Review – Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultralight & Down

Review Sea to Summit Aeros Camp Pillow
On my previous long distance bike tours, I have always used a dry bag stuffed with clothes as my camp pillow, but on my recent #NorthWestRoad trip my touring partner had a lightweight inflatable camping pillow; he convinced me it was worth the additional weight—providing you with a better night's sleep and less of a sore neck and shoulders when you remount your bike the following morning.

The search started for the best lightweight camping pillow for bikepacking. The results led me to the impressive range from Sea to Summit, and I decided to trial the most lightweight inflatable camping pillow within the range: the Aeros Ultralight Pillow (size Large), as well as the most luxurious within the range: the Aeros Down Pillow (size Deluxe).


Review – Aeros Ultralight Pillow

The Aeros™ Ultralight Pillow is designed to be superlight, compact and comfortable. Made from durable 20D laminated polyester, the pillow has a curved shape to fit around your shoulders whether you are sleeping on your back, side, or upright in a chair. The curved internal baffles then create contours for your head to rest in, and the brushed fabric upper is soft to the touch (a Sea to Summit pillowcase is an optional extra).

The Aeros Ultralight inflates with just a few breaths through the patented mini multi-function valve; then deflates in seconds and can be stored away in its (supplied) stuff sack. The regular size weighs just 60 grams and the larger size just 70 grams – a minuscule weight penalty.

Comfortable, supportive, compact and super lightweight – the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight is the perfect companion for a better night's sleep on your lightweight bicycle touring setup.

>> Shop the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow

 

Review – Aeros Down Deluxe Pillow

If you are willing to carry a little more weight, the Aeros Down range is well worth a look. This pillow has a down cushion on top of the TPU air bladder – making this the lightest fully-featured down pillow on the market.

The Aeros Down range uses 10D fabric on the top – for a lightweight but durable construction (it's the same fabric used in the Sea to Summit sleeping bag range). The horizontal baffles within the material reduce down migration and prevent the down from compressing, even when the air bladder is fully inflated. The down cushion wraps over the top edge of the pillow to give added cushioning and comfort for your neck. 

The rest of the pillow is made from 20D fabric for the air bladder, the same as on the Aeros Ultralight. This lightweight material is durable, and the bladder's horizontal baffles create a 3D surface that cradles the head for additional support.

The multi-function mini-valve provides easy inflation, deflation and fine tuning of the air volume within the pillow; while a stuff sack is also provided for storage. Weights are a little more than the Ultralight: at 70 grams for the Regular, 95 grams for Large, and 190 grams for Deluxe size.

If you are willing to carry a little more weight, then the added comfort of the down topping on this pillow is noticeable—it offers more of a 'real pillow' feel, and more surface area if you toss and turn a little in your sleep.


Both the Sea to Summit inflatable camp pillows are worth their weight in your pannier or seatpack on your next bikepacking trip. Personally, I would opt for the Aeros Ultralight for those trips with limited space and when travelling light; whilst I feel the Aeros Down would be worth its extra size and weight if you are going on a more casual touring trip on flatter ground, especially if you are camping in cold conditions. 

  

Review Sea to Summit Aeros Camp Pillow

Disclaimer: Sea to Summit supplied product for this test and review
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