REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Affordable
Great supplement to add warmth
REASONS TO AVOID
Breaks down over time
Dimples gather dirt and moisture
Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol Review
An effective foam pad that offers decent warmth in a very lightweight package
It may be big and bulky, but the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol is lightweight and reliable.
Credit: Sam Schild
By Sam Schild ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 12, 2026
Our Verdict
The Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol is an affordable, reliable closed-cell foam pad. It hasn't changed in years because you can't improve on this simple, no-maintenance sleeping pad. It doesn't hold air, so you don't have to ever worry about it popping. You may not be sleeping on the cold ground, but since it's only 3/4-inch thick, you'll be close to it. If you're after maximum comfort, this isn't the pad for you. But it's inexpensive, lightweight, and bombproof – it's affordable enough to buy as a backup, or as a supplementary pad to add some insulation to your inflatable sleeping pad.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Z Lite Sol isn't the most comfortable, but many people have spent hundreds of nights sleeping on this thin piece of foam. Credit: Sam Schild
Likes
The Z Lite Sol could quite possibly outlive you. This is a simple closed-cell foam pad, so it won't puncture. Short of losing it in a windstorm, there is almost nothing that could go wrong with this pad. The foam will compress over time, but since it isn't very thick to start with, you likely won't notice it getting thinner.
Many people carry a pad like this to supplement an inflatable sleeping pad. The closed-cell foam adds insulation and protection and also doubles as a seat, giving them a soft surface to sit on during breaks and while lounging at camp.
This pad sets up in a matter of seconds, so you can easily pull it out for any rest stop. Credit: Sam Schild
It's also very lightweight for the price. The full-length Z Lite Sol weighs just over 14 ounces. This is pretty light to begin with, but you can easily cut this pad down to save more weight.
The most Spartan ultralight hikers only carry a torso-length closed-cell foam pad like this one. Each panel weighs about 1 ounce, so if you cut six panels off the full-length, 14-panel pad, it will weigh less than even the most ultralight inflatable pad. (But it will only be 42 inches long.)
This foam pad weighs just over 14 ounces, but you can cut it down to whatever shape and size you want. Credit: Sam Schild
Dislikes
The biggest drawbacks of the Z Lite Sol are the packability and comfort. Compared to a 3-to 4-inch-thick inflatable sleeping pad, the .75-inch-thick Z Lite Sol feels barely more comfortable than sleeping on the bare ground. It's especially uncomfortable for side sleepers.
Backpackers have slept on the Z Lite Sol and similar closed-cell foam pads for decades, but that doesn't mean they come anywhere close to the comfort of modern ultralight inflatable pads. And those inflatable pads are also more packable than a foam pad.
The Z Lite Sol packs down to a 20-by-5-by-5.5-inch rectangular cube, which is often too large to fit in most backpacking packs alongside other gear. For this reason, most of the time you see a closed-cell foam pad strapped to the top or bottom of a backpacking pack.
While many of the inflatable pads we've tested are about the size of a 1-liter Nalgene, the Z Lite Sol is comparatively much larger. Credit: Sam Schild
Should You Buy the Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol?
The Z Lite Sol is a great deal for a reliable sleeping pad. It is certainly less comfortable than a plush inflatable sleeping pad, unless you prefer a very firm mattress. However, since it doesn't hold air, it will never puncture in the middle of the night.
What Other Sleeping Pads Should You Consider?
The Nemo Switchback is another closed-cell foam sleeping pad that we find ever so slightly more comfortable than the Z Lite Sol. If you're looking for an ultralight inflatable sleeping pad, check out the Nemo Tensor Elite. For the best balance of weight, packability, and warmth, check out the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol versus top competing products:
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $60 List Check Cascade Designs (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | An effective foam pad that offers decent warmth in a very lightweight package |
| Pros | Lightweight, affordable, great supplement to add warmth |
| Cons | Breaks down over time, dimples gather dirt and moisture |
| Rating Categories | Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol |
| Comfort (30%) | |
| Weight (30%) | |
| Warmth (20%) | |
| Packed Size (10%) | |
| Quality of Construction (10%) | |
| Specifications | Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol |
| Measured Weight | 14.3 oz |
| Packed Volume (L) | 9.0 L |
| Thickness | 0.75 in |
| Insulated? | Yes (closed-cell foam) |
| Available Sizes and Styles | Regular: rectangle, 20 x 72 in Small: rectangle, 20 x 51 in |
| Claimed R-Value | 2.0 |
| Size We Tested | Regular |
| Shape We Tested | Rectangle |
| Measured Length | 72 in |
| Measured Width | 20 in |
| Insulation Technology | Closed-cell foam and reflective ThermaCapture coating |
| Bottom Material | PE foam |
| Double Size Available? | No |
—Sam Schild
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