Therm-a-Rest - ProLite Apex Sleeping Pad

Heh. Yeah - it's notorious for its crinkly noise. I would note - that I've used one for 10+ years - and it does get better with age. It's worst right out of the box. After a few trips its manageable. After a dozen trips I don't even notice it (or maybe I just mentally block it out). You could try switching over to the Therm-a-Rest ProLite line. They are not noisy. My gripe is that they are self-inflating. That means they have foam inside - so they are heavier and bulkier to pack. Not ideal if you are trying to optimize weight/space - but they are comfy and solve the noise issue. * [https://www.thermarest.com/sleeping-pads/fast-and-light/prolite-plus-sleeping-pad/prolite-plus.html](https://www.thermarest.com/sleeping-pads/fast-and-light/prolite-plus-sleeping-pad/prolite-plus.html) * [https://www.thermarest.com/sleeping-pads/fast-and-light/prolite-apex-sleeping-pad/prolite-apex.html](https://www.thermarest.com/sleeping-pads/fast-and-light/prolite-apex-sleeping-pad/prolite-apex.html)

I love my Therm-a-rest Prolite Apex sleeping pad. I had it for two years and had about 50 nights outside. So far it was great and comfortable sleep. It is also quite one and has excellent R value.

I've used a prolite apex below zero several times, and it was both comfortable, durable and warm. Relatively cheap for a thermarest, too. Wife still uses hers 4 years later. Only reason I got rid is because I put a fair bit of weight on I can't seem to shift (went from about 90 to 100kg) and it became uncomfortable. Btw, sleeping pad r-value and ambient air temperature don't technically have a direct correlation. An r-value of 5+ is generally rated by manufacturers below about -15°C, which even being conservative is well below what you'll see 3-season in the UK. Nowt wrong with *over* insulating a pad though, imo, as it's usually conduction heat loss. But I'd personally rather get a more premium brand at a lower R than get summat less premium higher R. Fwiw, I now use an *edit* exped *edit/* ultra 5r long/wide mummy year round, but have only used just above zero. Comfortable and warm. *2nd edit* mate bought my prolite apex off me, same height (6'2") and weight I used to be. He also rates it. *2nd edit/* Random link: https://sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values-and-temperature-ratings-how-they-correspond/

Prolite is an excellent pad, if you don't mind the little extra weight and volume in your pack. The sleeping comfort is on another level compared to these air tube pads in my opinion. And the pad is silent. Personally, I just upgraded to Prolite Apex large, and couldn't be happier with the quality and comfort.

I always had issues and have tried various pads. The one I settled on for weight vs comfort now is the Thermarest Prolite Apex in wide. It is inflatable but also has foam in it so it is a bit softer. The Rvalue is around 3.8 I think so it's not bad for most of the year for me

I have a Therm-a-Rest Prolite Apex in wide. I can comfortably sleep and it’s been good on rough surfaces, it is super easy to pack down and set up. I also never get cold on it, and if it’s super hot, I don’t really stick to it. Check the specs for weight, I took mine on many backcountry trips. (No issue with my dog’s nails when she sleeps on it either.)

Not foam but the Thermarest prolite + self inflating is tougher than the blow up kind and warm enough for our winters.

That's also my experience with the thermarest prolite- I've had mine for a decade and fixed one hole. I take the weight penalty to not hate the inflation process but to my mind that makes it a luxury item.

100%. Personally, I'm looking into using a trimmed Pro-lite this season. I just bought a used one off of ULGearTrade for $25. Planning to trim it down to torso size which I think I can get ~10oz. My hope is that the OCF in there will give me enough comfort, but also more stability than a 3" inflatable, which although less plush I think could translate to a more comfortable sleep.

Yeah I'm stoked about it! It's supposed to arrive from r/ULGearTrade today, so planning (unless I fuck it up) to document and post on r/myog in the next few weeks and review here in the spring once I get a few nights on it.

But it’s logical and functional. I can’t recall exactly if I had a foam pad on the pct, but I’ve done the cdt, azt, and at all with a thermarest prolite(far more durable) and six panels of an accordion pad.

I find the xlite to be extremely uncomfortable. I love the thermarest prolite and have done multiple thru hikes with it.

I too hate the xlite and had the same experience of just deflating it completely. I love the thermarest prolite. I used the regular length version for the pct but switched to the shorter version for the cdt, azt, and at. I pair it with 6 panels of a foam pad as well.

The comfiest pad I’ve used is the old school thermarest prolite. Thicker isn’t always better. It’s heavy though. Great for short hikes or boat/car based stuff

I’ve been using my prolite for over 20 years and love it. It’s holding up super well and barely looks used. I pair it with a thermarest foam pad in early spring and mid- to late fall (and bring a thermarest chair kit to use the foam as a chair during shoulder seasons). This system keeps me very comfortable, even in temps going below 0C at night here in Canada. The prolite is perfectly fine on its own during summer/early fall.

More comfortable than ccf, more durable than inflatables, I’ve beaten the crap out of a couple prolites and they don’t mind at all. I have one that’s like 15 years old and stained to all hell that I still use often. And really the modern prolites aren’t a huge sacrifice on weight, with solid 3 season r values. Stick a ccf under it for winter. The small size was adequate for me for the PCT and all up and down the east coast, and it also functions to give structure and padding to the back of my pack. In my opinion, the prolite plus women’s is the best self inflating mattress ever for long distance hiking in North America if you can find them in stock anywhere.

Hello, Looking for advice. I’ve browsed multiple Reddit outdoor hiking/camping/backpacking forums, most of the manufacturers websites and am having a hard time finding an answer. I am a heavy, broad, guy and I’ve tried a few different pads in the past. I have a Thermarest Prolite, Big Agnes Ultra Core, a Sea to Summit Camp Plus Si, and recently the Klymit Static V luxe. I thought I found the perfect pad with the Sea to Summit, but just like the rest it is not wide enough. Although it was 25 inches wide, I end up rolling off or I spread out and my legs and arms fall off of it. I like the Big Agnes because it kind of keeps you centered by the baffling chambers. I really like the Sea to Summit and Thermarest materials, but those pads are easy to roll off of, and they are bulky since both are self inflating. I just bought and tried the Klymit Static V Luxe, and the width is perfect, but damn if every time I roll over or move, I can feel the ground. I wish it was a little thicker. I don’t have that problem with the Big Agnes (and I’ve read this happens with the Klymit due to the v channels). I may try to get a foam pad and put it under. Does anyone have any suggestions on a 30” wide air inflatable pad that is about 2-3” thick? Thanks so much!

I just switched from expensive Thermarests over to these crazy cheap Night Cat hand pump pads and I am never going back to thermarest/self inflation. My arm goes dead without fail sleeping on the Thermarests and they take up nearly twice the room in my gear. The only benefit of the Thermarests I can see is that they are really tough, which could be great for some hardy adventures maybe. But nothing a couple patches can't fix IMO... So Choo choo I'm on the air pad train. These newer cheap designs are legitimately very good, they roll out crazy long and then shrink up. I probably can't share amazon links but "Night Cat Inflatable Sleeping Pads". There's a bunch of brands making this style now too, I'm not trying to spruik any particular brand, this was just the one that was affordable where I live.

The Xtherm is reasonably durable, but not enough so that I've ever trusted my life to it in remote extreme conditions. Like most people, I pair it with a foam pad. The foam pad is great to have anyway. You can put it right on the ground or snow to sit or stand on at camp, and you can cut off a piece if you are building a splint. It also serves as an emergency backup if the Xtherm develops a leak that can't be patched. The classic self-inflating Thermarest pads that they have been making for 30+ years are less warm and less comfortable than the Xtherm, but far more durable. Those have some foam in them, so they don't roll up as small, but they will still provide a little warmth if they spring a leak (though they also have bomber construction and almost never fail). They are issued out to troops by the US Army (I take it from your photo that you are one of those types of people to whom that endorsement matters). However, for the temperatures you are talking about, you will still want to pair that pad with a foam pad. The best combination is a modern lightweight inflatable foamless pad with a high R value like the Xtherm, combined with a foam pad like a Z-rest or a RidgeRest. If you're very concerned about bulk, you can of course trim the foam pad down to a 3/4 length. I prefer the folding Z-rest style over any pad that needs to be rolled, but that's your preference.

My usual car camping setup is an alps mountaineering cot, and an old Thermarest self inflating sleeping pad. The cot is decent I guess, I think it’s probably just not supportive enough. For what it’s worth, I find the cot setup to be pretty easy, just takes about 5 minutes. I wake up sore whether I use the cot or just use the sleeping pad on the floor of the tent. And I’m only 25, so I can’t imagine you’d fare any better. Gotta have the sleeping pad to stay warm though, even summer camping in BC we get some pretty cold nights unless we’re near the ocean.

Never tried the new inflatables - just thermarest self-inflating guys. I like the foam pad as I can put it on the ground and against a log and be comfy sitting in camp. I seem to sleep about the same on either so I’ve just not bothered to try to upgrade.

I have at least 10 pads, and have returned for warranty probably half that amount. The most durable, comfortable, and beat insulted are thermarest self inflating. The smallest and lightest with descent insulation seem to be the big Agnes inflatable ones ( UT these are a PITA to fill up every night and will leak sooner than later. My recommendation is the thermarst self inflating pads. Find one with the rvalue you need and go with it.should last you many nights

Yeah my first was thermarest. Didn’t like. I do enjoy my Nemo tensor and I just ordered a switchback closed foam from Nemo now! Are you a side sleeper??