While it’s obnoxiously large and in charge strapped to your backpack, I’ve never had pangs of regret for bringing it since it weighs so little and is such a lifesaver for mid-day siestas and having a spot for your four-legged companion to sit without causing any damage.
I’m a 90% stomach sleeper + 10% side sleeper and gave this an honest shot when I started the PCT in 2019. My mistake, but I assumed because I’d be SO tired from 25-30 mi days that I wouldn’t care WHAT I slept on. Wrong. I’m way too stubborn for my own good and, instead of buying an air pad to get me by, decided to torment myself until I reached Kennedy Meadows (700 mi in!) where I had shipped my bear can stuffed with my 3.4 r-value sleeping pad.
Lesson learned; this is a great supplement to your setup, if you can spare the volume and give any value to mid-day siestas OR need a puncture proof pad for your furry hiking partner to lounge on.
