Full Zenbivy System or Piece Together?

[passinggas33]

Do you or does anyone else know if Zenbivy uses baffles or sewn through construction? From their site I believe they use baffles but couldn’t tell for sure.

I don’t. Sorry. I haven’t looked at their quilts in a while.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

My 10 degree light has baffles

 

[JoeK]

Some relevant posts on the zenbivy quilts from the zenbivy or argali thread.

What makes you say “better”?

I have SG, EE, FF, and one or two more quilts but I don’t remember which brands. The Zen Bivy is the best/warmest of them all.

Thank you. Just wondering as I’ve heard/read that a few times from people, with the meaning that the Zen Bivy isn’t as good of quality, and I’m not seeing it.

I haven't gotten to try the zenbivy in any cold weather, but the 25* Muscovy ultralight is incredibly lightweight. I too was debating sticking loops on a 15ish degree USA made quilt from Backpacker brand Y for colder weather trips but decided to just get the zenbivy 10* instead and be done with it. At sale prices it's comparable enough and it's designed exactly for the system, though I do think sticking loops on another brand quality quilt would work 100% as well.
I went with the flexair pad and limited nights use so far but it's the most comfortable backpacking pad I've used. Haven't used a ton of them, but it's more comfortable than my thermarest hands down and it doesn't sound like a bag of chips. If I really need to count ounces, or need the R value the Xtherm is OK, but the flexair is worth the extra weight to me in most cases.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I got the light bag but wanted the full coverage sheet so I made that swap. I'd do the same thing starting out agan.

Curious why you wanted the full size sheet? Did you get the insulated hood? All the attachment points seem to be on the upper half with the half sheet?

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Some relevant posts on the zenbivy quilts from the zenbivy or argali thread.




I haven't gotten to try the zenbivy in any cold weather, but the 25* Muscovy ultralight is incredibly lightweight. I too was debating sticking loops on a 15ish degree USA made quilt from Backpacker brand Y for colder weather trips but decided to just get the zenbivy 10* instead and be done with it. At sale prices it's comparable enough and it's designed exactly for the system, though I do think sticking loops on another brand quality quilt would work 100% as well.
I went with the flexair pad and limited nights use so far but it's the most comfortable backpacking pad I've used. Haven't used a ton of them, but it's more comfortable than my thermarest hands down and it doesn't sound like a bag of chips. If I really need to count ounces, or need the R value the Xtherm is OK, but the flexair is worth the extra weight to me in most cases.

Have you slept on a Nemo tensor? That was what I’m currently mulling. 5.4 R vs 4.8 of the flexair and 2 ounces lighter.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Curious why you wanted the full size sheet? Did you get the insulated hood? All the attachment points seem to be on the upper half with the half sheet?

Full sheet is a comfort move, to keep your skin off the pad. The whole zenbivy premise is comfort

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Full sheet is a comfort move, to keep your skin off the pad. The whole zenbivy premise is comfort

Ok thanks for clarifying. I’ve not seen one in person I was just thinking the quilt comes under you down lower. I usually sleep with pants on so idk if that would matter much to me.

Did you get the insulated hood?

Yea I’ve sacrificed comfort basically my entire 20 year span backpacking to save weight but as I’ve gotten older I see the value in sleep over weight savings, especially on physically challenging hunts/trips. The irony is even with a wider pad and this system I will be close to or even under what my current setup is and probably close to a lb less than what I was using a decade or more ago.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

My hood seems to have insulation, but not nearly as much as the quilt itself. I just got a stock zenbivy set up, ordered everything off the 10 degree light need page back when that was their warmest/lightest set up

 

[JoeK]

Have you slept on a Nemo tensor? That was what I’m currently mulling. 5.4 R vs 4.8 of the flexair and 2 ounces lighter.

I have not. I picked up a Tensor extreme from the classifieds to compare with the Xtherm and while I expect to make that switch I have not slept on it. just laying on them side by side the Zenbivy Flexair feels a little softer/more comfortable. Maybe due to the different "baffle" pattern or I suspect the bit of stretch in the material plays a factor but it does feel a little more plush. as Researchin states the whole premise is comfort so Flexair gets my vote.
I would pack a higher R-value pad for colder weather anyways and both the
Tensor extreme and Xtherm are actually shaving ounces off from the Flexair if the conditions make warmth more important. Even all up with a 10oz/10* hooded full sheet and the 10* quilt I'm coming in very close to my old 15* Mummy bag and the comfort is noticeably higher, and I suspect the warmth is better too given the distribution of the down. Plus with the ultralight 25* quilt and a "fast" sheet at 3oz I have a super light system that I bet can comfortably get down to the 20's sleeping with my Puffy and wool beanie on. I didn't have anything close that previously I just had a 16oz down camp blanket that was good for warmer weather but I wouldn't want to take below 40 with layers on.

 

[JoeK]

My hood seems to have insulation, but not nearly as much as the quilt itself. I just got a stock zenbivy set up, ordered everything off the 10 degree light need page back when that was their warmest/lightest set up

I got the ultralight quilt with a light insulated sheet last year. the 10* sheet hood seems very lofty and downy to me.
Just ordered the 10* ultralight quilt and uninsulated half sheet this week.