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Klymit Insulated Static V

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Klymit Insulated Static V air-filled sleeping pad

Everything they said it was. Tough, comfortable, and reasonably priced.

Pros

  • Comfort
  • Ease of use
  • Price
  • Design

Cons

  • Needs instructions. Shouldn't have to rely on Trailspace reviews for how to use.
  • A little noise, but who's to hear? Bears?
  • Okay, the noise was a problem.
  • Deflation is difficult.

Just bought this from Costco on sale, based on positive reviews on Trailspace. 

I've only tested it at home and on concrete surfaces, but so far it's completely lived up to the positive reviews here. Once I figured out that valve, it was easy-peasy.

As a side sleeper, and an older person with a problem in one hip joint, I expected to do the usual tossing and turning on camping pads I've done since the bod exceeded design specs. Tossing and turning happened on open and closed cell foam pads, RidgeRest, and Therm-a-Rest-style inflatables. 

With the Klymit pad, I snoozed and cruised for eight solid hours. Give it the right amount of air and all my joints are happy. The way the ridges are designed cradles hips, torso, and toes, so no rolling off that optimum spot in the middle of the night. I found that a little less air, just enough to touch the ground when sitting up, was perfect.

The X Pillow was also included in this. Just to add a review for that: the shape is perfect, the material—plastic? Not so much. The X shape works very well for back or side sleeping. I see that Klymit has come out with this pillow with a fabric cover. if I were buying the pillow separately, that's the one I'd get. I'll be sliding this one under whatever I use over the pad when camping.

Updated (9/15/17) after taking it out camping, and took off one star, mostly for the deflation issue. Getting it even reasonably flat and small takes way too much time and is very irritating. Also, it is noisy if one moves around a lot. In wilderness areas, this wouldn't be a problem, but it's more than I like in proximity to other campers.  Still incredibly comfy, though.

I should note that I probably don't use this the way most will: because of puncture worries, for anything other than the softest grass underneath the tent I'll always slide a thin RidgeRest closed cell pad underneath. This affects both the comfort factor and R rating. The arrangement works out very well for me, though, and I can't see changing it, even if I do make that assault on Newton Bald and have to carry both.

UPDATED (6/17/19)

Just to add that this has had fairly frequent use for two years now and is still going strong. The only failure has been the bottom of the stuff sack, with the stitching giving way. No big deal other than that, its durability is amazing for an inflatable pad.

Also to note that Costco has this set (pad + pillow) on sale online again for $60 until June 24th. Then the larger, deluxe version of this arrives as a traveling promo near me for under $100 starting that same day. Can't wait.  If the quality holds constant, it will add the one thing I wanted: more side space.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $60 USD with pillow

Loved this pad for its weight (25 oz), packability (about the size of a Nalgene bottle when packed properly), and the fact that I could roll on my side and not grind my bony hips into the ground. I was impressed with the overall size (I had lots of extra head/foot room and I'm 5'7") and the 4R value.

It's not super lightweight; but there are other great ultralight options from Klymit if you are not car camping.

Pros

  • V air chambers really lift you off the ground
  • Packs small
  • Great size
  • High R value

Cons

  • Needs better directions for operating the valve
  • Deflating takes a bit of finesse
  • Not ultralight

image.jpg
I got the opportunity to review this sleeping pad through another website in exchange for a review. I took it camping in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah for over a week. I loved how easy it was to inflate and how large it was. I had lots of extra space on the pad to spread out—no corpse sleeping for me!

I also liked how small it packed down, to about the size of a Nalgene bottle. This was very important for me as I had to lug all of my camping gear on a plane. The weight was more than what I wanted at 25 oz, but it was worth it for the slightly heavier denier on the bottom side of the pad. I think this will be the reason it lasts a long time. The pad came with a patch kit, but I didn't need it on this trip and hope to never need it.

My camping companion bought the same pad on my recommendation and was happy with everything about it except the valve. She didn't like the lack of directions on how to use it, nor did she think the valve worked too well. On one night her pad deflated a bit. I had no difficulties with the valve or with deflation, so I think it was operator error. 

Source: tested or reviewed it for the manufacturer (I kept the product after testing.)

Disclosure: The author of this review received a sample of the product from the brand or its representative in exchange for a review.

Sleeping pads are the art of compromise.

Pros

  • Price
  • Weight
  • Comfort

Cons

  • Width
  • Slippery

I want a sleeping pad that is light, inexpensive, wide, comfortable, packs down small, insulated for winter and is durable. You know a twin size memory foam mattress that packs down to the size of a pomegranate and and weighs 15 grams. Until they make that we will have to make compromises when we camp and backpack.

The Static V packs down to about the size of a cabbage (5x8 cylinder) and doesn't seem too heavy (25 oz.) Once you figure out how much to inflate it to suit your personal comfort level — too little air and you bottom out, too much and it can be hard.

While I really like this pad and I did knowingly buy a smaller pad to reduce weight and pack size at 23 inches wide, I sometimes feel like I'm sleeping on a balance beam. The brushed fabric coating mixed with slippery sleeping bag shell only emphasizes this feeling as you feel like you are about to slide off. I wonder if a few traction nubs would make this more comfortable by eliminating the feeling of slipping.

Overall a good pad at a good price, but like all pads a compromise.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $70

Very light and packable full length pad, comfortable.

Pros

  • Packs small
  • Light
  • Comfortable
  • Durable

Cons

  • Difficult to deflate

For the size and weight of this pad, it's hard to beat. Packs compact and light. Not self-inflating, takes about 10-12 breaths of air but inflates surprisingly quickly.

Very comfortable and warm; I've used this down to -15° Celsius.  I'm 6'1" 195 lbs, no issues bottoming out, and the v-shaped air cells keep me from sliding around.

As others have said, it is difficult to get all the air out when rolling it up to put back in the stuff sack. I often suck air out to fully deflate it, but in the end I haven't found this to be a major problem and am very happy with the pad.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $69

Overall, not bad.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Small pack size
  • Inflates quickly
  • Price

Cons

  • Takes numerous attempts to deflate and pack up.
  • Air valve is tricky to learn and perfect.

It packs up small and is very light. I weigh 210 and did not bottom out the pad in any position. It is very comfortable.

The only issue I ran into was deflating the pad when it was time to pack up. Numerous attempts to get all the air out even with the valve completely open and unblocked.

The temperatures I used this pad in were ranging between 5 and 15 degrees F over one week. Honestly, I could not tell a difference between this pad and my summer pad. I was using a very warm sleeping bag with no foam pad underneath the Static V.   

Other than that, love it.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $52

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Specs

Price MSRP: $89.99
Current Retail: $66.73-$99.99
Historic Range: $41.95-$99.99
Reviewers Paid: $52.00-$70.00
Weight 24 oz / 680 g
R-Value 4.4/ASTM 1.9
Dimensions 72 x 23 x 2.5 in / 182.9 x 58.4 x 6.4 cm
Pack Size 5 x 8 in / 12.7 x 20.3 cm
Fabric 75D Polyester
Product Details from Klymit »

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