Full Zenbivy System or Piece Together?

[USADPT]

For those using Zenbivy, did you purchase the entire system (Light/UL/Etc) or did you add some Zenbivy items to a separate pad/pillow?

What would you recommend if starting from scratch?

[Looks like the Klymit Klymaloft XL is on sale for $119, is that a better pad?]

 

[Drenalin]

[Looks like the Klymit Klymaloft XL is on sale for $119, is that a better pad?]

That's a very low R-value, very high weight, very high bulk pad. I'd definitely look elsewhere.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

with the new ultralight pillow and sleeping pad, it is practical to do a full zenbivy system. when i bought my zenbivy bed is was not possible/practical, so i use my older pad and pillow.

 

[SonnyDay]

Get the system. It’s amazing. Not sure what your use case is, but I’ve been sleeping outside for going on 50 years (in plenty of sub-zero temps) and the ZenBivy system is by far the most comfortable ever. I did ultralight, 25-inch, and FlexAir insulated. Very happy.

 

[passinggas33]

I did something a little different than the above. I bought the thermarest pads, the zenbivy sheet and then converted by Katabatic and EE quilts to be compatible. I felt like I was getting a “better” quilt and pad for a similar if not better price. I used the Z packs stick on looks to make my system.

 

[BLJ]

I did something a little different than the above. I bought the thermarest pads, the zenbivy sheet and then converted by Katabatic and EE quilts to be compatible. I felt like I was getting a “better” quilt and pad for a similar if not better price. I used the Z packs stick on looks to make my system.

Interested to hear more about the stick in loops. Have they held up well? Thanks.

 

[passinggas33]

Interested to hear more about the stick in loops. Have they held up well? Thanks.

So far so good but I’ve only used them on one trip. Time with tell… what I’ve liked so far is that I was able to do that on 4 different quilts that I have (2 down and 2 synthetic) allowing me to piece together whatever system I want and only need 1 sheet. I also use 3 different thermarest air pads (going to try the mondo this week) so that variety is also nice. I actually have 2 Zenbivy sheets so my wife and I mix and match quilts and pads, but have our own bottom sheets. All of this has definitely cost me more than 1 system, but I like having a 40 degree option or a 20 degree option, or stack the quilts and have a 0ish degree system.

 

[jolemons]

Not too hijack the thread, but it's there any opinion on using the wider sheet with 20" pads?

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[BLJ]

So far so good but I’ve only used them on one trip. Time with tell… what I’ve liked so far is that I was able to do that on 4 different quilts that I have (2 down and 2 synthetic) allowing me to piece together whatever system I want and only need 1 sheet. I also use 3 different thermarest air pads (going to try the mondo this week) so that variety is also nice. I actually have 2 Zenbivy sheets so my wife and I mix and match quilts and pads, but have our own bottom sheets. All of this has definitely cost me more than 1 system, but I like having a 40 degree option or a 20 degree option, or stack the quilts and have a 0ish degree system.

Completely agree on the versatility that adding loops to anything would bring.
I like the sheet but was interested in a more budget solution for a quilt.
These stick on loops open up a lot of options. Thanks.

 

[Jordan Budd]

Not too hijack the thread, but it's there any opinion on using the wider sheet with 20" pads?

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It says you just cinch it down more for 20" pads. Been looking hard at these this morning for my enlightened equip enigma quilt. But, by the time I get the 25 degree fill for the sheet, I'm back up to the weight of my argali 20 degree bag. Maybe I can get by with the uninsulated. I tend to bury my face inside my bag cause apparently I don't like it cold.

 

[Untamed]

I just have the quilt and sheet with my old pad and it works great! 10* UL

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Bumping this to see if anyone else has more recent opinions after this past hunting season. I am in similar situation as the OP. I've always used sleeping bags but trying to discern if the complete Zenbivy system is good to go or if I'd be better off getting a higher "quality?" quilt from EE or Katabatic etc. and put the stick on loops? I realize over time I will likely end up with multiple quilts. Some reddit users complaining of cold spots in the Zenbivy quilts I read. Probably would choose goose over muscovy down?

Also debating going with a 25" pad over 20" to try and increase comfort. I'm a smaller framed guy (5' 10" 140lbs.), so I've always used 20" pads to save weight but last two years just seems like I'm not sleeping as good backpacking as I used to, IDK maybe I just had more gumption before I turned 35 but it just seems I never get truly asleep anymore which I don't recall in my 20's and early 30's. The Thermarest NeoAir Xlite NXT and Nemo Tensor are both lighter than Zenbivy ultralight pads and the Tensor has greater r-value so that makes me lean towards at least not getting the Zenbivy pad. I'm using a 20" Big Agnes Rapid SL and it works fine so could also just keep using that, it's definitely an improvement over what I had 5 years ago in all aspects lol.

Any smaller guys using 25" pads notice an improvement in comfort/sleep?

 

[ryndxt]

would love to hear opinions on the zenbivy system as well

 

[Bama67]

I finally bought a Zenbivy last year and it's fantastic, so much better than a bag.

 

[SonnyDay]

I'm 5'10" and 175 lbs. I freakin' love my full Zenbivy system. I have the ultralight 10 degree quilt with ultralight sheet, pillow, etc.

I went with the 25" Flex Air mattress and I feel like it gives me a better night's sleep. I am a side sleeper... and it helps me not feel like I am falling off my pad. FWIW, it is also, hands down, the most comfortable backcountry pad I have ever slept on. I have slept on many. I have a king size Tempurpedic at home... and don't miss it in the woods. I'm 53.

I wonder if the guys complaining about cold spots are on 20" pads?

In fairness, I have only had my ZB set up down to about 10 degrees. Have not tried it at below zero temps.

 

[Bubblehide]

I have a bunch of pads in varying R-value, so I bought 2 quilts, an ultra light and a light, along with 2 ultra light sheets (1/2 sheets). I also have/had a few inflatable curved pillows (I have a screwed up neck). I am tickled pink with my Zenbivy setups. But, you need am appropriate R-value pad inorder to be comfortable. The Zenbivy sheet will fit any appropriately sized pad, as they are oversized. The oversized is not an issue at all. So, if you have an appropriate pad, you don't need to purchase a Zenbivy pad. There are plenty of good ultralight pads avaliable. Just do your research on what independent objective reviewers have to say about Weight and durability. However, I am sure Zenbevy selld good pads, as they appear to value both light Weight and durability.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

I did something a little different than the above. I bought the thermarest pads, the zenbivy sheet and then converted by Katabatic and EE quilts to be compatible. I felt like I was getting a “better” quilt and pad for a similar if not better price. I used the Z packs stick on looks to make my system.

Do you not think the zb quilt is not up par in the quality department.

 

[passinggas33]

Do you not think the zb quilt is not up par in the quality department.

At the time I did this, I hadn’t seen many reviews on them and I had a Katabatic quilt which I felt was top level. So I went with what I had. I truly don’t know about the quality of the quilts from Zenbivy. I think if I remember correctly as well, for the price, there were better value out there from the cottage companies. Meaning you could get the same fill, size, etc, for less money. But that might have changed. I haven’t researched it since I did it so this might have changed.

Now they make the stick on loops you can buy directly from zenbivy which would be a nicer option that the zpacks version that I did. But that wasn’t available at the time I did mine