Sea To Summit - Ether Light XR Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

If comfort is a priority, you’ll do no better than the new Sea To Summit Ether Light XR.

Ended up getting a couple sea to summit mats on sale for $60.

Picked up a S2S Etherlight XR and had my first 4 days on it recently. Super comfy, even as a side sleeper.

Sea to summit etherlight xr is very comfortable for a side sleeper as well, while not being too heavy or bulky.

Big Agnes and sea to summit checks all your boxes. Small/compact, uses vertical baffles to prevent that bouncy castle feeling and provide actual support

When I did Baker I brought a closed cell pad (Nemo switch back) and an inflatable (Sea to summit) for comfort and redundancy. You'll be hard pressed to find a new bag that's also lightweight for $200. You'll probably need to see if you can find something used or I would recommend you see if you can rent one.

I tried both and went with the Ether Light XR. It came down to what felt good. I didn’t think the baffle design on the Tensor AS was comfortable or distributed weight well and much preferred the baffling on the Ether Lite as a side/stomach sleeper. I plan on upping the R value with a Z-lite pad if necessary.

The Ether Light is woven nylon just like the Nemo, but 30D vs 20D for the top. I compared them back in May, but I remember they felt fairly similar material-wise. I did think the Nemo was slightly more crinkly. The Ether Light is a little slippery, but I think it makes it easier to flip around. My last pad was a polyester Exped Dura which had a lot of friction going on with my clothes, which made it annoying to flip around at night because my clothes and quilt would get bunched up and twisted.

No problem! It was one of the reasons I switched pads. The other was that I didn’t find vertical baffles all that great for side sleeping. The arm I slept on frequently went numb, and I’m pretty sure it was from the baffles pressing against it.

I’ll second the XR. It’s pretty comfy for stomach/side sleeping. But also, I tried out the NeoLoft at REI this weekend and holy crap is it a comfy cradle of air.

I have an Exped Dura 3R and it’s very warm and so far, has proven to be durable. I’ve taken it down to 30°f with no extra foam pad beneath and slept warm. Never had any air leak out. I’m not a huge fan of the vertical baffles, but I must say that the edge baffles being slightly thicker does help keep me centered. Exped uses a microfiber insulation on these pads instead of reflective film, and I’m sold on it. I intended to swap the Exped for the new Sea to Summit Etherlite XR that has reflective insulation, but I shivered my way through a 42°f night on it.

I am a 181cm, 100kg side sleeper and just bought the S2S Etherlight XR. It arrived this morning and my [**first impressions are here.** ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1isa5ot/comment/mdq8c2p/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)

Auspost delivered a new S2S Etherlight XR (regular Mummy) this morning so I set it up next to my old Thermarest Xtherm (2020 model) - Here are my first impressions. **Comfort** \- It feels more comfortable than my Xtherm. At 10cm thick it is much more plush. **Size/shape** \- The extra 4cm in width feels good. I am a 181cm, 100kg side sleeper and this feels like a better size and shape for me. It is also wider near the foot which is very welcome. **Profile** \- the Etherlight is higher at the sides than in the middle which feels a lot more stable. The Xtherm with its horizontal baffles regularly made me feel as though I was about to roll off the side. **Noise** \- They are roughly the same in volume but it is a different sound. The Xtherm sounded like a muted chip packet - still crinkly but not as noisy as the old Xlite. The Etherlight sounds more like a thick balloon - still makes a noise but a lower pitch. **Weight** \- Heavier. On my scales the Xtherm is 440g. S2S was 481g. **Warmth** \- The design looks pretty good. The new Etherlight uses reflective aluminium film - similar to the thermarest. The welds use a loop in the centre so it maintains an air gap even at the weld. Will actually take a few nights outside to really tell. I am not expecting it to be as warm as my old mat but we shall see. **Slipperyness** \- The fabric feels a little more grippy than the Xtherm so hopefully won't slip around as much. Once again - will need a few nights in the outdoors to really tell. **Packability -** Great. It folds down to same size as the Xtherm. I believe is a great improvement over the old Etherlight XT due to the new insulation. So on most points the Etherlight looks to be a winner. Size, shape and comfort is great. Weight is a bit higher and warmth is TBD but I feel like this is going to be my main mat form here on.

they both kinda suck tbh try a nemo tensor, big agnes rapide, or sea to summit etherlite, or thermarest neo air

I personally think Sea to Summit pads are comfortable.  Nemo Tensor might interest you as well. 

The newly updated version Etherlite X**R** which came out around April is a much better pad. Packs smaller, weighs less and is much warmer. It uses silver reflection film instead of insulation. I owned the XT before and let me tell you if you can sell the XT and buy the XR it's that good. https://seatosummit.com/products/ether-light-xr-insulated-air-sleeping-pad?srsltid=AfmBOoq_8pObfHzj71aOkuP45MvfnKwCO0wnHfKuJmTFyxk1hzqLM942 Ether Light XR Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

Sea To Summit Etherlite XR

I thought I needed a thick wide pad as a side sleeper. I got an S2S Etherlight. About half way thru a thru in ‘21 I had to try an XLite, because supply chain. Dropped about 9ozs and kicked myself the rest of the way down the trail for being so gullible. The XLite was much more comfortable for me sleeping and I could really feel those 9ozs off my back. Get that and bring a few ozs of Blue Chew and your gal will carry the rest of the gear! Ha!

The brand new (literally new this week) Sea to Summit Etherlight XR pad looks impressive for weight to R-value ratio. Might check that out. It replaced the XT which they spent the last few months selling 50% off (I got one). So it has the same quilted/tufted/dimple style baffling as the Tensor, sorta. There's a huge difference in comfort depending on your body between the dimpled baffling of the Etherlight/Tensor and the horizontal baffling of the Xlite. I can't sleep on horizontal baffling despite all the good features of the Xlite. I've been happy with the Etherlight, which I always purchase at REI and return within the year because they can develop pinholes especially around where your elbows contact the pad when rising or laying down. I didn't buy the last one from REI because it was so cheap direct from S2S but the next time I need a new one I'm going with the new XR.

I'm using sea to summit ultralight insulated pad since many years. Weight and volume are critical for me. Works better than an underquilt for me.

I'd give it a 9/10. Very comfy, great packed size, teeny bit heavier than I'd want (but comfort totally justified it). There were a couple cold spots but the pad had deflated as the temp dropped, so I just topped it off and all was well.

They’re half off right now, about $100

Yes on the ether light but get the newer XR version which has a higher r rating.

yuuuuup I use Sea to Summit Etherlight pads and it's the same. Buy from REI and just return within the year. Buy new when a new upgrade comes out. Like they just upgraded it and called it the XR, less weight, better R-value. I just put up with the pinholes and patching them on trail because I can't sleep better on any other pad.

Sea to summit etherlight xr is very comfortable for a side sleeper as well, while not being too heavy or bulky.

Most don't last very long if you're using them more than 30 nights a year in my experience. These manufacturers are banking on most buyers using them less than that. For super avid backpackers and thru-hikers, obviously we use them way more and therefore need to replace them more frequently. I've always bought them from REI and get them replaced under their policy within the year. Or if it's little seam weld pinholes, take advantage of the warranty (I use Sea 2 Summit pads mostly). But yeah I think the companies just absorb the loss from heavy users, who are a minority of total sales they make globally. Most people just buy a pad to go camping once or twice a year and it just sits in their closet for years before it gets the same amount of camp time as we'd put it through halfway into a thru-hike. Not sure if that made sense - still pre-caffeine today edit: getting holes from pokey things is a given despite the best careful babying if you're out enough, especially in the desert. but i'm not really talking about those kind of holes (that can be patched) - i mean the phantom leaks that can't be identified or fixed easily, like seam welds, valve stuff, etc. (especially on quilted/dimpled baffles) whenever i've returned a pad it's got several patches on it - i keep the solider well bandaged until he can't fight any more

i have a couple etherlights for different seasons. My partner got the REI helix which surprised me for how good it is for the price

All my sea to summit pads have developed stress pinholes in the dimple welds, nothing to do with anything I could have done or prevented as a user, it's a common defect with that style of baffle.

I went with the S2S Ether Light XR for side sleeping comfort, good weight and size, and upgraded r-value. No regrets!

His findings pretty much match my experiences. I have a S2S etherlight insulated. It's so cold with a quilt, It really feels like it's doing nothing, even in summer conditions. Comfortable though.

\+1 for the Ether Lite! I've got a bunch of pads, but I always end up going back to this one for comfort. The material is a little squeaky and I would trust it below freezing, but it's very comfortable. I've also seen it on sale regularly for less than $150.

Sea to summit has a lifetime guarantee on their products which ultimately became my deciding factor in choosing them between the same two pads you mentioned.

The Sea to Summit Etherlite Woman has been replaced by the new Etherlite **XR** which is warmer lighter and packs smaller. My advice would be to test lie in a shop - Thermarest NeoAir NXT - [Sea to Summit Etherlite XR](https://seatosummit.eu/en-ch/products/ether-light-xr-insulated-air-sleeping-pad) - [Nemo Tensor All Season](https://www.nemoequipment.com/products/tensor-all-season-insulated-sleeping-pad)

Picked up a S2S Etherlight XR and had my first 4 days on it recently. Super comfy, even as a side sleeper.

I have sea to summits, big agnes, and nemos for the fam. It all depends on the person.

Big Agnes and sea to summit checks all your boxes. Small/compact, uses vertical baffles to prevent that bouncy castle feeling and provide actual support

I love my Ether Light highly recommend and from what I've heard there warranty is exceptional. I went with the XT Insulated req wide amazing sleeps on it.

When I did Baker I brought a closed cell pad (Nemo switch back) and an inflatable (Sea to summit) for comfort and redundancy. You'll be hard pressed to find a new bag that's also lightweight for $200. You'll probably need to see if you can find something used or I would recommend you see if you can rent one.

I just got the updated Sea to Summit Ether Light XR and can't wait to give it a proper test run next weekend. It was super comfy on my living room floor. Comes in a few 25" wide options. If you need higher R value, there's the pro version which is 4-season.

Rapide sl is peak. My favorite pad. Ive got a sea so summit pad that i love too but can't remember the name of it. It has like a 7 or 8 r value tho.

This is why I've switched to Kilos elite pads after wasting decades and £££s on Nemo, Thermarest, etc. Kilos pads are at least 1/2 the price of the 'premium', but still unreliable, pads and easily the comfiest I've ever used. They look similar to the S2S Ether lites (which started leaking after 3 nights) but are way comfier for some reason.

Same. Had the chance to try both in stores. I am a side sleeper / stomach who turn around a fair bit and just preferred the Ether (Long Wide)

Oh totally. It went great! I had a 25° western mountaineering bag and temps were 39° on my thermometer the first night. The pad was great. No cold spots. For reference I slept terribly and was cold in 37° on a rapide pad in December last year. It could have also been the quilt I was using. I had zero issues with the pad and it was of course very comfortable. 

The new **Sea to Summit Etherlite XR** Mummy Large. 10cm/4inches thick and comfy. Packs small. 580grams. other good current inflatable pads - Nemo Tensor All Season - Thermarest NeoAir NXT - Naturehike R5.8 (Budget option at $90)

Buy once cry once. Thermarest, Nemo, Sea to Summit. They make the best small, lightweight, comfortable pads.