Here is how these two sleeping pads compare on the numbers. The Ether Light XR Insulated leans on low weight while the Boundary Deluxe Insulated answers with warmth, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated | Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 84✓ | 77 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 4.1 R | 4.3 R✓ |
| Weight | 16.6 oz✓ | 25.0 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.87 R/100g✓ | 0.61 R/100g |
| Packed size | 1.66 L✓ | 2.57 L |
| Thickness | 3.9 in | 4.3 in✓ |
| Durability | 39 /100 | 60 /100✓ |
| Price | $189 | $180✓ |
| Features | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Tapered | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Ether Light XR Insulated in blue, Boundary Deluxe Insulated in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated against the Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated is a study in priorities. The Ether Light XR Insulated wins on low weight and warmth-to-weight, and the Boundary Deluxe Insulated pushes back on warmth and cushion.
The Ether Light XR Insulated is 8 oz lighter, stronger on warmth-to-weight, and more packable (1.7 L vs 2.6 L). The Boundary Deluxe Insulated is warmer (R 4.3 vs R 4.1), thicker for more cushion, and more durable. On the default GearScore the Ether Light XR Insulated leads 84 to 77.
Pick the Ether Light XR Insulated if you care most about low weight and warmth-to-weight, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Boundary Deluxe Insulated if warmth and cushion matter more to you, or you are focused on colder nights and shoulder-season trips.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated. It is 8 oz lighter than the Boundary Deluxe Insulated.
The Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated. It is warmer (R 4.3 vs R 4.1) than the Ether Light XR Insulated.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated, 84 to 77 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Ether Light XR Insulated for low weight, or the Boundary Deluxe Insulated for warmth. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.