A retractable tube for use in a respiratory apparatus for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient has an internal diameter of about 30 mm or less, a weight of about 500 g/m or less, and an unextended length of about 2 m or less. The retractable tube includes a portion that is extensible in a range of about 40%-400% of its unextended length in response to force applied to the tube, and the extensible portion is configured to return the tube to its unextended length in the absence of force, or reduced force, applied to the tube.