Therm-a-Rest Trail Seat Cushion

I read several travel websites prior to a recent Kenya safari. One website recommended taking an inflatable cushion for comfort on the rugged roads there. That was the best advice! I bought the Therm-a-Rest trail seat and took it with me. Not only was it great on safari but it helped make the plane seat more comfortable. It rolls up easily and fits in the side pouch of my backpack. And it self inflates which is a big plus with the option of blowing more air into it if you want (I wouldn't overinflate, it's less comfortable then). I was amazed at how quickly I could pull it out of my pack, inflate it and be comfortable for the day's adventure. My fellow safari travelers were quite jealous as they suffered the bruising bumpy roads without any protection from the jolts on hard seats. This cushion will always accompany me on all future trips.

I have lost count on the number of folks who have asked us where we got our cushions! We originally ordered this make over four years ago and they are still going strong albeit a little stained from use! This summer when we needed an extra one we looked for the same color we already had (olive green) but they are no longer manufactured in that color.With limited storage space we LOVE the fact that these roll up into such a compact roll. When you are carrying five around, compact is good! Rolled up they all fit easily into one backpack and are very light to carry. When ready to use, open the valve, blow into it and close again. Voila! You now have a very comfortable seat cushion that also acts as a rain protector should it start to rain whilst you are sat on those uncomfortable bleachers!As mentioned above, we have had our original ones for four years and expect this new one to be just as good and for them all to continue serving/seating us for many more years to come. We purchased this at the full prevailing price. We were not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz

Purchased this for a 12 hour flight, and it was definitely helpful. It didn't totally solve the problem of a sore booty by the end of the flight, but it helped. I started out the first 4 hours of the flight without it, then pulled it out of my carry-on and sat on it the rest of the way ... it was quite a relief for several hours and it fit in the seat without a problem. I think one of those thicker memory foam cushions would probably work better, but for the small amount of space this takes up, it worked pretty well.It's small enough that you can wait to inflate it when you need it. It mostly self-inflates, but I did blow it up a little (easy to do and just took a few seconds). It's more comfortable when it's not fully inflated.It comes with an elastic cord attached, so it can be rolled up when not in use. (The air just squeezes out when you roll it up.)

As an airline pilot, I need to find comfort for the long haul... this has proven to be perfect. If I inflate before takeoff, I usually have to let some air out when at altitude or it becomes exceptionally hard and stiff after having been orally inflated at sea level pressure then climbing to the typical maximum of 8,000 feet equivalent of cabin pressure. The opposite is true... if I deflate it at altitude about 30 - 45 minutes before landing, then as the cabin altitude decreases, the package is uber compact and easily fits in a side pocket of my suitcase. When deflated at altitude or simply orally inflated there, it will seem a bit softer as the cabin altitude decreases, but as always, you can orally inflated back to desired firmness. When one squeezes the air out like wringing out a wash cloth, it stows to a 4 inch diameter log by its length of [I'm estimating at this length] 14 inches, yet it is big and firms enough to support my 204 lb bum! And it came with a lifetime guaranty! Two disadvantages: (1) it decrease air circulation which can result in a sweaty bum [so I occasionally remove it before it gets to that point! After trying other larger/thicker cushions, all seem to have this same issue] and (2) if inflated lightly, the pressure will move to the side with less weight. shoving you further off the cushion [so fill it with more air!]. The thickness is not a problem: when reasonably inflated, you won't bottom it out! Best portable cushion on the market! This is the first review I've ever written -- it's that good!

I'm an old fart whose butt gets sore sitting for long on hard surfaces. Normally, I just carry my REI Sit Pad, which I used on an Appalachian Trail hike. The Sit Pad is great if you're absolutely minimizing ounces and space, and it's pretty comfortable. However, the reason why it is lighter and more compact is that it is more air than cushion material. This is often just fine. However, when I'm riding on the subway, I sway back and forth on it. The Thermarest Trail Seat is definitely more stable if there's any rocking movement. It's few extra ounces and extra bulk are definitely worth the comfort. Actually, I carry both of them with me in my backpack now. I sit on the Thermarest and use the REI to cushion my back, so I'm super comfy on a long subway ride or sitting on a bench in the park.As the pic shows, they're the same size.

Good for travel, hiking, etc where your good thick large cushion would be inconvenient. Deflates pretty flat except for nozzle. Seems to work best when NOT fully inflated. It has a honeycomb pattern inside so you don't have to blow it up at all, it does it itself, you just lock the cap after it's full. If you want it really firm them you have to blow a little. I use a really premium specialty cushion for my office chair, one of the "Purple" cushions in my trunk to use in restuarants that have wood chairs, and carry THIS when travelling light or a long walk on the trails with my backpack.