Review of Zenbivy Light Quilt 25º

I’ve long appreciated the benefits of a good quality sleeping bag, but in recent years I do most of my sleeping in a recliner to save my back and a sleeping bag isn’t practical. So when I was approached about reviewing a Zenbivy sleeping bag, I opted for one of their “quilts” instead. Not only can it serve as a flat bed cover or base, the Zenbivy Light Quilt can be fastened via a series of small hooks into a sleeping bag of sorts. (I put “quilt” in quotes because this is not what most of us picture when we think of a quilt.)

The construction of a Zenbivy product reminds me of the sleeping bags and insulated jackets of my youth, with “slick” fabrics containing fluffy insulation within. The fabric makes it easy to get into or out of this sort of sleeping bag or cover, which is nice. It’s also nice and light, so you can easily carry it where you need to go. Insulation is light, fluffy duck down (minimum 85% down).

The downside of the fabric is that it may tend to slide off of you in the night.

I ended up with the “Zenbivy Light Quilt 25º” in size Large. At 6′-1″ and 230 pounds, I found it sufficient for me.

My usual practice in using it was to connect the bottom end of the quilt using the hooks & cords built into it for that purpose, cinch it up with the drawstring, and while stretched out in a recliner I slip my feet into the resulting “foot box” pocket formed by that. I spread the rest of the quilt over my body and zonk off.

The zipper-less design of the Zenbivy Light Quilt 25º delivers the weight of a sewn-closed quilt, with the “full-flat” functionality of a convertible quilt. Zenbivy’s buttery-soft 20d fabrication sets this quilt apart from its more “purist” 10d competitors. It is the softest, and most durable, legitimately-lightweight quilt out there. Premium 800 fill power HyperDRY rounds out the package and delivers a final quilt that is weight-competitive with much more expensive offerings, while delivering on Zenbivy’s promise of maximum comfort.

The quilt is comfortable and warm and I slept well under its lightweight comfort. But more than once, I awoke uncovered because it simply slid off of me in the night. This would probably be less of a problem on anything other than a recliner, but it did happen every time. At deer camp I finally went back to using a blanket so I didn’t have to worry about the Zenbivy landing too close to the electric space heater.

Manufacturer Specs

• Down: 800 fill-power HyperDRY™ fluorocarbon free water-resistant 90/10 duck down
• Shell: 20d Nylon Taffeta, coating-free, 380T, cire, fluorocarbon-free DWR, 36g/m2
• Clips: Nifco HND5L, HND7
• Regular: 1 lb 6 ounces, 78” x 54”
• Large: 1 lb 10 ounces, 86” x 58”
• XL: 1 lb 14 ounces, 90” x 64”
• Includes: Mesh storage sack with drawstring
• Made in China
• MSRP: $259 (regular), $279 (large), $299 (extra large)

Zenbivy uses a thoughtful design, and the quilt has color-coded loops for closing the bag and/or attaching it to other Zenbivy products.

The hooks stay hooked, which is nice. And the down is really nice and warm.

When not in use, you can shove the quilt into a stuff sack. The included one is made of mesh and has a drawstring top. When packed, it’s about 12″ diameter and 15″ long — and the quilt can be compacted into a much smaller package to save room in your pack. Without working too hard at it, I rolled the quilt & mesh bag into a cylinder about 6″ diameter and 15″ long.

Stitching is well done and all hooks and loops are secure and seem well-attached. And this is very good, because Zenbivy is not priced low — this particular quilt retails for $279.

Directions are helpful in learning to use the Zenbivy system, but none are included… you need to look them up online. Here’s a link to the quilt directions.

Warranty

They offer a lifetime warranty to the original owner against manufacturing defects.

Zenbivy branded products are warranted to the original owner against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.

If a Zenbivy branded product fails due to a manufacturing defect we will repair the product, without charge, or replace it, at our discretion. Only original, unaltered and unmodified materials and workmanship are covered by this policy. This warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, improper care, negligence, normal wear and tear, or the natural breakdown of colors and materials over extended time and use. This warranty does not cover consequential damages or any other losses arising from any defect of the product. Damage not covered under warranty may be repaired for a reasonable rate and a fee will be charged for return shipping.

Bottom Line

This Zenbivy Light Quilt is well-made and warm, and should serve a packpacker well. For anyone who wants high-quality down bedding that can be packed into a small space, it’s well worth a look. The “slick” Nylon Taffeta synthetic fabric makes it easy to slip into a sleeping bag, and there never was a moth who would eat it. Store a Zenbivy in a nice dry place, and it should be just like new whenever you need it.

Zenbivy offers a line of other products to be used together, so you can use the quilt with a matching “Zenbivy Light Sheet” to create a “Zenbivy Light Bed.” There are all sorts of configurations you can check out at their website.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.