Therm-a-Rest - Trail ProLite

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’ve had a ton of success with the thermarest prolite. I used the regular length for the pct, short version for the cdt, azt, and at. No issues on the pct or cdt, did get a hole on the azt. But I set up in the dark right on a pokey plant so my bad on that one. On the at a baffle popped but it didn’t make the pad unusable, just a little annoying. Slept with it like that for the last few weeks of trail.

I’ve done multiple thru hikes with the pro lite short. Absolutely love it.

I would strongly recommend not getting a shorter mummy style. You will absolutely regret it if it gets cold at night. I have a Thermarest trail pro light in a petite size and can’t even describe my hate for it. It was super slippery and I just kept rolling off of it. It was also so narrow at the bottom that my feet ended up freezing. To make matters worse, the stuff sack is so tight that it was impossible to get back in. It also never really inflated on its own. I switched to a 4-season Tensor this year and I can safely say it was a game changer. It is pretty easy to inflate with the sack, very lightweight, and actually fits into the sack with little problem. It is also very comfortable. Saving a few grams isn’t going to be worth it if you can’t sleep and are miserable at night.

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...

I have a Thermarest Pro trail Lite that seems to work well. I have probably 2000 miles on it. I use a close foam mat under it too. I have a Nemo Tensor that I am going to try this season. I got it out of the discount / return bin at REI for like half price.

I have a thermarest trail pro (or maybe a pro lite?) in the regular wide width and honestly it's pretty comfortable? I slept on it for two weeks at a prescribed fire training camp (when good sleep is necessary) and slept pretty well (although admittedly i was exhausted every day). It's foam + inflatable so it's heavy and pretty big, even when i pack it down pretty tightly. It lives on the outside of my pack when I'm backpacking. I've slept on a bunch of thickness mats, from the basic foam folding ones to the trail pro and the trail pro is a marked difference in my sleep. FWIW.

If you want more comfort than ccf but more durability than an inflatable, a self inflating is the way to go. Something like the thermarest prolight or similar. They aren’t the lightest, but if you avoid the super huge car camping style ones they aren’t too bad. They can still technically be popped but the outer material is much beefier than an inflatable. Often they’ll feel more like vinyl. I still have my original thermarest trail. It’s not as cushy as modern ones but it’s a tank and still hasn’t gotten a leak after 17 or 18 years. Got it sometime as a teenager. I think it was my first mat I had when I upgraded from a crappy blue Walmart ccf.

If you want more comfort than ccf but more durability than an inflatable, a self inflating is the way to go. Something like the thermarest prolight or similar. They aren’t the lightest, but if you avoid the super huge car camping style ones they aren’t too bad. They can still technically be popped but the outer material is much beefier than an inflatable. Often they’ll feel more like vinyl. I still have my original thermarest trail. It’s not as cushy as modern ones but it’s a tank and still hasn’t gotten a leak after 17 or 18 years. Got it sometime as a teenager. I think it was my first mat I had when I upgraded from a crappy blue Walmart ccf.

Thermarest trail is a great option. Has lasted me over 10 years now, no leaks. Only thing I’d change now is getting one slightly thicker.

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.

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.