Let’s Talk About Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow
Camping can be an amazing experience, but let’s be honest, a decent night’s sleep can be hard to come by. The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow promises to bring a touch of home comfort to your outdoor adventures. Klymit has designed a pillow that balances portability with the support you need for a good rest.
I’ve spent years contorting myself around lumpy jackets and awkwardly folded sleeping bags in a desperate attempt to get some shut-eye while camping. My neck and back have paid the price. I needed a solution that was both compact enough for my gear bag and comfortable enough to actually help me sleep.
My first impression upon unboxing was positive. The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow felt surprisingly substantial for something designed to be portable. The outer shell seemed durable, and the jersey cotton inner case felt soft to the touch.
I considered a few other options before settling on the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow. Inflatable pillows always felt too much like sleeping on a balloon, and other memory foam pillows I looked at didn’t compress nearly as well. I chose the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow due to its blend of memory foam comfort and packability.
I was definitely excited to try it out. A good night’s sleep in the backcountry can make or break a trip. The hope was that the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow would deliver on its promise of comfort and packability.
Real-World Testing: Putting Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow on a weekend car camping trip in the Deschutes National Forest. The nights were cool and crisp, perfect for testing its comfort. I used it both inside my tent and while lounging around the campfire.
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow performed admirably in both settings. It provided ample support while sleeping in my tent, and it was comfortable enough to use as a backrest around the campfire. I appreciated the water-resistant outer shell when a bit of morning dew found its way into the tent.
I didn’t need any time to get used to it. The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow felt instantly comfortable. The shredded memory foam conformed to my head and neck without feeling overly firm or lacking in support.
The only minor issue was that the pillow tended to slide around a bit on the floor of my tent. This was easily remedied by placing it inside the hood of my sleeping bag.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of use on multiple camping trips, the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow has held up remarkably well. There are no signs of wear and tear on the outer shell or the inner cotton case. The shredded memory foam has maintained its loft and support.
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is easy to clean. The outer shell can be wiped down with a damp cloth. The inner jersey cotton case is removable and machine washable, a huge plus for keeping things fresh on longer trips.
Compared to past experiences with makeshift pillows and uncomfortable inflatables, the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is a revelation. It provides a level of comfort that I previously thought was impossible to achieve in the backcountry. It definitely outperforms my expectations.
Breaking Down the Features of Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow
Specifications
- The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow features a 75D Ripstop Polyester w/DWR coating shell. This provides water resistance and durability, protecting the pillow from moisture and wear.
- The inner cover is made of 100% Cotton Jersey Fabric Cover. This provides a soft and comfortable sleep surface.
- The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow weighs 28 oz/785 g. It’s a good balance of comfort and portability.
- The dimensions are 23in x 16in x 6.5in/58 x 41 x 17 cm when inflated. This provides ample space for a comfortable night’s sleep.
- When packed, the dimensions are 13.5in x 5in x 7in/34 x 13 x 18cm. This is compact enough for easy travel.
- The fill material is Shredded Memory Foam. This strikes a balance between support and comfort, conforming to your head and neck.
These specifications are important because they contribute directly to the pillow’s performance and user experience. The water-resistant shell protects against the elements, while the soft cotton cover enhances comfort. The dimensions provide ample support without being too bulky to pack.
Performance & Functionality
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow excels at its primary job: providing comfortable support for your head and neck while camping. It’s a significant upgrade from using rolled-up clothes or inflatable pillows. The shredded memory foam conforms well, and the pillow maintains its shape throughout the night.
The strength of the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is definitely the comfort it offers. A weakness might be that it is not as compact as some inflatable pillows, but the added comfort is worth the extra space. It definitely meets my expectations and exceeds them.
Design & Ergonomics
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow features a well-thought-out design. The combination of a durable outer shell and a soft inner cover is excellent. The weight is acceptable considering the level of comfort provided.
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is exceptionally user-friendly. There is no inflation required. You simply remove it from its stuff sack and it’s ready to go.
Durability & Maintenance
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow appears to be built to last. The materials seem durable, and the stitching is well-done. With proper care, it should last for many camping trips.
Maintaining the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is easy. The outer shell can be wiped clean, and the inner cover is machine washable. This ensures that it stays fresh and hygienic even after extended use.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow does not come with a wide array of accessories. It includes a stuff sack for storage and transport. You could potentially use a compression sack to further reduce its packed size, although this isn’t strictly necessary.
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is compatible with standard pillowcases. This allows you to customize the sleep surface to your preference. Klymit themselves do not offer any additional accessories for this product.
Pros and Cons of Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow
Pros
- Superior Comfort: The shredded memory foam provides excellent support and conforms to your head and neck for a restful night’s sleep.
- Durable Construction: The 75D Ripstop Polyester with DWR coating shell is water-resistant and built to withstand the rigors of camping.
- Easy to Clean: The removable jersey cotton inner cover is machine washable, making it easy to keep the pillow fresh and hygienic.
- Good Packability: While not the smallest pillow on the market, it packs down to a reasonable size for easy transport.
- Ready to Use: No inflation required. Simply unpack and enjoy.
Cons
- Size: It’s larger and heavier than inflatable options.
- Price: At $44.99, it’s more expensive than basic inflatable pillows.
Who Should Buy Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow?
The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is perfect for car campers, overlanders, and anyone who values a good night’s sleep while camping. It’s also well-suited for travelers who want to bring a bit of home comfort with them on the road. If you need a pillow for lightweight backpacking where every ounce counts, this might be too bulky.
Someone who is extremely weight-conscious or on a tight budget might want to skip this product. A smaller, inflatable pillow would be a better choice for backpackers, while a cheaper pillow would be preferable for those looking to save money. A compression sack may be a worthwhile addition to further reduce the packed size, especially if you are trying to fit it into a backpack.
Conclusion on Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow
Overall, the Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow is an excellent product that delivers on its promise of comfort and packability. While it’s not the lightest or smallest option on the market, the added comfort is well worth the extra size and weight. The Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow represents a good value.
The price of $44.99 is justified by the quality of the materials and the level of comfort provided. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and durable camping pillow. Get yourself a Klymit Drift Car Camp Pillow and say goodbye to sleepless nights in the great outdoors!