Klymit V Seat REVIEW

Inflatable seat for upgraded camp comfort

My sons and I have grown quite fond of our activities with our local BSA Scout Troop.  We have enjoyed service activities, day trips, and overnight campouts, and we have had the privilege of visiting Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for a two-week backpacking trek.  We started out taking way too much gear when car camping and shifted to a more essentials-only backpacking mindset.  When carrying all of our gear within our backpacks, we had to consider the bulk, size, and weight of each item.  After 50+ miles and multiple days of hiking, unnecessary weight can add up quickly and punish the individual.  Thus, the goal is to find smaller, lighter items or gear that fulfills multiple roles.  

Unboxing:

I recently reviewed the Peak Slumber inflatable seat and enjoyed the lightweight, portable, packable seat.  I compared it to the Klymit V Seat and wanted to review the slightly smaller, lighter-weight option.  The Klymit V Seat arrived in a visually appealing, hexagonal-shaped, hanging-style retail package.  The cover panel listed the company name, product name, and a short descriptor within a lime green upper border.  The cover’s midsection provided a top-down view of the V Seat, while the lower edge featured an open cutout and product specifications (Camp Comfort 2.6 Oz/74G).  I liked the contrast between the upper lime-green accent and the lower tan cardboard, and how the colors blended with the side panels.  Instead of a simple rectangular package, the hexagonal design had three larger panels and 3 smaller panels, which essentially was a triangle with the tips squared off.  The design allowed for optimized presentation surface area.  The smaller panels listed the product name, company name, and “Serious Outdoor Comfort” slogan.

The left side panel provided a photographic mountain view and a description of “Utah’s Wildest Places.”  The image, combined with the descriptor, provided a sense of purpose and design.  The right side panel provided a top-down image of the seat and product specifications (2.6 oz/74G, 75D polyester, 13.5×14.5×1.5in [34x37x4cm], Limited lifetime warranty, 4x2in packed size [11x5cm], and details about the durable V-chambered seat).  The lime green top panel displayed the company name/logo and V Seat name and had an elastic hanging cord. Lastly, the bottom panel displayed the company/product name, SKU barcode, contact information, and a few packaging labels.  

Testing: 

I opened the left side panel and removed the locking tabs to unroll the box.  The box’s inner cardboard layer had a QR code and a fun “Let the Adventure Begin” statement.  I removed the 2.2-ounce, dark-grey colored, rolled seat from the package and evaluated the product.  In its folded state, the seat measured 4-inches-long by 2.5-inches-wide by 1-inch thick.  Instead of a velcro retaining strap, buckle, carry sack, or other locking mechanism, the seat had a 1/8-inch wide rubber band.  If desired, the company offers a 1-inch-wide Velcro retention strap that works perfectly to keep the device closed.  However, you will need to determine if the 4-gram add-on is worth the extra weight. 

I removed the rubber band, unrolled the seat, and evaluated the product.  The seat measured 15 1/2-inches wide by 16 1/2-inches tall in the unfolded, deflated state.  To inflate the seat, unscrew the inflation valve, blow into the tube, and then tighten the screw.  I found that a single moderate to large breath could fully inflate the seat.  Once inflated, the seat measured 13-inches wide by 14 1/2 inches tall by 1 5/8 inches thick, shrinking a bit in the X-Y axis, while expanding in the Z-plane.  

I liked the look and feel of the nylon surface material and the raised, V-shaped air cushions.  The seat provided sufficient lift from a hard surface while allowing air to circulate.  The surface remained cool but did not feel cold.  I used the Klymit V seat as a seat cushion on the hard chairs at a local rodeo, against the bleachers for my son’s baseball game, as a lumbar support for a two-hour car ride to Nashville, and as a headrest while lounging at the park with my daughters.  I liked the lightweight, compact size, the shape, and overall make of the seat.  The air valve appeared to remain air-tight, and the cushion felt just right for my weight (165#) and body size/type.

Conclusion:

I read several Amazon reviews and found that some people reported failure at the valve stem.  The reviews noted that the seat would not hold air when needed.  After close to a dozen separate uses (nearly fifty inflate/deflate cycles) over the last three weeks, I can happily report that the device is still holding air and supporting my 165-pound weight. For a sub $13 device, I was pleased with my current ~$1 per use sit pad.   I did not find a weight limit on the website or packaging for the V Seat, but it is likely that sharper surfaces and increased weight will contribute to device failure.  

In an effort to cut weight and gear size, the Klymit V seat delivered a similar experience to the Peak Slumber seat but at a discount of weight and size. Both seats can pack into a compact space, which was perfect for my jacket and backpack pockets.  I found a good match between my body metrics and the V Seat.  However, if you have a slightly wider derrière, the Peak Slumber Seat may be a bit more to your liking.  The Klymit V seat was just a little thicker than the Peak slumber, and the V-shaped air pockets allowed for a bit more ventilation.  Both served as a reasonable pillow, lumbar support and seat pad.  With sharper, thorny, rocky, sticks/twigy environments there is an increased risk to any inflated system.  In those situations, a closed foam pad may be a more reliable, though more expensive, option.  Thus far, I have had a good experience with the Klymit V Seat and with Klymit’s Insulated Static V sleeping pad.

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