I've been camping now for about 40 years and so I know what I like. I have come to the conclusion that it is not necessary to buy ones camping gear at expensive stores like Ripped-off-on-Every-Item, just because it's cool to have their logo on your stuff. Paying over a hundred bucks for a Thermarest is not necessary either. The extra pack weight of one of these is easily worth it to me for the comfort. This mat is amazingly heavy duty in design and construction and holds its air (unlike today's politicians). This is a fantastic product for the modest price. What really sold me? One guy said that he had used it all summer at the beach -- which means high stress conditions -- and he said that it held its air. These do. Oh, the shoulder width is perfect too,....they were conscious of the need not to be excessively wide -- they were thinking tent. I have wide shoulders and I'm perfect on this one. One last thing: your friends can snicker all they want about their super duper $120 self inflating mats -- but you'll be sleeping 3" above the ground on what feels like a bed. Sorry suckers. LOL.