First look: Sea to Summit All-Rounder Sleep System
How you sleep after a day in the wilderness can make or break any outdoor adventure. It sounds simplistic but it is also accurate; a poor night’s sleep before an early start on crux day of a big trek, a long cycle journey, or paddling adventure can really affect how you go physically, plus mentally in regard to your concentration levels. Sea to Summit (STS) has been at the forefront of sleep system development for decades now, and the Aussie company continues to produce cleverly designed and robust outdoor sleep products that are tailored for a number of adventure scenarios, but all offering optimum comfort and the reliability you need when in the wild.
This new All-Rounder Sleep System is comprised of three key products – the Pursuit Self Inflating (SI) Mat, Hamelin Synthetic Sleeping Bag and the Aeros Down Pillow – that are aimed at fulfilling that ‘one sleep system’ role, i.e., for those outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable sleep system to cover off a variety of activities, such as hiking, bikepacking, paddling, car camping, etc.
Hamelin Synthetic Sleeping Bag
The Hamelin is a synthetic-fill sleeping bag in what Sea to Summit dubs a Contour (relaxed mummy) shape with a number of unique features, including a 20-denier (20D) non-PFAS water-repellent finish (this fabric is also bluesign approved), Revive Loft insulation (this synthetic fill will also keep you warm when wet – a win for paddlers and for adventures in wet conditions) and what Sea to Summit dubs a “Free-Flow zip system” that incorporates a longer zip that goes through the footbox, combined with a half-length zip (all zips are sturdy YKK). The idea here is that you can use both for extra/less ventilation and it can be opened up for use as a quilt/doona in balmier conditions.
The Hamelin also includes a technical hood (large enough to fit an Aeros Pillow inside), draft collar and draft tubes and is available in two temperature ratings: -1 and -9 degrees Celsius. We have the -9 version on test, in a Long size (for users up to 198cm; the Regular fits users up to 185cm). Weights start at 1220g (regular -1C model) and top out at 1941g for our -9C Long taser.
Pursuit Self Inflating Sleeping Mat
Sea to Summit has carried through that Contour shape with the Pursuit Self Inflating (SI) Sleeping Mat as well which, along with the Hamelin’s roomy interior, is a boon for side-sleepers. The Pursuit SI uses 20D polyester fabric (bluesign approved), offers a 5cm-thick mat, and is available in four sizes – Regular, Large, Regular Rectangular and Large Rectangular Wide – with our test version being the Large, weighing in at 760g and fitting a user of up to 198cm in height.
A clever technical feature of the Pursuit SI we can’t wait to check out is the use of Sea to Summit’s Horizontal Delta Coring. This removes a claimed 40 per cent of the foam in the mat, with delta-shaped horizontal cores being left, according to Sea to Summit. This, of course, brings with it excellent weight savings and a reduction in packed size, without any loss of support. Another tech feature used in this mat is STS’s XPEL valve. This valve is actually a combo of a one-way inflation port, a fine-tune button, and a larger deflation port but all-in-one. It is also claimed to assist when deflating by not allowing any air to ‘return’ to the mat while you’re rolling it up – something we’re super-keen to check out in the field.
Finally, there’s a clever side-loading stuff sack – and yeah, we can’t wait to use that, either; there’s nothing worse than trying to squish your mat back into its undersized stuff sack!
Aeros Down Pillow Deluxe Grey
Ah, yes. The Aus Geo ADVENTURE test team can’t say we weren’t happy when we saw this as part of the All-Rounder Sleep System. The Aeros Down Pillow weighs a paltry 190g in total and incorporates a super-comfortable down cushion up top and a TPU air bladder for inflation/adjustment of comfort. The lightweight fabrics used for the pillow are the same as those used in Sea to Summit’s excellent Spark sleeping bags, while the Aeros also incorporates the Pillow Lock, enabling you to attach it to the Pillow Lock tabs on any STS sleeping mat.
Time for testing
The Sea to Summit All-Rounder Sleep System will be, as you read this sneak peek story, already in the field, being used across a variety of adventures we have planned, from an overnight paddle trip to some hiking and bikepacking adventures, as we put this system’s ‘all-rounder’ aspirations to the test. Look for our full review soon.
See Sea to Summit for more info on these and other sleep system products.
