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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

\+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.

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 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.

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

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!

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 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'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!

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.

I have the XR version and it's not loud at all.

Assuming you are sleeping on snow, here is how the 3 top winter pads break down based on my experience: 1. Xtherm - warmest (good to -30/-35C), least comfortable 2. Tensor XC - last for warmth (good to -20C), 2nd for comfort 3. S2S ELXR Pro - 2nd for warmth (good to -20/-25C), most comfortable This winter, I'm going to be also testing the Rab Hypersphere and hopefully the Exped Ultra 6.5R and 10R.