---
product_id: 1638304
title: "Z Lite Original Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad"
brand: "therm-a-rest"
price: "£47.58"
currency: GBP
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Therm A Rest"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1638304-z-lite-original-camping-and-backpacking-sleeping-pad
store_origin: GB
region: United Kingdom
---

# 72 x 20 in compact fold R-Value 1.7 heat retention 14 oz ultralight portability Z Lite Original Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad

**Brand:** therm-a-rest
**Price:** £47.58
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🛶 Sleep Light, Sleep Tight: The Classic Pad That Packs a Punch

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Z Lite Original Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad by therm-a-rest
- **How much does it cost?** £47.58 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1638304-z-lite-original-camping-and-backpacking-sleeping-pad)

## Best For

- therm-a-rest enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted therm-a-rest brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Trusted Legacy:** Made in the USA and favored by mountaineers for generations—join the elite outdoor tribe.
- • **Thermal Efficiency:** Heat-trapping dimples boost warmth with an R-Value of 1.7—stay cozy when temps drop.
- • **Effortless Packability:** Accordion-fold design compresses to 20 x 5.5 inches for seamless backpack integration.
- • **Featherweight Champion:** At just 14 ounces, it’s the ultimate lightweight companion for minimalist adventurers.
- • **Durable Dual-Density Foam:** Softer top for comfort, denser bottom for rugged ground protection and longevity.

## Overview

The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original is a legendary closed-cell foam sleeping pad designed for backpackers and mountaineers who demand durability, warmth, and ultralight portability. Featuring an innovative accordion fold for compact storage, dual-density foam for comfort and protection, and heat-trapping dimples delivering an R-Value of 1.7, this 14-ounce pad ensures a cozy night on the trail. Made in the USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, it’s the trusted choice for generations of outdoor pros.

## Description

The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Foam Camping mattress is the classic sleeping pad, and trusted choice of campers, backpackers, and mountaineers. For generations, outdoor enthusiasts have used the compact, durable, and lightweight closed-cell foam mattress for sleeping on the ground. The classic pad features folding accordion-style construction that is compact and easily packable for base camp or transporting into the backcountry. Softer on the top for comfort, and denser on the bottom for insulation, durability, and protection from rocks and dirt, the proprietary foam features heat-trapping dimples that capture heat for extra warmth in cold conditions (R-value 1. 7; R-value measures the material’s ability to insulate—the higher the R-value, the warmer the pad). The Thermarest Z Lite Foam Sleeping Pad can be used by minimalists as a stand-alone pad, or doubled up with another ground pad or air mattress for an exceptionally good night’s sleep. Camping mattress measures 72 x 20 inches (20 x 5 x 5. 5 inches folded) and weighs 14 ounces. Made in the USA.

Review: Great sleeping pad. - As far as sleeping pads go, I find this design superior to ones that roll up for a number of reasons. Sometimes i use this pad to sit or kneel on and it is easy to use the folds to get the exact thickness between me and the ground where i want it. The R-value is pretty high for a pad this cheap. Comparing this to an inflatable mattress, I find this thing simply irreplaceable. It is tougher and more durable than any air mattress, you don't have to blow it up or carry a patch kit just incase it gets a hole. I know people that won't get their mattresses anywhere near a fire for fear that a flying ember will burn a big hole in their $100+ mattress. I plop this thing down in various configurations and sit or lay near fires with no worry. I frequently lean it up against trees so I'm sitting up but still have padding under my whole body, and one section doubled over at the top for extra padding for my head. I kneel on it to protect my knees when i'm cooking or building fires, i would never do this with an inflatable mattress. If we stop hiking to take a break it is easy to undo the straps on pack, throw this down and sit, kneel, or lay, then simply accordion it back up and strap it back on the pack and continue down the trail. If i ever get an inflatable mattress for backpacking i will still probably cut off and bring a small section of this for some of the above purposes. At 14oz it is also lighter by far than any similar r-value inflatable mattress by quite a bit. Even air mattresses that have very low r-value are heavier or the same weight.
Review: Good pad especially for the $ - The pad is very light and surprisingly comfortable for how thin it is. I am not a young thin athlete either 48 and 235lbs. Like I said it surprised me .

## Features

- Lightweight and compact closed-cell foam camping mattress is a durable, dependable, and economical option for sleeping on the ground
- Trusted by mountaineers and backpackers for generations, the classic pad features folding accordion-style construction that is compact and easily packable
- Designed with dimples in the padding to capture and trap heat for extra warmth in cold conditions, ensuring a cushioned and cozy night’s sleep (R-Value 1. 7)
- Sleeping pad foam is softer on the top for comfort, and denser on the bottom for extra insulation, durability, and protection from the ground
- Molded foam mattress measures 72 x 20 inches (20 x 5 x 5. 5 inches folded) and weighs 14 ounces; made in the USA

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00453NA1E |
| Best Sellers Rank | #10,080 in Sports & Outdoors ( See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors ) #11 in Foam Sleeping Mats for Camping |
| Brand | Therm-a-Rest |
| Brand Name | Therm-a-Rest |
| Color | Coyote/Grey |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,194 Reviews |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00040818023020 |
| Included Components | Camping Pad |
| Item Dimensions L x W x Thickness | 72"L x 20"W x 0.75"Th |
| Item Type Name | Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad |
| Item Weight | 0.5 Kilograms |
| Manufacturer | Cascade Designs Inc. |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 2302_Coyote/Gray_One Size |
| Material | Closed-cell foam |
| Material Type | Closed-cell foam |
| Model Number | 040818023020 |
| Product Dimensions | 72"L x 20"W x 0.75"Th |
| UPC | 040818023020 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Variety | Closed Cell Foam Pad |
| Warranty Description | limited lifetime |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Therm-a-Rest
- **Color:** Coyote/Grey
- **Global Trade Identification Number:** 00040818023020
- **Item Weight:** 0.41 Kilograms
- **Material:** Closed-cell foam
- **Product Dimensions:** 72"L x 20"W x 0.75"Th
- **UPC:** 040818023020
- **Water Resistance Level:** Water Resistant

## Images

![Z Lite Original Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/614yUJaC7gL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Color, Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: When sleeping on my side will my hips and shoulders hit the ground? 5'5 200 lbs**
A: I'm 6'0" and 220 lbs.  Yes, for someone our weight, you will compress this pad down to almost nothing at the pressure points of your hips and shoulders when side sleeping.  When on your back, with the weight more widely distributed on the pad, the comfort is much better.  But the comfort is very dependent on your situation.  Are you at 5,000 feet and above treeline sleeping on solid rock?  You'll be wishing you brought an air mattress.  Are you on the soft floor of a pine forest?  Clean out the branches, twigs, small rocks, and pine cones and this will be pretty comfortable.  Are you on a sandy desert floor?  Again, clean out the bumpy stuff and you should sleep pretty well.  Are you in an alpine meadow full of clumpy grasses?  It's not gonna be a good night.  But, this thing is light, cheap, tough, easy to deploy or pack up, and it has multiple uses as a seat, wind barrier, protection from hail, pack frame, and a place to kneel or put on your boots in the morning.  Versatility, durability, and price are the reasons these pads are still around even though inflatable pads offer much more comfort.  On the other hand, they are not nearly as comfy as an air mattress, they are ugly outside your pack, and they are bulky.  If you can get used to the lack of comfort and you're not going out in sub freezing temps these are probably the best solution on the market.  Oh, and they make a great float for relaxing in a pond or stream.  Not a life saving device by any means but they'll keep you afloat with your body slightly submerged in the water like a pool chair for some lazing around for a few minutes.  Of course an air mattress can do the same thing.

**Q: Does this sleep warm in the summer? I’m mostly hiking Florida and need no help in the hot sleeping department.**
A: I just finished a month of military training in Louisiana using this pad. I also sleep warm, and I didn't have any issues with it.

**Q: Why are there two different r values? one says 1.7 and one 2.2. the same product at rei said 1.7**
A: Hi Jonathan - There are two versions of the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Ultralight Foam Camping Pad. There is the "Original" version with a R-Value of 1.7, and the "SOL" version with a R-Value of 2.0. The Z-Lite SOL has a reflective coating on one side (the "Up" side) that reflects body heat back towards the person on the pad and increased the R-Value just a bit with very minimal added weight.  - The Therm-A-Rest Customer Service Team

**Q: What is the size and weight of this pad?**
A: It weighs about a pound and when stretched it its about 6 feet long.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great sleeping pad.
*by J***D on May 16, 2013*

As far as sleeping pads go, I find this design superior to ones that roll up for a number of reasons. Sometimes i use this pad to sit or kneel on and it is easy to use the folds to get the exact thickness between me and the ground where i want it. The R-value is pretty high for a pad this cheap. Comparing this to an inflatable mattress, I find this thing simply irreplaceable. It is tougher and more durable than any air mattress, you don't have to blow it up or carry a patch kit just incase it gets a hole. I know people that won't get their mattresses anywhere near a fire for fear that a flying ember will burn a big hole in their $100+ mattress. I plop this thing down in various configurations and sit or lay near fires with no worry. I frequently lean it up against trees so I'm sitting up but still have padding under my whole body, and one section doubled over at the top for extra padding for my head. I kneel on it to protect my knees when i'm cooking or building fires, i would never do this with an inflatable mattress. If we stop hiking to take a break it is easy to undo the straps on pack, throw this down and sit, kneel, or lay, then simply accordion it back up and strap it back on the pack and continue down the trail. If i ever get an inflatable mattress for backpacking i will still probably cut off and bring a small section of this for some of the above purposes. At 14oz it is also lighter by far than any similar r-value inflatable mattress by quite a bit. Even air mattresses that have very low r-value are heavier or the same weight.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good pad especially for the $
*by T***M on May 22, 2025*

The pad is very light and surprisingly comfortable for how thin it is. I am not a young thin athlete either 48 and 235lbs. Like I said it surprised me .

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Improvement Over My 30 Year Old Therma-a-Rest
*by B***S on April 19, 2018*

I didn't think they could improve on the original therma-a-rest I've had since college, but they did. A cold hike across the Sierra's convinced me that I needed more insulation, but necessarily inflation. At first I looked into inflatable models, but the best are expensive and I also like camping gear that's rugged, unlike cactus prone inflatable models. I tossed my multi-patched inflatable a few years back. PROS: 1. Size: The egg carton shaped surface interlocks to make it fold thinner than you would think. 2. Packing: It folds quickly, and I didn't have a problem bending it or stuffing it if needed. It is a bit wide for stuffing horizontally, but I prefer to tie it to the outside for easy access as a break chair. 3. Insulation: The new surface creates air pockets and better ground insulation. The foam also seems better than my original black therm-a-rest. 4. Look: I got basic green, and I like that. I don't like rests that double as rescue flags and despoil the campsite with a space camp look. 5. Durability: So far, it seems durable. I will look after the folding points, but expect them to wear well. CONS: 1. No real cons. Some may want wider, some may want thicker, but I found it just right. Get an inflatable for extreme cold, but this is great for most people's cold ground needs. BOTTOMLINE: A great pad that keeps me warmer on cold ground, packs quickly, and make a great chair when needed!

## Frequently Bought Together

- Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad
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*Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom*
*Store origin: GB*
*Last updated: 2026-05-17*