Best for durability and 3–4 season use

Plusses: Good value, durable, comfortable
Minuses: Basic pump bag

727g / R4.7

Features: A soft-faced 30D recycled polyester ripstop fabric holds 200gsm of synthetic insulation. The fabric is anti-slip, quiet and has a durable feel. Horizontal 8cm thick air chambers provide a plush surface and are slightly raised on the outside edge to help sleeping positions. There’s a basic pump bag.  

Shape: The mat’s semi-rectangular shape is a good compromise between full rectangular and mummy-shape, providing plenty of space for the feet while saving a modicum of weight. It comes in short (170 x 58cm), regular (185 x 58cm) and long (200 x 58cm).

Comfort: I had no complaints about the mat’s comfort. It is generously wide (58cm) for the top third before tapering gradually, so it’s suitable for sleeping in all positions. The side baffles are not as high as on some mats, but were sufficient.

In use: This mat packs down to a reasonably small bundle for its 30D strength fabric and R4.7 rating. The pump bag is smaller and more basic than others in this review. It also has a narrow throat and no extended nozzle, which took a bit of getting used to. 

Once inflated the mat was easy to adjust for comfort via an integrated valve, which includes a rapid deflation port. I didn’t notice any differences between these horizontal baffles and longitudinal ones comfort-wise, and only time will tell which is the most durable design. This mat deflated faster than the other two and was quick to pack away. A repair kit with two sizes of self-adhesive repair tape is included.

Value: This mat is extremely good value for its R-value of 4.7.

Verdict: The Relay 5R is practical for its durable fabric, R-value and semi-rectangular shape; however, the pump bag could be improved.