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Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular

Item # 708517
!
This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

For your reference, this page contains historical product information.

This pad is the lightest, most compact, full-length closed-cell foam pad Therm-a-Rest® makes.

  • This mattress is engineered for extreme alpine climbing, adventure racing and long-distance backpacking when reducing weight is paramount
  • Accordion-style design lies flat instantly and folds up into a small package quickly and easily
  • Closed-cell foam withstands years of use and abuse
  • Egg-carton pattern increases softness and adds insulation by trapping warm air under your sleeping bag

From the Therm-a-Rest® Fast and Light Series.
Please note: Therm-a-Rest products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Made in USA.

Item 708517

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular Specs

Specification

Description

Dimensions72 x 20 x 0.75 inches
Dimensions - metric183 x 51 x 2 centimeters
Average weight15 ounces
Average weight - metric0.43 kilograms
R-Value2.2
InsulationFoam
Packed size20 x 5.5 x 5 inches
Design typeFoam
Sleeping pad shapeRectangular

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular
 
4.2

(based on 26 reviews)

96%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (25)
  • Durable design (17)
  • Comfortable (16)
  • Compact roll up (9)
  • Non slip (8)

Cons

  • Bulky roll up (9)
  • Uncomfortable (4)

Best Uses

  • Backpacking (24)
  • Extended trips (16)
  • Weekend trips (15)
  • Car camping (11)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Avid adventurer (17), Casual adventurer (10)
  • What Is Your Gear Style:
  • Minimalist (8)

Reviewed by 26 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jun

1

2008

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

For the frugal/no-frills Hiker

By paverson

from Potsdam, NY

About Me Avid Adventurer

Site Member

Pros

  • Compact Roll Up
  • Durable Design
  • Lightweight
  • Non Slip
  • Quick Action

Cons

  • Uncomfortable

Best Uses

  • Backpacking
  • Extended Trips
  • Weekend Trips

Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

I've had this pad for what seems like 10 years (it's the old, green version). My friends all laughed at me when I pulled out this thing for the first time on a backpacking trip. But the next morning, I was laughing at them, while they all struggled to push the air out of their Therm-A-Rests when packing up camp (in about 3 seconds, the Z-rest unfolds and folds back up). If you're like me, and you want to break camp early and quickly (or set-up camp quickly), this pad is great. I also love how I can lash this to my pack. I have a Dana Swiftcurrent, so I just split the Z-rest down the middle (so it's half as thick and two panels wide) and lash it to the outside of my pack, which makes it quickly accessible as a nice ground pad during lunch or a water break (yet another perk that the inflatables can't claim!)

I will agree with other reviewers - I awake almost every morning to find mini-puddles of water that have formed in each eggshell cup on my pad. I guess one could either look at this as bad, or perhaps just shake it out vigorously when breaking camp (or furthermore, collect each and every droplet of water in the event of dehydration :)

One more caveat to the camper who demands comfort - this pad is HALF THE THICKNESS of the inflatable Therm-A-Rest, so you are DEFINITELY sacrificing comfort for efficiency on this one. But after a long day of hiking, ANYTHING feels good!

  • What Is Your Gear Style:
  • Minimalist

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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Sep

12

2007

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

Good, but not great

By JoeMountainGoat

from Everett, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

Site Member

Pros

  • Compact Roll Up
  • Durable Design
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Gets moisture in the cups

Best Uses

  • Backpacking
  • Extended Trips
  • Weekend Trips

Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

This is a good pad in that it is warm and packs up super fast. Problems is that moisture builds up in the cups of the foam and gets your sleeping bag wet, especially here in the NW. We used it in the desert and there was not problem with this. very light and easy to pack, but the moisture problem makes is inconvenient. I would recommend it for dryer climates and as a second pad in the winter, for use under another pad.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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Jan

9

2008

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

light weight and easy

By colorado backpacker

from DE

About Me Avid Adventurer

Site Member

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Durable Design
  • Lightweight

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking

    Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

    I like the lightweight and design of this pad. It folds up easily to the same size everytime unlike self inflating pads so you know how much room its gonna take up everytime. I sleep well on it. I'm not sore in the morning.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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    Sep

    12

    2007

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    just what I needed

    By charlie in the bush

    from Atlanta GA

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Comfortable
    • Lightweight

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking

      Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

      I needed a little something more than my less than 1 pound self-inflater, but wasn't willing to add extra weight for a thicker one. Gave the second pad idea a try with this and am very happy with the set up. This one goes on the tent floor with self-inflater on top. It's added the extra comfort and the extra insulation (for winter camping) that I was looking for. The fold up desing seemed awkward and bulky at first, but fold it out once and it lies nice and flat vertically on the back of my pack under two compression straps. Weight is nothing, unless you are a gram counter

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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      Nov

      7

      2008

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      3.0

      It works

      By thermarest

      from Oregon

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Pros

      • Durable Design
      • Lightweight
      • Non Slip

      Cons

      • Bulky Roll Up

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Extended Trips
      • Weekend Trips

      Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

      I used to use a self inflating pad when I went backpacking. Then on a week long trip the side of my sleeping pad belew out and I slept on the ground for the for the rest of the trip. I vowed to never use an inflatable pad again. The day I got back from the trip I went and purchased the z lite.

      I used the z lite for a summer and was happy overall with it's performance. It does what it's supposed to do: insulate your body from the cold ground, and keep your back from sharp objects. If you are a back sleeper and not a roller or side sleeper you will enjoy this pad. If you sleep on your side, or change positions many times per night, you may want a thicker pad.

      The full length z lite is made up of 14 connected foam rectangles. If you are an ounce counter like me, you can cut rectangles off of the pad to save weight. Or you can cut it in half like I do. I am 5' 8" and if I cut the pad in half it measures the length of my neck to mid thigh. This is enough comfort for me if I use my pack as a leg rest. In addition, this makes two separate pads which each weigh 7.5 oz!! That is less weight than the z lite short.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Minimalist

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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      Oct

      1

      2008

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Great for Short Trips

      By DC Rec Camper

      from Washington, DC

      About Me Casual Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Comfortable
      • Durable Design
      • Lightweight

      Cons

      • Bulky Roll Up

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Weekend Trips

      Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

      Friends, family members, and I have had bad experiences with the inflatable Thermarests, primarily that they can end up leaking after a short period of time. The inflatable pads can also be a pain to fully deflate and pack away.

      I bought the Z for a recent two-night backpacking trip, and I am satisfied. However, I'm not someone who thinks that I will ever be fully comfortable sleeping on the ground. As always, you'll need to clear rocks and branches and steer clear of roots if you want a bearable sleep surface. Back sleepers will probably be more comfortable than side sleepers. Truth be told, though, very few side sleepers are going to get enough cushion from most camping pads. A simple test-drive in the store will give you a good indication about the cushiness and slippery factor. Everyone has such varied individual tolerances and needs, that its impossible to say that you absolutely will or will not be comfortable on the Z. Fans of firm bed mattresses and egg crates will most likely like it, however.

      I have never found a pad this lightweight before (not that I'm a super expert). For a reasonably fit, but only occasional backpacker, I appreciate anything that brings my pack weight down thus extending my trail endurance. It's true that you can't stuff or otherwise condense this pad; its folded size in the store is as small as it gets. You can partially infold it and use it as a rigid liner within your pack. Alternatively, I opened up the pad to double its width and then stored it under my pack's exterior compression straps, which worked great.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Minimalist

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Jul

      11

      2008

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      A must for backpacking

      By ABrooks

      from Syracuse, NY

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Can vary size
      • Easy set up and pack out
      • Easy to attach to pack
      • Lightweight

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking

        Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

        I use this when backpacking but also sometimes for car camping trips. I tend to roll off of the inflatable ones and I can never get as comfortable. I am pretty boney though so sleeping on this in a lean-to can hurt my hip bones sometimes - depends (on what, I do not know). You can kind of fold this into a square to be a seat as well, which is nice. It makes for FAST getting up and going in the morning and very fast set up of your space. Dries quickly and won't absorb water.

        • What Is Your Gear Style:
        • Minimalist

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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        May

        21

        2008

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Awesome Pad

        By jadeeyes1113

        from Davis, CA

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Compact Roll Up
        • Durable Design
        • Lightweight

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking
          • Weekend Trips

          Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

          This pad is so awesome my fiancee wants to ditch his inflatable and get one like mine. It's light and easy to strap on to your pack.

          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Minimalist

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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          Apr

          6

          2008

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          All my friends wanted mine

          By hikerkris

          from Sterling Heights, MI

          About Me Avid Adventurer

          Pros

          • Comfortable
          • Durable Design
          • Easy To Inflate
          • Lightweight
          • Non Slip

          Cons

          • Bulky Roll Up

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking

          Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

          My friends were jealous when I pulled this out after a long day's hike. It's easy to fold up. It's a lot better than sleeping on sticks! Although easily workable, it's a little bulky on your bag but nice and lightweight nonetheless.

          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Minimalist

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Oct

          19

          2007

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          Egg Crate Bliss

          By T-Berry

          from Kansas City, MO

          About Me Avid Adventurer, Certified gear freak

          Pros

          • Durable Design
          • Lightweight

          Cons

          • Bulky

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking

          Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:

          If you want light but still need some comfort go with this pad. The accordian design lets it lay flat unlike a roll up pad.

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

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