Review: Zenbivy Winter Light Bed

Zenbivy changed the outdoor-slumber game eight years ago, providing a new & improved sleep setup that offered comfort, warmth, and convenience in one integrated package. And that’s exactly what you get with their new Winter Backpacking System: a cozy -5° “quilt,” a slip-reducing sheet with pillow holder and draft blockers, and a lightweight air mattress, all of which combine to give you the best sleep possible outside of your bedroom.

The Zenbivy system meets an essential need: staying warm, which is the only thing that makes winter camping tolerable. Sure, there's the stillness, the solitude, the stark beauty of a world covered in white. There's the deep, pervasive quiet that only comes in winter. But all that loses its luster after a sleepless night of shivering, tossing & turning, and screaming obscenities into the darkness.

Another concern is weight. Without a lightweight setup, you're not going to get very far from the vehicle—trudging through snow is taxing, whether you're on skis, snowshoes, or even afoot on a trail. So you can't just throw a few heavy wool blankets on your back, lest you be so pooped that you collapse at your destination, unable to cook a nice dinner, admire the sunset, and properly set up camp for the long, cold night ahead.

The Zenbivy system, on the other hand, weighs in at a featherlight 2.5 pounds—and that includes the pillow, dry sacks, and various other comfort-enhancing items that complete the package. All of which allow you to enjoy that spectacular, snow-covered landscape in all its tranquil glory.

So if you were thinking of stuffing your backpack into the closet 'til spring, think again. The winter woods await, and they're ready to reward the intrepid cold-weather camper—provided you pack along the right gear.

Available at zenbivy.com; $750 for the entire package.