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UOG TOP PICK: The Trail Lite self-inflating pad offers an outstanding combination of comfort, compactness and value, making it one of the best all-around camping pads available. It's one of our top picks for self-inflating sleeping pads.
Thermarest says
The Trail Lite self-inflating pad offers an outstanding combination of comfort, compactness and value making it one of the best all-around camping mattresses available. Die-cut foam reduces weight and bulk while self-inflation adds convenience you'll appreciate at the end of the day. In addition, the semi-rectangular shape increases sleep area and makes for better, gap-free mating of other rectangular pads. The lightweight pad features the high-performance WingLock valve, allowing the pad to inflate three times faster thanks to a larger opening and one-way inflation. Like all Therm-a-Rest pads, the Trail Lite is made in market to ensure quality and minimize environmental impact. The pad includes a compact stuff sack.
Our Verdict
Thermarest's 2020 Trail Lite mats are self-inflating and filled with open cell foam that sucks air into the mat when you open the valve thus inflating it - it normally needs a few extra breaths at the end to finish it off. This updated version comes with the new WingLock valve with easier one-way inflation and secure two step deflation. Normally the foam has holes cut into it which makes it lighter but less supportive, the Trail Lite mats have fewer holes in and are teamed up with very durable fabrics top and bottom - they are designed for comfort and reliability rather than for out and out backpacking.
The pack sizes are quite substantial as well, which is why we recommend them for base camps rather than backpacking mats, although if you are heading of for six months you may want the reliability of something like this mat. We also like the shape as well, its mid way between a mummy and a full rectangular mat, which is a good compromise if your legs tend to come off a mummy shaped mat but you still want to trim a bit of weight at the corners.
Foam mats of this type are not as comfortable as airbeds but they are far superior than the ground or closed cell foam mats - and they are forgiving when it comes to durability and rough use.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Versatile: Light and compact enough for backpacking without sacrificing the comfort you desire.
- Lightweight: Die Cut Foam and efficient shape reduces weight.
- Easy to Use: Foam core self-inflates and rolls up small for easy packing.
- WingLock™ Valve: Our intuitive and dependable valve maximizes air flow for easier inflation and quicker deflation.
- Stuff sack included
Specifications
- Weight: 754g (excludes storage bag)
- Dimensions: 51 x 168cm / 20 x 66in
- Thickness: 3.8cm / 1.5in
- Packed size: 28 x 20cm / 11 x 7.8in
- ASTM R-Value: 3.2
- Fabric: 50D Polyester
ASTM R-Value:
From 2020, there is a new industry standard for measuring the R-value (level of insulation) of sleeping mats – ASTM F3340-18. This new standard is the sleeping mat equivalent to the EN rating for sleeping bags.
You can now directly compare the R-value of mats rated using the ASTM F3340-18 with confidence that is a fair and accurate comparison between mats. In simple terms, the higher the R-value, the warmer the mat.
In general terms, an R-value below 2.0 is for summer use, 2.0 to 4.0 is for cooler 3 season use and 4.0+ is for winter temperatures. This will be also be dependent on your sleeping bag, how cold you sleep etc. Please contact our customer service team if you need advice on choosing the right mat for your activity.
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