Maybe it’s just me, but I’m over being miserable while I sleep outdoors. Whether backpacking or car camping, this is the summer go light while not sacrificing comfort. Sea to Summit has you covered, with new and improved pillows, sleeping pads and sleeping bags that will make you long for just one more night in camp.
My kids camp without a pillow. Not me. I’m not even going to consider it. Sea to Summit’s Aeros Ultralight pillow is everything an inflatable pillow should be: easy to pack down small, lightweight, and easily inflatable. The multi-functional valve inflates your pillow in just a few breaths and it’s RF welded for durability. The stretch-knit poly is soft and you get internal baffles that helps contour the pillow to your head. It easily stashes in a carry-on bag too, for those long haul flights. Pick it up for $39 for the regular size (there’s also a large) in a variety of colors.
Comfort Light insulated air mat:
Sea to Summit has a dizzying array of sleeping pad options. The Comfort Light is my go-to if you have to pick just one, as the insulated version works perfectly for three-season camping, backpacking and backyard star gazing. The waffle cell design is truly innovative, with a double layer of cells in the torso for increased comfort and warmth, and a single layer of cells in the head and legs to reduce the weight. The regular size weighs only 21 ounces, without compromising: this is the strongest possible face fabric available.
There’s a thoughtful anti-microbial treatment added to the TPU, helpful to avoid the icky smell after moist air gets trapped after rolling up a dew-soaked pad. And you get a quality stuff sack, of course, which doubles as a pump to save your lungs. A repair kit also comes included, with six self-adhesive patches for repairing punctures in the field, and a spare silicone one-way valve insert. Pick up the Comfort Light for $179-$199 depending on size.
Altitude 15-degree women’s sleeping bag:
An ideal mid-range bag by Sea to Summit price standards, the Altitude is very versatile, warm enough for the shoulder seasons while remaining cool enough for peak summer backpacking. You get a cozy hood, high lofting down, and a thick collar for those cold nights, and for the hot ones, the Sea to Summit free-flow zipper system allows you to separate zippers on your left and right side and in the foot box for ventilation. You also avoid that mummy or sardine feeling.
You can zip the Altitude with any other Sea to Summit bag to create a two-person sleep system, and you get an internal pocket, which is genius…that’s where my chapstick goes, but you could also stash a phone in there, a deck of cards, you name it. You get a compression bag with the Altitude, which I always appreciate, and you can clip your pillow into the hood, which keeps it from sliding away from you. Grab the Altitude for $349, which is an investment, but will reward you with a one-quiver sleeping bag that will last you for years.