I spotted this mat at a local camping store here in Australia. At first I was confused to its function; it looks like a something you take to Everest to stop you rolling down the side of the mountain. I checked the price and quickly dismissed it as it was outside of what I was willing to spend.
After spending a good two hours trialling sleeping mats, I gave up and went home...
Now I am thankful I did. I found the X Frame on Amazon for a third of the price my local store wanted. After watching many videos and reading review after review, I pulled the trigger.
Wow, what a mat! It really is as small as everyone says (the box that arrived at my door felt empty).
I spent 4 nights on this mat and actually looked forward to sleeping. My camping buddy aptly named it the 'spinal board'. It inflates with roughly 4 breaths and is ready to use. Depending on how firm you like your mat, you may find that 2-3 breaths are enough. The hand pump bulb thingy lets you really crank up the firmness.
A word on the hand pump, it is different to the one pictured. I emailed Klymit and they informed me the new pump is much more durable and actually smaller than the old style. It is also flat black (not glossy like the one shown) and does not feature the Klymit logo (ink run was an issue). The new design allows you to keep the pump attached to the mat at all times (although I still prefer to remove it) and apparently does not freeze in extreme environments (the larger pump had a reputation for this).
I found the mat to be super comfortable. The first night I tried it inside my bag, and it seemed to work ok. I move about in my sleep and did find that it could get a little tangled. On the second night, I put it under my sleeping bag and much preferred this arrangement.
If you are a side sleeper, you may want to pump it up a little firmer. I had the mat mouth inflated and ended up dropping the pressure a touch with the release valve. I still found this supportive on my side (although I rarely sleep like this). For the front sleepers, this mat has a little party trick. When lying face down, it seems to lock your legs in so they won't fall over the sides. Your legs will have more freedom when on your back, and I actually preferred them over the edges. Either way, you will find what works best for you.
Never did I feel that this mat was inadequate for car camping. I'm aiming to take it away hiking soon and still believe this product is the perfect balance of size and comfort.
If there were any negatives, it would have to be the material. The top is 30D while the bottom is 75D. Most camping mats in this price range feature a 75D top and 150D bottom. I'm sure this is a physical limitation, as a denser material would probably not fold as easily, but I am a little concerned about the long term durability. That being said, my tent was sitting on many little rocks and twigs and the mat is still going strong. Plus, a generous patch kit with a substantial amount of material and glue is included.
I'm in love with this mat. Having the ability to store it inside a pack is a big plus in my eyes. My last mat was ruptured on the bus ride to our starting point. It was strapped to the outside of my pack. Go figure.
| Size | Regular |
|---|---|
| Brand | Klymit |
| Color | King's Camo |
| Product Dimensions | 72"L x 18"W x 1.5"Th |
| Included Components | Carry Bag, Pump |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Item Firmness Description | Plush |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 8.2 x 3.6 x 3.6 inches |
| Package Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 36.5 x 14 x 2.63 inches |
| Brand Name | Klymit |
| Manufacturer | Klymit |
| Part Number | 4000180 |
