Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 Fast & Light Mattress (Large) Reviews

• Awesome... but get the larger one!

  
  By A183X9QA3X5V34 on 2007-01-14
  I love this this product!
  
  At some stage I think you have to make the decision that you're going to spend the extra $20-$50 (depending on where you live!) to buy a decent product that's going to go the distance. There are similar mats made from different material that weigh more and are larger... but remember you're going to be carrying this on your back, and every gram of weight does add to your discomfort. They'll also only last half as long and not provide anywhere near as good insulation as this product. The Therm-a-rest is light, easy to use and store, extremely durable under tougher conditions and provides a soft and comfortable sleep. It's more expensive but that's because it's top of the line and an excellent product.
  
  You can cheap out by getting the slightly smaller one of these mats, but why? With this little beauty it's going to last you 10 years plus so why have cold feet or have parts of your body touching the ground? Originally I did hum and har about my decision to spend the extra bucks (it is $220 in my currency), however, after buying it, I'm so glad I did and the Therm-a-rest 4 set a new standard now for me... I made a decision now to just spend the extra $$ to get top class gear. If you need to save the $, look for where you can get the top class product a little cheaper.
  
  You can buy a whole heap of camping and hiking gear that's 20-50% less in price but not the same quality. It lasts you half the time, is nowhere near as comfortable or durable, doesn't handle the water or non ordinary conditions so well, and is more bulky in or on your pack and weighs more. If you love your camping or hiking spend the extra few bucks and really enjoy yourself with first class gear.
  
  Grab the stuff sack as well, sure it costs a few $ more to get the branded one but it's made to fit this mat. Fits a gem. And it really does compact down into a tiny space for the size of the mat you're getting and the level of comfort you will get by buying this model.
  
  Enjoy your adventure! You certainly will with the Therm-a-rest Prolite 4!
  
  HIGHLY recommended.
  
  

• A+++, would buy again.

  
  By A8PS6YTA2Y0UX on 2007-12-05
  Yes, it's expensive. But it weighs nothing, lasts forever, and is comfortable to sleep on in the backcountry.
  
  The Pro Lite goes with me backpacking, and has yet to let me down in the least. I paid for the matching stuff sack, which is a perfect fit. I've scratched it accidentally against a lot of rocks and thorns, and it's never torn or punctured. I've had this mat about three years so far, and would guess it'll probably last me ten at this rate.
  
  If you're looking for a mat for car camping - that is, camping near to where you park your car - take a look at the Thermarest Base Camp model instead. I have one of those, and it's more comfortable for me than the Pro Lite. I tend to sleep on my side, and am both heavy and thin, for what it's worth. (6'9", 200+ lbs)
  
  

• wonderfull

  
  By A2JYOE9OH5NU1J on 2006-08-22
  I bought the large one, I prefered instead the regular one in order to get few more inches of space for a few ounces weight, instead having problems when I go to sleep inside a Sleeping bag.
  
  I'ts very comfortable and it doesn't use a lot of space in your backpack
  
  This helps you in cold night to keep you warm because your body is not in contact with the surface (Floor, concrete, tent) remember that when you go camping you don't have your bed and if you dont have a good insulation betwen your sleeping bag and the surface, you will freeze.
  
  Just one tip: Buy also the stuff sack or make some one with a piece of Nylon Fabric, it will help you to protect it when you travel.
  
  
  
  

• Much better than I imagined.

  
  By A1P0QORNX6KN1U on 2007-05-24
  With several camping trips coming up, and knowing that I would be sleeping on the ground, I started looking for an alternative to my queen size blow up mattress. The old big mattress would leak air and by the time morning came my back would be screaming in pain. Even though there are many good reviews on the web about Therm-a-rest, I was still skeptical and expected to be wasting my money when I ordered the ProLite 4. I, however, was not disappointed. The thin mattress remained comfortably firm and I never touched the ground during the night. It is not real wide, but it does pack into a very small space. I only wish I had known about this company and mattress much earlier. I highly recommend it. If you have plenty of packing space, be sure to check out their comfort lines. If the ProLite series is this comfortable, I am sure that the thicker lines would be outstanding.
  
  

• Awesome!

  
  By A183X9QA3X5V34 on 2007-01-14
  I love this this product!
  
  At some stage I think you have to make the decision that you're going to spend the extra $20-$50 (depending on where you live!) to buy a decent product that's going to go the distance. There are similar mats made from different material that weigh more and are larger... but remember you're going to be carrying this on your back, and every gram of weight does add to your discomfort. They'll also only last half as long and not provide anywhere near as good insulation as this product. The Therm-a-rest is light, easy to use and store, extremely durable under tougher conditions and provides a soft and comfortable sleep. It's more expensive but that's because it's top of the line and an excellent product.
  
  You can cheap out by getting the slightly smaller one of these mats, but why? With this little beauty it's going to last you 10 years plus so why have cold feet or have parts of your body touching the ground? Originally I did hum and har about my decision to spend the extra bucks (it is $220 in my currency), however, after buying it, I'm so glad I did and the Therm-a-rest 4 set a new standard now for me... I made a decision now to just spend the extra $$ to get top class gear. If you need to save the $, look for where you can get the top class product a little cheaper.
  
  You can buy a whole heap of camping and hiking gear that's 20-50% less in price but not the same quality. It lasts you half the time, is nowhere near as comfortable or durable, doesn't handle the water or non ordinary conditions so well, and is more bulky in or on your pack and weighs more. If you love your camping or hiking spend the extra few bucks and really enjoy yourself with first class gear.
  
  Grab the stuff sack as well, sure it costs a few $ more to get the branded one but it's made to fit this mat. Fits a gem. And it really does compact down into a tiny space for the size of the mat you're getting and the level of comfort you will get by buying this model.
  
  Enjoy your adventure! You certainly will with the Therm-a-rest Prolite 4!
  
  HIGHLY recommended.
  
  
• Best pad ever!
  By AXG03E3MJKECP on 2006-05-08
  I use this pad everywhere I go. This pad will help keep you warm and get a good night sleep while you are on the trail. Very durable.
  
  
• Does the job, but a little small
  By A33OQCJ67HXBEN on 2007-09-27
  Overall a quality product - warm, light, easy to unpack and pack. You will need a stuff sack for it, and a matching one is available for about thirteen dollars. If you are over 5'2" you may find this mattress to be a bit short and may want to get the Large model.
  
  
• Awesome
  By A12PIPQZ554QU5 on 2007-10-03
  This is the best product one can buy within the realm of lightweight foam sleeping pads, and is by far the most comfortable pad I have used (that has wasn't goose down). If one can not enjoy this pad for its tremendous improvement s in both weight and comfort then they must not realize how bad other sleeping pads really are. I personally prefer this pad over the Thermarest ProLite 3, even for summer camping, simply due to the added comfort.
  
  
• I'd buy this again in a heartbeat
  By A3516H4E87477W on 2008-05-12
  Bought two - one for me and one for my 11 year old son. We go on 2-6 day backpacking trips in the PA mountains. These put a terrific space between you and the ground (even 35 degree concrete) and are comfortable for shifting and turing (if you're one of those people who lay on your sides every now and then in your sleep). They fold up compact and are easy to secure to the pack. They may weigh a few more ounces than other pads, and ounces are important on backpacking trips, but these are worth every penny and ounce. The construction of these isn't cheap - I have yet to have my (nylon) sleeping bag slide on this or to have this slide on the floor of the tent, and never lost any air. The screw-type valve is top notch. It will suck some air in when it is unrolled, but don't expect it to self inflate - you will have to blow air into it. But, no more than 20 good puffs are needed. Leave the valve open when rolling it up and roll it completely, then close the valve with a free hand when you secure the roll with a knee - it'll prevent any air from getting sucked back into it and provides a nice tight roll. This and my Jetboil are two items that will ALWAYS be with me on all of my trips.
  
  
• Very Compact and Light, but very Comfortable
  By A2M8JQ3AME7878 on 2007-05-22
  I purchased this for an upcoming camping trip via a kayak. I needed something small and light, this fit the bill.
  
  The mattress is very comfortable for only being 1.5" thick. It compresses down very small for carrying.
  
  
• Christmas gift
  By A1RDXQM8S4LLIB on 2007-12-31
  This pad plus the stuff sack were for my son for Christmas. He loved them.
  
  
• My Kids love it - I don't
  By A1NWJPSHY43SD2 on 2008-04-23
  I don't know why they say it is self inflating because we really did need to add air to get the mat firm. It does hold the air very well. I weigh 300lbs and it works ok, but I am more inclined to sleep on a cot than a mat. My kids sleep on it and think it is great. I have no complaints - except they provide no way to tie the mat or give you a bag to hold it, you have to purchase it separately. Not sure of the logic on that - but you can easily find a low cost bag to hold it. it is very light and if you take the time you can really get it down to a very small size. we have tried other matts at half the cost and this was worth the extra money - so suck it up and buy it, but if your a big guy, get a cot instead.
  
  
• Therm-a-rest Prolite 4
  By A1K2PCA8JJXBQ9 on 2008-07-02
  Very comfy,takes a couple of minutes to inflate,lightweight,insulated well from the cold ground. Slept well on this mattress.
  
  
• Great product
  By A3W1HI42HTDH2P on 2008-07-07
  This product was prefect. We used it on a mission trip and slept on a hard floor for 9 nights. It provide support and comofort. I would highly recommend!
  
  
• Recommended
  By A2DGY1JOZ26301 on 2008-08-29
  It is the best mattress i ever had. Only 5 breaths and the night become the stay in 5starts hotel. I recommned this to everybody who loves sleeping very comfortable.
  
  

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