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A comfortable and well-insulated mat that balances support, warmth, and durability for reliable three-season use
Rab says:
Ultralight yet super warm, highly insulated yet extremely packable. The Ionosphere 5 offers the perfect balance of low weight and comfort for fastpacking, thru-hiking, and multi-day mountaineering in challenging environments. This insulated air mat is equipped with all the tech to keep you warm when the temperature drops, with a combination of heat-reflective TILT and Stratus™ R insulation to reduce heat loss through radiation and convection. The result is an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, allowing you to catch vital rest in cold conditions, even when pack space is at a premium.
Our Verdict
The Rab Ionosphere 5 Sleeping Mat - Regular offers a well-balanced combination of warmth and comfort, weighing 513g and featuring an R-value of 4.8. It sits comfortably in the 3-season category, with enough insulation to handle colder nights.
At 8cm thick, it feels very supportive and comfortable. The long vertical baffles are well suited for side sleeping, while the oversized outer baffles help cradle you and keep you centred on the mat through the night. The tapered shape helps reduce weight and pack size, which suits those looking to cut grams, though it is less accommodating for those who move around more in their sleep.
The included pump sack is efficient and straightforward to use, weighing 68g, and makes setup quick while avoiding moisture build-up inside the mat.
The mat looks impressively small in the supplied stuff sack. Though getting it back into the bag can be frustrating, especially when packing away quickly in the confines of a small tent, it makes more sense to use a simple stuff sack or an elasticated band instead.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- TILT reflective film within the insulation helps reduce radiant heat loss
- 20D recycled polyester upper
- 30D recycled polyester base for added durability
- Lightweight construction uses air and insulation for superb warmth-to-weight ratio and minimal pack size
- Oversized outer chambers help keep you centralised on the mat
- Low-profile two-way valve for easy inflation and deflation
- Pump sack included for rapid and hygienic inflation
- Roll-away stuff sack with repair kit included
Specifications
- Weight: 513g
- R-Value: 4.8
- Thickness: 8cm
- Dimensions: 183x51cm
- Packed size: Regular 23x11cm
ASTM R-Value:
From 2020, there is a new industry standard for measuring the R-value (level of insulation) of sleeping mats – ASTM F3340-18. This new standard is the sleeping mat equivalent to the EN rating for sleeping bags.
You can now directly compare the R-value of mats rated using the ASTM F3340-18 with confidence that is a fair and accurate comparison between mats. In simple terms, the higher the R-value, the warmer the mat.
In general terms, an R-value below 2.0 is for summer use, 2.0 to 4.0 is for cooler 3 season use and 4.0+ is for winter temperatures. This will be also be dependent on your sleeping bag, how cold you sleep etc. Please contact our customer service team if you need advice on choosing the right mat for your activity.
Material & Construction
- Stratus™ R insulation traps air and reduces heat loss from convective currents
- 100% Polyester Inflatable Mattress
