Field Notes
I have owned a Z Lite Sol for eight years. Used it as a primary pad in summer, as a backup when I was worried about punching a hole in the NeoAir on a rocky Virginia ridge, and as a sit pad on dozens of trail lunch breaks. It has been stored in a garage through two winters, left in a hot car repeatedly, and sat on by a 180-pound man thousands of times. It still performs identically. At $55, it may be the best value piece of hiking gear I own.
$55, 14oz, indestructible — the one pad that will never fail you at 2am in the Smokies
Who This Is For
The Z Lite Sol is right for: summer hikers where R-2.0 is sufficient, anyone who wants a backup pad in case their inflatable fails, ultralight hikers who use it paired with a lower-R inflatable for extra warmth, and anyone who needs a camp sit pad.
I review gear the way most people actually use it — weekend trips in the mid-Atlantic, day hikes on the AT, car camping in the Smokies and down at the Outer Banks. Normal outdoor life for normal people.
A note on pricing and links: Prices are current as of May 2026. Some links are affiliate links.
How It Compares
Common Questions
Is the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol good for backpacking?
Yes, for summer use. At 14oz and $55, it is lightweight and affordable. The tradeoff is R-2.0, which is only sufficient above 40°F for most sleepers, and the accordion format that must be strapped to the outside of your pack rather than fitting inside.
Can the Z Lite Sol be used in cold weather?
R-2.0 is borderline for 3-season camping. Below 40°F nights, most sleepers will feel cold coming through the pad. The solution is to layer: use the Z Lite Sol underneath an inflatable pad for extra insulation, combining R-values. This is a common ultralight strategy.
What is the difference between the Z Lite Sol and Z Lite?
The Z Lite Sol adds ThermaCapture reflective coating on one side that improves the R-value from 1.5 (plain Z Lite) to 2.0. The Sol version is slightly more expensive but worth it for the additional warmth. Always sleep with the reflective (silver) side down toward the ground.
How do you attach the Z Lite Sol to a backpack?
The Z Lite Sol folds into a rectangular bundle and attaches to the outside of your pack using compression straps, a bungee cord, or daisy chains. It is too wide to fit inside most backpacking packs. On an AT section hike, I fold it and strap it to the back panel with the pack's external attachment loops.
