Best sleeping bag liners and camping pillows for hiking: a buyer's guide
A good night's sleep can make or break a hike. The easiest upgrades are small ones: a sleeping bag liner to add warmth and keep your bag clean, and a camping pillow so you're not bunching up a jacket every night. This buyer's guide covers four Sea to Summit favourites available at PAST Outdoors: the Reactor Fleeceweight and Reactor Midweight sleeping bag liners, and the Aeros Ultralight and Aeros Premium pillows.
Want to browse more? See our full range of sleeping bag liners and camping pillows.
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Quick picks
- Warmest liner: Sea to Summit Reactor Fleeceweight, listed up to 8°C of extra warmth.
- Best lightweight sleeping bag liner: Sea to Summit Reactor Midweight, listed up to 6°C and from 330 g.
- Best lightweight camping pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight, from about 55 g.
- Most comfortable hiking pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium, with adjustable thickness up to 12 cm.
Why use a sleeping bag liner?
A sleeping bag liner does three jobs. It adds warmth, so a bag you already own handles colder nights. It keeps your bag cleaner, because a liner is much easier to wash than a sleeping bag. And it can be used on its own in warm weather. If you're still choosing a bag, our guide on what to look for in a sleeping bag will help.
Sleeping bag liners compared
| Reactor Fleeceweight | Reactor Midweight | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed warmth boost | Up to 8°C | Up to 6°C |
| Weight (S / R / L) | 365 g / 400 g / 420 g | 330 g / 350 g / 355 g |
| Packed size | 15 x 15 x 25 cm | 11.5 x 11.5 x 19 cm |
| Insulation | Thermolite hollow-core fibres with grid fleece | Thermolite Pro with Far Infrared technology |
| Best for | Cold weather, ski touring, stand-alone summer use | Backpacking, cycle touring, paddle touring |
Both come in Short, Regular and Long (80 x 178, 193 and 198 cm), have stretch-knit construction, shaped arm openings, a fitted hood and HeiQ Fresh odour control, and are quick-drying and machine washable. Shoulder snap connectors pair them with Sea to Summit sleeping bags.
Sea to Summit Reactor Fleeceweight: the fleece sleeping bag liner for cold nights
If you want the most warmth, the Sea to Summit Reactor Fleeceweight Sleeping Bag Liner is the one. This fleece sleeping bag liner is listed as adding up to 8°C of extra warmth, using Thermolite hollow-core fibres with a grid fleece. It weighs 365 to 420 g depending on size, and the page lists it for cold-weather backpacking, ski touring and stand-alone summer use.
Sea to Summit Reactor Midweight: the lightweight sleeping bag liner
For most hikers, the Sea to Summit Reactor Midweight Sleeping Bag Liner is the better balance. This lightweight sleeping bag liner adds up to 6°C of warmth with minimal bulk, weighs 330 to 355 g and packs down to 11.5 x 11.5 x 19 cm. It's made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester with bluesign APPROVED materials.
What to look for in a camp pillow
A good camp pillow is small, light and stable. Look for a low packed size, a valve that lets you adjust firmness, and something that stays put on your sleeping mat. If you haven't chosen a mat yet, read our sleeping bag vs sleeping mat guide.
Camping pillows compared
| Aeros Ultralight S26 | Aeros Premium S26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | Regular, Large | Regular, Large, XL |
| Weight | Regular 55 g, Large 80 g | Regular 70 g, Large 90 g, XL 175 g |
| Thickness | 11 cm | Adjustable, up to 12 cm |
| Packed size (Regular) | 6.5 x 6.5 x 7 cm | 5.5 x 5.5 x 9.5 cm |
| Colours | Turkish Tile, Moonstruck Grey, Aqua Sea, Beluga Grey | Picante, Burnt Olive, Mediterranea, Cabbage |
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight: the lightweight camping pillow
The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow S26 is a lightweight camping pillow that packs to 6.5 x 6.5 x 7 cm in the Regular size. It has an 11 cm thick profile, brushed recycled polyester fabric and a mini XPRESS valve for quick inflation and adjustable firmness. 3M PillowLock patches help it stay on most camping mats, and the Regular fits inside technical sleeping bag hoods. The page lists it for backpacking, bikepacking and thru-hiking.
Shop the Aeros Ultralight Pillow
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium: the comfortable hiking pillow
If you'd rather trade a few grams for comfort, the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow S26 is a plusher hiking pillow. It comes in Regular, Large and XL, with adjustable thickness up to 12 cm, a soft brushed stretch knit cover, a mini XPRESS valve and PillowLock patches to keep it on your mat.
Which should you buy?
- Cold nights or shoulder season: Reactor Fleeceweight.
- Light, all-round hiking: Reactor Midweight.
- Every gram counts: Aeros Ultralight.
- Comfort first: Aeros Premium.
Pairing a liner with a Sea to Summit bag? Read our guides on the Sea to Summit Spark down sleeping bag, Spark vs Ascent, why hikers swear by the Ascent and our Sea to Summit sleeping bag comparison.
Why shop with us at PAST Outdoors
We're a family-owned Australian outdoor retailer based in Helensburgh, NSW, and we only stock gear we trust. Our team can help you pick the right sleep setup for your next trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sleeping bag liner worth it?
Yes. A liner adds warmth, keeps your sleeping bag cleaner and is easier to wash than the bag itself. The Reactor liners are also machine washable.
How much warmth does a sleeping bag liner add?
The Reactor Fleeceweight is listed as adding up to 8°C and the Reactor Midweight up to 6°C. Actual warmth varies, so treat these as a guide.
What is the best lightweight sleeping bag liner?
The Reactor Midweight weighs 330 to 355 g and packs to 11.5 x 11.5 x 19 cm, making it our pick for a lightweight liner.
Can I use a sleeping bag liner on its own?
Yes. The Reactor Fleeceweight page says it can be used alone as a warm-weather sleeping bag.
What is the best camping pillow for hiking?
For the lightest pack, choose the Aeros Ultralight. For more comfort, the Aeros Premium has adjustable thickness up to 12 cm.
Do inflatable camp pillows stay on the mat?
Both Aeros pillows have 3M PillowLock patches to help them stay on your mat. The Ultralight page says they work on most camping mats.
Upgrade your sleep system
A little extra warmth and a decent pillow go a long way on the trail.
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