Like many people from ancient times, I started off with a Thermarest self-inflating pad that weighed a ton. When the "new" inflatables came to market in the mid-oughts, I got one and was very happy with it (it weighed about a half a pound and was insulated). I used it for probably fifty or sixty nights, but then on the first night of one trip it wouldn't inflate. Uh oh.

That was a one-week trip with half the nights sleeping on rocks and two nights at sub-freezing temps. After that experience I vowed to never again to trust an inflatable, instead using the z-pack pad. This isn't as comfortable as a two-inch air matress, doesn't have the r-value that many of them have now and it a nuisance to keep dry dangling outside of the pack, but I don't have to worry about it not working.

Still, every year I consider going back to one of the air mattresses until I read a few reviews from people who have had them fail and I relive the horror once again as it all comes back to me.

What about you? What is your experience and decision on this issue?