Here is how these two sleeping pads compare on the numbers. Both are solid; the right one depends on the specs you care about most.
| Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol | ALPS Mountaineering Foldable Foam Mat | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 78✓ | 69 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 2.0 R | n/s |
| Weight | 14.5 oz | 10.0 oz✓ |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.49 R/100g | n/s |
| Packed size | 7.85 L | 7.08 L✓ |
| Thickness | 0.8 in✓ | 0.8 in |
| Durability | 100 /100 | 100 /100 |
| Price | $49.95 | $39.99✓ |
| Features | 0 | 2Closed-cell foam, Egg-crate / hexangular molded pattern✓ |
| Type | Closed-cell foam | Closed-cell foam |
| Shape | n/s | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Z Lite Sol in blue, Foldable Foam Mat 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.
The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol against the ALPS Mountaineering Foldable Foam Mat is a study in priorities. The Z Lite Sol wins on cushion, and the Foldable Foam Mat pushes back on low weight and packability.
The Z Lite Sol is thicker for more cushion. The Foldable Foam Mat is 4 oz lighter, more packable (7.1 L vs 7.9 L), and $10 cheaper. On the default GearScore the Z Lite Sol leads 78 to 69.
Pick the Z Lite Sol if you care most about cushion, which makes it the better call for comfort and room to move. Pick the Foldable Foam Mat if low weight and packability matter more to you, or you are focused on counting grams on long miles.
The ALPS Mountaineering Foldable Foam Mat. It is 4 oz lighter than the Z Lite Sol.
The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol. It is thicker for more cushion than the Foldable Foam Mat.
The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol, 78 to 69 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Z Lite Sol for cushion, or the Foldable Foam Mat for low weight. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.