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Well that inflatable pad failed me on day 2 of the Lost Coast Trail last month
I've always been a fan of those ultralight inflatable pads... they pack so small you know? But on the second night out near Shelter Cove the seam split right open and I was basically sleeping on rocks. I tried patching it with the repair kit but the cold air just kept hissing out. Ended up stuffing all my clothes under me just to get some sleep. Right now I'm leaning back to closed cell foam pads like the old Z-lite even if they're bulky. Has anyone else had a inflatable fail on a multi day route and what did you switch to?
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avery3665d ago
Three seasons ago on the JMT I saw three different inflatable pads fail in one week near Muir Trail Ranch. You're making a mistake if you think closed cell foam is the answer. Those Z-lites are fine for desert camping or summer trips but try sleeping on granite with a 20 pound pack and your hips will be black and blue by night two. The real issue is you bought a cheap inflatable pad or you didn't set it up right. My Therm-a-Rest NeoAir has been through 40+ nights of abuse and zero problems because I keep it away from sharp rocks and I don't inflate it past 80 percent. The cold air hissing out sounds like you got a bad seam from a budget brand not a design flaw in all inflatables. I'd rather carry an extra 4 ounces for a proper inflatable with a real warranty than go back to sleeping on a foam board.
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