Klymit is a company whose focus is simple: “being your best choice for the most comfortable, rugged, and lightweight camping gear available”. Self-proclaimed comfort innovators, Klymit reset the benchmarks for the industry with regard to camping pads, and aims to bring this comfort, ease of use, and durability to all the other gear they produce. Designed in Utah, Klymit offers sleeping pads, sleeping bags, pillows, backpacks, and a few inflatable accessories. This review will look at the Klymit KSB 20° Oversized Down Sleeping Bag which is new for spring 2017, it also comes in a -18°C / 0°F version for true winter campers.
Oversized means not only extra room but also extra warmth.
The Klymit KSB 20° Oversized down sleeping bag lives up to these claims of weight, comfort, and ruggedness. The outer and liner materials are 100% 20D rip-stop nylon, and it’s insulated with 900g of white duck down. Thermal efficiency is increased and heat loss decreased by the addition of features like the draft collar, mummy hood, over-stuffed foot box, and flexible baffles at the core of the body. These flexible baffles combined with the oversized expanded chest area make moving around inside the bag easier while keeping the bag close to the body, and a small stash pocket inside the bag allows you to keep your flashlight close by. Length Locks at the foot of the bag allow you to essentially shorten the bags length up to 15 inches to fit an individual of 5’ 3” height.
The zipper on the bag offers two way sliding so that it can be unzipped from either the bottom or the top, which allows for as much or little ventilation as you need. The zipper runs three quarters the length of the KSB 20° Oversized Down Sleeping Bag and features a draft guard to keep the cold out.
In addition to the stuff sack (pictured below), Klymit has also included a mesh storage bag. This is a thoughtful addition which allows for proper care of the sleeping bag while stored in a convenient package.
Zipper closure flap.
This is a great sleeping bag; warm, light, and easy to move around in. I especially like the ability to move around while I sleep, it made things much more comfortable. The oversized design and expansion baffles make this the roomiest sleeping bag we’ve ever reviewed. Some sleeping bags feel a little restrictive but the elastic baffles make the KSB 20° Oversized quite a roomy bag. These flexible baffles not only boost comfort of movement inside the bag, but they keep the insulation close to the body the entire time.
The attention to detail in regards to draft control really helps keep the cold out. The full-length zipper guard, draft collar, mummy hood, and over-stuffed foot box are the kinds of details which will keep you warm throughout the night.
The ability to shorten the KSB 20° Oversized Down Sleeping Bag by up to 15” means that it’s ideal for kids who are still growing. My friend's son used this bag and fit it perfectly at age 14 and it’s nice to know that he’ll still fit it when he’s full grown.
The down side to this bag is the weight; when compared to bags with similar temperature ratings this bag is heavier. The materials used are high quality and lightweight, but the “oversized” nature of this bag means more material and hence more weight. Apart from the extra weight, the only thing I could complain about would be the lack of compression straps on the stuff sack.
PROS:
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CONS:
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Price: $219.95US
Weight: 1.4kg / 3.1lbs
Insulation type: White duck down
Fill power: 650 with a Net fill of 900g
Temperature rating: -6.6°C / 20°F
Packed dimensions: 39 x 20cm / 15.5 x 8"
Dimensions: 208 x 102cm / 82 x 40"
Shoulder girth: 203cm / 80.5"
Hip girth: 178cm / 70"
Included: Stuff sack, storage bag
Warmth 2/2 |
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