Took a gamble on a cheaper sleeping pad and it actually worked out

I spent weeks going back and forth between the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir and a budget brand from Amazon that was literally half the price. My buddy kept telling me I'd regret saving money on something that keeps me off the cold ground. Ended up going with the cheap one because I figured I could always return it. Took it out to Shenandoah last weekend when temps dropped to 38 degrees. Woke up warm and comfortable both nights, no air loss at all. I know it probably won't last 10 years like the Therm-a-Rest, but for $65 it got the job done. Has anyone else had luck with those no-name pads or did I just get lucky?

3 comments

3 Comments

piper_reed24d ago

My buddy tried one and it deflated like a pool toy first night out.

the_jason20d ago

Yeah I had the same thing happen with a knockoff pad once. I just went back to my old Therm-a-Rest and never looked back. @elizabethn56 is right, those cheap ones might seem fine at first but they always find a way to fail you at the worst time.

elizabethn5624d ago

My buddy tried one from some random brand and it was fine for like three trips then just gave out on him completely. He woke up on the dirt in the middle of the night at Big Bend and was so mad he threw it in the dumpster right there. He told me the crinkly noise alone almost made him return it after the first night too. I think you might have lucked out for now but I wouldn't trust it long term. They seem to hold up fine for a few uses then just fail without warning.