As a long-term traveler, hiker, and backpacker, I’m constantly on the lookout for the most functional and lightest gear, and I’m pretty excited to be adding the Klymit Static V2 sleeping pad to my backpack and list of essential items to pack.
It checks off all of the boxes: comfort, lightweight, and remarkable ease to use. While I just started using this pad, I already feel confident that this is one of the best lightweight backpacking sleeping pads for your money.
The Static V2 barely weighs a pound, yet offers ultimate comfort thanks to its V-shape body mapping technology.
In this Klymit Static V2 review, I will discuss my experiences with the V2 pad. I tested this sleeping pad for comfort, stability, weight, and special features on an alpine hiking adventure.
You might be asking yourself, “is Kylmit a good brand” well now, keep on reading to find out! (Spoiler: yes it is!)
The Test – Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad
To review the Klymit Static V2 sleeping pad, we headed into the California Sierra Nevadas, a mountain range that stretches down the state. You just won’t find this level of dedication on the other Kylmit sleeping pad reviews, let me tell you!
Our 3-day backpacking trip took us into Desolation Wilderness, a protected alpine area near Lake Tahoe, where we camped at Dick’s Lake at 8,420 ft (2566 m) elevation.
Temperature: 40 F (4.4 C)
Elevation: 8,470 feet (2566 m)
While preparing for my trip, I packed the usuals: my trusty backpacking tent, sleeping bag, favorite fleece, and snacks, but there was a new addition to my backpack – the V2 Klymit Sleeping Pad.
Both myself (a cold sleeper and 5’6” woman), and my boyfriend (a hot sleeper and 6′ male) tested the Klymit sleeping pad.
In this review, I will discuss our experiences concerning comfort, stability, pressure points, and other features, like how long it takes to blow up the pad, and how easy it is to roll up. Trust us, we’ve got it all covered in this Kylmit sleeping pad review.
Photo: Ana Pereira
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Join REI Today!The Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad Review
Below is my full review of the Static V2 Kylmit sleeping pad, touching on a few important categories, like weight and packing size, comfort and stability, R-Value and insulation, and other features.
Weight/Packing Size
The Klymit Static V2 weighs 16.55 oz, just barely a pound, including its stuff sack and emergency patch kit. You really can’t ask for anything lighter on the trails, and this is where the Static V2 excels.
I am writing this review as both a backcountry hiker and traveler. In both instances, I usually carry a 45-65 liter hiking backpack, depending on how long I’m out there.
As they say in the hiking world, ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. Every ounce and inch truly matter when you are packing all of your essentials: sleeping gear, clothes, food, electronics, and camera equipment.
This sleeping pad was designed with backpackers in mind.
When I first opened the packed sleeping pad, I immediately noticed how much smaller and lighter it was compared to my old mat, yet when I rolled it out, it was still the same length! We were both super impressed by the Kylmit sleeping pads’ compact design.
Pack size: 4″ x 8″, 10.2 cm x 20.3 cm
Blown up dimensions: 72″ x 23″ x 2.5″, 183 cm x 59 cm x 6.5 cm
The Static V2 packs down smaller than a water bottle and easily fits in the palm of my hand. The Static V2 was able to shed weight by using a lighter fabric on top, which gives you the freedom to shed weight from your pack and make some extra packing room without sacrificing comfort, which I’ll get to later.
For minimalist packers counting ounces, this is the sleeping pad for you.
(There is a drawback to its weight, which I will discuss later. This isn’t an insulated sleeping pad, and it’s designed for summer backpacking trips. That said, any traveler will find it perfect, and I used this Kylmit sleep pad on a 40 F night without any trouble sleeping.)
Score: 5/5
Photo: Ana Pereira
Material/Design
On the bottom of this sleeping pad, you have durable 75D polyester material. The upper fabric is far lighter at 30D polyester to keep the weight and packability low.
Even though this is lightweight, its puncture resistant fabric means it’s durable too. I haven’t owned this pad for long enough to say for certain how long it will last, but the material feels tough.
Moving onto the design of the V2, it’s innovative and patented “V shape” technology really sets is apart from other pads. They call this technology Body Mapping, and the idea is that it creates excellent cushion and stability if you tend to move around a lot in your sleep.
It’s a great solution for anyone who sleeps on their side, stomach, or back.
As the name suggests, the sleeping pad has a “V” shape from the center, while the outer edges are rectangles that form somewhat of a side rail. See the photo above.
This was what I was most excited to test out, as my older pad has a normal, simple design. While I like my other pad, I do tend to wake-up multiple times in the night to adjust, as I am a side sleeper.
On my first night on the Static V2, I felt that I slept much more comfortable thanks to the body mapping. The V-shape cradles your body, so you don’t slip off your pad or twist your sleeping bag around in the middle of the night.
I can see how some sleepers wouldn’t like the V-shape or need time to get used to it, but both my boyfriend and I felt comfortable and stable on this pad. What is more, I found the Static V2 is much quieter than my other pad!
I give the design a 5, though this is something each individual will need to test out for themselves. I like that Klymit is innovative and pushing the level of comfort and weight in their sleeping pads.
Another feature worth mentioning: the inside of the pad has an anti-microbial treatment applied to restrain the growth of microorganisms, fungus, and bacteria, another bonus to their design/material.
Score: 5/5
Photo: Ana Pereira
Inflation/Twist-Pull System
Klymit claims that the Static V2 can be inflated in 10-15 breaths, so I obviously needed to test this out myself. I was able to blow up the Static V2 with 13 full breaths every time I inflated the pad.
It took me much less time and energy to blow up the Static V2 than my old pad, so I give it a 5 out of 5 for inflation. This actually ended up being one of my favorite features.
Where I’m docking a point is the ease of use for the twist-pull system, which you need to twist and pull at the same time to open. Sounds simple enough, but I had a hard time undoing the first few times I used this pad.
Score: 4/5
Insulation/R-Value
R-Value is the measurement used to gage a sleeping pad’s ability to insulate. The higher the R-value, the warmer the sleeping pad will be, as this what measures its capacity to “resist” (hence the “R”) heat flow.
The minimal insulation is 1.0, and the highest is around 11.0 or more. Thicker pads tend to offer higher R-values, though they will be bigger and heavier too.
Insulation is important even in summer because you lose body heat to the ground. With an R-Value of only 1.3, the Static V2 is not recommended for cold temperatures. If you’re looking for something warmer, have a look at the ThermaRest NeoAir XLite NXT.
If you want a 3-4 season sleeping pad, then the V2 is not for you, as this is a non-insulated pad that focuses on weight and comfort over the R-Value. This is also a uni-sex sleeping pad. Women-specific pads insulate the core and feet area more.
I will say that I used this sleeping pad in the lower 40s (F) without any insulation between the floor and my pad or my pad and my sleeping bag. I still stayed warm, despite this pad’s low rating. This could be due to its deep weld patterning.
Unlike traditional pads that flatten the sleeping bag’s fill, the deep welds allow your sleeping bag to fully loft into the pockets and improve overall thermal comfort.
When all is said and done, you’re not buying this pad for winter camping, you are buying it because it’s a comfortable, lightweight summer sleeping pad.
Score: 2.5/5
Comfort/Stability
I touched on the Static V2’s comfort in the “design” section, but I will cover comfort and stability in more detail here.
Let’s take a look at what makes a sleeping pad comfortable. The optimal sleeping pad will feel as light as a feather; you want to feel like you are sleeping on air – no pressure points or deflation throughout the night!
Neither of us felt any pressure points sleeping on this pad. We both woke up to a fully inflated pad too. Check and check.
Important Note: To avoid popping or deflating your pad, it’s important to adjust the air volume depending on the outside temps. If it’s cold, the air in your mattress will compress, and when it’s warm, it’ll inflate. Don’t blow it up all the way if it’s warm out or it will pop!
Another important factor to consider is, of course, what type of sleeper you are.
I think if you are a side, back, or stomach sleeper, this sleeping pad will be a good fit due to the Body Mapping Technology that I mentioned earlier, which implies support and stability.
The side rails help cradle your body in the center, even if you toss and turn. The V-Shape also helps keep you in place, and lofts your sleeping bag to keep you warmer.
Lastly, this is one of the quietest sleeping pads I’ve ever used. In the past, changing sleeping positions has always been annoying simply because of the noise, but the V2 is pleasantly quiet when you move around on it.
Score: 5/5
Price
At a retail value of $64.95, this is one of the best-valued sleeping pads, no questions asked. Most of its competitors are over $100.
Score: 5/5
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉
Buy on REI!How does the Klymit Stack Against Competition?
The Klymit Static V2 is one of the best-valued sleeping pads on the market. For one, it’s the most comfortable sleeping pad I’ve used, providing plenty of cushion and stability.
It’s also one of the lightest weighted and smallest pack size sleeping pads I’ve used. Despite its lightweight, it’s still 3 inches wider than your standard pad, including the Big Agnes Double Z or Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker air mattresses.
The Big Agnes Double Z is much thicker, but it’s also a lot heavier (at 27 ounces). Plus they cost over $100. The NeoAir Trekker is also over $100 or more.
When it comes down to it, you’ll probably be happy with any of these three sleeping pads, but for the cost-to-value – the Static V2 is the winner.
Drawbacks of the Klymit Static V2
I found this lightweight sleeping pad to be extremely comfortable, but some people may not like the “V-shaped” design. This isn’t a drawback so much as a matter of preference.
Secondly, this is a lightweight pad, as I’ve already stressed, and it is non-insulated and designed for summer. Its low R-value at 1.3 means this is not for high altitudes or mountaineers. That said, I used this pad at 8,500 feet on a 40-degree night without any insulation and just my sleeping bag for warmth. It was completely fine at this temperature.
Finally, its length at 72 inches (183 cm) is not the best option for taller people, and they do not have a larger option for the V2, but the Static V is also built in a Luxe version if you need a bigger size.
Photo: Ana Pereira
The Final Verdict on the Klymit Sleeping Pad
This is the best-valued sleeping pad on our sleeping pad list for a reason.
And just because this is one of the most affordable backpacking sleeping pads doesn’t mean it skimps out on quality. The material, design, and comfort and stability all received a 5 out of 5.
Is the Klmit Static V2 Right for you?
Consider what type of camping and traveling you’ll be doing. If you need a lightweight, small pad to throw in your bag on your travels, this is an excellent sleeping pad. If you want something comfortable for summer and fall temperatures in the backcountry, this is the best sleeping pad for you.
On the other hand, if you spend a lot of time winter camping and in high elevation, you should opt for a sleeping pad with a much higher R-value.
Finally, we had to put the pad to one more test. After all, if you want a pad to sleep on OR to float on in those big, beautiful alpine lakes, this is a great purchase 😉
Want something different? Have a look at the epic ultralight Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad instead.
Final Scores
Weight/Packing Size: 5/5
Material/Design: 5/5
Inflation/Twist-Pull System: 4/5
Insulation/R-Value: 2.5/5
Comfort/Stability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Overall Score: 4.4/5
What we love about the Klymit Static V2
- Ultra lightweight at only 1 pound
- V-shape mapping technology for comfort
- Easy to inflate in 15 breaths or less
- Best Value Sleeping Pad
What we don’t like about the Klymit Static V2
- Low R-Value
- Not recommended for winter camping
- Twist-valve to open takes some getting used to
- Only comes in one size
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Final Thoughts on the Klymit V2 Static Sleeping Pad
Klymit is making its mark in the world of sleeping pads because of their ultralight set up and innovation. Their patented body mapping technology really sets them apart when it comes to comfortable, light sleeping pads.
For its weight and pack down size alone, I would say this is a great cost-to-value sleeping pad for backpacking and hiking, but it’s the comfort and V-shape technology that really makes the Klymit Static V2 an awesome sleeping pad.
On a personal note, I am curious to see how far I can push this Kylmit pad into cold temperatures. Despite the low R-value, I had no trouble sleeping on this non-insulated pad at 40 F (4.4 C) degrees. I didn’t use an insulation or a blanket between the pad and tent and my sleeping bag either. Even though this is a summer pad, it kept me warm as we approach fall out here in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This is one of the many reasons I am super impressed with Kylmit pads.
Overall, I absolutely love this pad. It’s extremely lightweight without sacrificing luxury and comfort.
So, did our Kylmit Static V2 sleeping pad review help? Let us know below.
What is our final score for the Klymit Static V2? We give it a rating of 4.5 out 5 stars!
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won’t fit back in bag no matter how much i try to deflate it, which was a terrible surprise when I took it backpacking and had to hike back 20 miles so I wasn’t carrying this flappy piece of plastic around. They either need to include a stuff sack large enough for the product post-shipment or market the bag it comes in as a “shipment bag” which will not contain the product post shipment. A “Stuff Sack” in my experience and understanding is a bag you can shove the product in without carefully rolling it up and ensuring all the air is out, the bag that came with this product is definitely not that. Donated after second use to buy from a company that doesn’t intentionally mislead customers.
I have been using this Klymit pad for years and don’t plan on changing it up for anything else. If it’s going to be cold I bring along an insulite pad for my first layer and I sleep snug as a bug.
I am 6 ft 4 in and weigh a bit under 200 lb. I typically inflate it in seven big breaths.
I bought two of these for me and my wife. We used them in Joshua Tree National Park recently on a very cold night in the desert. We also used cheap closed cell foam pads underneath the air mattresses to provide insulation. The pads provided a comfortable nights sleep. We did sleep cold but that was most likely because it was our first night out and the temperature did dip down to around freezing. We used a three season Big Agnes tent. She had a 15 degree REI bag and I had a 20 degree North Face bag. We used the pads by themselves on the previous trip to J-Tree, and the temperature was down in the low 40s. Again I was cold in a 30 degree, Summit to Sea synthetic bag. I had to put on my jacket during the night. Next time I will bring my four season tent and some bag liners if it will be that cold. We have used the pads by themselves when it has been warmer, and they worked fine. We used them by themselves on a 40 mile backpacking trip on Catalina Island for four nights with no problems. On that hike I used a 40 degree bag and a 15 degree liner.
Great review. As a point of reference, what is the comfort rating of the sleeping bag you used.
We use a few different models. Either the Marmot Lithium 0 or the REI Magma 15 depending on the trip and expected temps.
Klymit has the Insulated Static V Lite pad, which has essentially the same specs (weight being even ~1oz lighter) but sports R value 4.4. I’ve got the heavier non-Lite version and can say that the insulation material (which to my understanding is also used in the Lite) inside is not of the crackly space-planket variety that Thermarest, ie the insulated pad should be (nearly) as quiet as the pad reviewed here.
The Lite will however set you back about $30 compared to the standard version…
Thanks for a great review. I just bought the Static V2 last week (before I read this article), and while I haven’t slept on it yet outdoors, I did lie down on it for a few minutes indoors and it feels very comfortable. I also agree with your comments that it is a much quieter pad than most, as I just sold my Sea-to-Summit Comfort Plus pads 2 weeks ago for that very reason. It is also noticeably quieter than the previous Static V model, as I tried both in the store before my purchase.
I noticed in the photos in your article that your pad has different logos than the stock photo from Klymit. I wish they wouldn’t make so many changes to the same model, as it gets confusing. In fact, I own another Static V2 that I bought from a different outdoor store, and it was quite different in many areas. It has a different shade of green color with a slightly shinier, more slippery top surface, and it had the older (and/or cheaper) friction fit valve that protruded from the top edge.
Regards,
RB
Thanks a million for the write up. I will definitely be purchasing this but i’m actually researching a sleeping pad for colder temperatures. Is there anything that springs to mind for a better r value (around 5) that is affordable? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
I believe klymit has options with better r value 🙂 Thermarest is also great.