Good to know: this sleeping pad is unisex
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Well made
- Contains a lot of recycled materials
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not the lightest
- Not the best combo of R Value and weight
I was very impressed by the Rab Stratosphere 4. First of all, it’s extensive use of recycled material in its construction was a welcome addition to its spec sheet and something other manufacturers could certainly learn from!
Whilst the pad is not the lightest or best insulated in our round up of the best sleeping pads for camping, I thought that this pad is a great choice if you hike in varied weather, but avoid the most extreme cold. I think it strikes a really good balance between features, comfort, weight and price and offers buyers a solid and dependable option from a very reputable name.
Compare to similar products:
Nemo Switchback | Nemo Tensor All-Season | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT | Rab Stratosphere 4 | Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated | Big Agnes Divide Insulated | Nemo Quasar 3D | Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated | Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated | Exped Ultra 7R | Klymit Static V | Sleepingo Large | Tame Lands | Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol | |
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Buying Options | |||||||||||||||
Our Rating | Best Foam Sleeping Pad | Best Air Sleeping Pad | Best for Comfort and Ultralight | Best for Winter and Best Mummy Shaped Sleeping Pad | Best for Summer | Best for Side Sleepers | Best for Back Sleepers | Best Budget Air Pad | Best Rectangular Sleeping Pad | ||||||
Type and Shape | Folding, closed-cell foam | Rectangular or Mummy Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Rectangular or Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Rectangular or Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Folding, closed-cell foam |
Comfort | Low | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Average | Average | Low |
Warmth/R-Value | Average (R-Value = 2) | Excellent (R-Value = 5.4) | Very Good (R-Value = 4.5) | Excellent (R-Value = 7.3) | Very Good (R-Value = 3.8) | Very Good (R-Value = 4) | Very Good (R-Value = 4) | Low (R-Value = 1.8) | Very Good (R-Value = 3.2) | Very Good (R-Value = 4.8) | Excellent (R-Value = 7) | Low (R-Value = 1.3) | Low - Average (No ASTM FF3340 rated R-Value, but likely around 2) | Low - Average (No ASTM FF3340 rated R-Value, but likely around 2) | Average (R-Value = 2) |
Weight | Regular Version - 415g/14.5oz | Regular Version - 522g/1lb 2oz | Regular Version - 368g/13 oz | Regular Version - 453g/1lb | Regular Version - 695g/1lb 9oz | Regular Version - 845g/29.8oz | Regular Version - 652g/23oz | Non-Insulated Regular Version - 650g/1lb 7oz | Mummy Regular - 490g/17.3oz | Regular Version - 510g/18oz | Rectangular Medium Version - 650g/23oz | Regular Version - 530g/18.7oz | 408g/14oz | 600g/21oz | Regular Version - 410g/14oz |
Packed Size | Regular Version - 51x13x14cm/20x5x5.5in | Regular Version - 25.5x10cm/10x4in | Regular Version - 10.4x22.86cm/4.1x9in | Regular Version - 11.3x22.86cm/4.5x9in | Regular Version - 24cmx12cm/9.4inx4.7in | Regular Version - 12x23cm/5x9in | Regular Version - 20x13cm/8x5in | Non-Insulated Regular Version - 20x10cm/8x4in | Mummy Regular - 24x11cm/9.5x4.5in | Regular Version - 18x10cm/7x4in | Rectangular Medium Version - 23x14cm/9x5.5in | Regular Version - 20x8cm/8x3in | 27x8cm/10.5x3in | 23x10cm/9x4in | Regular Version - 51x13x14cm/20x5x5.5in |
Open Size | Regular Version - 183x51x2.3cm/72x20x0.9in | Regular Version - 183x51x9cm/72x20x3.5in | Regular Version - 182x50.8x7.62cm/72x20x3in | Regular Version - 177.8x50.8x7.62cm/72x20x3in | Regular Version - 183x51x8cm/72x20x3in | Regular Version - 184x55cm/72x21.5in | Regular Version - 183x51x8.25cm/72x20x3.25in | Non-Insulated Regular Version - 183x51x9cm/72x20x3.5in | Mummy Regular - 183x55-42x10cm/72x21.5-16.5x4in | Regular Version - 51x183x11cm/20x72x4.25in | Rectangular Medium Version - 183x52x9cm/72x20.4x3.5in | Regular Version - 183x58x6cm/72x23x2.5in | 187x54.6x5cm/73.5x21x2in | 188x56x5cm/74x22x2in | Regular Version - 183x51x2cm/72x20x0.75in |
Materials | Polyethylene foam backed with metalized foil | 20D and 40D Nylon with two layers of metalized film | 30D Ripstop Nylon | 30D and 70D Ripstop Nylon with Thermacapture Reflective Film | 75D Polyester with 100% recycled polyester 'Stratus R' insulation | 30D/40D Nylon withThermolite insulation and Exkin Platinum film | Ripstop nylon with Thermalite insulaiton and heat-reflecting film layer | 100% Recycled Polyester | 30D/40D Nylon withThermolite insulation and Exkin Platinum film | Ripstop nylon with two layers of metalized film | 20D Ripstop polyester with down insulation | 75D Polyester | Ripstop Nylon | 40D Ripstop Nylon | Polyethylene foam backed with Thermacapture Reflective Film |
Durability | Excellent - will still work even if torn or damaged | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Very Good - supplied with repair patches and spare valve parts | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Very Good - supplied with repair patches and spare valve parts | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Excellent - will still work even if torn or damaged |
This article is part of our series on the best sleeping pads for camping, view all articles below:
- Best Sleeping Pads for Camping
- How we Tested Sleeping Pads
- How to Choose the Right Sleeping Pad for Camping
- Compare Sleeping Pads
Related content:
Analysis and Test Results
The Rab Stratosphere 4 is a very compelling choice for a good all-round sleeping pad. Whilst it’s not the absolute lightest and doesn’t offer the best ratio of weight to R Value relative to some of the other, more specialized pads we’ve included in our roundup, it none the less strikes a great balance between weight, comfort, performance and price.
On a personal note, I was also very happy to see that it includes a lot of recycled material in its construction – something few of its competitors can match. For those sleeping out in extreme cold, or for those who are willing to pay a premium for the lightest possible gear, there are certainly better options out there, and, if you only camp in warm conditions a cheaper, lighter, less insulated pad may be appealing. However, for those who camp in varied weather, the Stratosphere offers a solid option that will surely give many years of service.
Performance Comparison
See our video 360 of the Rab Stratosphere 4 sleeping pad which looks at the pad’s main features:
Type and Shape
The Rab Stratosphere 4 is an inflatable, rectangular sleeping pad. It’s offered in three different sizes – Regular, Regular Wide and Long Regular. I’ve reviewed the Regular version which I’ve had extensive hands on experience with to test. It is the lightest and also the smallest version. When not in use, the Stratosphere rolls up into a supplied stuff sack and looks a little like a small, packed sleeping bag.
Comfort
As mentioned at the start, the Rab Stratosphere 4 is an inflatable sleeping pad, so straight out the door, it’s going to be more comfortable than a folding, closed-cell foam pad. This Rab pad is roughly 8cm/3in thick and this provides ample cushioning – I found the pad comfortable, even when shifting about and laying on my side.
The pad also has a slightly textured surface – many other pads are noticeably smoother – and this texturing provides a bit more grip that will prevent your sleeping bag from slipping around on the surface of the pad. The difference here is subtle for sure, but I did find it noticeable.
Warmth
The Rab Stratosphere 4 has an R Value of 3.8. The R Value is an industry standard way of describing how well a sleeping pad will prevent you from losing heat to the ground. Higher values mean better insulation! A high R Value pad won’t keep you warm on its own. You need to consider your sleeping system – that comprises your pad, sleeping bag and also what you wear whilst sleeping as a whole.
Also, a high R Value pad won’t lead to you overheating in warm weather provided the rest of your sleeping system is temperature-appropriate. It may seem that a high R Value pad makes sense, but bear in mind that if you only camp in warmer weather, you can save some weight and money by purchasing a pad with a lower R Value.
The Stratosphere’s R Value makes it a good choice for three-season camping and, of course, you can pair it with another pad – like the folding Nemo Switchback to boost the R Value and keep you sleeping comfortably into the colder months.
Ease of Use
The Rab Stratosphere is an inflatable sleeping pad. It isn’t difficult to set up, but it’s worth bearing in mind that a folding, closed cell pad (like the Nemo Switchback mentioned above) are considerably quicker and easier to setup and pack down. A folding pad can deployed (and packed away) in seconds whereas an inflatable pad like the Stratosphere 4 takes several minutes.
That said, with a little practice, the Stratosphere 4 is not difficult to setup. It comes in a stuff bag – looking a bit like a small sleeping bag – and is provided with an inflation tool. It’s important to note that you don’t need to inflate this pad with your breath alone – though that is a (laborious!) option if necessary.
The inflation tool is basically like a roll-top dry bag with a valve at one end. You attach the valve to the sleeping pad, hold open the roll-top end of the bag, gently blow into it to expand the bag and then roll it shut. You’ll see the bag is filled with air and, as you continue to roll it, this is forced into the pad.
This is actually a very simple process and with very little practice, you can have the pad inflated very quickly indeed. You can also seal up the open end of the inflation tool and use it as a pillow – though my experience is that pillows like this can deflate during the night and be incredibly noisy.
As cute detail is that someone at Rab clearly thought the inflation tool looks a bit like a cartoon elephant with the grey tube that attaches to the valve being the trunk. The pad I tested had eyes printed on the inflation tool near the ‘trunk’!
The video below shows me setting up the Rab Stratosphere 4 sleeping pad in real time, taking 2 minutes 59 seconds to be fully inflated using the included pump sack:
Weight
The Rab Stratosphere 4 weighs in at 695g/24.5oz. you can get that weight down by not packing the inflation tool and stuff bag, but, if that’s the case you’ll need to inflate the pad with breath alone unless you’re carrying another inflation device. Personally, I don’t think that’s a worthwhile tradeoff to save a few grams!
This isn’t the lightest sleeping bag we’ve assessed, and there are others in this round up that are comparable or even lighter in weight whilst offering higher R Values – the Nemo Tensor All Season and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT both spring to mind as good examples here. However, these pads are also more expensive than the Rab.
In the grander scheme of things, your sleeping pad will be one of the lighter items in your camping kit and a difference of a few hundred grams is unlikely to be noticeable in most people’s kit. However, there are also plenty of hikers who value marginal gains and if that’s you, you’ll likely be looking at more lightweight options.
Version | Weight |
Regular | 695g/1lb 9oz |
Regular Wide | 840g/1lb 14oz |
Long Wide | 950g/2lb 2oz |
Packed Size
The Regular sized version of the Rab Stratosphere 4 packs down to 24x12cm/9.4×4.7in. the other versions are, as you’d expect, slightly larger when packed. One thing I noticed about the Rab Stratosphere 4 was that it packed down into a wider package than some of the other pads we’ve tested – this is possible due to the foamlike insulation material used in the pad.
For instance, the two inflatable Nemo pads we assessed, roll into longer but thinner stuff bags. I found the Nemo pads easier to pack away as the thinner shape meant they could fit into pockets of space in my bag left by other irregularly shaped gear. I don’t see this as a massive problem, and there were no occasions when I had to select a larger backpack because of the Rab pad, but it is still worth bearing in mind.
Version | Packed Size |
Regular | 24cmx12cm/9.4inx4.7in |
Regular Wide | 30cmx14cm/11.8inx5.5in |
Long Wide | 30cmx15cm/11.8inx5.9in |
The video below shows me packing down the Rab Stratosphere 4 sleeping pad in real time. Which takes roughly 2 minutes 13 seconds:
Open Size
The regular version of the Rab Stratosphere 4 I’ve tested opens out to 183x51x8cm/72x20x3in and that’s pretty much the same size as most manufacturer’s ‘regular’ or ‘standard’ sleeping pads. I’m around 180cm tall and probably ‘average’ build.
The pad was, as you’d expect, just long enough for me to stretch out on with just the tips of my toes sticking over the edge. However, I also move around a lot in my sleep and I find that regular pads can be a bit limiting in this regard.
Personally, if I don’t need to be super-mindful of the weight of my kit, I always favor a wider pad as they give that little bit more space for movement in the night. As you can see from the table in this section, Rab offer the Stratosphere in a few different sizes, including wider options – and I think these are well worth considering even if you don’t strictly need the extra size.
Version | Open Size |
Regular | 183x51x8cm/72x20x3in |
Regular Wide | 183x64x8cm/72x25x3in |
Long Wide | 196x64x8cm/77x25x3in |
Features
There are two key features of the Rab Stratosphere 4 worth mentioning. First is that it incorporates Rab’s in house ‘Stratus R’ insulating material. This is a foam-like material designed to capture air. Rab claim that it still works even when wet and I’m also pleased to see that it’s made from 100% recycled material.
The second key feature is less apparent, and Rab don’t mention this in their marketing material at all: The Stratos is made from a slightly rougher, textured material relative to some of the other pads we’ve assessed. The difference here is very subtle, but the rougher material gives a slight advantage in terms of preventing your sleeping bag from sliding around on the pad in the night. I tend to toss and turn a lot in my sleep, and it’s not uncommon for me to wake up off my sleeping pad, so that’s a good thing in my book!
Materials
The Rab Stratosphere 4 is made from recycled 75D Polyester with Rab’s in-house Stratus R – which is made from 100% recycled polyester – insulating material in the interior. The sleeping pad has a high-quality feel to it. This is subjective, of course, but Rab have a reputation for making high-quality gear and the Stratosphere 4 doesn’t disappoint in this respect.
Durability
Inflatable sleeping pads will never be as durable as closed-cell foam pads and the fact is that they are vulnerable to punctures. The fact that Rab in common with other manufacturers of this kind of pad – provides puncture repair patches with the pad is testament to this.
That said, the Statosphere 4 does not feel fragile. The 75D polyester used for the outer shell is noticeable thicker and more substantial feeling than the 20-40D nylon used in the lighter weight pads we’ve assessed.
Sustainability
In common with most outdoor manufacturers, Rab are working hard to reduce their environmental impact. The Stratosphere 4 shows this strategy in practice as the pad’s outer shell and insulating material both make use of recycled material in their construction – indeed Rab have developed several in-house insulating materials that are specifically made from 100% recycled material. The shell and insulating material in the pad are both made from polyester which can also easily be recycled at the end of its life.
Price
At the time of writing, the Rab Stratosphere 4 costs $140/£120 in the regular version I’ve tested. In terms of features, there are other pads in our round up that are lighter than the Stratosphere 4 whilst also offering a higher R Value. Objectively, these are superior products, but we should also bear in mind that these come with a price premium – and sometimes quite a substantial one.
On the other hand, we’ve certainly also looked at cheaper pads in this round up. In my opinion the Rab offers an excellent balance between features and price – plus many hikers will appreciate that it comes from a reputable brand with a long history of making top quality gear.
Conclusion
Rab are a well-respected brand – especially so in the UK – and whilst their products may not feature the same headline-grabbing specifications as some of their rivals, they do make dependable gear that works and lasts. The Stratosphere 4 is just such a product, and I think it’s fair to say that many will buy this pad on name alone – and in this case, I can’t really argue with that decision!
There are lighter pads with higher R Values in our round up, but these are also more expensive than the Rab. Where I think the Rab wins out is that it strikes a great balance between build quality, comfort and affordability with the bonus that it has some great sustainability credentials, and it does all of this without compromising too much on weight and insulation. If you camp in very cold weather, or want the ultimate in low weight, then there are better options, provided you’re willing to pay for them, but otherwise, I’d recommend this sleeping pad.
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