I'd only really camped one other time before I purchased this sleeping pad as my first personally owned one. I found it plenty soft enough when inflated to sleep comfortably, even over some roots at a couple campsites. I used it in a two person tent that I shared with another camper, and it's tapered design seemed like it helped make it feel like it didn't take up too much space, even in the tall size (the tall size itself was the right call for a tall person!).Nights only got down to low 50s or maybe upper 40s one night, but I never felt like the sleeping pad was an issue with staying warm. (Used in conjunction with a 30F sleeping bag and wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt.)It gave me no problems over a 4 night trip into the Boundary Waters, and I'm looking ... MoreI'd only really camped one other time before I purchased this sleeping pad as my first personally owned one. I found it plenty soft enough when inflated to sleep comfortably, even over some roots at a couple campsites. I used it in a two person tent that I shared with another camper, and it's tapered design seemed like it helped make it feel like it didn't take up too much space, even in the tall size (the tall size itself was the right call for a tall person!).Nights only got down to low 50s or maybe upper 40s one night, but I never felt like the sleeping pad was an issue with staying warm. (Used in conjunction with a 30F sleeping bag and wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt.)It gave me no problems over a 4 night trip into the Boundary Waters, and I'm looking forward to getting a lot more use out of it.

I used this with a 20 degree topquilt in the UP during a 30 degree night, in my hammock. I have to say it worked, however that was pushing the limit; it felt as though the heat was just trying to stay inside. If I moved too much, the topquilt would untuck itself from the pad and a cold spot would appear. But, later in the trip during 40-50 degree nights, it was perfect! But, as perhaps to be expected, I would wake with condensation at the lowest point of the pad. The colder it is, the worse this is because it contributes to cold. In the warmer 50-60 degree nights, I went without that 20 degree topquilt because I would have boiled. This was regrettable as I was on the brink of cold, with only my insulated jacket on my lower legs/feet, and a wool shirt for my torso. ... MoreI used this with a 20 degree topquilt in the UP during a 30 degree night, in my hammock. I have to say it worked, however that was pushing the limit; it felt as though the heat was just trying to stay inside. If I moved too much, the topquilt would untuck itself from the pad and a cold spot would appear. But, later in the trip during 40-50 degree nights, it was perfect! But, as perhaps to be expected, I would wake with condensation at the lowest point of the pad. The colder it is, the worse this is because it contributes to cold. In the warmer 50-60 degree nights, I went without that 20 degree topquilt because I would have boiled. This was regrettable as I was on the brink of cold, with only my insulated jacket on my lower legs/feet, and a wool shirt for my torso. And I felt a little sticky because I wasn't totally dry from the day's hiking. If you're on a tight budget and wanting to get started, this isn't a bad option! Just make sure you have a good topquilt or insulation on top. The key pros are affordability, weight, and packability. It doesn't weigh much and doesn't take up a lot of space. However, it can be a workout to roll up to get it into the stuffsack! I usually have to deflate it once as a preliminary, then fold it, open the valve, and roll it up again to get the rest of the air out. It can be quite a squeeze, but it works! I haven't noticed any leaks.

It's the lowest price of Therma-a-rest sleeping pads--other than closed-cell foam models, which I used for decades, primarily because they were light, cheap, and bullet-proof. (You could literally shoot a bullet through one, and it simply wouldn't matter.)But then this thing happened to me out of the blue. I got old...and my scoliosis of the spine finally caught up with me. So I emulated my clever wife, who had been happily sleeping on a TAR Trail Scout model for several years.This thing is only an inch think, pretty light, and compact when rolled up, and I could't believe how comfortable it was. I started awaking in my tent in the morning backache-free. Due to my back issues, I had to give up sleeping on my stomach, and this pad was still comfortable for ... MoreIt's the lowest price of Therma-a-rest sleeping pads--other than closed-cell foam models, which I used for decades, primarily because they were light, cheap, and bullet-proof. (You could literally shoot a bullet through one, and it simply wouldn't matter.)But then this thing happened to me out of the blue. I got old...and my scoliosis of the spine finally caught up with me. So I emulated my clever wife, who had been happily sleeping on a TAR Trail Scout model for several years.This thing is only an inch think, pretty light, and compact when rolled up, and I could't believe how comfortable it was. I started awaking in my tent in the morning backache-free. Due to my back issues, I had to give up sleeping on my stomach, and this pad was still comfortable for side-sleeping. Upon unrolling the pad, It only takes a few breaths to fill it to one's preferred firmness.Recently, we returned from a week-long canoe trip in Utah. My wife and I slept well, while our friends kept slipping off the new ultra-light blow-up pads they had purchased for the trip.A few years ago, another friend purchased a fancy new pad for a canoe trip, and it sprung a leak on the first or second night out. She didn't sleep well for the remainder of the trip, while our basic Trail Scouts just continued to do their job and do it admirably..Today I took a nap in an underground parking garage while my wife was upstairs in the hospital having eye surgery. I slept on a plywood platform in our Subie Outback.. Once again, no issues with side sleeping on this hard wooden surface.Okay...so maybe my experience is limited.In 50+ years of car-camping, river-camping, and backpacking, I've only experienced sleeping on closed-cell foam sleeping pads and the TAR Trail Scout pad. (I'm 74 next month.) So it's quite possible that TAR and other manufacturers produce even more comfortable pads. Maybe so. But I have no reason to look for a different pad when I already own a reliable pad that is light, packable, and provides a good night's sleep on Mother Earth.Tip: The Trail Scout comes with a stuff sack that requires you to fold the pad in half before rolling it up. I didn't like this configuration--not good for packing in my situations. so I purchased a separate, full-width stuff sack from Thermarest (longer but skinnier). It's slightly roomier than the full-width stuff sack that came with my wife's pad, so it's easier to pull over the rolled-up pad.