Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Assessment

Backside Line

The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol is an effective alternative for minimalist backpackers and thru-hikers who desire a no-brainer, rolls-with-the-punches, low-weight sleeping pad. Its closed-cell foam design makes the Sol almost indestructible, and it’s decently comfy for being underneath an inch thick. 

CleverHiker founder, Dave Collins, used this pad on his PCT thru-hike, the place he discovered its sturdiness and ease of use to be huge wins on the path. Whether or not you’re utilizing the Z Lite Sol as a main sleeping pad, a sit pad, an additional insulation layer for winter tenting, and even as a canine mattress, it’s probably the most versatile sleeping pads on the market. 

The Z Lite Sol excels in weight, price, and comfort, nevertheless it does have limitations. The skinny foam may be uncomfortable on rocky or uneven terrain, particularly for aspect sleepers. And with common use, the froth nodes are likely to compress increasingly more, lowering total consolation. It additionally has a low R-value, making it greatest for gentle climate and summer time use. 

However for those who don’t thoughts sleeping on agency surfaces and wish probably the most sturdy, easy-to-use, and inexpensive sleeping pad choices in the marketplace, the Z Lite Sol is a good alternative.

Consolation

Like with most closed-cell foam sleeping pads, consolation will not be the Z Lite Sol’s sturdy go well with. The pad’s 0.75-inch thickness isn’t very plush, particularly in comparison with inflatable choices which are three to 5 instances thicker. Nevertheless it does supply sufficient insulation and padding to really feel pretty comfy on most surfaces, particularly for sleepers who’re okay with agency pads. The fabric is dense however versatile and is supportive, particularly for again and stomach sleepers on well-chosen campsites. 

Nevertheless, this pad’s consolation gained’t be best for everybody. Facet sleepers could wrestle to get a very good evening’s relaxation because the Sol’s minimal cushioning doesn’t present help for hips and shoulders. On rocky and uneven terrain, you’ll really feel each bump beneath you, so selecting campsites fastidiously is essential. Moreover, foam pads compress over time, lowering the Sol’s consolation the extra you utilize it.

When you’re after plush, mushy consolation, we’d suggest testing considered one of our air pad suggestions. However for those who’re a heavy sleeper that’s okay with agency surfaces, this pad will do the job effectively. When you’re headed for a protracted thru-hike, additionally, you will get used to sleeping on the Sol Z, and ultimately, the agency sleep floor will go unnoticed (except it’s important to sleep on a scree discipline).

Weight & Packability

The Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol is among the many lighter sleeping pads we’ve examined over a few years, making it a favourite for ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers. 14 Ounces is an effective weight for a sleeping pad, and it’s essential to maintain weight down on lengthy journeys with huge mileage and hard ascents. 

The closed-cell foam design of the Z Lite folds up accordion-style, so it solely takes seconds to deploy and pack up. And it simply straps to the surface of a backpack with out the worry of punctures or injury. 

Regardless of its low weight, the Z Lite Sol is sort of cumbersome. At 5 x 5.5 x 20 inches when folded, this mannequin is many instances bigger than an inflatable backpacking pad. It takes up a significant quantity of house on the surface of a pack, which may be inconvenient for folk with smaller backpacks or minimalist kits. For hikers seeking to decrease quantity, this pad will not be probably the most space-efficient choice, and also you would possibly contemplate an air pad that packs up smaller.

Heat

The Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol has a comparatively low R-value of two, so it’s greatest for summer time and fair-weather adventures. Its closed-cell foam building successfully traps physique warmth, and the silver heat-reflective coating bounces heat again to the sleeper to assist retain heat. The froth construction offers dependable insulation from the bottom to forestall warmth loss and create an environment friendly barrier. And for backpackers heading into freezing situations like excessive alpine terrain, shoulder season situations, or winter adventures, the Sol is a necessary piece of substances to make use of underneath an air pad to spice up heat. 

The Z Lite Sol’s skinny foam can really feel inadequate when temps dip under 40°F. In comparison with thicker, insulated air pads, it lacks the loft, insulation, and depth that traps extra heat air. Additionally, as the froth compresses over time, its insulating properties would possibly diminish barely, lowering its total heat. 

This pad will not be best by itself for cold-weather treks the place thicker, extra superior insulation is critical. The reflective coating will put on off after heavy use, lowering its capability to retain warmth. Facet sleepers particularly could discover chilly spots as a result of minimal cushioning.

Ease of Setup

Organising a sleeping pad doesn’t get any simpler than the Therm-A-Relaxation Z Lite Sol. Its accordion-style design unfolds in seconds – good for hikers who worth effectivity and ease. Because it’s a foam pad, there’s no want for inflation, it might’t be punctured, and also you’ll save each time and your lungs. 

The Sol’s simplicity is very good when arriving at camp late or in unhealthy climate, the place a fast setup is handy. Its inflexible form means it may be positioned straight on the bottom with out a lot adjustment and there’s no threat of it shedding form or firmness. Plus, the Z Lite Sol is senseless to pack up: merely fold it and strap it to your bag.

Sturdiness

The Therm-A-Relaxation Z Lite Sol could be very sturdy, particularly in comparison with an air pad. The closed-cell foam building is almost indestructible: it’s extremely proof against punctures, tears, and abrasions, making it extremely dependable in rugged terrain the place inflatable pads would possibly fail. 

Its accordion design holds up effectively to numerous instances folding and unfolding with out exhibiting indicators of wear and tear, even after years of tough use. The pad’s foam is agency and dense, and resists compression higher than softer options. Its moisture resistance additionally provides longevity since it might’t be broken by water or condensation and dries shortly. Whether or not put straight on filth, rocks, or in a tent, the Sol performs with minimal upkeep. 

That mentioned, after many makes use of, the froth will ultimately start to compress and collapse. This occurs largely in areas that bear extra weight, like sleeping in the identical place each evening on a thru-hike, and it’ll start to really feel much less comfortable and protecting over time. Thur-hikers on the path for 5 or 6 months would possibly anticipate to switch their foam pads a couple of times throughout their journeys.

If sturdiness is your prime concern, a foam pad just like the Z Lite is a good alternative – and when it does ultimately put on out, it’ll be inexpensive to switch.

Ought to You Purchase the Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad?

The Therm-A-Relaxation Z Lite Sol is a strong alternative for hikers and backpackers who worth simplicity, sturdiness, and affordability of their sleeping pads. It’s greatest for sound sleepers who don’t thoughts a agency sleeping floor and don’t really feel they want an inflatable pad’s consolation. 

Chilly-weather hikers who need an additional insulation layer for his or her air pad may also discover the Sol an ideal choice. Its closed-cell foam building could be very sturdy and gained’t fail in tough environments. And its multi-use design – whether or not as a sleeping pad, sit pad, or insulation layer – makes it versatile. The Z Lite Sol’s weight and ease of use are handy on lengthy treks and chilly adventures.

Then again, this pad will not be for folk who need cushioning and coziness out of their sleeping pads. Facet sleepers could discover the Z Lite Sol too skinny and uncomfortable for prolonged use, and it falls quick on rocky or uneven surfaces. Its insulation worth can also be minimal, making it greatest for summer time adventures. And if you’d like a small, packable choice, an inflatable pad will likely be a better option. 

Foam pads just like the Z Lite Sol gained’t be the most effective match for each hiker’s model, and many of the CleverHiker group prefers the consolation of air pads. Nevertheless, the Z Lite continues to be a wonderful choice for some backpacking types and offers additional safety and insulation when winter tenting. Many of the CleverHiker group have a closed-cell foam pad for when the journey inevitably requires it.

What Different Sleeping Pads Ought to You Contemplate?

Our Finest Backpacking Sleeping Pads gear information has prime suggestions for each sleep model and journey. Listed below are a number of comparable pads that give the Z Lite Sol a run for his or her cash: 

NEMO Switchback Assessment: The NEMO Switchback is almost similar to the Therm-A-Relaxation Z Lite Sol: it’s additionally a closed-cell foam pad with an egg carton sample, excellent sturdiness, and an accordion-style folding design. Nevertheless, it’s a tad thicker and barely heavier, probably including extra consolation, however each fashions really feel fairly just like us. 

Klymit Static V2 Assessment: When you’re attempting to maintain prices to an absolute minimal, the Klymit Static V2 shares the budget-friendly enchantment of the Z Lite Sol. In contrast to the Z Lite, it’s an inflatable pad with extra consolation – it’s double the thickness, wider, and packs down smaller – although it’s much less sturdy and trickier to arrange. This is without doubt one of the most cost-effective air pads on our record, however its decrease high quality is noticeable in comparison with higher-end sleeping pads.

NEMO Tensor Path Ultralight Assessment: The inflatable NEMO Tensor Path is a high-quality inflatable pad for summer time use. We additionally actually just like the better-insulated Tensor All-Season. These pads supply the identical low weight because the Z Lite Sol however are far more comfy. And due to their wonderful pump sacks and valve designs, they’re additionally very simple to make use of. Air pads are additionally fairly sturdy when dealt with with just a little extra care, however they price considerably greater than the Z Lite Sol.