Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > Therm-a-Rest ProLite Womens > Jamie J. DeBenedetto > Long Term Report

Therm-a-Rest Women's ProLite 4™ (Long)

Long Term Report - May 30th, 2006

Reviewer's Information

Background/Experience

I began backpacking eighteen years ago after tagging along with my dad to various wild places in Arizona and California as a child. At present I hike in some capacity about fifteen times a month, mostly in Arizona with either the Canine Hiking Club of AZ or with my family. I prefer to sleep in a hammock and I gravitate toward multifunctional gear that will enhance my comfort level for minimal weight. I consider myself a lightweight packer but not ultralight. My total pack weight year round is rarely above 25 lbs (11 kg) for outings of two to three days.

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Product Information

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Product Description

The Therm-a-Rest Women's ProLite 4 is a self inflating air mattress designed for, as the name suggests, women. A more detailed description of the pad may be found in my Initial Report.

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Field Locations and Conditions for the Final Two Months of Testing

Over the last few months of this test series I have used the ProLite air mattress in desert/riparian areas in Arizona. The first of these outings was a car camping trip to Burro Creek northwest of Prescott. The elevation in this area is 2,000 ft (610 m). The low temperatures on this trip hovered around 60 F (16 C) each night. I was sleeping on hard desert pavement inside a Henry Shires Tarptent. The other trip was to Aravaipa Canyon northeast of Tucson. Campsite elevation was 2,600 ft (800 m) with a nighttime low of just above 60 F (16 C). Again, I was sleeping in the Tarptent but the terrain was a mix of leaves and sand. Weather conditions were clear and calm on both excursions.

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Long Term Findings

I admit it, I'm a wimp. Since I had my kids I haven't been able to sleep comfortably on the ground. Surprisingly, the 1.25 in (3 cm) thickness provided by the Therm-a-Rest Women's ProLite was actually acceptable. I wouldn't say I was rolling in comfort but I was able to sleep both on my side and back without feeling the ground or waking up every hour with aches and pains. I found it sufficiently comfortable, even on desert pavement, which is basically very hard soil sprinkled with pebbles and small rocks all kind of cemented together.

Initially I was concerned the length and width of the ProLite would not be enough for my tall frame. Other than when I used the mattress in my hammock, both turned out to be adequate, even though the pad is not quite as long as I am. I think it is important to mention, however, the coldest temperature I used the ProLite on the ground was 45 F (7 C). The weather was quite mild during my last few months of testing so the fact that my feet hung off a bit really didn't make a difference in my overall warmth or comfort.

In regards to insulation properties, the ProLite as worked for the temperatures I have experienced. With the exception of the near freezing night I had in my hammock during the field testing phase I have only used the ProLite on the ground, with the lowest temperature hitting just below 45 F (7 C). The concluding outings were very mild and if anything the mattress was too warm. On my trip to Araviapa, I slept right on the ProLite fabric with just a t-shirt and light nylon pants on with my summer weight bag draped over my torso. I did notice some periodic sweating but no pooling on the mattress or lingering moisture.

Using the pad in the field continues to be trouble-free. I have not experienced any inflation and deflation problems during camp set-up or break-down, nor have I experienced any issues with deflation during the night or air leakage from the valve. Rolling the pad up for packing is also very simple, especially when I have a "tent" floor on which to do it. I have resorted to using a tiny strap because as I mentioned in my Field Report, contrary to Therm-a-Rest's claim that the ProLite will stay deflated once rolled up, it does in fact unravel too much for my liking.

The fabric has continued to hold up nicely throughout the testing period. I have not noticed any areas of concern regarding punctures, abrasions or defects in the fabric or seams. I have to admit I've pretty much babied the pad though. Not so much because I think it needs it but because I'm just that way when it comes to gear.

The ProLite has worked well as the "frame" for my backpack and as my sit pad around camp in addition to my sleeping mat. Overall, I'm pleased with this product and have enjoyed testing it, thank you Backpackgeartest.org and Therm-a-Rest for the opportunity. I am looking forward to the return of cooler temperatures so I can see what the cold weather limits are for this mattress. I will endeavor to post an addendum to this report when I have a few opportunities to sleep on the ProLite in these conditions.

Jamie J. DeBenedetto
May 30th, 2006

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Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > Therm-a-Rest ProLite Womens > Jamie J. DeBenedetto > Long Term Report