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Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad - Regular
Item # 781089For your reference, this page contains historical product information.
For sleep-anywhere comfort, the Z-Lite is the lightest, most compact, full-length closed-cell foam sleeping pad made by Therm-a-Rest.
- Pad 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
Please note: Therm-a-Rest products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.
Made in USA.
Item 781089
Related Items:
Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad - Regular Specs
Specification | Description |
| Pad length (in.) | 72 inches |
| Pad width (in.) | 20 inches |
| Pad thickness (in.) | 0.75 inch |
| Dimensions - metric | 183 x 51 x 2 centimeters |
| Average pad weight (oz.) | 14 ounces |
| Average weight - metric | 0.40 kilogram |
| R-Value | 2.2 |
| Insulation | Foam |
| Packed size | 20 x 5.5 x 5 inches |
| Design type | Foam |
| Sleeping pad shape | Rectangular |
| Gender | Unisex |
Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad - Regular Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Lightweight (18)
- Durable design (14)
- Comfortable (10)
- Non slip (10)
- Packs small / compresses (9)
Cons
- Uncomfortable (7)
Best Uses
- Backpacking (16)
- Extended trips (12)
- Weekend trips (12)
- Car camping (7)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (10), Casual adventurer (7)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Survivalist / minimalist (12), Comfort driven (4)
Reviewed by 19 customers
Sort by
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable Design
- Lightweight
- Non Slip
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Weekend Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
My Z-Lite was the best pad I'd bought on the AT, and I still use it today for some floor exercises at home. I tried out a RidgeRest for awhile, and I slept on a couple of various inflatables (man, the Big Agnes is noisy and annoying to fellow hikers). My end-opinion after over 2,000 miles is that inflatables puncture too often and that roll-up pads don't lay flat.
Sure, you can work with any set of issues, but the Z-Lite is comfortable, it doesn't puncture. It maintains its shape, and its accordian-shape has a lot of benefits.
Need more cushion under your hip? Double the pad in just one section. The full size is plenty long enough. Want to sit after a tough uphill, but aren't fond of you getting your butt wet or dirty? Keep this pad on the outside of your pack and it makes the perfect seat. Fold it into two halves and it gives you a nice 3-4" cushion between you and the elements.
Also, I found that the bright color worked as a perfect warning to hunters when I strapped it on the outside of the pack.
Basically, this pad does everything you want it to do and is reliably constructed. The accordian construction is awesome. I couldn't buy a roll-up pad ever again.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact Roll Up
- Durable Design
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Extended Trips
- Weekend Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
Up till now I've always used my Exped Downmat 9 deluxe in snow to the summer mountains trips. I've always been warm and confortable but the weight has bothered me (total 51 oz). I never dreamed I could get the same results with the Z-lite and some creativity. Here's what works great for me. I purchased a cheap blue foam pad and cut it to the same size as the Z-lite. The combo works great in the snow with the blue pad on the bottom and Z-lite on top. There is no cold problem at all. Then in summer, I only use the z-lite. I have to say the design is confortable, and I'm picky. I found no pressure zones as I expected. I really couldn't be happier. I'm glad I took the plung and tried it. Now my total snow sleeping pad setup is 19.5 oz and I gained a place to kneel when it's not under me. Last, I expected a bad night sleep because of the thickness, but wow was I wrong.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
Pros
- Compact Roll Up
- Durable Design
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
Had this pad for 5+ years. Its firm and comfortable and you don't slip off it at night. It's not exceedingly compact but it is light. I attach mine outside the pack with the pack cover wrapped around it . After years of use it shows no damage. I had been concerned that the hinges would tear but none of them show signs of tearing at all. I wish I could compare it's insulating ability to a self inflating pad but this has been the only sleeping pad I've ever needed and I suspect this is better.
- Gift:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable Design
- Lightweight
- Non Slip
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Car Camping
- Extended Trips
- Weekend Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
I bought this thermarest for my first backpacking trip - 3 days/4 nights, the weather was mostly upper 30's at night.
I was very surprised at how comfortable it was. It lays flat when you unfold it. You can fold under the top portion to give yourself a bit of "pillow." It is extremely lightweight.
The other hikers in my group had the more expensive inflatable sleeping pads. They had to worry about getting them wet, and my tentmate was often messing with hers, trying to get it inflated just right. My Z-lite was definitely the lowest maintenance sleeping pad in the group.
The only drawback is that it stays pretty large when folded up. I strapped it to the outside of my pack, which works fine unless you're also attaching a tent, sleeping bag and a lot of other gear to the outside.
After finding out what great value you can get from this thermarest, there is no way I would buy a more expensive one.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact Roll Up
- Lightweight
- Non Slip
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Extended Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
i went on a 2 day backpacking trip thinking there was no snow but ran into 5 feet of snow into my hike set up camp put this down and wow was i amazed it was in the low 40s and i didn't feel the snow under me at all and was very comfortable
and for "wiggling" off the mat this did not happen to me and i would think this was more of a users fault for "wiggling" off a mat then the mat its self
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact Roll Up
- Durable Design
- Easy To Inflate
- Lightweight
- Non Slip
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Car Camping
- Extended Trips
- Weekend Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
I have a quick clarification on my "Gear Style": I'm a minimalist, but I don't compromise my sleeping comfort. I'm 5'7" and 120 lbs, back/front sleeper, and I find the Z-Lite to be both comfortable and light. I've tried nearly a dozen kinds of foam sleeping pads, and the Z-Lite has been the only comfortable one that's also lightweight. The egg-carton design of the foam does compress when sleeping on it, so I wonder if there is a weight limit where someone would start to feel uncomfortable.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
Pros
- Compact Roll Up
- Durable Design
Cons
- Difficult To Inflate
- Uncomfortable
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Extended Trips
- Weekend Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
I have the short version which is all anyone under 6' should need. This pad will keep you warmer than if you didn't have a pad, but it will not keep you much more comforted.
It saves one from rocks and sticks and what have you, but it takes a couple nights to adjust to the ground. If you are a weekend only, one to three times a year kind of camper, then I would really look at some inflatables. If you are a minimalist or one who stays out a week or so and need to save weight and not worry about a busted inflatable then I would recommend this pad as a very good option.
This design packs well, lays flat when in use and weighs nothing... not to mention it is really durable.
I've been in sub 30F weather, at night in altitudes, and it has worked to keep me warm and off the cold ground... I haven't tried it in serious extremes or snow yet however.
Anyone who has any experience in this department should throw in their two cents worth as I am anxious to know the boundaries with this pad.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable Design
- Easy To Inflate
- Lightweight
Cons
- Bulky Roll Up
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Car Camping
- Extended Trips
- Weekend Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
What a great pad, I can't stop singing its praise! This pad is a great compromise for those backpackers on a budget.
Although it is more expensive than the cheap roll up foam pads, it is worth the price. With the ingenious egg carton design, the pad folds up and nests into itself. This makes it more compact, inspite of being thicker than my old foamy. Because it folds up like an accordian, the pad lays flat instead of annoyingly curling up. Also, because of the texture, it feels like a massage when you walk or lay down on it.
Although it is a bit on the large side, I think it also beats the super compact blow up pads. It has a similar insulating capacity to some of the big name ones, but at half the price. And since it weighs absolutely nothing, you only compromise size. The solution? I just strap it somewhere to the outside of the pack, where ever it fits. Its so light, I don't even notice it. Also, talk about durable. This pad will last a long time, and I don'thave to worry about puncturing it. I know some people that carry both a cheap roll up and a nice inflatable, just so they don't damage their pad, but what is the point in that?
As for comfot, there are few pads that will hide rocks, twigs, and acorns if you don't sweep the floor up before your pitch you tent. Also, if you squirmy sleeper, the only thing that will help is if you tied yourself down.
All in all, if you can't justify spending around a hundred bucks on a pad, but still are weight and size conscious, get the z-lite. It is light, comfortable, small (relatively), and will last a lifetime.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
Pros
- Durable Design
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Cold weather
- Extended Trips
- Weekend Trips
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
After hearing we were going to be having record cold temps for this time of year (October)I made a last minute choice to buy this pad instead of using my old Therm-a-Rest inflatable. The temperature ended up at 13F. I did not feel any loss of heat through the z-lite pad. It was comfortable enough for a foam pad but don't try to compare it to an inflatable. Very light & easy to stow. Held up well after extensive bushwhacking through really dense and well above head height brush while strapped to the outside of my ruck.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
Pros
- Durable Design
- Lightweight
Cons
- Bulky Roll Up
- Uncomfortable
Best Uses
- Car Camping
Comments about Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular:
Item was bulky and hard to secure. Not comfortable. First night of use- left bruises on my arms and legs. Second night of use- by morning I had wiggled off of it opting to sleep on the rocky hard ground instead. Never using this again and probably won't even give it away to a friend.
- Gift:
- No
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad - Regular Related Items
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