Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad

Just completed a 70-mile 8-day trek across the Sierras and the Z-Lite became one of my best loved items on the trip. Not so much for sleeping--which was still the best I've found at such a light weight when I used it in my bivvy sac, though most days I slept in my hammock--but as a great trail "rest pad". On long, strenuous climbs it was heaven at rest stops to just unclip the Z-lite from my pack, throw it down on almost any surface and have a pad so comfortable that my hiking buddy frequently found me napping when he caught up with me :)

Too short and too narrow, otherwise it is good for hiking

Pros: light, durable. Cons: little bulk, pretty firm. Too firm for me, but at 35 bucks it's better than nothing.

was sent a small one waiting on regular fit one.......nice though just too short

The z-light is indeed super-light and very effective if lightweight is your top priority. Just don't expect the same comfort level as an air mattress.

Perfect for ultralight camping and hiking. Folds neatly and easily. Even though it's really thin, you still get a good night's sleep. Buy a larger size just in case! What more could you possibly want?!?

Leave it to Therm-a-Rest to design a totally different sleeping pad. This is the easiest pad to pack. No more squeezing the air out, simply fold, a big + when breaking camp. The Z-Lite is the lightest, full size sleeping pad on the market & at 3/4" thickness, it's fairly comfortable. Good choice for ultralight backpacking.

I picked this up specifically for its light pack weight for my first backpacking trip. Unfortunately it took a lot of space inside my pack, so I ended up moving it to the outside. Because of its blocky shape it's a little awkward, but weight wise I can't complain. It really is quite light. In terms of warmth I didn't feel a huge difference between sleeping on the pad and when I would inadvertently roll off it and onto the bare tent floor. However, when weight is a concern, I'd say there was plenty cushion and support for the price. I'd recommend this for warm to mildly cool weather outings when size isn't an issue but weight is.

My friend uses the Ridgerest size small to pack light and reduce weight. But too bad your calves down have no padding. So I got the Z-lite size regular which weighs a few ounces more but alteast its long enough to cover my entire body. It's also very simlar is size folded up compared to the Ridgerest size small. Z-Lite costs more but the full body coverage and similar folded up size is worth it.

This sleeping pad is going to treat me well on my next backpacking excursion. Thanks!

Indeed quite light and cushy, keeping one comfortable on a bed of rocks. I am 5.11 and it was too large for me, so if you are petite extra small might work better. Also, as someone noted it does not do well in low temperatures, great for summer and spring.

Beyond the convenience of being compact and light, the Z-Lite gives you that little extra piece of mind that it won't go flat on you because you've parked on that one jagged little pebble that you swore you brushed away when you cleaned your site.

I love this mat! It's so light, you can hang it just about anywhere on your pack w/o affecting swing weight, and it's a million times more comfortable than laying on the ground! Adds insulation, too. Your friends will be jealous when you bust this out at the end of a 15 mile hike and they're stuck in the dirt (mine sure were).

This is the lightest weight pad I could find. Great for fast packing. You can hike so much farther if you can shave a few pounds off of your pack. This Z Lite is a good start. It's perfectly comfortable. I still sleep fine on this pad. You really don't need a full length pad (unless weight is no concern).

The Z-lite is very impressive for its weight. Haven't taken it on a legitimate trip but it stood up well on a 20 degree night without a tent. Warm for its weight.

A super light pad great for most conditions. I found it to be a bit cold on some early fall trips but well worth it considering the weight. It works great for lounging around camp and realxing.

This pad is much lighter than my previous air mattress pad. Also, laying it out and packing it in my pack takes but a few seconds. I look forward to packing lighter and hiking longer!

For the weight, I think this is it. Surprisingly comfortable!! And durable. I use this as a seat/lounge chair also, and it has stood up great.

This Z-lite pad is stellar. I already owned a Therm-a-rest inflatable pad, but wanted something lighter and smaller for a backpacking trip. This pad is lighter, smaller, and best of all -- just as comfortable. Although it wouldn't be best for winter camping (no air cushion to keep out the cold), it's great for every other camping season. Highly recommend.

Recently took this backpacking. It was much more comfortable than I was expecting it to be. Can't beat the weight and easy storage either. The regular is plenty long, and you could probably cut off a length if you were concerned, although I'm only about 5'9". Glad I bought it!

This pad is a good choice for the warmer months of the year and is very light. Overall it is a good pad and I do recommend it to all!

I can sleep on just about anything, but this is definitely one of the most comfortable sleeping mats I’ve ever used - the eggshell carton makes it cushiony, and you don't slip around, making squeaky noises. I’m a 5'6 woman, though, so when the guy offered to sell me the "short" I figured it'd be about my height, since a long would be for a grown man, right? My feet hang off the end of it about a foot (no pun intended). If you like full coverage, make sure you try this one on for size.

I like the fold-up design, super easy to pack quickly and it's compact every time. It’s worked great so far.

Not bad. We were hesitant to leave our heavier self-inflators’ at home, but found the Z-Lite quite comfortable. Being thinner without the advantage of a layer of air, we did find the cold from the ground easily migrated through the pad. Good for warmer nights, not so good for the 20F nights we've experienced so far with these pads. We look forward to spring! Overall, a good pad that definitely lightens the load.

This pad was a luxury on my last adventure and worth its weight in gold. If you aspire to go ultra light then trim the pad to cover your pressure points (hips and shoulders) as this Therm-a-rest is plenty big.

I used the Z-Lite along with a very thin Thermarest self-inflating pad. I purchased the Z-Lite for a back pack trip, so I needed the least amount of weight possible. I slept in a small dome tent on a rock and sand location and found this set up to be the best I have ever had.

It's comfortable and light and not that expensive.