Two sleeping pads worth lining up side by side. The Ether Light XR Pro takes a modest overall edge, led by warmth, but the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX has its own case.
| Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 81✓ | 79 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 7.4 R✓ | 7.3 R |
| Weight | 19.8 oz✓ | 22.9 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.32 R/100g✓ | 1.12 R/100g |
| Packed size | 2.57 L✓ | 3.72 L |
| Thickness | 3.9 in✓ | 3.0 in |
| Durability | 39 /100 | 57 /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, NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX 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 Pro and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX take different routes to the same job. The Ether Light XR Pro wins on warmth and low weight, and the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX pushes back on durability.
The Ether Light XR Pro is warmer (R 7.4 vs R 7.3), 3 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. The NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX is more durable. On the default GearScore the Ether Light XR Pro leads 81 to 79.
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 NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX if durability matter more to you, or you are focused on rough ground and hard use.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro. It is warmer (R 7.4 vs R 7.3) than the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro. It is 3 oz lighter than the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro, 81 to 79 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 NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX for durability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.