Originally Posted by datlas

A properly patched tube is as good as a new tube.

That means the "old fashioned" type, where you rough up the tube, apply vulcanizing fluid ("cement"), blow it until the shiny part appears dull, then put on a patch and rub the back of the patch with a coin (or your nail).

The self-stick patches are NOT permanent and are designed just to get you home.

I advise you to take a tube with you but also a patch kit in case you have multiple flats.

I save old tubes and once/year do a "batch patch" where I patch them all at once.