Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Mattress Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own both this and an inflatable Therm-a-Rest and have used other inflatable sleeping mats in the past. The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is a bare-bones sleeping mat intended more for insulation from the ground than for comfort, at the lightest possible weight. As far as insulation goes, I felt it worked great - warmer, even, than an inflatable mat if only because your body doesn't have to heat any contained air so it has that "instantly warm" feel that foam tends to have. Comfort, though, is minimal. Its better than one of those thin blue mats but not as comfortable as an inflatable Therm-a-Rest - which, really, is a small margin. The foam is light but dense with little give - don't let the egg-carton texture fool you, it is not soft and squishy.
I use my Z Lite for backpacking, where extra weight matters. In this context the mat performed admirably. It was great that I didn't have to worry about puncturing it so I was able to sit and lay on it around the campfire while my friends with inflating mats had to do without. For fastidious folks, though, the "egg carton" divots are great at collecting bits of bark and dirt. I slept well, though stiffly, but was glad for the light weight when I had to carry it around. Lastly, many people have issues with the self-inflating Therm-a-Rests being slippery with nylon-type bags (which I agree with) - I had no such issue with the Z Lite since its not made of the same material.
PROS:
- very lightweight
- provides decent ground insulation
- no worries about punctures as with inflatable mats
- not slippery for nylon-type sleeping bags
- cheaper than inflatable models
CONS:
- minimal comfort
- only folds into brick; fold seams can become weak points for ripping over time
- divots are good at collecting debris
CONCLUSION: You can get more minimal than this for backpacking but you'll start losing comfort points so I recommend it for backpacking where weight AND a degree of comfort is an issue. For shorter distance trips or if weight isn't as much of a concern I would suggest looking at a self-inflating model of Therm-A-Rest.

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Therm-a-Rest's Fast & Light mattresses allow you to experience unrivaled comfort without compromising your goals. Weighing less and packing smaller than other mattresses, they facilitate the kind of high-speed, low-weight camping experience sought by alpinists, adventure racers, and long-distance backpackers alike. Hailing from the Fast & Light series, the Z Lite ultra-light three-season camping mattress is perfect for those go-anywhere, sleep-on-anything treks and bivies where every ounce counts. The Z Lite is made using an all-new proprietary foam that's softer on top for extra comfort and denser on the bottom for added durability. As a result, it's substantial enough to keep you comfortable while mountaineering or on ski tours, yet packs smaller than any other closed-cell foam mattress thanks to its accordion-style design. Plus, the closed-cell foam is incredibly durable, providing an exceptional value and many years of worry-free performance. View specs in printer-friendly format
Small Specifications:
Color: Limon
R-value: 2.2
Weight: 10 ounces
Width: 20 inches
Length: 51 inches
Thickness: 0.75 inches
Packaged dimension: 20 by 4 by 5.5 inches
Foam type: Egg-crate molded
Fill material: XL polyethylene

Regular Specifications:
Color: Limon
R-value: 2.2
Weight: 14 ounces
Width: 20 inches
Length: 72 inches
Thickness: 0.75 inches
Packaged dimension: 20 by 5 by 5.5 inches
Foam type: Egg-crate molded
Fill material: XL polyethylene

About Therm-a-Rest In 1971, Seattle aerospace giant Boeing announced the largest layoff in company history, resulting in 50,000 people losing their jobs. Among the jobless were Jim Lea and Neil Anderson, both engineers who were eager to get back to work. Turning to friend John Burroughs--an avid mountain climber--for ideas, Burroughs suggested a better sleeping mattress, specifically one that was lightweight, warm, and comfortable.
Taking their inspiration from gardening cushions that expelled air as the gardener shifted his or her weight, the duo took a piece of open-cell foam and sandwiched it between two pieces of airtight fabric. Using an old sandwich maker, they melted the fabric onto the foam, creating a bond that was perfectly airtight. After adding a valve, their prototype was ready to test. Within two years, Lea and Anderson had partnered with Burroughs to begin production of Therm-a-Rest pads, the world's first self-inflating mattress. Under the name Cascade Designs, the private, family-owned company has grown into one of the most respected outdoor manufacturers in the world. Still based in Seattle, Cascade Designs sticks to the same fundamental principles it was founded upon: providing relevant and innovative products, exceptional quality, and service that exceeds your expectations.

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