Therm-a-Rest  ProLite Apex Sleeping Pad

I've used this pad in three seasons for a few years, both car camping and backpacking. Overall it's is extremely comfortable and super warm. It's so comfy that I don't mind the weight and the compression straps help it pack down reasonably small. I'm not a very wide person, but I highly recommend the wide version--no more waking up freezing because you moved a couple inches. "Self-inflating" is an overstatement, but this could be my own fault as I stored it in the compression sack for quite a while. Also, I recently picked up a hammock and have only used this pad in it three times, but the shape conformed perfectly and it was the best sleep I've ever had camping.

This is a fairly compact sleeping pad when packed. The carry pouch has a compression "flap" with two straps to help control the packed size. It packs up a little bit tighter than my trusty REI air rail 1.5 (long-wide), and feels a little bit lighter. It was reluctant to inflate at first, but after a couple hours out of the box (inflated) it seems to compress/expand just fine. When inflated, my regular-wide Thermarest is slightly narrower and shorter than my REI pad. There is slightly more "security" in the REI pad with the rails, where I felt almost like I might roll off the Thermarest. After a long hike, I'd probably be so exhausted that I wouldn't notice the difference. First impressions after a night in the back yard are very good. Hopefully the camping restrictions will ease up around here. I'll try to update this review after I've had more time to experience this new pad.

I did a lot of research and was really excited about how great this pad was going to be. Read a few comments about durability but figured they might be outliers. Do yourself a favor, don’t ignore them. The pad leaked the first night I used it. Okay it happens, so I paid 50 dollars to ship it in for warranty repair, wait 6 weeks for them to tell me it’s going to cost another 21 dollars for them to fix it! Customer service is unhelpful and Thermarest doesn’t stand behind their product. Spend your money on something else.

Extremely comfortable pad especially considering the small packed size and light weight. Layer of insulation keeps you warmer on a cold ground than just an air pad. Self-inflates as well as any pad, which is to say it still needs some blowing up to reach full pressure. Double valve is a game changer though, prevents slow leaks and helps adjusting for just the right amount of air pressure. Carrying case is a nice design too with tightening straps to help minimize size without being frustratingly difficult to fit into the case. Overall a great lightweight and comfortable pad for any overnight, would highly reccomend.

Excellent sleeping pad. Light weight, compact, perfect thickness for an enjoyable rest.

Ok, I slept on this on my living room hardwood floors the first night I got this. Slept great! Took it to Valley of Fire st. park in Nevada. Worked great! On the desert ground. I slept outside, no tent under the stars. Kept me warm from the ground and dry in the morning. Got home and tried it out in the Indiana weather. Temps got to 45 that night. Still warm off the ground and dry in morning from dew. Slept great every time I used it. Easy to inflate and deflate. Cant wait to take it bike packing in Oregon this fall.

I bought this because when the night temps drop below 50, I switch from my hiking hammock to a tent. I am 6'4" and 215 pounds, and I have slept very comfortably and warmly on this pad on two two-night trips on the AT this fall. It would take up a large amount of room in your pack if you carry it in the factory stuff sack. Instead, I rolled it up like a yoga mat and strapped it to the outside of my pack. This saved space in my pack, and the color surely alerted hunters for miles around of my orange presence. It weighs about 2 pounds and sleeps like a cloud. A warm, insulating cloud.

This sleeping pad packs down nicely into its compression sack and is lightweight on the trail, but that's about where the pro's stop. Advertised as a "self-inflating" sleeping pad, I have never once had this pad inflate itself to a comfortable thickness, even after letting it lay out for hours. The pad is also very narrow for people with any kind of shoulders, and slippery. I am constantly readjusting through the night as I slide off. If you're a narrow-shouldered back sleeper who never moves a muscle, maybe this sleeping pad works for you. Otherwise I would have expected more at this price point.

Very comfortable pad. Just a few breaths and it was inflated. The night was predicted to be cooler than originally thought, so I also packed on an extra closed foam pad for insulation under this pad. It was perfect for 30 degrees and rainy night. But this pad was thick enough to not feel the ground at all. Deflation was quick. If I’m looking to lighten up next trip, this pad stays!

I’m 6’7” and the larger size has been absolutely perfect so far. Stays inflated all night and it’s comfortable sleeping on my side. I wake up and I forget I’m sleeping on the floor in a tent. Highly recommend.