Originally Posted by
vs_itsallgood
Other threads have mentioned the cheaper REI-brand inflatable seat cushion. Well, reviews on REI's own site are bad at best. It's made in another country and with less care, it seems, than the Made-In-USA Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest. Don't buy the cheaper one just to save money - you'll just get aggravated.
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Note: it doesn't come with a case. It fits into a fabric 'can cooler' or Japanese water bottle sleeve, or even a mini umbrella cover salvaged from your old worn-out turned-inside-out brolly.
4 out 5 stars is "bad at best" - so what's 1 out of 5 starts? Dude,you sound like a sort of disgruntled REI empoloyee? From Seattle? Coincidnce?
FWIW, both pads are "self-inflating" pads They just need to be topped off with air. Read the description.
http://www.rei.com/product/746401 (and the REI one does come wiht a case)
http://www.rei.com/product/780983
As someone who is an avid camper, I've owned both REI and Thermarest pads. My first sleeping pad was a Thermarest - I replaced it with the REI one because the price, quality, and value of the REI one was better.