Zenbivy Bed vs Light Bed Sleeping System Showdown!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 พ.ย. 2024
- After many nights in both the Zenbivy Bed and the Zenbivy Light Bed, this is my side-by-side comparative review. I show you the differences between the two in great detail. Better than a sleeping bag. Better than a quilt. These are the best sleeping systems I've ever used for both backpacking and car camping. But which one is for you?
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⚡️ Zenbivy Bed: alnk.to/8iRc8K7
⚡️ Light Bed: alnk.to/1XTUPnB
Read out written review at: outdoorempire....
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These are honestly my favorite sleep systems I've used for both backpacking and car camping. Affiliate links below:
⚡ Zenbivy Bed: alnk.to/8iRc8K7
⚡ Light Bed: alnk.to/1XTUPnB
Great video....I have the light quilt and sheet and I'm debating on buying the light mattress I'm in Australia obviously so I'm kinda curious about it compared to the Nemo tensor alpine insulated .... Can you give me some tips not many videos out there comparing the two thanks mate....like I can see it is both 3inches thick, zenbivvy weighs 50 grams or so less and has a higher r value but the aluminized film vs synthetic filling is what is making me think twice about it? Not much info about it online
Cheers 👍
Nice review! Could you please tell me what size sheet i should be getting form the Nemo Extreme Rectangular pad?
Good day to you!
I am a grandpa rider on HONDA motorcycle from Japan.
Enjoying camping ,touring and upload video.
Your gear video is so nice!
Awesome!
Full supported !
Have a nice day my friend!
Thank you so much! I ride motorcycles too, but my current bike is a Kawasaki. Take care.
Excellent video, exactly what I was looking for. I am 66 yrs old, and ground sleeping has become less and less comfortable for me with my current system. I NEEEED good sleep. I have looked at sleep systems by Exped, Nemo, Paria, Klymit... this Zenbivy is very clever with some added options/features... the 30x80 size pad is a clincher for me in terms of comfort. The cost & weight are more, but I will gladly pay an extra $250 and carry an extra 2-3# for more comfortable sleeps!!! No longer ultra-light, but light-weight with good sleep is what I want.
Glad it was helpful! And I agree, a few extra pounds on my back by day is worth a few good hours of sleep by night.
Really appreciate the honest review here! This company has put a lot of consideration into things that I wish some of the more well known brands would and the prices are a little better. Unfortunately I’m an ounce counter so I’m hoping they’ll execute something for the ultralight packers in the near future.
I believe they did just release an ultralight version you might want to check out. Still probably not the lightest system out there, but apparently quite a bit lighter than the ZenBivy systems I reviewed here. Thanks for watching!
Good to know. Didn't know the Bivy bed was more comfortable than the Light.
Yet, I'm probably going to get the light just because I backpack more often.
Overall, it was an excellent overview of the items. Allows me to make a more educated purchase, cheers ~
You bet! Glad it was helpful. That softer fabric on the Zenbivy bed does have a plusher feel.
I just got a Zenbivy Core bed and I'm so stoked about it lol
Awesome! Hoping to check out the Core Bed soon.
A couple of quick observations. The hood on the sheets keeps your pillow from wandering. The various light sheets and quilts are mix and match with the quilts and you can even use a Core sheet with a light quilt snd vice versa. The color coded hook/loop fasteners are all the same across all sheet/quilt combinations. Of course pay attention to sheet width/length sizing. The system is very versatile. You could decide you like the core sheet with the quilt for non backpacking but switch to a 3oz Fastsheet for a more UL approach or summer. Or just leave the sheet behind snd use only the quilt if you want to be true minimalist. Personally I didn't buy their pad and stuck with the Tensor which works perfectly; I don't like loft filled pads and I do not believe Zenbivy uses the standardized testing for R value so where does their R value number come from? The owner says, in an interview, that they choose the fabrics for the hand feel over the pure weight and the 25 light bed does feel quite luxurious. I haven't tried the Pongee fabric sheets yet. YET!
Great observations, thanks for sharing! Not sure how they derived the R value, that's just what they have listed on their site.
I just bought the Zenbivy Light Bed 25, so I look forward to seeing if it's for me--thanks for showing the differences! If the hooks are too "fiddly" as you mentioned, I might try the regular bed.
Hope you like it! Even though the hooks are more fiddly on the Light Bed than the zipper on the Zenbivy Bed, they are still way better than the REI quilt I have, so it's not a big deal. I still prefer the Light Bed for backpacking since it saves a couple pounds.
Nevermind all of the accessories, I have a light bed. With a women’s thermorest and it’s perfect.
Nice!
I appreciate the information in this video. You’ve come across as very honest seeming, and took care to hit all the important points. Thank you Sir 👍
Well thank you very much for watching and commenting! I'm glad you found it helpful.
How loud (crinkly) is the ultralight pad versus the light pad?
It isn't crinkly at all really. That's another reason I like it. Instead of mylar or similar as internal insulation they use synthetic batting like in a jacket or blanket. So it is very quiet. However, it is also heavier and bulkier than truly ultralight sleeping pads. But I think it's a pretty good balance of weight and comfort.
Thank you!
Great video, great review. One minor complaint... what the heck is a Pal-oh? (😜)”This is the little dinky bag for the Pal-oh...”
Haha 😂! My wife has been asking me the same thing for 20 years.
Do you know how they rate their temperatures. Is the 25 degree rating a comfort rating or survival rating?
That's a great question. The quilts I have are rated at 25 degrees and that's a limit rating. The comfort rating is 35 F.
Would you mind comparing it to the Big Agnes Anvil Horn and the Diamond Park.
Great idea, noted.
I use a nemo mattress. Would you recommend the regular bed over the light bed if using a better mattress? I don't need it light weight as I use it in my truck bed tent and don't pack it around. As of right now the light bed only comes with the fast foot box, but the regular has the convertible. I think I'd prefer the convertible just so I have the option to open it fully especially since I do a lot of boondocking in south Idaho during the summer. I'm just worried about zippers jamming up or breaking.
If you don't care about weight, then get the regular Zenbivy Bed for sure. It's more comfortable with that soft inner liner fabric compared to the Light Bed. The Light Bed is indeed lighter weight which requires more specialized materials which makes it more expensive. But when I'm car camping my favorite is the regular Zenbivy Bed. And ya, that convertible foot box is awesome. I stick my feet out when it's warm and this quilt rocks for that. The sheet should work fine with your Nemo mattress as long as you check that the sizes align pretty closely. There's a little wiggle room in there so it doesn't have to be exact as long as the mattress isn't quite a bit bigger than the sheet. The zippers are quite smooth, in my opinion, and at least there are less of them than a regular sleeping bag. I live in Southern Idaho too so shout out from here!
Really clear review, thanks!
You're most welcome, I'm glad it was helpful!
Great review. Nice options for sleeping systems. New follower here. Crow✌️
Awesome! Thank you!
What size white duck canvas tarp is that 6x8?
Keen eye! I believe mine is an 8'x10'.
I have a Sea to Summit pad that's 25" at the shoulders but does taper at the foot end. I'm wondering if the bottom sheet on this system will still strap onto this even though it's not a full rectangle.
I bet you could make it work. You might just have some loose material down at the foot or you could maybe tie it back.
Does the hood come off?
It doesn't "come off" but if you don't use the sheet it's not there, like if you just use the quilt. You can also easily fold it back and underneath your pad or just lay on top of it, which is what I do unless it's cold. But even if I don't use the hood, I like that it holds your pillow in place even if you just lay your head on top.
@@theoutdoorempire thank you so much for responding and providing the video. It’s really helpful. I’m gonna see if I can get one for a graduation present.
No. Think of it as a pillow garage. I think the hood and the wings are the two geniuses of ZenBivy.
30 pounds?! I’m anywhere between 50 and 80, depending where I go, and how far!
A few key gear upgrades and you could really reduce your load with today's gear.
This system is expensive, packs huge and is heavy! It woundn't fit in my 45L REI flash pack (that I use for 2-3 night hikes) and leave room for much else. I make my own bags and quilts starting with a 700FP throw. I add 700+ FP down and Climashield synthetic insulation. Cost about $110 for a custom, warm bag. Weighs 26 to 30 ounces depending on the details such as if it has a hood and the amount of Climashield I use. One very nice feature; a long, top/center zipper with a thick baffle. The zipper location and length makes it very easy to get in and out. I've been comfy to 34F using a Nemo Tensor pad. How to videos on my channel, TomLovesDIY
Thanks for the tips! I manage to put the Zenbivy Bed in my 40L pack just fine along with everything else, but a DIY bag sounds pretty cool too.
This system converts hundreds of dollars, hundreds of grams and whole litres of volume into more comfort. Every gram, dollar and litre for more comfort. Heavier, but softer materials, hundred grams of zippers for ease of use, a huge hood, oversized. I kayak and bikepack. I want this. Huge and comfortably. Combined with an expensive, heavy huge mattress :)
If you look at their UL system, it packs down the same as any other quilt, and the sheet is a half-sheet. Yes, it's more expensive, but it's way more comfortable than a bag or a standard quilt prone to drafts. I've tried them, and now I'm trying a Zenbivy!