Rolling up the Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Sleeping Pad after testing, showcasing the pad’s compact pack size and easy field breakdown for backpacking and bikepacking adventures | Photo Mike Hardaker Mountain Weekly News
This offering from Sea to Summit is truly a revelation. Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Sleeping Pad is designed for minimalists that demand the lightest, toughest and superior overall performance out of a sleeping pad. This updated mat is 14 percent lighter, 30 percent thicker and 53 percent smaller in pack size. The 415 grams for the regular size mat which is what I tested certainly contends with all offerings in its class of sleeping pad.
Bike packers and Thru hikers alike stand to benefit from this latest product redesign. Utilizing a wider profile, thermal core insulation and unmatched stability with proven durability the Ultralight XR pad truly shines over the full spectrum of conditions out in the field. With Sea to Summits No Worries guarantee, one can feel supported anywhere they go knowing that Sea to Summit has you covered no matter what. It was a pleasure sleeping on this pad on a recent gear test on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon.
Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Comfort
With the use of 151 air sprung cells that adjust to our specific body contours this accomplishes a great level of comfort by reducing pressure points. We have all experienced those pressure points when out in the field and it truly is the difference maker between an ok or rejuvenative rest. Even side sleepers are covered due to the wider profile of the mat. With the inclusion of 30/40D hybrid nylon and ultra fresh-treated TPU laminated fabrics the mat is stout and has an added level of durability.
When on the go and in the field knowing that this pad has an added element of durability puts one’s mind at ease. ThermalCore insulation not only reflects body heat which boosts the overall R-value while simultaneously reducing pack size. With a tapered mummy shape the pad is able to trim some weight. Offered in 3 sizes; Small, Regular and Large the consumer has the option to save weight if that’s a priority.
Compact Packed Size for Backpacking
One of the most impressive aspects of the Sea to Summit Ultralight XR is how little space it occupies once packed. During testing, the packed pad was only slightly larger than an iPhone, making it easy to stash inside a backpack, bikepacking bag or packraft cargo compartment. For long-distance hikers and anyone counting ounces and cubic inches, the small packed size is every bit as impressive as the pad’s comfort and insulation.
Inflation and XPress Valve
The Ultralight XR pad ticks nearly all the boxes when it comes to a minimalist back/bike packing sleeping pad. It is ultralight and compact easily transported due to its lightweight design stowing away in a very small and convenient size. They do include a replacement valve and patches which keeps you covered in the field if and when a repair needs to be made. The inflation method is super neat and new to me. The stowaway bag contains an air bag that deploys from one side of the receptacle and simply receives air which then is rolled and shut effectively pushing the air into the mattress. It takes about 4 or 5 airbags being compressed into the pad to firmly fill it up which takes about a minute or two to fully inflate. Not only is this an easier process but by not blowing air directly into the pad itself the inside health of the pad is far superior due to not receiving air directly from one’s mouth which could contain unhealthy pathogens that ultimately break the mat down quicker.
Antimicrobial treatment is added to the internal TPU lamination to deliver ongoing product protection from stain and odor causing bacterial growth. The Express valve is a very thoughtful element to the pad’s design. It easily allows one to inflate, adjust and deflate with the express valve.The added extra thickness, 6.5cm of adjustable firmness based upon the consumers desired level of comfort is quite a nice feature. The XPress valve enables high airflow, easy inflation, pressure adjustment and rapid deflation making it a synch to set up and break down while in the field.
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Lock System
With the development of the Aeros Ultralight Pillow Lock compatible system one’s sleep system is seamless. We’ve all been there while sleeping thru the night and constantly rolling around resetting the pillow location but with the pillow lock, one has the ability to lock the pillow into place on the sleeping pad. This was a first for me and I truly found it to provide a seamless more comfortable pillow and overall sleeping experience.
The pillow is inflated by the air bag, simply turn the stuff sack inside out and blow air into the bag and close it by rolling the air into the pillow similarly to how the sleeping pad was inflated. Having the benefit of locking the pillow into place by placing the three adhesive stickers on the pad to lock the positioning into place is truly a game changer. The pillow also uses the XPress Valve making it easy to adjust to one’s firmness level. Set it and forget it, couldn’t be happier about this nifty detail.
R-Value and Warmth
With an R value less than 4 one can expect to sleep cold. R value refers to how insulative a sleeping pad is. This pad has an R value of 3.6 and punches well above its weight. With the New dot-weld Air Sprung Cells for 6.5cm of stable comfort one is covered down to lower temps. One of the nights on the Rogue river the temps dipped down to the high 30’s with a fair amount of humidity and coupled with proximity to the river it was chilly but a non issue as slept comfy/cozy never experiencing the feeling of cold.
Backpackers looking for even more warmth for winter camping should also check out our Therm-a-Rest NEOAIR XTHERM Review, while those wanting a little more durability for extended trips may prefer the Exped Dura 3R Sleeping Pad.
The film reflects radiant heat and prevents convective heat transfer thus reflecting the heat back to your body, technically superior in my view. Seemingly, this pad can perform and keep one warm down to the high 20’s. Comparing this to my NeoAir sleeping pad from Thermarest not only is the R value better but the crinkle/loudness factor while sleeping on pad is far superior. Not only is the loudness factor annoying to the individual but sometimes can even effect others in camp that sleep lightly because the pad really is noisy and disruptive for everyone’s ability to sleep soundly.
Test Your Backcountry Sleep System Before Heading Into the Wilderness
One of the biggest mistakes backpackers and hunters make is waiting until they arrive at camp to learn how their gear works. We strongly recommend setting up and testing your entire sleep system at home before heading into the backcountry. Sleeping pads, pillows, tents and shelters all have unique setup procedures that can become frustrating when you’re tired, cold, hungry or arriving after dark.
Mountain Weekly News founder Mike Hardaker learned this lesson the hard way on an elk hunting trip years ago. After arriving in the middle of nowhere with a brand-new tarp, bivy and hammock system, he quickly realized he had no idea how it all worked together. Rather than spending hours fighting with unfamiliar gear in the dark, he ended up draping the tarp over himself and sleeping exposed to mosquitoes for the night.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Sleeping Pad and Aeros Pillow use an integrated airbag inflation system that works exceptionally well once you understand the process. As Pat Kinney discovered during testing, taking a few minutes to practice inflating the pad and pillow beforehand makes campsite setup dramatically easier. Learning how your gear works in the daylight is a lot more enjoyable than trying to figure it out by headlamp after a long day on the trail.
Overall Impression
In summary with so many options in the sleeping pad market it’s easy to be overwhelmed but Sea to Summit makes your choice easy due to this superior offering. With its packability, weight to warmth ratio, durability and performance one can feel confident in consuming and using this product on any adventure.
Compared to the Exped Ultra 3R Sleeping Mat, the Sea to Summit offers a similarly lightweight package while adding impressive stability and a very refined pillow integration system.
Sea to Summit have really taken the Ultralight XR Sleeping Pad to another level. The previous version was very popular but the update truly pushes the limit of what’s possible even further! With better construction, better materials, lighter, more compact/insulative, fits in your bag more seamless which makes it a perfect match for the lightweight traveler in nearly any and every climate one interacts with.
The compact packed size makes the pad an ideal companion for lightweight shelters such as the Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy while also pairing nicely with elevated sleep systems like the Helinox Lite Cot for packrafting river trips where dedicated durable gear and vehicle-supported camping becomes paramount for a good nights sleep or mid day nap on the trail.
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