Klymit Kinetic Vest review
Klymit Double Diamond Kinetic Vest
Warm. Very warm. Unbelievably warm. I could go on describing how warm the Klymit Kinetic Vest is, and I don’t think it would be enough. When I put it on, it’s like wrapping a heater around my chest, and the effect is immediate. So what is Klymit, how does the Kinetic Vest work, and why does it practically radiate heat?
Klymit is a new outdoor technology company based in Ogden, Utah. The company’s founder and CEO, Nate Alder, got the idea for using noble gas as insulation when he was a student at Brigham Young University. While scuba diving in Brazil, he learned that deep-sea divers use noble gases in dry suits to stay warm in cold water. For Alder, it was a eureka moment to apply the same technology for winter sports.
Noble gases such as Argon, Krypton and Xenon are natural insulators. When filled inside the Klymit Kinetic Vest, the gas reflects body heat. According to Klymit, using a noble gas like Argon is a far better way to insulate than down or synthetic fibers. Gas is weightless, never loses loft, is impossible to get wet, traps heat, and is environmentally friendly.
To see how well the Klymit Kinetic Vest works, I took the Double Diamond model out on several trips in cold weather. After filling the vest with gas from a small canister and putting it on, I noticed right away how warm it is. First, I took my dog hiking when temperatures dropped into the teens. I wore the vest over a fleece and my core stayed warm even when my arms froze.
Next, I wore the vest skiing. The first day at Deer Valley was brutally cold with single-digit temperatures. The Klymit vest performed very well as it kept me warm and blocked out the wind. However, on a different day at Snowbird, temperatures had risen into the 20′s and after only a few runs I was sweating. But with the turn of a built-in dial on the chest, I deflated the vest which controlled my body temperature. Later in the day when I got cold, a quick shot of gas filled the vest back up and the heat machine started up once again.
Where the gas goes in.
Klymit’s noble gas technology may be a game changer for the outdoor industry, but I don’t think it will ever completely replace traditional insulators. The Klymit Kinetic Vest is a highly technical piece of gear that works extremely well, but it’s not cozy like a down or synthetic jacket. Also, when inflated, it doesn’t pack down at all which makes it questionable for backpacking trips. Of course, one can just deflate it, but I found I was stingy with my gas canisters as they cost $24 for a three-pack.
Overall, the Klymit Kinetic Vest does everything the company says it does. It’s very warm, provides the ability to control core body-temperature with the turn of a dial, insulates while wet, and is very lightweight. On the downside, the owner of a vest will have to periodically buy gas canisters to keep it inflated, which can add up. But for some people, the cost of Argon gas will be a small price to pay considering the amount of warmth the Klymit Kinetic Vest provides.
You can purchase the Klymit Double Diamond Kinetic Vest at the Klymit website.
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[...] Klymit ever since they were students at BYU inventing their argon gas insulated clothing, like the Double Diamond Kinetic Vest. How they have grown! They totally have their vests dialed in, and there’s also a line of [...]
[...] started it all with their Kinetic Vests that can be filled with insulating argon gas when the chill sets in, then deflated when weather [...]
[...] Klymit, Utah’s own Ogden-based wonder company, has expanded their product line after listening to suggestions on how to improve their noble gas insulating gear. New this year are improved vests, never-before-seen jackets, and another ultra light camping pad. Klymit started it all with their Kinetic Vests that can be filled with insulating argon gas when the chill sets in, then deflated when weather gets warm for on-demand temperature control. Now for 2011 there is a women’s specific model called the Caldera. It features a female-friendly design along with all the things that make the Kinetic Vest so warm and comfortable such as a dynamic channel design to trap heat, 4-way stretch fabric, water resistant rubberized zippers, and a chest dial pressure release valve. Outdoor Retailer was abuzz last summer about Klymit’s Interia X Frame, the lightest, full length camping pad in existence. But some campers (especially those of the large-size variety) felt that it was too minimalist. Enter the Klymit Inertia XL. It uses the same body mapping technology as the X Frame, but with more girth for anyone who needs a wider pad or tends to roll around while sleeping. It also can be filled with argon gas with Klymit’s NobleTek system for super insulation on cold nights. Despite its larger size, the Inertia XL is also very light at only 16.8 ounces, and packs down to the size of a water bottle.Finally, Klymit is now going beyond their inflatable vests and are releasing the Ulaar Kinetic Shell. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of vests overall, prefering my outerwear with sleeves. Now Klymit will provide full coverage with this hard shell that transforms into an insulating puffy with a simple shot of argon gas. Me likey. For more, pay Klymit a visit at http://www.klymit.com You can also read my review of the Klymit Kinetic Vest here. [...]