Serious question, is there a big difference between cheap and expensive sleeping pads?

I used a $30 foam pad from Walmart for my last 3 trips and woke up sore every morning. This past weekend I borrowed my buddy's $120 inflatable pad from REI and slept like a rock. The difference was the R-value and thickness for sure. Has anyone else noticed a huge jump in comfort moving to a pricier pad?

2 comments

2 Comments

davis.gavin17d ago

Bull, my $15 foam pad works fine and cheap gear makes you tougher.

mary_schmidt17d ago

Three years ago my ice axe broke halfway up a mountain in Montana.