Best Sleeping Pads · head-to-head

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. REI Co-op Helix Insulated is cheaper at $169. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated or REI Co-op Helix Insulated?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The REI Co-op Helix Insulated is the cheaper at $169.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated REI Co-op Helix Insulated
US price $199 $169
BrandSea to SummitREI Co-op
Released
R value 3.2 4.9
Pad type air air
Weight grams 490
Thickness (cm) 10
Dimensions (cm) 183 x 55 182.88 x 50.8
Packed size (cm) 24 x 11 25.4 x 12.7
Insulation type synthetic-fill reflective-film
Inflation type pump-sack pump-sack
Shell denier 30 30
Shape mummy mummy

Sources — Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated: seatosummit.com (verified 2026-07-11). REI Co-op Helix Insulated: rei.com (verified 2026-07-11).

What's the difference between the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated and REI Co-op Helix Insulated?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.

  • R value: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated 3.2 vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated 4.9
  • Dimensions (cm): Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated 183 x 55 vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated 182.88 x 50.8
  • Packed size (cm): Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated 24 x 11 vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated 25.4 x 12.7
  • Insulation type: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated synthetic-fill vs REI Co-op Helix Insulated reflective-film

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