What’s Up With The Klymit Static V Luxe – Review

Welcome to the Klymit Static V Luxe review!

The Klymit Static V Luxe is a comfortable sleeping pad for those on a budget. The uninsulated version of the pad, with an ASTM r-value rating of 1.3 allows for great summer time sleeping in the US Southwest, where night time ambient air and ground temperatures can run hot. It’s easy to inflate/deflate and put back in its carrying bag, is quiet, and the extra luxurious width, compared to the standard ‘wide’ sized pad, gives you than ‘at home’ sleeping experience on the trail.

This review is based on my summertime use of the Static V Luxe uninsulated version of this pad. But there is also an insulated version with an ASTM r-value rating of 2.4 for late spring, cool summer, and early fall use.

Pro’s and Con’s

Pros: Comfortable for multi-position sleeping, including side sleeping for those with more slender builds; extra wide dimensions helps you change positions without slipping off; comes in uninsulated version for hot Southern California summers, no odd reflective insulation noise when moving on the pad; cheaper than other comparable pads on the market.

Cons: Extra wide dimension requires a 3-person tent if two people are sharing the same tent; insulated version’s actual r-value is lower than the manufacture’s published number; the pad doesn’t come with an inflation sack, like other brands do.

Features

• V-chamber design minimizes air shifting when moving/rolling on the pad
• Side rails minimize sliding off the side of the pad
• Extra wide pad allows for turning during sleep to maximize comfort
• dimensions are 76 x 30 x 3 inches
• pad is thick enough to sleep on your side or roll comfortably from one position to another, as long as you are on the lighter side, body-wise
• pack size of 8 x 4.5 inches (10 x 5 in for insulated version), comparable to other ‘wide’ pads on the market
• comes in insulated and uninsulated versions, the latter being perfect for hot So Cal summers
• uninsulated ASTM r-value of 1.3; insulated ASTM r-value of 2.4
• made of 75 denier polyester
• pairs well with an Exped Flexmat LW foam sleeping pad for extra cushion and insulation
• can be blown up with the FlextailGear Tiny Pump X for easy set up
• quiet when moving or rolling on the pad – no ‘crinkle, crinkle’ reflective insulation sound
• light enough to use for backpacking trips
• easy to blow up and repack; new improved valve system
• comfortable to sleep on for a good night’s rest on the trail
• comes with patching kit for on the trail emergencies

Comfort

The extra wide dimension (5 inches wider than the standard dimension of ‘wide’ pad), v-shaped chamber design, lack of noisy, reflective insulation, and the 3 inches of thickness of this pad make for a very comfortable summer time sleep. This holds true for folks like myself that like to sometimes sleep on their sides; though keep in mind I keep things slim and trim, regarding my body. Heavier side sleepers may not get the same result.

The extra width also means your arms stay on the pad, and aren’t resting on the ground after you’ve tossed around to get comfortable, like they do with narrower pads.

Adding an extra wide foam pad, like the Exped FlexMat LW, underneath the Static V Luxe also improves comfort (and protects the pad from rocks or sticks poking up under the tent). It also provides a little insulation if the ground is a little chilly, even in the summer; just a small insurance policy concerning your thermal comfort. But the pad is perfectly comfortable even without the FlexMat.

I recently used this pad in August, up in Big Bear Lake. It was definitely summer time, as I just used a Sea To Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme sleeping bag liner as my main sheet (without a bag). In the colder morning hours, however, I did use part of a Nemo Forte sleeping bag as an improvised quilt. All the while the Static V Luxe worked awesomely, and I slept great – ready to tackle the Cougar Crest Trail up to the PCT the next morning.

Would I say that it’s as comfortable as my Big Agnes Rapide SL? Probably a little less so, cushion-wise, but it’s certainly a lot more comfortable than the heavily insulated Rapide in the summer time, when it’s too warm to sleep on.

And would I say it’s more comfy than my Exped Dura 5R sleeping pad? Yes, I think it wins out in the comfy cushioning contest, as the Exped feels a bit utilitarian against the Static V Luxe’s relatively more luxurious experience.

Warmth

I use the Klymit Static V Luxe uninsulated version specifically for Southern California summer time camping. At night it can start out in the 80°F’s, and then drop down to the 60°F’s in the early mornings. In those conditions the pad is plenty warm, even when sleeping with just a bag liner and not an actual sleeping bag. Its ASTM r-value is 1.3; just enough to keep you happy on warm, or slightly cool ground.

As explained above, if I’m just car camping with the pad, I will also bring an Exped FlexMat which has a r value of 1.5, to place underneath it. That way, even if the ground is a little cool, I’m still comfortable, temperature wise, with the Static V Luxe.

I don’t have any experience with the insulated version of this pad. But because of the v-shaped chamber design that has exposed uninsulated sections between them, it’s likely not as insulated as what the manufacture states. Indeed I do see that they are indeed publishing two numbers for their r-values: their nominal r-value of 5, and the standardized ASTM rating of 2.4. The 2.4 is going to be the true number. So late spring, and early fall usage is likely okay, if you are in a warmer climate zone.

Noise

The Klymit Static V Luxe doesn’t have the noisy crinkle, crinkle reflective insulation in either of its versions, and thus it’s quiet when you move or roll around on it.

Weight and Pack Size

The weight and pack size of the uninsulated Static V Luxe is comparable to other higher priced brand name pads on the market. It is not out of place in a backpacking pack.

Sleeping pad	inflated size	pack size	weight
Static V Luxe uninsulated	76 x 30 x 3 in / 193 x 76 x 8 cm	8 x 4.5 in / 20 x 11 cm	27.2 oz / 771 g
Static V Luxe insulated	76 x 30 x 3 in / 193 x 76 x 8 cm	10 x 5 in / 25 x 13 cm	32 oz / 907 g
Static V uninsulated	72 x 23 x 2.5 in / 183 x 58 x 6 cm	8 x 3 in / 20 x 8cm	18.7 oz / 531 g
Static V insulated	72 x 23 x 2.5 in / 183 x 58 x 6 cm	8 x 5 in / 20 x 13 cm	24 oz / 680 g
Big Agnes Rapide SL wide	72 x 25 x 3.5 in / 183 x 64 x 9cm	8.5 x 5 in / 22 x 13 cm	24 oz / 680 g
Exped Dura 5R medium wide	72 x 25.6 x 3 in / 183 x 65 x 8 cm	13.8 x 5 in / 35 x 13 cm	34 oz / 964 g

Ease of Use

Inflation and Deflation

The inflation process for the Static V Luxe is as easy as my other sleeping pads.

There is however a small learning curve when putting the cap back on the new, improved two-way valve, after inflating: You’ll need to hold the cap lightly with your thumb on the valve, where it eventually will snap in place, and then squeeze the pad directly underneath, pressing your fingers upward into the pad, until they meet the underside of the valve, inside the pad. At that point you can then squeeze with your hand down on the cap until it snaps in place. Don’t be discouraged if you lose a tiny amount of air in this process.

I use a FlexTail Gear Tiny Pump X to inflate the pad to 90% capacity, then I use my lungs to top it off to a comfortable amount of support.

There’s no learning curve for the deflation process. Just flip the valve 90 degrees such that it’s not inhibiting airflow either way, and push out most of the air. Roll it back up, pushing out more air as you go, cap it, and your done.

It’s easy to both inflate and deflate inside your tent if you have the FlexTail Gear Tiny Pump X. But sometimes it’s even easier just to set it on top of a picnic table to roll back up.

It stuffs back in its storage sack easily, so no lengthy, tight quarter fight, trying to get it back in there.

Use Inside Tent

Because of the v-compartment design, the Static V Luxe is actually easy to grab and move around inside the tent, to get it exactly where you want it. It’s a lot easier to grab, compared with my Rapide SL, which seems to have a slicker surface, and no depressed areas for ease of holding.

The big drawback however to it’s extra wide size is that you aren’t going to be able to use two of them in a standard 2 person backpacking tent. All my backpacking tents have had a floor width of around 50 inches. That means two 25 inch wide pads are all that’s going to work for them. You’ll need a lightweight 3 person tent, like a Big Agnes Tiger Wall, if you want to have 1 or 2 Klymit Static V Luxes, sitting next to each other, or another wide pad. Otherwise you might go for the regular 23 inch wide Static V’s.

My use of this pad is limited to the summer season, so I haven’t had to get up in the middle of the night and blow a few more puffs into it, because the cold ground led to a contraction in the air pressure inside of it. So if you’re limiting your use to the summer as well, as you should with an uninsulated pad, then you’re probably good all night.

Quality and Durability

The Klymit Static V Luxe is made out of 75 denier polyester with a patented weld design, allowing it to handle regular use on the trail. 75 denier fabric is about what a winter tent needs for its flooring, so fabric strength isn’t an issue.

I’ve not had any quality issues with the pad, and have seen people use these for years without problems. However I have also seen, in the Amazon reviews, one instance of a self-reported 290lb user dealing with a weld failure after several uses with the pad.

My assessment is that if you are on the lighter side, and are the occasional recreational user, you’re likely going to be able to use your Static V Luxe for as long as you like. And you’ll likely graduate up to a more pricey, dedicated pad, if you become a serious backpacker, before your Klymit pad fails.

Further Reading

Thanks for checking out my Klymit Static V Luxe review! Next check out my Big Agnes Rapide SL review if you’re looking to upgrade your comfort on the trail. Or check out my camping gear page for other info and reviews.

See ya out there…