Sea To Summit - Ether Light XR Pro Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

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

Im a side sleeper. I have the XLite. Often feels like the baffles lack structure at the sides so in the mornings I'm fidgeting around feeling like im rolling off the mat. Not used a Tensor although I have heard it offers much better support for side sleepers. Also, the Xlite suffers from mould spots on what seems the outside. For comfort though, from all the mats ive laid on, sea to summit are the most comfortable

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

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’m 100% co-signing this review. As a rotisserie chicken sleeper who likes to be tucked in, I effing love my Zenbivy and how snuggleable it is. It really does feel like a real bed. I also recently got the Ether Light XR to pair with it! I was also considering the Zenbivy Flex, but the S2S warranty won out. I was dead set on a rectangular pad but S2S’s pricing structure is kind of nonsensical, making the large tapered cheaper than the rectangular regular/wide. The taper didn’t bother me like I thought it would since it starts past my hips, and the longer length meant I could stretch out on my stomach without my feet hanging off. I also prefer the air sprung cell construction over the vertical baffles on my previous Exped pad. I think they distribute my weight better. I do agree that it’s a bit plasticky, but my Zenbivy sheet makes that a nonissue for me.

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.

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.

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

I am the same weight as you so maybe can help here. Have you looked at the Sea to Summit XR or XR Pro? The R values are 4.1 and 7.4 respectively, with the Pro being heavier too. The regular is ~22" and 19.8oz vs the BA at 18oz, so if you can fit on a <6' pad, that gives you another 2"/10% of width and almost doubles your R-value for only ~2oz. I side sleep and roll a lot on mine and find it very comfy. Note I do have a large though because I'm over 6' tall and don't like my feet to hang off the end, it is 25.2" wide (6'6" long) but sadly much heavier at 25.4oz

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!

\+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.

This one from S2S might fit the bill: [https://seatosummit.com/products/ether-light-xr-pro-insulated-air-sleeping-pad?variant=44032184778925](https://seatosummit.com/products/ether-light-xr-pro-insulated-air-sleeping-pad?variant=44032184778925) I've had no issues with my UL Insulated one, though its R is \~ 3 so I combine it with a 2.5cm CCF pad for winter.

The new SeatoSummit XR Pro pads might be a good option. They seem to have really improved on the size/weight, and have around a 7 r-value. I have one of their older XT non-pro models and find it really comfortable.

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!

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. 

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.

I've seen a few comments about cutting a Thinlight pad down to size, if required. But from the specs the Thinlight is shorter and narrower than typical inflatable pads. I've just ordered a regular size S2S Ether Light XR, which is 72in long x 21.7in wide. The rolled Thinlight pad is 58.7in long x 19in wide. Is this an issue? I also want to use a Thinlight pad to protect my inflatable pad.

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.

Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions will be warmer than the All Season.  I find the Tensor series to be a bit more comfortable than the NeoAirs. But she’s already uncomfortable with the Tensor. I would consider instead the Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro, which has a high R value and most people have found to be more comfortable than either the Tensors or the NeoAirs. 

I LOVE the XT R factor (7.1?) the warmth factor definitely has me considering quits over bags now.

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

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.

Oh-You’re right, my mistake! I just can’t believe how comfortable it is! I’m an old school double closed cell foam pad user and it doesn’t make sense now to use ANYTHING else. I love how the heat radiates back on you immediately when you lay down!

Good for you for taking care of all your gear. I also take good care of my gear and get many miles out of it. Your response sounds quite lecture-y and finger waggy tbh, making the assumption that others don't take good care of their gear. 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. Manufacture defects on pads are quite common and have nothing to do with user care. No matter how much you baby your sleeping pad, if it has a weak valve attachment, it's gonna develop a leak.

Check out the new Sea to Summit XR Pro, it’s got a 7.4 R-value, which is actually warmer than the XTherm’s 7.3. I find the baffle design way more comfortable than Thermarest, and the mummy version is a bit wider too, and it’s thicker.

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.

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.

I've used the S2S XR Pro and have had experience with the XT Extreme before that. The XR Pro is more comfortable than the TAR Xtherm NXT but not as warm. The XR isn't as confortable as the XT but it is quieter. I sleep on my side but am less prone to shoulder pain. Using a knee pillow helped solve that one for me. I still sleep on a CCF pad, too, but always need the knee pillow. Give it a try!

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.

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

I love the etherlight, I’m a side sleeper and it really helps prevent my arm from falling asleep. The only downside is the bulk. It takes up a lot of space in my pack. When I’m out for long hauls I don’t have the room for it and switch to the Tensor All-Season.

Sea To Summit Etherlite XR

I own all the pads you have listed, I would go with the Tensor All Season. You might also take a look at the new XR version of the Ether Light. I believe they updated this version with a more traditional mylar style insulation resulting in better weight and a higher R-Value. If it's anywhere near the comfort of the old version, it would be a solid option. You might also look at pairing any potential pads with something like the Gossamer Gear thinlight. It would add quite a bit of protection with around an additional 0.5 R-Value.

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.

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

Start with a megamat duo that will fit you and your wife for family/cub camping. You can use it solo when kid gets to scouts BSA. I recently bought a sea to summit backpacking pad and a nemo foam pad to use (hypothetically while backpacking)but also while car camping solo because the megamat is ridiculous solo.

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.

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