Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
The Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Sleeping Pad is a lightweight, inflatable sleeping pad that is 3.9″ thick and features air-sprung cells for maximum comfort, making it far more comfortable than sleeping pads with horizontal baffles. Weighing 16.6 oz (in a mummy shape), it has a durable flat inflation valve and is easy to inflate by mouth or with the included pump sack.
- Weight: 16.6 oz (regular 72″ mummy)
- R-value: 4.1
- Type: Inflatable
- Dimensions: 72″ x 21.2″ (25″ widths, and 66″ short and 78″ long lengths, also available)
- Thickness: 3.9″ (10 cm)
- Insulation: Reflective platinum layer and synthetic insulation
- Antimicrobial treatment: Yes
- Included insulation sack: Yes
- Materials: 30d / 40d nylon
- Pros: Sprung cell design is very comfortable, includes a pillow attachment system
- Cons: Heavier than ultralight inflatable sleeping pads
The Ether Light XR Insulated replaces the former Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Pad (still available in clearance). I’ve been using the Ether Light XT for the past 5 years, and it is by far the most comfortable inflatable sleeping pad I own. As a side sleeper, I slept incredibly well on the Ether Light because its air-sprung cells adapted to the shape of my body and limbs. The new Ether Light XR uses the same air-sprung cell design, which mimics the feel of a spring mattress. But it has a higher R-value and folds up much thinner and smaller than the previous generation XT. Size matters with inflatable sleeping pads, as they can consume a lot of pack volume.
Air Sprung Cells
The sleeping surface of the Insulated Ether Light XR is made up of air-sprung cells, which mimic a pocket spring mattress so that the surface of the pad conforms to your body shape regardless of whether you sleep on your back or on your side. This helps keep you on the pad at night, without the need for extra side-rails to keep you from rolling off.
At a full 3.9″ thick, the added comfort of a thick pad and the air-sprung cells is so worth it, especially on multi-day trips when sleeping well is essential. The Ether Light is also insulated with synthetic fibers and not just a reflective foil layer, making it a much quieter pad to sleep on. Despite being warmer (with a higher R-value), the Ether Light XR Insulated Sleeping Pad is substantially thinner than its predecessor and is only slightly larger than a 1L Nalgene bottle when packed.
Flat Valve and Pump Sack
The Ether Light pad comes with its pump sack for ease of inflation. It mates to the pad’s flat valve, a three-way valve: one for inflating the pad, with an integrated nipple to release air for more comfort, and a closed cap to completely close the valve. If you lift both caps to deflate the pad, the air rushes out of the big valve hole, so you don’t have to spend time evacuating the air or roll the pad up multiple times to force it all out. Flat valves are also much more durable than stick valves since they don’t require a screw-type lock and roll-up flat.
Pillow Attachment
I’ve never been one for backpacking pillows, but the Pillow-Lock attachment system that comes with the Ether Light XR is a game-changer. The Ether Light XR comes with four velcro pads that you can stick to the top of the pad. These hold a Sea-to-Summit pillow in place so it doesn’t move off the pad at night. It greatly enhances my sleep experience and comfort. I use a 2.5 oz Sea-to-Summit Aeros Down Pillow, but the pillow-lock system works with any of (and only with) Sea-to-Summit’s inflatable pillows.
Recommendation
The Sea-to-Summit Insulated Ether Light XR air mattress is a super comfortable sleeping pad with air-spring cells that mimic a spring mattress. At 3.9 inches thick, it conforms to your body and keeps you on the pad all night, whether you’re a back or side sleeper. A flat valve and durable exterior fabric increase durability and reliability, while an R-value of 4.1 is ideal for 3+ season backpacking and camping. Highly recommended!
Disclosure: Sea-to-Summit donated a pad for review.
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My wife and I have a Therm-a-rest Xlite and an insulated Sea To Summit. The STS cells are far superior in terms of comfort to the Xlite baffles. When one of them dies, we will probably get the Ether XR. Another cool thing for me is the extended width for the regular version. I find the standard 20” width to be just a bit too narrow and the 25” wide standard seems like overkill.
Betcha I know who gets the Xlite!
Just bought one and vs. the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT it’s definitely more comfortable. Like, night and day better. I read of some durability issue so I hope it lasts.
Wow$200.00.dollars ??!that’s almost the cost of a tent ??
Price not unique to this pad. Look up any of the name brand models with similar specs. They’re all ~$200. Kind of crazy I agree. I do wonder how much cost is impacted from needing so many variations (mummy, square, short, tall, regular, wide). I get it, we’re a picky bunch but needing 5 SKU’s/variations has to add a bit to cost.
Exped pioneered one price for all models/sizes a few years ago. No one noticed. I thought it was brilliant.
I noticed and thought it was brilliant as well.
On the other point of the $200 and “what value sleep” I agree as well for those of us that spend a good number of nights/year on them but it’s a difficult price point for those just getting into the activity or those that might only spend 1-2 nights/year on it. There’s definitely lower cost and heavier options for those folks.
What’s your sleep worth? Would you spend $200 a night at a hotel for only one night? People spend a ton of money on vacation on hotels and have nothing to show for it afterwards. So spending $200 on a sleeping pad that works for 100 nights or more and give you a great nights sleep is perfectly justified.
Philip: You’ve been sleeping on an Ether Light for five years? That’s all I need to know — I’m sold. My wife and I spent a few days on the AT last week. We enjoyed the MSR Hubba Bubba tent I bought thanks to your review. I carried it in my Seek Outside pack, thanks to you. I slept on my first-generation Therma-rest Neo-air. It might date to the days of W’s presidency. How long will those seams hold? And the sound — love that crinkle-tex. So I’m buying one of these pads. And if my wife likes it, I’ll get one for me, too. I’m very curious to see how those pump bags work. (It takes me 22 breaths to fill the Neo-air.)
That’s first generation xlite was actually a lot more comfortable than the lastest models. I thought the exterior cover was much more comfortable.
This is a thorough and accurate review of the Etherlight. I would add that Sea to Summit has great customer service. I got an XT in 2023 and used it about 50 nights. Super comfortable for me, a side sleeper. On the last three trips I had slow leaks at the welds for the air springs. Sea to Summit sent me the XR as a replacement. Only have three night on the XR, but it seems like an improvement on a very good product.