Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3 short

Marc Lewis
Reviewed: 05 February 2012

Great lightweight self inflating mat

Vey light

Good pading

Comes in own stuff sack

None

If you want a fairly comfortable mat, this is really good.

Jugglernick
Reviewed: 19 February 2008

LIGHT, COMPACT AND COMFORTABLE - INFLATE ME HAPPY!

People are really divided in their choice of sleeping mat, I am a confirmed 'self-inflator'; I prefer the lumps and bumps to disappear under an inch of air and foam. This mat does that with ease and is small and easy enough to deal with to use as a sit-mat during the day too.
It is light, compact and comfy, I do rely on a very lightweight sleeping bag (cumulus quantum 200) so ground insulation is essential. I have used this in conditions around the zero mark and had a very good night's sleep - I would expect to be comfortable considerably below that based on my experiences.

Thermarest kit is generally more expensive than the competition, I don't have a problem with this if the quality is there - this is definitely a good quality item, lighter and better made than equivalents from other manufacturers.

This is quite a bit heavier than the claimed weight - mine weighs 408g. It is frustrating that the quoted weight is not accurate but it is still fairly light.
The construction does feel quite flimsy but I have owned a couple of Thermarests and have yet to cause any damage to any of them. I do tend to slide off this mat but that is probably a feature of the material on the outside of the sleeping bag rather than the mat.

This is ideal for me, I have now stopped looking for any other mat. It has been a revelation to discover that I don't need any padding under my feet, I could improvise if I needed to anyway. I use this in conjunction with a Thermarest 'Lite Seat' as a pillow and that covers all the sitting/sleeping eventualities I need.

This packs up into a 2.5 litre space, fits in your pack and works flawlessly - if self inflators are your choice you can't ask for more than that unless you need thicker insulation.

morph
Reviewed: 28 June 2006

HEAVIER THAN ADVERTISED!

still light at 431g
nice small pack size
neat stuff sack provided
nice big valve to allow air in and out.
keeps me warm and comfortable
appears tobe reliable

alot heavier than the advertised 370g
no repair kit
top price. too expensive

id be alot happier with this product if the advertised weight resembled the real weight of this product.
however it does its job

consider the torsolite as a lighter alternative

Justin Thomas
Reviewed: 03 March 2005

PACKS DOWN SMALL, IS COMFORTABLE AND KEEPS ME WARM

Packs down small and fits snug in stuff bag
Simple to use
Keeps me warm and comfortable, even in low temperatures

Perhaps it is a touch delicate, but the repair kit is not all that pricey, so....

Don't quite want to know/remember what it is like without one of these below me. Went out on Dartmoor in -8 and had a great night's sleep (OK, my nose was cold) when combined with my Nanok -10 and Terra Nova Voyager. Lovely.

nigel garland
Reviewed: 19 July 2004

The more you pay the less you get

Light as a very lightweight light thing.
Packs down smaller than a very small thing.
Better than sleeping on the floor, or a karrimat for that!

Doesn't feel substantial enough, bound to get a puncture thus making me stay awake all night thinking about it instead of getting a good nights sleep. Bit pricey at full retail though.

Bought this for £40 in Andorra after wifey lost her std 3/4 in the pyrenees. I "kindly" gave her mine 'till I bought this as a replacement for "mine". Certainly wouldn't buy the pro-lite over the lite 3S as it just doesn't feel as durable.