Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro
Successor to the pioneering pad in sleeping pad comfort but warm enough for winter.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro is the successor to the Ether Light XT Extreme, a pad that slept colder than expected for a winter pad and was very heavy and bulky. The Ether Light XR Pro is more compact, less weight, and, based on my 15 nights of testing, sleeps warm in true winter conditions. The pad has an ASTM-tested R-value of 7.4 and I have slept warm on the pad at -25°C (-13°F) on snow and frozen ground. The Ether Light XR Pro is the most comfortable winter pad I have used with a dimpled baffling pattern that provides excellent stability and adequate pressure relief. For the warmth and comfort, the pad is fairly lightweight at 726 g (1.6 lb) – heavier than competitors like the Therm-a-Rest Xtherm and NEMO Tensor Extreme Conditions but maybe worth the trade-offs in comfort. The Ether Light XT pads had significant weld failure issues and that is still one of the biggest concerns with new new Ether Light XR Pro.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- True winter pad that is warm down to -25°C (-13°F) on snow or frozen ground.
- Is lightweight for a winter pad at 726 g (1.6 lb) and as compact as most 3-season pads.
- Very stable pad due to the many connection points between the top and bottom of the pad with the dimpled baffling.
- Dimpled baffling provides decent pressure relief.
- One of the best valves for inflation and deflation.
Cons
- Rubbery shell material can squeak when shifting positions on top of it or when it rubs against the tent floor.
- Other pads released recently use new designs and technologies for better pressure relief than the Ether Light XR Pro.
Open Questions
What the full review still needs to answer.
- How will the new weld shape affect long-term durability.
- Is the extra weight worth the comfort over the Therm-a-Rest Xtherm and NEMO Tensor Extreme Conditions?
Available Sizes
Scroll sideways to see every size.
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