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Details
- Price $199 for the 25x78, tapered at zenbivy.com
- Material 20D recycled polyester taffeta, laminated for durability, and two layers of mylar insulation
- Weight 17.00 oz / 482 g (Tapered)
- Dimensions 72.0" (w) x 20.0" (h) x 3.0" (d) / 1829 (w) x 508 (h) x 76 (d) mm
- Includes Waterproof inflation/storage sack and repair kit
Overview
Zenbivy markets itself as a rebellion against the cookie-cutter outdoor gear industry, focusing on innovation and user experience. This mattress reflects that ethos with lightweight, durable construction and thoughtful design, which drew me in.
If you're gearing up for a rugged thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, this probably isn’t the review you’re looking for. I’ll admit that I’ve spent a fair amount of time lurking on the vagabond subreddit, daydreaming about cutting ties with the corporate grind and living life on my terms.
But for now, I’m keeping my adventures a little more grounded. Think naps in the park, lazy car camping weekends, and those everyday escapes that don’t require months of planning—or leaving it all behind. Maybe one day, though.
What I remain steadfast in is the fact that I like to sleep well. It's my age talking but a good sleep helps set you up for success the next day. At this age, energy is a resource that you have to manage. Can the Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress help me do this? I'll find out.
Style
This is not a flashy piece of gear, and that’s a good thing. The Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress maintains a sleek, minimalist design. Available in a subdued honeycomb-patterned taffeta, it’s minimalist and practical.
Branding is subtle, leaving the focus on function over form. In the middle, there's a logo mark and a word mark is at the bottom. You'll mostly be either on top of it or it'll be kept in the pouch, so any branding is pretty negligible but I thought Zenbivy kept it rather low profile, just the way I liked it.
Since the mattress was so compact no matter which size you got, I opted for the largest available one, the 25×78, and didn't regret it at all. The tapered version trims unnecessary bulk. My 6-foot frame was able to comfortably fit but it wouldn't work if you toss and turn or like to side sleep with your knee up.
I recommend following Zenbivy's recommendation to size up when you are unsure. The benefits of good sleep far outweigh any negligible increase in weight or size. For reference, here's a quick comparison between the sizes
| Shape | Size | Weight | Packed Size |
| Tapered | 20×72 | 1 lb 4 oz (567 g) | 6.5″ x 3″ (16 x 8 cm) |
| Tapered | 25×72 | 1 lb 8 oz (680 g) | 8″ x 3″ (20 x 8 cm) |
| Tapered | 25×78 | 1 lb 9 oz (709 g) | 8″ x 3.5″ (20 x 9 cm) |
| Rectangular | 25×72 | 1 lb 10 oz (737 g) | 8″ x 3″ (20 x 8 cm) |
| Rectangular | 25×78: | 1 lb 12 oz (794 g) | 8″ x 3.5″ (20 x 9 cm) |
Material
The materials used in the Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress are where this product earns its stripes as a serious contender for ultralight backpacking gear.
The top and bottom fabric is a 20D recycled polyester taffeta that’s embossed for additional strength and flexibility. Unlike coated alternatives often used in ultralight gear, this fabric is laminated, which enhances durability without adding weight.
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At just over 1 pound for the tapered 20×72 model, this choice of material keeps the overall weight low while maintaining the robustness needed to handle rugged outdoor use. The texture of the taffeta strikes a balance between a soft feel and abrasion resistance, avoiding the crinkly noise common with many ultralight pads.
Zenbivy's use of dual mylar insulation layers is another standout feature. While many ultralight mattresses opt for a single layer, this pad’s two floating mylar sheets provide a superior R-value of 4.8, reflecting body heat to the user and effectively blocking ground cold, a feature particularly appreciated in three-season conditions.
The mylar supports the taffeta in keeping quiet, unlike other designs which often suffer from a “potato chip” crinkle that can disrupt sleep.
Usage
The valve system is a mixed bag. Its flush, low-profile design is streamlined for fast inflation and deflation, but there is an initial stiffness of the valve, making it somewhat challenging to open. I've read some had to use pliers to open in colder conditions but I was able to open it without.
The trick was to take out the first layer of the valve before taking out the second. I found it impossible to open two layers of the valve at the same time.
Still, the replaceable and repairable nature of the valve ensures longevity—a welcome feature for those investing in premium ultralight gear.
Inflation with the included sack is intuitive. You stick the sack onto the valve and open the sack enough so that it has space for the air. Then you close it and roll it down to push the air in.
I found it easier to start inflating the mattress by blowing into it directly and then using the sack for final adjustments to achieve the desired firmness. Pro tip: blowing into the sack from a short distance, rather than placing your mouth directly on the valve, is much easier.
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The first valve layer is just an open hole that you can blow into, but the air comes out as easily. The second filter, when stuck on, only allows air to be pushed into it but not come out, making it suitable for pumping with the sack. Consequently, you won't be able to fully inflate the mattress just by blowing, which makes losing the sack quite a critical point of failure.
In terms of comfort, the Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress lives up to its promises for the most part. Its offset air cells are more supportive than traditional horizontal or vertical baffles, particularly for side sleepers. Lying on my side, I wasn't able to feel the ground on my hip.
I have the 10 Degree Light Sheet to accompany the mattress. Unlike core sheets that cover the entire mattress, the light sheet only covers the top half.
There are straps for you to wrap around the mattress and clips to connect it to a quilt.
Where it shines is in warmth and portability. The R-value of 4.8 beats out many competitors in its weight class, making it suitable for three-season backpacking. I'm particularly impressed by its ability to pack down smaller than similarly rated pads, saving precious space in ultralight setups.
Here's a quick comparison to some of the others in the same class
| Product | R-Value | Packed Size | Weight |
| Zenbivy Ultralight | 4.8 | Approx. 10″ x 4″ | 17 oz |
| Nemo Tensor Insulated | 4.2 | 8″ x 3″ | 15 oz |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT | 4.5 | 9″ x 4.1″ | 13 oz |
| Sea to Summit Ether Light XT | 3.2 | 4.5″ x 10″ | 17.3 oz |
Note that 4.5 and above R-value is usually recommended for winter camping, so the Zenbivy Ultralight and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT are really the only two in the same R-value class.
The Zenbivy Ultralight isn’t the thickest pad out there. Those accustomed to plushier models like the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT might notice some “bottoming out” when sitting up. The firmness is less of an issue when lying down, though, where it strikes a good balance of support and comfort.
Keeping the mattress was easy. I simply open the valve and fold/roll it length-wise down towards the valve. Air is pushed out as it gets folded and once you reach the end, I fold it into thirds breath-wise to get it to the size that fits into the sack. While there will be still a nominal amount of air trapped inside, I was able to fit it into the sack every time.
Conclusion
If you're after a lightweight, warm mattress for three-season camping or car camping, the Zenbivy Ultralight is worth your investment. It offers impressive warmth, durability, and a compact design that will fit well in ultralight setups. Just know it's not the thickest pad if you prefer extra cushion.
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