ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad

The younger me did and I still find it comfortable enough for a few days.  It's what I used for years after changing from Z lite and flat CCF in the 2000s It's actually my second as the first one was replaced under warranty in 2010. Longest I've used it in recent years was for 6 days. But mainly I just use it for some summer overnighters these days.     Although it isn't near as comfortable as the neoair Xlite SV regular max  I  have mainly used since 2018.  

I use a thermarest prolite short with 6 panels of a switchback.

I’ve done multiple thru hikes with the pro lite short, and six panels of a foam pad. Perfect combo of inflatable and durability imo.

I like the thermarest prolite short plus a zlite or nemo switchback chopped down to six panels. Lightweight enough, compact and a nice middle ground between full inflatable like a Neo air and just the foam pad by itself. Plus the six panel foam pad makes a nice pad to sit on for breaks during the day. I’ve used this set up for multiple thru hikes and it’s great imo.

I used just a foam pad on my fist thru and it was perfectly fine warmth wise. I switched because I was getting a lot of hip pain. But I do really dislike the thicker inflatable pads like the Neo air so I use the thermarest pro lite. As a side sleeper I love it and have used that pad for the whole triple crown and then some. I also use the short version as you were thinking. Works great imo. I still carry six panels of a foam pad to sit on during the day and such as well. I think they maybe don’t make the pro lite anymore but recently saw this cheap version, seems like it’s basically the same thing. [https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/superlite-25-short-self-inflating-mat/](https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/superlite-25-short-self-inflating-mat/)

shoots, I have an OG prolite short and my LP lists it at 13.2. I might need to re-weigh to verify and possibly make myself a new one if you got yours down to 10.5. the self-inflating torso pads have been one of the few things I can catch some Z's on.

yes. mine is 1". it's wild that your's is thicker and lighter. I also use 6 panels of z-lite under mine as well. it's a heavy setup, but it's the only thing I've found that gives me relatively comfortable sleep. I can't do inflatables.

After trying pretty much everything, I tried the thermarest prolite XS for fun. For some very strange reasons I sleep very well on such a minimalist pad. And that’s the thinner discontinued version not the prolite plus. I only sleep on my side. Other pad that I really like is an exped 3r size S. The rectangular one. 

i had a pro-lite many years ago. Probably in the late 90's or early 2000's. It's still in my basement. If I recall I had to blow into it to get it fully inflated although it did 'puff up' by itself since it is (I think) just foam inside. Edit: it's a pretty thin pad IIRC and not that comfortable but better than the old blue CCF I used to use.

From a post below sounds like this is a newer model than what I had. Maybe it's thicker. Mine is quite thin. Like 3/8" to 1/2".

My thermarest Prolite 4 is almost 20 years old. Has hundreds of nights on it at least 50 nights a year for 10 years but maybe a dozen a year (Avg)the last 10. It has only been loaned out for the last 5. So probably 600 nights or so. Self inflating are pretty durable if you take care of them. My Prolite has even survived 3 generations of dogs. Which isn't saying much, people assume dogs nails are like razors. I've never lost a tent, bag, inflatable boat or anything from a dog nail. We finally after 30 years of dog ownership got a rip in a couch cushion. That's it.

Ah, sorry i missed that. Yes, that's the 20" x 72" x 1" pad. I like the self inflating 1" pads, and think the race upward with increasingly thick pads is going the wrong direction. I recently acquired a couple Prolite's after some years absence using thicker pads. I'm not sure where I'll end up at this point - I'm going to use them all (including the nemo Switchpack ccf) and make my decision. I do know I dislike the thick pads that are all the rage now.

I agree on the idea there must be a way to make a light, 1" self-inflator. But the trend is vertical, since this is what people are told is comfortable.