Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad

This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

Or, may we suggest shopping for similar items:

Shop more Sleeping Pads Shop more Therm-a-Rest

This page is provided for reference to historical product information.

Show me:
Product Description,
Product Specs,
Reviews

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

From the Therm-a-Rest® Fast and Light Series.

Made in USA.

Item 781089

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite - Regular

4.0

(based on 63 reviews)

80%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (59)
Comfortable (35)
Durable (34)
Non slip (31)
Packs easily (31)

Cons

Uncomfortable (17)
Packs too large (12)
Hard to pack (6)
Heavy / bulky (4)
Not warm (3)

Best Uses

Backpacking (56)
3 season use (32)
Car camping (24)
4 season camping (13)
Extended trips (12)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (31), Casual/ recreational (21), Casual adventurer (7)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Survivalist / minimalist (46), Comfort driven (11)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (30), Yes (3)

Reviewed by 63 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »

Mar

2009

(127 of 129 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Versatility = Happy

By Voodoo

from Tempe, AZ

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Oct

2009

(64 of 68 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A Great PAD - SLEEP SYSTEM Component

By Old Jungle Grunt

from Kane County, IL, USA

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Durable Design
Lightweight
MADE IN THE USA
Non Slip

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Bike Camping with Trailer
Car Camping
Extended Trips
Weekend Trips

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

I really like this pad. Some of the other reviewers might prefer a Queen-sized Mattress with Box-Springs out in the woods, but how would they get them there?

The light weight is ideal for back-packing or for towing in a bicycle trailer. You can also carry it in a car or SUV, but then you don't really care about the size, shape, or weight.

The comfort (at least for me) is great - you can try it out at one of the REI stores to see if it is right for you.

The Accordion Folds (which result in a rather bulky [but still very light weight]) in transit are not a problem if you carry your gear in a car or even a bike trailer, could be a minor problem with some internal frame backpacks - external frame packs let you tie the pad to the bottom of the frame - slightly more bulk, but the same low weight. This weight-to-bulk dilemma is documented in both the product specifications and the user reviews, so this product still deserves 5 stars.

My only complaint is that my wife wants to "borrow it" for yoga class 3 times per week.

Maybe nobody cares anymore, but this product is made in SEATTLE, USA.

Apr

2009

(33 of 36 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Wow, It's not what it seems

By Dan

from Temecula CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

May

2010

(24 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great minimalist pad

By thelosthiker

from Central Kentucky

About Me Professional/Guide

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Lightweight
Packs Easily
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

3 Season Camping
4 Season Camping
Backpacking
Car Camping
Cold Conditions
Winter Camping

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

I didn't put down comfortable as a pro, nor did I put it down as a con, mostly because it's what you make of it really. It cracks me up when people say this product is uncomfortable. What did you expect, the same comfort as a tempurpedic? It's a foam mat, get a clue. The best suggestion that I have taken and will now pass along is to pile up a bunch of leaves under your tent directly under where you'll sleep. That helps make it nice and cushy and the crinkling really isn't an issue for me, it comes with the territory. People expect this cushy luxurious outdoor experience, it won't happen unless you stay at some sort of all inclusive lodge! It's camping, in the woods, in a tent, on the ground. For [$] you get a nearly indestructible mat/pad that's light and isn't a pain to pack up. If you want a VERY reliable, very tough, light, simple sleeping pad...then this is it. To make it really comfortable, the rest is up to you!

May

2009

(22 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great product

By asdf54

from Boston Ma

See all my reviews

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.

Jun

2009

(14 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Happy that I bought this

By Nanc H

from Illinois

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

May

2009

(13 of 59 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Warmth, but...

By TheSkyFalls

from Port Angeles, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

May

2009

(11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

very nice

By mr. washington

from Bellevue, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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

May

2010

(10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Lightweight, not the most comfortable

By kingpin

from Los Angeles, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Lightweight
Non Slip
Packs Easily
Warm

Cons

Uncomfortable

Best Uses

Backpacking

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

This is an easy product to review.

The pad is warm, light, non-slip, and durable.

It is more comfortable than the cold, bare ground. It is not as comfortable as an air mattress.

Simple, eh?

If you take a look at the 'pros' (park rangers, National Forest rescue guys, etc...), I have seen a bunch of them carry this pad. I asked the ranger in Sequoia why she carried one - she said that her primary concern is warmth, not comfort - a very practical view.

When you are humping over mountains, the best pad is the lightest, most durable, warmest pad. That would be the zlite.

If you need a lot of comfort, try car camping and an air mattress.

Jul

2009

(10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Lightweight and comfortable

By AlexL

from Davis, CA

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.