Is the ZenBivy Sleep System Overrated?

In this video, I share my thoughts on the ZenBivy sleep system. I've been testing it for a while now, and I do agree the it is a really comfortable and luxurious sleep system. In fact, it's the most comfortable outdoor sleep system that I've slept in. However, ZenBivby comes at a rather high price, especially here in Europe. And it also weighs more than most other alternatives, so it's definitely not for everyone.
▼ THRU-HIKING POSTERS (MADE BY ME & MY GF)
Shop hiking trail posters here ➜ trailgoals.com/ (10% discount code: oscarhikes)
Instagram ➜ / trail.goals
▼ ZENBIVY SLEEP SYSTEM USED IN THE VIDEO
Zenbivy Light Quilt -12C Convertible ➜ (Zenbivy Europe: zenbivy.eu/en/products/light-...)
Zenbivy Light Sheet -12C ➜ (Zenbivy Europe: zenbivy.eu/en/products/light-...)
Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress ➜ (Zenbivy Europe: zenbivy.eu/en/products/ultral...)
Zenbivy SoftTop Pillow ➜ (Zenbivy Europe: zenbivy.eu/en/pages/pillows)
▼ OTHER GEAR USED IN THE VIDEO (affiliate links)
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft 0F Quilt ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3RJhVw9
)
Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Pillow ➜ (Decathlon: www.decathlon.com/products/fo...)
Outdoor Vitals Fortius 2P Ultralight Tent ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Negatives
03:27 - Positives
07:48 - Final Verdict
▼ FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
/ oscarbrumelis
/ oscarhikes
▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
In some of our videos, I sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking my affiliate links, I might get a small commission from the total purchase, at no additional cost for you. I participate in the Amazon Associates affiliate program and other affiliate programs.

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks for tuning in! If you want to support this channel, check out these posters made by me & my wife of various hiking and thru-hiking trails (10% off with discount code: oscarhikes) ➜ trailgoals.com/

[@TennesseeSlim]

They really got their money worth sending all these KZbinrs a free quilt system

[@user-kd1du1yp4g]

I have 25° zenbivy light bed and what I noticed is that when the temperatures go down to 33-34° I then wake up cold. So to all those people who are planning to use this system in those temperatures I recommend getting 10° quilt as their temp ratings are a bit off since 34 degree should fall into "comfort temperature rating".

[@kmichaelp4508]

All are! No matter what company,

[@michelstronguin6974]

Great review! The full sheet is way better, try to get it instead of the half sheet. Solves all the problems you mentioned in the video in relation to the sheet. The valve, I just hold the lower plastic every time I go to open it, so that I don't pull on the fabric, works great! And about the pump sack, its a huge innovation, because it weighs just 1 ounce, which is half as much as any other pump sack, and all you have to do is pump a few more times, plus it serves as an additional dry bag for your system, worth it imo.

[@Simon-gx1wf]

During memorial day here in the US, the light 10f was around 300 usd, wich is about 100-150$ cheaper than a quilt by EE and Katabatic, using this quilt+ sheet on a 25” xlite whilst it is around 200-250g heavier than the equivalent quilt, I still have a sub 6kg base weight and confortable sleep system, I really need comfy sleep for hike up to about 2 weeks , I havent done any longer but plan on doing the colorado trail next year, for wich I might buy a lighter system, so It can feel ovehyped, but depending on you system and how you hike, IT REALLY IS DAMN COMFY Also for those broke traveler like me, this is great as you will often sleep outside when hitchiking, so it can be great for that too!

[@dag_larsson]

Thank you for this. I have just recently been thinking about whether the double systems would be worth it for me and my partner. I have been attracted by the idea of quilts since I have rarely had a truly good sleep in sleeping bags myself, and my partner doesn't have any hiking experience. It could be a good fit for us as a system for weekends where a bit more weight is acceptable, but it's just so expensive. It was nice to hear your thoughts!

[@streiklauzis87]

Nice vid! I am thinking to add an extra zipp to my RockFront 350 pro sleep system so it would be a 2 in 1 double-quilt sleep system, easily minus 12 degrees celsius, 1100 grams with a mat sheet and a hood.

[@user-bi1dp4km2o]

Thanks for the integrity and honesty!

[@nicksam5518]

I have a 2020 light 25* bed, and a 2021 apex. I also have the light mattress, and the new zero insulation 2.3 oz sheet for 2024. Can’t recommend enough. I’m 6’1, 230. I slept warm, and have tested this in my back yard down to 20* np. I really love to mix & match my Nemo tensor or my ugq 40 bag. It really does work as a great system u can manipulate to your needs. The crazy attach points make quilt sleeping .. perfect. Deals abound! I got 25% off on all my buys / summer special.

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Thanks for making this.

[@OscarHikes]

Glad you liked it!

[@christophrehse]

May I ask why you opted for the long version? I myself am only 6 feet (1,82m) tall but - as a stomach sleeper continously extend beyond the 190cm mark. I am intrigued to know what your reason was? Comfort? Body height? Both?

[@38201270298]

I'm also in Europe and have ZenBivy light bed & BigAgnes lost ranger UL3in1. The prices for those systems are ridiculous, but they are quite comfy. I'm struggling deciding which one the best. They both have they pros and cons.

[@mattoutdoorua]

I like your channel because it's quite different from the other popular backpacking KZbin channels. Are you doing it for a full time?

[@OscarHikes]

Thank you for the feedback! :) Yes, I started doing it full time maybe 3 months ago. Haven't been doing really a good job at that so far, but I'm finally freing up some personal time to start putting more effort into this in the next few months.

[@mattoutdoorua]

@@OscarHikes it's great to see more channels from Europe on this surface. Also come and visit Ukraine after the war

[@briandoolittle3422]

I'm curious if you have a good idea how much the difference in comfort is due to the pad/pillow vs the quilt system. After doing a bunch of research, I ended up buying the pad and pillow, and I think they have substantially upgraded the comfort of my system. I'm skeptical about whether the quilt and sheet setup is meaningfully better than my Enlightened equipment quilt.

[@OscarHikes]

Hmm, that's a really good point and I hadn't even thought about both of them separately that way. I'll try swapping the light bed with my quilt and see the difference, but based on my previous experiences, I'd say that the pad accounts for maybe 25% of the comfort, the pillow another 25%, and the quilt + sheet 50%. It's all very subjective though. But the main advantage of the sheet + quilt is that you can literally rotate 360 degrees (as I did in the video in one shot), and it won't turn with you. I usually turn A LOT during the night, and with my quilt or sleeping bag, I sometimes wake up with them completely twisted or with large gaps (with the quilt). This doesn't happen with the ZenBivy system. There are also WAY fewer drafts coming through. But yeah, as I said in the video, this is a nice benefit, but not 100% necessary for me. If you already have an Enlightened Equipment quilt and you're sleeping well, IMO it isn't worth it to drop another 520 EUR just to sleep a bit better. It's only worth it for 1) people who are really struggling to have good sleep, or 2) if you have a high budget and you're looking to upgrade anyway and don't care about weight that much.

[@briandoolittle3422]

@@OscarHikes Yeah that all makes sense. I move a lot while I'm in bed, but I think in quite a different way than most people. I have complex sleep apnea, so I fully wake up 3-5 times a night, regardless of how good my sleep system is. I turn from one side to the other during this. So although I move frequently in bed, its during a waking moment that is going to happen anyway. I don't really move while I'm actually asleep. Also, because of this, my turning is probably more deliberate and controlled, since I'm actually awake. So I don't have issues with my quilt causing drafts and waking me up, or anything like that. I don't think I'm going to have much of a different sleep experience in a Zenbivy quilt vs. my EE quilt. But the pillow is pretty luxury.

[@glueckschpilz]

Going to sew my own sleep system like that, costs are 150-170 Euros total

[@Obi-Wan_Pierogi]

Looks like a great system, but that price... damn

[@nathancragg6202]

I prefer the hood over the eyes 😎

[@juansalasjr]

Well those who say it’s overpriced and overhyped have clearly never struggled with sizing. I’m 6’ 8” 280 lbs so i cannot get into just any sleeping bag, so quilts are for me. My 25 degree zenbivy is xtra long and is perfect for me. Outdoor companies need to take in mind of a larger range of sized people 😂

[@Garrettthief]

You can save another 200gramm of weight by buying their ultralight system. Thats even more expensive though.

[@OscarHikes]

WAY more expensive! If it'd be 50% of the price, it would be a really nice option IMO.

[@camouflage962]

"sleep system..".... ? .... -> mat and sleeping bag... that's it....

[@OscarHikes]

Yeah, but it's easier to refer to it as a sleep system, rather than saying "sleeping mat, quilt, sheet, and a pillow" every time I want to refer to it. The video would be at least 1 minute longer if I'd do that. :D

[@fanrik9583]

Literally everyone in the community defines a sleep system as a quilt/bag and a sleeping pad.... ? .... -> what makes you so confused... ???

[@AaronVets]

🤡

[@gregoryoutdoors]

Lol, ultralight my ass Zenonsense - thats a heavy system with too much faff to set up, way overpriced and over-hyped 100%! You can way lighter, cheaper and less bulky set up with with the traditional Thermarest Xlite Large + amazon HikeNture comfy pillow + any other good quality quilt you preffer. Those 'KZbinrs' got them for free and spread way to much nonsense and crap especially for begginer hikers to spend money on those whatever things...

[@user-nu8uc8wq8v]

Agreed.

Yeah, nope but thanks for the vid

[@OscarHikes]

I think the problem with this is that a few other KZbinrs promote this as a good system for UL hikers. It's a good setup for people who do weekend hikes, mountaineering, winter hiking, etc, but not thru-hiking (due to weight). So my opinion is that yes, it's overhyped. Also, people need to understand that it's a LUXURY system (due to price). It's like a range rover or something, but it's being promoted as an everyday ford for beginner hikers. :D If you'd sleep in it yourself, you'd understand why someone would carry the extra weight and pay so much for it. I wasn't lying saying that it's the most comfortable system that I've slept in. But it's not for everyone - only for people who don't care about the weight that much, who have a high budget, and value comfort over everyhting else. And lastly, I also wanted to mention that there are quite a few people who have sleep problems, who are really struggling to have good sleep outdoors. For them, this system is a really good option, despite the weight and the cost.

[@gregoryoutdoors]

@@OscarHikes Thats a big reply, thanks for that. I like how you compared that to a very expensive car that only small % of people or millioners can buy but its advertised as something that anybody can buy instead haha its so true! I am the one that also struggle to sleep even at home I need a perfect quiet, dark room and use earplugs but I still I will never buy or consider this Zen, its just too much and yes overhyped etc, I preffer my easier sleeping system that works in Scotland just fine after hiking 1000 km±. Cheers pal you make great videos btw.

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

Yes and definitely overpriced!

[@Truth-Seeker75]

If you hold the bag up to the light, it’s obviously poorly filled even if you make an attempt to redistribute the down. The little hooks seem like a great idea until it’s the middle of the night and you need to get out quickly to pee or need to hook them up with cold hands. The hood….needs to be redesigned. Pass.

[@jakeva9802]

Just get a mummy bag. That hood has some major gaps on each side of your head.

[@PaulSchortemeyer]

Nailed it.

[@AaronVets]

While I agree, it’s designed like that so you can fit a pillow inside the hood.

[@TennesseeSlim]

Overpriced nonsense. They only recently started offering a goose down option. Also the ratings aren't iso certified and are off a good bit. The owner said this himself in Dan Becker's interview.

[@camouflage962]

what a BS product