Sea To Summit - Ether Light Series

I tried the r-3.2 model, found it too cold. Exchanged it for the womans model, which has a slightly higher 3.5 r-value, and also found it too cold. (This was during spring trips at sea level.) I have not had this problem with other pads with roughly those r-values. There�s just something about the design of the old model, down insulation plus cold spots, that makes it sleep colder than the r-value would suggest. At least for me.

I tried the r-3.2 model, found it too cold. Exchanged it for the womans model, which has a slightly higher 3.5 r-value, and also found it too cold. (This was during spring trips at sea level.) I have not had this problem with other pads with roughly those r-values. There�s just something about the design of the old model, down insulation plus cold spots, that makes it sleep colder than the r-value would suggest. At least for me.

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.

Pad. The ul pick for high comfort is the s2s ether light xt

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.�

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.

If it�s rare, yes. However I feel like failing welds is becoming more common with new baffle designs, and I don�t want to through the hoops of buying and then returning gear all the time, and I especially don�t need it failing on me when I�m in the middle of the woods. I wouldn�t want a tent that might not be waterproof just because it has a warranty. It�s actually worse because you could test a tent right away whereas that poorly designed sleeping pad might need a good deal of use to expose its weakness. Maybe I�m off base here, just going based off posts I�ve read while trying to upgrade my sleeping pad (ended up returning the etherlight xt extreme)

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.�

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

I got some Sea to Summit Ether Light XT pads on sale a few months ago for the kids and they seem to be happy with them. So they may not need something as nice as a megamat for a little while.

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.

Just used my Helix last night and would recommend. To me it�s much comfier than than the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT I had before

The neoloft is about 40% heavier than the ether light xt and the megamat weight nearly twice as much. I don't think either of them are ul as even the ether light xt sacrifices quite a bit of weight compared to the neoair. UL is about sacrifices. What is the lightest pad you can sleep on? If that's the megamat then that's what it is for you, but if you could sleep on a neoair and you want a megamat because it's comfortable, you're carrying 24 oz you don't need. The ether light xt comes in at just over a lb in the women's size. There's no 4+ inch pad that can match or beat that weight AFAIK. Other pads are more comfortable but they're heavier.

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.

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.

Self-inflating foam mats seem like a good middle ground. I hadnt seen the nemo flyer. Looks very similar to the new sea to summit pursuit self-inflating that i just got (5cm thick, 600g). It's extremely comfortable and i cant wait to try it out, after getting zero sleep on my etherlight xt recently. Do you have the zlite for extra padding, or for extra warmth?

Some folks don't, especially if they're back sleepers. The s2s is thicker and seems more popular with side sleepers

Oh yeah it�s nonsense lol. I�m so confused honestly. I got it before the R value standardization made a scandal out of it. I knew it wouldn�t be as warm as its stated r value, but found it warm enough down to around 34F on its own. If I found a lighter pad with baffles like that I�d try it. Used to have a thermarest with horizontal baffles, got hip pain. Ccf pad, hip pain. Tried the new quilted air spring baffles that everyone is raving about in the form of the etherlight, still got hip pain. The etherlight I would have returned anyway though as I found it to be the equivalent warmth of the insulated static v plus my ccf, and even pairing the etherlight extreme with a ccf, and having it fully inflated wasn�t nearly enough for sleeping on frozen ground or snow. Having a hefty pad that�s neither warm nor comfortable was just unacceptable for a $180 (on sale) pad. So for now I�ll alternate between the klymit and my hammock lol

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.

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.

Test both and then decide, because everyone has a different body. I personally switched from the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated (size L with similar baffle structure to the Tensor) to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT (size RW). Both are wide, the NXT is just regular length and as a side sleeper, I�ll never go back. I think the crucial point is to inflate it to the right pressure because overinflation won�t be comfortable. My preferred pressure is when I sit on the pad I almost touch the ground, but when I lie down, it feels perfect.

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.

\+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.

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.

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

I hope the etherlight works for you. I�d get it from Rei in case you need to return it. I returned mine as the extreme version wasn�t nearly warm enough to justify the price and weight. I�d have put up with that if it was super comfortable but I found that it hurt my hips even when I let out a bunch of air (which compromised the r value even more). I was really bummed about it all. Thought I�d found my holy grail pad

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.

Ive used the sts ether light xt and the ba zoom ul, and the zoom ul is more comfortable for a side sleeper imo. Not sure if the xr is much better than the xt

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.

The sea to summit is 10cm thick, which is amazing for it's size and weight. But it's made of a noisy fabric

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.

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.

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

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.

Im not sure if I can trust S2S with another pad after my freezing XT. Comfort counts for nothing if using a quilt and you're cold.

Get something with a super high R rating - higher than you think you need. Look for a baffling system that is either dimpled or vertical. For whatever reason, horizontal baffles don�t have a lot of �give� to them so they are less comfortable for side sleepers in general.� Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xtherm is probably the warmest pad out there (not the highest R rating per se but the most effective insulation system means it is still warmer than other pads with higher R values). It may not the most comfortable for a side sleeper because of the horizontal baffles, however. But this is the pad you want if you want to prioritize warmth. If you want to prioritize comfort, Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro will probably not sleep as warm but will be more comfortable for a side sleeper because of the dimpled baffling system. Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions is also very warm and only slightly less comfy than the Ether Light.� Exped Ultra 7R is a bit heavier and bulkier but is very comfy for a side sleeper. It uses down rather than reflective film for insulation. So it won�t be quite as crinkly as a lot of warm pads, but I�m not sure if the down insulation is more or less effective in this application.� Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe is quite bulky and heavy for a backpacking pad but is super, super comfortable and has a very respectable R value of 7.� The other big, bulky �luxury� comfort backpacking pads - Exped Megamat Ultra and Therm-a-Rest Neoloft - are great options for comfort but with lower R values so they may be less warm than you might want.� Other things to consider - even a well-insulated sleeping pad will only stay as warm as your body is able to heat it. The bigger the pad, the more of your body�s heat it will draw away from you. So don�t buy a massively oversized sleeping pad thinking it will automatically be more comfortable. For insulating purposes, something that is only as big as you need it to be will be more efficient for your body to keep warm.� Make sure you take advantage of all the usual strategies for staying warm in the backcountry: Use your Nalgene as a hot water bottle and keep it in your sleeping bag/quilt with at night. Do some jumping jacks or other activity to get your heartrate and body temperature up before going to bed. Make sure you are properly hydrated and getting enough food to keep warm. Etc.�

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.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated and Nemo Tensor are both widely regarded as The most comfortable pads. I have or tried both and they're great.

So that's why their XT pads have been on sale for the last few months. I finally snagged myself a short version after waiting over a year for a sale.

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.