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Gear Review: Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Solar Sleeping Pad

An indestructible sleeping pad with an aluminized surface layer that reflects body heat.

[indestructible]

Over the last 23 years, this .75-inch-thick mat has survived because it’s tough, insulating, and light. Winter campers and mountaineers have long relied on its no-fail durability to provide a barrier against cold snow. This year, the RidgeRest gets a well-deserved facelift.

The new Solar keeps everything we love about the RidgeRest and adds a virtually weightless aluminized surface layer, which reflects body heat like a space blanket. It bumps the insulation value and our tester (a seasoned RidgeRest user) says, “I could definitely notice the difference—the coating lessened the bite of sleeping on snow.”

Pair it with a cushy inflated pad for the ultimate winter bed. Downside: Like all closed-cell foam pads, it’s bulky when rolled. $40; 1 lb. 3 oz.; reg. or long; cascadedesigns.com

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