Inflatable vs. cheap foam pad, the 3am rock decided for me

Last trip to the Smokies I had to pick between my buddy's loaner inflatable and my old foam pad. The inflatable was lighter but I read too many reviews about punctures. Took the foam one. Woke up at 3am on a rock the size of my fist, felt it right through, but at least I wasn't patching holes in the dark. Anyone else ever stuck with the boring option and kinda regretted it?

2 comments

2 Comments

stella_scott963d ago

Figure it's a fair trade. Rocks hurt for a few hours but foam never fails you. I've watched guys with inflatables spend half their morning hunting for leaks and swearing at valve stems. The way I see it, you got a full night of sleep, just not a comfy one. That's a win in my book, even if your hip disagrees.

young.michael3d ago

Honestly, is one lumpy night really worth all the panic? Seems like everyone acts like a leak is a death sentence or something. Patch kits exist and they take like five minutes, not the whole morning. Plus, you can just top the thing off with your breath if you're desperate, can't really do that with a rock in your back. Maybe the real issue is people buying those super cheap inflatables and expecting them to hold up like armor. Sounds like you got a free lesson in "buy once, cry once" but you also saved yourself a headache, so who really won here?