it is not the thickest pad around. But it will make for a comfortable place to sleep, even on rocky terrain. Also, it is very durable. Overall, a quality product.

I purchased this pad a few years ago to reduce weight which it did very well. The only drawback was the 1" thickness. After a hard day of backpacking/climbing, I wanted a more comfortable sleep. I found that a 1.5" thick pad worked better for me so I purchased the ProLite 4 & never looked back. (BTW, the 4 weighs only four ounces more & has a higher R value.)

With everyone oohing and ahhing about the Thermarest, i decided to invest in the women's prolite 3. I'm just back from a trip to southern utah and have to report that i am VERY disappointed! I woke with sore hips each morning and would frequently wake in the middle of the night in pain unless sleeping on my back. I was also disappointed with how bulky it was. It took up A LOT of room in my pack and it was a struggle to get it into the stuff sack no matter how much air i tried to squeeze out of it. a Nalgene bottle??? double that size and more!... Definitely, not impressed...at all

I am 5'1" and I got the regular sized sleeping pad. The women's is just narrower. I am pretty small and I wouldn't want it any narrower. I would suggest for anyone who is looking to buy a mattress to get this pad. It inflates and deflates super easy and rolls up to a pretty compact size. This is light and perfect. Get one now! Also get the stuff sack to keep it in. You are spending the money on a good pad might as well keep it nice.

It is what it says. Durable, lightweight, comfortable. When ounces count, this is the choice. I used it on a Grand Canyon trek and couldn't have been happier.

The ProLite series is the creme of the crop when it comes to compact sleeping pads. What's not to love about an ultra-light, super-packable sleeping pad that self-inflates and has a lifetime warranty? It's the size of a Nalgene when rolled up. If your are obsessed with packing as small as possible, I'd recommend getting the stuff sack for the short length ProLite 3 rather than the regular length as Therm-a-Rest's stuff sacks tend to run a bit large. It is a tight fit, but with careful rolling it works great to keep the pad rolled as tightly as possible. I should also mention that while this pad is the ultimate for those of us who are weight and size conscious, it may not be thick enough for individuals who sleep on their side, set up camp on particularly hard ground, or just plain prefer luxurious sleeping conditions. Spend the money on this pad - as a 1-time purchase, you won't be sorry!

stop shopping around. this is the one.

Much better than the cheap foam pads we had to get starting out, this actually felt good to sleep on. The only issue is you have to pay extra for the stuff sack. Self-inflating is also a bit misleading, but blowing in 2-3 breaths of air isn't enough of an issue. Buy this with the Trekker Chair!

This pad is small, lightweight, packs into a super tiny size, and still is more comfortable than most sleeping pads I've used. I love the 3/4 length pad for spring through fall; I use a Big Agnes sleeping pad for the winter. Ultimately though, I love that this pad makes me fall asleep super easily and I can even manage to sleep in now. A must-have for any backpacker.

Tried many sleeping pads over the years. Many that are MUCH heavier and larger. NOTHING touches this pad! I am 6'3" and 270 lbs and do not bottom out on this pad. It really is remarkable. It rolls down to nothing, is super light weight and easy to use. I will own one forever. It obviously works like a cloud for my 120 lb wife. We constantly kid and joke in wonder at the functioning of this pad. May just be the finest backpacking item that we both own. I looked at 100 pads before purchasing my ProLite prior to purchasing it at the begining of this season. This one was for my wife. This is one piece of gear that you will know is the simple best in it's and probably other categories as well.

Simply put, this Thermarest is the best yet. Light weight, compact, and comfy...

i've been subject to a vast array of substandard pads in my life. i'm happy to say this is not one of them. it stays put under my sleeping bag and provides enough padding that i don't feel anything bumpy from the ground underneath. it also provided a nice barrier from the cold ground. it's light and once all the air has been squeezed out of it, you're left with a tightly packed roll that tucks nicely into your bag. i would recommend it.

It is easy to roll up or unroll to inflate. The self inflate feature is great. I am 5Ft 7 inches and the smallest one fits 3/4 of my body. It is a little narrow, but most bags are narrow so this shouldn't be a problem. It is perfect for those looking for lightweight comfort, just make sure to get that stuff sack.

When this pad holds air it is great. Putting it in a tub and sitting on it is great at finding pin hole leaks. Packs up small. I like using it with a z folding pad as well.

This is my first self inflating sleeping pad and Therm-a-Rest’s Prolite 3 Sleeping Pad is worth every penny. All my friends have Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads and have always loved them, so I decided it was time for an upgrade. I have used the Prolite 3 many times this fall, and it has not failed me yet at keeping me comfortable and warm. I never knew how much a good sleeping pad helped at keeping you warm on those cold nights till I used the Prolite 3. I also move around a lot in my sleep and usually find myself on the ground because the pad would slide out, but not with the Prolite 3. The sticky-dot non-slip surface keeps the pad right where it needs to be. The best part is how small and light the pad is. At a pound and some change, I could not say I even noticed it and the small size made packing that much smoother. All and all this has got to be one of my best investments.

Better pad than I expected. When I first inflated it I had it too full because I thought I needed to compensate for its thinness. I found by letting the air out a little at a time I could adjust the comfort range perfectly.

This pad was designed to allow you to travel fast and light. It does exactly that. It's quick and easy to inflate and deflate. It's not as comfortable as a bigger mat would be, but I slept just fine on my recent trip across the US (NYC to San Francisco). My one recommendation would be to DEFINITELY buy the stuff-bag to go with it. The bag is a good way to keep your mat rolled and (when turned inside out and stuffed with some clothes or a towel) Doubles as a comfortable pillow.

This pad is almost weightless which counts for a lot. It is also quite comfy. However, one day out on a five night trip, I managed to get a little tear in it; I have no idea how. So don't leave home without your repair kit.

I just got the shorty version of this, but I have been surprised about how comfy this is. I have never fussed about a sleeping pad but it has been nice to not wake up with numb extremities, I can even sleep on my side with this baby.

Compared to the 1/4in foam pad I started with years ago, this pad is amazing--it's lightweight, compresses down very small, and is far superior to any other lightweight pad in comfort. I'm male, but at 5' 8" and 150 lbs, the "men's" version is longer (and ounces heavier) than I need. I saw a post from another guy pointing out that the design focused on supporting a female's body provides more support under your hips--which is great for a person who sleeps on their side like me. I can actually sleep on my side without the point of my hip hitting the ground. I can't speak for durability yet, but if you're a mid-size male or female, this pad is awesome for comfortable backpacking!

This pad is awesome!!!! Like most of the "self-inflating" pads, I'd go ahead and blow in a couple lungfulls to get the pad nice and cushy, but once the valve is locked up tight, you will sleep warm and comfy. I bought one of these for my wife and on our first trip, we actually slept until 10:00am--on hard and uneven ground. That should tell you everything you need to know.

I went to a school in Leadville CO for four months, and on the 3 trips we had I had this pad. WOW is all I have to sat, comfortable, lightweight, and very durable. It did spring one leak, but that was easily patched and I had no other problems. This is the BEST pad I have seen and, trust me, it works.

Although it does self-inflate, it did not offer me much insulation on the night that I spent up in the Beartooth Wilderness. It snowed, and the temps got down to about freezing, but this pad offered no insulation from the ground. Besides that, I blew up the pad till it was almost drum tight, and it offered no support. I am not sure what kind of foam Thermarest is using, but it couldn't support a child. I guess the only positive thing that happened was that the pad did not pop. I slid around my tent all night on the ball bearings that they say "grip the tent floor," I guess they had trouble gripping the sil fabric. Anyway, I am going to upgrade and by a Thermolite from Pacific Outdoor. They are from Montana, and I guess I should have bought from the home town heroes first. That is what you get when you don't do your research. Disappointed.

Sounds like an ad during daytime TV, but the Prolite 3 is well worth the price. I formally used a 5/8-inch blue foam pad that only weighed 5oz. The extra 8oz of the Prolite are a bargain to carry considering the wakeless nights it affords. I have used it on compacted campground soil and under forest canopy covered in duff and the one-inch thickness provided comfort in both situations. Buy this; pack with this; sleep on this. You won't regret it.

I purchased a ProLite 3 regular (for my wife) and a short for myself. My wife didn't want to give up the full-length padding, and I wanted to reduce my pack weight without suffering directly on the ground. We use them with our Big Agnes StormKing 0°F sleeping bags which require the use of a pad, since the bottom of the bag consist of only an empty pocket intended to hold a pad. The pad is classified as "self inflating" pad, but even after unrolling it and leaving it to loft on it's own with the valve open, you still need to blow it up the rest of the way with a few breaths. The comfort is excellent if you really force the last of the air into it. The short pad that I use works well. I'm 5'6" and the pad supports me down to my knees. If I'm on rocky ground I'll lay my fleece jacket down under the end of my bag. The Short rolls up to about 2/3 the volume of the full length. I highly recommend either pad for anyone looking for a comfortable light-weight sleeping pad. Works well with Big Agnes sleeping bags that require rectangular pads.

This pad is just plain great. Even if you have to make camp in a hurry and don’t have time to properly clear the ground, this pad will protect you from rocks, roots, and sticks. The only problem is that the self-inflating feature doesn’t inflate the mattress very full. No real problem though, because you can manually inflate it with ease. This is a must for weight and packing-size conscious hikers and backpackers.

My husband and I both purchased Prolite 3's (mine was the women's version, of course). We have already taken them on a two-night backpacking trip. We were extremely pleased with the pads! Compared to what we were using before (a cheap foam pad and a cheap air pad) these pads were like sleeping on air!

I bought this pad to help trim down on some weight and bulk in my backpack during mountaineering and climbing trips. After a 4-day trip to the Cirque of the Towers and 3 day climb in the Grand Tetons, the pad worked nicely! Every bit as comfy as my older Ultralight. I was a bit hesitant to lay it directly on the ground because the material seems a little fragile.

If you are someone that sleeps on your side (like me) this pad will almost do the trick. I still had a bit of a problem with my hip in the morning. I'd go with the pro light 4 just for the extra padding. As for keeping me warm, it did the job.

First time I had backpacked in 30 years. I wish I had this when I went to Philmont in 1975. Great product.

As an old mountaineer, explorer and gear head, I do extensive research and purchase the best product for the $$$. I expect the best out of my toys and this pad has performed superbly. Last fall 04, Scott and I embarked on the greatest "Motorcycle Mountaineering" exploration ever done to date (that we know of anyway). We call it the "7 Days & 7 Nights Super Loop". Over 1,000 dirt miles of single/double track mixed with some gnarly jeep trails. This secret rough is part of an on site dirt-bike adventure we have been exploring for 10 years from Mexico thur the Rockies to Canada. Now keep in mind, that being compact and light is paramount when riding this kind of sick endurance adventure. Anyway, while riding at 9,000-11,550 feet for 12+ hours, we would find ourselves exhausted, and ready for bivi. We encountered freezing night time temperatures in nothing more than Black Diamond's Lightsabre bivi, Thermarest's Prolite 3 pad and an awesome ultra compact and light Phantom 3 sleeping bag. This pad compacts down to slightly larger than a Nalgene Water bottle, is light, comfortable, warm and holds air all night. What more can I say. Try it you'll like it!!! J Hof.

A big thumbs up for the Prolite 3. We used the short version on an overnighter at end of Sep. I slept like a baby, and was well insulated from the ground - even on a very chilly morning. These things compress down to a very small size in your pack (using the stuff sack sold separately) and at 13 oz, a great compromise for weight vs. volume. In fact, I carried both of them plus my sleeping bag in my pack!

Always spend the extra money for a good pad. This one is super comfortable and folds to the size of a coke can. the weight is 1.5 lbs. You cant go wrong with this pad.

Ok all you ultra lights out there you’re not going to dig this at all. Too heavy for you. At 13 oz it might as well be a ton but after 32 miles in 3.5 days I need a little comfort. Its the smallest lightest sleeping pad I found. Yes you could use foam or go with out but if you can live with the 13 oz its great. My girlfriend didn’t like the 3/4 length she likes her feet off the floor but when I gave her old pad back and she felt the 1+ lb difference she dealt with it. No need to get the stuff sack it was a little too big anyway.

Folds real small and is easy to carry with you. I had a good nights sleep even though the mattress felt a little thin when lying on my side. My son did not have the same trouble but did not like the 20" with as much as my older 25" thermarest (which packs four times as large). Small package makes up for all short comings.

My son has been very pleased with this sleeping pad. He says it is very small and light weight and is using it on Isle Royale National Park for the whole summer.

This sleeping pad makes me so happy I almost want to start crying. I've always been a light sleeper while camping.. but with this pad, I was out in 5 minutes, didn't wake up once all night long, had deep REM sleep, lots of dreams, etc. And all of this in the middle of Alaska with those crazy bears. It packs down to a _tiny_ size, and weighs absolutely nothing. All my friends jaws drop at this pad, and they all want one now. Get the stuff sack, it's helpful and well built. I have the short version, perhaps the long version will keep your feet a bit more comfy and warm, but it's not a big deal to me.

I don't think you could make a Thermarest any smaller. Great to fit into your backpack and guess what? They are comfortable as well. Good buy for backpacking.

Since I turned 40 I seem to like a little more comfort. I never owned a sleeping pad before but I thought this would be great since it was so small and Light. I tried it on one trip and it was nice if you were laying on your back but if you laid on your side your hips and shoulders dug into the ground. I thought for that kind of comfort I could do without. So my Labrador carries the ultralite (my dog likes it and it saves the floor of the tent from her nails), and I went to the Guidelite.

Like many I'm sure, I used to be one of those people who professed that I actually liked layering right on the ground and the rocks really didn't bother me at all. Well, as one of those people I can tell you...stop lying to yourself, and grab an Ultra-lite. This thing packs down so small you won't even know it's there, is totally light, and even if you don't want a pad and want to show off your toughness...this thing rolled loosely makes a pretty good pillow. It's also really puncture resistant which I not so knowingly tested on a thorn.

This is very good sleeping pad, also very small. If you want to save space in a backpack use this one.