Here is how these two sleeping pads compare on the numbers. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down | Exped Ultra 7R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 77✓ | 76 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 7.3 R✓ | 7.1 R |
| Weight | 21.5 oz✓ | 22.2 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.20 R/100g✓ | 1.13 R/100g |
| Packed size | 3.69 L✓ | 4.29 L |
| Thickness | 3.1 in | 3.5 in✓ |
| Durability | 12 /100 | 12 /100 |
| Price | $250 | $220✓ |
| Features | 2Pump sack included, Repair kit included | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down in blue, Ultra 7R in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
The Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down against the Exped Ultra 7R is a study in priorities. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down is warmer (R 7.3 vs R 7.1), 1 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. The Ultra 7R is thicker for more cushion and $30 cheaper. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (77 vs 76), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down if you care most about warmth and low weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Ultra 7R if cushion and price matter more to you, or you are focused on comfort and room to move.
The Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down. It is warmer (R 7.3 vs R 7.1) than the Ultra 7R.
The Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down. It is 1 oz lighter than the Ultra 7R.
They are nearly tied at 77 and 76 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Hypersphere Ultra 7.5 Down for warmth, or the Ultra 7R for cushion. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.