OK, I know manufacturers lie about their products' weights. But this is ridiculous.

I got a Pacific Outdoors AO Lite 2/3 pad. PO says it is 13 oz. It weights 17.1 oz!! That's almost 30% more.

That is with the stuff sack and repair kit, but those hardly contribute to the weight gain.

I guess I'll keep it, but I'm not very happy. I almost got a Thermarest ProLite 3 short--what does that weight (really)?

My Big Agnes tent was heavier than the specs (enough that I was a little miffed).

I was about to buy a ProLite 3 short also. Anyone have an actual measured weight on that? (Claimed weight is 13oz).

ThermARest is a Cascade Designs division. Generally they have honest weights and stand behind their products.

Interestingly, almost all "cottage" gear makers provide honest specs, while many "mainstream" ones lie!

Habitual liars (in no particular order): Sierra Designs, Erueka, Marmot, Eagle Creek, Osprey, TNF. The biggest liar of them all -- IMO -- has got to be Slumberjack with their wildly exaggerated sleeping bag warmth ratings! But Sea to Summit's wild claims with their Thermolite is not far behind! Shame on them.

Big Agnes is mixed. BA's tent specs appear to be accurate, but count on their pad and bags weighing more than stated.

Edited by ben2world on 09/13/2007 13:06:34 MDT.

Have all been exactly on the dot to their claimed weights. Cascade Designs is an honest company in the weights!

Was it 13 oz?

I have a prolite 3 short. It is 13 oz. I don't like it, though, because it seems to absorb cold. I'm looking forward to testing my Big Agnes 48" insulated pad that, according to the Fedex tracking, is sitting on my doorstep. My guess is it will weigh about 12-14 oz. My theory is that the 48" insulated pad, together with a Gossamer Gear closed cell foam pad, will provide me both insulation and cushioning for this old bag of bones at a fairly light weight.

Mine was 13.5, close enough for my dollar. I’ve had a good experience with it so far, but it is only a 1 inch pad. If its not fully inflated (and it takes a long time to self inflate) I do get cold spots, so I just over inflate it a little just before I put in for the night. I’ve had no problems since.

My Thermarest ProLite 3 weighs 13.25oz.

30% more is a big discrepancy. I know how you feel although you got hit with more ounces than I did. My REI Peak UL Carbon Trek Poles were supposed to weigh 11.2oz but weigh 12.05oz... 7.589% heavier; and this is without the snow baskets. They still are nice but every darn ounce counts when trying to get my base weight were I want it.

Sorry Charles, I have the Ladies version-but it is accurate to what they claimed :-) We have I think 7 T-Rests, and all are accurate weights.

Now...don't get me started on BA's older pads! I had one that was 4 ounces heavier!

Ladies version!!! I bet it's half the weight! I'm cuttin' my legs at the knees ;)

Be aware that the ladies version comes in hot pink! Just ask Franco! :)

Lol...it is a bit heavier - it is 20 ounces. And Hot Hot Pink ;-)

Marmot is the worst, in my opinion (way over the posted weight). Feathered Friends is way under what they post (but I think that is because they refuse to update their out of date web site).

I must be lucky, I just got two Marmot items and they are near advertised weight. Silkweight long sleeve baselayer advertised weight 170g and my (size L) is 170g. Also my Reactor Jacket advertised weight of 340g my (size L) is 360g. Don't worry, I don't work for them !

I also got a pair of Cloudveil Spinner pants advertised weight 310g but actual weight 420g ! Now that's a bit much ! Fine pants though.

Edited by ianwright on 09/14/2007 05:14:30 MDT.

You ProLite 3 owners... I just bought one last night. I haven't taken it out of the wrapper - and I'm debating about doing it now. Is it really as cold as you all say it is? It's either I use the ProLite 3 or I go back to the Gossamer Gear TorsoLite (groan...). Any advice?

Huh, I am warm with my Prolite 3. In winter I do use a closed cell pad underneath on snow. But I am fine and warm on it 3 seasons. Not sure why others are cold?? And I am a VERY cold sleeper!

I am also warm in my ProLite 3 during 3 season use. I've switched over to the Montbell Comfort system and haven't looked back.

Mine weighs a tad over 13. I love it. It does take a bit to inflate. I also overinflate it a bit. I also store it flat, with the valve open. A lot of folks tend to store them rolled up, in my experience. This impacts the "inflate-ability" of the pad.

Simon

A few weeks ago I used my prolite 3 for 5 nights at elevations ranging from 4800 to 6200, temperatures in the upper 30's and low 40's. I used a 30 degree bag, wore 2 layers, and used a GG thinlight under my prolite 3 short. I was cold! Every time I scrooched my rumposo a little, I'd feel a surge of cold until my body heat warmed everything back up. On the next trip I tried the GG torso nightlight or whatever, with the GG thinlight underneath. Same bag, same conditions. I was much warmer, but not so comfortable. So my new plan is to use the BA insulated pad (I was lucky to get a prototype 48" one) with the GG thinlight. That way I'll get both the insulation from the closed cell foam pad and the comfort, without cold absorption, from the inflated pad. Fussy, fussy, fussy...
Oh, wait. We're supposed to be talking about accuracy of weight. The BA 48" weighs 12 oz. Nothing to compare it to, though, since it's not in their line of pads for sale, although it should be.

Edited by rosierabbit on 09/14/2007 11:16:05 MDT.