Whether you travel with an ultralight tent to camp in designated campsites or you plan to chill under the tree’s shadow, a mattress is a need to have. It’s an obvious assumption that outdoor surfaces are notorious of sharp pebbles and rocks that might hurt your back when lying down. As thus, one needs protective sleeping pads to prevent blisters caused by rocky surfaces. Therm-a-Rest has a ProLite Mattress in response to your desires.

Whenever participating in any outdoor activity such as hiking, particularly the long mileage ones, a light weight, comfort, and durability are paramount. The bottom-line is to have a minimal hiking or backpacking gear as possible to avoid hurting your back and straining your muscles.

Can you imagine a heavy weight of having a camping tent, a mattress, and other indispensable accessories? That could be too inconvenient. Fortunately, Therm-a-Rest ProLite Mattress brings a compact design that is portable enough to fit in many backpacks for your convenience. So, the weight issue is dealt and done with.

But then the ProLite Mattress is designed to keep you warm only in 3 seasons except winter. It is not that sophisticated with its insulation to an extent of overcoming the winter’s harsh outdoor temperatures despite having a warm tent. With this in mind, you will have to purchase an additional sleeping pad or a sleeping bag in order to survive, for example, the snowy surfaces because ProLite is only 1 inch high when fully inflated. It is nonetheless a great value for hikers that are fond of hiking in spring to the early fall when the temperatures are mild.

We have discussed the paramount features of this sleeping mattress below in order to give you a glimpse about its capabilities. These features can also be used as critical factors when evaluating similar products on the market prior to making a purchase.

Review

Packaging

The mattress will be shipped to your location in a 10 by 8 by 10 inch packaging, and it weighs 1.4 pounds. Since it is compact and lightweight, the mattress is sure to fit in your backpack easily, without stressing too much about space considerations or worrying that it will weigh you down when you decide to carry it during your hike.

Design and Durability

With a 50 denier Hex Rip Polyster, a ProLite sleeping mat reassures you durability of all the times. It can survive numerous uses in a variety of surfaces no matter how rough they are. Even if it gets punctured mistakenly, the pad can be patched with ease to keep its inflating features. This advantage is seldom seen in other sleeping mattresses due to their complex baffle designs. The urethane foam, the internal fabric, is also durable.

Weight is commonly an important feature that often trades durability when selecting sleeping mattresses. Many ultralight hikers focus on the weight to check if the product will not compromise their mobility whenever climbing steep mountains or travelling for hundreds of miles. But in most cases, with an ultraweight comes less durability and a compromised warmth in many sleeping pads. Just be vigilant about that.

ProLite sleeping mattress proves the convention somehow untrue for sleeping pads. It is lightweight yet durable and comfortable. The design and the brand have existed for many years, and, as many customers have asserted, durability has not been compromised in spite of the quest to trim excess pounds. The mattress weighs 1 pound and 5 ounces with dimensions 10 X 8 X 10 inches. This light weight can take you places. The pad can fit in your hiking gear, and can also fit in ultralight camping tents.

Unique Features

Some of the ProLite mattresses’ unique features are what sets it apart from others just like it on the market.

Comfort: Unlike its counterparts, the air construction sleeping pads, ProLite mattress offer a notably better comfort when camping on it. It has a flat surface and a self-inflating foam that plays a supporting role of providing comfort. What this means is that you can comfortably rest your body on this sleeping pad, either sleeping by side or against your back, without an adverse feeling of rocks or pebbles. Its self-inflating foam makes sure that it keeps the pad inflated at all times.

Furthermore, the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Sleeping Pad provides no bouncing sensation as is the case with other sleeping pads especially the air construction ones. Many campers have fallen in love with the ProLite’s firm and stable feeling. Moreover, the pad has a grip surface for a fixed position of sleeping.

Warmth: If you tell me about a sleeping mattress that fails to optimize warmth, I’d rather advise you sleep on the ground of your tent. Warmth is critical and paramount, especially when taking into consideration the cold midnights in the wilderness. All you need is a warm sleeping pad that has a high heat retention to avoid unnecessary convective heat loss.

ProLite comes with an R-value of 2.4, and temperature usage range of 28 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. With these features, the mattress is sure to keep you cool and warm. But, a word of advice, do a thorough research about the temperature fluctuations of your desired hiking destinations and then act accordingly to pair the mattress with some blankets or sleeping bags for an added warmth.

Self-Inflating : Perhaps or arguably the most attractive feature in this sleeping mattress is its self-inflating feature. Imagine that moment you’re tired from a long distance hike, and then be faced with a non-self-inflating mattress to blow air into. That would be too much of a tedious work. ProLite mattress is self-inflating within the first 10 minutes of unfolding it from your backpack, although it doesn’t self-inflate to the maximum level. You only need a minimal blow to complete the inflation process. Then you’ll be all set up to sleep on your mattress.

It is also compressible in case you want to re-pack it and move to the next destination. But if you remain fixed at a designated campsite, we reckon you store it inflated to avoid the energy exhaustion of having to prepare it daily. ProLite sleeping mat scores high with this feature because majority of sleeping pads needs a tremendous blow to inflate them.

Pack size: With a diagonally-cut foam and a tapered shape, this sleeping mattress is compact and portable. The tapered shape eliminates unnecessary excess space at your legs. As thus, this makes it possible for the pad to be packed small. It comes with varying sizes, which include small, large, and regular.

Furthermore, the pad’s perforated foam construction trims the bulkiness that is seen in its predecessors. Its compressibility feature also plays a great role in its compact packable size. The stuff sack is provided to store the mat.

Versatility: It will be such a pleasure knowing that you can use your sleeping mattress in a wide range of applications or surfaces. Almost in every kind of hiking or backpacking, you can rely on ProLite mattress. Some of its uses include the following:

• Laying it in an ultralight camping tent
• Laying it directly on the ground on any surface when taking a rest during hiking
• Laying it in your car to take a nap
• Use it indoors in your household

Now that you are well-hooked up with the most paramount features of this mattress, let’s unfold more of its technical aspects and many more in the review below. We have also discussed related products that can be paired with this mattress for a complete preparation for your hiking. Some of the accessories may warrant this sleeping pad’s use in the winter season.

Value for Money and Guarantee

The mattress costs around $60 and $173. The prices vary according to the size of the mattress purchased. Additional costs may be incurred if you consider supplementing the sleeping pad with other products for an extra warmth, particularly for winter use. For instance, a compressible pillow from Therm-a-Rest can cost between $12 to $86, a Kelty Cosmic sleeping bag between $150 to $350, and another mattress from Therm-a-Rest between $35 to $115.

Spending such a whopping large sum of money is a good investment for outdoor enthusiasts. These products are durable, so you won’t have to return to the store anytime soon unless if it’s a factory, but that can be fixed by the supplier or the seller.

As you have seen in this review, this self-inflating mattress is a perfect companion for hikers who plan to blaze some hot trails in between spring and fall.  And it’s not only hikers who can enjoy the ProLite mattress, anyone who loves the great outdoors, whether its campers, bikers and hunters, can benefit from it.

And why not? It is lightweight, comfortable and warm. One thing to note about its warmth, though, is that during the extremely cold winter months, the mattress needs to be paired with other blankets and a sleeping bag to achieve optimal warmth.

And the fact that it is also compact is a huge plus, meaning that when it is compressed it should fit right in with the rest of your gear without forcing you to leave anything behind. On top of that, you have the durability of the mattress to consider as well. Its 50 denier polyester exterior is tough and can withstand multiple outdoor trips while being soft and comfortable on the body.

Sometimes, manufacturers have to sacrifice one or the other, but this is not the case here. All these features add up to one mattress that we’d recommend to bring with you on your next outdoor adventure.

Based on our unbiased review of this product, we guarantee that you will not be disappointed with the product now that you know where its strengths and weaknesses lie. You don’t have to sleep on the hard ground next time you need a rest during your hiking or camping trip; you just need this mattress instead to ensure you get adequate rest.

Sleeping is the best thing for making us capable of doing things right, and it also makes us feel great throughout the day. When sleepless night occurs, we all have intense mood and all the things make us feeling nervous and distracted. So, we have to invest in our sleeping mattress not only in our sleeping room in the home, but also when we are in our favorite outdoor location, in order to avoid the inconvenient situations and provide a better quality of the upcoming day.

We are here to help you choose the most convenient sleeping mat on the market. More precisely, we will present to you one of our finest choices, and we would be grateful if you share your opinion with us and tell us if you like our suggested product.

With that being said, we can start our review. A Sleeping mat is one of the tools that you have to put on your outdoor equipment list. But, since there are many types of sleeping mats that you can find it on the market, how to know which one to choose?

The best ones are those called inflatable sleeping mats. The fact that they are using the air as an insulator from the ground, is an excellent point that makes them one of the best offered. This mark provides greater comfort, and that is what you should be looking for. The Sea to Summit Ultra Light Mat is our choice, and we will create a list with its features.

It is a good product for any outdoor activity, more precisely, for light weather conditions like those trips in late spring and hot summer nights. You can also use it for your scouting activities. It offers a great comfort too, and you can buy it for an affordable price.

As you continue to read the chapters below, you will decide if this Sea to Summit Ultra-Light Mat matches your needs and if it is a perfect choice when compared to the alternative products.

Review

Packaging

This Sea to summit sleeping mat is part of the ultra light series that packs in minimum volume and minimal weight. The air sprung cells are contributing to this feature, while maintaining the support of the mat. Comparing to air mats with baffles or tubes, this sleeping mat is lighter, therefore more suitable for your backpacking gear.

However, what’s impressive is that the pressure support it is providing is also better than the tube mats. It is the only type of mat in which every individual cell could absorb individually the pressure without distributing it to the closest cell. Having this in mind, we definitely recommend this sleeping mat for your next backpacking trip.

This sleeping mat is also pretty thin which is why we don’t recommend it for rocky terrains. However, it is perfect for flat surfaces. Nevertheless, most air sleeping mats are not recommended for rocky terrains and the ones that are don’t last a long time. Because of its thickness, we recommend this sleeping mat for stomach and back sleepers. However, for the side sleepers, it might feel a bit uncomfortable depending on the ground and your own preferences.

Design and durability

The inner design of the Sea to Summit sleeping mat is responsible for its remarkable features that are incomparable to other products on the market. Having this in mind, the most important feature this Sea to Summit sleeping mat possesses is the Air sprung cells. The air sprung cells are allowing the user a better support and they are making sure you don’t end up touching the ground with your body. They do so, by copying the individual coil system in sprung mattresses.

This means that the pressure that your body is making when sleeping on the mat is distributed evenly throughout the entire mat. Even more, the pressure which is applied to one air sprung cell don’t affect other cells. For this reason, the weight is distributed evenly and you are left with a high quality mat and a good night’s sleep.

The manufacturing technology Sea to Summit is using in the manufacturing process of this sleeping mat is aeronautical grade, which means that it is a highly durable product that you are going to use for years to come. Mouth inflation is usually being avoided by the sleeping mats manufacturers since there is a risk from internal mold growth. When you are inflating the mat, you are letting inside a moist and bacteria rich air which over time could lead to mold growth that could infect you if used continuously.

However, the Sea to Summit are using a specific design that is preventing this process. They are using liquid anti-microbial treatment in the form of TPU bonds, that is sticking to the shell of the fabric and is creating a protective layer that is acting as a barrier between the bacteria and the shell of the fabric. This is allowing you to use the mat for a long time, without the risk of growing mold inside and having to get rid of it after a while.

Insulation

The Sea to Summit sleeping mat is made from high quality nylon material, more specifically 40 denier ripstop fabric which is contributing to the lightness of it. However, this material is also very durable and it is somewhat resistant to damage. Even though these features might come very useful in warm weather conditions, the insulation is not one of them. Its thin material, is usually making the users doubt whether it is going to get punctured or not.

However, as long as you use it on the leaves or dirt, you have nothing to worry about. It will serve you for many wilderness trips to come. The thinness of the material also means that you would be nice and warm, but only if the ground underneath is warm. When the temperatures drop, you will need a different type of material with heavier insulation properties.

Nevertheless, even though the material is thin, compressing it and packing it to the small sack might be a bit more difficult. It requires that all the air is pushed out of the mat and no one likes this activity. However, the comfort during the night is making up to the lack of insulation, at least in spring time.

Warmth

Even though the temperature rating is not mentioned in the manufacturer’s specifications, this is spring and summer sleeping mat. Even though its comfortableness is indisputable, this is not an insulated pad for cold weather conditions. If you are looking for such item, look through our other pad reviews. Its R value is 0,7 which makes it less of an insulator between you and the cold ground and more of a supportive pad that will keep you comfortable throughout the night.

Comfort

The comfort of the Sea to summit sleeping mat is greatly connected to the intensity of inflation that you choose to do. The inflation and deflation process is usually the main issue with the air mats, which greatly affects the comfort level. However, the Sea to Summit inflation system is easy to use and quite effective and, most importantly, it stays the same for the entire night. This ensures that you start with a certain comfort of your choice and wake up with the same one in the morning.

For this reason, they are pending their patent approval, which would make them the only company using such inflation system. The mat contains low profile valves and this is the main reason why the inflation and deflation are occurring faster than with any competitive model. There is also a possibility of tuning your comfort level, which means that you could sleep on a harder surface by inflating it more or a softer one with only 30 seconds of inflation.

In order to do so, this mat is equipped with the Sea to Summit pump which is completely electronic free, even though it is as effective as an electronic pump. The inflation process wouldn’t require you more than 1 minute even if you intend on inflating it hard. It would only require 8 to 12 full breaths, so there is no risk of fainting while inflating it as it is the case in some competitive products. The deflation process, however, is even faster and it takes only few seconds.

Water resistance

This sleeping mat also comes with a high quality sack, which is made from nylon material. This makes the sack completely waterproof and breathable. It is important for the packaging sack to be breathable because if it gets wet for any reason, it will partly dry itself while you are transporting it.

However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t dry it out before compressing it; drying it out on the sun is always necessary. A 3M kit for repairing the mat is also included in the package. The kit contains 6 patches, and one spare silicone valve insert which works one way.

Noise

The main issue with air pads, is their noise, when you are moving in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, Sea to Summit hasn’t solved this issue and it is a bit noisy if you are a restless sleeper. However, there are mats that are more noisy, so it is not too bad. If you are a tight sleeper though, this sleeping mat would be ideal for you.

Unique features

Ultralight: This sleeping mat’s main advantage compared to similar models on the market is its weight which is considerably lighter. It owes this feature to the thinness of the mat itself and its durable material. The material is durable enough so that it won’t get damaged easily, yet it is light enough so that you have a considerable lower amount of weight on your back during your trip to the nature.

Inflation and deflation: Sea to Summit have recognized their leading feature and failed a patent request for their inflation and deflation technology. With the help of multi function valves, the inflation and deflation process is very fast and effortless. As mentioned before, the process itself, doesn’t take more than a minute and only 8 to 12 mouth inflations depending on your preferences for the sleeping mat’s hardness.

Air sprung cells: The air sprung cells is a feature that is bringing this sleeping mat to the top between its competitor’s models. The cells have an involvement in the packed volume of the sleeping mat as well as its minimum weight properties. They also let it operate as a pocket sprung mattress which means that the support they are providing is incomparable with any other model on the market.

Value for Money & Guarantee

The Sea to Summit provides a great value for the price offered, at least if you use it as recommended. If you try using a sleeping mat such as this one on colder weather, or on rocky terrain you will of course be dissatisfied. However, when used right, you will definitely be amazed by the features and comfort it has to offer.

It provides the user a wonderful experience, starting from your trip, all the way to the top of the mountain. It will not let you down and it will prove to you that there is a possibility that a product is both lightweight and with an excellent quality.

If you have ever spent a restless night on an uncomfortable sleeping pad, you are ready to go through every buying guide available online. Hopefully this buying guide gave you an answer to all of your questions and doubts regarding sleeping pads intended for hikers, backpacker, and campers. You have certainly learned about which mat to take on a long expedition and which mats are more suitable for a one night sleep.

Presented above are all the features and the downsides of this product. We have included our own review as well as the opinions of the other users. It is up to you to choose the lightest, cheapest or the best version of a mat, according to your own opinion and your needs.

The trick in finding the best option for you is always measuring the pros and cons and whether the pros are compatible with your needs. One product could have all the desirable features, but if those are not suitable for your trip, every feature it has is redundant. Therefore, above all, you should consider your trip’s conditions and decide accordingly.

Sleeping bags for tent or car camping are essential requisites when one is planning to explore the great outdoors. A distinct advantage that is connected to the use of these bags is their ability to ensure you always have a peaceful night’s sleep so you can wake up feeling energized and ready come the following day. No one would like to remain awake the entire night, tossing and turning due to the cold that penetrates their sleeping gear, as such experiences would render them ineffective the next day.

The right sleeping bag, such as one like the Nemo Women’s Rhapsody 30, should be one that packs with ease, is durable, comfortable, and versatile enough to use in multi day trips. When it comes to backpacking, durability is of great importance if you intend to use your gear for camping in different seasons.

Nemo Equipment now provides one of the best women sleeping bags for cold weather conditions, the world has ever seen – the Nemo Rhapsody Sleeping Bag! Side sleepers can now rejoice in this gear. If sleeping bags drive you crazy, then you will love this spoon-shaped bag which offers extra wiggle room for the knees and elbows. Shorter in length compared to the men’s Nocturne, its hourglass contours of this model are designed for the female anatomy.

The ultra soft nylon taffeta liner fabric, the quilted construction that features DownTek, and a cozy blanket fold at the neck section deliver a touch of comfort and luxury to your nights in the woods. The Nemo Rhapsody makes it possible for you to sit Indian-style inside your tent, so you don’t have to leave the warmth offered by the bag.

Review

Packaging

Your sleeping bag will come packed down to save space while shipping, at dimensions of 19 x 11 x 9 inches. The box will weigh about 3 pounds. Inside of the box, you will find the Rhapsody 30 sleeping bag, along with a compression stuff sack and a cotton storage sack.

Design and Durability

The main feature of the Rhapsody is the spoon shape that creates wide elbows, slims down at the hip section, and widens back out at the knee. The contour model of this sleeping bag allows for sufficient knee space and considers both the side and stomach sleepers.

While in this bag, you will be able to shift positions and move about without any restrictions, ensuring you have a comfortable night’s sleep. As opposed to mummy bags, the design of the Rhapsody ensures your sleep is not interrupted each time you toss or turn during sleep.

Despite the numerous advantage the bag presents, the spare “dead space” in the product makes it hard to retain warmth with body heat, therefore, it’s imperative to be keen on the comfort rating of the bag over the actual temperature rating. You will notice this loss in warmth in hammock camping, and for that reason, the Rhapsody would be much suited for car or tent camping where you depend on a mat or a pad beneath to keep you insulated.

Since the Rhapsody comes in both regular and long fit, you will be pleased to have a bag that offers a lot of space from head to toe. The bag’s pillow pocket is also an important feature worth noting as this can be filled with clothes, and gets rid of the necessity to carry a dedicated pillow.

Its blanket fold, is designed to wrap around the neck and protect you from the outside flow of air and is also a feature worth noting for the Rhapsody bag. A draw cord is also included to cinch down the hood so you can enhance the coziness of your sleeping bag.

Comfort

The Nemo Rhapsody sleeping bag is extremely comfortable, mainly due to their Spoon Shape style. Instead of narrowing as it approaches the bottom, like in the case of the mummy design, the knee box section opens up to make room for more space. This implies that during cold weather conditions, there are plenty of pockets inside the sleeping bag to warm up using your body heat.

Moreover, with the vertical baffle model, the opportunities of the down in the bag being displaced with time is much less. With time, this bag looks like it would hold up better compared to other products. The extra space inside the bag is sufficient to allow you to roll around when sleeping.

Space and Weight

Offering space, where it’s most needed, the Nemo Rhapsody Sleeping Bag by Nemo Equipment is broad at the elbows, tapers down on the hips, and widens again for maximum knee space. In comparison to the mummy-style bags that taper around the hip section and get narrower downwards, you will find that the Rhapsody offers more comfort due to the flexibility of movement.

If you are a person who loves sleeping on your back, the mummy models will not bother you; however, if you like sleeping on your side, you will require a bag that allows you to move comfortably without any restrictions. The Rhapsody makes it possible for you to shift and move your knees as you sleep rather than finding yourself awake because you are twisted in a disastrous position.

While the bag works perfectly if you are of average height, it can be a little tight if you have broad shoulders. In addition to that, the construction of Nemo Rhapsody keeps the down in position, preventing it from shifting about when you are snoozing. The extra space at the bottom of Nemo Rhapsody results in extra weight.

While a regular bag is two pounds, six ounces, and the long one is two Pounds, eleven ounces, this gear probably isn’t the right bag if you are an ultralight, backpacking extremist. As an enthusiastic backpacker, this is something you can frequently take on your backpacking expeditions. One of the benefits of the mummy bags is their lightweight feature, which makes them possible to strap on the back along with other backpacking equipment.

Waterproofness

While down bags are usually doomed when they come into contact with wetness, the Nemo Rhapsody 15 features a waterproof coating on the back side. The coating functions in conjunction with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, help to protect the product from tent condensation. This bag used with the Aqua-Quest “Single Pole” Breathable and Waterproof Ultralight Bivvy Bivouac could be a combination made in heaven.

Value for the Money and Guarantee

The value for the money on this bag is great compared to others! It does its job at a low cost that will not break the bank, allowing you more funds for that long backpacking trip you want to go on.

You will also like the guarantee as well, as Nemo offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, meaning if you are not fully happy with your brand new sleeping bag, you can return it and begin searching for a bag that better suits your needs before you go on your highly anticipated adventure!

There are various features designed by Nemo, which you may enjoy. The Blanket Fold at the neck region is suitable for trapping in warm air from the body’s heat and protecting against the outside cold. This particular feature is also useful against windy conditions. There is also a hidden zipper pocket that you can use to store additional objects such as your extra ear plugs just in case your camping colleagues like to saw logs during their sleep.

When it comes to sleeping bags, temperature rating is usually significant as a wrong option will leave you sweating buckets or shivering in the cold. A 750-fill duck down is always considered warm even in freezing conditions. Created with DownTek^TM nanotechnology, the fifteen-degree rating is somewhat ambitious, particularly with respect to the extra room down on the bottom. This feature compromises its thermal efficiency. Therefore, giving it some additional degree ratings is probably an accurate way of going about it.

The Nemo Rhapsody 15 features a tuckable Blanket Fold hood. This flap of fabric is insulated and can be wrapped around the neck to block drafts and ensure you remain extra toasty. The Blanket Fold is celebrated as one of the best features that come with the Rhapsody. When cinched via drawcord, the hood is not as comfortable, but this aspect improves when left open. Therefore, the fabric flap is very useful when you want to open the hood and do not want to wake up with a neck stiffened by the cold.

Other features of the Rhapsody include a pocket for storing your clothes or a pillow. The pillow pocket will, in fact, amaze you with what it can do as most sleeping bags do not this feature. Additionally, there is a zippered pocket where you can store your phone, so it’s possible to hear the alarm in the morning. There are also a roll-top compression sack and a storage bag.

The Nemo Rhapsody Sleeping Bag is a women’s gear. But men, the manufacturer make a brother to the Rhapsody – the Nocturne, so you are not left behind. The company’s innovative approach to outdoor sleep system makes the bag worth every cent, especially if you’re tired of being tangled up in the traditional designs.