REVIEW: Zenbivy MotoBed Sleep System

When searching for the right sleeping bag and sleeping pad to accompany us on our backcountry adventures we often find ourselves having to make compromises. Because size and weight are almost always an important consideration, we usually find ourselves sacrificing comfort and convenience in favor of options that are smaller and more lightweight. But car campers and overlanders don’t face those same constraints when it comes to size and weight. This greatly opens up the possibilities for options that are much more comfortable and convenient.

Zenbivy’s MotoBed was specifically designed for overnighting at campsites that are reachable by car and as a result, it delivers a luxurious experience that is unlike any other.

Comfort (5) ★★★★★

Since the introduction of the original Zenbivy Bed, the company has earned a reputation for making extremely comfortable and innovative sleep systems. The MotoBed not only continues that legacy, but expands on it. Combining a hybrid sleeping pad that consists of a self-inflating mattress with a foam top, a custom fitted sheet, and a specially-designed quilt, the MotoBed manages to take comfort to the next level. Designed to accommodate side sleepers, the system more closely resembles the bed that you have at home rather than a typical sleeping bag. The result is an almost unprecedented level of rest and relaxation for nights spent in a tent.

Design (5) ★★★★★

While the MotoBed puts a high emphasis on comfort, Zenbivy has also gone to great lengths to make sure it is quick and easy to set up too. When not in use, the sleeping pad, sheet, and quilt all neatly roll up into a bundle that can be stored in an included duffle bag. When you’re ready to call it a night, all you have to do remove the bundle from the bag, roll it out, and adjust the self-inflating mattress to your desired firmness. Best of all, the entire process takes just a few seconds, ensuring that even if you arrive at camp after dark you’ll still be drifting off to dreamland in no time at all.

Warmth (4) ★★★★

While the MotoBed is extremely comfortable, it hasn’t been designed for use in cold conditions. Zenbivy says that it performs best in temperatures down to 45ºF (7ºC), although it can be used in conditions dropping as low as 35ºF (2ºC). This makes the MotoBed a solid three-season performer, although you wouldn’t want to rely on it in cold climates during the winter. The inflatable mattress does do a good job providing some protection from the cold ground and the quilt is certainly cosy. But if you’re someone who tends to get cold while camping, you may want to consider bringing an extra blanket.

Weight (3) ★★★

As already mentioned, Zenbivy didn’t design the MotoBed to be lightweight, but instead chose to focus on making it as comfortable as possible. As a result, the large version of the sleep system tips the scales at a hefty 8 pounds, 10 ounces, while the XL model clocks in at  9 pounds, 12 ounces. Additionally, the MotoBed is quite large, even when rolled up and stored in its duffel bag. That would be a major issue if you were planning on taking it with you into the backcountry, but since it is built with car camping in mind, the overall bulk of the system remains a relatively minor issue.

If your idea of a great outdoor adventure frequently includes both camping and traveling by motorized vehicle, the MotoBed was made for you. Incredibly comfortable to sleep on and extremely easy to set up and take down, it has become the new standard for sleep systems designed for car campers and overlanders.. If you spend a few nights with the MotoBed, you’ll be ruined for regular sleeping bags and pads ever again. You might not even want to go back home to your regular bed. Yep, it really is that good.