Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

> Ultralight culture seems a little nuts to the uninitiated.

I prefer "Durable, but as light as possible", not the other way around. Most ultralight gear breaks after a few uses or when it is mishandled in anything-less-than-perfect conditions, which, happens a lot outside.

My ultralight gear has been sufficiently durable for my backpacking and hiking, even off trail. I'm not hunting or repairing trails but stuff lasts a while. The only exception I've found is inflatable pads which get punctured but no more often than bicycle tire inner tubes and they can similarly be patched with some effort.

What do you use those pads for I wonder?

You put them under your sleeping bag and they make your sleep way warmer than if your sleeping bag is directly on the tent floor.

https://www.nemoequipment.com/collections/sleeping-pads

That the purpose of the sleeping pad is characterized as thermal performance and not comfort is proof that I am not capable of the ultralight mindset.

With ultralight activities you're supposed to be so exhausted by bedtime that it isn't necessary to be comfortable to fall asleep.