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Owner Review: Therm-a-Rest UltraLite 3/4
Personal Biographical Info:
Name:
Stephanie Martin
Age:
28
Gender:
Female
Height:
5'5"
Weight:
145 lbs.
Email Address: syoong "at" alum "dot" mit "dot" edu
Location:
Phoenix, AZ USA
Date:
October 14, 2002
Background: Actively enjoying the outdoors regularly since 1996 starting in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoyed day hiking excursions in the Columbia River Gorge area, followed by some backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail. Moved to the desert southwest in 1997 and have been actively day hiking most weekends (anywhere from low desert to mountain territory (7000+ ft)). Generally take a couple week long trips to the Grand Canyon annually. Backpacking philosophy has been rapidly moving towards ultra-light gear. Have also been participating in canyoneering since 1997. See
http://www.ToddsHikingGuide.com for trip reports.
Other sleeping pads used: Therm-a-Rest Z-Rest 3/4; Therm-a-Rest Luxury LE
Product Information:
Manufacturer:
Cascade Designs [http://www.cascadedesigns.com]
Year of Manufacture: 1996
Listed Weight:
18 ounces (2002 model as listed on manufacturer's website)
Weight as Delivered: 14.8 ounces
Size:
20x47x1 inches
Style of Product: Lightweight self-inflating mattress.
Field and Test Information:
Location(s) of test: Various locations in Arizona, Utah, and Oregon.
Terrain:
From canyon bottom to mountainside - elevations up to 9000 feet.
Weather Conditions: Cold evening temperatures below freezing (I know because my waterbottle had ice in it!) to hot sweltering nights.
Description of Experience and Comments on Product Performance:
The Therm-a-Rest UltraLite 3/4 was my first sleeping pad acquired, and remains as my sleeping pad of choice for backpacking use. I've slept comfortably on it on varying surfaces from gravel beaches to slickrock outcroppings.
Like all Therm-a-Rest mattresses, the UltraLite 3/4 self-inflates by means of a high flow valve. Open the valve, and air lets itself into the mattress, slowly unfurling until it is "full". Personally, I prefer my Therm-a-Rest quite firm, so I add several puffs of air before twisting the valve shut.
The Performance Series Therm-a-Rest mattresses feature LiteFoam and Staytek Fabric. The foam core is created by starting with a solid piece of open cell foam narrower than the finished mattress, stamping in a pattern of cuts, then stretching the foam to the finished mattress width. This cutting and stretching opens the slits introduced into the foam, resulting in a net-like interlocked pattern. This manufacturing process saves weight, while still enabling comfort. The foam core is bonded to a Staytek fabric cover, which is soft to the touch, while still providing friction to prevent you from sliding clear off your sleeping pad at night.
While I find this pad quite comfortable to sleep on, it probably is better suited to warmer weather due to the fact that your lower legs extend past the sleeping pad. I do tend to sleep cold, so when I am out in cooler weather, I usually take my empty backpack and stick it under my feet along with anything else that might provide some insulation from the ground. I've found that if I am adequately prepared with clothes, I haven't had much of an issue with the thickness (or thinness depending on how you look at it) of this pad. For those who like to sleep on their side, as I am prone to doing, the pad provides adequate cushioning of the hips provided that the pad is inflated properly.
Like all self-inflating mattresses, the Therm-a-Rest can be prone to punctures and/or leaks. I have to admit that my UltraLite 3/4 has sprung a small leak. I suspect the leak was due to some random pokey thing in the ground that I failed to notice when setting up camp - camping in the desert, unfortunately, generally results in punctured gear, what with all the cactus and other prickly plants. The leaks were easily located and patched with a Therm-a-Rest mending kit (purchased separately). The only word of caution on the mending kit is to work quickly - the epoxy sets up extremely fast. So far, all patch-work has remained sound and required no further action.
Packing up the UltraLite 3/4 is very simple. Just twist the valve, fold in half lengthwise, roll it up, close the valve and stuff it into a stuff sack (also purchased separately). Amazingly, when you close the valve after rolling the UltraLite 3/4, it remains in a rolled state and is very easily inserted into a stuff sack.
Overall, I have been very pleased with this product. It is compact, light weight and quite comfortable to sleep on. I continue to use it on several backpacking trips and would happily recommend it to others.
Read more reviews of Therm-A-Rest gear
Read more gear reviews by Stephanie Martin
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