The Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Backpacking is not for the faint of heart. It’s long days of navigating difficult terrain while carrying a heavy pack, doing your business in the woods, and sleeping outside. And while the views and feelings of accomplishment make it well worth it, there’s nothing wrong with making the experience a tad more comfortable.
If you’re anything like me, the key factor in accomplishing any physical challenge is a good night’s sleep. While this can be more challenging during your time in the backcountry, it’s not impossible. A good backpacking sleeping pad is both lightweight and comfortable, allowing your load to be lighter and your sleep to be sounder.
Four years ago, I made the dream move to Oahu, Hawaii, with nothing more than a suitcase and a surfboard. Once I arrived on the island, one of my first priorities was accumulating camping gear, as I’m an avid camper and backpacker. One of the first pieces of gear I acquired was the Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad ($65). Since then, I’ve slept on the pad on trips around Oahu, used it while backpacking the Na Pali coast on Kauai, and have ventured with it on trips to California.
In Short: If you’re looking for a simple yet affordable backpacking sleeping pad, the Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad gets the job done just fine. Featuring body mapping technology and integrated side rails, it delivers a fairly comfortable night’s sleep whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper.
Check Price on Backcountry Check Price on Amazon
Related: Backpacking Sleeping Pads | Camping Sleeping Pads | Other Backpacking Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and compact | Getting it fully inflated is tricky |
| Body mapping technology | Only moderately comfortable |
| Affordable | Doesn’t seem the most durable |
Testing the Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad
Pad Tested: Insulated
Pads Available: Traditional, Insulated, & Lite Eco
Inflated Dimensions: 72 x 23 x 2.5 in inches
Packed Size: 8 x 3 inches
Weight: 18.7 oz
R-Value: 1.3
The Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad is available in three different options: traditional, insulated, and Lite Eco. When I first acquired the Static V a few years back, I had the traditional version, which was perfect for my warm-weather trips in Hawaii. But my husband and I recently began splitting our time between Oahu and Santa Cruz, California, so I decided to get a second sleeping pad so I wouldn’t have to bring mine back and forth each time.
Because Santa Cruz is significantly colder than Oahu, I opted for the insulated version this time. I sleep cold, so anything I can do for a little bit of extra warmth is worth it. I slept on this pad on a couple of car camping trips as well as short backpacking trips through the redwood forest.
What I Love (And Don’t Love) About the Static V
Inflating the Pad
I was under the impression that the Static V is a self-inflating pad. Maybe I’m entirely off base, or maybe I’m a dummy, but in my experience, it is not. The pad does come with a quick inflation valve that is clearly marked with inflate on one side and deflate on the other. You simply flip the valve open on the inflation side and blow into it to get it inflated. The valve is wide enough to allow for full breaths, so it’s a quick process getting it fully inflated.
The inflation valve is wide enough for full breaths. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Once you have the pad fully inflated, you must seal the valve to prevent air from flowing out. In the split second from removing my mouth to securing the valve, I lost a fair amount of air. I gave it a few tries but kept encountering the same problem. Perhaps I’m missing something, but it would be nice if the inflation valve were one way to prevent this problem. Some may complain that the Static V doesn’t come with a pump sack, but because it’s so quick to inflate by mouth, I didn’t feel that it needed one. That said, breathing into a pad can cause moisture and eventually mold to build up in the pad, so be careful. The valve and lack of pump sack are definitely markers of the budget price.
The Static V is easy to inflate by mouth. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Small and Compact
When you’re backpacking, every inch and every ounce counts. Klymit took this into consideration when creating the Static V, and they nailed it. The sleeping pad packs down into a stuff sack measuring just 8 x 3 inches, taking up minimal space in your pack. The pad itself weighs 18.7 ounces for the traditional model, 24 ounces for the insulated, and just 15 ounces for the eco lite. Despite its compact size and light weight, the pad is still 2.5 inches thick.
The Static V packs down incredibly small. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Comfort Features
If you’re purchasing a lightweight sleeping pad, I think it’s important to be realistic about your expectations when it comes to comfort. When cutting down on size and weight, something must be sacrificed, but Klymit did a good job of making the Static V as comfortable as possible. But if you’re expecting a luxurious car camping mat, then you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
The V-chamber design allows the sleeping pad to adapt to your body’s shape. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The Static V features a patented V-chamber design that allows the sleeping pad to adapt to your body’s shape. I’m a side sleeper and often have sore hips when sleeping on camping mats, so I’m a big fan of the body mapping design. It works well for back and stomach sleepers as well, as the pad essentially moves with and conforms to you.
The Static V also has side rails integrated into its construction to help keep you centered on the pad. They work to inhibit air flow while you toss and turn, and as a result, help prevent you from slipping off the pad. While it’s a good idea in theory, I can’t say that I really noticed it, but I also did stay on my pad while sleeping on it, so maybe it does do its job after all.
The integrated side rails help keep you centered on the pad all night long. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Temperature Control
Another piece of tech in the pad that Klymit points to is its lofted thermal zones. The pad sports deep weld patterning that not only cuts down on weight but also allows your sleeping bag to fully loft, delivering maximum warmth while you sleep.
Depending on which version of the sleeping pad you choose, the R-value is 1.3 for the traditional model and 4.4 for the insulated model. If you’re unfamiliar, R-value is a measure of a sleeping pad’s ability to resist heat flow through it. Essentially, it’s a measure of how warm the pad will keep you. In general, R-values from 1-2 are best for summer, 2-4 works well for spring and fall, and 4.5+ is well suited for winter and cold weather camping.
The Klymit Static V has lofted thermal zones. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
I’d say the pads perform true to their R-values. I camped with the traditional pad in Hawaii, which basically has summer weather year-round, and it provided the right amount of cushion and warmth. Santa Cruz runs colder in the winter, and I was glad I opted for the insulated version of the pad to combat the cooler temperatures. It’s worth noting that another Klymit V tester thought the insulated version barely outperformed the traditional one, and for that, he would recommend saving the money.
The Static V is easy to deflate and repack. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Deflating the Pad
In order to deflate the pad, you simply flip the valve to the deflate option and roll up the pad. The easiest way to get all the air out is to roll it once, pressing the air out as you go. After that, unfurl the pad, fold it in half, and roll it again. After doing that, all of the air was out of the sleeping pad, and I was able to get it packed into the included stuff sack on the first try. Easy.
Affordable, lightweight, and compact, the Klymit Static V is a great backpacking sleeping pad. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a simple yet effective backpacking sleeping pad, the Klymit Static V is a great pick. Available at a price that doesn’t break the bank, the Static V is lightweight and packs down incredibly small. Featuring body mapping technology, side rails, and deep weld patterning, the Static V will keep you comfy wherever you roam.
Check Price on Backcountry Check Price on Amazon
Related: Backpacking Sleeping Pads | Camping Sleeping Pads | Other Backpacking Reviews
The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2025
