The Sea-to-Summit Ether Mild XR Insulated Sleeping Pad is a light-weight, inflatable sleeping pad that’s 3.9″ thick and options air-sprung cells for optimum consolation, making it much more snug than sleeping pads with horizontal baffles. Weighing 16.6 oz (in a mummy form), it has a sturdy flat inflation valve and is straightforward to inflate by mouth or with the included pump sack.
- Weight: 16.6 oz (common 72″ mummy)
- R-value: 4.1
- Kind: Inflatable
- Dimensions: 72″ x 21.2″ (25″ widths, and 66″ quick and 78″ lengthy lengths, additionally accessible)
- Thickness: 3.9″ (10 cm)
- Insulation: Reflective platinum layer and artificial insulation
- Antimicrobial remedy: Sure
- Included insulation sack: Sure
- Supplies: 30d / 40d nylon
- Execs: Sprung cell design may be very snug, features a pillow attachment system
- Cons: Heavier than ultralight inflatable sleeping pads
The Ether Mild XR Insulated replaces the previous Ether Mild XT Insulated Sleeping Pad (nonetheless accessible in clearance). I’ve been utilizing the Ether Mild XT for the previous 5 years, and it’s by far probably the most snug inflatable sleeping pad I personal. As a facet sleeper, I slept extremely nicely on the Ether Mild as a result of its air-sprung cells tailored to the form of my physique and limbs. The brand new Ether Mild XR makes use of the identical air-sprung cell design, which mimics the texture of a spring mattress. Nevertheless it has a better R-value and folds up a lot thinner and smaller than the earlier era XT. Measurement issues with inflatable sleeping pads, as they’ll eat plenty of pack quantity.
ASTM R-Values Sea-to-Summit pads are additionally rated with ASTM R-values (a global commonplace), so you’ll be able to evaluate the insulation they supply with pads from different distributors that ship out their pads to impartial testing labs for R-value ranking, together with NEMO, Therm-a-Relaxation, Exped, NEMO, Huge Agnes, and REI. For those who’re looking for a brand new sleeping pad and it has an R-value, however not an ordinary ASTM R-value, you’re by yourself. There’s no telling how the seller measured its R-value, or whether or not they simply made it up, which occurs all too usually.
Air Sprung Cells
The sleeping floor of the Insulated Ether Mild XR is made up of air-sprung cells, which mimic a pocket spring mattress in order that the floor of the pad conforms to your physique form no matter whether or not you sleep in your again or in your facet. This helps hold you on the pad at night time, with out the necessity for additional side-rails to maintain you from rolling off.
At a full 3.9″ thick, the added consolation of a thick pad and the air-sprung cells is so value it, particularly on multi-day journeys when sleeping nicely is crucial. The Ether Mild can be insulated with artificial fibers and never only a reflective foil layer, making it a a lot quieter pad to sleep on. Regardless of being hotter (with a better R-value), the Ether Mild XR Insulated Sleeping Pad is considerably thinner than its predecessor and is simply barely bigger than a 1L Nalgene bottle when packed.
Flat Valve and Pump Sack
The Ether Mild pad comes with its pump sack for ease of inflation. It mates to the pad’s flat valve, a three-way valve: one for inflating the pad, with an built-in nipple to launch air for extra consolation, and a closed cap to utterly shut the valve. For those who raise each caps to deflate the pad, the air rushes out of the large valve gap, so that you don’t need to spend time evacuating the air or roll the pad up a number of instances to drive all of it out. Flat valves are additionally way more sturdy than stick valves since they don’t require a screw-type lock and roll-up flat.
Pillow Attachment
I’ve by no means been one for backpacking pillows, however the Pillow-Lock attachment system that comes with the Ether Mild XR is a game-changer. The Ether Mild XR comes with 4 velcro pads that you would be able to persist with the highest of the pad. These maintain a Sea-to-Summit pillow in place so it doesn’t transfer off the pad at night time. It enormously enhances my sleep expertise and luxury. I take advantage of a 2.5 oz Sea-to-Summit Aeros Down Pillow, however the pillow-lock system works with any of (and solely with) Sea-to-Summit’s inflatable pillows.
Advice
The Sea-to-Summit Insulated Ether Mild XR air mattress is an excellent snug sleeping pad with air-spring cells that mimic a spring mattress. At 3.9 inches thick, it conforms to your physique and retains you on the pad all night time, whether or not you’re a again or facet sleeper. A flat valve and sturdy exterior cloth enhance sturdiness and reliability, whereas an R-value of 4.1 is right for 3+ season backpacking and tenting. Extremely really helpful!
Disclosure: Sea-to-Summit donated a pad for assessment.
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