How much thicker are Vandoren reeds than Rico reeds?

-I play Alto Sax and I am going to move to Vandorens, if I play a 3.5 Rico what size would be the equivalent to Vandoren?Vandorens are about 1/2 strength harder than Ricos, though it varies a bit from reed to reed. So a strength 3 Vandoren will be about equivalent to your Rico 3.5.At least to 3 or 2.5. Vandoren is a lot thicker than Rico.

See if you can buy a few of each instead of a box at a music store and figure out which is better.