Sea To Summit Ether light mats

[Lizzy]

These look interesting- 10cm thick

https://seatosummitusa.com/collections/ ... eeping-mat

[Zapruda]

These look good. 10cm rules them out for a lot of tall people. It will put you closer to the head and foot of any tent that has sloping walls.

Good to see S2S changing things up.

[mert99]

I had a short rest on one of these on the floor of a local outdoor shop. Very springy and super comfortable. The mat surface was really nice, not exactly tacky but not as slippery as the other STS inflatable mats. It's supposed to be quieter too, although I didn't verify that myself.

[dagsands]

I bought one a couple of weeks ago - my S2S CLI large is now available for sale.

[Ms_Mudd]

Is the ether light cobfirmed quieter than the previous s2s insulated mats from your experience dagsands?

[dagsands]

Hi Ms Mudd - in my opinion it is definitely quieter than my sea to summit comfort light insulated. It still makes noise, but not as noisy. I slept on it the last two nights, my partner was on his s2s CLI so I was able to make that comparison.

[Mark F]

Interesting to see that S2S now have a Womens Large version - 183 x 64 (equivalent to Exped MW pads) which has an improved R value of 4.2 compared to the 3.8 of the rest of the Etherlight range. https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/sleeping-mats-c58/womens-ether-light-xt-insulated-sleeping-mat-large-p11321. The regular womens size also has this improved R value.

[dagsands]

Mark I have the women’s large and appreciate the R value but haven’t really needed it as yet. Will soon though. One of the things I really like about this pad is that it’s wide through the shoulder arm area so your arms don’t flop onto the cold cruel ground, this is like the other s2s large mats, however it tapers back in near the head area where most people really don’t need the extra width, so there are weight savings there.
It’s lofty too. 10cm.
So for me, height, shape, R value, weight - its my goldilocks pad... except if I was to nitpick, it is unusually bulky when packed down.
Note that Aussie purchasers can buy from Wild Earth. I got mine there for a great price - they had a sale on and because I signed up to their newsletter they gave me a further 10% off.
http://www.bit.ly/2VaaqOWWildEarth

Edit: Zapruda has brought to my attention that I should have explicitly stated that I am an affiliate of Wild Earth. We shop there a lot, in person and online, and I love their service, the staff’s specialised knowledge, their products and their prices. If you should click the link above, and you make a purchase I may get a few dollars. I have never posted this link before, I have never made a dollar from Wild Earth before, and I made sure I added the affiliation to my profile so you can see it.
I am a long term user of this forum. I have learned a lot from others on here. I have also spent hundreds of hours researching our gear choices as I can’t afford, financially, to make mistakes. I bit the bullet, it would seem before anyone else on this forum, on this really rather expensive high end sleeping mat, and am happy to share with you, on this forum, my experience of it so you can decide if it suits you. If you don’t want to click the above link which may send a couple of dollars my way at no expense to you, click this one www.wildearth.com.au

[Zapruda]

Mark I have the women’s large and appreciate the R value but haven’t really needed it as yet. Will soon though. One of the things I really like about this pad is that it’s wide through the shoulder arm area so your arms don’t flop onto the cold cruel ground, this is like the other s2s large mats, however it tapers back in near the head area where most people really don’t need the extra width, so there are weight savings there.
It’s lofty too. 10cm.
So for me, height, shape, R value, weight - its my goldilocks pad... except if I was to nitpick, it is unusually bulky when packed down.
Note that Aussie purchasers can buy from Wild Earth. I got mine there for a great price - they had a sale on and because I signed up to their newsletter they gave me a further 10% off.
http://www.bit.ly/2VaaqOWWildEarth

What's with the affiliate links? Pretty dodgy directing people through those links so you can earn some cash. At least be upfront about it before linking. This forum is brilliant because people don't take advantage of other members for their own personal gain.

Of course you are going to say any product is good if you are linking people to it and earning commission...

This is the link un-hidden. Notice the affiliate text.

http://www.wildearth.com.au/utm_source=CommissionFactory&utm_medium=Text+Link&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Affiliate&affid=62780&clickid=cc917204c6174ad08ba690a7560defbe&cfclick=cc917204c6174ad08ba690a7560defbe

This is what dagsands is using for anyone interested - https://www.commissionfactory.com/

[dagsands]

Zapruda I don’t see what the problem is - I have clearly put, today by the way, an affiliation in the associated organisations. I find it more than a little offensive that you think I am only saying it is good because there is a slim chance that I can make a couple of dollars.

[Zapruda]

The problem is you weren't up front about it. Having associated organisations listed doesn't let anyone know you are directing them to websites so you can profit. its not the first affiliate link you have posted either. All your Massdrop ones appear to be referrals as well.

As far as you being offended ... unfortunate. As soon as you bring profit in to the mix your opinion on products is muddied. How can we be sure you are being fair and balanced?

When I log on to this site I am actually taken aback. Do you want to know why? Because on every other site I log into has every square inch of the website plastered in advertising, so when I come here its shocking that there is only the smallest amount. A unique thing in my opinion.

[Lamont]

A case in point-If I visit Cam Honan's website he clearly states upfront, that he has affiliate links from the get go- no bones about it.
His recommendations however, come from probably tens of thousands of hours experience and from other walkers renowned for their ability-they mean something, they carry weight.
I contacted him several times and he was helpful beyond all reason. No cost to me-no product pushed, no selling-none! All he wanted to do was help.
(I am not related or he should you be wondering)
If you don't wan't to purchase through his listings you are making the choice, not he. But it is clear for you to see, that should you click on the link, at no cost to you, he makes a fee. Other posters on BW.com have Wildearth ads (plus others) on their links and I wish they would ensure they state they are making money from the clicks you give them.
"......and am happy to share with you, on this forum, my experience of it so you can decide if it suits you."
Multiple Massdrop linkshares (fee paying) to the Xmid-untried by anyone-recommending something from no experience.
I mentioned my aversion to this type of thing to the moderators about ten months ago and I am really glad it has been raised by someone else.
I'm sure bringing this into the open will help maintain the integrity of this excellent site.

[ribuck]

I encourage people not to post affiliate links if they want to be taken seriously. An affiliate link immediately devalues any comments they made about the product, and who wants to have their reputation devalued?

Also, using link shortening services such as bit.ly is not really in the spirit of openness since the reader can't hover over the link and see where it would take them.

[Nuts]

You three
A thick mat sounds good but is thick necessary, or even better? I evacuate much air from mine to get it just right.

[dagsands]

You three
A thick mat sounds good but is thick necessary, or even better? I evacuate much air from mine to get it just right.

Certainly isn’t necessary for everyone but I find it is better for me. I toss and turn a fair bit but mainly end up side sleeping. The thickness and construction in this particular mat is just right to stop my hip bone touching the ground. If I end up on my stomach it’s also more comfortable as the depth accommodates my umm, chest shape. Every body is different so everybody’s mat preferences are likely to be different too. A friend gave the mat a test run and he found it really comfy. My shelters are long enough to accomodate my height, this mat and my quilt so I don’t have that problem of it raising me up so far that my foot box or head is touching or even close to the wall. However I understand how that could be an issue in some shelters. My newest shelter is yet to arrive but from what I understand of the dimensions I don’t expect that to be a problem in that one either.

[Nuts]

Yes, fair call (my comment could have benefited with 'thinks to himself'). I'm similar, and there isn't a lot between hips touching and just suspended on popular inflatable mats.

Size and features are as much the weight savings in modern shelters as materials, most are barely long enough for even slightly tall. In the absence of longer shelters a raincoat over feet helps (or at least that's the advice I give).

[Ms_Mudd]

I actually got to physically look at gear last week. Pretty exciting for a serial mail orderer like me. I live in a rural area so don't rely on the healthy 2nd hand market here or buying with the knowledge I may potentially need to pay return postage for a refund/exchange.

I stayed in Little Bourke Street (the theatre end to see Harry Potter play) but meandered on down to the wonderful little hive of outdoors shops at the other end and had a look at the ether lights. Yes, they were SUPER thick. I rubbed one that was on display and it did sound a bit quieter than the s2s ul insul I used to own. Not as quiet as my Klymit or my daughters BA mat though, but certainly thicker than the Klymit

[lseries92]

I pulled the trigger and bought one last week. I have an regular X-Lite for hiking and an older large Trekker I have kept for normal camping. While I normally sleep like a baby on the Trekker, I really struggle on the X-Lite. I decided to go for a Ether light Insulated Men's Small as it is not much shorter than I am but is a little wider than the X-Lite which I hope makes the difference.

While it is the advertised width and length (55cm x 168cm - maybe a little longer if anything), I did read on the limited reviews I could find that it is heavier than the advertised weight. On my scale it is 439 grams versus the 400 grams it is supposed to be (mat only - I took everything else out and did not include the stuff sack/inflator). If you are counting grams you may want to factor that into your purchasing decision.

[philm]

Thanks. I have just purchased the Etherlite and awaiting delivery
I have used the Thermarest XLite for some time now but find it a little thin
Probably ok for an ultra lite minimalist and a person who sleeps on their back

For side sleepers and people who move around I found the regular a little narrow

I’m looking forward to trying out the Etherlite and for a few more grams hope it’s worth it!

[cams]

Bumping this back up. How have people found their Ether Light Insulated mats in the cold? I've used mine a few times now and it has been very comfortable, however the insulation doesn't seem to be as good as I expected. I've used it from around 2deg all the way down to -13deg, and it seemed to perform similarly (within reason) at all these temps. Whenever I roll onto my side, any sort of compression seems to comprimise the insulation quite a lot. Any other suggestions for a warmer mat? Exped? My previous mat was a Klymit, and it seemed to insulate almost as well despite being much thinner. Although I had to use a full sleeping bag to help with the insulation underneath with it.

[Lamont]

321

[Moondog55]

I've also been looking a getting one of these for the warmer parts of the year, because my back has been giving me some problems lately.
Now I really need to prioritise purchases. The Comfort Plus mat is warmer ut this less warm mat might be a lot more comfortable.
Any consensus yet?

[commando]

Hey Cams
You weren't at Central Plateau last week were you, as i thought minus -12c sounded low so i had a look
and found that...
Tasmania's lowest recorded minimum temperature is −14.2 °C (6.4 °F) on 7 August 2020, at Central Plateau.

[nezumi]

Bumping this back up. How have people found their Ether Light Insulated mats in the cold? I've used mine a few times now and it has been very comfortable, however the insulation doesn't seem to be as good as I expected. I've used it from around 2deg all the way down to -13deg, and it seemed to perform similarly (within reason) at all these temps. Whenever I roll onto my side, any sort of compression seems to comprimise the insulation quite a lot. Any other suggestions for a warmer mat? Exped? My previous mat was a Klymit, and it seemed to insulate almost as well despite being much thinner. Although I had to use a full sleeping bag to help with the insulation underneath with it.

That's not entirely surprising - the mat is rated as a 3-season warmth based on the now standardised testing methodology, which gives it an R value of 3.2: https://seatosummitusa.com/collections/ ... eeping-mat

I have the same-same but different ultralight insulated mat, and for snow camping I was planning on pairing it with a simple foam roll mat, so that I have the insulation I need and the support/comfort.

[cams]

I've also been looking a getting one of these for the warmer parts of the year, because my back has been giving me some problems lately.
Now I really need to prioritise purchases. The Comfort Plus mat is warmer ut this less warm mat might be a lot more comfortable.
Any consensus yet?

The comfort is definitely up there. My friend recently replaced her Comfort Plus mat with this for comfort. But hasn't commented on wamth.

Hey Cams
You weren't at Central Plateau last week were you, as i thought minus -12c sounded low so i had a look
and found that...
Tasmania's lowest recorded minimum temperature is −14.2 °C (6.4 °F) on 7 August 2020, at Central Plateau.

Heh, yeah I was at just under 1000m altitude near Lake St. Clair. I was expecting below zero, but not quite that much!

That's not entirely surprising - the mat is rated as a 3-season warmth based on the now standardised testing methodology, which gives it an R value of 3.2: https://seatosummitusa.com/collections/ ... eeping-mat

I have the same-same but different ultralight insulated mat, and for snow camping I was planning on pairing it with a simple foam roll mat, so that I have the insulation I need and the support/comfort.

Yeah true. I guess I wasn't surprised about the lack of warmth at those lower temps, but at above 0 I expected better. I did intend to take some closed cell foam on the cold walk but forgot to put it in the car. Might be the solution.

[CraigVIC]

Etherlight Extreme is reportedly coming soon with R6+ at 700g