therm-a-rest z lite sol sleeping pad

IMHO, everyone should have some sort of ccf pad in the gear locker. They are tough and cheap and can be combined with another pad for winter trips. In other words, buy both as you find the deals.

Bulk is an issue. If you use a frameless pack you can use a shorter pad and put the pack under your feet, reducing the bulk.

If your pack has some extra room inside, you can fold the z-lite wider and flatter and put it against your back. If you use a Ridgerest or blue foam pad it can be rolled in a tube inside and you can load your gear inside the tube.

A little trial and error experimentation will find a way to haul the ccf pad. Getting it secure and out the way of trailside branches and brush are my concerns. Once you have your pack on, you dont have to look at it anymore

The nice thing about the regular zlite is:
1. Nothing to puncture
2. Relatively light weight
3. Fold it over for torso size and the doubled height is actually quite comfortable.
4. Saves your breath

But now the excess volume needs packed :(

-Barry
-The mountains were made for Tevas

If I were the type who could sleep comfortably on CCF, I'd gladly deal with the bulk. (and will be dealing with it for hammock purposes soon).

Relative to inflatables, CCF pads are cheap. Certainly worth trying out to see if it works for you. And may as well be the Z lite.

It appeals to me so much I'M considering, for ground purposes, combining CCF w/the most minimal Klymt pad. Cause for me it's all about the side-sleeping hip and shoulder pressure points.

I am a very "active" sleeper.
When asking my girlfriend how I sleep, "You tend to like your own space. Can sleep in most positions, but it seems as though you are fond of your back! The only thing is that your arms and legs could literally be ANYWHERE on the bed and in any position."

I would love to be able to use the Z Lite for its cost and durability on the trail. Might as buy one from REI and try it out for a weekend. If I do not like it, just return it.

I. Can't. Resist. Sorry.

Well, if my name was Hole, I don't think I'd trust inflatable sleeping pads either! ;^)

Get the Z-Lite; you can always combine it with a small inflatable later…

I am not normally a CCF person, but I've been trying to get used to one for the PCT this spring. I've used the Ridgerest Solite and the ZLite, and what I've been finding to be interesting is that, where the Ridgerest was always uncomfortable for me, the Zlite is surprisingly usable. I'll never be confusing it for a Synmat, but I don't seem to have a problem getting a reasonable night's sleep on it.

I've also used a couple of the various Prolites, including the XS, the Reg, and a torso-length Plus (slightly thicker/more insulated). FWIW, they are definitely more comfortable than the CCF, but not dramatically so.

Barring any last-minute decisions to do something different, I will probably be bringing a half-length (36") ZLite on the PCT with me, since I want something easy where I don't need to worry about damage. If I'm going out on a weekend overnight, I'm probably bringing the XS Prolite or maybe my torso-length OG NeoAir.

This response has taught me that I really need to cull the ol' sleeping pad collection.

I have a zlite and it's wonderful. I can't actually use it alone and be comfortable, but it's a great easy way to get a lot of extra warmth or puncture protection. I use it combined with my xlite to sleep right on top of snow and stay warm. I also use it for car camping to keep my prolite from popping.