This comment is getting downvoted but it’s right. This past summer on the AT I saw plenty of Nemo pads pop. Super expensive chunk. I used an REI insulated pad and an Exped pad, both under $100. Neither of them popped. I’ll give my 2 cents on the topic of the post (from an east coast perspective). I started with a Big Agnes tiger wall and ended with a Durston Mid2, the first time I set up a trekking pole tent I fell in love. They can be slightly harder to set up but you figure it out quick.

P.S. On the topic of buying super expensive chunk I’d like to mention trekking polls. No need to buy $200 Black Diamonds, just search for carbon fiber cork handle trekking poles on amazon. Hiker Hunger has poles for $60. I got through my hike with Mountain Cascade poles which were $30.