This happened to me and as far as I know the pads have been discontinued. Was a pretty nice thing while it lasted but I think your better off with thermarest.
If you can comfortably rock the switchback, CCF is the true based of ultralight.
I have another longer comment here, but my trimmed Zlite is 224.94g/7.935oz. It is a 3/4 mummy-ish shape. XS Prolite is 260g/9.171oz.
The combined setup is 17.106oz. Sub-8oz if I only take the CCF.
I will always carry a trimmed CCF. It is very comfortable paired with an XS Prolite (RIP, thanks Cascade Designs). Outside of the essential 3, it is the number 1 item in my pack.
I keep it strapped and accessible:
\- Need to sit; I’m comfortable. And my ass isn’t getting cold, dirty, wet.
\- Need to clean my feet; no awkward 1-wet-foot, avoid the sand & detritus routine on gassed legs. I can comfortably drop my gear, get my socks right, back on trail fast.
\- Need to cook; I have a place to sit, cook, sort gear, regardless of environment underfoot.
\- Need to first aid; you’ve got an instant, debris-free place to work.
\- Need to tarp; it’s my ground sheet.
\- Need to stretch; I’m doing alpine yoga.
\- Stuck in airport; I’m sleeping.
\- It can help shield light drizzle.
\- It can aid in floatation, for fun or emergency.
\- I’ve used it on its long edge, sandwiched between rocks and packs, to seal gaps in a wind break.
\- It makes uneven camp sites more comfortable. Like pesky, tiny rocks.
\- I sleep better. I don’t like full air. Especially when you extend a limb off the pad. Or move.
\- My setup is faster than a Neoair. Breaking camp in the morning is quick when speed is essential.
\- And if your inflatable fails, it’s always got your back.
Hike your own hike. I’ve been at this a long time. There are no rules. Except for me, I have 1 rule, I never leave home without my Zlite.
That's a self-inflating version 4.5 really. Version 5 (2017) is what I prefer and after that was 6 which is Prolite Plus types (1.5" thick). The diamond cuts in the foam indicate is was just after the orange cordura squarish shape was retired. It's probably a Women's by the look. I like version 5 because it has the round foam cuts and a slightly better warmth / quality in my opinion.
All the ones I'm refering to are 1" thick, except the Plus varients which are 1.5". I have in my possession v4.0, v4.5, v5.0, and v6.0. I find like the v5 the best for the reasons which make it such a highly sought after pad by others.
Old product page for v5.0 1"x36" Model #2026886, round foam cuts (web archive):
[https://web.archive.org/web/20171019030308/https://www.thermarest.com/catalog/product/view/id/16524/s/prolite/category/13/](https://web.archive.org/web/20171019030308/https://www.thermarest.com/catalog/product/view/id/16524/s/prolite/category/13/)
Product Specs and older 4.0 version
[https://imgur.com/a/ooFhEU3](https://imgur.com/a/ooFhEU3)
The version 4.0 is official, and 4.5, 5.0, 6.0 are my own just to give continuity and chronology.
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 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’ve used the thermarest prolite short with six panels of a ccf for multiple thru hikes. I like it and it works well imo. No reason to use a full length ccf tho.
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/)
I guess it all depends on the length of your torso! 😁 Your response intrigued me, so I just inflated two Thermarests - see photo.
https://imgur.com/a/n6gsgXU
The self-inflatable is ~120cm, which is similar to, for example, the Nordisk Ven 2.5. The X-Lite is ~115cm.
Therefore, I think the ~90cm of the Prolite XS is rather atypical. For reference, that’s the same size as half (i.e. 7 panels) of a Nemo Switchback, so it could certainly work. I would agree with you that self-inflatables at that size are not common.
For the same reason, I do think that mattresses in the ~120cm range are also commonly referred to as ‘torso length’.
For me personally, my 115cm X-Lite (205gr) is my choice for long hikes because of its much lower weight (my prolite is 455gr so 2.2x as heavy!). The difference with the prolite xs would be smaller, of course, but still significant and in favor of the X-Lite. Packability is typically less of a concern to me, but in that aspect the X-Lite also shines.
One real disadvantage of the X-Lite to me is its inflated height. On a torso length pad it’s really the lower the better, to me.
I couldn't jive with inflatables.
I use the prolite XS over 6 panel switchback or CCF
I also liked the 1/2" evazote from oware, cut to torso length. bulky, but really nice
the key is having a big pillow, I use the big sky inflatable as a riser and then a little square of upholstery foam over it for softness. when I roll to stomach, I just use the foam.
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.
davidhateshiking
