A close look at two sleeping pads buyers cross-shop. The Ultralight XR Insulated takes a modest overall edge, led by warmth, but the Ultra 3R has its own case.
| Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Insulated | Exped Ultra 3R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 84✓ | 77 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 3.6 R✓ | 3.2 R |
| Weight | 13.8 oz✓ | 16.5 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.92 R/100g✓ | 0.68 R/100g |
| Packed size | 1.46 L✓ | 2.16 L |
| Thickness | 2.6 in | 3.0 in✓ |
| Durability | 39 /100✓ | 12 /100 |
| Price | $149✓ | $170 |
| Features | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ | 0 |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Tapered | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Ultralight XR Insulated in blue, Ultra 3R in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Insulated next to the Exped Ultra 3R and the trade-offs are clear. The Ultralight XR Insulated wins on warmth and low weight, and the Ultra 3R pushes back on cushion.
The Ultralight XR Insulated is warmer (R 3.6 vs R 3.2), 3 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. The Ultra 3R is thicker for more cushion. On the default GearScore the Ultralight XR Insulated leads 84 to 77.
Pick the Ultralight XR Insulated if you care most about warmth and low weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Ultra 3R if cushion matter more to you, or you are focused on comfort and room to move.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Insulated. It is warmer (R 3.6 vs R 3.2) than the Ultra 3R.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Insulated. It is 3 oz lighter than the Ultra 3R.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Insulated, 84 to 77 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Ultralight XR Insulated for warmth, or the Ultra 3R for cushion. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.