Sea To Summit - Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat

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.

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?

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

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.

That's so funny, I had the opposite experience. Used an XLite for a good long while and just accepted that my arms and shoulders always felt sore in the morning and/or went numb overnight. Switched to a Ether Light XT Insulated (regular mummy, not wide), took a tiny weight penalty, slept like a baby ever since. Sleeping pads are as personal as underwear. I will seriously never understand why one person thinks their preferred pad will work for someone else. You just gotta try a few till you find the one that works for your (unique, individual) body.

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

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.

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.

Hey I have the black  S2S Ether Light XT Air Sleeping Mat (reg-wide) I normally hammock camp but tried a tent. I'm a side sleeper and had one of the worst nights sleep on the S2S Ether, I had to swap with my partner who has a thin 1 inch think Thermarest. Something about the S2S made my spine bend the wrong way on my side.

I'm a "rotisserie" side sleeper, too, and the winners for me at the S2S Ether Light XT and the Nemo Tensor lines. I can't really tell the difference in comfort between them since they're similar designs. Just as another note, I'd suggest incorporating good sleep practices into your hiking, too! I'm in my 40s, so it's tougher to get a good night's sleep than it used to be. My body needs time to relax, so I need 3-4 hours after hiking to decompress. Make a bit of decaf tea, watch some videos or journal. Then eat dinner, take electrolyte supplements & low-dose THC edibles, and put on compression socks (I wear Vim & Vigr and like their designs). It's a whole ritual that helps calm my body down and prepare me for sleep.

I went with StS Ethlite XT. Much more comfortable than the tensor as a side sleeper. But I don’t nitpick over grams. Heck I carry a kilo of a chair for the comfort at camp. Still under 13ish kg.

They are pads for life. I geuss it comes down to which you find comfortable. I gladly shelled out for my StS because I sleep like a rock on it. Eyes closed, wake up 9 hours later without any soreness. Btw just checked: The Nemo Extreme W+L is 279 while StS Large rectangle is 239. So I have no idea where you are getting any of your info.

STS Etherlite XT, best I’ve tried.

Thermarest neoair xlite nxt wide is great. I was using the STS Ether Light XT which is super comfy but heavy and a little cold. The NXT is amazing for me even as a side sleeper. This version is 3 inches thick instead of the old 2.5, and the chip bag noise has been seriously muted. I think most complaints are about the old version. Still worth it for the wide imo Edit: the pumpsack is worthless, find another option. I cut the valve out of it to use as an adapter for my exped schnozzel which doubles as a pack liner.

>What are the best sleeping pads out there? Is it worth to buy one $80 plus or some of the cheaper ones any good? It really depends on your criteria. The market is largely geared towards lightweight, but lightweight by nature of design always comes with compromises in product quality since less material can be used. You're much more likely to have punctures and leaks in expensive lightweight pads than you are in cheaper closed cell foam (CCF) pads, but the CCF pads will be significantly bulkier and heavier. High R-Value lightweight pads will often increase the price significantly, but depending on the temperatures where/when you camp, you may not require an insulated pad. So it really comes down to your specific use case for the pad. Generally speaking, Therm-A-Rest is the leader for lightweight/compact pads, but it often comes with the highest price tag. Big Agnes, NEMO, Sea-to-Summit, and Exped are the most popular all-around options for people who don't need the absolute lightest/compact pad (though these brands still have options that will closely compete with Therm-A-Rest). Klymit is a good budget-friendly option. Personally, I own a Klymit Static V and last year I bought a Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XT Insulated which has replaced my Static V. I went with the Sea-to-Summit because it's a thicker pad and known to be very comfortable, while still being relatively lightweight/compact with a good R-Value. I don't have any complaints so far. I made this [Sleeping Pad Comparison Table](https://algonquinbeyond.com/blog/sleeping-pad-comparisons-buying-guide/) that you can use to sort and filter through different options. There's a Buying Guide at the top of the page that I'd recommend reading first as well.

For me, only the S2S Ether Lt XT and the Nemo Tensor work. Horizontal baffles are a nightmare with the "slipping off" feeling and movement! I sleep on my side and stomach and sometimes back, and those two work great.

Agree. I have Nemo tensor and S2S Ether Lt xt because I find horizontal baffles very uncomfortable.

Nope! I’ve used the Ether Light XT, Ether Light XT Insulated, and Ether Light XT Extreme: all three are very quiet. Honestly think a lot of people have mixed up sleeping pads, or have some other/older Sea to Summit pad, when they mention noise on the XT models.

Nope! I’ve used the Ether Light XT, Ether Light XT Insulated, and Ether Light XT Extreme: all three are very quiet. Honestly think a lot of people have mixed up sleeping pads, or have some other/older Sea to Summit pad, when they mention noise on the XT models.

The Sea To Summit Aether Lite XT should be on your list. It's profoundly comfortable and the insulated mummy is a competitive weight and warmth. If you can find the "women's" version, it's even lighter.

I thruhiked with a veteran who had his spine reassembled after an incident with an ied. He used a very thick self-inflating pad that was bed-comfortable and weighed about 2.5lbs. If it were my back I'd look for comfort first and damn the weight. Of the UL pads, the Sea To Summit Aether Lite XT insulated is the most comfortable, followed by the nemo tensor and pads from Exped. If you can find the aether lite in women's mummy, the weight is in spitting distance of the neoair xlite.

Sea to summit ether lite xt works great for me and I’m a side sleeper. It’s like 4 inches thick but still lightweight and comfortable

My only solution for back pain camping is a hammock. I have a sea to summit etherlite that’s strictly for above the treeline or desert trips, but in all honestly I don’t do a lot of those anymore because even the 3” thick inflatable pad is barely tolerable. I’d rather just do a trip somewhere with trees where I can sleep like a baby in my hammock 

Sleeping bag won't do anything for comfort while laying down. A good pad is what you want. Sea to Summit Ether XT Light, followed by Nemo Tensor, are my recommendations. Pillows are more forgiving. Wife and I use the Therm-a-rest ones.

Same! I loved the feel of that pad, but I thought mine was defective!

Stronger seams is promising. I loved the comfort level of etherlight xt but had multiple get air leaks in all the seams so I gave up on using it.

I’d recommend looking at the Sea to Summit Etherlight XT insulated pads as they are currently on sale for 50% off direct from S2S. They generally are in the weight range of the pads you are looking at but right at the $100 price range right now. The R rating is only 3.2 so they won’t be as warm as some of your other options, but at the temps you mentioned it would be just fine.

Nemo Tensor, Kilos Gear AeroCloud Elite, Big Agnes Rapide SL, Thermarest NeoLoft. The Sea To Summit Etherlight XT is also comfortable but heavy and bulky for a backpacking pad.

I slept on a neoair it was uncomfortable and noisy I switched to a Nemo tensor not even in the same realm of comfort. I also have a sea to summit ether light xt and it's heavy but best pad comfort I have slept on.

Sea to summit etherlite xt has been my go to. Best nights sleep I've had as a side sleeper

just switched from an old Nemo Tensor for a similar reason - i was never able to deflate it to a comfortable point without my butt touching the ground below; instead i always slept on it "overfilled" which led to lower back pain almost every night. recently switched to the S2S Ether Lite XT Insulated and it's a great option! not only is the extra thickness very comfy, but the "quilted" design really seemed to minimize pressure points unlike other pads' architectures (e.g. horizontal baffles of Nemo, Thermarest, and similar)

sea to summit ether light xt - sweet spot for weight and durability. I prefer my exped lw for comfort (it's wide and even more silent) but these are not as durable. 3-4r are enough for what I do, for iceland I'd personally take a warmer one. But I'm a quilt user.

etherlight xt pads never had down. they were synthetic insulated

For another option... I had a sea to summit etherlite xt for 5 years and loved it. Eventually died. Tried saving weight and got a neoair xlite nxt. Hated it and it broke within a month. Crinkly and uncomfortable. Went back to the sea to summit and it's good.

Side sleeper with a bad back here. Can highly recommend the sea 2 summit ether light xt large rectangular. Certain exped pads with vertical baffles sound promising also but I've not tried them

Love my Sea to Summit Ether Lite XT. Recently went back to tent after hammocking for years and pad was biggest issue I had before with sleeping in tents. I found the Ether Lite a great pad (light, comfortable and pretty affordable relative to others)

Yup, if it's as comfortable as the previous model and delivers on the 4.1 R-value, it would be the dream pad for me. The current XT insulated is at best a 2.5 not a 3.2.

They might have fixed that already with the XT. At least the XT insulated I bought last year is silent, not a even a hint of crinkling.

I had the opposite experience somehow. I had to return the etherlite after waking up with a sore back every night.

Agreed, I had to return my Etherlight XT since it was too cold to use even in summer. If these live up to their R-values this time it could be new king of comfort.

When I started backpacking I went for the whole no pillow and thermarest thing to keep weight down but it just didn't work. I was barely sleeping and in agony in the mornings. For me the sea to summit etherlite was my saviour at 4" thick. I don't find the r value very warm compared to a thermarest. It's heavy (21.1oz in the long wide version) and bulky but it makes backpacking tolerable and possible (I almost quit entirely). You may need a pillow too. I had to kiss goodbye to any weight savings on that and after trialling no pillow, stuff sack pillow, trekology, sea to summit aeros and nemo fillo I finally gave in and got the exped mega pillow as I needed proper height. Another tip is to put something between your knees such as spare clothing or rain gear in a bag. If you sleep on your back place it between your knees. Sometimes back pain can be caused by lack of support in a certain area. Some of us can't do ultralight on our sleep pads and pillows because our body won't let us.

Self-inflating mats are basically 1990’s technology. Heavy and less comfortable than fully inflatable mats. Get yourselves decent comfortable inflatable mats like. Sea to Summit Etherlight XT insulated or Exped Ultra.

A fully inflatable mat like the Etherlight is lighter and much thicker. But significantly more money. Which is why I said what I said originally. 38 mm isn’t comfortable for most side sleepers.

Some mats have internal noise when you move: the crisp packet effect. Etherlights it’s the surface. It’s a much more rubber-like surface that produces a squeaking noise when you rub your skin over it. Doesn’t bother me, but it’s a different noise effect than other brands.

The Rapide SL is really excellent. My partner and I have both been using them for quite a while now and I think it’s the comfiest pad out there. I’m also a side sleeper. I tend to agree it’s not quite as warm as it claims but I still use it during autumn and spring. However I do tend to sleep quite cold so that’s a factor to bear in mind with my opinion. I have the Sea to Summit Etherlite XT (my mid winter mat), which has a similar construction to the XR, and it’s also a very, very comfortable pad. The XR is the newer version of it and looks like an excellent pad and will be perfect for year round use. They are extremely lightweight for that kind of warmth. The Sea to Summit pads also come with little velcro stickers that keep your pillow in place, if your pillow is covered in fuzzy fabric (they’re made to lock Sea to Summit’s own pillows specifically but any fuzzy fabric pillow would work) which is a feature I really love. Broadly speaking, the pads with a “cushioned” build like the Rapide and the Etherlights, are the most comfortable for most sleepers, but they do weigh slightly more than horizontal or vertical baffle pads. For me, as an increasingly creaky 40 something, it’s worth the extra weight for a good night’s sleep.

You can’t go wrong with them. Another feature I love about the Sea to Summit is that their storage sack is also the pump sack. I’ve often forgotten to bring my Big Agnes pump sack when I’ve had my Rapide with, whereas that never happens with the S2S one. When they brought out the XR range a few months ago, I actually seriously considered getting one but just couldn’t really justify it when I already have the XT. They really are fantastic mats.

I'm a side sleeper and I find the etherlight XT really comfortable. It creeks and croaks like crazy though so anyone you go with will hate you. And no, it doesn't go away. People say that but they are lying lol. I think they just got used to it.

You've tested *all* of them? You find the Nemo more comfortable than an Etherlite XT? An REI Helix? An Exped? A Rapide SL? That doesn't compute for me. The Nemo is more comfy than a Neoair but well below all of those.

They're selling off the S2S XT right now. Good deals to be had for the most comfortable sleeping pad there is.

I had the old model and it made horrible noise in tent and especially when sleeping in cabins. My camping mates hated me. The spund was more like a rubbery groan instead of crinkly chip bag sound, very annoying. Hope that has been fixed.

In November I went to a store and blew one up new and laid on it on the showroom floor. It was comfortable but sounded like a loud squeaky balloon. Every time I shifted weight or switched sides it was loud. Even someone walking by looked at me and said “that’s really noisy”. Because of this I bought the Nemo Tensor which is much quieter than the Sea to Summit.

I mis-read the post. I didn’t know there is an XR model coming out. I tried the XT

When you put it on a hardwood or vinyl floor, does it sound like a balloon rubbing when you move on it? The XT was bearable on silnylon tent bottom, but with wood hut or a PU tent bottom everyone in a 50 foot range hears every move.

Go to REI and try them. Sea to Summit makes a 4” pad but personally I found it had too much of a “waterbed” feeling.

6’4”, 220, although with a back that does not require repair. Most comfortable backpacking pad I tried is S2S Comfort Insulated Plus. Weight is awful - 2.5 lb - but the double chamber system is excellent at balancing protection from the ground and support vs having a softer top to rest on. Large rectangular size provides enough space, especially if you are a back sleeper. Outside of double chamber systems like that one, basically Thermarest NeoAir are the best of the bunch. Pricy but thick and performant. The popular S2S Etherlight is thicker, but also requires being inflated firmer which makes it overall meh unless you specifically want ultra-firm.

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.

I have the S2S Ether Light and it’s been great for me for side sleeping. I have not tried any of the others for comparison

So I know more about pads than back injuries (*knock on wood*). But I find pads with a dimple design to be most comfortable because you can usually avoid pressure points on them. Think the REI Helix or the Zenbivy pads or the Big Agnes Rapide or Zoom, or the Sea to Summit Ether Light or Comfort Plus. However, it may be that a firmer pad is actually better for your back?

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!

They’re half off right now, about $100

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.

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.

Ive had the same issue with the NXT. I went with S2S, its great for me and my tosses and turns.

Ive the new one. Its slipper as most of these pads. Ive put some silicon on it so I dont have that problem.

oh hello, followed the same route as you. Just picked up an S2S Ether Light today to test, as I'm a cold side sleeper and haven't quite found the solution yet. How have you found it for warmth? It is heavier, but sleep deprivation weights a lot as well.

The S2S Ether Light is GREAT. It is also heavy. Pick your poison, I guess.

I second the "very comfy" bit, it is probably the most comfortable sleeping pad I tried. However, nothing Ultralight about that pad. Stick with Nemo or try Thermarest.

I was referring to the Insulated version from StS. My bad (-:

I tried the Exped Ultra 3R at some point and especially for a side sleeper it is not a good choice. The outer tubes are thicker, meaning if you stick your arm out it feels weird. I owned the StS Ether Light (Insulated) and it was so far the most comfortable pads I had. Unfortunately it is not light. At the moment I use the Nemo Tensor (Insulated) and it is comfortable enough for me. No experience with the other pads.

I got the S2S this year and I sleep very well. Side sleeper, 5'10", 210 lbs.

Side sleeper here. +1 for the Ether lite. On sale right now for $100

I have a S2S ultralight insulated air and it’s very comfortable as a side sleeper. I never bottom out.

The Ether light has a layer of foamy stuff rather than metal foil, so it is a lot quieter. But in my experience not very warm

Agreed the Exped is surprisingly comfy for a side sleeper. I went with the ultra 5r but that shouldn’t make a difference. Tried and eventually got rid of: thermarest, ether light, klymit.

Agree, I had one and it was very squeaky, sometimes even like rubbing balloons together. Could also be due to pad rubbing against tent floor. Exped pads never have the same issue.

I have the sea to summit ether light insulated, they have the rectangle shape that is pretty wide and is currently on clearance. Lifetime warranty. I use it with the nemo disco, love the spoon shape. Might be worth a look at the s2s site, might still have some available

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.

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

We love our Sea to Summit pads!

I have one and will only use it on the warmest of nights.  I use a sea to summit most of the time because it's pretty light and has a much higher R value.  It's also very comfy.

Tra i menzionati possiedo il Sea to Summit e posso parlarne bene. A pari caratteristiche c'è il cinese Naturhike di cui ne parlano molto bene.

Don’t go self inflating if you want that much height. Car camping, yes, any of the massive, tough, heavy self inflating mats will be fine.   Go to a camping/bushwalking shop and try a Nemo tensor insulated (wide). Fill it up then let out juuuust a bit of air. You can put a closed cell foam mat underneath if you can’t get a balance between a comfortable shape and your hips touching the ground.  Sea to summit are also comfortable but don’t insulate as well.   Also - I know you know this - it’s easier if you can lose a bit of weight. I find it much less comfortable sleeping on the ground after gaining weight. 

Love my S to S pad also. Rivals my Select Comfort bed at home. Bought a back up in case they go out of business.