Just realized I was wrong about sleeping pads after talking to a thru-hiker

I always thought foam pads were just for budget campers until I ran into a guy at Big Basin who finished the PCT with one. He said he never popped a leak in 6 months and could strap it to the outside of his pack without worrying. That hit different because I've patched my inflatable pad three times this year alone. Now I'm actually considering making the switch for my next trip. Has anyone else here ditched air pads for foam and regretted it or loved it?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_baker284h ago

Man that's rough with the patches man. I feel you, nothing worse than waking up on the ground in the middle of the night lol. Might be worth trying a foam pad for real, hearing stories like that makes me think about switching too.

troyknight4h ago

Yeah foam pads are bulletproof, never going back.

casey8183h ago

Wait, three patches this year? Dude, that's brutal. I'd be losing my mind after the second one.