Z Lite Original

the Walmart one is fine unless you're trying to stay away from bright colored/reflective gear in which case the original(non SOL) Z-lite is your only real option

it's still bright blue/yellow

yeah, I'm talking about the opposite side

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.

—-Therm-a-Rest Z Lite camping mat —-One Tigris Down camp blanket —-Helikon Tex Swagman —-Mil Surp US GI Poncho or a British Basha is better —-Mil surp US GI bivy sack This is about as light and compact that will keep you warm and cumfy down to about 10 degrees from my experiences Edit: forgot the bivy sack !

Most closed cell foam pads will be lower R value but can easily get 2 to reach about the same. They tend to not be as comfortable though. Thermarest Z lite has been one of the better that I've seen, but most closed cell foam pads are about the same. I'd make sure to check the dimensions so that they work with you/your pack system.

I used it in the military. Assuming you're talking about the brown Z-fold "Iso Mat"? It's not that heavy. We'd wrap our tarps around it so both can be laid down quickly to bivouac. The military uses these because: - Air pads simply squish down and contact the ground at the point of most force (usually your shoulder or butt). And they pop. - Z-fold because rolling foam stresses the material and damages more quickly over time. I prefer these over the "egg-carton" z-folds because of the smooth surface.

We have a similar setup, but my wife and I share a double sized down quilt (EE Accomplice) on two air pads and our dog has his cut down ZLite and synthetic Kifaru woobie. Our dog (heeler) is about 40lbs. We are vigilant to keep him from getting on our uncovered air pads. Our quilt more or less covers our two pads, so it adds a layer of protection, but we insist that he stays in his ZLite as much as possible. We've gone out dozens of times and only lost a pad once when he was young and tried to bolt after a goat.

Z lite. Only about $50 and works great even in wet weather.

If you have a budget limitation, see if you can find therm-a-rest z-lite sleeping pads used. They work well from insulation perspective, just are not very comfortable for larger adults often enough. If the kids are not tall yet, you can also trim these to size to manage the weight you have to carry.

I've used both the switchback and the zlite for multiple thrus. After a few hundred miles, there's little meaningful difference between them However, the switchback is oranger, and therefore better