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.