Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow

I need a dedicated pillow. Having a good night's sleep is one of the most important things to me when camping. This pillow far exceeds my expectations.

I have searched forever for the perfect pillow. I have been using a Slumberjack 14" x 16" pillow I purchased many years ago. It compresses fairly small (5" x 10" and weighs 12.65 oz.). The pillow is extremely comfortable and was a hard choice replacing it.

I will not do without a pillow, I have tried and don't like it. I need a dedicated pillow. Having a good night's sleep is one of the most important things to me when camping. I will usually stuff some clothes under my pillow to raise the pillow a bit.

I also had a Slumberjack 10" × 20" pillow and it was too narrow. It would compress in half making it feel like you were wearing earmuffs.

I had the Therm-a-Rest pillow and it was horrible. I won't go into a review... it is just horrible... TRUST ME!

 Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Large

First off, I don't know why Sea To Summit's advertised weight is 3.7 oz. / 105g 

The actual weight is 4.2 oz/ 119g and the label that comes with the pillow says 4.0 oz 114g, I just wanted to point that out in case any gram weenies read this.

L - R Slumberjack - Nemo Fillo - Sea to Summit Aeros Large


Specs from the manufacturer:

Product Specifications (Size Large)

• Length: 16.5 in
• Width: 11.8 in
• Height/Depth: 5.1 in
• Weight: 3.7 oz/105g
• Stuffed Size: 3.1 x 3.3 in/7.8 x 8.3cm
• Color: Green

For a pillow, this is extremely pricey, however if you are really trying to lighten up and conserve precious real estate in your backpack, then this is for you!

From a comfort standpoint, the Nemo starts off feeling more comfortable due to the extra padding, but the Aeros wins out if you toss and turn and / or a side sleeper due to the height (thickness).

Both are great pillows, but the Aeros definitely trumps with the weight and size alone.

The Aeros is quite a bit thicker so may appeal more to side sleepers, I have to prop up the Nemo with clothing when side sleeping, this is not the case with the Aeros.

You can't beat the weight and size. It's about 3" x 3-1/2" this would fit inside a 450 ml mug.

Inflation took 6 average puffs, there is a three way valve type thing or at least that's what I call it. You pull on one tab that says inflate to inflate, open the other tab that says deflate to... yep you guessed it, deflate.

There is some sort of check valve that allows air to enter but not escape this not only makes filling easy but allows you to adjust the firmness of the pillow by pushing the valve button in with your finger.

I fully inflated mine and after about 30 minutes let out a bit of air to adjust for my comfort level.

To deflate you just pull the deflate tab and all the air whooshes out in about a second or two, I then roll up the pillow start stuffing in the stuff sack making sure the deflate is still open and facing the opening of the stuff sack, when its almost stuffed all the way in just close the valve tab and secure with the cinch cord and clip.

The price tag is a bit high but if you are trying to save some weight and precious real estate in your pack, this is a good choice.

So far nothing has beat my Flannel Camp pillow, that is the most comfortable pillow I have ever slept on.

Field Report 1
"Brendan T. Byrne State Forest"
Southampton Township, NJ 08015

Trip weather
Friday Night high 57° low 45°
Saturday 57° - 45° Rain all day till evening
Sunday morning low 39°

Loving this pillow.

I found my sweet spot with this pillow.

Inflation and deflating is a breeze a few puffs of air and its ready to go, deflating takes a second.

I ditched the stuff sack and store the pillow directly in my sleeping bag before stuffing inside a compression stuff sack.

Field Report 2
October 2014
"Ricketts Glen State Park"

High of 60° Low of 35°
Rain, with a tiny bit of snow and hail.

Three days on this pillow, I only inflated it the original day and it lost a little bit of air due to cold.

I have been playing around with a spongier fill and I prefer it over the harder inflation.

It took a while for me to find my sweet spot as I like the pillow fully inflated for height but it was a bit hard and it felt like I could not get my head high enough up on the pillow, before my shoulders hit the pillow, due to no taper (too thick).

Well, I found My Sweet Spot! I fully inflate, then deflate so it's spongier feeling, stuff between my Therm-a-Rest mat and Western Mountaineering MegaLite bag. There is minimal slippage...and it is extremely comfortable.

Toasty warm at 35° and very comfortable at 65°

Pillow is usually kept between the sleeping bag and the air mattress, it is on top for the picture. There is minimal movement and I need to tuck it back under my head when I toss and turn a bit.

The pillow is at its most comfortable if you stay centered on the pillow.

The Aeros is stored inside the sleeping bag with no stuffsack when deflated.

A lot of backpackers look at pillows as luxury items and leave them behind because they are too heavy or bulky. The new Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow is definitely a luxury item because it affords its users serious comfort and support, but it weighs less than four ounces and compresses to the size of a lemon.

Even more surprising, is that it has five and a half inches of loft and almost covers the width of your sleeping pad. For side-sleepers who require extra loft and support, this pillow is a necessity. This multi-purpose pillow is great for both backcountry and travel use.

Specs:

The Aeros is offered in two sizes, the regular and the large. I tested the large.

Regular

• 14 x 10 x 5 in.
• 2.80z / 79g

Large

• 16.5 x 11.5 x 5.5 in.
• 3.7 oz / 105g

Initial impressions

When I received the Aeros to test, I was shocked to see how small and lightweight it was.

After I pulled it out of the stuff sack, I was also really impressed with how soft the outer fabric was and at the size that it expands to. I showed my husband the Aeros and he was so impressed that he went to REI and bought one for himself the same day because he said he had to have one!

Features:

Sea to Summit ergonomically saves weight by making a hybrid two-in one inflation/deflation valve, as opposed to having one of each valve, like similar backcountry pillows.

Two-in one inflation/deflation valve

Synthetic fill between pillow case and TPU bladder

Very Soft 50 Denier Brushed Polyester Outer Shell

Curved internal baffles create contours that cradle your head

Scalloped bottom edge to center the pillow around your shoulders and offer support in multiple positions

Ease of Use

The Aeros Premium Pillow inflates with just two to three breaths and deflates instantly. It also packs away very easily in its stuff sack. I have encountered some backpacking pillows that are difficult to stuff in their stuff sacks, so I can really appreciate the ease of which the Aeros stuffs in its sack.

Support

Curved internal baffles cradle your head, while a scalloped bottom edge centers the pillow around your shoulders to offer more support for optimal positioning of the head and neck. This pillow inflates to 5.5" and offers tremendous support evenly throughout the pillow.  

Construction & Durability

I think that the strength of the bladder, fabric, and valves are all great. However, I am not impressed with the stitching on the seams of the pillow. They could use another round of reinforcement. A small tear occurred on one of the seams.

Testing:

I tested this pillow most of this summer. I slept on it five nights while camping in temperatures from 70-50 degrees. I tested it with a Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core pad and a Montbell Super Spiral Down Hugger #3 sleeping bag. No doubt about it, these were the most comfortable nights I’ve spent in the backcountry.

I found the Aeros to be very comfortable and very supportive. I am a side sleeper, so a firm, high loft pillow is what I prefer. I tested it while sleeping on my side, back, and stomach. I found the Aeros to be comfortable in every sleeping position. As a side note, I also have bone spurs in my neck, so pillow selection is not something I take lightly.

I was very impressed with the softness and moisture-wicking ability of the polyester knit outer shell. It did a great job of wicking away perspiration on warmer nights. The polyester shell felt super soft against my skin. Imagine having a jersey-knit pillowcase in the backcountry. I also had initial concerns that the bladder or air bag might be noisy when not fully inflated. I found it to be quiet.

I did not have any issues with durability of the bladder, which is always a concern I have with air bladder pillows. I found it to be most comfortable when just under fully inflated. The lowest temperature I slept on the pillow was 50 degrees. Since I was not able to sleep on it in cold conditions, I can't say how much difference the insulation made, but I am glad that it does have it.

Anytime I am sleeping on an inflatable pillow, the valve function is always a huge concern for me. The Aeros did not leak any air and I never had to readjust it in the night.

I also used the Aeros multiple times on the couch and in the car on every road trip I went on this summer (including a 2,500 mile drive from South Carolina up the East Coast to the White Mountains in New Hampshire and back). It was wonderful to have the extra comfort and support in the car. It will definitely go on my next flight with me, as well.

Conclusion

The Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow is what I consider one of the must-have new items of 2014. From its impressive size-to-weight ratio to its outstanding comfort and support, this is one item that can't be left behind. I already had a comfortable backpacking pillow, but this game changing pillow will be in my pack to stay. 

I do think that it has a high price tag, but I generally think most backpacking pillows are expensive. It is right on par with its competitors, but is much more comfortable than all others that I have tried.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review. Thank you to Sea to Summit and Trailspace for the opportunity to test and review the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow.

*Specifications from manufacturer's website, www.seatosummit.com. 

A luxurious blow-up pillow with a brushed outer finish that is soft and smooth to the touch. The excellent 2-way valve makes getting just the right pressure very easy.

Having had my 8-year-old pillow spring a seam leak on a July trip to the Trinity Alps I knew with a 16-day PCT section hike coming up in August it was time to go shopping. Popping down to my local REI to see what they had in stock, the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow jumped out at me immediately.

I was taken by how much more sophisticated pillows had become. Rather than just a blow-up oval pillow similar to what I was replacing, the Aeros has a scalloped shape so I could tuck it nicely around my shoulder. They have even installed curved interior baffles to more completely support the head.

Not content with just making a simple air bladder, the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow places a synthetic filler between the bladder and the outer layer of 50d brushed polyester. This means you don't need a pillow case because this pillow is super soft to the touch. I continue to use a flannel pillow case out of habit, but it's certainly not necessary as the Aeros is washable. When soiled, just inflate and hand wash with a mild soap with the valves closed and air dry. Store the pillow flat with the valves open when not in use.

Speaking of the valves, the one-way inflation valve allowed me to really dial in the amount of air I had in my pillow. Deflation is as easy as popping open the deflation valve.

While the Sea to Summit Aeros pillow is not inexpensive, how much is a good night's sleep worth? For me, the answer was $42.95. After 16 nights of quality sleep during my section hike I think the Sea to Summit pillow was worth every penny. The quality of the pillow's construction should keep me sleeping well for years to come.

Product details:

Sizes: Regular, Large

Colors: Blue, Green

Price: Regular $42.95

         Large $46.95

Completely changed my sleep quality outdoors. It's super comfortable, highly compact, lightweight, and durable. The only downside is the price.

Who thought sleeping outside could be that comfortable?

From an item I thought I would never need, this had become an item I never go camping without. Ultralight, super compact, and amazingly comfortable, maybe the price is its only downside.

Like much everybody else, my first and only pillow up to this one, was a rolled fleece jacket, or if I was super spoiled, a fleece jacket stuffed in a stuff bag.

I thought blow-up pillows are just something easy to sell for the unexperienced first-time hikers; veteran thru-hikers like me must know better.

Oh man how I was wrong. I’m not sure what made me want to have one, maybe the new sleeping system I got, maybe the age, but in any case, I’m super happy I did. *I bought the regular size*

Comfort: Amazing. It’s very easy to dial the stiffness exactly to your need thanks to the valve that has a small air-release knob. The fleece layer of the premium version is much welcome as it's soft and breathable, with no plastic texture. The shape of the pillow allows you to sleep in any position.

**Sorry for not sharing my selfies online. Besides, the smiley face is a pretty accurate sketch of my face**

Use: 3 breaths is all you need to maximally inflate it.

Durability: So far had zero issues.

Packability: Easily compressed to the size of rolled pair of socks.

Weight: 80 g is not negligible on long hikes, but it's not a deal breaker either. The benefit of getting a quality sleep while trekking is most valuable and suppresses both the extra weight and high price.

Price: 45$ is too high in my opinion, but I would buy it again :).

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I am an experienced hiker, but that's my first inflating pillow.

Wonderful pillow. Light, compact, comfortable, and great to improve any camping experience.

This is really a great pillow for camping. It is comfortable. The lining on top is soft without being too thick, which for me means my head doesn't sweat all night like it has with other pillows.

It is very compact and would work for all camping conditions. Whether you are car camping, or trekking into uncharted trails, this is so light and compact it will go anywhere without taking up much room at all. It stays well inflated throughout the night. And the outside material is soft, so there are no sounds made by the pillow. And it stays in one place through the night.

There are only two potential "negatives." The first is that, as the pillow is inflatable adjusting to your comfort level involves blowing it up to your preferred firmness, which is good. But while inflating it, the valve is a one-way valve, so you cannot let just a little air out.

When you deflate, it is essentially pulling the plug on the whole pillow and deflating the whole thing. So if you over inflate, you have to start again. But given that it only take 3-4 breaths to fill the whole pillow to maximum firmness, this isn't  big deal to me.

I will also note, I like a firm pillow and this can be very firm. Also, I have kids, so having different colors would have been nice, since each kid wants their own pillow and is convinced their sibling is taking "their" pillow.

But these are minor issues and I would still rate the pillow 5.

Thick, light, non-slip, and the best I've found.

I've had five or six backpacking pillows and have tried using rolled up clothing. Each of these had problems. Rolled up clothing unrolls or is lumpy. Some inflatables are too thin, or have slick surfaces that allow them to slip out from under the head, or are too heavy and bulky, or some combination of the three.

The Sea to Summit Aeros (regular size) is immediately likable. It weighs 2.8 ounces and packs down into its tiny stuff sack to fit inside my camp cup. It has a dual purpose inflation/deflation valve. Pull off the main air cover to inflate and the big one-way valve doesn't allow air to escape. When you wish to deflate pull off the secondary layer in the valve cover and it deflates instantly. It's easy to make the pillow soft or quite hard and thick (5 inches). 

The surfaces (both sides) are covered with a light fleece that feels good to the skin and reduces slippage on the tent floor or sleeping pad. Also, it provides a non-clammy surface in cold weather, though for snow camping I'd probably insulate the pillow a little with a jacket, though I've not yet tried it for that.

There is a larger size that's 5 1/2 inches thick and weighs 3.7 ounces. At REI the regular is around $40. I got mine on sale for about $27. I think I've bought my last backpacking pillow.

Good product overall, pretty expensive but definitely gets the job done.

This is a good quality product. The main selling point for me was how it packed into almost nothing, the size of a fist—very important for backpackers.

The material is good quality and the area you put your head down on is soft. There are separate intake and release valves to let air in and out, so it is very easy to fill up.

The only thing that it loses points on is price. It was around $44 at REI—much more than any pillow should cost.

Unbelievably light and packs really small.

Have always used synthetic pillows, just purchased the Aeros for a 4-day trip to Letchworth State Park. The weight savings alone make the pillow an excellent buy, but the size it packs down to is what really amazes.