ProLite Apex Sleeping Pad

Used mine in Iceland last month on laugavagur trail with no issues, it’s very warm and I prefer it over all my other pads. Xlite, Prolite apex & a cheap nature hike one. That and my Neve gear quilt work perfect

Thermarest pro lite short with six panels of a foam pad. Perfect balance between inflatable and durability. I’ve used this set up for the cdt, azt, and at. Used the full length version of the prolite for the pct. Only leak I ever had was on the azt when I accidentally set up on a prickly plant so no pad would survive that.

I suppose that's how one defines ultralight. [Here is a link to a database](http://pads.parametrek.com/index.html?weight=_,_,inc) that has what I think has a fair amount of dated info, but several of these pads may be found online or used. If you're looking for the most UL, search for "small" or "xs" or maybe short or women's sizes. Granted, they will be like 60-66 inches, and ignore R ratings. Not the best, but you did say UL. The lightest I know of that you can find in numerous places today, that is practical is maybe a [Thermarest Trail Pro Lite,](https://www.rei.com/product/246291/therm-a-rest-trail-prolite-sleeping-pad?sku=2462910001&store=&CAWELAID=120217890019568209&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=147758268239&CATCI=aud-830183485327:pla-2025206723438&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_2462910001%7C2025206723438%7Cbrand_flag%7C9920629669&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9920629669&gbraid=0AAAAAD_DTlybYNrLgOHdzUcqJfJrQrWwa&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzaXFBhDlARIsAFPv-u_YupbUB22i1pq14Oi0XjQcvId288DBU3uPq-FZhaA0Uw7-Z7c4D1AaAjYeEALw_wcB) which is 1lb 8oz. If Thermarest brings back the ProLite you may want to look. Not that warm, but better than their Scout, and light. But the better one is the [ProLite Apex](https://www.rei.com/product/175625/therm-a-rest-prolite-apex-sleeping-pad), it was 1lb 6oz with a R 3.8 rating. Those were very popular just a couple years ago, so...

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.

Klymit isn't insulated at all. Even the insulated one. It is labeled R4 which should keep it warm enough into the 40s but you'll be cold on it in 50s. So as long as you understand that, it's a fine durable pad. I cannot imagine the ampex being heavier. Best case, fall temps, you need to add that military thermarest under it. Actually, I recommend this in anything but summer temps. I didn't find it comfortable at first but it was my first airpad. I had been using a thermarest prolite 4 since probably 2005 which I found fine, but as I noted I usually double pad in cooler weather so often it was the prolite over a ridge rest or Z-Rest. It turns out, you need to blow it up much less than you think. Now I find it noisy but comfortable. However, it's my summer beater pad now. Anything below freezing (or really below 40F) I take my Rab R7.3 pad, which I actually feel heat radiate off. It's crazy... And yes, for cold weather I still put a thermarest close cell foamy under it. That makes it R9

I went with the S2S ether light XT wide. I think it is 4" / 10 cm thick whereas my previous thermarest prolite was 5cm... My hip needs 10cm. At the minimum.

Was bulk and weight that chased me away from self inflators years ago. The Prolite does make an excellent car camping mat or for out & back ~20m. (my backpacking pack is the size school bag, but I also own a ‘64 Kelty ex frame and it still gets occasional use.

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