AHAHAH!! I put down a shemagh the other ,and said out loud to my husband, "I don't need one just because all my friends have one." LOL! Heavy duty aluminum foil sounds WAY more justifiable to me, especially when aluminum foil is on your shopping list already. The real question is, why wouldn't you upgrade? In all seriousness, is there really a downside?

A roll of extra heavy-duty aluminum foil costs somewhere between $70-$120. That's the downside.

Ouch!! That is a serious downside. I'm glad I asked!

I read it. I swear I did.

Is there a sweet spot between the two? I imagine that one is better at some things, and the other at others, but what about the middle ground? Is it the old story of doing many things and none of them well?

I Don't even carry foil any longer. I take a meatloaf size aluminum pan and fold it in on itself. Makes a nice small and light package, boil water in it, cook in it, does everything I ever did with foil.

How long will one of these last - thinking the folding and unfolding will eventually wear a hole at one of the creases?

Doesn't that happen with all foil, even if you just pack it in a kit and don't unfold it? I was thinking that heavier foil would take longer to develop holes.

That is the point of the question - how long (or how many cycles of folding before a hole wears through.

Don't have any idea for a number. The only times I've had foil develop holes were where it had been packed in a soft side kit. All the holes formed where two creases met. Anytime the kit got flexed or compressed the foil worked a little bit. If the foil is pressed flat & creased, it will shorten the life considerably. Also remember that aluminum work hardens so repeated folding & unfolding will shorten the life.

longitudinal folds to get the width down small enough that you can then roll it into a tube shape. No corners to wear.

Tough to find a way to stow foil without folding at all. I suppose it can be done.

Sometimes I wish the inside of my packs existed in the 4th dimension. They would hold a tremendous amount more then.

I'm trying to get to a less is more zen with my EDC. Unfortunately, I am having quite a difficult time reducing the load my Glock 21 adds with 3 spare magazines. I guess some things you just can't compromise on. I can't leave home without Gladys.