Description
This ultralight pad is the camper’s Z-Lite.
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sleeping Pad
? Share a...
as good as it gets
Karen
Member since
I consider the z-lite the best foam sleeping pad out there. The beauty of the accordion style is that it allows the foam to reshape itself anytime you fold it up. So even if you're wearing it down and flattening it out with use, the material and shape will rebound with storage. I've put about 200 field-days on mine over the span of 4 years and it's still holding up strong. All that being said, it's not as comfortable as a 3-inch, inflatable sleeping pad and it does take up a lot of space, but it does its job with insulating and I find the design gives a little more cushioning than a ridge-rest or other foam pads, and the ability to fold it (as opposed to rolling) makes it easier to pack inside of a backpack. All-in-all, solid component of any sleep-system.
Therm-a-Rest Closed-Cell Mattresses
Zach Parrott
Member since
Great sleeping pad!
Zach Parrott
Member since
This sleeping pad is a great product. With this closed cell foam pad you don't have to worry about wear or puncturing it as you do with an inflated pad. The accordion-style makes it easy to pack up and very functional. It is very comfortable for a foam pad as is warm. One disadvantage to this style compared to a standard foam pad like the RidgeRest, is you cannot you is it to give structure and support in a frameless backpack. Overall it is great pad that I would definitely recommend.
Winter camping; this is the way to go
Sam
Member since
I'm pretty much going to say the same thing here as I said about the RidgeRest SOlite. Honestly, in the summer time I pretty much dislike, if not hate, them both. They are rather hard and don't offer that much reward for the weight and bulk. For summer camping; go with an inflatable. So why the 4 stars you ask? Because in the winter this thrown under an Inflatable gives you an incredibly warm sleep (as long as your sleeping bag does its job and keeps you toasty on top). I've camped on top of mountains here in Colorado in subzero conditions with steady 30+ mph winds (granted this is usually inside a tent or snow cave, but I have tarped it a couple of times when the temp hung right around 0) and the combo of these foam pads and an inflatable is incredible, not to mention VERY comfy! So, for winter camping I don't leave these behind, they have become a part of my "permanent" gear list (at least until something better comes along). For winter time make sure you go with the full length, unless your short (no offense), to take advantage of the cold blocking all the way down your legs.
Just wondering how well this holds up after...
Adam
Member since
Just wondering how well this holds up after years of wear?
Adam
Member since
wow thats impressive! sounds good thanks
Angus Bohanon
Member since
I've got one that I've been using every few months for almost ten years now, including in extreme cold, and it's basically fine. A little rough around the edges but functionally the same.
Adam
Member since
wow nice! thanks a lot for the input, I feel good about my purchase!
Eli Hauschild
Member since
I have an old green one that I've had for around 15 years, and the egg-carton cells are pretty soft and not as supportive, but it is still in good condition and does the job. I also have this newer one now, and it has a much more durable build to it, so you will get plenty of use!
Austin Saari
Member since
Been using mine for over a year frequently, only wear I've seen is when I am brushing up against trees and branches. Scuffs it up a little. Still is 100% functional!!
Very Nice!
Adam
Member since
Its amazing how comfortable something can be when it is so light! Plus these are at a much lower price than some of the air inflated ones.
How long is this pad?
bigp409748
Member since
How long is this pad?
Adam
Member since
5 foot 10 inches maybe a touch more. Im 6 foot and it works fine!
What would be a good, waterproof stuff...
Michael
Member since
What would be a good, waterproof stuff sack for this pad?
Matt Zia
Member since
I honestly wouldn't worry about trying to keep the pad dry. In fact I used to use mine all the time to keep other stuff dry. If you're worried about your sleeping bag getting wet, just give it a good shake before you put it in your tent.
Geoff Conner
Member since
I agree with Matt, I have actually used it to keep other stuff dry as well. I also have a 2 piece section that I use as a butt pad to sit on when the ground is wet. Your pack cover will do just fine in keeping it dry as well if you strap in on the outside of your pack.
Sam Dickerson
Member since
Being a closed cell foam pad, little to know water is absorbed in the pad. If theres any on the surface of my pad, I either give it a shake or wipe it down with something
Z-bomb
Jesse Russell
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
I love this pad. I was opposed to use foam pads like this, cause of bad experiences with a few. This is a good pad, with a fair amount of comfort. I really like how much warmth it'll add to an inflatable pad. I also like to be able to carry this on the trail so I and my buddies can sit on it on a day hike for lunch. It is pretty tough, and can add support to some ultralight packs. I will buy another I think.
Super light
shap59046
Member since
- Gender: Female
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
These pads are great - comfortable, light, super easy to fold up, narrow enough to fit two in a 2-man tent. My son and I slept comfortably side-by-side in our 2-man tent during a late fall cub scout camping trip and we slept better than those who decided to brave the squishy mattresses in the cabins.
Good pad
melp76937
Member since
- Gender: Female
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Pad is comfortable, and super light. Can be used as a chair or a sleeping pad. The only down side is that it doesn't really pack up small, but the fact that it weighs practically nothing doesn't make that an issue for me. This pad is also very durable.
Me and my Z-Lite: a love story
Matt Zia
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
With great sadness, I bid farewell to my trusty Z-Lite last month after 5 amazing years of companionship, epic adventures, warm and comfortable nights, and some of the wildest terrain I've ever seen. You know how they say dogs start to look like their owners? Well my Z-Lite looked like me; in that I spent so many nights on it there was an indentation the shape of my back on it. I had it strapped to the outside of my pack bushwhacking through Yukon scrub pine forest, Utah slot canyons, New Zealand rainforest and everywhere in between and the Z-Lite never failed or broke. I spent 20 days camped on a glacier, double padding with my Z-Lite and a Prolite and was snug as a bug, when everyone else, including a guy who had a 2.5" thick Exped mat and people using just a Prolite were freezing their butts off. Simply put, the Z-Lite is one of the most functional, reliable pieces of equipment you can buy. Just do it. You'll fall in love.
(footnote: the same Z-Lite is still going strong; I gave it to a friend in New Zealand because I didn't want to have to pack it coming home. I cut off part and use it as a buttpad though, so it still has a place in my heart.)
what is the R value of this pad
Del
Member since
what is the R value of this pad
amia
Member since
The Z Lite has an R value of 2.2. The Z Lite Sol has a slightly higher R value of 2.6 thanks to an aluminized reflective barrier.
BC or Snow
sage cattabriga-alosa
Member since
This pad is great, light and comfortable, I use it by its self or in combo with a superlight air when snow camping for warmth and comfort.
Great for camping
Jared Kim
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Use this for few camping trips and it was very comfortable and easy to carry. so far have had no problems and loving it.
Great Choice for Young Backpackers!
Brian Reyman
Member since
Best one I've ever had
WTF is URBAN??
Member since
Packs up small, easy to pack up, light, mine is ripped a little from years of wear (very small), but you can hardly tell. Super comfortable, only time it doesn't work is on a fiberglass hull of a boat, and if you're even doing that... remember a pillow. Otherwise.... the greatest pad ever.
comfortable and easy to pack up
Joey Kilmer
Member since
i bring this pad on every backpacking trip i go on, its extremely comfortable and easy to just take out and lay down on and then pack away in seconds.
Needed for a good night's rest
David Page
Member since
This product is absolutely necessary for a good night's rest. I use it in conjuntion with my older thermorest. the thermorest will slide off of it but this z pad takes all of the bumps out of the ground and really adds to the comfort level. Worth every penny.
What are the dimensions?
Steve Mason
Member since
What are the dimensions?
Arthur Debowski
Member since
The short 20 x 5 x 4 in; the regular is 20 x 5 x 5.5 in. The packed sizes for the short are 20 x 4 x 5 in and 20 x 5 x 5.5 in for the regular.
Pedro Gonzalez
Member since
Those are the packed dimensions, but the dimensions unrolled for the small are 51 x 20 x 0.75 in; the regular dimensions are 72 x 20 x 0.75 in.
View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.

Adam
Member since