Some of the Snugpak sleeping bags have been doing it for years - Reflectatherm, this metallised fabric is designed to reflect heat and retain warmth. A highly breathable material, which adds little to the weight or packsize of the product and provides at least 15% additional warmth whilst being undetectable by touch in the sleeping bag or garment.
Wish ide seen this before ordering an AlpKit Whisper sleeping pad 2.4 r.. This Rab looks and sounds ideal and good 4 seasons I think.. Nice and quiet also. 👍
It seems Rab have created the perfect 1 season sleep system, & seeing as most people camp & hike in summer in the UK & European climate; It's the majority of the market & at a reasonable price. When I come to renewing my gear, I'll certainly be looking at Rab. I'll trade my wife in. Get rid of one knackered old bag at least.
Nice Review, i buy the 5.5 and it will arrive me at tuesday. Cant wait for the first night out in this weather time. I wish you fun with the stuff! Kalli from Germany
Great video Paul, just before watching this I took a punt and popped a order in for the Rab Stratosphere 4 Mat in hope it should be a good upgrade over my Alpkit cloud base as for the price it seems to be ticking all the right boxes. They certainly look excellent quality and looking forward to giving it an outing, though in now jealous I dont have a mat in such a fetching colour or with fancy TILT metal :D
Always find your videos really engaging with the information you provide etc! Could you do a video on how a beginner ( someone new to camping) how to pack your bag and essentialls you should have ❤️
He has quite a few videos that cover beginner stuff from essentials, packing bags, choosing gear and scouting places to camp. I think you just have to dig around in the video history rather than a set playlist.
I have been using this for a while. Better than thermorest in value and exactly the same warmth. Zero heat loss and a great night's sleep. Definitely on a par with thermorest but far better value. There are a few videos online that's worth watching as they have been out a while.
They seem to be going in at the Exped Ultra price point. The Ultra 5R is the same price, R value but 100g lighter but I guess they are hoping the Rab brand will outsell Exped. I have the 3R and despite thinking it looked far to skinny (I normally use an ME Aerostat 7 wide, the daddy of camping mats!) the two nights I’ve used it for so far have been very comfy.
With those silicone grippers, I always turn the pad over to grip the tent. If you sleep on it the right way up your sleeping bag will grip it and possibly put stresses on the stitched seams
It's an interesting idea, and Rab do make some great kit. Hopefully that means it will do what it says rather than just being marketing. I don't want my bed to suddenly tilt though. They need to work on that name.
I just bought the Alpkit Numo sleeping mat which is very similar. Cost me less than £40. No TILT and not sure of the R rating either. Thanks for sharing.
Love the 180, it's so compactable but I don't like the mummy bags and I can never find one that's going to do all year round in the UK and compact nicely.
There other pads that out perform that sleeping pad on price, weight, build quality and r value there is a very well known r5.8 out there that’s wiping the floor with all other pads including the thermarest. I’ve been using it for a while and it’s going to turn the market on its head 👍❤️
@@PaulMessner new NatureHike r5.8 pad it matches the thermarest pads on build quality, warmth but packs smaller and is lighter and a lot cheaper and it’s r rating certified. Can get this pad for around £100 I have the longer version it’s the only pad I use now when floor dwelling got rid most of my other pads including my thermarest pad.
@Ikreisrond certified to the same test standard as therma rest, I’ve had thermarest pads and this nature hike pad is as warm as the xtherm. Which I’ve compared it with and which my friends have changed from. I tarp camp all year round so my pads been well tested and so far the best sleeping pad I’ve had and I’ve had a few over the years including thermarest, big agness, sea to summit, static v and others.
Its crazy. There comes a point where that bit of extra performance or weight saving just isn't worth the money. The mythic ultra bag is the perfect example. If you're an elite performance athlete that every gram counts then that's the only case to buy one I'd think
@@PaulMessnerYeah, I make you right Paul. For a summer, really small packable bag I’d be more looking at the Sea to Summit Spark II. Less than half that price.. it’s lovely piece of kit though. I’ll put it on the same list as one of the many Hilebergs I fancy but will never own 😂
The pad looks good, decent price for a pad with R value 4.8 which should be warm enough here in the UK. I thought it looked quite bulky when deflated and in it's bag, I expected it to be smaller, must be the insulation material inside the baffles making it bulky. When my current Exped pad reaches the end of it's life I'll probably try the RAB.
Looks pretty cool but price is everything these days. Still more than happy with my Trekology UL50. Very comfortable and warm enough with a closed cell foam mat under. The non slip pattern though, that's something all manufacturers should adopt
Hi Paul What sleeping bag and sleeping pad would you recommend .I can't afford the most expensive but I'm willing to spend a fair amount to have a good night's sleep
Hopefully RAB will produce a rectangular wide version of their mats too. If they do, i'll buy one straightaway, but am no fan of these tapered mummy mats.
The amazon link shows the bigger mat to be exactly the same 63.5 cm wide but it is a little longer. update:-The Rab link does show a difference in width.
Hi Paul can’t find the rab sleeping bag for less £350 ish , can you tell me where you got your rab sleeping bag from please .. has I don’t want to pay the earth for one thank you
I was a bit disappointed by how bulky and heavy the new range of Rab 'ultralight' sleeping mats are - the xlite is more expensive but it also packs down much smaller and is quite a lot lighter! (and as you say... the reflective insulation tech has been around for 10+ years in thermarest and other pads). I don't think the new Rab pads are bad at all, but I think the price point probably reflects (pun not intended) where they sit in the market in terms of specs.
I guess that's why you pay the very top price for the thermarest. There becomes a point where you can pay a lot more for a few grams less. It's the same with tents, jackets, bikes and more.
Interesting - I used a metal infused sleeping bag in the early 90s, bought for use in the alpine huts when I was living in Germany. A bit heavier than this one and not as good as advertised - have Rab made the technology work?
I had a metal bag back about then too, my biggest problem was I found the material quite noisy and it disturbed my sleep. And for the weight, I couldn't honestly say it was better than down! I'm curious about how the Rab compares.
Paul, are you receiving compensation, in any format, from RAB? I’ve noticed your endless and frequent glowing endorsement of their products. I agree some are very good products but it’s a constant deluge of RAB, RAB, RAB.
My thermarest is exploded and after 5 weeks still no answer from the customer "service" people please don't buy thermarest! And I'm on a long bike travel so it's fucked up.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Some of the Snugpak sleeping bags have been doing it for years - Reflectatherm, this metallised fabric is designed to reflect heat and retain warmth. A highly breathable material, which adds little to the weight or packsize of the product and provides at least 15% additional warmth whilst being undetectable by touch in the sleeping bag or garment.
Slept on mine up in the Lakes ontop of Eel Crag at Easter. Nice bit of kit, comfy and warm. Used with my Quilt. Night time temp dipped below zero.
Great videos, Paul! I love how you're exploring the latest and greatest. Keep it up!
Hi, Paul a very nice review. I need to update several bits of kit. Mats are one of them, I look forward to aiming for one of these.
Wish ide seen this before ordering an AlpKit Whisper sleeping pad 2.4 r..
This Rab looks and sounds ideal and good 4 seasons I think.. Nice and quiet also. 👍
Appreciate your friendly, approachable manner and focus on practical comfort. Cheers.
It seems Rab have created the perfect 1 season sleep system, & seeing as most people camp & hike in summer in the UK & European climate; It's the majority of the market & at a reasonable price.
When I come to renewing my gear, I'll certainly be looking at Rab.
I'll trade my wife in. Get rid of one knackered old bag at least.
Nice Review, i buy the 5.5 and it will arrive me at tuesday. Cant wait for the first night out in this weather time. I wish you fun with the stuff! Kalli from Germany
The Stratosphere 5.5 looks like a super mat for the money. Not sure how I’d fair with the width but otherwise a lot cheaper than Therm-a-rest.
They do a wide version
Another great and informative video! Thank you Paul! 😊
Looks well made, and I like the idea of the anti slip technology. Great review
I find this lightweight gear, from a design perspective, fascinating. It's very cool
Great video Paul, just before watching this I took a punt and popped a order in for the Rab Stratosphere 4 Mat in hope it should be a good upgrade over my Alpkit cloud base as for the price it seems to be ticking all the right boxes.
They certainly look excellent quality and looking forward to giving it an outing, though in now jealous I dont have a mat in such a fetching colour or with fancy TILT metal :D
Always find your videos really engaging with the information you provide etc! Could you do a video on how a beginner ( someone new to camping) how to pack your bag and essentialls you should have ❤️
He has quite a few videos that cover beginner stuff from essentials, packing bags, choosing gear and scouting places to camp. I think you just have to dig around in the video history rather than a set playlist.
Looks a great pad.
I'll have to save up and try and buy it in future. May even get the wide version
Looking forward to this one !
Two red light run songs your spoiling us again … thank you 👍
I have been using this for a while. Better than thermorest in value and exactly the same warmth. Zero heat loss and a great night's sleep. Definitely on a par with thermorest but far better value. There are a few videos online that's worth watching as they have been out a while.
They seem to be going in at the Exped Ultra price point. The Ultra 5R is the same price, R value but 100g lighter but I guess they are hoping the Rab brand will outsell Exped. I have the 3R and despite thinking it looked far to skinny (I normally use an ME Aerostat 7 wide, the daddy of camping mats!) the two nights I’ve used it for so far have been very comfy.
With those silicone grippers, I always turn the pad over to grip the tent. If you sleep on it the right way up your sleeping bag will grip it and possibly put stresses on the stitched seams
The moon is made from cheese too
@@antduke2361 this could be the strangest comment I’ve seen to date 😂
@@thebikepackingadventurer it means you are over 🤔
@@antduke2361 🤦🏻♂️😂👌🏻
Nice
Looks impressive, and the price is good too.
Pfftt you were totally pretending to sleep 😝
Great video, thanks 🙏
It's an interesting idea, and Rab do make some great kit. Hopefully that means it will do what it says rather than just being marketing.
I don't want my bed to suddenly tilt though. They need to work on that name.
If it doesn't even keep you warm at just above freezing, then I wouldn't say it's a good bit of kit, for the price you're paying..
I just bought the Alpkit Numo sleeping mat which is very similar. Cost me less than £40. No TILT and not sure of the R rating either. Thanks for sharing.
Numo is a nice comfortable mat but it doesn't have any insulation so won't be warm enough for winter
Love the 180, it's so compactable but I don't like the mummy bags and I can never find one that's going to do all year round in the UK and compact nicely.
If you layer this bag with a a bivvy. Don't think you'll be cold in any temp in winter in UK.
Looks good and not a bad price tag imo
There other pads that out perform that sleeping pad on price, weight, build quality and r value there is a very well known r5.8 out there that’s wiping the floor with all other pads including the thermarest. I’ve been using it for a while and it’s going to turn the market on its head 👍❤️
It wipes the floor with thermarest? What pad is it?
@@PaulMessner new NatureHike r5.8 pad it matches the thermarest pads on build quality, warmth but packs smaller and is lighter and a lot cheaper and it’s r rating certified. Can get this pad for around £100 I have the longer version it’s the only pad I use now when floor dwelling got rid most of my other pads including my thermarest pad.
@Ikreisrond certified to the same test standard as therma rest, I’ve had thermarest pads and this nature hike pad is as warm as the xtherm. Which I’ve compared it with and which my friends have changed from. I tarp camp all year round so my pads been well tested and so far the best sleeping pad I’ve had and I’ve had a few over the years including thermarest, big agness, sea to summit, static v and others.
The width is the deal-breakers for me.
Yeah it looks well too narrow and short for me
Ditto.
I’ll be sticking to my warmer, wider and longer Thermarests.
They do a long and wide version - £20 dearer
Just checked Rab for that mythica 180 as it looks ace.. £570!!! Jeezzz
Its crazy. There comes a point where that bit of extra performance or weight saving just isn't worth the money. The mythic ultra bag is the perfect example. If you're an elite performance athlete that every gram counts then that's the only case to buy one I'd think
@@PaulMessnerYeah, I make you right Paul. For a summer, really small packable bag I’d be more looking at the Sea to Summit Spark II. Less than half that price.. it’s lovely piece of kit though. I’ll put it on the same list as one of the many Hilebergs I fancy but will never own 😂
Hopefully they consider doing a wide and long version, Rab has become one of my favourite brands.
They do a LW version
i`ve just googled the matt and a LW version is available , 127 quid at the moment
The pad looks good, decent price for a pad with R value 4.8 which should be warm enough here in the UK. I thought it looked quite bulky when deflated and in it's bag, I expected it to be smaller, must be the insulation material inside the baffles making it bulky. When my current Exped pad reaches the end of it's life I'll probably try the RAB.
I've been testing the UL version for 2024. It's much smaller and just has double tilt insulation
Looks pretty cool but price is everything these days. Still more than happy with my Trekology UL50. Very comfortable and warm enough with a closed cell foam mat under. The non slip pattern though, that's something all manufacturers should adopt
it`ll leak soon , mark my words
Adding this to my ever growing list of things to buy 😂
I got the 5.5 and cannot fault it.
Hi Paul What sleeping bag and sleeping pad would you recommend .I can't afford the most expensive but I'm willing to spend a fair amount to have a good night's sleep
Exped do a very similar pad I’ve had it for a good 5 years
The price is the deal breaker.
Hopefully RAB will produce a rectangular wide version of their mats too. If they do, i'll buy one straightaway, but am no fan of these tapered mummy mats.
The amazon link shows the bigger mat to be exactly the same 63.5 cm wide but it is a little longer. update:-The Rab link does show a difference in width.
Hi Paul can’t find the rab sleeping bag for less £350 ish , can you tell me where you got your rab sleeping bag from please .. has I don’t want to pay the earth for one thank you
I was a bit disappointed by how bulky and heavy the new range of Rab 'ultralight' sleeping mats are - the xlite is more expensive but it also packs down much smaller and is quite a lot lighter! (and as you say... the reflective insulation tech has been around for 10+ years in thermarest and other pads). I don't think the new Rab pads are bad at all, but I think the price point probably reflects (pun not intended) where they sit in the market in terms of specs.
I guess that's why you pay the very top price for the thermarest. There becomes a point where you can pay a lot more for a few grams less. It's the same with tents, jackets, bikes and more.
@@PaulMessner Yeah agreed, and the same with Rab sleeping bags too!
Great price but then long wide will be more and i couldnt sleep on any regular pad
A 6.99 lilo works for me available everywhere 😂
That looks like my Exped Ultra with different colour😅
Great review Paul. I was just about to go with a Big Agnes Rapid SL but now you’ve thrown the Rab into the mix 😂 Which would you go with?
I’ve not used the big Agnes but I’ve heard many good things about their comfort. Tom Heaney did a great video on the big Agnes
James get the big agnes you won't regret it I promise you. 👌
Rapide is great pad I love mine
As you say it looks very much like an Exped mat
Not worried about lightning when camping? 😊
£125 for a LI Lo made in China, put that towards a decent down-filled dos bag and, a cheap air mattress, and you will be much warmer.
when lying on it looks like a lilo... :D
Rab website says the LW weighs 810gms, that’s 300gms more than the regular, oh and the affiliate link price is £138 not £125 😮
More like 920gms - I just weighed mine. However, that does include the carry bag and inflation pump and the repair kit...
Made in China 🇨🇳 probably for peanuts 🥜 Sold to us for 10x the cost to make 🤷🏻 it’s the technology I suppose.
Pretending to be asleep 😂
Interesting - I used a metal infused sleeping bag in the early 90s, bought for use in the alpine huts when I was living in Germany. A bit heavier than this one and not as good as advertised - have Rab made the technology work?
I had a metal bag back about then too, my biggest problem was I found the material quite noisy and it disturbed my sleep. And for the weight, I couldn't honestly say it was better than down! I'm curious about how the Rab compares.
👋🏻
Paul, are you receiving compensation, in any format, from RAB? I’ve noticed your endless and frequent glowing endorsement of their products. I agree some are very good products but it’s a constant deluge of RAB, RAB, RAB.
My thermarest is exploded and after 5 weeks still no answer from the customer "service" people please don't buy thermarest! And I'm on a long bike travel so it's fucked up.
Am I first comment?
Nope looks like someone else was before me!
funky shame its made in china
You need to be a millionaire nodays for good camping stuff
At the moment everything seems expensive. We went out at the weekend and got stiffed for £6 for a pint