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Most comfortable CCF pad? (Z Lite vs Ridgerest SoLite vs other?)


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Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) Most comfortable CCF pad? (Z Lite vs Ridgerest SoLite vs other?)

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Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)
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  • #1287169
    Ty Ty
    Member

    @tylerd

    Locale: SE US

    Z Lite – 20"x72" -14 oz – R2.6
    Ridgerest SoLite – 20"x72" – 14 oz – R2.8

    My primary concern is comfort. The R value's are close enough that I don't care. So which do you think is more comfortable? I went to a sporting goods store yesterday and tried both, felt about the same, I couldn't discern much difference but it was a brief test, hoping others have more feedback.

    Also my plan with the Ridgerest SoLite was to use it burrito style in my pack as a frame which I read works really well. Can you use the accordion style ZLite on the back of the pack and get similar results or is burrito style superior for adding pack stability/frame?

    Lastly, Dick's Sporting Goods has the classic version of these two pads which appear to be exactly the same minus the reflective coating but cheaper. Is the reflective coating worth paying maybe $10 more?

    #1854167
    David Ure
    Member

    @familyguy

    Yeah – I think you have hit the nail on the head. They are essentially the same except for packing. I prefer the Z-lite but these are so close it will be which one YOU prefer.

    #1854175
    Terry Trimble
    Member

    @socal-nomad

    Locale: North San Diego county

    I have both pads. The Z lite if you cut a 10" panel off one end and fold from the center on both sides it makes a nice 2 inch thick by 10 inch wide flat pad you can slide in to a back sleeve in your pack.

    Now I am a heavier person I go back and forth in weight 185 lbs. to 200 lbs. The Z lite compress to thin to only about 1/4 inch thick or less at my torso area when sleeping on it. The ridgerest stay at 3/8" thick when I lay down on it.

    Durability The ridgerest win hand down because it won't tear verse a Zlite can tear easy at the the thin according folds.
    Terry

    #1854182
    Samuel Kau
    Spectator

    @skau

    Locale: Southern California

    the most comfortable ccf pads are the thickest ones.

    #1854247
    Ty Ty
    Member

    @tylerd

    Locale: SE US

    "the most comfortable ccf pads are the thickest ones."

    These two pads aren't that much different in thickness, more so the egg shell vs the ridges.

    #1854250
    John Le
    Member

    @jplblue

    Locale: Northeast

    I've never tried a z-lite, but I've used a Ridgerest and have a Ridgerest SoLite. The coating is definitely worth the extra $10. I've used the SoLite down to the mid 30s. For $20, I think the SoLite short is the best value for a sleeping pad.

    #1854368
    M B
    BPL Member

    @livingontheroad

    They have a Zlite sol with coating now too. Saw it in store today.

    #1854371
    Ty Ty
    Member

    @tylerd

    Locale: SE US

    Yep sure do. I found it locally (no shipping) for only $5 less so might as well get the newer, coated model either way I go.

    I am leaning towards the Ridgerest mainly for the burrito style packing. Gonna think about it for a while and see.

    #1854391
    Darren M.
    Member

    @dmacdaddy

    Locale: West

    Kind of like asking which enema is best…UGH!

    CCF pads are just not comfortable, bit of an oxymoron. But if you gotta do it, I also have a RidgeRest SOlite small. It can be trimmed down a little to make into a true torso pad depending on your measurements. Just knowing that Skurka uses one (from his new book) and likes it made mine instantly feel more comfortable! :)

    #1854398
    Dustin Short
    BPL Member

    @upalachango

    I like my RR Sol. The only problem with using it burrito style is that it does seem to take up a lot of space because it is thick and not the most flexible. Not a deal breaker but just something to take into consideration. I usually just roll and carry it outside my pack for this reason (I use an internal frame pack for anything over 20lbs anyway).

    #1854415
    Alex Wallace
    BPL Member

    @feetfirst

    Locale: Sierra Nevada North

    I used a Ridgerest for about 4 years with no noticeable loss of cushion. I tried a Z Lite for the smaller packed size and after 1 year of average use (about 20 nights) I noticed it was much thinner in the shoulder and hip area. I now use a SOLite.

    #1854545
    James Winstead
    Spectator

    @james_w

    Locale: CA

    I've used a z-rest which I've progressively cut shorter and shorter. It's down to 6 panels which fold flat as a back pad pretty decently.I could never make it work any longer than 6 though. Some people sorta do a tube or 'u' shape I think but it was not very space efficient at all in my tries. Also the eggshell is very grippy so stuffing/removing things is a bit of a pain. (great for less than ideally level campsites though)

    I'm also looking at the RR as a good way to spend my $20ish rei dividend.

    I think the buritto is the best way if you need to use a pad as a frame.

    #1854548
    Todd Hein
    BPL Member

    @todd1960

    Locale: Front Range

    IMO Zlites are junk – They break down quickly and flatten after only a few uses. My favorite CCF pad by far is the Gossamer Gear Nightlight – Much better construction, nice dense foam and pretty light at about 10oz for 50" length: http://gossamergear.com/sleeping/nightlight-sleeping-pad-3-4.html

    I believe GG had a full length pad but may no longer sell it…

    #1854554
    Bridget Guildner
    Spectator

    @bridgie

    Locale: Cascadia

    How about the Ridge Rest Solar (used to be the Ridge Rest deluxe)? I've been thinking of buying one of these to replace my ancient, heavy, torso-length Thermarest, but they don't stock it at any of my local outdoor stores so I can't test it out. In terms of comfort, how much of an improvement is it compared to the regular Ridge Rest?

    #1854632
    Ty Ty
    Member

    @tylerd

    Locale: SE US

    Bridget – I wondered the same thing myself. The Ridgerest SoLite is .62" thick, the Solar is .75" thick, noticeably heavier though.

    I have never even seen a Solar in person so I would love to hear comments from someone who has tried both the RR's to see if the Solar would be worth the extra weight.

    #1854661
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I bought one for longer trips not wanting to incur the high risk that my more comfortable Neo Air springs a leak early in a lengthy trip. This is a very comfortable pad. The big down side is that the comfort providing thickness takes significant space packing it burrito style.

    #1855105
    Curry
    BPL Member

    @veganaloha

    Locale: USA

    or you can easily cut it down a few panels at a time until you find the length/weight that is comfortable for you. either way, it's really a great pad.

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