Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Assessment

Backside Line

The Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol is an effective selection 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 snug for being beneath 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 large 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 some of the versatile sleeping pads on the market. 

The Z Lite Sol excels in weight, price, and comfort, but it surely does have limitations. The skinny foam will be uncomfortable on rocky or uneven terrain, particularly for facet sleepers. And with common use, the froth nodes are inclined to compress increasingly more, decreasing general consolation. It additionally has a low R-value, making it finest for delicate climate and summer season use. 

However when you don’t thoughts sleeping on agency surfaces and wish some of the sturdy, easy-to-use, and inexpensive sleeping pad choices in the marketplace, the Z Lite Sol is a superb selection.

Consolation

Like with most closed-cell foam sleeping pads, consolation will not be the Z Lite Sol’s robust go well with. The pad’s 0.75-inch thickness isn’t very plush, particularly in comparison with inflatable choices which can be three to 5 instances thicker. Nevertheless it does supply sufficient insulation and padding to really feel pretty snug 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. 

Nonetheless, this pad’s consolation received’t be ultimate for everybody. Aspect sleepers might battle to get a very good evening’s relaxation for the reason that Sol’s minimal cushioning doesn’t present assist for hips and shoulders. On rocky and uneven terrain, you’ll really feel each bump beneath you, so selecting campsites rigorously is vital. Moreover, foam pads compress over time, lowering the Sol’s consolation the extra you utilize it.

In case you’re after plush, gentle consolation, we’d suggest testing one in all our air pad suggestions. However when you’re a heavy sleeper that’s okay with agency surfaces, this pad will do the job properly. In case you’re headed for a protracted thru-hike, additionally, you will get used to sleeping on the Sol Z, and finally, the agency sleep floor will go unnoticed (until you must sleep on a scree subject).

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 important to maintain weight down on lengthy journeys with large 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 concern of punctures or injury. 

Regardless of its low weight, the Z Lite Sol is kind 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 will be inconvenient for people with smaller backpacks or minimalist kits. For hikers trying to decrease quantity, this pad will not be essentially the most space-efficient possibility, and also you would possibly take into account 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 finest for summer season 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 vital piece of drugs to make use of beneath an air pad to spice up heat. 

The Z Lite Sol’s skinny foam can really feel inadequate when temps dip beneath 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, decreasing its general heat. 

This pad will not be ultimate by itself for cold-weather treks the place thicker, extra superior insulation is important. The reflective coating will put on off after heavy use, lowering its skill to retain warmth. Aspect sleepers particularly might 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 – excellent for hikers who worth effectivity and ease. Because it’s a foam pad, there’s no want for inflation, it may well’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 dangerous climate, the place a fast setup is handy. Its inflexible form means it may be positioned immediately 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 may be very sturdy, particularly in comparison with an air pad. The closed-cell foam building is sort of 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 properly to numerous instances folding and unfolding with out exhibiting indicators of damage, even after years of tough use. The pad’s foam is agency and dense, and resists compression higher than softer alternate options. Its moisture resistance additionally provides longevity since it may well’t be broken by water or condensation and dries shortly. Whether or not put immediately on dust, rocks, or in a tent, the Sol performs with minimal upkeep. 

That mentioned, after many makes use of, the froth will finally 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 few times throughout their journeys.

If sturdiness is your high concern, a foam pad just like the Z Lite is a superb selection – and when it does finally 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 stable selection for hikers and backpackers who worth simplicity, sturdiness, and affordability of their sleeping pads. It’s finest 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 even discover the Sol a fantastic possibility. Its closed-cell foam building may be very sturdy and received’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.

Alternatively, this pad will not be for people who need cushioning and coziness out of their sleeping pads. Aspect sleepers might discover the Z Lite Sol too skinny and uncomfortable for prolonged use, and it falls brief on rocky or uneven surfaces. Its insulation worth can be minimal, making it finest for summer season adventures. And if you’d like a small, packable possibility, an inflatable pad will likely be a better option. 

Foam pads just like the Z Lite Sol received’t be the perfect match for each hiker’s fashion, and a lot of the CleverHiker group prefers the consolation of air pads. Nonetheless, the Z Lite continues to be a wonderful possibility for some backpacking kinds and offers further safety and insulation when winter tenting. A lot 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 high suggestions for each sleep fashion and journey. Listed below are a couple of comparable pads that give the Z Lite Sol a run for his or her cash: 

NEMO Switchback Assessment: The NEMO Switchback is sort of equivalent 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. Nonetheless, it’s a tad thicker and barely heavier, presumably including extra consolation, however each fashions really feel fairly just like us. 

Klymit Static V2 Assessment: In case you’re attempting to maintain prices to an absolute minimal, the Klymit Static V2 shares the budget-friendly attraction of the Z Lite Sol. Not like 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 likely 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 season 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 way more snug. And due to their wonderful pump sacks and valve designs, they’re additionally very straightforward to make use of. Air pads are additionally fairly sturdy when dealt with with somewhat extra care, however they price considerably greater than the Z Lite Sol.