Review: Sea to Summit Comfort Lite Insulated Mat - A year-round, comfortable air mattress
Written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
Sea to Summit was founded in 1990 by Tim McCartney-Snape and Roland Tyson, who live in Perth, Australia. The company name comes from a project in which one of the founders, Tim, trekked from the 0m point ("Sea") to the summit of Mount Everest ("Summit"). Originally starting out by manufacturing sleeping bag liners, the company now offers a comprehensive range of outdoor travel gear, from sleeping bags and dry bags to tableware and soap.
Sea to Summit offers a wide variety of gear, and many of their products incorporate original ideas without compromising on any aspect, the Comfort Lite Insulated Mat is no exception.
table of contents
General features of the Comfort Light Insulated Mat
The mattress features 40D ripstop nylon on both sides and Sea to Summit's proprietary Air Sprung Cell construction, enhancing comfort and puncture and tear resistance. The inner surface is made of a nonwoven fabric with an integrated metal layer called Exkin Platinum, which reflects body heat, while the lower layer is made of Thermolite insulation. An additional Thermolite layer is added to the torso area for a double layer of insulation, achieving an R-value of 4.2. The mattress itself is 6.4cm thick, making it one of Sea to Summit's most comfortable and insulating sleeping mats
Recommended points
- Very easy to set up and take down (excellent valve system)
- R-value of 4.2 provides sufficient insulation even in winter
- High stability and comfort when lying down
- Compact storage size
Points of interest
- Weight not suitable for those who prioritize lightness
- High price
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Specifications and reviews |
|---|---|
| color | green |
| size | S: 168×55cm R: 184×55cm |
| Storage size | S: 10.5x23cm R: 11x23cm |
| Mat Thickness | 6.4cm |
| Official weight (body only) | S: 580g R: 620g |
| Actual weight | R: 614 + storage bag 56g |
| Surface material | 40 denier ripstop nylon |
| Insulating material | Exkin Platinum |
| Insulation material | Thermolite |
| R-value | 4.2 |
| accessories |
|
| option |
|
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of setup and takedown | ★★★★★ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| Storage capacity | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed Review
The valve system is excellent!
This can be said of other Sea to Summit mats as well, but the ease of setup and takedown alone makes it worth choosing Sea to Summit! In particular, the storage stuff sack on the Air Sprung model doubles as an air pump, so you can set it up by pumping air just twice
The mouth acts as a check valve when blowing air into the bag, so there's no need to blow in forcefully. Deflation is also instantaneous, with all the air expelled from the large opening in one go, so packing it down is also a breeze
Thermal insulation that can be used even in winter
While you probably wouldn't want to use it in the dead of winter, its relatively high R-value of 4.2 means it can be used in low-altitude winters. The 40D ripstop nylon outer fabric is bonded to the inside with Exkin Platinum, a thin metal layer integrated with a nonwoven fabric, to reflect heat from the body and reduce heat loss. Thermolite insulation prevents heat loss from the cold ground. The torso area, where heat dissipation is greatest, is doubled with Thermolite and 20D nylon for even greater insulation
Overwhelming cushioning
Sea to Summit's unique mechanism, called Airsprung, provides great comfort and stability. No matter how thick the mattress, if weight is applied to a specific area, stability is lost, but the Airsprung structure distributes pressure and maintains stability. Despite this unique structure, the mattress itself is 6.4cm thick, so when you lie down, your body is wrapped in a deep mattress, providing the ultimate sleeping comfort. This is more than enough comfort for the outdoors
People have different preferences for the amount of air in the mattress, so by pressing the button in the center of the air valve, air is released little by little, making it easy to adjust the amount of air in the mattress
Actual impressions after using it
Having the storage stuff sack double as an air pump is certainly a significant advantage. Especially when you've been active all day and are tired, even blowing into the pack can be difficult, so this is an essential item. Some manufacturers offer optional dry sacks that double as air pumps, but the fact that the standard storage stuff sack can be used as is alone is enough to make SEA TO Summit worth choosing
It has excellent insulation properties and can be used without problems from spring to autumn. It may get quite hot in summer. It is also tolerable for use in low mountains in winter. If you place a silver mat or a thin folding mat underneath this mat, the R-value will be around 5, so although it won't be suitable for use in the harsh winter, it should still be usable without any problems in winter
The mat is very comfortable. If you lie down on it after a long day of activity, sleepiness will soon set in! Even when you lie down or prop up your elbows, your body weight will not hit the ground. The air springs seem to distribute pressure well. It's a blessing to be able to lie down this comfortably outdoors
When folded, it's about the same size as a 1L Nalgene bottle, which is relatively small considering how much cushioning and insulation it provides
At 620g for the regular size, it feels a little on the heavy side for a sleeping mat, but considering its comfort, R-value of 4.2 insulation, and durability thanks to the 40D fabric, it's actually lighter than other sleeping mats of the same caliber, and the overall balance is pretty impressive! The manufacturer's efforts to reduce weight are also evident, with the two-layer insulation only in the torso and a different air spring pattern
Summary: Recommended for these people
This single mat can be used for three seasons, and even in winter on low mountain slopes. It's perfect for those looking for a comfortable, durable pad that can be used in all seasons. If you're worried about using it in winter, bringing a silver mat or a lightweight folding mat will bring the R-value closer to 5, allowing you to sleep warmly. However, the trade-off between its insulation and comfort is that it weighs in at 620g, so if you can reduce the weight by using a quilt instead of a sleeping bag from spring to autumn, this may be the perfect tool for you!
For those who only use them in spring and summer, the cost performance is not great, and there are lighter and cheaper pads available, so those would be a better choice. However, the valve is highly functional, so if you are tired of having to blow air into the pads every time, it is definitely worth trying not only this model but also the Sea to Summit
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