Bottom Line
A small subset of ultralight backpackers will be content using the Gossamer Gear Thinlight as their only sleeping pad, but for most people, it makes far more sense as a companion to an inflatable. The ⅛-inch foam is tough and durable, but it only takes the edge off of the harsh ground. On its own, warmth is minimal, and comfort is highly dependent on finding a soft campsite.
The Thinlight’s value becomes more apparent when added to a primary sleeping pad. Placed beneath an air pad, the Thinlight adds a significant layer of protection while also reducing pad slippage. It’s a lightweight, affordable upgrade that can make a meaningful difference over the course of a trip.
Beyond nighttime use, it’s hard to understate how useful this pad is during the day. It makes for a quick, easy spot to stretch, take a siesta, or even fit in a quick yoga session. After carrying the Thinlight for hundreds of miles, we see it less as a primary sleeping pad and more as an additional tool that consistently earns its spot in our pack.
How We Tested
We’ve put the Thinlight to the test in a variety of uses from the New Mexico wilderness to the rugged Cascades to evaluate its comfort, warmth, durability, and overall usability. We’ve been carrying at least a small chunk of this pad with us (as a sit pad) on almost every backpacking trip for years.
Quick Specs
Gossamer Gear Thinlight
Best Sleeping Pad Add-on
CleverHiker Rating: 3.8/5.0
Price: $32
Weight: 4.4 oz.
R-Value: 0.5
Thickness: .125 in.
Pros
- Price
- Adds protection, warmth, and grip to an inflatable pad
- Many uses
- Can be cut to size
Cons
- Not very thick
- Bulky
Comfort
The goal of the Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad isn’t to compete with plush air pads – it’s to provide just enough insulation and protection from the ground to get you through the night. At only ⅛ of an inch thick, it just barely takes the edge off cold and uneven ground. You’ll still feel rocks, roots, and bumps, so tent site selection is your biggest ally.
The Thinlight works best as an additional protective layer beneath an inflatable pad, adding just a touch of warmth and cushioning. Fully extended, at 73.5 x 19 inches, it’s long enough for most users, but the narrow width can feel limiting, especially for those with broader shoulders, restless sleepers, or a starfish sleeping position.
We mostly appreciate what the Thinlight adds to daytime comfort. During the day, it transitions seamlessly into a sit pad, backrest, or yoga mat. You can easily keep it on the outside of your pack and unfold it for a quick dirt nap.
Weight & Packability
Weighing just 2.7 ounces (rolled version) or 3.3 ounces (folded version), the Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad is a minimalist option for the gram counters among us. You can save a pound or two of pack weight by picking the Thinlight over a true backpacking pad. The weight is a negligible addition to your primary sleeping pad as well.
The Thinlight measures 10.7″ x 19″ x 1″ when packed, limiting where you can fit it in your backpack. The easiest ways to carry this pad are to strap it to the outside of your pack or to slide it along the inside of the back panel (it’s perfect for giving structure to frameless packs). Some packs even have a built-in pad attachment system on the back panel, with which the Thinlight would pair perfectly.
If it’s still not small and light enough for you, the Thinlight’s customization options are endless. It comes either rolled into a rectangular shape or folded into segments. The segments can be cut off to match your height, or you could trim the foot down to a mummy shape. Some hardcore ultralighters even cut it down to torso length.
Durability
Although the Thinlight’s foam will eventually degrade over time, it’ll easily last long enough to get your money’s worth.
The obvious benefit is that it can’t be punctured like an inflatable pad. If you’re tough on gear, a foam pad is the best bet to stand up to the abuse. We’ve been using a piece of Thinlight as a sit pad in our pack for years, and it’s still going strong.
Warmth
On its own, the Thinlight is best reserved as a summer-only pad. It has an almost unnoticeable R-value of 0.5 (it feels generous to add an R-Value at all).
However, pairing it with an inflatable pad could noticeably bump up overall warmth, especially on cold, wet ground. During winter trips, we consider a foam pad a crucial addition to our sleep system, and the Thinlight is the lightest option.
Ease of Setup
What can we say about setting up the Thinlight? Just carelessly drop it on the ground, and you’re 90% there (just watch out for the wind picking it up). Give it a quick flattening-out and a scoot or two for good measure, and voilà! The Thinlight is literally just a piece of foam; if you’re having trouble laying it out, we’ll pray for you.
All jokes aside, the real nuance in setup is in campsite selection. If you’re using the Thinlight on its own (more power to you), your best bet is to find a nice soft bed of leaves, moss, or pine duff. Established, tamped-down campsites are the hardest on the joints, so if you’re camping in a highly regulated area, we recommend pairing the Thinlight with an inflatable pad.
Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear Thinlight?
Some ultralight backpackers will be hardcore enough to use the Gossamer Gear Thinlight as their sole sleeping pad, but it’s really best when used in tandem with an inflatable pad.
The ⅛-inch-thick closed-cell foam is durable and will last long enough to justify the minimal investment, but it’ll just barely take the edge off cold and bumpy ground. Added warmth is also negligible in mild conditions.
However, using the Thinlight as an extra barrier between your inflatable pad and the ground could significantly enhance the overall sleeping experience. It protects your pad from punctures, keeps it from slipping around as much, and adds a little bit of warmth and comfort, especially on wet ground.
Overall, the Thinlight is another tool in your backpacking tool box and a practical addition to any sleep setup.
What Other Backpacking Pads Should You Consider?
Check out our full guide to backpacking sleeping pads to dial in your perfect backcountry sleep system.
NEMO Switchback Review: The NEMO Switchback is a more traditional foam sleeping pad, with an R-value of 2, and a corrugated design to add more support.
Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol Review: The Z Lite Sol is the next lightest and most packable foam pad after the Thinlight. If you like the idea of foam but want just a little more, check out the Z Lite Sol.
NEMO Tensor Elite Review: The Tensor Elite is about as light as it gets for inflatable pads. Pairing it with the Thinlight could make one very formidable ultralight sleep system.
