ZenBivy – the newcomer that’s gaining traction

[kyle p]

I just measured my Katabatic Flex 15 6’. It’s listed as 54 inches wide. In reality it’s barely 50 inches. It says on the website that it can vary by 2%. That is more than 2%. I imagine most listed measurements are a bit of an exaggeration.

[George H]

Kyle: this is obv pretty frustrating, but a pervasive cottage quilt problem I heard. Higher loft ie warmer products likely shrink more even.

 

[Jerry Adams]

if the fabric was 54 inches wide, but when filled with down, the quilt could be 50 inches wide.  The extra 4 inches is used for the baffle width.

I made this mistake on a garment once.

Maybe that’s their problem.  If so, they need to spec the garment width, not the fabric width.

[Terran Terran]

Actual width measurement of a ZB large, at the collar is just over 52”.
The testing was done at the dispersed camping area about 5 miles north of Nederland, Co.                                 The low was around 21*f. Inside the tent when I checked, it ranged around 27*.                                                     Participants were in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 60’s. I was the OG at 68. Three woman and three men.            ZB supplied 5 closed cell pads for each participant rated at R1.1, R5.5 total. Six 10* Light Beds.                        Starting at 10 p.m. with 5 pads, one pad was removed every hour until a single pad was remaining.  Each time we were asked to rate the cold on a scale of 10.  Ten being the coldest you’ve ever been. Mostly I found it took a few extra minutes to warm back up each time. Finally with a single pad the group started feeling cold. The men’s group still finding it tolerable. Rating it between 3 and 4. The women’s group decided to call it at that point. The cold was isolated to the part of the body that was touching the pad. Even with a R value of 2.2we were all fairly warm. Somewhat of a surprise.  The next step is testing the same pads with mannequins.
I found the hood very helpful. Laying flat or on either side , I could leave a mouth size opening. I found the hooks a little annoying, especially getting in and out. A minor degree of difficulty. At least for me. I felt a foot draft, however I realized later that I hadn’t clipped it together. I feel the quilt itself was very warm. I was very happy with it.

[Alex (he/him)]

Well, that sounds like absolute torture in the name of science! Thanks for the report, Terran!

[Greg Pehrson]

I found the hooks a little annoying, especially getting in and out.

I like to connect all the hooks on one side (along my back), and leave the top 2 or 3 hooks undone on the other side (the side I’m facing), to make it easy to exit, then I just snug the quilt around me. I’m usually a rotisserie side-belly sleeper, but I find with the ZenBivy I usually stay on one side all night.

[Terran Terran]

I have to give credit to Steven. He had everything well under control with an insulated tent for emergency or if somebody bailed out.. They had a propane heater in it, but turned it off due to moisture buildup. Propane will do that.
My hubs weren’t locking on my truck. There was an uphill lefthand turn getting out of camp. I slid out and ended up backing into a tree.  Even with tracks, I couldn’t get traction. Steve and his assistant Kyle got back there and pushed me sideways and got me away from the tree. I was finally able to get a better run at and slid my way around. Then they followed me out. I really have to compliment them. Real people. Real nice group.
I was never uncomfortable. I brought my hot stove and some eco logs and kept that going until they started a fire. The pads weren’t comfortable. It’s been awhile since I’ve gone without an air mattress. The question did arise if ccf pads are underrated? The results were rather surprising with one pad still being tolerable for most.
As I get older, I get more concerned. Knowing there are some things that I used to, that I can no longer do. Sleeping out in below freezing weather, while slowly decreasing my insulation, under a controlled environment, was a great opportunity. For that, they gave me a quilt with the sheet, and a pillow. I also got a set of thermal. I need a pad though. It tends to slide on my Thermarest.

[Bill Budney]

Sounds like a great test and fun meeting. Will we see you in the video?

The question did arise if CCF pads are underrated?

I have sometimes wondered the same thing. There is a surprising number of people who sleep on them in 3-season conditions either because they are light (especially if you shorten them), cheap, and rugged. Many use a single layer of CCF as backup in case of inflatable failure. My first Thermarest self-inflating pad could not have been much warmer, and it was fine in the 20’s (F). Exped says that R=3 is sufficient in 3-season conditions.

It is possible that we have been somewhat spoiled by the popularity of lightweight R=5 inflatable pads. They are nice, but perhaps not entirely necessary until the temperature dips lower?

In any case, your experience is worth noting. Thanks for the report!

[Terran Terran]

I did try leaving a couple hooks undone and was able to tuck it under. I am a side sleeper, but I do switch sides which made tucking in a bit more difficult. I found it easiest to just slide in and out.  I thought of using a bit of elastic cord to extend them. It was new to me. I don’t think it’s a big deal.

I got colder lying on my back. My torso took the chill rather than my arm. Switching sides, I’d warm up.

Hopefully they dress up the video a bit. I’m the old guy.

[Link .]

2017 post NEW quilt / pad interface from ZENBIVY .

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