Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pads

Featured review by Twig

The Z-Seat is a lightweight and inexpensive piece of camp furniture. It will never replace the comfort of a camp chair, but it's also multipurpose, simple, and easy to carry for thousands of miles.

  Accordion-folding foam pads are a ubiquitous piece of gear that have been around for a long time. The Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat is a pared-down version of the popular Z Lite pad. Both utilize the same materials, but the Z-Seat has more compact folds and sections. (As an aside, an old Z Lite pad can be cut into several sit pads...I've seen these in hiker boxes, just waiting to be repurposed.) The Z-Seat is widely imitated and available online, often for less than $5. I've used both the Z-Seat and non-branded knock-offs and there is a difference in the material, size, and weight of each.

Read more: Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat reviews (7)

Featured review by Crjdirt

Better than I thought it would be!

I got sick of slow leaks in my sleeping pads and decided to give the Therm-a-Rest Z-lite a try. It is about half as comfortable as an inflatable pad but I'm surprised how tolerable half as comfortable is. I do not rely on just this pad for more than a night or two but one to two nights and I’m ok with it. Even my newest (expensive) inflatable is leaking air; I’ll never have to worry about that with the Z-lite. For uber-comfortable sleeping, I use the Z-lite as a base and an inflatable strapped to my sleeping bag over the top – the Z-lite blocks rocks, twigs, and the cold, and adds a little padding, the inflatable adds the real cushion.

Read more: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite reviews (26)

Featured review by Mangus7175

As a backpacker on a budget, the Z Lite is a very good choice for both the experienced and novice backpacker. This pad has provided me ample backside insulation and has taken all the trail abuse I have put it through. It packs fast and weighs under a pound but packs large compared to inflatable pads.

Prior to purchasing the Z Lite, I wanted to find a good quality sleeping pad that met both my comfort needs as well as my wallet needs. Looking through the various options, I finally decided to purchase the Z Lite due to the accordion style packability, the trusted thermarest name, and ultimately the price.   This pad has come along with me on various trips and it hasn't failed me yet.  It's very convenient to deploy on stops and when setting up camp for the day.  This pad has truly taken the trail abuse and it is still going strong.

Read more: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol reviews (4)

Featured review by Bruce Lymburn

I took this 1/8" pad on a 10 day trek on the John Muir Trail in August 2008. I intended to use it for a bit of ground insulation, but I ended up using it for a lot more.We all want to get comfortable when taking a break on the trail, but often that is hard to do. Sharp rocks and pine needles, pebbles, etc. -- ouch. The answer: this pad.I packed it at the top of my pack, folded up, and grabbed it whenever I took a break. I would sit on it or lie on it: instant comfort. It took a bit of wear and tear from this use, but that's OK -- better wear and tear on it than on me.At only about 2 oz., this is a no-brainer.

Read more: Gossamer Gear ThinLight 1/8" Insulation Pad reviews (4)

Reviewed by David

This is the NatureHike brand CCF sleeping pad that is comparable to the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol, complete with the aluminum coating on one side. At only $16.83, including shipping, it's a great deal. I held the NatureHike side-by-side with the Therm-a-Rest, and it's the same in all the dimensions, except mine is blue instead of the yellow Therm-a-Rest.

I needed a CCF pad, and didn't want to pay $40 for the Therm-a-Rest. I found this one online, and took a chance. It was $16.83 including the shipping. It arrived in a mesh carrying case, which I promptly discarded. It is equally as comfortable as the comparable Therm-a-Rest.  As for warmth, you can feel a noticeable difference between the aluminum coated side and the other side. That shiny coating reflects your body heat back at you. So, I'll probably flip it depending on the conditions.  I used the pad heavily on a recent 60-mile AT backpacking trip, and it shows no signs of excessive wear.

Read more: Naturehike Egg Crate Style Anti-Moisture Pad review (1)

Reviewed by JRinGeorgia

The Dutchware Gear folding sit pad is ultra lightweight, durable, multi-use, and cheap. It provides a lot of basic functionality -- at this weight, size, and price there’s no reason to not carry one.

This is a review of the Dutchware Gear folding sit pad. Dutchware sells mostly accessories for camping but also offers a limited selection of shelters, tarps, quilts, and hammocks. I am not affiliated with Dutchware Gear in any way. For the sit pad I paid the current price of $6.75+shipping. Product found at: http://www.dutchwaregear.com/folding-sit-pad.html This is a great piece of gear that checks off many boxes. It’s ultra lightweight, durable multi-use, and cheap. It weighs only two-thirds of an ounce (about 18 grams, less than the weight of four nickels).

Read more: DutchWare Folding Sit Pad review (1)

Reviewed by Herdingcats

EvoPad (with Evozote) by ProLite Gear is a high-performing closed cell foam (CCF) sleeping pad worth looking into. If I can afford the extra bulk and weight of this pad, I take it every chance I get.

Here's a pic of my pad next to my summit pack. Sorry it's sideways. The original is "right-side-up", but this site turns it automatically. ProLite Gear certainly isn't the only gear company offering Evozote pads. Other companies that come to mind are Gossamer Gear and MEC from Canada (MEC's are a very cool "hardman" yellow at over 6 ounces for the 5mm ... though the Gossamer Gear 1/8" version is MUCH lighter than any other at less than 3 ounces for full size and it can be rolled up and folded into a cube for inside-pack storage — that's a difficult decision if you can appreciate the 70's homage to "hardman yellow", but for performance I think the Gossamer Gear version may take the prize).

Read more: ProLite Gear EvoPad review (1)

Featured review by GaryPalmer

This product doesn't have a brand name. It's the good old Ensolite Pad, or at least that's what I have always called it. Anyway for those looking for a very durable pad to sleep on, this is it. It doesn't require inflation, it holds its own a long time and it's cheap! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a warm sleeping pad that is super light. Adding: I once bought a sleeping pad for my camp trips, that was in 1978, and I still use the same pad now for 35 years. I will most likely die on it if I am not working and renting like this year. I am thankful Patsy,my land owner for living in this trailer, my home these last 4 months with 1-2 more. I plan to stay quite a while if possible. In 2 1/2 months tho I am going to stop working until summer again 2014. But by those two and a half months, I will have saved enough to live here by paying rent, but instead of going to work I am going to travel with either my bike or my backpack and be gone at times for a couple weeks, but usually 1 day to 8 nights, camping and being myself instead of an employed worker. I want to see and learn about Sh*t as much as I can in this one lifetime, cause I think if there truely is a heaven then it will be like Eden before the fall of Adam and Eve, or when our first ancestors swam in the sea, or took the the air. Or slit away from the Big Bang, it all works out for me. Understand? I feel I have been on a journey that started in my mothers Womb (THANKS, MOM!) :) and has not quit, tho I have had and quit many a job, about 90 jobs(?) but have spent 97% of my time outdoors "Outdoors". The most fasinating thing, even if I cant speel that word.

I have used my Ensolite Pad since 1978 (or 34 years). It has held up very well considering it's been all over the USA including Alaska. It's made of a closed cell foam that is very lightweight. It doesn't require being inflated. It will take tons of thorns, goat heads, even your forgotten keys in your pocket can't harm this beauty! Usually it comes in only one color, which is Blue. It's about 1/4 inch thick and is about 6 foot long x 2 feet wide. It weighs about 1 pound or less. Mine cost me $5 in 1978 and I have seen them for as much as $10 in stores.

Read more: Ensolite Sleeping Pad reviews (3)

Featured review by Dr. Bryan

Great lightweight alternative to Therm-a-Rest!!

Have been looking for a lightweight closed cell pad that would give me some extra padding, especially if my inflatable pad failed. My sleep system has been constantly refined over last two years. The Nemo Insulated Tensor is by far the most comfortable, warmest, and best weight advantage in an inflatable pad for me. As a light, cold sleeper, the crinkly noise with Therm-a-Rest simply did not work for me and I've tried literally about a dozen from Exped, Big Agnes, and Therm-a-Rest. In addition, I wanted extra padding and a barrier against cold ground.

Read more: Mammut Alpine Mat UL reviews (2)

Reviewed by G00se

An ultra-light (7oz) , minimalist sleeping pad that surprised me with both its quality and its price ($12).

Anyone seeking to move into ultralight camping or simply lighten their pack load should seriously consider buying this inexpensive little gem of a sleeping pad. If after spending $12-$14 you don't like it, you won't feel buyer's remorse. First off, I would have never bought one of these on my own. Every pad I've ever used says "Therm A Rest" on it. When my son won one of these in Cub Scouts about a year ago, my first thought was, "Groan...ANOTHER sleeping pad. How many do we need in this family!" Then I threw it into my hammock to try it out—and my son has never seen it since (you can definitely use it on the ground as well—that is what it was designed for).

Read more: Wenzel Camp Pad review (1)