Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Solar Reflective Foam Camping Pad

The ThermaRest Ridge Rest Solar sleeping pad (regular, silver/blue) is an excellent, low-cost solution for a lightweight sleeping pad that will insulate you effectively from the ground. Since it's closed cell foam, it can't pop or deflate. If you tear it (which is difficult) or burn a hole in it with a stray ember from a campfire, it will just keep going. Many people have used these pads for decades without replacing them.The only downside here is the much greater bulk and noticeably less comfort than typical inflatable pads. An inflatable pad that costs considerably more will pack noticeably smaller and provide much greater thickness and softness for comfort. Habitual side sleepers will probably want to skip the closed cell foam altogether and opt for an inflatable mattress at least 1.5" thick or better. Back sleepers will be fine on this pad, though, as long as you don't mind an ultra firm mattress (fluffy and cushy, this isn't).What this pad does exceptionally well is insulate, keeping you up off cold or wet ground. The reflective surface makes a very noticeable improvement in the insulation value. As soon as you lay down on its silvered surface, your back feels a few degrees warmer. In a wilderness emergency situation, it's very likely shiny enough to make an effective (i.e., large) signalling surface as well. You could also wrap it behind you and another person in a horseshoe shape with a fire in front of you, and it should reflect the radiant heat enough to create a toasty oven effect for rapid warming. The pad's ridges also account for the good insulation, since they trap air that your body heats, using that trapped air to mimic the insulating value of a thicker pad without an added weight or bulk penalty. For that reason, the ridges are definitely superior to a flat piece of foam, with only one downside: they can also trap dirt, mud, dripping water, etc., causing a minor nuisance.Who should buy this pad? Back sleepers who don't mind a firm mattress and just want to insulate themselves effectively from cold/wet ground. Bushcrafters who know how to build beds of browse/boughs/leaves but want this extra layer to eliminate the scratchy feel of twigs, pine needles, etc. and minimize contact with dampness or dirt. Lightweight backpackers who don't mind having a large bulky roll (about 8" in diameter when tightly rolled) strapped to the outside of their pack, or who have a frameless pack and plan to use this pad "burrito style" to surround their gear and act a makeshift frame for better load carrying (roll up the pad loosely inside the pack, stuff the rest of your gear down in the middle and voila! you have a relatively stiff, lightweight pack that carries as well as many framed packs for less weight!).What else should you know? This pad is advertised as 20"W x 72"L x 3/4"D and 1 lbs. 3 oz. (540g); however, perhaps due to manufacturing variances, my pad is actually 19-3/4"W x 71-1/4"L x 3/4"D and weighs only 1.01 lb. (461g). Also, the advertised 3/4" thickness is based on 1/2" thick foam core, plus 1/8" taller ridges on the top and bottom. I haven't personally tried sleeping on the similar "SOLite" version of this pad, but there doesn't appear to be much difference. Construction is the same, with the SOLite rated a few ounces lighter and slightly less bulky (as well as lower in R value). I'm glad I opted for this thicker "SOLAR" version because the weight difference is negligible, and since I'm using it burrito style in my pack, the extra bulk is also negligible. I'd rather pay those very small penalties in exchange for slightly higher comfort and insulation (i.e., negligibly greater pad thickness). With the weight right at 1 lb., I'm pleased.Highly recommended if you're comfortable with the conditions I mentioned above. It's hard to beat the cost to performance value of this pad.[UPDATE 5-30-2015: I've had many more opportunities to use this pad since I last reviewed it, so I thought I would post an update. The more I sleep on this pad, the more I have become used to the decidedly less "cushy" feel compared with the self-inflating pads. Part of it is due to my body adjusting to the feel. It feels more comfortable now than when I first made the switch. Part of the improvement is also due to a few tricks that can dramatically improve the comfort, like digging a shallow pressure relief hole into the ground at the high pressure points (shoulder and hip areas) and then laying the pad over those relief holes, or else building up a browse bed under the pad---either of which can make a dramatic difference in comfort overall, and also allows for relatively comfortable side sleeping once you get used to the technique. Think of this pad as the ultimate groundsheet for a bushcrafter who can supplement its comfort/thickness/insulation with natural materials.One thing I love about this pad is that, since it's closed cell foam, you can cut it apart. I cut mine into two pieces (a longer 4' section and a shorter 2' section). I can still lay them end to end for full-body padding; however, by cutting them apart, I'm now able to roll up the longer section as a burrito-style frame for my pack with a little less bulk inside (i.e., more space for gear). Then I roll the shorter 2' section up and stow it on the outside of my pack under the side compression straps. This allows me to acces it quickly as a camp seat. Being 2' in length (and a standard 20" in width, of course), I can sit on it "Indian style" or kneel on it whenever I'm on damp, cold, or rough ground. It's a wonderful butt/knee saver in that role. I've always known it's good for that, but until I started strapping the smaller piece on the OUTSIDE of my pack, I was always reluctant to open my pack and take the entire pad out just to have a place to sit. Now I use it all the time for that purpose, and I also find that for extending sitting (such as a long lunch break after a long morning's hike), I can fold the piece in half to make a double-thick 12" x 20" seat that is nice and cushy.Now that my daughters are starting to hike and camp with me (ages 3 and 5), I ordered another one of these to cut in half so that they'll each have their own 36" x 20" pad to sleep on. These pads are so light that I'm fairly certain they'll be able to carry a little pack with their half-pad and a few items of clothing very comfortably, while I carry the rest of our camping gear in my pack.]

I prefer the foam pads to inflatables for one main reason. They don't leak or puncture. There is always a tradeoff, and in this case it's comfort. It's not an air mattress, but it is suitable for sleeping on and keeping you insulated from the ground. The aluminum coating really does reflect body heat. I have the Large size and at 26 oz and an R3.5 value, this matches up really well against inflatable backpacking pads which are similar in weight, but have the added risk of puncture.I roll this pad up and put it into an empty 60L pack and then let it naturally unroll and that forms the frame for the pack. I then place all my gear in the middle section. I don't usually need 60L worth of gear, but I find that pack size works best for what I do.You can also attach this to the outside of your pack. I like to put mine vertical so it's not sticking out the sides past my shoulders and getting caught on branches, etc.I am 6' 3" and 185lbs and I have the large size pad. It fits me well and does a great job.

Perfect for winter or any season of camping! Lightweight and very durable, and I love that I don't have to inflate it. The closed cell foam actually helps keep you warmer as well. Quite comfortable. So far it has lived up to every expectation of mine, well worth every penny.The ONLY downside I could see for someone is if you had to take it with you on long hikes, it is super light but still bulky, something to keep in mind when planning space.

It's expensive but it works well. I use a hammock for camping and this keeps my underside warm. Like all closed cell foam sleeping pads this is not intended for comfort, so feel free to disregard any ignorant reviewers saying that they wanted more cushioning. This product has only one purpose, to keep your underside warm when sleeping on a cold surface like a rock, or a hammock that lets the wind whip under you. Sleeping bags compress and lose their thermal properties; this does not. In that effect, a pad is even less cushioning than your sleeping bag will provide.Four stars because it's so expensive. I highly doubt that price is manufacturing costs, more likely price gouging. That being the case, it's the best there is. Better to own one good pad than two mediocre ones. Unless you think it's supposed to be an air-mattress...

I've carried a single Ridge Rest sleeping pad since 1996! If you have ever had an 'inflatable' sleeping pad (that costs twice as much) you'll know how impossible that kind of build quality and longevity is. I have averaged as many as 100 nights a year on the pad!!! I finally upgraded as they've improved the design and heating efficiency with the new reflective surface. I also went with the extra weight of the extended length and width for my colder weather outings where I have woken up slid off of the pad.I also carry the Ridge Rest accessory chair in my kit, allowing my back a significant rest while I cook dinner. The best combo for long weeks on the trail, and a perfect convert to pad your canoe seat for waterborn hikes. The ridgerest of this size is also perfect for a flotation device, it will support you comfortably while swimming if you put a single roll extra under your head....so many uses on the trail...as yes I do my yoga routine on it to start my day!!!

We bought these for camping in the mountains during the Southern California "winter" They do not provide much padding; however, they did retain body warmth.

Colchoneta aislante perfecta tanto en calidad como aislamiento. Mucho mejor que las normales de espuma.La utilizo para el colchón hinchable "neoair XTherm" y es ideal para evitar que se pinche.

再取り扱い希望、クローズセル最強

Very lightweight and a great size for those of us that are taller and need that extra space for movement. Good quality, comfortable and warm. I can see this pad lasting me for a good few years of travel.Down side is it's a bit bulky in size but that's what you get if your looking for that bit more comfort.

Inizio subito col dire che è davvero ingombrante. Non aspettatevi nulla di comodo e facile da trasportare, perché non è un tappetino da yoga ma un tappetino isolante da campeggio. E per questo fa il suo sporco lavoro. Comodo, benché misuri solo 1,5cm di spessore, sopporta le piccole asperità del terreno, ma è la sua anima "isolante" che caratterizza davvero questo prodotto, tenendosi al caldo e isolati anche in climi freddi. Grazie alla particolare conformazione, infatti, trattiene e cattura il calore corporeo alla perfezione.Adatto a campeggi itineranti e chi ama le tecnologie semplici ma efficaci.Questa versione è quella in blu (quella isolante).

Materassino da considerare top di gamma. Lo utilizzo durante trekking in montagna per dormire in tenda. Il materassino che possedevo in precedenza mi faceva patire molto il freddo. Cercavo qualcosa di valido e mi sono imbattuto in questa azienda. Le aspettative sono state superate alla grande. Testato durante un trekking di 3 giorni lungo l'appennino ligure ho notato un isolamento dal terreno decisamente elevato. Il prodotto a mio avviso può essere utilizzato tranquillamente anche su percorsi in quote maggiori.