The Zenbivy Light Quilt with the Core Sheet
10 degree Down XL
Purchased from Zenbivy
All photos from Zenbivy,com
Last year, I wrote about the Big Agnes Torchlight Sleeping bag I purchased at the beginning of the season, and I bet I spent over 40 nights in it. From frigid temperatures to hot and muggy, it worked because I was looking for extra room, and that bag offered it. But the 20-degree rating is off; I camp a lot in cold weather, and the bag did not keep me warm enough when temperatures dipped.
This year, I started searching for a warmer bag but needed something large enough to fit my tall frame. I looked into getting a handmade mummy bag from Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering, and for the first time, I started looking at quilts. Quilts have become a massive hit with ultralight backpackers because of their weight and pack size. I was uncertain because I wanted the comfort and warmth of a mummy bag.
I am horrible about getting comfortable at night; I toss and turn when I sleep. At some point in the middle of the night, I must unwrap myself from the twisted mess I have created inside my bag.
Last fall, as the temperature dropped, I started using my bag like a quilt. I unzipped it, tucked my feet into the foot box, and laid the bag over me. Underneath, I had a down blanket that I draped over my pad. This technique worked well and got me thinking about changing from a mummy to a quilt.
I was curious because I have seen the videos and read the reviews about Zenbizy. They built a sleep system that I was emulating with my bag and blanket. Could this work for me? Could I finally get unbelievable sleep?
They have various options, and you can get into a sleep system for a reasonable price. I was looking at the higher side of it because I wanted it packable for backpacking and car camping. So I chose the Light Quilt 10 degrees down but with the Core Sheet down (full length). I chose the Core because I am not counting weight as much as an ultra-light backpacker. Also, I do not want to feel the pad on my legs, so having a full sheet would be more comfortable.
It took about a week to get here, as Zenbizy is its own operation. I have not seen it available on other sites, and I have not seen it in stores. When it arrived, I immediately opened my package, pulled out my items, and allowed a few minutes for the down to open up. Man, is this bag fluffy. It does have a higher downfill at 800, and the materials are silky. I slept under it that night in my bed and slept well, but the actual test came in early April when temperatures still got down to 30 degrees.
Whenever I am out, I set up the tent, fill my pad, lay my bag out, and stuff my pillow into my head cubby. The only difference here is you need to wrap your sheet around your pad. So, the pad I used for car camping was larger than their specifications. It was tight, but it worked. Each edge wraps around the pad like a bed sheet, with a strap underneath the pad to keep it secure. What's unique about the Zenbivy sheet is that it has wings where you connect the sheet to the quilt; these wings keep the quilt in place throughout the night and also help keep the drafts out. Nicely done, Zenbivy. The quilt attaches via little hooks and loops; they seem tedious but work quite well. The quilt nestles around you as your feet tuck into the foot box, staying stationary over you. So when I toss and turn, the quilt stays, and only my body moves, so I no longer get tangled up at night.
So, how was my sleep? It was great and probably the best I have slept outdoors. I was cozy, even a little warm at times. My pillow stayed nestled in the pillow cubby area, and getting up to go to the bathroom was pretty easy to manage with the clips instead of a zipper.
So, since my first test run, I have been out eight nights this year, and I have looked forward to sleeping in my Zenbivy every night; I have not had any issues. The 800 fill is excellent, and the 10-degree bag has kept me warm in my knickers when temps reach below 40 degrees. All in all, this was a great purchase, and I recommend this Sleep system to all, especially if you are a person who tosses and turns, sleeps on their side, and finds it hard to get comfortable. It is as close to sleeping at home as you can get.
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