How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout Sleeping Pad
$94.95
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The 1 in. thick, self-inflating Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout pad is compact enough for forays into the backcountry—yet thick enough for comfort on car-camping weekends.
Key Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
1 inch
Weight
Long: 2 lbs. 1 oz.
- Provides the essential durability and comfort needed to take you more places at an exceptional value
- Premium foam core wrapped in woven fabric is the same fundamental construction of some of the most durable and high-performance Therm-a-Rest designs
- One-way WingLock™ valve minimizes inflation and deflation time so you can spend more time enjoying the great outdoors; it offers 3x the airflow of the classic valve
- Open-cell foam core self-inflates when valve is open—top off with just a few breaths for personalized firmness
- This pad has an R-value of 3.1, which offers users 3-season warmth
- Packs down to fit in the included stuff sack, allowing you to take it just about anywhere
- With its light weight, this pad keeps your pack light and you moving
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 |
| Packed Size | Long: 8 x 13 inches |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 1 inch |
| Dimensions | Long: 77 x 25 x 1 inches |
| Weight | Long: 2 lbs. 1 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
What else do you need?
Mostly Grapes2 years ago
This is my first backpacking pad. I originally chose this pad because of its entry level status and value and I have been super happy with it. My wife and I both find it to be very comfortable. It’s lighter and warmer than many more expensive pads without jumping into the $200 range. I have used it for dozens of nights and it still looks and feels like new. My only complaints are that it feels like it takes a long time to deflate and roll up and get back into its bag. Also, self inflating is a pretty generous term. I leave it in my tent for about an hour and then still give it 10 or 15 breaths.
Mostly Grapes
OR
16 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Great quality but not the most comfortable
jakub2 years ago
Firm pad best for people who sleep on their backs. I’m a side sleeper so this did not work out for me. Seemed like great quality though.
jakub
17 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Mostly Grapes
Oregon
What else do you need?
2 years ago
This is my first backpacking pad. I originally chose this pad because of its entry level status and value and I have been super happy with it. My wife and I both find it to be very comfortable. It’s lighter and warmer than many more expensive pads without jumping into the $200 range. I have used it for dozens of nights and it still looks and feels like new. My only complaints are that it feels like it takes a long time to deflate and roll up and get back into its bag. Also, self inflating is a pretty generous term. I leave it in my tent for about an hour and then still give it 10 or 15 breaths.
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'3"
Yes , I recommend this product
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
Jenny
Grand Rapids, MI
Hoped for more..
1 year ago
I bought this in June for a trip to the UP for some back country camping. In the store, I was impressed with the comfort (side sleeper) and weight. Practical use in the back country, not so much. Definitely not meant for a side sleeper - lots of tossing and turning due to pressure points. I gave it another try this weekend in 20° weather for a back country hiking trip because of the R value. While still not comfortable, the R value is true effective. I felt no chill whatsoever from the ground. This may be a great mat for a back sleeper and I would definitely recommend it for the insulation.
Age:45–54
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'4"
Yes , I recommend this product
Highcountry dog hiker
SoCal
Met my demands for packable dog resistant pad.
9 months ago
I backpack with a 75 lb hound who is indiscriminate around my gear. She had already popped two previous air pads (which I used with my first dog -who was as big - before her for the past 15 years with no problem). I decided to give an air pad one last chance before moving on to closed-cell options. The deal breaker for the Scout Pad : 75D fabric. And after 7 days backpacking in rugged Sierra Nevada, this pad came out unscathed. Couldn't be more happy. I also own the T-a-R Baseacamp for car-camping (also 75D), no problem there with either hound #1 or #2. Pro: tough, valve is great, comfy. Con: you take weight penalty, a little more bulky but still packable (its no bigger than your tent bag).
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Stan
Durham, NC
Enthusiastic!
3 years ago
Just bought the "2022" model of this pad and while it appears to have all the features of the older model, the outer surface of this one is not rubbery looking. It also comes with a storage bag. This model looks like the Therm-a-rest I bought 30 years ago and I'm looking forward to it lasting as long. I bought a pad on Amazon that was made in China. While it packed smaller, it crinkled and after two uses it blew a leak (which I can't find). This Therm-a-rest pad is quiet and made in the USA. Wish it packed smaller but it's also a 3 season pad so I'll live with it.
Age:65–74
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
Rider51
The Great Pacific Northwest
Great Value
2 years ago
This pad is a great value from a brand that makes nothing but high quality products, and it's no exception. It's not a thick pack, only about 1", but it's surprisingly comfortable on most terrain, due to its dense foam insulation, which also gives it some warmth. There are certainly lighter pads. There are more comfortable pads. There are warmer pads. But this entry into the Thermarest family of self-inflating pads gets the job done. if you aren't interested in air-only, or close cell foam pads, and want something durable with real insulation and don't have deep pockets, for the price this pad may be for you.
Age:55–64
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Yes , I recommend this product
jakub
Great quality but not the most comfortable
2 years ago
Firm pad best for people who sleep on their backs. I’m a side sleeper so this did not work out for me. Seemed like great quality though.
Height:5'11"
rossblais
Portland, ME
Superior comfort, but unfortunately defective.
3 years ago
PROS: For the weight, value, and packable size, this is decent for short backpacking trips, which is what I used this for. Very comfortable when fully inflated. CONS: It doesn't seem to want to hold air. After inflation, I double-checked to make sure the valve was shut correctly, and it held air for a couple of hours while I was laying down on it. Throughout the night, however, the pad slowly started deflating and was making a loud whining noise while doing so. Between the noise and the discomfort, I was constantly being woken up through the night and into the morning. By the time sunrise has come around, it was completely out of air. This is disappointing considering how comfortable this sleeping pad is when it's fully inflated. Either the valve is defective, or it's the overall design of the product. I will be looking elsewhere for a sleeping pad.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'9"
No, I do not 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
Rob S
Good First Sleeping Pad
3 years ago
I'd only really camped one other time before I purchased this sleeping pad as my first personally owned one. I found it plenty soft enough when inflated to sleep comfortably, even over some roots at a couple campsites. I used it in a two person tent that I shared with another camper, and it's tapered design seemed like it helped make it feel like it didn't take up too much space, even in the tall size (the tall size itself was the right call for a tall person!). Nights only got down to low 50s or maybe upper 40s one night, but I never felt like the sleeping pad was an issue with staying warm. (Used in conjunction with a 30F sleeping bag and wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt.) It gave me no problems over a 4 night trip into the Boundary Waters, and I'm looking forward to getting a lot more use out of it.
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'4"
Yes , I recommend this product
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