Cascade Designs Thermarest Review

"I used to think that these were overpriced innertubes. That is until I got mine in the middle of a hike on the AT. I think I found myself one step closer to heaven that night. By all means buy this
thing!!!!!"

"If you can afford one, buy it; otherwise rent it. Not only is it
incredibly comfortable, it also helps you keep nice and warm. Plus
it rolls up nice and small for packing, much better than any foam
pad. I've found that the 3/4 length ones are all you'll need; who
needs padding under their calves and feet?"

"Like others I too thought that sleeping mats like the Therm-a-rest
were a luxury for people too old and rich to be camping. I must
say that if you are going to be camping for more that just a
weekend then go and buy one, they are sooooooo comfortable. I
have a 3/4 length model which folds in halve and rolls up to about
the same diameter as a normal foam roll-mat, so it saves space
and your back."

"A word of warning about the 3/4 length models. If you do any
camping in winter or on snow, I would go with the full length
models. The sleeping pad keeps water from condensing under
your sleeping bag in cold conditions, so if you have a 3/4 length
pad your bag may get wet or damp where it hangs over the pad."

"I too thought that these were an outrageously
expensive luxury, until I slept on one.
I have used my standard long for seven years.
When weight is not an issue, or during
cold weather, I still take it. However, I
now favour my Ultra Lite 3/4 length due to
its tiny size and weight. Now that my full
size has sprung a leak, I may use this as an
excuse to buy a new 'Staytek' non-slip pad.
This should keep me from finding myself in an
amorphous lump of nylon and down at the base
of my tent each morning.

Once you've justified the mattress, it
should be an easy leap to convince yourself
that you really NEED the chair kit. You
won't regret it... true backcountry
luxury."

"One of the best purchases you will ever buy. I have 2, the utralight long and the standard long. The padding under the calfs and feet is rather nice after trampling the trail all day. I use the standard in the winter because it has a tougher fabric, with a close cell foam pad under it for insulation and extra warmth. The ultralight, I use in the summer. Either way... I always have one with me. Sleep well... you deserve it."

"A word about the "3/4" series. They are not 3/4 the length of the long series. They are actually about 2/3. This is misleading and unethical product labelling. As far as performance goes, I guess two-thirds length is OK for 3-season use, but NOT if you use a down bag. Down bags provide zero insulation between your body and the ground due to total compression of the insulation, so your calfs and feet will be chilled all night. As someone else pointed out, they are definitely no good for winter use, since condensation will occur on the ground-facing side of the part of the bag which hangs off the end of the pad."

"I have two, the LE, which stands for heavy and cushy and the standard, with stands for cost-effective and still comfy. If you're not concerned with weight, the LE is better that a Posturpedic mattress. Very cushy and warm. For weekend trips, it is the best, most comfortable pad out there. The Standard 3/4 is not as cushy, but the comfort to weight ratio is prretty good. One note about Cascade Designs--one of mine sprung a leak that I couln't find. I sent if off to Seattle with 10 bucks for the repair. They sent me a new pad along with my uncashed check. There may be some better products out there, but my money will go the Cascade Designs. Great customer service."

"I have a Guidelite 3/4. It is light weight, small rolling, and comfortable. I would not advise the use of this pad for tall people, especially in cold weather. If your 5'4" like me, this pad is a dream."

"Great sleeping pad. I use my thermarest Light for 3 season backpacking and it works great. The best thing I love about it, is it's small and compact. You can also buy a chair kit that turns your sleeping pad into a chair. The kit is pricey, so shop around. They sell for around $55.00 I got mine for $35.00. After a long day on your feet it feels great to site down and lean back. Prop up your feet on a log or rock and you got your self a lazy boy chair."

"I'm only 5'4 so the 3/4 is not a problem, really comfy and warm, light and packable which is important on a motorcycle. Great pad, great sleep."

"I'm hikiing the Applachian trail in sections.I bought my guidelite when i got to the N.C. line. I'm almost to the I-40 crossing and the guide lite has done a great job.We were in -20's with chillfactor a couple of weeks ago and the bottom side stayed warm.Can't say the same about the top side,haha.Only thing is,I had to buy a larger stuff sack.Its a good product."

"I have used the slighly heavier "explorer" version and compared to two prior foam pads (like z-rest) this was the ticket. I got full legnth one even though I am 5'3" because I tend to flip alot while sleeping and have appreciated being able to remain on pad. The patch kit is a valuable addition with the stuff sack for the pad, as I have already had to patch mine from a cat scratch
when I stored it inflated behind the couch. And the stuff sack has a little pocket to keep the kit in."

"I have three of these these pads and am an unreserved fan. I have the original 3/4 (yeah, OK, actually 2/3) model that I bought *used* from a friend in 1976. Had been using ensolite up to that point and had qualms about Thermarest's durability and puncture resistance. Well, I'm still using this pad! I've never had to repair it. I've probably slept on it a few hundred times. I've used it at 10 to 0 deg. F in New Hampshire and Colorado and Minnesota with a down bag (and by the way, *what* condensation under the legs??) and never wished it was full-length. In the past few years I've added a full-length Camp Rest for pickup camping and crashing on floors, and the thicker (lower R value too) 3/4 LE for use down here in Georgia, where isolation wins out over insulation. A very fine product."