Sea to Summit’s redesigned Ultralight XR sleeping pad combines ultralight weight with three-season warmth, for a price significantly lower that other pads in its class. And the pad’s use of Air Sprung Cells make for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Overview: Sea to Summit Ultralight XR
MSRP: $139, small; $149, regular; $169, large
Weight, just the pad: 13.8 ounces for the short; 14.6 ounces for the regular; 18.7 ounces for the large
Inflated Thickness: 2.6 inches
Temperature Rating: 3.6 R-value
Insulation: ThermalCore
Fabric: Hybrid 30/40D nylon and Ultrafresh-treated TPU laminate
About the Ultralight XR
The Ultralight XR—14.6 ounces for a regular size—is a solid ultralight air pad. And the 3.6 R-value makes it a good choice for three-season backpacking.
But the pad’s downside may be its 2.6-inch thickness, which doesn’t leave much space for people like me who prefer a softer, slightly deflated pad to a firm one. My first night using the pad I inflated it fully and didn’t like how firm it is. But after deflating the pad slightly I found an inflation level that felt comfortable and didn’t leave me sinking to the ground. I weigh 165 pounds and someone heavier than me might not find the same comfort level.
The pad’s comfort comes from the 151 Air Sprung Cells that give the pad an egg crate look while reducing pressure points to your body. I’m a side sleeper and I didn’t experience the cramping that I get on pads with vertical tubes.
The pad is a roomy 21.5 inches wide at the head, slightly wider than similar weight pads that are 20 to 20.5 inches wide at the head.
Sea to Summit uses the ASTM R-value test, an industry standard for determining temperature compatibility. The XR uses ThermalCore Insulation inside the pad to achieve its 3.6 R-value, which is good for temperatures as low as 30F.
And the pad isn’t noisy, no matter how much I toss and turn.
The XR is a hybrid 30/40D nylon and liquid-extruded TPU laminate, a process that strengthens the pad’s fabric and gives it a durable feel. The XR’s 30/40D nylon is a durable fabric thickness, comparable to other pads in its class.
Sea to Summit uses its XPRESS Valve to inflate and deflate the pad, as well as fine-tune the pad’s thickness. The valve is flush with the pad, which makes it easier to roll up the pad to stuff inside the included stuff sack.
And rather than include a separate inflator sack, Sea to Summit designed the stuff sack to expand and become an inflator sack.
Good to Know
Pad Upgrade: The Ultralight XR is an upgrade of Sea to Summit’s Ultralight Air sleeping pad. The Ultralight Air’s R-value is 3.1, suitable for warmer weather camping. And it’s a very slim 2 inches thick and weighs 16.9 ounces for a regular pad. The improved R-value, slightly thicker depth and 2-ounce weight savings make the XR a more versatile and comfortable pad.
Durability: The XR’s 30/40D hybrid nylon has a beefy feel to it, which should provide durability in the backcountry. Still, despite a pad’s nylon thickness, I’m careful to avoid shelter nails or sharp rocks when laying out my pad.
What You Get: Combined pump and stuff sack, repair kit, and PillowLock patches.
Packability: The Ultralight XR rolls up to about the size of a Nalgene bottle.
Warranty: Sea to Summit guarantees its products against manufacturing defects in materials or workmanship for the lifetime of the product.
Ultralight XR Pros
Ultralight: The XR regular is 14.6 ounces and packs small.
Comfort: The AirSprung Cells provide a cushy pad for side sleepers.
Pump Sack: The sack is integrated with the stuff sack, providing a larger volume of air per sack fill.
Inflation Valve: The XPRESS Valve is flush with the pad, making it easy to roll up and put in a stuff sack.
Extras: The PillowLock patches included with the XR secure a pillow to the pad.
Ultralight XR Cons
Thinner Pad: The XR is 2.6 inches thick, nearly a half-inch thinner than comparable pads, and that thin design makes it essential to clear ground debris and avoid rocks that could poke up through the pad. But with the right inflation and careful site selection the pad is comfortable and I don’t sink into the ground.
Overall Value
The Ultralight XR fits comfortably in the ultralight range, with an R-value comparable to similar pads. The pad is thin, but the AirSprung Cells give the XR a cushy feel for a comfortable night’s sleep. And the pad’s price—$139 for a small, $149 for a regular, and $169 for a long—is significantly lower than other pads in its category.
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This product was donated for purpose of review.