This is my independent review of the Stratosphere 5.5 sleeping mat. I like a camping mat to be lightweight, comfortable to sleep on and easy to inflate. I do not like a sleeping mat that makes a rustling noise. These are my thoughts on the Rab Stratosphere 5.5 sleep mat.

Features of Rab Stratosphere 5.5 sleep mat

Inflatable

Depth: 8cm

Dimensions: Regular: 183cm x 51cm x 8cm

Fabric: 75D Recycled Polyester outer fabric with internal TPU Coating and fluorocarbon free DWR

Insulation: Stratus™ R 100% recycled polyester insulation (250g/m²)

Low-profile two-way valve

Pump sack

Stuff sack

Repair kit

R-value: 5.5

Weight: 758g

Price: £140 from Rab and on Amazon

My thoughts: Rab Stratosphere 5.5 sleep mat

This sleeping mat is a favourite when heading off for wild camping adventures. It is fairly small to pack, quite lightweight and offers a comfortable night’s sleep. For many years, inflatable mattresses were quite thin and if, like me, you are a side sleeper this meant sore hips at night.

But there are now more brands making deeper mattresses. The mat is easy to inflate, too, because it has an inflating sack. You simply allow the sack to inflate in the wind or breeze, or add a couple of your own puffs, and then roll over the top of the sack to create a magical amount of air to fill the mattress. I find it takes about eight to 10 “sacks” of air to inflate the mattress.

I do add a few puffs of my own directly into the valve at the end of the process for a solidly inflated mat.

The shape of the mat is generous for most averaged sized people. The outer chamber lengths of the mat also look more inflated and the aim of this is to keep you in the middle of the mat all night.

I like the 8cm of inflated depth, although I have recently discovered a Sea to Summit Ether Light mat that inflates to 10cm. The Sea to Summit is also lighter in weight but it’s more pricey.

The mat has an R-value of 5.5. The higher the value the more it insulates you from the ground underneath. I find I sleep well – both in comfort and warmth – on the Rab sleeping mat although I imagine a lot of this has to do with the sleeping bag I am using as well.

The Sea to Summit mat has an R-value of 4.1, while an XR PRO version of the same mat is 7.4. Rab Stratosphere sits in the middle. It’s difficult to assess if there is a noticeable difference between the mats because every time I use one the conditions are different. Suffice to say, these mats do offer more depth, comfort and insulation than many of the inflatable mats made some 10 years ago.

The Rab Stratosphere 5.5 is £140, which is cheaper than the Sea to Summit Ether Light XR.