Nemo Switchback or Thermarest Z Lite SOL

DB, I have both. Just rolled them out on my hardwood floor to re-confirm my subjective memory, and I indeed find the Nemo more comfortable and forgiving than the TR Sol. It’s also not “spongy” like the Thermarest Ridgerest (which I never particularly liked).

Were I headed out tomorrow with a CC pad, it would be the Nemo Switchback.

1. I know this has been debated before… so thanks.  Curious if anyone’s opinions have changed. I will also throw in the mix the Exped flexmat. I picked one up for $24 from REI on a whim. So now I have all 3 to test out myself.  I have always used the Z lite,  but I am curious about the other 2 options now as I plan on ditching my air pad. I think I am mostly curious  what temperature I can take them down to before I feel the chill. I know i can sleep comfortably enough on the ground with my current combination.. so if one of the other 2 I find more comfortable then Z lite, well that will be an added bonus for me. Now being Fall temps and winter approaching I will get to figure out temperature comforts.  If anyone has any opinions or thoughts/comments I’d love to hear!

DB, I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts on all this including on the Exped. To me it just looks like more of the Z Lite, but I’m often wrong :)

Aside, I used to sleep directly on snow with only a 3/8″ Ensolite pad, sometimes in conditions as cold as -15*F. I never felt cold. Honestly, I’m of the opinion that closed cell mats “feel” far warmer than their assigned R-values would suggest. IE, an “R2” CC pad will feel far warmer in identical conditions than an inflatable with an R2 rating.

Yes i am most likely heading uo to the Catskills in 2 weeks for 2 nights and the overnight temperatures up there are already in the mid 20s to low / mid 30s..  so I have basically 2 weeks to decide which of the 3 pads I will bring to sleep on.  The only problem I forsee with the Exped is.. will it carry on my pack like the Z lite and Nemo. I love how I can fold them up and carry them on the backside of my Nero backpack.  Should have it this week so i will see if that works..

Hmm

I tried this ccf only combination out a couple of nights and have been very pleased. It’s an Exped Flexmat and a 4′ section of 1/4″ thick Evazote foam from MLD (3.6 oz) for hips and upper body. The Flexmat and Z-Lite are almost the same thickness (1.8 cm and 2.0 cm) and dimensions (length and width). They also fold up to be virtually the same size, but the Flexmat is over 3 oz lighter (10.6 oz) and that’s mainly because its foam isn’t as dense, which in turn means it’s not as durable long term nor is it quite as firm. However, with the 1/4″ Evazote on top any of those concerns are easily overcome. 1/8″ Evazote is just too thin IMO but I like it under an air pad.

How do you pack/fold and carry the 1/4 pad?  The 1/8 is nice and thin it folds up very easy.. is the 1/4 kind of the same?

I made a cover for the 1/4″ Evazote out of 15D silpoly and added a one-way separating zipper. Makes a cylinder 4 1/4″ in diameter and then I just put it in a lower side pocket of my pack and secure it at the top with a 3/8″ piece of flat elastic and a light plastic biner clip. You can do the same thing without a  cover by taking two 1″ wide sections of velcro that sticks back onto itself (Walmart usually has it) and wrapping them around the rolled up Evazote, but you’d have to be careful about getting the foam torn on branches or sticker bushes. A rolled up 20″ X 48″ Evazote 1/4″ thick is only slightly larger diameter than a 20″ X 60″ that’s 1/8″ thick (assuming that is the size you’re using). Or you can put the 1/4″ inside your pack burrito style. I find the 1/8″ get deformed too easy with things in my pack just pushing up against it. The 1/4″ maintains its form much much better. The 1/4″ will fold but not as easily.

Gotcha. What temps have you used it in with the other pad?

Are you talking about the Flexmat/X-Frame combination? I haven’t used any of the combos in cold weather so far but in seasons past I used the Z-Lite SOL by itself in upper 20’s and it’s pretty spartan (comfort wise). Of course that’s with a sleeping bag and not a quilt. The Flexmat has an R value (supposedly) of 1.5 and Ron at MLD says the 1/4″ Evazote has a minimum of 0.8 R value, so 2.3 combined for that combination. Certainly not anywhere near what many of the air pads provide but I hate inflatables in cold weather and the ccf can be multi-purposed for sitting around camp as a comfy barrier against the cold ground. I see Questoutfitters has the metalized Reflective Tyvek (1.28 oz per sq yd) and it’s supposed to boost R value so I might order some. I put a mylar blanket under my Z-Lite years back and it helps but it’s fragile. https://www.questoutfitters.com/uncoated_fabrics.htm#TYVEK

The Z-Lite SOL is of course supposed to have an R value of 2.0.

MLD website claims regarding the 1/4″ Evazote: “We estimate adding this thin 1/4″ pad under another sleep pad will add about 14-20 degrees extra comfort to the pad system. Example: Uninsulated inflatable UL pad good to 38 degrees would then be good to about 20 degrees.”

“in seasons past I used the Z-lite SOL  by itself in upper 20’s and it’s pretty spartan”

Perfect!! Thankyou!! I cant wait to try this out!!