Question about those cheap foam sleeping pads

I was sure my old $25 Therm-a-Rest Z Lite knockoff from Walmart would be junk for a real trip, but I used it for three nights in the White Mountains last fall and slept fine. The cold ground never got through and it packs up small, so I was totally wrong. Has anyone else had a cheap piece of gear surprise them like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

logan2717d ago

Honestly, a three night trip isn't exactly a huge test. That foam pad worked because the ground wasn't frozen solid and the weather was probably mild. Try that same setup in real winter conditions or on a two week trek, and you'll be singing a different tune. Good gear exists for a reason, to handle the worst cases, not just a lucky weekend.

murray.pat7d agoMost Upvoted

Lol relax @logan271, it's just camping.

kevinallen7d ago

Read a blog post from a guy who hiked the PCT with just a foam pad. He admitted it was brutal some nights but he made it work. Guess it really depends on your pain tolerance and how much you hate carrying extra weight.