Review: Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress
The Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress has a high warmth to weight ratio, plus it packs down smaller than most mattresses, making it one of my favorite options for backpacking trips.
The Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress checks all of the boxes when it comes to comfort, weight, packability, and warmth for a backpacking air pad. I have a lot of experience using sleeping pads with horizontal and vertical baffles, and I find that the individual tufted cells on this pad are much more comfortable, providing better relief points for my body as I sleep. Paired with the Zenbivy Light Bed or the Zenbivy Ultralight Bed, this is one of my top choices for comfort on backpacking trips.
Specs
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R-value: 4.8
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Weight: 1 lb 1 oz (20″ width)
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Sizes available: 20 x 72″, 25 x 72″, 25 x 78″
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Inflated height: 3″
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Fabric: embossed 20D recycled polyester taffeta
Warmth & Packability: The Zenbivy mattress is warmer than other pads I’ve used, with an R-value of 4.8 so I don’t feel cold coming up through the ground like I do with pads in the 2-3 R-value range. To reach this higher warmth level, this pad uses two layers of mylar for insulation, while other pad use one layer. Since it doesn’t incorporate synthetic or down fill, it packs down smaller than similar rated pads and fits in my pack easier. It’s also lightweight, with a weight of 17 ounces for the 20″ wide version.
Inflation: The included stuff sack is also an inflation bag so you don’t need to blow it up using your lungs. Attach the connector on the stuff sack to the valve on the pad and fill it with air, then push the air into the pad. It takes me about eight times to completely fill the pad. Instead of blowing directly into the inflation bag, hold it about a foot away before blowing into it and the surrounding air will join your puff of air to fill the bag faster.
Cons: the valves can be stubborn to open (I added a pull tab using cordage to make it easier), and sitting up on it causes slight bottoming out, though I never experience that when sleeping on the pad.
Disclosure: this item was donated for the purpose of a review.