A close look at two sleeping pads buyers cross-shop. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus | Exped Dura 3R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 72✓ | 71 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 3.2 R✓ | 2.9 R |
| Weight | 23.0 oz✓ | 25.8 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.49 R/100g✓ | 0.40 R/100g |
| Packed size | 6.36 L | 4.11 L✓ |
| Thickness | 1.5 in | 3.0 in✓ |
| Durability | 52 /100 | 96 /100✓ |
| Price | $145 | $140✓ |
| Features | 0 | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ |
| Type | Self-inflating | Inflatable |
| Shape | n/s | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: ProLite Plus in blue, Dura 3R in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus next to the Exped Dura 3R and the trade-offs are clear. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The ProLite Plus is warmer (R 3.2 vs R 2.9), 3 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. The Dura 3R is more packable (4.1 L vs 6.4 L), thicker for more cushion, and more durable. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (72 vs 71), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the ProLite Plus if you care most about warmth and low weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Dura 3R if packability and cushion matter more to you, or you are focused on saving space in your pack.
The Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus. It is warmer (R 3.2 vs R 2.9) than the Dura 3R.
The Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus. It is 3 oz lighter than the Dura 3R.
They are nearly tied at 72 and 71 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the ProLite Plus for warmth, or the Dura 3R for packability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.