The Therma-a-Rest Trail Lite Sleeping Pad. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
When you’re backpacking, the sleeping pad you choose can make or break your trip. Opt for a sleeping pad that prioritizes weight over comfort and you may find yourself tossing and turning all night. Pack a plush sleeping pad that’s on the heavier side and you may be kicking yourself the entire trip for the added weight or bulk in your pack. In our opinion, the ideal backpacking sleeping pad is lightweight yet comfortable. In comes the Therma-a-Rest Trail Lite Sleeping Pad, an affordable option that, while a touch heavy and bulky, is super comfortable.
We’ve covered the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads and our team tested a selection of sleeping pads, from winter-ready pads to ultralight options. In that guide, the Therma-a-Rest Trail Lite Sleeping Pad was our pick for runner-up best sleeping pad, and, in our opinion, the most comfortable of all of the pads we tested. Read on to learn why our team loved it.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Self-inflating |
Large for a backpacking sleeping pad |
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No slipping and sliding at night |
Difficult to pack up at first |
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Quiet to sleep on |
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Affordable |
First Impressions of the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite
Our first impression of the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite came even before we received the product: the price. In a segment that is increasingly creeping toward $200 or more, the Trail Lite’s modest $115 price tag is refreshing.
The packed size of the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite struck me as somewhat large for a backpacking sleeping pad. It comes in a stuff sack that is a similar height to a Hydro Flask water bottle but about double or triple the width. Thru-hikers may have a different goalset, but when it comes to sleeping pads, I prioritize comfort because I often take shorter trips. Plus, attaching a sleeping pad to the outside of your pack is easy, so I wasn’t worried.
The Trail Lite sleeping pad is advertised as self-inflating. I’ve had self-inflating pads in the past that didn’t work very well, so I was hopeful this one would. To test it out, I laid out the pad on my living room floor and opened the valve. In no time, the pad was fully inflated and I added a few puffs of air via mouth because I like my sleeping pads on the firm side. I did a preliminary test in the living room and found that the pad felt comfortable. I was eager to hit the trail and see how it fared on an overnight trip.
The Trail Lite sleeping pad is on the large size for a backpacking sleeping pad. But it’s comfortable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Notable Features of the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite
R-Value: 3.2
Pad Thickness: 1.5 inches
Weight: 2 lbs. 5 oz.
Packed Size: 8.3 x 13 inches
Insulation: Yes
After a long day of backpacking, the last thing I want to do is exhaust my lungs trying to inflate my sleeping pad. I love the fact that the Trail Lite pad is self-inflating.
As soon as I arrived at camp, I opened up the pad and let it start inflating while I got my tent set up. The pad features Therm-a-Rest’s trademark WingLock Valve, which allows for easy one-way inflation. The pad inflates most of the way by itself, but I found that it was more comfortable if I added a few final breaths to get it nice and firm.
The WingLock inflation valve allows for easy one-way inflation. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
To cut down on weight, the Trail Lite sleeping pad sports a mummy design. Some people may prefer a rectangular-shaped sleeping pad, but most backpacking sleeping bags are mummy-shaped, so I thought it worked perfectly. In my experience, air sleeping pads are easy to roll off of and tend to crinkle when you move. This was not the case with the Trail Lite.
For starters, the material of the Trail Lite feels comfortable against your skin, so you can sleep directly on it on warm nights. I live in Hawaii and when I was testing this pad, the nights were warm, so I liked that the pad was comfortable enough to sleep directly on.
My current sleeping bag doesn’t have a sleeve for a pad, so it’s extra important to me that my pad isn’t slippery. I found that I stayed on my Trail Lite pad the entire night and had no obnoxious crinkling noises when I rolled over (which I do a lot).
You won’t find yourself slipping and sliding when sleeping on the Trail Lite. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The Trail Lite pad has an R-value of 3.2. R values typically range from one to seven, with one being the least insulation and seven being the most. An R-value between one and three is considered a summer pad, three to five is usually a three-season pad, and five and above makes for a winter or four-season pad. At 3.2, the Trail Lite sneaks into the three-season range, but just barely. As I tested this pad in Hawaii, I can’t speak to its warmth in colder weather, but I’d say the Trail Lite is more of a summer and mild winter type of sleeping pad.
The Trail Lite is on the large side, but it sure is comfortable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks of the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite
As I mentioned before, the Trail Lite sleeping pad is larger and heavier than most backpacking sleeping pads. Of all the sleeping pads we tested for our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads, the Trail Lite was the heaviest at 2 lbs 5 oz. But, it was also the most comfortable, and its lower price point reflects that added weight.
If you’re setting out on a long trip where space and weight are limited, you may want to opt for a different sleeping pad. But, if you are someone who wants maximum comfort while they sleep, then the Trail Lite is a really solid pick for the price.
Although the Trail Lite sleeping pad is easy to inflate, deflating it and getting it back in its stuff sack takes some getting used to. The first couple of times I tried rolling up the pad, I struggled to get all the air out without it trying to re-inflate itself. But as I messed with it, I figured out a trick that worked nicely for me. I first rolled it up once, unrolled it, then folded it in half and did it again. After that, I was able to easily fit it in the stuff sack. You may want to practice repacking the Trail Lite at home before hitting the trail.
The Trail Lite sleeping pad is the epitome of comfort. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite Sleeping Pad may not be the lightest backpacking sleeping pad, but it sure is comfortable. The self-inflating pad features a one-way inflation valve and a 3.2 R-value, it doesn’t slide around while you sleep, and it’s nice and quiet to sleep on. When we’re backpacking, a good night’s sleep is paramount and the Trail Lite helped us achieve some comfortable backcountry shut-eye.
Plus, at just over $100 at the time of publishing, you are hard-pressed to find a more affordable sleeping pad that boasts the same features. The Trail Lite makes a perfect entry-level pad and something that you won’t need to replace immediately like some budget picks.
CHECK PRICE ON Backcountry CHECK PRICE ON Therm-a-RestEditor’s Note: Don’t miss our full list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads. Plus, we’ve got your whole sleep system covered with the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags and the Best Backpacking Tents. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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