Latest news with #Zenbivy
WIRED
6 days ago
- WIRED
Zenbivy Light Bed Review: Still the Best Backcountry Sleep System
Zenbivy, renowned makers of outdoor bedding, have a clever quilt-and-sheet backcountry sleep system that gave me the best sleep I've ever had on the trail. The only problem with the original version was the weight, which was more than I generally like to carry on longer trips. Zenbivy has an ultralight version of its bed, but the fabrics aren't nearly as nice and soft as the original. This year Zenbivy updated its Light Bed, which sits between the ultralight and the regular (both of which were also revamped). It's now lighter, but retains much of what makes the original so nice. Zenbivy sent out a sample of the 2025 bed last year, and after testing it on fall, spring, and summer trips over the past eight months, I think it's the most versatile sleep system you can buy and a tremendous value as well. The Zenbivy Sleep System Photograph: Scott Gilbertson Before I get into this review, you have to understand what a Zenbivy bed actually is, because there's more here than just a sleeping bag. Zenbivy's sleep system is comprised of three elements: a quilt, a sheet, and a sleeping pad. Zenbivy's current sleeping system lineup consists of two different types of quilt/sheet combinations. One has zippers, which are now aimed at car camping, and the others, like the Light Bed, use a clip system to save weight. There are four "beds" at the moment: the Core, the Light, the Ultralight, and the Winter Light.
WIRED
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- WIRED
You Can Customize Zenbivy's Light Bed System for How You Sleep
For 2025, the Zenbivy Light Bed consists of two different quilt styles, the Light Quilt and the Light Convertible Quilt, along with the Light Sheet in either full length or half length. I tested and recommend the convertible quilt, which gives you more options and can be used in a wider range of backpacking scenarios. The convertible quilt can be unwrapped to lie totally flat and square like a quilt on your bed at home, but it can also be clipped up into a mummy-bag-style, draft-free footbox for colder nights. I love the ability to have my feet sticking out of the fully unclipped quilt on summer nights. For me, this makes it possible to use the 20-degree quilt on much warmer nights than I'd otherwise be able to, making the convertible quilt much more of do-everything option. The convertible quilt in size large (25-degree rating) is $319, and the long sheet uninsulated (25 degree rating) is $129, bringing the combo to $448. If you want something warmer, the 10-degree version of both comes out to $558. For comparison, our top pick ultralight sleeping bag, the Sea to Summit Spark 15, is $549 for size regular. Enlightening Photograph: Scott Gilbertson The big news in Zenbivy's 2025 revamp of the Light Bed is the new 25-denier (25D) Pongee fabric that's on all the panels that touch your skin—the sheet, the hood, and the inside of the quilt. It's softer and less nylon-y than older versions. You can also get a half-sheet, which saves you about 5 ounces in weight, although I did not test it. My favorite part about the new sheet is what's not in it, namely DWR coatings. I'm not a fan of chemicals, especially in something I'm sleeping in, so that was a welcome change. Do I wish there was an all-natural merino wool Zenbivy sheet? Why yes, yes I do (though it would undoubtedly be heavy), but there isn't, so I'm at least glad to see a few chemicals removed. Note that the outer shell of the quilt does have a PFAS-free DWR coating to help shed any tent moisture it might come in contact with.
