Klymit Insulated Double V Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Klymit Insulated Double V | |||||
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Awards | Best Bang for the Buck | Great Lightweight Value | |||
Price | $180 List $163.19 at Amazon | $179 List $179.00 at REI | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $179.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $60 List $59.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Lightweight and packable, this mat is a great choice for traveling couples | All the favorite features we love from a camping mat at a great price | A budget-conscious mattress that is quite warm, if a little less comfortable | Comfortable enough for car camping and backpacking, this is a versatile and packable mattress | A great price, but it was just too narrow and not that comfy |
Rating Categories | Klymit Insulated Do... | REI Co-op Camp Drea... | Exped DeepSleep 7.5 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir... | Coleman Silver Springs |
Comfort (40%) | |||||
Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
Warmth (20%) | |||||
Versatility (10%) | |||||
Packed Size (10%) | |||||
Specs | Klymit Insulated Do... | REI Co-op Camp Drea... | Exped DeepSleep 7.5 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir... | Coleman Silver Springs |
R-Value | 4.4 | 6.6 | 8.5 | 3.7 | 5 |
Thickness | 3.0 in | 4.0 in | 3.0 in | 4.0 in | 3.0 in |
Length | 74 in | 78 in | 78 in | 77 in | 72 in |
Width | 47 in | 32 in | 30 in | 30 in | 20 in |
Weight | 3.6 lb | 6.4 lb | 5.8 lb | 2.3 lb | 3.9 lb |
Packed Size | 7 in x 12 in | 11 in x 30 in | 32 in x 8 in | 12 in x 6 in | 20 in x 7 in |
Type | Pump inflation | Self inflating, inflation sack | Self inflating | Pump inflation | Self inflating |
Test Model | Two person | XL | LW | XLarge | Standard |
Bed Material | 75D polyester | Recycled polyester | 75D polyester | Polyester | 75D polyester |
Valves | Flush flat | Two valves | One-way | TwinLock | One valve |
Accessories | Inflation bag, stuff sack | Air pump, pillow | Stuff sack | Stuff sack, pump, pump sack | Stuff sack, straps |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This Klymit Double V is less expensive and lighter than most of the single mattresses in this review; however, it is also one of the least comfortable. Other, more plush, double mats that we tested can pack away huge, limiting their use to car camping situations with a huge tent. The Double V is a much more versatile mat that will fit in your backpack or your luggage.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
Compared to the average backpacking sleeping pad, the Insulated Double V is a very comfortable mat. While the V pattern is excellent for keeping the pad light and warm, it's ridges and rails aren't as comfortable as flat, baffle-less foam pads. The Double V fits in a backpack and can be carried to many places that other car camping mattresses are just too big to go.
Ease of Use
This pad inflates by connecting its stuff sack to the inflation valve, opening the roll-top closure, blowing air in, rolling the bag shut, and pushing air into the pad. It sounds like a pain, but it's not bad at all, and our testers found they could actually move air into the pad without blowing at all, merely opening the top of the stuff sack seemed to fill it with an adequate amount of air.
The stuff sack pump allows you to inflate this pad to maximum firmness. We just pushed on the bag until the pressure blew it off the valve, and then the one-way valve kept any air from escaping. Deflation is as easy as opening the deflate valve and opening the inflation valve a keeping it open with the pull tap. Roll it up tight and stick back in the pack, or if you're feeling lazy or in a hurry, the stuff sack is generously sized, and it's easy to get the mat in if it's not rolled super tightly.
Warmth
An R-value of 4.4 makes the Double V appropriate for year-round use in the lower 48, and offers plenty of warmth to help the reluctant camper get outside, and sprawl out beside their sweetie underneath the stars. Though thin, this mat is insulated with Klymit's proprietary synthetic insulation and the chambers created by the V weld patterning limit air circulation, so the Double V doesn't suffer from circulating cold air. Additional warmth comes from the snuggle factor you can only get on a double pad. Foam pads that we tested are warmer (and more comfortable), but not as packable.
Versatility
At 3.6 pounds, the Insulated Double V is about the same weight as two (kinda heavy) backpacking sleeping pads. The Double V is warmer than most of the air mattresses that we tested, and more packable than any other mats in the review, despite being sized for two, making it rather versatile.
Packed Size
The Double V packs down to a svelte 7 x 12 inches. It's small enough for a carry on and easily fits in larger luggage, not something we can say about the foam core pads that we tested. If packability is your top priority, then this is a great option.
Value
The price for this lightweight cuddle space is in the middle of the pack, and we think it is an awesome deal considering its versatility and the fact that it's for two.
Conclusion
This Klymit Double V is way more usable than we expected. A bicycle built for two isn't the most practical way to bike around, but it sure can be fun. The same can be said for the double pad. Sure it's a little heavy, but it's worth the smiles, and while a little novel, this pad is lightweight and warm enough that it's likely to get used more than you'd think.