The camping pillow with actual down inside that packs to the size of an apple
Is this the right fit?
- Best for
- backpackers and bikepackers counting grams, and anyone who has slept badly on a stuff sack full of clothes
- Skip if
- At about $60 it costs several times what a plain inflatable pillow does, and down loses loft if it gets wet
- Check before ordering
- Confirm the dimensions, exact model, included parts and return terms on the Amazon listing before ordering.
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The Sea to Summit Aeros Down is an inflatable camping pillow with a layer of down fill over the air bladder. That combination is what makes it different from a $15 inflatable: pure air pillows feel like a beach ball against your face and squeak against a sleeping bag, while the down layer adds loft and quiet so it feels closer to a pillow from home. It inflates in a few breaths, deflates flat, and packs down to roughly the size of a piece of fruit, so it costs almost nothing in a pack. Sea to Summit is a long-established backpacking brand, and this is one of its signature items. Best fit: backpackers and bikepackers counting grams, and anyone who has slept badly on a stuff sack full of clothes.
Pros
- Down layer over the air bladder removes the squeaky bouncy feel of pure air pillows
- Packs to roughly fruit size and weighs almost nothing in a pack
- Inflates in a few breaths with a valve that lets you fine-tune firmness
- Curved shape and grip surface keep it from sliding off a sleeping pad
Cons
- At about $60 it costs several times what a plain inflatable pillow does, and down loses loft if it gets wet
Frequently asked questions
How many breaths does it take to inflate?
A handful, typically three to five depending on how firm you want it. The valve lets you release small amounts to dial in firmness rather than being all or nothing.
Is it quiet, or does it crinkle like other inflatables?
The down layer and the fabric face are specifically there to reduce the crinkle and squeak that bare TPU pillows have. It is noticeably quieter than a basic air pillow.
What happens if it gets wet?
Down loses loft when wet and takes a long time to dry. Keep it in a dry bag in wet conditions, and dry it fully before storing it compressed.
How should I store it between trips?
Store it loosely and uncompressed rather than in the stuff sack. Long-term compression degrades down loft, the same as with a down sleeping bag.
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