A close look at two sleeping pads buyers cross-shop. The Ether Light XR Pro takes a modest overall edge, led by warmth, but the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down has its own case.
| Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro | Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 81✓ | 77 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 7.4 R✓ | 7.3 R |
| Weight | 19.8 oz✓ | 21.5 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.32 R/100g✓ | 1.20 R/100g |
| Packed size | 2.57 L✓ | 3.69 L |
| Thickness | 3.9 in✓ | 3.1 in |
| Durability | 39 /100✓ | 12 /100 |
| Price | $219✓ | $250 |
| Features | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ | 2Pump sack included, Repair kit included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Tapered | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Ether Light XR Pro in blue, Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down 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.
Put the Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro next to the Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down and the trade-offs are clear. The Ether Light XR Pro wins on warmth and low weight, and the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down pushes back on value.
The Ether Light XR Pro is warmer (R 7.4 vs R 7.3), 2 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. On the default GearScore the Ether Light XR Pro leads 81 to 77.
Pick the Ether Light XR Pro if you care most about warmth and low weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down if you would rather save the difference.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro. It is warmer (R 7.4 vs R 7.3) than the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro. It is 2 oz lighter than the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro, 81 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 Pro for warmth, or the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down for the price. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.