Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Evaluation

Backside Line

The Therm-a-Relaxation Z Lite Sol is an efficient 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 practically 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 massive wins on the path. Whether or not you’re utilizing the Z Lite Sol as a major sleeping pad, a sit pad, an additional insulation layer for winter tenting, and even as a canine mattress, it’s one of the versatile sleeping pads on the market. 

The Z Lite Sol excels in weight, value, and comfort, nevertheless it does have limitations. The skinny foam may 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 time use. 

However in case you don’t thoughts sleeping on agency surfaces and need one of the sturdy, easy-to-use, and reasonably priced sleeping pad choices in the marketplace, the Z Lite Sol is a superb alternative.

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 might be three to 5 instances thicker. However it does provide 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. 

Nevertheless, this pad’s consolation received’t be ultimate for everybody. Facet sleepers might battle to get 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 vital. Moreover, foam pads compress over time, reducing the Sol’s consolation the extra you utilize it.

In the event you’re after plush, gentle consolation, we’d suggest testing certainly one of our air pad suggestions. However in case you’re a heavy sleeper that’s okay with agency surfaces, this pad will do the job properly. In the event 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 need to 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 efficient weight for a sleeping pad, and it’s essential to maintain weight down on lengthy journeys with massive 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 skin of a backpack with out the concern of punctures or harm. 

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 skin of a pack, which may 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 may think about 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 time and fair-weather adventures. Its closed-cell foam development successfully traps physique warmth, and the silver heat-reflective coating bounces heat again to the sleeper to assist retain heat. The froth construction gives dependable insulation from the bottom to stop warmth loss and create an environment friendly barrier. And for backpackers heading into freezing circumstances like excessive alpine terrain, shoulder season circumstances, 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 may 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 critical. The reflective coating will put on off after heavy use, reducing its potential to retain warmth. Facet sleepers particularly might discover chilly spots because of the 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 will possibly’t be punctured, and also you’ll save each time and your lungs. 

The Sol’s simplicity is particularly 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 dropping 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 development is almost indestructible: it’s extremely immune to punctures, tears, and abrasions, making it extremely dependable in rugged terrain the place inflatable pads may fail. 

Its accordion design holds up properly to numerous instances folding and unfolding with out displaying 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 will possibly’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 stated, 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 may anticipate to switch their foam pads a couple of times throughout their journeys.

If sturdiness is your high concern, a foam pad just like the Z Lite is a superb alternative – and when it does finally put on out, it’ll be reasonably priced 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 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 also discover the Sol a fantastic possibility. Its closed-cell foam development 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. Facet sleepers might 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 finest for summer time adventures. And in order for you a small, packable possibility, an inflatable pad can be a better option. 

Foam pads just like the Z Lite Sol received’t be the most effective match for each hiker’s fashion, and a lot of the CleverHiker group prefers the consolation of air pads. Nevertheless, the Z Lite remains to be a superb possibility for some backpacking types and gives 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 Take into account?

Our Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads gear information has high suggestions for each sleep fashion and journey. Listed here are a couple of comparable pads that give the Z Lite Sol a run for his or her cash: 

NEMO Switchback Evaluation: The NEMO Switchback is almost an identical 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, presumably including extra consolation, however each fashions really feel fairly much like us. 

Klymit Static V2 Evaluation: In the event you’re attempting to maintain prices to an absolute minimal, the Klymit Static V2 shares the budget-friendly attraction 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 likely one of the least expensive air pads on our record, however its decrease high quality is noticeable in comparison with higher-end sleeping pads.

NEMO Tensor Path Ultralight Evaluation: 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 provide the identical low weight because the Z Lite Sol however are rather more snug. And because of 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 somewhat extra care, however they value considerably greater than the Z Lite Sol.