On my last backpacking trip, the temperatures were warm enough that I could bring one of my lighter weight sleeping pads, a Torsolite, designed and manufactured by Bozeman Mountain Works, a boutique gear manufacturer that specializes in ultralight synthetic insulating clothing and sleep systems.
At 10.4 oz., the Torsolite is surprisingly tough and packs up very small, about the size of a 1 liter Nalgene bottle, saving you a lot of space in your pack. The pad itself is very short and only fits under your torso, from your shoulders down to your hips. It is also tapered, being wider at the shoulders. The Torsolite’s dimensions are as follows: length = 32 inches, thickness = 1 inch, shoulder width = 17 inches, hip width = 12 inches.
To inflate the Torsolite, you open the screw top value and unfold the pad which will partially self-inflate. Firming it up only takes a few breaths before you close the valve.
The Torsolite is sufficiently thick for both side and back sleepers to be comfortable and with an R-value of 3.5 it will keep you comfortable down to 50 degrees. However, if you want a little extra comfort for your legs and feet, you should bring along some additional foam or use your pack and extra gear as additional insulation and padding. For example, I carry a single panel (1.1 oz) of a 3/4 Nightlight sleeping pad (R-value of 2.27) that I use as a framesheet for my Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus backpack. Last weekend, I positioned this pad under my legs and my backpack under my feet for a little more comfort to augment the Torsolite when sleeping on a wooden tent platform.
The only place to purchase the Torsolite in the US is at the Backpackinglight.com online store. The non-member price is $69.99. It is also available in the UK at Backpackinglight.co.uk for 49.99 pounds.
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2 users commented in " Torsolite Sleeping Pad from Bozeman Mountain Works "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackHas it earned a regular spot in your pack or are you still in the honeymoon period? On a scale of hard-wooden-floor to Exped Downmat 7, how would you rate it for cushion comfort? Comparable to a standard Thermarest ProLite model?
The Torsolite has earned a spot in my summer pack where the level of insulation I need is minimal (and I’m trying to draw heat away from my body). I also really like the small size. It saves a lot of space. It’s certainly more comfortable than my GG Nightlight and just as comfortable as my Thermarest Z-lite for side sleeping. However for early spring, fall and early winter I’m a die-hard downmat fan, but warmth is my key criteria not comfort. For summer, the downmat or Prolite are just overkill - you don’t need the leg and foot insulation, and the weight penalty is huge. But it really depends on what your personal priorities are: comfort, warmth, or weight.
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