Klymit KSB 35

Three team members put the Klymit KSB 35 to the test this spring in the mountains of Colorado and the deserts of Utah. We’re fans of Klymit—the brand’s mission is simple: make innovative, quality gear at an affordable price. The Klymit KSB 20 is still a favorite budget pick for backpacking, even though they’ve raised the price (now $250). Finding a bag that’s under 3 lbs for that cheap is a tough ask.

While there were definitely attractive elements of the Klymit KSB 35, it doesn’t seem to deserve to belong in the KSB line, as it’s missing our favorite feature and defining characteristic of the original KSB 20—the flexible stretch baffles, essentially loose bungee cords around the latitudinal axis of the bag, which allow for stretch and provide a revolutionary backcountry sleep experience. That being said, the KSB 35 is $200 and 1.9 pounds. For frugal folks on the hunt for a cheap summer bag for camping and backpacking, the KSB 35 is a great find.

Pros:

On the pillars of price and weight alone, Klymit is tough to beat. To find a better sleeping bag that’s lighter and a similar warmth rating, you can expect to spend at least an extra $50, if not twice that. The bag itself is lightweight, and the stuff sack is large enough to easily cram the bag into yet small enough to pack well in a backpack. Despite seeming a bit scant, the lightweight 650-fill duck down provides just the right amount of warmth on summer nights (we wouldn’t recommend going much lower than 40-degrees). One of our testers is a side sleeper, and had no issues shifting back and forth throughout the night. He commented, “My legs were also able to move freely without getting twisted or stuck.”

Cons:

The KSB 35 is lacking the original KSB 20’s stretchy baffles, which is a major disappointment. The zippers were just ok, as they lacked rigidity along the seam, and testers frequently had to use two hands to avoid snags. Also, while the outer fabric is DWR-coated and ready for warmer nights spent without a tent, testers agreed that the inner sil-nylon material had a less welcoming hand feel when compared to other fabrics, like that of the tester favorite Big Agnes and The North Face bags. Maybe the price makes it worth a small sacrifice in inner fabric comfort and quality—that all depends on your frequency of use and budget. Given that a 20-degree bag suffices on the vast majority of camping trips, saving some cents on a warmer summer bag may make sense for you.

Favorite Feature: The Adjustable Length Locks, which allows the bag to be used by smaller sleepers without extra space at the foot of the bag causing frozen feet.

Tester Comments: “This sleeping bag is extremely lightweight and compact when in stuff sack mode. It provides just the right amount of warmth despite what looks to be a lack of materials.”

Bottom Line: Lightweight and reasonably priced, the KSB 35 is a good choice for those looking for a secondary summer backpacking bag.

Key Attribute: Weight