Rab Ionosphere 5 Inflatable Sleeping Pad

Product detailed description

The Rab Ionosphere 5 inflatable sleeping pad is designed to offer the highest possible level of comfort and, above all, thermal insulation even in the most demanding conditions. Thanks to its 8 cm thickness, it won’t flatten easily and is also ideal for side sleepers. The two side walls are taller, which helps keep you in place on the mat.

TILT

The TILT (Thermo Ionic Lining) reflective foil inside the insulation reduces heat loss through radiation, while Stratus™ R insulation traps air to reduce heat loss through convection, ensuring you can recharge for tomorrow even if the temperature drops. A major advantage is that the inner foil does not curl at all, so it remains sufficiently quiet even when moving around. Thanks to these technologies, the mat achieves a very good thermal resistance value of R = 4.8, making it a fully-fledged three-season mat. However, for use on snow, we would still recommend adding a foam pad.

Sustainability

As a climate-neutral company, Rab naturally uses recycled materials in its production. The outer material is recycled 20D polyester with an inner layer of TPU and fluorocarbon-free DWR. The outer fabric also features a gradient print that helps keep the sleeping bag in the same position. The Stratus™ inner insulation is also 100% recycled polyester.

Simple and quick inflation

Rabu really nailed the valve design. It’s located on the side of the mat’s bottom; it’s flat and therefore doesn’t get in the way at all. To inflate, simply flip open the first cap and you can start inflating right away—in this case, air enters the mat in only one direction (it can’t deflate). When you want to deflate the mat, simply flip open the second cap, and the air is out in a second. Deflating is surprisingly easy and fast. The package also includes a great inflation bag. In our opinion, it’s the best inflation bag we’ve ever seen. It’s huge, but weighs only 71 grams. It’s incredibly easy to inflate, has taped seams, and can easily be turned into a fully functional waterproof bag that you can use, for example, as a cover for your sleeping bag. You can inflate the mat in about 3 pumps. Easy and fast—we give it 10 out of 10 here.

Great cover

Another thing Rabu really nailed is the perfect sleeping pad cover. It works completely differently from all the traditional covers from other manufacturers. It’s essentially a simple pouch with an elastic hem; you can easily slip the rolled-up mat inside, and the opening is covered by a simple “lid” with integrated elastic bands. There’s no struggle when packing. Packing is truly a breeze. Inside the pouch, you’ll also find a small pocket with a repair kit.

Dimensions

It comes in two sizes. The Regular is the standard 183 x 51 cm with a mummy shape. The Large version is ideal for taller people thanks to its dimensions of 196 x 64 cm. The Rab Ionosphere 5 inflatable sleeping pad may not be the lightest on the market, but it offers exceptional comfort, excellent insulation, and several features that make it a truly outstanding product. If you aren’t strictly a “gram-counter” but want to get a good night’s sleep above all else, the Rab Ionosphere 5 is a good choice.

We recommend placing Tyvek under every inflatable sleeping pad, as it significantly reduces the risk of punctures.

Rab Ionosphere Sleeping Mats from Rab on Vimeo.

In early 2024, Rab added a fantastic, ultralight sleeping pad to its lineup: the Ultrasphere 4.5/a, which offers a fantastic balance of weight, price, and comfort.