Therm-a-Rest Lite Seat

Summary

The Therm-a-Rest Lite Seat is a self-inflating seat that is great for taking a seat just about anywhere that needs a little cushion. It is a miniature version of the popular Therm-a-Rest ProLite mattress. It weighs only 3 oz and can seriously fit just about anywhere in your pack.

The Therm-a-Rest Lite Seat is a 3oz mini-mattress that can be used just about anywhere. I take it on day hikes, backpacking trips, tailgating, to sporting events, and I even use it as a cushion for the rocking chair on my front porch. Basically you can use it anytime that you don't have a dry, comfortable, warm place to sit.

It is self-inflating, but can be inflated easily with two breaths. I have had mine for four years now and have taken it all over and never thought twice about the surface I put it on. It is very durable and I have never had a problem with it. My favorite thing about it is that you don't have to expose your sleeping pad to the elements if you have this pad.

One thing that I really like about this pad is that it isn't just a seat. It can also be used as padding in an ultralight frameless pack, or even as an extra pillow (underneath the regular sleeping pad).

The seats helping make a fantastic "dinner with a view" in Yosemite.

Here are the specifications from the Therm-a-Rest website:

Weight: 3 oz 

Width 11 in X Length 15 in X Thickness 1.5 in 

Fabric: Polyester  70d Nylon Soft Grip 70d Nylon Soft Grip Foam type Star Punched Star Punched Fill material Urethane Foam Urethane Foam

Bottom line: This is a very durable pad that is great anytime that you don't want to sit on a rock, wet or cold ground, or anywhere that isn't comfortable. 

Summary

My husband and I each have one of these. Ours are made out of mesh with only a small amount of cloth. The model we have is the Therm-a-Rest Lite Seat and weighs 3 oz.

We slip them inside the stuff sacks for our Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus mattresses. It just feels really good after a long hike to have a back support while you are sitting and watching the mountain goats or counting the waterfalls you can see on a mountain.

The 3 oz weight is worth it. They are very sturdy and quite comfortable. My husband weighs about 240 and the chair fits him well and is not flimsy. There are metal stays in the frame which keep you from leaving it on the pads when it is in transport which is the only drawback that I can think of. Otherwise, you might be tempted to get our your sleeping mat every time you stopped for a meal or a break on the trail.