Klymit Insulated Static V Lite Inflatable Sleeping Pad

Product detailed description

Comfort and Efficiency

Thanks to its synthetic insulation, the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite achieves a thermal resistance rating of R = 4.4, which is sufficient for year-round use. Like other Klymit sleeping pads, it features V-shaped chambers and special, firmer-feeling side chambers that prevent you from sliding off the pad at night. Users who have switched to Klymit from other brands mainly highlight the comfort, the fact that the mat feels significantly wider, and that it inflates with just a few breaths (approx. 12) despite its size.

It might seem that the extra bit of inflation required by competitors doesn’t matter, BUT—with every breath you take into the mat, you introduce a certain amount of water that you can’t easily get out. The mat gets heavier and may even start to mold. Half the number of breaths compared to competitors then plays a huge role!

We have also added inflatable bag with a flat "flip valve" for easier inflation of sleeping pads and to reduce condensation inside the pad when inflating by mouth.

Lightweight material

Compared to the classic version V2, the manufacturer chose a lighter material for the bottom of the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite (30D). This shouldn’t be an issue, however, since the mat is designed for camping in cold conditions—it’s hard to puncture it in the snow, and few people sleep in freezing temperatures without a tent, sleeping bag, or at least Tyvek underneath them... and besides, the competing Neo Air X-Lite uses the same material weight, and no one has had a problem with it over the years.

New valve

In 2019, Klymit introduced a new, patented valve. Unlike the previous version, it is recessed and doesn’t get in the way. The inflation valve is one-way, so air won’t escape while you’re inflating it. When you want to deflate the mat, simply press once to rotate the internal “baffle,” and the mat will deflate. A pretty simple solution… As for winter use, our experience with inflatable mats (regardless of brand) is that at temperatures around -10 °C and below, you’ll need to supplement it with a thin foam pad. For just two winter trips a year, it’s definitely not worth buying a heavy self-inflating mat and lugging it around all year. It’s better to have a lightweight three-season sleeping pad and supplement it with a thin foam pad or aluminum sheet during occasional extreme outings. With Klymit sleeping pads, you definitely need to place Tyvek or another tarp underneath on the snow to prevent snow from getting between the chambers and causing cold to seep through the seams.

Decent weight

In terms of weight, this version with an insulating layer is only slightly heavier than the standard Static V2, weighing 620 g without the stuff sack, but it takes up significantly more space, so you need to factor that in. That said, it’s still half the volume of a comparable self-inflating mat. During testing, I found that it can be packed down to a much smaller size than the included original stuff sack. The manufacturer assumes you’ll be packing the mat in the morning in freezing cold, likely wearing gloves, so that even a poorly packed mat can be easily stuffed into the bag. As usual, great value for money and more points for Klymit. If a standard-width mat is enough for you and low weight is a priority, try the Insulated V Ultralite SL. We recommend placing a Tyvek sheet under every inflatable sleeping pad, as it significantly reduces the risk of punctures.

New Standard and Practical Experience

Since 2021, the manufacturer has been listing the thermal resistance value measured according to the new ASTM F3340-18 standard on the sleeping pad packaging. This standard aims to unify the measurement method for all sleeping pad manufacturers. According to Klymit, nothing has changed in the design of the sleeping pads, and they are still suitable for cold conditions just as before. We can confirm this from our own experience, as we have spent dozens of nights sleeping on these models in sub-freezing temperatures. Based on the measurement results, it is quite clear that under the new standard, sleeping pads with an internal reflective layer—such as Therm-a-Rest pads—will perform best.

In our opinion, Klymit sleeping pads exhibit heat loss in the areas where the internal synthetic insulation is compressed. However, the standard does not account for one major advantage of these sleeping pads. Thanks to the shape of their chambers, the space between the chambers is filled by the filling of the sleeping bag. This creates space for additional insulation. This is not the case with "flat" sleeping pads. In our opinion, Klymit sleeping pads will perform just as well in cold conditions in practice. In laboratory tests where a sleeping bag is not used, they will simply perform worse.

Klymit Insulated Static V Lite:

• Weight: 624 g (without packaging).
• Dimensions: 183 cm x 59 cm x 6 cm.
• Thermal resistance: R = 4.4 (measured as R = 1.9 per ASTM F3340-18).
• Type: inflatable.
• Package: 12 cm x 20 cm.
• Included in the package: repair patch.
• Material: 30D polyester on both the bottom and top.
• Recessed valve with a flap.
• Inflates in 10 to 15 breaths.
• Anatomically shaped V-shaped chambers.

After packing:

Comparison between Static V2 (left), Static V-Lite (center), and the self-inflating TaR 38 mm (right).