Hands-on Gear Review

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Solar Review

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Solar
Price:  $40 List
Pros:  Light, durable, easy to set up, comfortable, warm
Cons:  Very bulky, grooves collect dirt
Editors' Rating:   
  • 1
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  • 5
R Value:  3.5
Packed Volume (liter):  19
Weight (lb):  1 lb. 3 oz.
Manufacturer:   Therm-a-rest

Our Verdict

Thermarest Discontinued the Ridge Rest Solar

They replaced it with the Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest SOLite.

The Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Solar is the most comfortable closed cell pad we reviewed and the cheapest offering in our Car Camping Mattress Review. This pad offers car campers a cheap, durable, and reliable pad that will last for many years. Its closed cell construction also make it suitable for yoga, sitting around campfires, and anything else that requires a little extra cushioning.

The Ridge Rest Solars low price is its best selling point. Other car camping mattresses are more comfortable. The Therm-a-Rest DreamTime, with its customizable firmness and memory foam top, leads the pack and the REI Camp Bed 3.5 assumes the middle ground- its more comfortable than the Ridge Rest Solar, but not as luxurious as the DreamTime.

For a less voluminous and less comfortable, but cheaper option get the Ridge Rest.



RELATED REVIEW: Best Camping Mattresses and Pads of 2018

Our Analysis and Test Results

Review by:
Chris McNamara and Max Neale

Last Updated:
Monday
March 23, 2015

Share:

Likes


Slightly thicker foam makes this pad noticeably more comfortable and warmer than the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite SOL and Ridge Rest SOLite. As with all closed cell pads, the Ridge Rest SOLAR is very durable and does not require tender loving care like most inflatable pads. You can come into camp late, throw it down anywhere and fall into a blissful sleep while your friends exhaust their lungs blowing up their pads. This pad is the lightest of those tested in our Car Camping Mattress category.

Dislikes


We found that the grooves can collect dirt and the ridged surface isnt the best to lay your head on directly. All other car camping pads tested here are more comfortable, but none are as cheap as this one.

Best Application


Budget car camping.

Value


The Ridge Rest Solar is a great buy for a first car camping pad.

— Chris McNamara and Max Neale

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Most recent review: March 23, 2015
Summary of All Ratings

OutdoorGearLab Editors' Rating:  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
 (4.0)
Average Customer Rating:  
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  • 4
  • 5
 (4.0)

0% of 1 reviewers recommend it
 
Rating Distribution
2 Total Ratings
5 star: 0%  (0)
4 star: 100%  (2)
3 star: 0%  (0)
2 star: 0%  (0)
1 star: 0%  (0)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
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   Apr 27, 2011 - 01:48am
PAUL SOUZA · Climber · Central Valley, CA

I picked up 2 of these for winter mountaineering. I picked up a short and long version. After 1 day of use, the silver finish began to rub off on both pads. Regardless, I was toasty warm when sleeping on the snow.

In short, nothing fancy…just another sleeping pad.



Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this product to a friend.


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