REASONS TO BUY
Tiny packed size
Weighs almost nothing
Great air valve
Better support than average air pillow
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks overall comfortability
Slightly elevated price
Could puncture
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Review
Size, weight, support, and just enough comfort, make this an excellent choice for longer backcountry jaunts
Credit: Jason Wanlass
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 23, 2025
RELATED: The Best Camping Pillows of 2025
Our Verdict
Comfort is a relative term when it comes to air-filled backpacking pillows. However, for years we've found that the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium is a solid, lightweight option. Boiled down, this thing is basically a high-tech version of a blow-up beach ball, but truly, it really does do the trick when you're miles in on the trail and you need a decent night's rest. The Aeros has been crowned our favorite backpacking pillow for several years running because it has an “X factor” that sets it apart from other inflatables—namely, it just feels better under your head. For us, somehow the Aeros is just a little more molded to your head and neck, so it provides a very distinguishable amount of added comfort. Bottom line, inflatables are inflatables, but this one does it better.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Key factors that allow the Aeros to stand out from the rest are its weight, packed size, and loft. When fully inflated, this pillow boasts about 5 inches of loft.
Packing up for an overnight out and back near Utah's Salt Flats.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Comfort
The Aeros provides just a little more comfort than other basic inflatables we've tested. After all, these types of camping pillows are basically the same. They are composed of two parts: a thin fabric pillow case and a blow-up air bladder. After countless side-by-side tests, we've concluded that the Aeros's bladder is more pliable. We admit, this is a very subjective option, but that's what we've all experienced with this pillow after many years of using it on overnights while camping. This perceived pliability translates into a pillow that better conforms to the weight of the head.
The Aeros Premium is soft and comfortable—perfect for sleep or just hanging out.
We liked the feel of the brushed polyester knit pillow case. It's soft, cool, and has a silky texture that accommodates movement during the night. This pillow has a max thickness of about 5 inches, which is great for side-sleepers. Other design elements, like its baffled bladder and contoured shape, offer added comfort and make it easy to fit into your hooded sleeping bag. The only negative is its lack of overall real estate. Its compact size doesn't leave a lot of extra space for the head, so it sometimes slips out from under us during the night.
The Aeros is perfectly shaped to fit nearly any mummy bag hood.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Weight
Tipping in at just 3.1 ounces, the Aeros is among the lightest pillows in our lineup. Its featherweight design allows it to be right at home in any backpack, but it also makes it an ideal addition to a carry-on, dry bag, climbing gear, cycle pack, or car trunk.
Super lightweight and easy to throw around.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Packability
The Aeros barely takes up any additional space. In fact, if you're not careful, you could lose it at the bottom of your pack.
Our calculations place the Aeros at just 0.4 liters of total volume. When packed, this little bundle measures in at about the size of a small russet potato, giving it one of the smallest packed sizes of all the pillows in this review. We did note that it takes a little bit of extra effort to shove the Aeros into its stuff sack. This was the only negative we had for this test, and although still worth mentioning, it was somewhat negligible.
If you want to minimize the chances of losing your Aeros Pillow, we suggest packing it and your sleeping bag together.
This pillow packs up small, making it perfect for even the smallest corner of your pack.
Support
Support isn't an issue with this pillow—it offers tons of it. However, the quality of support the Sea to Summit (and any other inflatable) offers is what matters most. The Aeros does a great job of cradling the head and providing lots of loft, but when it comes to comfortable, inviting support, it simply falls short. Air-filled pillows, in general, tend to be firm and not very forgiving. They don't provide a dynamic support that ebbs and flows as you move about during the night. In short, inflatable pillows are just a bit too stiff, which is the case with the Aeros. It was definitely less comfortable to sleep on our backs or stomachs, but sleeping on our sides felt better.
The Aeros excels at providing customized support.
Ease of Use
The Aeros has an easy-to-use two-part valve that keeps the air in during inflation (just three to four breaths), but makes it easy to deflate in just seconds. Likewise, minor adjustments during the night are simple and easy—simply push down on the valve to release air.
The Aeros's two-way valve system is very intuitive to use.
When it came to ease of use, we did have two minor complaints: the Aeros is a little wobbly, and it needs to be hand-washed. This pillow's compact design makes it a little unsteady, especially when fully inflated. When we say unsteady, we mean it doesn't always stay put. During the night, it was prone to slipping out from under our heads due to its size and lack of weight. And, since the Aeros' exterior fabric cannot be separated from the air bladder, machine washing and drying are not recommended—not as convenient as other pillows we tested.
Inflating our Aeros in 2.5 breaths. The inflation valve is one-way, so air doesn't slip out in between breaths.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Should You Buy the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium?
If you backpack on a regular basis, the Sea to Summit Aeros is definitely a pillow you should consider, especially if you are ultra conscious about packed size and weight. This little guy is about as good as you're gonna get when it comes to balancing those two factors against overall comfort. The Aeros isn't strictly for trail lovers, though. It's also a great addition to any white water adventure, cycling trip, climbing expedition, or even just regular old car camping. If you want simple, small, and lightweight, the Aeros has all the right characteristics.
Showing how the Aeros cradles and supports.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
What Other Camping Pillows Should You Consider?
If you like the idea of a lightweight inflatable, but would prefer a bit more comfort, we suggest the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down or the Sea to Summit Aeros Down. Both have air bladders topped with an extra layer of down padding. Two other lightweight backpacking models include the Nemo Fillo Elite and the Rumpl Stuffable Fleece. The unique thing about the Rumpl is that it's only a pillow case—you fill it with extra clothes, socks, or coats to give it loft.
The Aeros Premium is perfect for any lightweight adventure.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Sea to Summit Aeros Premium versus top competing products:
—Jason Wanlass
You Might Also Like
