As far as sleeping pads go, I find this design superior to ones that roll up for a number of reasons. Sometimes i use this pad to sit or kneel on and it is easy to use the folds to get the exact thickness between me and the ground where i want it. The R-value is pretty high for a pad this cheap.
Comparing this to an inflatable mattress, I find this thing simply irreplaceable. It is tougher and more durable than any air mattress, you don't have to blow it up or carry a patch kit just incase it gets a hole. I know people that won't get their mattresses anywhere near a fire for fear that a flying ember will burn a big hole in their $100+ mattress. I plop this thing down in various configurations and sit or lay near fires with no worry. I frequently lean it up against trees so I'm sitting up but still have padding under my whole body, and one section doubled over at the top for extra padding for my head. I kneel on it to protect my knees when i'm cooking or building fires, i would never do this with an inflatable mattress. If we stop hiking to take a break it is easy to undo the straps on pack, throw this down and sit, kneel, or lay, then simply accordion it back up and strap it back on the pack and continue down the trail. If i ever get an inflatable mattress for backpacking i will still probably cut off and bring a small section of this for some of the above purposes. At 14oz it is also lighter by far than any similar r-value inflatable mattress by quite a bit. Even air mattresses that have very low r-value are heavier or the same weight.
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad
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Customers appreciate that the sleeping pad is very light.
Customers find the sleeping pad comfortable, with some noting significant improvements in their sleep quality, and one mentioning that the eggshell design provides good heat transfer.
Customers like the size of the sleeping pad, describing it as a nice sit pad.
Customers find the sleeping pad keeps them warm and insulates against cold ground, with one customer noting it feels like a heating pad.
Customers find the sleeping pad durable, noting it lasts a long time, with one customer mentioning it shows hardly any signs of wear.
Customers appreciate the sleeping pad's accordion folding design, which makes it compact and quick to pack up, with one customer noting that it lays flat every time.
Customers find the sleeping pad to be well worth its price, with one customer noting its high R-value.
Customers find that the sleeping pad works well, particularly as a seating option, and one customer mentions it performs perfectly for winter tent sleeping.
The minimum to do the job
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2013
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified Purchase -
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseThe pad is very light and surprisingly comfortable for how thin it is. I am not a young thin athlete either 48 and 235lbs. Like I said it surprised me .
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Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2025
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseKept me warm from the cold ground. I slept well on this pad. I did roll off of it at some point but got back on it. It is easy to use. It folds. It doesn’t roll up in a tight compressed bundle. Thus, It can be bulky when you try to travel around with it. But the weight is light.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2025
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseThis adds a surprising amount of comfort & warmth when placed under my sleeping bag, even when sleeping on my side. Since the foam is only about .75 inch thick I believe what you get from this product will depend somewhat on your body weight.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2025
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchasePerfect addition for any sleep system. Light weight but very durable compared to other similar products. Hasn't ripped or started to tear after several uses out in the woods. Ideal for use under inflatable sleep pads. Great product
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Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2025
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseVery light and handy for fair weather trips where you want a multi-use pad. You can sit or kneel on this without worrying about punctures or it absorbing water. Not as comfortable as an inflatable pad, but for some applications it is just what is needed.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2026
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseAwesome sleep mat, soft and warm. It’s thicker than my last mat too, it isn’t very wide though so if you want wide I would say look at another mat.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2025
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseThru hikers use these for a reason! Great insulation, very lightweight, and you can even cut off a few panels to save space/weight, or make an extra sit pad.
Top reviews from other countries
Jim5.0 out of 5 stars
Un luxe en extérieur
Reviewed in France on March 14, 2022
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseUn comfort incroyable pour une nuit reposante, assez fragile ce qui est dommage.
Pour une utilisation intense a proscrire mais pour du bivouac lambda super
鞍本 良平5.0 out of 5 stars
無骨
Reviewed in Japan on March 29, 2026
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified Purchaseいい
Rob5.0 out of 5 stars
Klasse leichte Faltiso
Reviewed in Germany on December 6, 2019
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseSuperleichte, robuste und extrem gut isolierende Faltisomatte.
Ich besitze mehrere verschiedene Isomatten welche ich für verschiedene Einsatzzwecke benutze.
Voran sei gesagt, diese Matte ist nicht sehr komfortabel. Das ist aber auch der einzige Negativpunkt.
Ansonsten ist sie sehr leicht und kann außen am Rucksack transportiert werden ohne dass ein Ungewicht oder eine einseitige Belastung entsteht.
Sehr praktisch ist für mich auch die Tatsache, dass sie einfach hingelegt und mitgenommen werden kann ohne aufpusten oder aufpumpen bzw ablassen der Luft. Dies spart viel Zeit, vor allem bei kurzen rasten da so mehr zeit zur Ruhe genutzt werden kann. Außerdem kann die Matte schnell mitgenommen werden wenn es mal schnell gehen muss.
Der allerdings größte Vorteil besteht aber in der extrem Isolationsleistung für das Gewicht und der Tatsache dass es nur eine Faltiso ist. Ich habe auf Schnee und Eis mit dieser Matte geschlafen und auf diesem Untergrund auch länger barfuß gestanden ohne zu frieren. Das liegt an der speziellen Oberfläche, die starkt an einen Eierkarton erinnert und durch diese Struktur sehr gut isoliert.
Trotz anderer guter Isomatten wie meiner Exped, welche eine Daunenfütterung hat und für arktische Temperaturen ausgelegt ist bleibt diese Therm-a-rest meine Lieblingsmatte da sie so universell ist.
Insgesamt ist die Matte eine große Bereicherung und eine klare Kaufempfehlung!
Quetzalia Badillo Padilla5.0 out of 5 stars
Ideal camping
Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2026
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseMe gusta y es larga y no pesa y duermo bien
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Cristina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beyond expectations ❗❗
Reviewed in Canada on December 6, 2024
Color: Coyote/GreyStyle: Regular - 20 X 72-inchesVerified PurchaseI felt, strongly compelled to review this item because it is, absolutely amazing. I was feeling desperate because I had been dealing with chronic back pain for some time. Since I don't really dwell on pills or going to the emergency rooms too often, I decided to take the issue in my hands. I knew, I had to start sleeping on a hard surface. I ordered this beautiful item for that purpose. To my amazement, the shape and design of this little pad, it actually serves as therapy as well. Within three days of sleeping on it, I was walking a bit normal, and little pain. Four days later, I could go for longer walks, and six days later, I went shopping, was up the whole day, and I was pain free. This is my advice, do not be afraid of sleeping in hard surfaces. This is coming from a parson who has had accidents, which resulted in some damage on my spine. As a result of it, I have been visiting chiropractors very frequently. Initially, laying on a hard surface, it will feel, almost unbearable for people who has never done it before. Don't worry. It is the spine and the nerves, waking up, and reversing the damage done through your entire life. I totally recommend this product and the company. I received this item, super fast. As well, the pad, is super light, unbelievable compact, and it is made from high quality materials.😍😍😍
Product Summary: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad
From Therm-a-Rest
Lightweight and compact closed-cell foam camping mattress is a durable, dependable, and economical option for sleeping on the ground
Trusted by mountaineers and backpackers for generations, the classic pad features folding accordion-style construction that is compact and easily packable
Designed with dimples in the padding to capture and trap heat for extra warmth in cold conditions, ensuring a cushioned and cozy night’s sleep (R-Value 1. 7)
Sleeping pad foam is softer on the top for comfort, and denser on the bottom for extra insulation, durability, and protection from the ground
Molded foam mattress measures 72 x 20 inches (20 x 5 x 5. 5 inches folded) and weighs 14 ounces; made in the USA
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