Sleeping on the hard ground when you are twenty years old is just another day, but as you get older, you learn to appreciate the comforts of padding and better technology to allow for a great night of sleep. Over the past couple decades, I have used everything from a thin sleeping pad, to a thick foam one, and finally moved on to the Klymit Inertia XL camping pad. I am going review the benefits of utilizing this high quality gear when camping to allow for a great night of sleep and no more grumpy mornings.
Inertia XL specs:
- Weight: 16.8 oz, 476 g
- Dimensions: 77″ x 25″ x 1.5″, 2 m x 0.64 m x 3.81cm
- Type: Inflatable Sleeping Pad
- R-Value: Loft Pockets
- Packed Size: 4″ x 9″, 101mm x 228 mm
- Includes: Dry Air Pump, Stuff Sack, Patch Kit
- Fabric: 75D Polyester
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
When I was younger, I could sleep on the ground or the floor of an apartment and it wouldn’t faze me a bit. It could be that I was much heavier and had extra padding myself, or due to the fact that I was apathetic. Either way, camping pads were not something I often thought about packing when I went camping. As we grew older and wiser, foam pads were introduced to out camp kits and we were grateful.
Foam pads aside, nothing prepared me for the first time I would use a Klymit Inertia XL air mattress. Can you say heavenly goodness for my back? I mean this was serious business that I never imagined could be used for camping. Sure, I had my doubts and thought an air mattress would be too thin, or pop, or be awkward. I was wrong. Sleeping on a camp air mattress was bliss. You just unroll and blow it up. When you do unroll it, try to retain some ida of how it was originally packed. It will come in handy when you repack it. Blowing it up took less than 30 seconds (if you use lung power vs. the pump they provide) and it fit in every tent I tried. I am 5′ 9″ tall and I had comfort from head-to-toe. Plus, the Intertia XL fit inside my Teton Sports Outfitter XXL tent like it was made for it.
The technology is sound, well thought out, and designed for hikers and campers who want a lightweight camp pad that takes up less room than a JetBoil. I even used mine on the floor of my little girls’ room when she had a hard time sleeping. I slept on the floor, next to her bed, with the Inertia XL under me. We both slept soundly. I have used the Inertia XL in Colorado, in my backyard, and on the floor of my house. It packs very well, is super lightweight, the shell is very durable, and is THE most comfortable thing I have slept on next to my bed.
The Klymit Inertia XL is very easy to repack, too. You let the air out, fold it back up the way you unfolded it, roll it and slide it back into the bag. No more fighting a foam pad or having to have extra bulk on the outside of the pack.
Now, should something happen in the backcountry, like say a small puncture on a rock, there is a patch kit in each bag that will be more than adequate.
Before you head out into the backcountry or the backyard, prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep. Pick up a Klymit Inertia XL air mattress because it will be needed for sleeping well on the hard ground. I honestly don’t think I could take it if I had a seven day hunt planned without using one. They retail for $129.95, so they are not cheap, but they are well worth the money in my book. Two years ago I wouldn’t have even considered it, but I would gladly pay that knowing what I know now. A good night’s sleep will give your body a chance at some solid rest. You’ll thank me for this later.
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