Sleeping on the cold ground or snow in the winter or shoulder seasons requires a quality pad to stay warm and comfortable. Sea to Summit’s Ether Light XT Extreme Sleeping Mat has four inches of thick, comfy 6.2 R-Value-rated insulation with dual-density layers of THERMOLITE® insulation that prevent convective heat loss and internal air movement. This results in true four-season performance.
It’s also way lighter than some of the Rice Krispies-sounding inflatable pads I’ve owned. Inflating it is quick with the included Airstream Pump/stuff sack that allows you to inflate the pad by squeezing the bag full of air into the pad instead of blowing it up with your mouth. The innards also have anti-microbial treatment to prevent mold growth.
Finally, there’s an integrated PillowLock system to keep a Sea to Summit Aeros pillow in its place. I got to try this pad out indoors and became stoked to take it along on a Montana winter fishing and camping trip. The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme sleeping mat is by far the best winter/early spring sleeping pad system I’ve tried.
MSRP: $199-$229. Seatosummitusa.com
Find more outdoor gear recommendations and product reviews in the OTO archives.
