How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout Sleeping Pad
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
Pairing essential 3-season comfort with packability, the self-inflating Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout sleeping pad offers top-rated performance at a great value.
Shop newer versionKey Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
1 inches
- Packs down to fit in the included stuff sack, allowing you to take it just about anywhere
- Lightweight design keeps your pack easier to carry, allowing you to go farther
- Expanding foam core self-inflates; top it off with just a few breaths for personalized firmness
- This pad has an R-value of 3.1, which makes it best for adventures in cool weather; it provides moderate insulation from ground temperature
- Most sleeping pads we sell range from 1.0 (good for warm weather) to 5.5+ (for use in extreme cold); the higher the R-value, the more insulated the pad
- Intuitive and dependable WingLockâ„¢ valve maximizes air flow for easy inflation and quick deflation; the wings toggle for one-way inflation to save breath
Made in USA.
View all Therm-a-Rest Self-inflating Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Semirectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Open-cell Foam |
| R-Value | 3.1 |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 1 inches |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
Review this Product
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Most Helpful Favorable Review
short size
Bahar5 years ago
Short is really short, it is for children. Just to be aware. :)
Bahar
32 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Not bad
Jacob5 years ago
Planned to use as a truck camping pad. I had an older trail scout and it was great. This one definitely does not have the comfort the older models have. It’s ok, and is still light enough to backpack with. As a backpacking pad it would be on the comfier end, but truck camping there are better options.
Jacob
OK
12 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Anonymous
Not as good as they used to be
6 years ago
I have two 20 year old, blue and red Thermarests which are fantastic. Used them a lot and still look like new, made of quality materials. Now having a family, I bought another one trusting the quality is still there. This Trail Scout, which I bought online is a disappointment, seemingly made of cheap materials and can't see it last 20+ years like the old ones. Lucky if I get a couple of seasons out of it. Yes I know it is not the most expensive of the line, but still a Therm-a-rest, and more expensive that the competition. The outer shell is made of thin cheap plastic and brand new out of the box is already deformed from the the way it was packaged, no matter how hard I inflate it. Ii will send it back if I could.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Infantry
Army
Great on field exercises
4 years ago
I am in the Infantry and replaced my issued pad with one of these pads. I have had used mine for the last five years on every Army field exercise while sleeping in the woods. It rolls up nice and tight and saves space in my rucksack, has decent R value and works exceptionally well when placed between bivi sack and sleeping bag. This pad isn’t designed for those who toss and turn at night or are expecting it to feel like an air mattress. But if you’re looking for some minimal padding to keep the rocks and sticks from poking you with some insulating factor then this will work for you.
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Jacob
Oklahoma
Not bad
5 years ago
Planned to use as a truck camping pad. I had an older trail scout and it was great. This one definitely does not have the comfort the older models have. It’s ok, and is still light enough to backpack with. As a backpacking pad it would be on the comfier end, but truck camping there are better options.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Mostly Grapes
oregon
Basic and Reliable
3 years ago
I bought one of these to replace an old foam pad. While it isn’t the fanciest pad out there, I feel like it offers an excellent balance between durability, pack ability, weight, and price. It inflates pretty quickly and holds air all night. It is a little tedious to fold in half and pack up but with a little practice it can go quickly. It’s also super comfortable for me as a side sleeper. I mostly use it in a tent but I’ve also used it in a hammock a few nights and it was fine. It did not slip around and it contoured well enough.
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'3"
Yes , I recommend this product
Hans123456
California
Save your money
4 years ago
I hate this pad. It’s made of incredibly flimsy material that punctures with incredible ease. I have another Thermarest pad that I’ve owned for 20 years and has never had a puncture. This one (bought for my kid) I’ve patched at least a dozen of times and every time we use it it gets more holes. I’m going to throw it out and buy something more substantial. This just isn’t worth the aggravation.
No, I do not recommend this product
Justin28
Temecula, CA
Worked great... ONCE
3 years ago
I was really encouraged with this. It worked great the first time I used it carefully and then it would lose air after ten minutes with no hole in it. I'm not sure if it's the new valve or some sort of slow leak in the seams, but I was extremely surprised Therm A Rest would make a product this unreliable at any price point. I read reviews warning of this and decided to take a chance. I'm glad for REIs return policy. I may have had a defective one, but I just think the lower end Therm A Rests are bad. Many companies seem to not care about their rep and are making lower and lower quality products banking on their previous reputation of quality products.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:6'0"
No, I do not recommend this product
Coco
Cleveland, OH
Good basic pad
5 years ago
I actually really like this product. Originally bought it for a backcountry hiking trip, and it really is amazing. To be honest I never had a sleeding pad before, so this beats the hard ground any day :) I was super impressed the first night I used it. It was like sleeping in bed. I also store this per the instructions, open underneath my bed, so inflating this literally takes two puffs if that. All in all I like it!
Age:25–34
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'2"
Yes , I recommend this product
Jberg
Minnesota
Sleeping well, easy blowing
4 years ago
Inflates after only about five to eight blows and the air intake is really easy since you can blow into it without losing any air. Is pretty comfortable. I dont know how it compares to other pads but it gets the job done. I slept well and thoroughly on it. Not the height of comfort but I only felt air on my back the whole three days I used it in a row. Dont have to keep reinflating, doesnt lose air. Fairly Compact. It doesnt fit in my medium sized backpacking pack when i have a full pack and a sleeping bag for three days, so I dangle it from my backpack with a carabiner hook
Age:35–44
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:6'2"
Yes , I recommend this product
Aoliver
Great for the thrifty backpacker!
9 years ago
I was in great need for a new roll mat. Considering I was using a cumbersom old air pad that was like sleeping on a half inflated balloon. I stumbled across the trail scout. It was light weight, compact and durable. Not to mention the price was right. I have thus used my trail scout for five years now without missing a beat. Comfortable to sleep on especially for my arthritis. It's not as thick as most pads but for the buck it's well worth it! I liked it so much I purchased a second one for my wife. Since then we've been taking our dog with us and as long as there is a blanket on the pad her nails don't cut into the pad.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
George M
Staten Island, NY
Excellent Sleeping Pad
4 years ago
Overall easy to use, easy to pack/carry, and light. Most recently used this for sleeping on somewhat hard ground at Harriman State Park (NY). Overnight temperature there was about 35 degrees and the ground was a grassy bed with generally smooth rock underneath. The pad's insulating features kept me just as warm as if I was in my own bed and the pad inflates/deflates easily. It carries easily inside a pack, but with the stuff sack you can attach it on the outside of the pack too. Overall, I think this was an excellent value and I look forward to many years of use out of it.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
1 - 10 of 106 Reviews