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Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite - Women's Review

This is a comfortable, warm, and durable pad for a fair price, though it is on the heavy side
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therm-a-rest trail lite for women sleeping pad review
The TrailLite isn't super thick, but we still found it decent for side sleeping.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Best Buy Award
Price:  $115 List
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Manufacturer:   Therm-a-Rest
By Jessica Haist ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 13, 2023
71
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#7 of 11
  • Comfort - 30% 8.0
  • Weight - 30% 5.6
  • Warmth - 20% 7.5
  • Packed Size - 10% 6.0
  • Construction Quality - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Therm-A-Rest Trail Lite is one of our test's warmest and most comfortable sleeping pads, and it retails for a very reasonable price. Women looking for a comfortable sleeping pad with extra warmth and padding to get a good night's sleep will love this model. It's an excellent sleeping pad for short backpacking trips or any camping adventure where weight and size aren't super critical. With a high R-value of 4.5 comes a heavier weight; while this product is not the lightest or smallest in our review by a long shot, it still offers up a great value. See it rated versus top competitors in our full review of the best women's sleeping pad.
REASONS TO BUY
Good price
Comfortable
Warm
Well-constructed
REASONS TO AVOID
A little bulky
Not super light
Editor's Note: This review was updated after our latest testing session on December 13, 2023.

Compare to Similar Products

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Awards Best Buy Award     
Price $115 List
$114.95 at Amazon		$159.00 at Amazon$121.20 at Amazon$49.95 at Backcountry$110 List
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Bottom Line This warm and comfortable model should be noted for its price and performanceThis pad scores decently well in all our metrics and has an excellent packed sizeSlightly on the heavy and bulky side, this pad is a warm and comfortable choice for campingIf you want a light and durable pad that you can use as a seat and won't deflate, this could be the pad for youCompact and lightweight, this is an adequate model that could be more comfortable
Rating Categories Therm-a-Rest Trail... Sea to Summit Ultra... Therm-a-Rest ProLit... Nemo Switchback - S... Therm-a-Rest ProLite
Comfort (30%)
8.0
7.0
6.0
3.0
4.0
Weight (30%)
5.6
8.9
6.7
10.0
7.9
Warmth (20%)
7.5
6.1
6.7
4.0
5.0
Packed Size (10%)
6.0
9.0
6.5
3.5
6.0
Construction Quality (10%)
9.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
Specs Therm-a-Rest Trail... Sea to Summit Ultra... Therm-a-Rest ProLit... Nemo Switchback - S... Therm-a-Rest ProLite
Measured Weight 25.6 oz 14.6 oz 22.0 oz 10.8oz 18.0 oz
ASTM R-Value 4.5 3.5 3.9 2.0 2.7
Insulation Foam Thermolite insulation Foam Foam Foam
Thickness 1.5 in 2.0 in 1.5 in 0.9 in 1.0 in
Tested Length 66 in 72 in 66 in 50 in 66 in
Tested Width 20.0 in 21.5 in 20.0 in 20.0 in 20.0 in
Packed Size 10.5 x 6.0 in 9.0 x 4.0 in 9.8 x 6.3 in 20.0 x 5.0 x 4.0 in 11.0 x 5.8 in
Bottom Material 50D polyester 40D nylon 50D polyester Closed cell foam 50D mini hex rip polyester
Pump Sack Included? No Yes No N/A No

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Trail Lite is an all-around excellent value pad that will work well if you're looking for extra warmth and comfort on your next camping adventure.

Performance Comparisson


therm-a-rest trail lite for women sleeping pad review - we would be hesitant to take the trail lite on long backpacks. it...
We would be hesitant to take the Trail Lite on long backpacks. It was one of the heaviest pad we tested.
Credit: Jessica Haist


Comfort


Thanks to its extra foam and wider shape, our testers found the Trail Lite to be one of the more comfortable sleeping pads in our lineup.


The added comfort of this pad comes from its wider cut and the cushier foam under the torso. The rectangular shape makes it easier to lay side by side with another sleeping pad for those times when you may want to cozy up to your tentmate.

therm-a-rest trail lite for women sleeping pad review - the therm-a-rest traillite is a comfortable option for lounging...
The Therm-a-Rest TrailLite is a comfortable option for lounging around camp.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Weight


Older versions of the Trail Lite were heavier than the current version, which dropped by a few ounces to land at 25.6 ounces. The Trail Lite is no longer the heaviest sleeping pad in our review. However, we would still be hesitant to carry it on an extended backpacking trip and would instead reach for other lighter, higher-scoring models. The saying on the trail goes: ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain. Every little bit adds up.


When compared to past versions, you can see where Therm-a-Rest lightened this pad by removing strategic pieces of foam in the mattress near the head and feet; they kept the foam intact around the torso to maintain warmth. Many women's products include extra insulation around the hips and feet, as these are areas where women typically get colder. Despite the reduced padding at the feet, the Trail Lite is still decently warm.

therm-a-rest trail lite for women sleeping pad review - the new valve design aids in rolling up this pad to its original size.
The new valve design aids in rolling up this pad to its original size.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Warmth


With the implementation of a new testing standard in the US, the R-value of the Trail Lite has decreased from 4.9 to 4.5. It's still one of the warmer pads in this review and could be used in spring through fall and stretched into winter camping if paired with a foam pad. Therm-a-Rest uses fewer die-cuts (holes) in the insulating foam to create warmer spots with more padding and insulation in the torso and foot areas. This pad also has a less tapered silhouette at the feet to create a larger sleeping area for greater warmth and comfort.


Packed Size


The Trail Lite is a bit bulky at 10.5 x 6 inches, but not bad. It lands about in the middle of the pack, which is notable considering the heft and warmth it provides.

therm-a-rest trail lite for women sleeping pad review - the traillite is on the larger size when packed up, though still...
The TrailLite is on the larger size when packed up, though still reasonable, especially if you're splitting your tent with another person.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Construction Quality


The top and bottom of the Trail Lite are made from a durable 50-denier polyester material, making it one of the more durable sleeping pads in this review. This pad would do well somewhere you are tentative to bring a less durable pad to, such as the desert (pokey things) or somewhere with sharp rocks.


The current version of the Trail Lite has a WingLock valve, which is wider than the previous valve and is designed to allow more airflow. The "wings" toggle the valve open in a way that allows air to move in but not out, helping you battle that pesky loss of air while inflating. This new feature also improves the pad's durability — something we appreciate because there were complaints of the old valves being leaky.

therm-a-rest trail lite for women sleeping pad review - the trail lite's wing lock valve system is an upgrade in ease of use...
The Trail Lite's Wing Lock valve system is an upgrade in ease of use and durability compared to prior versions.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Should You Buy the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite?


The women's Trail Lite is an excellent value. This sleeping pad is warmer, more comfortable, and only slightly heavier and bulkier than other self-inflating models that retail for more. For cold sleepers, it is a good solution for three-season camping and paired with a foam pad, it can be used all four seasons. The added padding in the torso and foot areas also make it slightly more comfortable than similar products. Even better, the Trail Lite went on a diet recently and dropped a couple of ounces, which means it is no longer the heaviest of the bunch. While it's still not the lightest, if you would rather sacrifice a few ounces on your back for a few more pennies in your wallet (and potentially a few more winks of sleep), go with this pad.

therm-a-rest trail lite for women sleeping pad review - although the trail lite is a "self-inflating" pad, it still needs a...
Although the Trail Lite is a "self-inflating" pad, it still needs a few breaths to get completely full.
Credit: Ian McEleney

What Other Sleeping Pads Should You Consider?


If you want to level up in regards to comfort and warmth, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme can't be missed, though it will cost you a chunk more cash. If ditching weight is your priority, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is considerably warmer — and also more expensive. If you need to keep costs down in the ballpark of the Trail Lite, the Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus is a worthy consideration as well as being a bit lighter. While not as comfortable or warm, the Nemo Switchback is a closed-cell foam pad that's super light and cheap. It can also be used as an additional layer with another pad to boost insulation when the temperatures really drop.

— Jessica Haist
 
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