Zenbivy - Flex Mattress

I can't speak to the Exped, but I've used both the Nemo and the Rapide. The Rapide is noticeably more comfortable, heavier, bulkier. It's a lower R-value, and doesn't seem to live up to it's rating even. I'm not saying it's a bad buy. Nemo Tensor seems to be the best combo of comfort and weight I can find if I emphasize weight. If I'm emphasizing comfort, the Zen Bivy Flex Air is maybe 6 oz heavier, and is the most comfortable backpacking pad I've ever tried. It's absolutely superb. That said, I don't use it because of the weight, but I'll sure as hell slide over on to my girlfriend's mat when she gets up.

Anything is better than 2 yoga mats. I hear lots of people talking about exped. I have a klymit, which is okay and not too expensive, a couple of self inflating (Coleman and zenbivy), which are better but heavier, and just got a sea to summit that I haven’t tried yet. But you don’t need a giant inflator, many come with an inflation sack or you can get a small rechargeable pump from flextail.

I agree with BaerNH about the Zenbivy Flex Air mattress being a very solid choice. It packs small as anything else and has a great 3-season R-value (4.8). I’m a side sleeper and found it the most comfortable pad I’ve tried as long as it is inflated very very full. This is a little counterintuitive for comfort but with the stretch top and dimpled baffling this works well. I know this was not asked about but as a side sleeper with very wide shoulders, the Zenbivy pillow is awesome for comfort and compresses quite small. Just my $.02.

I’m on the heavier side (220 lbs) and a side sleeper. I opted for the flex air Zenbivy pad and love it. Most comfortable pad I’ve ever personally used. I don’t have experience with the UL pad but the core design should be similar. What I found is that the pad needed to be inflated very firm which keeps my hips and shoulders from bottoming out on the ground. With a normal pad this would be too firm and lack comfort but, with the dimpled design, the increased inflation was very comfortable. That being said, having the 4-way stretch top fabric could be very different from the UL pad and not work as well so YMMV. I think it’s worth a shot. It’s always difficult to balance comfort with weight savings. Other contributors may have better insight on the UL pad but I hope this piece of information helps somewhat.

This would be a good choice. Not the very lightest option, although by no means heavy. Pack size is super small though, and great for side sleepers with the flex top.

I recently bought both the neoloft and the Zenbivy Flex Air. Both have 4-way stretch fabrics on the sleeping side which help reduce pressure points. I think the neoloft is slightly more comfortable but honestly they’re pretty similar, and the zenbivy is ~1/2lb lighter. The zenbivy is a little louder when you move around but it’s not crazy or super crinkley. Before these I was sleeping on the Zenbivy UL mattress and I think the stretch fabric definitely improves the comfort at the cost of a few ounces.

Seems to be a lot of reports of the Neoloft sleeping extremely cold for its claimed R-Value. If you are looking for comfort and warmth. The Zenbivy Flex Air is a little lighter, comparably as comfortable and seems to be true to its R-5 rating. Therm-a-Rest warranty is better and uses thicker materials, but I have hard time justifying the weight of the pad and having to worry about being cold when temps drop below 40f.

Rapid SL is one of the best. But it's cold so in low 30° F I would take a foam pad as well. Zenbivy Flex Air is more comfortable. 

Try the zenbivy flex air, its super comfy is 1lb 1oz and has an R value of 4.8.

No experience with the NeoLoft, but I was quite impressed with the Flex Air. It's a bit louder than I'd prefer, but sleeps warm for its R value when inflated firmly, and the topper material is really comfortable! I have about 20 nights on a loaner from a friend, and will probably buy one if I decide to stick with ground sleeping (I tend to prefer a hammock when I'mbelow the treeline).

I didn't like either. The flex air (and by extension the Flex UL since it's the same design) is comfortable but has to be filled to maximum to keep me off the ground. If the temp drops overnight the pad would need to be reinflated otherwise my hip gets cold. So I sold it. The neoloft is like a balloon. It has no stability. If you lay on your back stationary it's fine but it may be further disruptive if you toss and turn. 

The zenbivy flex is supposed to have a 4 way stretch top that conforms to contour better. That’s what they say at least. I lack enough experience to completely support that- I slept on one for one night and slept fine on my side.

Same size and situation as you and I went with the zenbivy flex air. Downvotes incoming because it’s a little heavier but I sleep so well on it. My weight sacrifice.

Sea To Summit Ether Light XR (XT is the old model, definitely go for the XR it's lighter, warmer and pack smaller) is a great all-rounder, one of the best actually when it comes to comfort-weigh-pack size ratio. Other good all-rounders are REI Helix and Zenbivy Ultralight Mattress, both of these has very similar comfort but are slightly heavier. If you seek ultimate comfort there would be there competitors: Zenbivy Flex Air Mattress, ThermaRest NeoLoft and Exped MegaMat Ultra. Each of these are basically best of the class, which one would be the best comes down to personal preferences as each of them using different baffle construction.

Both pads have their drawbacks. The Flex Air is only comfortable when it's not fully inflated, but because it's a relatively thin pad, side sleepers may still feel the ground underneath. Additionally, when under-inflated, it doesn’t come close to providing the listed R-value. On the other hand, the Neoloft is thicker, warmer, and generally more comfortable. However, it lacks good edge support, so if you tend to twist and turn during the night, it may not be the most stable option. Interesting third option would be Exped Megamat ultra, it's very comfortable sleeping pad and definitely more stable than Neoloft.

Additional co-sign! I'm also a rotisserie chicken sleeper who also starfishes, and my Zenbivy is my favourite piece of gear I own. I will note that I've noticed some draftiness once I get below 10 Celsius, but I'm also a larger person so the XL might have been a better purchase for me! I have a 2023 quilt so no smell, sorry OP. I am Canadian and did the "ship to a third party in the states and drive over to pick it up" shenanigans to avoid duties (pre-tarriffs) so it's REALLY out of range for most Canadians now :(

Fair enough. Thanks for the info, especially the bit about not being too hot when it was 60. Aside from potentially comfort, any other concerns or disappointments with it? I ordered an ether light xt but ended up returning it. Mostly because the pack size (of the regular version) was slightly larger than expected, and just reading about all of the weld-point failures, etc. But from a comfort perspective it seemed pretty comfortable. I ended up ordering a zenbivy which I find extremely comfortable (I never had a chance to compare them side by side, but I believe zenbivy is more comfortable (and smaller) - however if you need high insulation (the pro version), or if you easily bottom out on a mat, then the extra width of this mat probably makes it the most comfortable on the market in that case. I can't imagine they are less comfortable than last version since it appears to be the same technology and outer fabric. So the fact that the high insulation version is now reflective film, packs down WAY smaller, supposedly stronger welds, and quieter (I didn't have an issue with the loudness, but I never took it out and put it to use in my tent). This will likely be my spare pad. I might end up doing Tour du Mont Blanc with a friend, and he doesn't hike/camp nearly as much as me. I already have an extra quilt, so if I have a comfortable extra sleeping mat then it allows me to bring friends along without them needing their own expensive gear. Then I'll probably compare the zenbivy side by side with the XR Pro. Thanks again for the quick response.

I’m 100% co-signing this review. As a rotisserie chicken sleeper who likes to be tucked in, I effing love my Zenbivy and how snuggleable it is. It really does feel like a real bed. I also recently got the Ether Light XR to pair with it! I was also considering the Zenbivy Flex, but the S2S warranty won out. I was dead set on a rectangular pad but S2S’s pricing structure is kind of nonsensical, making the large tapered cheaper than the rectangular regular/wide. The taper didn’t bother me like I thought it would since it starts past my hips, and the longer length meant I could stretch out on my stomach without my feet hanging off. I also prefer the air sprung cell construction over the vertical baffles on my previous Exped pad. I think they distribute my weight better. I do agree that it’s a bit plasticky, but my Zenbivy sheet makes that a nonissue for me.

Any of the Nemo Tensor line is great and not loud and Zen Bivy also makes really good pads as well. That will likely be the next one I buy.

If you have one nearby, REI has sleeping pads blown up you can lay on and test out. Everyones body and sleeping preferences are different. Once you figure out what kind of baffles you prefer, finding a sleeping pad will come easier as there are so many options. Especially if weight isn't an issue. I have a Nemo Tensor. It has quilted baffles. Everyone loves it, and it hurts my back and hips so bad. I also have an Exped pad and one from Zenbivy with vertical baffles. I love these. They cradle my body better. Thermarest is super popular. Most are horizontal baffles. They don't look comfy to me but it seems like people sleep well on them. Sea to Summit and Big Agnes are other popular sleeping pad brands. What kind of temps are you expecting? You'll want to choose a pad with an R value appropriate to your camping needs. Most choose a 3 season with an R value between 2-4. I would stick on the upper end if you're a cold sleeper.

seconded--zenbivy sorta gets pigeonholed as a luxury system. but the pads a la carte are dope and very competitive/light while still being ultra comfortable