Hands-on Gear Review

Therm-A-Rest ProLite Plus Review

Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus
By: Chris McNamara and Max Neale  ⋅  Apr 7, 2015
Price:  $110 List  |  $89.95 at REI - 18% Off
Pros:  Comfortable, warm, non-slip surface.
Cons:  Heavier and bulkier than Therm-a-Rest ProLite and Nemo Zor.
Manufacturer:   Therm-a-Rest
56
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth - 20% 6
  • Comfort - 25% 6
  • Durability - 10% 6
  • Weight - 25% 6
  • Packed Size - 20% 4
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Our Verdict

The Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus is a high quality all-purpose inflatable foam pad. This is more comfortable and warmer than the Therm-a-Rest ProLite and Nemo Zor. But its also larger and heavier. We prefer the ProLite to the ProLite Plus because it's lighter and more compact.

The best all-purpose portable pad is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, which provides the ultimate blend of warmth, comfort, weight savings, and packability. Taking weight savings a level further, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite weighs only 12 oz. and packs down super small. For those who spend less time backpacking and more time base and car camping opt for the Nemo Astro Insulated, a cheaper and slightly wider alternative to the expensive and fancy abovementioned NeoAirs.

Choose a closed cell pad if you need something really durable or are on a budget. We recommend the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol if space is a concern and the Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest SOLite if it's not. Either pad weighs only 14 ounces.


Our Analysis and Test Results

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Likes


The ProLite Plus is the warmest and most comfortable portable inflatable foam pad we've pad we tested. Its contoured shape provides ample slumber space while shaving off unnecessary ounces. The main thing that sets this pad apart from the companys ProLite, the Nemo Zor, and Pacific Outdoor Equipments Peak Oyl Mtn is comfort. The ProLite Plus is 50% thicker than the ProLite and 100% thicker than the Zor. This added air and foam makes sleeping on your side significantly more comfortable and warmer. Therm-a-Rest measures the ProLite Pluss R-Value at 3.8, which makes the pad close to twice as warm as the ProLite. This is a versatile, all-season pad that priorities comfort. The best part about this pad (and all other inflatable foam pads) is its flat surface, which is more comfortable to lay your head directly on than bumpy NeoAirs or other ridged sleeping pads.

Dislikes


Despite being warm and comfortable, the ProLite Plus weighs a pound and a half, which firmly sets it among the heavier backpacking pads we've tested. The pad packs to a passable 3.25 Liters (about a third larger than the company's ProLite and over twice the size of the NeoAir XTherm). Its therefore geared more toward the casual backpacker than the fast and fast and light crowd.

The NeoAir series offers much more performance and comfort. The NeoAir All-Season is our top rated all-purpose portable pad. It's warmer, lighter, and more comfortable (for side sleepers) than the ProLite Plus. We recommend the AllSeason if you can afford its $40 increased price.

Value


The ProLite Plus is a good value if you prefer the flat surface of self-inflating foam pads. If you're willing to give air core pads a try we recommend the Nemo Astro Insulated or Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season.

— Chris McNamara and Max Neale

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OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews


Most recent review: April 7, 2015
Summary of All Ratings

OutdoorGearLab Editors' Rating:  
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  • 5
 (4.0)
Average Customer Rating:  
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  • 5
 (3.7)

100% of 4 reviewers recommend it
 
Rating Distribution
4 Total Ratings
5 star: 0%  (0)
4 star: 75%  (3)
3 star: 25%  (1)
2 star: 0%  (0)
1 star: 0%  (0)
Person Icon

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   May 11, 2013 - 10:00pm
BORIS · Other · BOGOTA - COLOMBIA

This is a great sleeping pad, comfortable, durable and warm. I had use this pad on several base camp with a great performance.



Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.

Climber

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   May 21, 2012 - 09:10pm
wade · Climber · Boulder, CO

This pad has gotten a lot of use year round and the only thing I can say is I wish it was lighter. It's proven to be comfortable (I'm a side sleeper), durable, and warm. If you have a short approach or you're base camping, this is an excellent option.



Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.

goofing off at pine creek

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   Mar 1, 2012 - 02:31pm
jfailing · Climber · Lone Pine

This has been my main sleeping pad for the past three years. It's pretty big, very durable, and moderately comfortable.

Since I mostly car camp at climbing spots (Bishop, J-tree, Yosemite), I figured I would get a large pad and not worry about weight too much. By using just the pad by itself, it's pretty comfy, but I find that even when it's blown up all the way, I can still feel the ground sometimes.

It's mostly used now in addition to a bouldering bad or separate foam pad — car camping should be luxurious, as weight and size aren't really factors.

The best thing it has going for it is durability. I've had it for three years and it's showing almost zero signs of wear. The reinforced bottom probably helps out here. I've had other inflatable therma-rests that have half a dozen patches on them, but so far no problem here.

Bottom line - if you're car camping this thing is pretty good, if you're backpacking it would be heavier than many other options and bulky too.



Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.

Climber

Feb 20, 2012 - 11:23am
 
Tina · Climber · Los Angeles, CA

This is a great pad for a lightweight side sleeper. The pad isn't noisy if you toss and turn and R value is great. It may weigh a little more but I know that if it gets punctured the foam will still keep me warm and padded without air. It's worth the extra pack weight. I know other side sleepers who also use this pad and love it.



Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.

Person Icon

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
May 12, 2013 - 01:03am
 
Lynne · Other · Lee Vining

I'm getting into the fun of backpacking. After much consideration I bought a Thermarest NeoAir Xtreme Four Season. At 15oz. and a Rvalue of 5.7 it works for me. I'm female, 124lbs. and don't like to be cold. This pad is light so even though it's four season, I use it year around.




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