Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > Therm-a-Rest ProLite Womens > Amanda Tikkanen > Initial Report

Initial Report: Therm-a-Rest Women's ProLite 3

Name: Amanda Tikkanen
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Height: 5'4" (1.6 m)
Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
Email address: uberpest at uberpest dot com
Personal website: http://www.uberpest.com/
City, State, Country: LaGrange, Indiana USA

Date: February 4, 2006

Backpacking Background:

I have been backpacking and hiking for five years throughout Michigan and Indiana, covering several hundred miles, always with a dog by my side. Beau has been happily carrying a pack since 2002. Before Beau I hiked with Lucy, who is now retired.

My style of backpacking is moving from overnights to long distance hiking, including multi-day trips. While I don't favor ultralight equipment, I do like to go as light as possible while still being comfortable.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Therm-a-Rest
Year of Manufacture: 2005
URL: http://www.thermarest.com/
Size tested: Regular
Manufacturer's weight: 1 lb 4 oz (570 g)
Weight as tested: 1 lb. 4 oz (570 g)
Manufacturer's dimensions:
Rolled: 4.1" x 11" (10.4 cm x 27.9 cm)
Inflated: 20" W x 66" L x 1" H (51 cm W x 158 cm L x 2.5 cm H)
Dimensions as tested:
Rolled: 4" x 11" (10.1 cm x 27.9 cm)
Inflated 20" W x 66" L x 1" H (51 cm W x 158 cm L x 2.5 cm H)
R-value: 3.0
MSRP: $79.95 (US)

Warranty: (From the manufacturer) "The mattress is guaranteed without time limit against defects in the materials and workmanship. Return shipping charges for the repaired mattress are covered. Should the mattress be found defective under this warranty, we will repair it or replace it at our option. Mattresses more than two years old will be replaced with a lifetime-warranted cosmetically irregular mattress. Normal wear, abrasion, misuse, alteration, abuse, or taking apart the product are not covered. Cascade Designs will not be liable for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply. Shipping charges to an Authorized Repair Center for a damaged mattress are not covered." Repair service is also available for a nominal fee (varies by country), which includes shipping, handling, and repair cost.

Color: Red top, black bottom.

Item Description

The Therm-a-Rest Women's ProLite 3 Regular sleeping pad is a typical self-inflating mattress. That is, it's a piece of open-celled urethane foam (like a giant sponge) enclosed in a water-and-air-proof fabric covering. At one corner of the pad there is a valve that lets air in and out of the mattress. When this valve is opened on a compressed pad, air rushes into the pad and inflates the pad. When the pad is inflated and the valve is opened, air can be pushed out of the mattress to compress it for transportation.

The top of the pad is a smooth red ripstop fabric with the company's logo, contact information, and the pad's serial number printed on it. The bottom of the pad is a black fabric with small bumps all over. The bumps are supposed to keep the pad from sliding around on a tent floor.

The fabric is bonded to the urethane, and the edges heat sealed so there are no seams or loose threads.

The pad comes with a plastic sleeve with consumer information printed on it.

The label on the pad states:
"30% warmer in torso and foot sections than ProLite 3. Lightest, most compact women's 3-season mattress. Tapered ergonomic design, specially sized for a woman's body."

The pad also has a one-sheet owner's manual. This owner's manual has the company's warranty and repair information, instruction on how to inflate, deflate, store, clean, and protect the mattress.

The manufacturer recommends inflating the mattress for the first time by opening the valve, allowing the mattress to self-inflate, then overfilling with several breaths, closing the valve, and storing the mattress overnight.

From the manufacturer's website: "R-values are a measure of insulation and are based on a mattress being fully inflated. The higher the value, the warmer you will sleep. For a higher R-value, fully inflate your mattress." I have no way of evaluating the R-value of the pad to see if it is accurate, other than by using it in different temperatures.

The inner urethane material appears to be stamped out of a single large piece of foam (die cut) since there are several star shaped holes in the foam, all spaced so there is more insulation under the torso and feet and less under the head and legs. (see photo).



Initial Impressions

I inflated this pad according to the manufacturer's instructions for first-time inflation. I then laid the pad out on a solid floor and lay down on it like I was going to sleep. I first noticed it seemed a little narrow, but I usually feel this way on sleeping pads. This narrowness may also be due to the tapered cut of the pad. I liked that the pad was long enough to go completely below my feet. The sleeping pad I currently use is a self-inflater that only reaches my knees but is about 4 ounces (95 g) heavier. Even though the ProLite is only a few ounces lighter than my current pad, the extra length makes it seem even lighter.

The top of the pad seems a little slippery, so I will see how this works with the nylon shell of my sleeping bag. I will also be looking to see how well the bumps on the bottom of the pad keep the pad in place in my tent.

The pad does not come with a compression sack, something that disappoints me. Therm-a-Rest does make a stuff sack for this pad, but it is sold separately. I will be either making or purchasing a stuff sack to keep it from unrolling while in my pack.

I will test this pad with my 30 F (-1 C) synthetic sleeping pad, as well as my home made Thinsulate quilt, long underwear, puffy coat and/or vest, hat, socks, and other clothing as needed. Any of the previous items may be combined depending on weather conditions. I may use this item while in a tent or under a tarp, as the weather allows. I will be using it in my back yard at first, then at local campgrounds, and on any and all backpack or camping trips I will be taking during the test period. Night time temperatures expected during this period will be around 32 F (0 C) to 60 F (15.5 C)

I will be looking at these factors:

Comfort

How soft is the pad? Is it too soft? Not soft enough?

How supportive is the mattress? Does it protect me from the bumps in the ground, or do I feel every one of them? Since I have a sore back most of the time, a comfortable and supportive mattress is a must.

How warm is it? Does it keep the cold away from me, or do I wake up shaking at night? I am typically a cold sleeper so I will be paying very close attention to this.

Ease of use

How easy is it to inflate and deflate? Does it inflate easily after multiple compressions?

How small does the pad compress? Does it take up too much space in my pack?

Can I get the valve open and closed easily? With gloves on?

Does the pad work well with my sleeping pad and tent? Does it slide around?

Versatility: Can the pad be pressed into 4-season use if needed? If so, how?

Durability: does the pad hold up to many nights of use? Being stepped on by a dog?

I will also address any issues that come up during testing.

Initial Likes

• Compact
• Lightweight

Initial Dislikes

• Stuff sack not included
• Narrow

I thank BackpackGearTest and Therm-a-Rest for the opportunity to test the Therm-a-Rest Women's ProLite 3.

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > Therm-a-Rest ProLite Womens > Amanda Tikkanen > Initial Report