The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is a super light closed-cell seat pad. It’s great for backpacking, hiking, camping, and hunting.
Let’s take a closer look:
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Review
Because the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat weighs only 2 ounces, you can take it most anywhere.My biggest concern when it comes to outdoor seating is usually connected to weight and size. I would almost always prefer sitting in something comfortable like the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair . . . but there is no way I’m hauling it around on a hike. The real question is if the size and weight are worth the effort in a given outdoor trek.
Because the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is so light, packable, and durable, you can take it most anywhere.
The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat addresses the size/weight problem by making size and weight a near non-factor — it weighs just 2 ounces. When folded, it’s small enough to fit inside daypacks. It can also fit into water bottle pockets and you can strap it to the outside of many backpacks, too. Or drop it into a rugged tote bag.
Z Seat Design
Despite the non-flattering angle in this photo, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is slimmer than this size comparison suggests.The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is made from closed-cell foam — the same stuff that Therm-a-Rest uses in its larger Z Lite SOL Sleeping Pad. It’s waterproof and very durable.
The padding and comfort is created by nesting dimples that fold up into each other to save space. In addition, the dimples can trap a bit of heat (which is more important if you’re using the sleeping pad vs the seat).
The Z Seat folds up accordion-style, which makes it more packable than simpler closed-cell foam pad seats that roll.
Because it’s so versatile and cost-effective, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat has earned spots in several of our gift guides this year, including our 45+ Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers.
Use Silver Side Up for Extra Warmth
You can use the silver side up to gain a 15% boost in warmth!You’re probably wondering, why is one side of the Z Seat silver? The silver side is Therm-a-Rest’s ThermaCapture coating, which is designed to reflect radiant heat back to you. Therm-a-Rest says it can increase warmth by 15%.
Generally, I don’t pay much attention to the ThermaCapture coating or the orientation with the Z Seat. Whichever way it unfolds is usually the way it goes down.
However, Therm-a-Rest does say that its Z Lite SOL Sleeping Pad has a slightly denser foam on the bottom (the color side) than the silver-side top. I have a slight preference for sleeping on the pad reversed because the dimples feel a bit more dimply, but I can’t tell a difference when sitting on the Z Seat.
Either way, because the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is nearly indestructible, I don’t worry about using it on any particular side.
Experience and Recommendations
While the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat has been a long-time backpacking and hiking fan favorite, hunters are starting to appreciate it, too.So, is the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat comfortable? When your alternative option is a rock, log or dirt, yes, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is very comfortable. If the rock, log or dirt is wet, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is extermely comfortable.
Compared to most any other camp chair or ultra-light backpacking chair, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is not particularly comfortable.
It is what it is — a small waterproof seating pad.
That said, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat now goes into any of my packs when there is any chance of moisture. On warm summer hikes, I can usually sit on on a dry rock or log and be happy enough. When there’s a chance of rain, snow or even early morning dew, I want the Z Seat. Similarly, if it’s cold out, the Z Seat provides a nice thermal barrier to sitting on snow or a cold rock.
Shop all three Z Seat color options at Amazon!
Size Considerations
If extra size is your priority, you can modify a Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL Sleeping Pad by trimming off three or four panels.The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is 13″ x 16″. That size will provide cushion for quite a few butts, including whichever bones you put the most pressure on when you sit.
If you have a large backside, however, you may want to consider the size if you might need more coverage, especially in wet conditions. One way to get more coverage is to simply buy a Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL Sleeping Pad and then cut off however many panels you want to carry.
You’ll lose a bit of packability with this method, but you’ll gain a customizable seat pad.
Competitive Alternatives & Options
There are several great ultralight seat pad options available these days, including closed-cell foam competitive seat pads as well as inflatable and ultra-light chairs. If you’re considering the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat, these alternative outdoor hiking seats might also fit your needs:
NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad — The NEMO Chipper is made entirely from reclaimed and remolded PE foam scraps from NEMO’s sleeping pad manufacturing. Compared to the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat, the NEMO Chipper is 1″ longer and a 1/4″ thicker. One key drawback is the increased weight: The NEMO Chipper weighs 7.6 ounces vs the Z Seat’s 2.0 oz weight.
Klymit V Seat — The inflatable Klymit V Seat weighs 2.6 oz. The biggest benefit is the cushy 1.5″ height that makes it more comfortable than the Z Seat. The main drawback is that it is inflatable, which means you have to blow it up . . . and that it could get a hole in it if you’re using it on extreme terrain. While it’s great for most backpacking or trekking, you’ll have to use with care around pine cones, blackberry brambles, or desert thorns.
Helinox Chair Zero — The Helinox Chair Zero is an actual chair, not a seating pad. Compared to camp chairs, it’s ultralight — just 16 oz. If you’re willing to carry the extra weight, the Helinox Chair Zero is more comfortable than the Z Seat. The biggest drawback is its weight and cost compared to the Z Seat. For more detail, including how comfortable it is for a 6’3″ 220-pound gear tester, read our full Helinox Chair Zero Review.
The Bottom Line
All-in-all, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is a durable, waterproof and ultralight seating pad that’s small enough to take on most any outdoor adventure. If you ever find yourself wanting to sit and rest on a cold, wet rock or log, the Z Seat will keep your butt dry and comfortable. Better yet, because it’s so lightweight, it’s almost always worth carrying. Highly recommended.
Get the Gear:
Check pricing & availability:
