Therm-a-Rest Adjustable Straps for Camping and Backpacking Gear

John C: Strong and Durable

United States on Nov 04, 2022

IMChuckie: I like these. They are slightly heavier than paracord to accomplish the same task on the backpack, but I think their simplicity for the job, esp. not having to tie and untie knots when tired or in potentially adverse weather, make up for it.

A way of explaining how to thread: Lay the whole thing flat on a surface in front of you, with the strap out to your left, the plastic ladder lock to your right—have that rounded bump on the end of the lock facing up. Fold the free end of the strap under the rest of the strap and move it in towards the ladder lock. Thread it up into the first slot you come to in the ladder lock, then back down into the second. Done.

United States on Oct 15, 2020

William K Wheatley: To make my B.O.B. as lightweight as possible, yet provide optimal functionality, for my sleeping gear I decided to use a doubled sheet of 4 mil Visqueen plastic as my ground cover with a Therm-A-Rest Military Self Inflating Sleeping Pad on top of it to insulate me from losing core body heat by sleeping directly on the ground. I would use my "wubby" (poncho liner) as a blanket when night temperatures and winds were mild, adding a Grabber Original Emergency Space Blanket as night temperatures cooled a bit more, then switching to a SOL 2-Person XL Emergency Bivvy Bag to sleep in when night time temperatures turned cold or even frigid. I chose to use a hooded military waterproof poncho with grommets around its perimeter as a rain fly that would be held in place with bungee cords hooked to sheltering trees and bushes, or around heavy rocks if the best campsite location was in a clearing with no trees or bushes. The Visqueen ground cover, XL Emergency Bivvy Bag, Space Blanket and even the poncho could be folded to fit neatly into an 8" MOLLE Utility Pouch attached to my B.O.B. But the Therm-A-Rest Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad and my Wubby could never be folded to fit into an 8" MOLLE...

United States on Feb 05, 2019

Dutch S: Compact, strong and at 48"... just the right size for binding a sleeping bag, etc. Since the price is virtually the same I'd suggest avoiding the 24" option. Unless you have a specific need then just take the longer sizes and trim to length. With scissors and a lighter for sealing the cut end this gives you the flexibility for all kinds of needs.
Don't get frustrated if the strap "slips" on your first few trys at weaving it thru the buckle. There is one way only to insert into the openings and once you get it right it's a "Ta-Da" moment. Honestly it ends up being a simple pattern and once done correctly the strap absolutely does not slip. It would have been nice if Therm-a-Rest thought to put an easy diagram inside the package cover but maybe they assume you have experience. It was a bonus that the strap flattened out quickly after coming out of the package in it's rolled up form.
Flexible, inexpensive, appears to be long lasting, etc... What's not to like?

United States on Feb 13, 2016

Jerry H. Bond: Is your closet over crowded? Do you have fluffy comforters and quilts folded and stored in your bedroom closet that vampire up half the shelf space? If they are king size, you know what I’m talking about.

A NO VACANCY sign has been hanging over the door of our bedroom, walk-in closet for over a year. It was suffering from super-bargainitis and hot deals that were too good to turn down. Something had to give.

As a test, I ordered some of these Therm-a-Rest 42-Inch straps. Using 3 per king size comforter, fluffy blanket or quilt, I was able to cut their storage size in half. Four comforters could now fit in the same space that was once occupied by two.

It is necessary to roll the comforter as tightly possible on the floor compressing it with your knees. Once it is in a tight roll, using these straps, you can compress with your knees and winch/tighten an inch at a time until they are firm as a pine log.

Nowadays, many of these fluffy items come tightly compressed and vacuumed sealed in airtight plastic bags. They fluff right up when opened. They’ll do the same thing again when the straps are removed.

United States on Mar 24, 2015