See All Sleeping Pads

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Regular

*Est. $85

Reviewed by ConsumerSearch

Best sleeping pad for backpacking.

Pros

Lightweight (20 ounces)
Mostly self-inflating
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Narrow (20 inches)
Only an inch thick
Not much insulation (R-value 2.3)
Non-slip bottom gets mixed reviews

Where to Buy

See All Stores

Our Analysis
Specs
4 Amazon Reviews

Backpacker magazine has field-tested so many sleeping pads over the years that editors' recommendations carry a lot of weight. In 2003 they gave Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads their Editors' Choice Gold award. An earlier comparison review at GearReview.com recommends the Ultralite, now the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3. We found over 40 owner-written reviews of the ProLite 3 at Backcountry.com, plus another two dozen at REI.com. Dan James gives a detailed review at blog Silver Orange Stuff, and we also found useful comments from owners at BackpackGearTest.org and Trailspace.com.

The self-inflating Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 is the most-recommended sleeping pad for backpacking, with maximum comfort for its weight -- though not all campers find its cushioning enough. For colder nights, reviewers recommend adding a closed-cell foam mat under it. Quite a few older hikers (and younger ones who love comfort) find that it's worth carrying the heavier Exped DownMat 7 (*est. $140), which is better insulated and 2.8 inches thick.

Where To Buy

Featured Stores	Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
	235 store reviews	In Stock. Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!	$89.95	See It
			See All Stores

Our Sources

1. Backpacker Magazine

Editors of Backpacker magazine give the Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads an Editors' Choice Gold award for their long-term contribution to camping comfort.

Review: Editors Choice Issue, Editors of Backpacker, April 2003

2. GearReview.com

Despite its age, this comparison review is valuable since it rates 12 sleeping pads. The Therm-a-Rest Ultralite, the model replaced by the ProLite 3, is one of the top recommendations.

Review: Sleeping Pads: Cheap Sleep Insurance, Steve Mann, Nov. 1999

3. Backcountry.com

Staff at this hiking gear retailer rate the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 sleeping pad a "best buy," and over 40 owners mostly agree. A few find that it's just not thick enough, especially for side sleepers.

Review: Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad, Staff and contributors to Backcountry.com

4. REI.com

The Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 is one of the top-rated sleeping pads here, reviewed by about two dozen owners. A handful of women also give top scores to the women's version.

Review: Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad -- Regular, Contributors to REI.com

5. Silver Orange Stuff

This detailed review of the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 sleeping pad compares it with the MEC Apogee Long (now the MEC Kelvin) reviewed here in 2004.

Review: Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad Review, Dan James, Dec. 18, 2006

6. Trailspace.com

About a half dozen owners give the ProLite 3 sleeping pad top ratings here, finding it durable and surprisingly comfortable for its thickness.

Review: Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3, Contributors to Trailspace.com

7. BackpackGearTest.org

Several experienced backpackers review various ProLite sleeping pads in great detail, including the women's version. The 1-inch thickness gets mixed reviews for comfort, and the "non-slip" bottom sometimes slips.

Review: Therm-a-Rest ProLite, Contributing to BackpackGearTest.org

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 *Est. $95

4 picks by top review sites.

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite *Est. $35

3 picks by top review sites.

Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite *Est. $60

2 picks by top review sites.

Big Agnes Air Core REM Regular *Est. $50

2 picks including: Mountain Life magazine…

Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest *Est. $35

2 picks by top review sites.

Exped SynMat 7 *Est. $95