Two 3-season ultralight air pads with opposite priorities. The NeoAir XLite NXT chases warmth and low weight, while the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT gives up a few ounces for more cushion and a lower price.
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT | Sea to Summit Ether Light XT | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 87✓ | 84 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 4.5 R✓ | 4.1 R |
| Weight | 13.0 oz✓ | 16.6 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.22 R/100g✓ | 0.87 R/100g |
| Packed size | 1.95 L✓ | 1.95 L |
| Thickness | 3.0 in | 3.9 in✓ |
| Durability | 30 /100 | 39 /100✓ |
| Price | $200 | $189✓ |
| Features | 1Pump sack included | 1Pump sack included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | n/s | n/s |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: NeoAir XLite NXT in blue, Ether Light XT 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 XLite NXT is the warmth-to-weight benchmark, and the Ether Light XT is the comfort play. If you count grams and want the warmest pad for its weight, the XLite is built for you. If you sleep on your side or just want a thicker, plusher surface, and you don't mind carrying a bit more, the Ether Light XT makes a strong case, and it costs a little less.
On the numbers, the XLite NXT is warmer and lighter, and that weight gap is real enough to add up over miles. The Ether Light XT counters with cushion. It has noticeably more thickness, a meaningful step up off the ground. It also undercuts on price and pairs a tougher, more abrasion-resistant floor against the XLite's. Both ship with a pump sack.
Pick the XLite NXT if warmth-to-weight is the priority. It's the lighter, warmer pad, and the pick for gram-counting backpackers who want the most insulation for the least weight. Pick the Ether Light XT if comfort matters more than a few ounces. The extra thickness is exactly what side sleepers want, keeping hips and shoulders off the ground, and you save a bit at checkout.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, lighter than the Ether Light XT by several ounces. That's a real weight saving for anyone counting grams over long miles.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT. It's noticeably thicker than the XLite, so it puts more cushion between you and the ground. That extra loft helps keep hips and shoulders supported when you sleep on your side.
The NeoAir XLite NXT, warmer than the Ether Light XT. Both are 3-season pads, so the gap is modest, but the XLite has the edge on colder nights.