Comfy, Packable, Goose Down Sleeping Pad: Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Review

There is no task I hate more while backpacking than deflating my sleeping pad and getting it back into its stuff sack in the morning. Trying to roll one up with the military precision required for its tiny bag while under-caffeinated and tired is no easy feat.

So you can imagine my joy when, in the midst of a multiday backpacking trip, I did not have an issue getting the Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down Sleep Pad back in its sack. A simple design change from the typical sleeping pad saves users time and effort while delivering top-tier insulation. 

I tested the Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 for several days backpacking and during multiple camping trips this fall. I had no complaints about packing and unpacking this pad, catching Zs, and staying warm with it.

In short: The Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down Sleep Pad is a user-friendly three-season sleeping pad for backpackers and campers. It has an R value of 7.5, uses goose down insulation, and weighs 1 pound, 5.5 ounces. While it isn’t the lightest three-season pad on the market, this sleeping pad delivers protection from the cold ground and offers comfort in a reliable package with smart design features. 

Compare the Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down Sleep Pad to those on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.

Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Sleep Pad Review

I tested this sleeping pad for 3 days on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) in Minnesota, and while camping in France and southern Illinois. Temps at night got down into the low 40s, and I slept on rocky, uneven surfaces. 

I am 5’6” and found that the regular size (72×20″) was plenty long enough for me. As a stomach sleeper, I typically prefer pads with a bit more width. I appreciated that the regular wide size only costs $10 more, a pretty insignificant upcharge for 5 more inches of width. In comparison, Big Agnes charges an additional $50 to go from the regular to the regular-wide size of its Rapide SL sleeping pad.

Design & Materials

This pad relies on 800-fill goose down to achieve its three-season R-value of 7.3. On the Rab website, the brand claims that the pad “works to trap heat by minimizing convection currents within the mat.” As a bonus, the Hypersphere also uses lightweight recycled polyester fabric in its construction. 

This sleeping pad has a long rectangular shape with vertical air chambers. Larger chambers on the outside of the pad are meant to cradle you while you rest. They work like bumpers, helping keep you centered, so you won’t roll off in the night.

The mat inflates with a low-profile two-way valve situated on the back of the pad, near the top. It can be manually inflated with lung power or using the included pump sack.

In the Field: Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Sleep Pad

Inflation

As I do with most pads, I inflated this one the old-fashioned way, with my lungs. Blowing it up took around 2 minutes.

Because the pad uses goose down for insulation, Rab suggests allowing the feathers to distribute evenly after inflation. Users are encouraged to shake the pad up and down after it’s full, and then let it rest for around 30 minutes.

If the down is clumped up, or can’t attain full loft, its ability to trap warm air weakens. Redistributing the down and allowing it time to re-loft helps even out and improve the pad’s insulation.

When I get to camp, I usually set up my sleep system first and then make dinner, so the brief wait time was no problem for me. However, if you tend to crash the moment you get to camp or if you set up your sleep system right before bedtime, you may want to consider a different pad. This one requires some patience.

Warmth

Insulation is measured by “R-values” in sleeping pads. The higher the R-value, the better the pad’s insulation. Higher R-value sleeping pads won’t keep you warmer, per se, but they will better protect you from the cold ground and retain warm air better than lower R-value pads.

A 7.5 R-value is pretty high. Anything above 5 is generally good for three-season camping. When you get into the 7s and above, the pad can even be used in winter.

The Hypersphere Ultra kept me warm throughout my testing. Even when I was camping in France and it rained so hard that my tent flooded, I was pleasantly surprised that the Hypersphere still kept me warm. The bottom got wet, but the top was dry to sleep on, and I didn’t feel like I was losing heat through it.

Comfort

While on the SHT, many of the campsites were rocky, uneven, or full of tree roots. It was almost impossible to find a totally flat, even campsite.

Still, I slept quite comfortably on the Hypersphere and didn’t feel any bumps or lumps while on it. However, the fabric is quite slick. I didn’t love the feeling when my sticky, sweaty skin touched the pad. 

Usually, pads have either a quilted design or straight up-and-down rails on the sleeping surface. I tend to prefer pads that are quilted, as I’ve found that those rails can press on my spine and be uncomfortable. However, I had no such issue with the Rab pad because the rails were sloped enough that they didn’t become rigid when inflated.

Some lightweight backpacking pads can be noisy (especially those made with Mylar components). However, I had no complaints about this sleeping pad. When I moved or rolled around at night, it was pretty quiet.

Packability

As previously stated, I had a significantly easier time packing this bag up than with other pads. Instead of placing it in a rigid stuff sack, which is what most brands offer, Rab has a rollaway bag with elastic bands on the outside.

In the morning, I would deflate the pad, lay on it to get the air out, fold it like a letter, roll it up, shove it in the bag, and then pull the cover and elastic bands over to secure it. Done.

This system is a lot more forgiving than typical stuff sacks. I never rolled it as neatly as it came in the packaging. However, I had no problem fitting it in the bag, which was stretchier than bags I’ve used from brands like Big Agnes or Sea to Summit. 

The pad’s two-way valve made it easy to deflate. Unlike some two-way valves, this one lies flat, so it has a low profile. It doesn’t jut out and add extra width to the pad when you roll it up. 

Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 vs. Other Pads 

A sleeping pad costing $250 or more might seem pricey. However, for pads with R-values this high, prices in the $200-300 range are par for the course. In general, a pad with an R-value of 5 or above is considered suitable for three-season camping and colder weather.

The Sea to Summit Ether Lite XR Pro has an R-value of 7.4 and retails for $229. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT costs $240 with an R-value of 7.3.

When it comes to insulation for the price, the only standout competitor that beats this Rab pad is Nemo’s Tensor Extreme Conditions pad. This ultra-warm pad has an R-value of 8.5 but has the same $250 price tag as the Hypersphere. 

The Hypersphere Ultra is heavier than other sleeping pads with an R-value of 7 or above. It weighs 1 pound, 5.5 ounces, which is heavier than the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT (15.5 ounces) and the Sea to Summit Ether Lite XR Pro (1 pound, 3.8 ounces). However, it is lighter than the Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe (2 pounds) and the Exped Dura 8R (1 pound, 8 ounces).

Given the amount of insulation such a high R-value requires, it’s normal for these kinds of pads to weigh at least a pound. Compare the Rab Hypersphere 7.5 to other sleeping pads in GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.

Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down Sleep Pad: Conclusions

If you’re looking for a warm pad that will protect you in cold temps, the Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 is a solid choice. It isn’t the warmest or the lightest, but in terms of price, weight, and R-value, it’s pretty comparable to and even competitive with some of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads on the market.

What makes you choose this pad versus others from competitors like Sea to Summit and Therm-A-Rest? That might come down to personal preferences. If you already know you want to purchase a pad in a larger size than the standard one, this Rab pad is a great value.

If you prefer down to synthetic insulation and noisy Mylar, this pad is a great three-season option. It’s quiet, easily packable, warm, and comfortable.

Ultimately, I had no problem falling and staying asleep with the Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 R Sleep Pad. And crucially, I also had no problem packing this pad up when it was time to break camp. If I were preparing for a thru-hike where I’d have to pack up every morning for months, this one would be high on my list.