Review: Zenbivy ZipBed Trek

Like many outdoor enthusiasts, I spend a fair amount of time sleeping outside—40-some nights, most years. But regardless of the associated activity—kayaking, skiing, hunting, drinking by a campfire—I'm never content in my makeshift bunk, always longing for the comfort of my mattress at home.

Which led me to the ZipBed Trek by Zenbivy. It’s a little bigger than the paper-thin, ultralight bag your hardcore backpacking buddy swears by, but the comfort it provides is well worth the space in your pack.

I recently brought the Light Bed along on a backcountry trip with some friends, post-holing for two miles to a Forest Service cabin. I set up my accommodations in typical fashion—inebriated, in the dark, and 20 minutes before bedtime—and was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity. If there were instructions, I didn’t read ‘em, ‘cause I didn’t need ‘em.

Once a-bed, I found my Zen state almost immediately—no more wiggling around in hopeless pursuit of comfort. With ample space for me to choose my sleeping position, it was clear that the Light Bed would be coming with me on all my future outdoor overnights.

Packed together, the bed and bag are roughly a quarter of the size of my old pad. Since the quilt and sheet attach directly to the base, I stay cozy all night. The fold at the bottom keeps my feet warm, but allows me to pop ‘em out when I need to let the dogs breathe.

If you grab a Light Bed for yourself, be sure to get the waterproof Dry Sack, too. It has a one-way valve to compress the bag to football size, and it's water resistant, so you won’t have to double-line it with a trash bag on every outing. There are several colors to choose from for the sheet and quilt; there's even an option for a double bed, for you and yours. Prices vary based on what you choose, but I say spend the money because you can't put a price on comfort.

All available at zenbivy.com.

ZipBed Trek — $319-$439
Light Mattress — $159-$219
Stuff Sack — $29-$48