Thermarest RidgeRest SOLite

The Campmor website lists the R-value at 2.8, and the Regular size (72 x 20 inches) weighs 14 ounces.

Campor Link

My initial impression from seeing it online was basically "2 Ridgerests stuck together" but this doesn't seem to be the case. If it were the R value would be up around 5 and it would be really heavy at somewhere around 24 ounces.

I'm quite interested to know what's going on here as well. How does such a thick CCF pad have such a low R value?

Maybe the doubled the depth of the ridges and/or are using less dense foam?

That would potentially compress more, so no gain in "R" value, but it could be more comfortable on hard rocky terrain?

They're confusing things.

From Cascade Designs website: Based on the design of the original, legendary RidgeRest pad, the RidgeRest SOLite mattress is a great minimalist pad for 3-season use that offers years of worry-free comfort. A new, aluminized surface adds more warmth by reflecting body heat back to the user, while also increasing mattress durability. A perfect mattress for those seeking the ultimate in go-anywhere, sleep- on-anything comfort.

Small
Dimensions: Packed: Weight: Retail USD:
51 x 122 cm / 20 x 48 in. 51 x 17 cm / 20 x 6.5 in. 260 g / 9 oz. $19.95

Large
Dimensions: Packed: Weight: Retail USD:
63 x 196 cm / 25 x 77 in. 64x22cm/25 x8.5in. 540 g / 1 lb. 3 oz. $39.95

Regular Dimensions: Packed: Weight: Retail USD:
51 x 183 cm / 20 x 72 in. 51 x 20 cm / 20 x 8 in. 400 g / 14 oz. $29.95

R-Value: Thickness: Color: Release Date:
2.8: 1.5 cm / .625 in. Silver/Sage January 2011
Made in Seattle, USA

Steven,

From Campmor's site.

Thermarest RidgeRest SOLite Sleeping Pad

Regular Specs
Dimensions: 20 x 72 in.
Pack Size: 20 in.x 8 in.
Weight: 14 oz.
Thickness: 1.5 in.
R value: 2.8

Large Specs:
Dimensions: 25 in. x 77 in.
Pack Size: 25 in. x 8.5 in.
Weight: 1 lb. 3 oz.
Thickness: 1.5 in.
R value: 2.8

From Cascade Designs / Thermarest's site.

Ridge Rest® Solar

Regular Large
Country of Origin Made in Seattle, USA Made in Seattle, USA
Color Silver/Blue Silver/Blue
R-Value 3.5 3.5
Weight 1 lbs 3 oz / 540 g 1 lbs 10 oz / 740 g
Width 20 in / 51 cm 25 in / 63 cm
Length 72 in / 183 cm 77 in / 196 cm
Thickness .75 in / 2 cm .75 in / 2 cm
Packaged dimension 20 x 8.6 in / 51 x 22 cm 25 x 9.3 in / 64 x 24 cm

I could be wrong but I do not think the 1.5 inch thickness is correct. The clue is the packed or rolled size.

For example comparing apples to apples Cascade Designs/Thermarest lists its Large Ridgrest Solar at 25" x 77" x 3/4" and 26 ounces. The packed size is stated as 25" x 9.3".

The Campmor site lists the specs for the Thermarest RidgeRest SOLite Sleeping Pad
at 25" x 77" x 1.5" and 19 ounces. The packed size is stated as 25" x 8.5".

Personally I think the 1.5" thickness and the 2.8 R value on Campmor's site are typos. I also find it peculiar that as you said, " It isn't on the Thermarest site yet".

I think the Solar and the SOLite are the same product with conflicting data in the specs.

I hope that I am wrong because I would love to have a 25" x 77" CCF pad that was 1.5" thick that I could roll down to 8.5". While we're at it let's throw in the 3.5 R value also. ;-)

Somehow I don't think it is physically possible especially when the packed sizes of the Regular size on both sites are so close to one another.

Party On,

Newton

"I think the Solar and the SOLite are the same product with conflicting data in the specs."

Not the same product. The Solar is a 'plusher' SOLite. The SOLite is basically the 'regular' Ridgerest with the aluminized coating.

Neither is 1.5 inches thick. The Solar claims a 3.5 R value. The SOLite claims a 2.8 R value.

The Solar is on the 'regular' Thermarest site. The SOLite is on the Cascade Designs site as an upcoming product, to be released in Jan. 2011. That's probably why it's not on the 'regular' Thermarest site yet.

Maybe some day technology will get there:-)

Idester,

I scoured the Cascade Designs site for upcoming products, new products and even the release date, Jan. 2011. No luck! I just wanted to see what they had to say about it.

Now that we know, thanks to you, that it is a new and upcoming product in Jan. 2011 could you provide us with a link "directly" to the page on their site where it gives the particular specs of the SOLite.

Thanks,

Party On,

Newton

The information is on this page under the Thermarest tab:

http://cascadedesigns.com/presskit2011

None of the information appears to be working, but it’s obviously an upcoming product, and most likely a replacement of the original Ridgerest with an aluminized coating.

Sure

Kyle and Idester,

Thanks for the links guys.

Following your links got me to the info that I was looking for on their site. I still can't find it on my own by clicking around their web site. You guys must have "Special Press Credentials". ;-)

It appears that Campmor's product info has the thickness at 1.5 "inches" instead of the correct 1.5 cm. / .625 inches or 5/8" for us dinosaurs who still use fractions.

Party On,

Newton

I just picked up Ridge rest solite at Adventure 16 today it the 5/8th inch thick. and you gain the original RR is 2.6 R value and solite R value is 2.8 so .2 difference in R value. I did a warmth comparison to see if the it was warmer with my shirt off .
When you lay down on the solite with aluminized surface up against your skin you get the most warmth transfer. It about the same as the original Ridge rest when the aluminized surface is faced down.

I was going to buy the regular size one and cut it down to 5.5 foot but it looks like the aluminized film might de-laminate from the foam if you cut the pad down if you cut down the pad it would not be covered under the warranty. So I went with short pad and use my pack or seat pad for my feet.

A-16 also had the new thermarest trail pro, trail lite they fold in half before you roll them so you can pack it in side your pack.

I STILL wonder why Cascade Designs can't aluminize the inner bottom surface of the Pro Lite… ??????????

Eric,

They could aluminize the inner bottom surface of the Pro Lite sleeping pad; they won't because it will cost more without any incremental insulation benefit. You need a substantial air gap between the aluminized surface and the ground to derive any incremental insulation benefit.

The Ridge Rest sleeping pad’s aluminized and semi-rigid ribbed surface provides air gaps between the ridges and thus provides an incremental insulation benefit.

Hummm…

If the bottom of a ribbed pad were aluminized, would it collect and transfer heat from the non-contact gaps to the contact points on the ground, thereby increasing heat loss?

hummmm….

I just got off the phone with cascade design to confirm my findings about Aluminization side of Solite.
Basically the CSR said in colder weather sleep with the aluminized side up against your body to get the heat reflected back to your body. In the hotter climates sleep with the aluminized side down to keep cooler.
So the .2 R value gains is great for people who sleep with quilts like me.

The thickness issue on the SOlite is due to the fact that the copywriter at Campmor can't tell the difference between 1.5" and 1.5cm. Thermarest shows 1.5cm/0.625" which isn't a good equivalent anyway. 15mm=0.59" and 0.625"=15.875mm.

The Solar pad is 0.75"/2cm.

The aluminum coating seems a little gimmick-y, but I'm sure it doesn't add much weight and may well help with durability. I wouldn't throw out my old pad, but it would okay for a new purchase. Any gain in performance and durability without adding weight is a good direction.