REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Small packed size
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy for a backpacking model
Pricey
Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated - Women's Review
This jack-of-all-trades is on the heavy side for a backpacking model, but is very comfortable and a good choice for shorter trips
Credit: Sea to Summit
RELATED: Best Sleeping Pad For Women of 2023
Our Verdict
Sea to Summit has created another high-quality product in their line of women's sleeping pads; now it's just deciding which one is the right choice for you. The Comfort Light is a good choice if you're looking for a pad that's a bit more comfortable than Sea to Summit's Ultralight model, but not as heavy as their super comfortable products. That being said, the Comfort Light performs well in each metric; however, it's a little heavy compared to other backpacking models, and it's not quite as comfortable as others. It could be a decent choice for shorter backpacking trips or camping trips where weight is not an issue.
Editor's Note: On August 16, 2022, we added the Comfort Light Insulated, a new product, to our review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $143.16 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $199 List $199.00 at Amazon | $135.16 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $115 List $86.19 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable, small packed size | Very light, super compact, comfortable, versatile, warmer than normal XLite | Comfortable, quiet, lightweight | Lightweight, small packed size, included pump sack | Inexpensive, comfortable, durable |
| Cons | Heavy for a backpacking model, pricey | Noisy, expensive, delicate materials | Expensive, heavier than the NeoAir XLite | Not as comfortable as Ether Light and same weight, thin | Bulky and heavy |
| Bottom Line | This jack-of-all-trades is on the heavy side for a backpacking model, but is very comfortable and a good choice for shorter trips | This super light and compact sleeping pad is a great choice for someone looking to go fast, light, and warm | This is a versatile sleeping pad that is incredibly comfortable and lightweight | This lightweight sleeping pad is relatively comfortable, but a Jack-of-all-trades and master-of-none | Notable for its price and performance |
| Rating Categories | Sea to Summit Comfo... | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir... | Sea to Summit Ether... | Sea to Summit Ultra... | Therm-a-Rest Trail... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Weight (25%) | |||||
| Packed Size (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Sea to Summit Comfo... | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir... | Sea to Summit Ether... | Sea to Summit Ultra... | Therm-a-Rest Trail... |
| Measured Weight | 21 oz | 12 oz | 15 oz | 14.6 | 25.6 oz |
| ASTM R Value | 3.9 | 5.4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Thickness | 2.5 in | 2.5 in | 4 in | 2 in | 1.5 in |
| Width | 21 in | 20 in | 21.5 in | 21.5 in | 20 in |
| Packed Size | 9 in x 4.25 in | 9 in x 4.1 in | 11 x 4.5 in | 9 x 4 in | 10.5 x 6 in |
| Tested Length | 67 in | 66 in | 66 in | 72 in | 66 in |
| Bottom Material | 30D / 40D nylon | 30D rip HT Nylon | 40D nylon | 40D nylon | 50D polyester |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated is a comfortable model that weighs in at an above average weight. However, it does provide an adequate level of warmth and an exceptionally small packed size.
Performance Comparison
The Sea To Summit Comfort Light Insulated is warm enough to stretch from the beginning to end of summer.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Warmth
The Comfort Light is in the middle of the pack in terms of warmth. It has an R-value of 3.7, which is decently warm, and you will be able to stretch it from early to late summer in most areas. For additional warmth, you could pair it with a foam pad underneath, and it will take you from spring to fall.
Comfort
We really like the shape of Sea to Summit's women's pads. They allow for a little extra width in the torso and hip areas, which is nice because then your arms don't feel like they're falling off your pad. The Comfort Light is no exception, and we love its wide shape. It is 2.5 inches thick, which makes it more comfortable than the Ultralight Insulated Air Mat,which is otherwise very similar. With the Comfort Light, it is thick enough that you don't bottom out when you sit up or roll on your side as you do with the Ultralight occasionally. It's worth mentioning the included pump sack, which inflates your pad. We like this additional feature which can help save your breath if you're camping at high altitude, and it helps reduce moisture that gets inside your pad, which can cause mold and bad smells.
We like the extra width in the shoulders and hips of all of Sea to Summit's women's pads.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Durability
To date, we did not experience any issue with durability. It has a relatively robust Denier material that we would expect will stand up to moderate use. While it is not as durable as some of the other products in this review that have a thicker, tougher 50-75 Denier material, it should be more than adequate for backpacking adventures.
The Sea To Summit Comfort Light Insulated is a decent choice for short backpacking trips.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Weight
Weighing in at 21 ounces, we wish the Comfort Light was lighter. This is where the Ultralight model pulls ahead, weighing only 14.6 ounces. Due to these extra ounces, there are several lighter models we'd choose for backpacking over this product.
Packed Size
Since the Comfort Light has very little insulation and svelt materials, it packs down relatively small — slightly bigger than a one-liter Nalgene bottle.
The Comfort Light's packed size is relatively small, slightly larger than a Nalgene bottle.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Value
The Comfort Light is on the pricier end of the products we tested. Since there are products that are lighter, and there are products that are more comfortable, we'd either save some money and go with the Ultralight, or splurge on something more comfortable. If this pad was less expensive, we'd be more inclined to recommend it. Sea to Summit makes quality pads; we appreciate the little extras they include, like a patch kit and pump sack, which do add value.
We appreciate the added value of the included pump sack.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Conclusion
The Sea to Summit Comfort Light falls squarely in the middle of the pack. It is moderately comfortable, moderately light, and moderately expensive. It is the jack-of-all-trades sleeping pad that we just can't quite recommend over any other product because everything else is slightly lighter or slightly more comfortable or slightly cheaper. If it's on sale and you can get a good deal, it may be a decent choice for shorter backpacking trips.
The Sea To Summit Comfort Light Insulated is a Jack-of-all-trades, master of none. We wish it was either lighter or cheaper.
Credit: Ian McEleney
—
Jessica Haist
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