Z Lite SOL

This is a must have for backcountry campers and has many uses at the campsite itself. Its main use, being a sleeping pad, is phenomenal. You will want to use this pad on top of any inflatable pad you have or over any other pad you might be using that has a lower R Value, this will keep you warmer at night as the higher the R Value the more insulated you are and the R Value stacks if you use another pad. The one I use in conjunction with this is the Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad. Not only are you kept warmer the Z-Pad distributes your weight on the inflatable pad so you don’t have pressure points. Another use for this pad is as a place to sit around the camp, by the fire, or when in your food prep area. You can leave it fully extended to stretch out or fold it as you see fit for extra padding on your bum. I also use this pad folded in half to stoke my fire, yes, you heard that right, I use the Z-Pad to fan the flames. Just sit safely at the base of your fire and fan to get it going. Of course use your best fire safety judgement. Continuing with uses for this pad are keeping things warm such as pots and cups of warm liquids. If the vessel isn’t scalding in a manner that would burn the pad keep your pots, cups, pans on the pad to trap heat. The weight is nominal if you are not an ultralighter, even you are then just bring this pad and forgo the inflatable pad. The Z-Pad just makes it so much nicer to go camping.

This review is based on my purchased item. I did not receive a free review sample or discount for reviewing. Since there's really not much more that can be said for this pad, my review is essentially a Rain and WET condition review. Imagine the worst case scenario and your tent fails in a heavy all night downpour and your tent floor tub fills with water. That was my situation on a recent 2 night camp, where we got 7 inches of heavy rain over 3 days. National weather service issued flash flood warnings in the creek and river gorge areas, which I fortunately was not in. I have never experienced rain this heavy before.. all night, all day, non stop. I had set up my tent in wet sloshy, leafy slush and my tent floor just could not keep it out, even with a blue ground tarp. I had water percolating up through my tent floor, and at the deepest it was about 1/4". I was up all night soaking up water puddles, and wringing them out with my camp towel. I could not sleep a wink, worried all night about waking up in a swimming pool. Despite all that, the Z-lite performed like a champ. I use it in conjunction with a Thermarest Neo-Air Venture, and I deflate the Neo-air so my hips and shoulders just barely avoid bottom-ing out. The Z-lite was just enough elevation up off the soaked floor to keep me completely dry. I have the small Z-lite since I only need to have coverage down to my thighs with the Neo-air giving me sufficient comfort. The Z-lite did absorb water kind of like a sponge though, that would be a little concerning on an extended tent-fail trip. Despite that, my sleeping bag was completely dry, warm and comfy all night. I felt like I was on a raft dingy, floating in a pool of water. I was previously using a Reflect-ix sheet beneath my Neo-air, no doubt that would not have been enough thickness or elevation in this scenario. I am not exactly sure which has a higher "R" value between the reflect-ix and Z-lite, but I felt just as warm. One thing I like about the Z-lite is the increased friction I get with the neo-air. I always had a problem with reflectix sheet being too slick and slippery. My Neo-air would slide off in the middle of the night. The Z-lite is a little more grippy. I still get some slipping and sliding but its manageable. I will probably add some velcro straps though on my next camp out just to make sure the two remain stacked up. The added padding, cushion and comfort is noticeable. If you are contemplating a Z-lite to replace reflect-ix sheet beneath your air pad, go for it. Its added features, comfort and functionality is worth the $$. Its also added redundancy in the event my Neo-air leaks and my patch kit doesn't work.

I've used this mattress on several week-long backpacking trips in both the Appalachian mountains in Pennsylvania and the much more rugged Teton rocky mountain range in Jackson Wyoming. I've had it for the past few years and I haven't had one problem with it yet. Its relatively lightweight, incredibly comfortable, and it takes absolutely no time to pack unlike most other sleeping pads that you have to slowly roll and push the air out of. It helps you break down camp a little bit faster in the morning which is nice when you've got a long trek ahead of you and you want to get on the trail faster. Though I personally own both a small and a large, I usually use the small when I go hiking to cut down on the weight and size of my gear. If you get a small and you're older than 12 your feet will be sticking off the mattress, but it doesn't really make sleeping any less comfortable in my opinion. If it is to bad you can always stick some clothes under your legs to sleep on. Though a $600 dollar nano air mattress will fold up super small and might be a little bit comfier, this sleeping pad is a solid, reliable steal. It beats most 50-100$ pads out there and it comes in at only about $30. If you are just getting in to backpacking, are looking into getting a smaller, easier packing therm-a-rest than the one you have, or even if you just going car-camping, I highly recommend this product to you. If you do get it I would recommend strapping it at the bottom of your pack or under your pack's brain. I have seen people strap it to the front of their pack or to the sides as well, in the end it all comes down to how you have you things packed, what type of pack you have, and personal preference.

キャンプを始めてから安いマットを使っていたのですが、意を決してこちらを購入。 他のマットとの違いに驚きました。 寒い中での使用はまだしていませんが、マット自体がとてもフカフカでこれ一枚で十分眠れる物でした。 マットに出す値段としては少し躊躇しますが、買って本当に良かったと思います。

Excellent produit, très léger, confortable (pas autant qu'un matelas gonflable mais suffisant). Je l'ai pris en voyage en Corse sur 3 semaines pour dormir exclusivement en tente (camping et refuge du GR20) et il a parfaitement rempli son rôle. Très imperméable, il ne laisse passer ni l'eau ni le froid (dormir avec le côté en alu vers vous pour renvoyer votre propre chaleur vers vous). Pour plus de confort je vous conseille de l'associer avec un petit matelas gonflable pour le haut du corps.

Un materassino pratico e leggero che mi permetto di accoppiarlo al Thermarest XLight per dormire in tenda in ogni condizione!

Plan war es, über der Z Liste Sol noch eine luftisolierende Matte zu haben welche aber am Berg bei -10°C den Geist aufgegeben hat (finden/stopfen des Lochs unmöglich). Daher war mein Kumpel als Iso-Schicht mehr oder weniger nur auf die Z Liste Sol (+ eine 0,5mm dicke Elefantenhaut + die kaputte luftisolierende Schicht + einen Schlafsack) angewiesen und wir hatten wärmetechnisch überhaupt kein Problem. Tolles Produkt mit ganz wenig Gewicht, vertretbaren Backmaß und einer tollen Isolationswirkung!

Vraiment étonnée de ce tapis qui protège bien du sol, je suis juste déçue de ce bleu qui est beaucoup plus vif que sur la photo, moi qui aime les couleurs sobres, mais bon je mettrai une serviette non voyante dessus. J'aurais dû choisir le marron clair ...