Australian Hiker

Rating

Therm-a-rest ProLite Review

Like most people of my age, I used a foam pad for a number of years and appreciated the Therm-a-rest Prolite series when it came out. For over ten years this pad kept me happy and if I was a back sleeper, I would still consider this as my main sleeping pad.

In reviewing this pad I will start with the negatives first. Two factors have moved me on from this pad and I now choose to use a Therm-a-rest Neo Air Xlite pad. The first is the desire to become an ultralight hiker, to minimise the weight and the bulk of the gear I am carrying. While the Therm-a-rest Prolite pad is relatively light it is bulky in comparison newer pads. Given I am now using a relatively small pack and like to minimise what is on the outside of my pack, I can’t afford the space this pad takes up.

The second relates to a rock climbing injury I sustained two years ago which now means I couldn’t maintain my side sleeping pattern without constantly shifting positions through the night which annoys my wife no end.

On the plus side, this pad is fine for my 188 cm frame and is very stable. One criticism of the Therm-a-rest Neo Air Xlite  is that it has soft edges but this is not a problem for the Prolite. The Therm-a-rest Prolite pad is stable across its full length and width and you are unlikely to slide off the pad during the night.

This pad is classed as self inflating which means when you unroll the pad at the days end, all you need to do is undo the valve and let the pad self inflate. I must admit I like a lot of other hikers prefer a bit of extra padding so I will add a few extra breaths to the seeping pad. This is not recommended by Therm-a-rest as the potential is to introduce moisture into the pad which can create mould but its a risk I have been willing to take in the 11 years I have owned this pad.

Price wise at $195 this pad is classed as mid range and sits at the low end of the inflatable pad range. Many people will forgo this pad type in favour of a low end inflatable pad but from a durability perspective this pad is only beaten by the foam pad selection.

Warmth wise this pad again sits in the middle of the range and you can certainly tell the difference between a high end inflatable pad and the Prolite. However the cheaper quality inflatable pads tend to have a low R-value and aren’t as warm.

Overall I am still happy to recommend this pad particularly for those back sleepers who want a durable warm pad and don’t want to outlay the funds for a high-end inflatable pad.

We Like

• Very low weight means you hardly notice this sleeping pad in your pack. Great for the ultralight hiker who wants minimal weight and a reasonable degree of comfort
• Good resistance to cold which will keep you warm in all three-season conditions
• More robust than the inflatable pads and cheaper. A good comprise if you don’t want to spend the money on an inflatable pad
• More comfortable than foam without breaking the bank
• Doesn’t require oral inflation so you won’t pass out at the end of the day when you go to blow up your sleeping pad

We Don't Like

• The cost. While cheaper than an inflatable pad this is still not a cheap option
• Not great if you are a slide sleeper unless you are camping on really soft ground

Best Uses

• Ultralight hiking
• Great for back sleepers

Buy One

You can purchase the Therm-a-rest ProLite online from Snowys

Disclosure: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

If you have used the Therm-a-rest ProLite or have questions, we’d like to hear from you. Post your comment or question below

 

Investment

$209.95 AUD RRP. Keep an eye out for the regular sales that occur and you may get a great deal

Other Versions

Therm-a-rest make a large range of sleeping pads however the following are in the same range and provide alternatives depending on your needs:

Therm-a-rest Prolite Plus (heavier but warmer)

Therm-a-rest Women’s Prolite Plus (heavier but warmer))

Therm-a-rest Women’s Prolite Plus (heavier but warmer than the standard women’s Prolite)

 

Disclaimer

This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker

Comparison of various sleeping mats packed. From the left one litre water bottle, Therm-a-rest Neo Air Xlite, Therm-a-rest Prolite, and a foam mat. All these sleeping pads are very similar in weight but the size increases and comfort level decreases as you move to the right in this image. The Prolite pad is second from the right

Therm-a-rest Prolite sleeping pad inflated

This images shows the level of support provided by the three types of sleeping pads. If you are a side sleeper then you are likely to have a restless sleep on the foam pad and the Therm-a-rest Prolite (two bottom pads in this image)

These sleeping pads are a similar sizes. The air valve on the two Therm-a-rests on top are visible on the right hand side of the image

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