Vent: My old sleeping pad finally gave out, and I wish I switched sooner

I used the same foam pad for 11 years because it was cheap and I thought thicker meant warmer. Last trip near Lake Placid in 38 degrees, I woke up shivering and my hip was numb. Bought a self-inflating one for $65, and the difference on the next overnight was night and day. Anyone else stick with gear way past its prime because you didn't want to spend the money?

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rowanellis19d ago

Did you ever check the R-value rating on that old foam pad before you swapped it? Because I bet it was sitting somewhere in the 1.5 range, which is basically a warm blanket between you and the dirt. Honestly, most people don't even look at that number until they wake up freezing. The self-inflating ones usually hit 3 or 4, so that's why your hips stopped screaming too. Thicker foam isn't always warmer, it's just thicker. Took me a few cold nights to learn that same lesson.