The Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Insulation Pad is the sleeping pad of your minimalist dreams. With 12 different uses - from adding insulation to your sleep system to its use as an on trail yoga mat, there is every reason for a thinlight pad to be an essential part of your ultralight backpacking kit. The average weight of the new Thinlight pad remains the same as previous versions.
R-Value: We have not determined a R Value or temperature rating for the closed cell foam due to its variable density - but based on thermal conductivity data compiled by an independent scientist, we estimate the R values to be 0.5 for the 1/8" Thinlight.
Please note that some pads will feature scuffs, small air pockets, or creases. This is cosmetic and does not affect performance.
The folded pad perfectly replaces the sit pad in a size medium pack without any trimming.
NOTE: sizes may vary by up to ½" length / 1.3 cm
Features
Ultralight
Closed cell foam won't absorb water
Durable
Specs
Average Weight
Rolled - Total2.7 oz (76 g)
Folded - Total3.3 oz (94 g)
Rolled Wide - Total4.1 oz (116 g)
Dimensions
Rolled 1/8" Pad58.7" x 19" x 1/8"
Folded 1/8" Pad10.7" x 19" x 1"
Folded (Extended)73.5" x 19" x 1/8"
Rolled Wide58.7" x 25" x 1/8"
NOTEsizes may vary by up to ½ in / 1.3 cm
Materials
Polyolenfin
PE/EVA
Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 451 reviews.
I love this foam pad. I toss and turn when I sleep. Normal sleeping pads are noisy, I fall off, and I just can't stand them. This is just enough to keep the ground smoother. I folded it in half when it was extra rough ground and slept with that on the upper part of my body. I found it to be durable but I also only used inside my tent or on my tyvek. The only thing I didn't like is that it did slide around a lot. This is NOT for everyone. You are 100% just sleeping on the ground if you use this as a sleeping pad as I did. Most people do not use this as a sleeping pad but instead use it as a layer between their sleeping pad and their tent. If you are expecting this to be comfortable in anyway, this is not the pad for you. It was the product for me, it met my needs and when it got colder out, I just added a sleeping bag liner to my quilt (cheaper than buying a whole new quilt). I used this for about 1600 miles on the PCT. 9/10 would recommend!
Had an upcoming Grand Canyon trip coming up and pulled out my old folding sit/kneeling pads (different brand) and they were trashed, so decided to try something different for my trip. Went with the folded 1/8" pad to use for an all around sitting/kneeling pad, or for whatever other use I could find for it. The 7 sections were more than I needed, so I decided to cut it into a 4 section pad and a 3 section pad. I ended up taking the 4 section pad with me on my trip and it worked out perfectly. 4 section portion weighed ~2 oz and 3 section weighed ~1.7 oz. (post trip weights, may include some dirt/dust).
I absolutely love this sleeping pad. I bought it specifically for a section hike of the PCT where I needed my backpack to be as light as possible. This did the trick! It saved my a whole pound in weight in my backpack. It was just as comfortable as my accordion style closed cell sleeping pad. For a full review check out my full length review on my youtube page. Ill post the link below to the video but if you have a hard time getting the link to work just search my youtube channel: BucyTV and you will find the review there. I did not get anything for making this review and purchased this pad with my own money.
https://youtu.be/AQ8FEg0EFpM
Testing it out at the house. Even though the material is supposed to be more durable, I’m not a huge fan. I have the old rolled version that I received a few months ago and love it. This new version is not as soft and pliable. I’ll still be using it but not digging the change.
I picked this up because I wanted a pad to use during my morning stretch/yoga routine down at the park and I could use it for backpacking as well. 2 birds one stone right? Not sure how long it’s going to last though. I’ve only had it a week and it’s already showing significant scaring. It will only let me upload 5 pictures but I’ve got at least 10, each of a different spot, showing wear of the pad. If it’s still going in 6 moths I will update the review but at this rate I don’t have a lot of hope.
I have hiked about 900 miles with this rest pad so far. I’ve gotten 2 tears in it, that I easily patched with duct tape. I think you have to decide whether or not the less durable but light material is worth it for you, for me I think it is. I would with average through hiking roughness, but also taking some caution and how you carry and store it while hiking it would last about one 2,000ish mile thru-hike but by the end might be too beat up to use, but that’s also a preference. I use it every day on trail, as a sit pad, yoga mat, Protection under my air sleep pad, and less traditionally as rain cover. I find it more versatile than a foam sit pad.
Love this pad. As a 30-year veteran of thru-hiking, I'm now at the point where I need a cushy air mattress for my aging body, so this pad serves dual duty as puncture protection under the air mattress at night and as padding/structure for my frameless 35L pack during the day. A win-win for 3.3 oz. Base weight still sub 12lb.
These tore very easily. When I replaced them I ordered from FoamOrder and got more durable mats for cheaper and exactly to my specifications. Was sadly not impressed with Gossamer's mats even though I love the brand and really wanted to like them.
A dual piece of gear. I place this under my sleeping pad for puncture protection. Sometimes I wrap this around the sit pad for more comfort. Extremely ultralight. I highly recommend this product.
Works great to have a bit of a barrier when changing or to help stop sleeping pad sliding around. Would rate higher but it is just not very durable after just 2 nights on the trail. And my expectations were very low for durability. The 3/8 torso pad seems like it’ll hold up much better or my 1/4 mld foamie, but that’s twice the weight and bulk.
I consider these thinlight foam pads a "sacrificial layer" to protect my expensive gear. I know that I will be repair taping them repeatedly. They are going to get "ugly." But that means they are doing their intended job by keeping such wear away from my more critical gear.
The polycro ground sheet and tent floor only mininally protect against punctures or tears from sharp rock edges or briars. So, I place this pad underneath my expensive inflatable mattress to protect it.
When camping in winter, the R-value of the air mattress is absolutely critical to warm sleep. Compressed textiles under your body don't create an adequate thermal break. Any expected r-value disappears under the compression of body weight. The air mattress is mission critical, expensive, and must be protected at all costs.
While these are a "bit" bulky, they easily strap outside a pack and weight is negligible.
I will update my review after I spend more time on the trail with the GG branded thinlight foam pad.
This (folded version) is a genius piece of gear! I replaced the back pad in my Gossamer Gear gorilla pack with this, for an even lighter, even more multifunctional back pad for my pack! On the Colorado Trail I loved folding it out every night on top of the polycryo ground sheet that I use with my Whisper shelter. I found it added a wonderful bit of comfort and luxury to my shelter/sleep system. It added protection for my sleeping pad and the pad stayed put better instead of slipping around as it tends to do on the polycryo. Also I use a short air pad and so this pad added a nice resting spot for my feet when I was stretched out! Thank you Gossamer Gear!
Clever idea and definitely helps those of us with sensitive knees when camping on hard surfaces. The problem with the currently popular inflatable sleeping pads is that thye provide NO point cushioning when you kneel or put an elbow down. My only 'complaint' is a personal preference; I'll probably cut off 2 panels to make the stack a bit thinner and still give me a functional area.
Purchased for my 19 year old Granddaughter who taking up backpacking with me. She's know I use my all the time with great results on helping keep the inflatable pad warmer. So she can't wait to try it out in cold weather.
Just what I needed to protect my air mattress and add a little more insulation. Very light. Also came in handy to rest on while waiting for my ride after our backpacking trip.
Used the folding version on the long trail (vermont) in August and the Arizona trail in oct - Nov last year. Didn't use any other pad. Held up great, prefer this new model. Old one i had from years ago would hold onto a bit of water. This new one doesn't hold onto water as far as I can tell. 1100+ miles going strong, this thing is durable. Will be using it on the CDT this season. Expect it'll hold up fine, as most foam pads do. Gg if you're reading this make a folding 1/4" pad and I'll love you forever. Protip leave the thinlight full length and fold it in half for colder nights.
