Therm-a-Rest Evolite
This sleeping pad has all the appeal of old-school self-inflators—roll it out and watch the pad do all the work—but compresses to half the size of its predecessors, thanks to some new-school tricks.
Brand: Therm-a-Rest
Model: Evolite Sleeping Pad
Convenience
We hate having to manually blow up pads at altitude when we’re tanked from a long day of hiking. The Evolite inflates on its own in about 15 minutes (you may want to top it off with a few puffs if you prefer your pad firm).
Compressibility
Built with alternating foam and air channels, the Evolite uses about 40 percent less foam than traditional self-inflating pads, yet provides 2.5 inches of back support. And Therm-a-Rest’s new Atmos foam is unique, too: It’s produced in an atmospheric-controlled chamber that literally reduces the effect of gravity on the foam as it sets, making it extra soft and lightweight. The Evolite weighs in at just over a pound and packs barely larger than a 1-liter water bottle, so you can drop it easily inside your pack, avoiding the wear and tear pads incur when strapped on the outside.
Warmth
With an R-value of 2.1 (a measure of insulation; higher is warmer), it’s best for temps above 40°F (or warm sleepers).