Klymit recently introduced the super-size version of their fantastic Insulated Static V sleeping pad. The Insulated Static V Luxe offers all of the great features of its smaller sibling in a larger package. Klymit allowed me to borrow one for a few weeks for some testing and review.
For those not familiar with the brand, Klymit uses what they call body mapping technology to design their pads to work with the body and provide warmth and insulation where it is needed. Voids in their pads are used to allow the sleeping bag to expand underneath the sleeper and use that otherwise compressed insulation.
The air chambers of the Insulated Static V Luxe are v-shaped just like the name suggests. Klymit says the v-shaped pockets between the air chambers trap air and retain body heat. I have slept in the hammock using the smaller Insulated Static V with the temperatures in the upper 40‘s and had no problems staying warm. The larger size of the Static V Luxe provides better coverage for the shoulders in the hammock. The v-shaped chambers seem to conform to the shape of the hammock really well and the pad stays in place really well. Slightly under-inflate the Insulated Static V Luxe just a bit for use in the hammock.
For me, the Insulated Static V Luxe lies flat and comfortable. I don‘t have any problems with bottoming out this pad even though I weigh about 215 pounds. I‘m about 6‘ 1” tall and measure about 21 to 22 inches across the shoulders. Sleeping on the ground, this pad offers plenty of room and even though I move around a lot while sleeping, I stayed on the Insulated Static V Luxe easily. This pad completely fills the inside of my 1 person tent. I like that a lot since rolling off of the pad is impossible. Getting the air pressure inside the pad just right is key for maximum comfort. Use just enough air to prevent yourself from contacting the ground.
The Insulated Static V is made from a nice 75D polyester fabric and measures 76” x 30” x 3”. My sample weighs in at 36.5 ounces in its stuff sack with the included patch kit so this piece of gear is not for the ultralight crowd. Klymit specs the weight of the pad at 35 ounces. The pad has an R-Value of 4.4, which is achieved using synthetic fiber insulation. I inflated The Static V Luxe in 22 to 24 big breaths. Klymit provides an inflation valve on each side of the Static V Luxe. This helps to not get air trapped inside the pad when deflating. When packing up, the top and bottom layers of the pad are nearly perfectly flat which allows the pad to be rolled up and stuffed extremely easily into a 5 1/2 inch by 10 inch package. There is a limited lifetime warranty on the Insulated Static V Luxe.
I think the Klymit Insulated Static V offers superb value at an MSRP of 129.95. The warmth, packed size and lightness of this pad are impressive given the cost. For car camping, base camp, or a comfortable backpacking trip, the Static V Luxe is great. Check out all of Klymit‘s products at klymit.com.
– Mark