Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > Therm-a-Rest Trail Comfort > Owner Review by Kevin Hollingsworth

Owner Review:  Therm-a-Rest Trail Comfort
Date: 11 Oct 2006

 Reviewer Information

Name: Kevin Hollingsworth
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Height: 6’ 1” (1.9 m)
Weight: 195 lb (88 kg)
Email address: kholling55@yahoo.com
City, State, Country: Williamsburg, Virginia. USA

I started backpacking and camping when I was in the Scouts. I spent 20 years in the military, which curtailed my personal outdoors adventures. I have mostly gone camping and then day-hiking in the surrounding area, but have been on a few multi-day hiking trips. While day-hiking, I normally carry a light load, a waist pack with mostly food and water, with a few other things. On three to four day trips, I will carry a pack weighing about 45 - 50 lb (21 - 23 kg). I have been hiking in Colorado, Korea, Egypt, and most recently Shenandoah.

Product Information

Manufacturer:  Therm-A-Rest
Year of Manufacture:   Approximately 2005
URL: http://www.thermarest.com/

 Listed Specifications:

Weight:  51 oz (1445 g)
Rolled Size: 26 x 5.1 in.  (66 x 13 cm)
Length:  77 in (196 cm)
Width:  25 in (63 cm)
R-Value: 5
Thickness: 2 in (5 cm)
Size: Large

 Note: All measurements are mine (unless otherwise specified)
Weight: 45.12 oz (1279.13 g)
Rolled Size:  26.0 x 6.5 in (66.0 x 16.5 cm)
Length:  77.0 in (195.6 cm)
Width:  25.5 in (57.2 cm)
Size: Large
Color: Sitka Green
MSRP: $79.95

 
The mat was shipped to me in a box, with the mat covered in a plastic film. The sleeping mat is rectangular and in one corner it has a 2 in (5.1 cm) rigid plastic air valve that extends inside the pad.  The valve turns counterclockwise to open and clockwise to close. The company states that the mat is constructed of durable 150-denier rip-stop nylon. The top of the mat has the company’s logo and is covered with a greenish non slip fabric. The bottom is covered with a grayish fabric and which is smoother that the top. The mat uses closed-cell foam and according to the manufacturer, it has an insulating R-value of 5, and will not absorb water.

Field Conditions

 I have used the Trail Comfort on five trips this year. These have included camping trips in both built-up campsites and backcountry sites.  These sites have all been in Virginia, mainly the Shenandoah National Park and in areas around the eastern coast of Virginia. All trips were conducted with a three season tent, ground tarp and a sleeping bag rated at 20 F (-7 C). One trip was conducted in February, with weather conditions changing from clear to rain and then snow. The temperature ranged from 20 to 50 F (-7 to 10 C). The other trips were conducted in the spring and fall with temperatures as low as 60 F (15 C) and as high as 105 F (41 C), and in mostly dry condition with some dampness at night and in the morning. The terrain has included mountains, with altitudes around 3000 ft (914 m), and in wooded and clear type areas at around sea level.

 Observations

 In the past, I normally did not use a sleeping mat. I have used both a non self-inflating pad and foam pad in the past, but have found them tedious and on the most part worthless. With the Trail Comfort I was surprisingly pleased. It was easy to use, just lay out the mat with the valve open, and let it go to work. I did need to make sure it is fully inflated, but that usually only takes a few breaths. I was comfortable when lying on the mat, even though the ground was not totally level or free of obtrusions. The discomfort that can be caused by small rocks and roots was reduced or eliminated.  The mat kept the ground dampness from me and my sleeping bag, even in the unexpected bad weather.  When I woke up, I was not stiff or sore nor did I slip off the mat during the night. When breaking camp, you open the valve, wait a few minutes, roll up the mat and then close the valve. There were no holes or leakage during any of the trips. The mat did not seem to soak up any water, and if it got wet, dried quickly. When I return from the trips, I just wiped off any dirt with a damp cloth, and then put the mat in storage.

 When purchasing the mat I decided to purchase the optional stuff sack. The stuff sack weighs 2 oz (57 g) and is 26.0 x 6.5 in (66.0 x 16.5 cm) with a MSRP of $10.95.  It is not necessary to have the stuff sack, but I wanted to keep the mat rolled and protect it from the elements during transport. It usually takes a few rolling, unrolling and rolling again to get the mat small enough for the optional stuff sack. The mat in the stuff sack fits well on the exterior of my backpack.

 The only problems with the mat, was its narrowness, the storage space required, and the price.  The mat was a little narrow for me. I would have like something maybe 1- 2 in (2.5 – 5.1 cm) wider. For storage, the mat needs to be unrolled and laid flat. I worked around the space required for storage by storing it under my bed. The price for the mat and optional stuff sack was a bit pricey for me.

 Summary

I was quite pleased with the Therm-a-Rest Trail Comfort. It actually changed my mind on using a mat while backpacking and camping.

 Things I like:

• Ease of use
• Comfort
• Weight

 Things I don't like:

• Stuff sack was not included
• Width too narrow for my taste
• Space required for storage

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > Therm-a-Rest Trail Comfort > Owner Review by Kevin Hollingsworth