Therm-a-Rest
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol
Where it fits
- Also works for
- Backpacking and wild camping
- Not for
- Bikepacking, Winter mountain
Why these labels
- Backpacking and wild camping: Light to carry: 0.4 kg
- Bikepacking: Bulky for bike bags: packs to 9.28 litres
- Winter mountain: R-value 2: too little insulation on frozen ground
From the maker's stated use and the published specs.
- Summer wild camp: 4/10 UK, roughly May to September, nights above about 8 °C, sheltered pitches.
- Three-season hills: 4/10 UK hills in spring and autumn. Wind, rain, and nights near freezing. Below this trip's minimum: needs warmth 5+ (R 3 or more).
- Winter camp: 4/10 UK winter or high ground. Below freezing, strong wind, possibly snow. Below this trip's minimum: needs warmth 7+ (R 4 or more).
- Weight: 8/10 How much it adds to your pack, compared with the whole market.
R-value 2 (ASTM).
Summer wild camps where you want a mat that can never go flat
- Type
- Foam
- R-value
- 2 (ASTM)
- Weight
- 410 g (Regular)
- Thickness
- 2 cm
- Size
- 183 x 51 cm
Packed size 9.28 L, 51 x 14 x 13 cm Compare with a 2-litre bottle
About one and a half 2-litre bottles long and a bit wider than one. Drawn to scale.
Where to buy
Cotswold Outdoor £49.95 In stock. Delivery £6.95. Free Click & Collect.
View at shop: Cotswold OutdoorEllis Brigham £60 In stock. Delivery £4.95.
View at shop: Ellis BrighamPrices checked 8 Nov 2026 on each shop's own page; shops can change them. We earn no commission on these links; shops are listed by price. More
Our ratings (out of 10)
1 to 10, compared with the whole market. Each says what it's based on. How we score
Warmth
From maker's figures 3/10How well it stops the cold ground chilling you. 3: Below average. Fine for some trips, not others.
Maker's R-value of 2.0 (Therm-a-Rest's FAQ says it rates its pads to ASTM F3340-18) sits in the R 2–2.9 band: fine for summer nights, not enough alone for spring, autumn or winter.
Thickness
From maker's figures 2/10How deep it is. Deeper is comfier, above all for side sleepers. 2: A weak point.
2 cm thick.
Quietness
Estimate from maker's specs: foam mats make no noise 8/10How little it crinkles or squeaks when you turn over. 8: Clearly better than most.
A foam mat makes no noise when you turn over.
Weight
From maker's figures 8/10How much it adds to your pack. 8: Clearly better than most.
410 g sits in the 400–549 g band.
Packed size
From maker's figures 1/10How much room it takes in or on your rucksack. 1: A real weak point.
Folds to a block 51 x 13 x 14 cm: 51 x 13 x 14 = 9,282 cm³, so 9.3 L, in the 7 L+ band. It rides on the outside of a rucksack.
What reviewers say (out of 10)
Ratings marked * are from reviews and are not part of the trip score. They are reviewers' scores, not our own measurements. How we score
Comfort*
Reviewers' average 5/10How comfy it is, including for side sleepers.
4 reviews on comfort, e.g. "sleeping on 2cm of foam padding will never be as comfortable as sleeping on 8cm of lofty air, but nevertheless we still slept pretty well".
Stability*
Estimate: only 1 review about stability (fewer than the 3 we need, so never above 8) 8/10How well you stay on it without rolling off or bouncing.
1 review on stability, e.g. "Generously sized at 51 x 183 cm and 2 cm thick means I don’t ‘roll off’".
In short
Good for
- Summer wild camps where you want a mat that can never go flat
- Back sleepers and anyone happy on a firm bed
- Adding warmth and puncture protection under an air mat in cold weather
- A quick sit-down pad at lunch stops
Strengths
- Very tough: no valve, no seams, and it still works if it gets ripped
- Light for a full-length mat and cheap next to air mats
- Nothing to inflate: unfold it and lie down in seconds
- Adds about R 2 and protects your air mat when used underneath it
Weaknesses
- Thin and firm, so side sleepers often feel their hips and rocky ground
- R 2.0 is only enough on its own for warm summer nights
- Bulky when folded (about 9 L), so it has to be strapped to the outside of your rucksack
- The foam slowly flattens with heavy use and loses some cushioning
- Some shops and reviewers list a higher R 2.6; we use the maker's own R 2.0
Sources
We haven't tested this ourselves. Every score comes from these specs, tests and reviews.
ShowHide sources (6)
- Therm-a-Rest: Z Lite SOL Sleeping Pad specifications
- CleverHiker: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Review
- Backpackers.com: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Review
- Better Trail: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Review
- Advnture: Thermarest Z-lite Sol sleeping pad review
- Australian Hiker: Therm-a-rest Z Lite Sol Review