Review: Sea to Summit Ether Light Sleeping Pad

For years, I assumed that camping meant waking up to a crimped neck and sore back, no way around it. Until, that is, I picked up the Ether Light XR Insulated Air Sleeping Pad from Sea to Summit. With a nearly four-inch thickness, it’s plush enough to allow a side-sleeper to sink in without extremities going numb in the middle of the night. The thickness, however, doesn’t come as a sacrifice to weight or warmth. The largest size—the “Large Rectangular”—comes in at 23.5 ounces with an R-value of 4.1, so it’ll handle lightweight summer backpacking trips equally as well as cold, late-season hunting trips. Additionally, the stuff sack converts into an inflation bag, saving the lungs from a workout and preventing moisture—and mold—from accumulating in the bag. Overall, the sleeping pad is the most comfortable I’ve ever used, allowing me to slumber through the night and wake up feeling rejuvenated, nimble, and ready to take on the day. Available at seatosummit.com; $259 for the large rectangular size, and $199 for the standard size.