I purchased a Thermarest sleeping pad 17 years ago and it’s now delaminating, creating a large bubble where my shoulder blades rest. The store where I bought it has closed. The pad indicates a ‘lifetime warranty’. What does this mean in practice? Is there a defined lifespan for such products, or does it refer to the buyer’s lifetime? How many years does the warranty cover?
Here’s the official word from Therm-a-Rest: They pride themselves on high-quality camping products and offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all products except electronics, which have a 2-year warranty. The warranty covers repairs or replacements at their discretion. Items older than two years may be replaced with cosmetically irregular ones. Shipping to an Authorized Repair Center is the customer’s responsibility. Therm-a-Rest Warranty Details
@Jesse
What exactly does ‘lifetime warranty’ cover, and is it feasible to send my pad across the Atlantic for repair? It might be cheaper to buy a new one than pay for international shipping.
Clove said:
@Jesse
What exactly does ‘lifetime warranty’ cover, and is it feasible to send my pad across the Atlantic for repair? It might be cheaper to buy a new one than pay for international shipping.
You should email Therm-a-Rest with your product number or a receipt if available. They’ll clarify if your pad is eligible for warranty without any guesswork.
@Laine
Definitely reach out to them. At worst, they’ll say it’s not covered; at best, you might get a replacement for the cost of shipping.
Clove said:
@Jesse
What exactly does ‘lifetime warranty’ cover, and is it feasible to send my pad across the Atlantic for repair? It might be cheaper to buy a new one than pay for international shipping.
The warranty generally means for the ‘lifetime’ of the product, not the person.
@Shan
Exactly, it’s about the product’s lifetime, not the purchaser’s.
Vanya said:
@Shan
Exactly, it’s about the product’s lifetime, not the purchaser’s.
That’s the usual interpretation, yes.
@Shan
If it’s my lifetime, that’d be great. Just need to figure out the shipping logistics.
Clove said:
@Shan
If it’s my lifetime, that’d be great. Just need to figure out the shipping logistics.
Have you checked with them directly? They might have warranty centers closer to you than you think. Stop guessing and contact them.
@Zen
Yes, I’ve reached out. They haven’t responded yet, but I’m checking if there’s a European center since the pad was made in Ireland.
Clove said:
@Jesse
What exactly does ‘lifetime warranty’ cover, and is it feasible to send my pad across the Atlantic for repair? It might be cheaper to buy a new one than pay for international shipping.
Keep in mind, ‘at its discretion’ means they decide on a case-by-case basis. Just a heads-up, Cascade’s customer service can be frustrating.
Clove said:
@Jesse
What exactly does ‘lifetime warranty’ cover, and is it feasible to send my pad across the Atlantic for repair? It might be cheaper to buy a new one than pay for international shipping.
I just found this information online.
Maybe it’s time to retire the old pad and invest in a new one. It’s done well to last 17 years; not many products hold up that long.
Getting 17 years out of a sleeping pad is impressive. Maybe consider supporting the company again by purchasing a new one instead of pursuing a warranty claim for normal wear and tear.
My pad was around the same age and they replaced it without issue.
Contact Therm-a-Rest directly. They’re known for excellent customer service and might resolve your issue satisfactorily, even considering the pad’s age.
Chen said:
Contact Therm-a-Rest directly. They’re known for excellent customer service and might resolve your issue satisfactorily, even considering the pad’s age.
Be prepared for potentially slow response times from their warranty department, though. Posting on their social media can sometimes speed things up if you don’t hear back.
@Vega
Cascade Designs, which handles Therm-a-Rest warranties, can be challenging to deal with. Persistence pays.
Darby said:
@Vega
Cascade Designs, which handles Therm-a-Rest warranties, can be challenging to deal with. Persistence pays.
Yes, I’ve had to escalate issues via social media to get a response. It’s not ideal, but it works.