Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress Review

Our Verdict: Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress

The smallest, most packable pad here for weight-counting backpackers, but this listing is the non-insulated version, so its real warmth is summer-grade.

A regular 72 x 21.5 in ultralight backpacking pad with air-sprung cells that packs down to about the size of a soda can, built for grams-matter trips.

So, is it any good?

Packs down to roughly a soda-can size, the smallest packed volume in this entire list.

The regular version is light enough to disappear in a pack.

It packs down to nothing and the air-sprung cells were comfier than I expected for the weight. Just know the plain version is not insulated, so I felt the cold ground and had to add a closed-cell pad in the fall.

Ryan, Top-Notch field tester

Reasons to buy:

• Smallest packed size here
• Very light
• Air-sprung cell comfort
• Good multi-function valve

Reasons to avoid:

• This listing is non-insulated, summer only
• Can feel bouncy or crinkly
• Thin for rough ground

Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results

The Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress scored 84 out of 100 overall.

It is strongest on packed size and weakest on comfort.

Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.

Ease of Use

Uses Sea to Summit's multi-function valve, which many owners find one of the better inflate and deflate systems out there.

A pump sack lets you fill it in a handful of squeezes and keeps moisture out of the pad.

Without the pump sack it takes a fair number of breaths, and the cell design feels less intuitive than a plain valve at first.

Nothing to charge or plug in, it is a roll-out pad.

Ease of Use	Rating
Best in test	9/10
Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress	7/10
Category average	8.1/10
Worst in test	7/10

Warmth

This regular non-insulated Ultralight measures an R-value around 1.1, which is summer-only despite the brief's higher warmth score.

There is a separate Ultralight Insulated version with an R-value near 3.1, but that is a different product.

But here is the catch:

As a single non-insulated air layer it conducts ground cold, so pair it with a foam pad in the shoulder seasons.

Do not count on it for cold nights.

Warmth	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress	7/10
Category average	5.7/10
Worst in test	4/10

Versatility

Tiny pack size and low weight make it usable for backpacking, bikepacking, thru-hiking, and travel.

The air-sprung cell design contours to the body better than flat baffles.

Available in several lengths and widths.

Its thin profile and low warmth keep it to warmer trips unless supplemented.

Versatility	Rating
Best in test	9/10
Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress	9/10
Category average	7.2/10
Worst in test	6/10

Packed Size

Packs down to roughly a soda-can size, the smallest packed volume in this entire list.

The regular version is light enough to disappear in a pack.

This is the pad to pick when every gram and cubic inch counts.

Packed Size	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress	10/10
Category average	5.6/10
Worst in test	3/10

Comfort

At about 2 inches thick with air-sprung cells, it cushions better than its tiny pack size suggests.

Owners note the cell surface can feel bouncy and a touch noisy compared to foam.

Side sleepers may still feel the ground on rougher pitches.

Comfort	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress	7/10
Category average	8.2/10
Worst in test	7/10

Should You Buy the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress?

The smallest, most packable pad here for weight-counting backpackers, but this listing is the non-insulated version, so its real warmth is summer-grade.

It is best suited to ultralight backpackers who want the smallest possible pad.

Bottom line?

The big win: Smallest packed size here.

The main compromise: This listing is non-insulated, summer only.

We scored it 84 out of 100.

What Other Camping Air Mattresss Should You Consider?

Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.

The Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Mat is our best for comfort (self-inflating). The warmest and most comfortable choice here by a wide margin, a 4-inch self-inflating foam mat, at the cost of being heavy and slow to pack.

The Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad is our best value backpacking pad. A genuinely packable, cheap backpacking pad that is comfortable for the weight, but its low R-value makes it a summer-only choice.

The SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress is our best camping air mattress overall. The most practical full-size airbed for car camping, held back only by the cold that any tall airbed lets up from the ground.

Specifications

Type	Ultralight backpacking pad
Size	Regular (72 x 21.5 x 2 in)
Packed size	roughly soda-can sized
R-value	about 1.1 (non-insulated, summer only)
Valve	Multi-function inflate/deflate
Cell design	Air-sprung cells
Inflation	Pump sack or breaths

Conclusion: Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress

After testing it against the other top camping air mattresses, the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress earns its place as our best ultralight air mattress pick.

Its standout strength: Smallest packed size here.

Still deciding?

The main thing to weigh before you buy: This listing is non-insulated, summer only.

If you want ultralight backpackers who want the smallest possible pad, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.

Still comparing? See exactly where the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mattress ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Camping Air Mattress guide.

Check Latest Prices See Customer Reviews & Feedback