Camping season is here in most of the Northern Hemisphere, and there’s good news for those of us who like to camp and backpack light, but also comfortably. I’m not a fan of cutting ounces in my pack only to lie on hard ground at night, or with a ‘torso only’ pad. Just not for me.
I’ve been loving the wave of lightweight, inflatable pads filling the outdoor market in the last few years, with the Klymit Static V a top favorite. The standard Static V comes in dark green, but if you want to be a little different, try the pink camo version. This pad is fun, but essentially, the design is true to the original Static V.
For an entry-level price (yay!), you get body mapping technology in the Static V, which means you’ll limit heat loss while you sleep. Since the pad will be formed to you, there will be less air movement, and therefore less cold seeping into your sleeping space. It inflates in only a few breaths (about 20 for me, but apparently I’m a lightweight because most people can fill it in 15 breaths). The pad has two features I love best: a slight rise on the sides, so you get small ‘bumpers’ that keep you from sliding off in the middle of the night, and a very small package size, which means it’s super easy to bring on even minimalist backpacking trips. It rolls down to the size of a large water bottle, and weighs only 18 ounces. What’s even better: it’s actually easy to roll up and pack into its stuff sack. I cannot say the same for most camping items that stuff down small. I can deflate the Static V and have it in its sack and in my pack in under three minutes.
The Static V pink camo is only $69.95, and actually on sale at Klymit right now. The standard Static V (in forest green) is only $59.95, and also available on REI and Amazon for a few bucks less. There’s a traditional camo print in muted greens and browns, and a Luxe version just under $90 that’s insulated, if you want more cushioning (and are willing to sacrifice some ounces). Finally, there is a junior version for $49.95, which we really like for our elementary-aged kids. My teen also takes the 3/4th length Junior when he backpacks, as he wants the lower weight in his pack.