Tried a $15 Walmart sleeping pad after using an expensive Therm-a-Rest for years

Ended up sleeping better on that cheap foam pad because I wasn't scared of puncturing it every time I shifted, and it made me wonder if comfort is more about peace of mind than cushioning has anyone else found cheaper gear worked better for them on accident

3 comments

3 Comments

terry_carter1514d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, is peace of mind actually the secret ingredient to a good night's sleep?

daniel_walker1mo ago

Dollar store camping gear is a whole rabbit hole no one talks about. How much of that high end stuff is really about the performance versus just making you feel like a real outdoors person? I've got a friend who spends a fortune on ultralight everything and he's always miserable fixing some zipper or patching his expensive tent. Makes you wonder if the industry is selling solutions to problems they invented.

pat_coleman1mo ago

Oh man, I gotta push back on that just a little. Dollar store gear is fine for a picnic in the park, but there's a reason people don't take it on real trips. The zipper on a $15 tent won't even last one rainy weekend, let alone a week in the backcountry. Your friend's expensive gear might be fragile, but cheap gear just plain fails when you need it most. The industry definitely overhypes some stuff, but not all of it - a decent sleeping bag will actually keep you warm, and a good stove won't explode in your face.