Z Lite Therm-A-Rest Review
The Z Lite sleeping pad is well respected in my community of outdoor and gear enthusiasts and is my go-to sleeping pad for nearly every overnighter. We have been using it for almost 7 years now.
Without a doubt, this is the most reliable closed cell sleeping pad I have ever used and is nearly care free. If it isn’t already part of your gear, this is a strong contender for anyone looking for a sleeping pad for three seasons.
Philosophy Of Use
A good and durable sleeping pad deserves respect and appreciation despite it not being gear that is as exciting as tactical nylon. As gear enthusiasts we love to day dream and fantasize about applications of cool gear and ‘exciting’ activities that may involve staying stationary for hours on end before something exciting happens. The reality is that if basic sustainment is not met, the end user can become a liability or risk rather than an asset to mission/activity.
A reliable sleeping pad forms part of the basic sustainment when overnight in the field, insulating the user from heat loss from contact with the ground and elements.
A reliable sleeping pad for tactical applications should have specific qualities to be fit for purpose for a variety of applications. We explore these factors below and provide our observations as to how the Therm-A-Rest Z Lite measures up.
Design and Specifications
The Z Lite is a closed cell sleeping pad made from durable synthetic foam and stows in an accordion folding pattern. Being a closed cell design, it does not need to be inflated. This makes this sleeping pad durable and the end user does not need to worry about the mat being punctured or popped by the environment. This is an important consideration for tactical applications as deploying and stowing this mat does not need to be done carefully.
We have personally taken this pad out into the bush and it has been through, mud, pointy brambles, jagged rocks and have experienced no issues. This sleeping pad is incredibly durable. Back in 2019 we along with Blackline Simulations had left a few of these out in an underground hide site for almost three weeks before we retrieved it. They exhibited no noticeable damage from the elements.
Rolled closed cell sleeping pads have a tendency to roll and curl on itself due to the manner in which it was stowed. The accordion design of the Z lite makes it unnecessary to have to fight the pad to flatten it out when deploying which can be quite annoying.
The pad has pockets/dimples with peaks which helps to trap heat, insulate and provides a measure of traction when placed on the ground.
The regular model that is the subject of this review has the dimensions of 72 inch x 51 inch which accommodates most users.
Depending on the model (and colour) it has an R rating of 1.7 – 2.0. The coyote brown model has an R rating of 1.7 rather than 2.0 due to the matte finish. The bright coloured models have a shiny finish like a space blanket on one of the sides.
Pack and Carry
The accordion design lends itself to multiple methods of stowing and carrying with a rucksack. The pad can be completely folded like a brochure into a rectangular shape. In this configuration it fits nicely into straps attached to a pack or even between a rucksack lid and main rucksack compartment.
It can also be folded into a flatter rectangular shape where it it can fit between daisy chains, compression straps or in large beavertails.
The Z Lite excels being stowed on rucksack externals not lend itself well to being packed into a rucksack due to volume and shape.
The pad is lightweight and only weighs around 14 ounces.
Modifications
End users in my community have made modifications to their Z lites that include trimming the length and width of the pad.
This helps them maintain a lower profile and saves on weight.
Comfort
An important factor to consider when selecting a sleeping pad is the insulating value the pad has. The Z Lite depending on the model (or colour) has a R value of 1.7 – 2.0. This makes it suitable for spring, summer and fall in temperate woodland.
By itself, it is not sufficient for winter in the boreal forest. Cold weather sleeping mats typically recommend an R value of 4.0 – 5.0. Despite this, the Z Lite pad can be combined with an inflatable pad in cold weather environments to meet the requirements of the end user.
Additionally, due to the Z lite being closed cell and non-inflatable, it can also be paired with 3-4 inches of compressed tree boughs under the pad without worry of damage to increase the value to close to what may be required to sleep on in the winter. We have personally tried this in approximately -18 degrees Celsius and found it was slightly uncomfortable but was sufficient for survival.
The pad can also be folded on itself two or three times to make a seat, which had noticeably increased its R-value in cold weather applications. This was a convenient use of the pad when sitting down for a meal over snow.
The pad can also be folded a few times at one of the ends to create a pillow or support for one’s neck when sleeping.
The Z Lite sleeping pad is not designed to be the most comfortable and would feel comparable to sleeping on a soft yoga mat. Compared to an inflatable sleeping pad, the Z Lite could be considered spartan.
Applications
A closed cell sleeping pad should be able to perform in a variety of applications. We have regularly used the Z Lite in the following ways without issue:
- Overnight hiking and camping expeditions as a seat and sleeping pad;
- Static positions like observation posts and listening posts in a tactical environment;
- As an impromptu seat to insulate from the ground;
- As a shooting mat to prone on;
- As a measuring tool when building shelters; and
- Even as a fan to fan flames!
Limitations
The main limitations of the sleeping pad are that is it not well suited for internal storage in a ruck sack. For that, a sleeping pad similar to the German BW sleeping pad may be considered as it can sit flush inside a rucksack.
It also is not suitable by itself for a cold weather environments. Despite this when coupled with an inflatable mat or bushcraft bed, it contributes towards a functional basic sustainment kit that would be needed in cold weather environments.
It leaves a little more to be desired when it comes to softness and comfort but these are often secondary considerations.
Conclusion
I have two of these and they work really well. They are near bomb proof! Highly recommend. I bought these for around $60-70.00 years ago at a retailer. The coyote brown ones were out of stock for the longest time but are available once again on amazon for around $69.95 CAD.
You can find them through the following links, as a Amazon Associate/Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases:
Amazon US https://amzn.to/3QUMxc4
Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/3IViK0O
Thermarest: https://www.thermarest.com/ca/sleeping-pads/fast-and-light/z-lite-sol-sleeping-pad/z-lite-sol.html
