Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Thermarest Trail Lite?

Just purchased one of these. Whats your opinion or experience with the trail lite?

It's the latest incarnation of the standard, old school Thermarest. Good pad. Heavy.

However, once you go Neoair you'll never go back... far more comfortable, lighter (and more expensive of course)...

I've used nothing but a RidgeRest over the years. Last time I used it a few months ago, my hips were killing me in the morning (getting old).

I looked at the NeoAir and couldn't decide between getting the 20" regular or the 25" large for several more ounces.

Any thoughts?

Go Large... once it's inflated it shrinks by several inches all around.

Thanks. Large was my first choice, too, but the older I get the heavier my pack feels.

I was at a Gander Mountain store two days ago and saw NeoAir stuff sacks for regular pads on a clearance rack for $4. I almost made my decision to buy a regular-sized pad based on the ability to save $10 or $15 on a stuff sack. Pretty dumb logic....

Funny, I found a website that gave comparisons of lots of backpacking pads. I saw the Thermarest Prolite Plus was the same R value and the same thickness as the Trail Lite, but the Pro Lite Plus was less weight and packed smaller. Called the store I got the Trail Lite and they had the Prolite Plus on sale...
So, after an exchange I have a Prolite Plus...

I like it a lot all ready.

Beware that stated R-values translate poorly to reality. Get some time with them and you'll know what works well and when.

Thats why I now pack an Exped Downmat and love it. I've slept on top of snow in it down to 20 degrees and been nice and toasty.

I fail to see how any aircore, with nothing in it, has any R value thats not based purely on fiction.



That said, I'm shopping for a pad for this summer when I thru hike The Bob. and the Thermarest on on top of a very short list

Reflective barriers work, but it remains to be seen "how well" they work in a sleeping pad. For me the Neoair is far ahead of the Exped in terms of comfort (I don't like longitudinal baffles) but not everyone feels the same.

Another happy Downmat user here. The thing flat out rocks. Warm and more comfortable than my bed at home.

Heavish though and more than is needed for early season stuff. I'll be getting a Neoair to try out for that stuff. Haven't decided which one yet...

For real cold I carry a 1/4" Evazote pad anyway... put it on top of the inflatable.

I think that's exactly right.

I guess I am less picky about my sleep. I like Big Agnes pads with the longitudinal baffles just as well as my Neo Air with the horizontal ones. I also use a simple size short/small neo air and find it works find with my pack to support my legs. Don't notice and difference in quality of sleep between the shorty Neo or the full size one, or even the full size Big Anges IACs.

alaska lanche
we should all be so lucky!
I need 2.5- 3.5 inch pad to go with my back nowadays.
Think Kooka bay

I slept on a 3/8" Ensolite pad into my early 30's.

I'll be 51 in June... I notice all manner of differences now.

You'll see

No doubt, I'll enjoy it while I can. My 27 year old bones are pretty tolerant right now. No doubt if you double my age, you'd find me packing size large air pad as well.

I hear that getting old stuff ain't for sissies.

I like the large Neo Air, but more times than not I use the medium (60".) I've got over 50 nights on one and I sleep as good as I do in my bed and I'll be 55 this year.

A good nights sleep is something I will always carry extra weight for, but I still try to go as light as possible.

My thoughts exactly. Exped has become my go to...side sleeper and need more conformity that 1 inch pad can give. I agree it is a little heavier and space consuming, but I find that I can make up for a bit of the loss in a lighter sleeping bag.

My best sleep in the back country comes on a Large Neoair. I'm not one of those guys who cuts the handle off his toothbrush to save a little weight, I leave the whole thing at home to save all of it. The Neoair on the other-hand is worth every ounce, especially on multi-day outings.

I've also got the NeoAir pad in large and love it. For a few more ounces i've got an extra 5" in width and now they make these things in 2.5" thickness compared to my old Prolite 4, which was only 1.5" and 20" wide.

As soon as they get them in stock i'm getting the new NeoAir X-Lite for the wife, also in large.