View Full Version : Exped UL Pillow - Alternatives?
My Exped UL Pillow (large) weighing in at 2.1 ounces bit the dust on the second night of my recent HST/JMT hike. I uncomfortably improvised with a stuff sack "pillow" for the remaining 12 nights of my trip. It really sucked.
The Exped lasted over three years and probably over 140 nights, maybe 175+ including some nights "camped out" staying with friends and family in civilization. I was about to pull the trigger on buying a replacement but there are a bunch of options I never noticed before from Sea to Summit, Cocoon, etc. Most are slightly heavier. Does anyone have suggestions on other pillows I should be looking at?
I found the Exped generally comfortable both on my back and side and like how it cradled my head but it isn't good for stomach sleeping (my preference) and the material isn't generally nice on the skin.
My favorite in the hammock is the S2S Aeros for summer and HG Down Pillow for Winter. I worry about the durability of the Aeros should I go to the ground but have seen a couple of great post thru reviews for it. I also have purchased the Klysmit Pillow, which is not soft but does cradle the head for ground sleeping and is the smallest and lightest packing pillow.
nsherry61
09-18-2016, 16:02
I found the S2S Aeros better for me than any other options, and I tried them all over a week of experimentation with everything on the market a couple of years ago. The Aeros pillows seem to be holding up very reliably as well. Mine gets lots of use without problems.
colorado_rob
09-18-2016, 16:19
Another vote for the S2S Aero, 3.X ounces of absolute sleeping bliss. Being a gram weenie, I never ever thought I'd own a Bp pillow, always just used a sack stuff with soft stuff, never completely satisfied. then I tried my wife's Aero. I had tried something else previously, not sure what, but I wasn't satisfied. The aero is permanently in my kit. A bit pricy though....
scrabbler
09-18-2016, 21:16
Unless it was a catastrophic failure, I'd try to find the hole(s) and SeamGrip it back to life. Just sayin.
Odd Man Out
09-18-2016, 21:42
There are several versions of the Sea to Summit Aeros.
There are two fabrics: Ultralight and Premium
There are three shapes: Regular, Traveler, and Deluxe.
The regular shape comes in two sizes.
The regular shape is like the Exped
The Duluxe is a rectangle with dimples
The travel is like a neck pillow.
For me the fabric was key. I tried both in the store. The Ultralight models gave me that "head on a balloon" feeling that I have had on other inflatable pillows. But the Premium versions gave the nice cushy feel I want from a pillow. It also had a softer feel on the skin.
I got the regular premium (don't remember which size). Can't comment on durability as I've only used it on one short trip so far.
These pillows are 3 ounces and only cost about $3.50:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Travel-Pillow/17047745
colorado_rob
09-18-2016, 23:42
There are several versions of the Sea to Summit Aeros.
There are two fabrics: Ultralight and Premium
There are three shapes: Regular, Traveler, and Deluxe.
The regular shape comes in two sizes.
The regular shape is like the Exped
The Duluxe is a rectangle with dimples
The travel is like a neck pillow.
For me the fabric was key. I tried both in the store. The Ultralight models gave me that "head on a balloon" feeling that I have had on other inflatable pillows. But the Premium versions gave the nice cushy feel I want from a pillow. It also had a softer feel on the skin.
I got the regular premium (don't remember which size). Can't comment on durability as I've only used it on one short trip so far.yep, that fabric is key, but the shape is critical as well. I had bought the premium, 105 grams or 3.5 oz. Seems pretty durable, and I really like the inflate/deflate valves. Instant and easy.
Outstanding piece of "luxury" gear. Why did I wait so long.
Unless it was a catastrophic failure, I'd try to find the hole(s) and SeamGrip it back to life. Just sayin.
It delaminated in a large section. It was previously patched and patched and even sent to Exped for repair under warranty. So I think its useful life was just over.
Thanks for the feedback. I will try to check out the various models of the S2S Aeros, maybe at REI. 3.5 ounces is a significant step up from 2.1 ounces for the Exped but may be worth it.
A great robust alternative is the Instant Camp pillow (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011041REC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2GP8LXNO9A8S2&coliid=I32TIXZHB5URJF) at Amazon. At $19-22, it's less than half the price of the Exped UL and weights just fractions of an ounce more (2.4-ounces instead of 2.1). It's got a 4.5-star rating after 115 reviews. I gave it a well-deserved 5-star rating, because I've used it now for about a year's worth of nights in the backcountry, mostly in the desert (where almost all plants aim to wreak havoc!), without any punctures or slow loss of air.
Of all my equipment, this and the Sawyer Squeeze are my favorites....I sleep WAY better, and wish I'd had it on those hard shelter floors on the AT! Pillows are definitely the way to go; no more using my food bag in its place!
A great robust alternative is the Instant Camp pillow (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011041REC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2GP8LXNO9A8S2&coliid=I32TIXZHB5URJF) at Amazon. At $19-22, it's less than half the price of the Exped UL and weights just fractions of an ounce more (2.4-ounces instead of 2.1). It's got a 4.5-star rating after 115 reviews. I gave it a well-deserved 5-star rating, because I've used it now for about a year's worth of nights in the backcountry, mostly in the desert (where almost all plants aim to wreak havoc!), without any punctures or slow loss of air.
Of all my equipment, this and the Sawyer Squeeze are my favorites....I sleep WAY better, and wish I'd had it on those hard shelter floors on the AT! Pillows are definitely the way to go; no more using my food bag in its place!
Looks interesting... And I think that the 2.4 ounces includes the stuff sack so maybe the difference between this one and the Exped is even a little less than 0.3 ounces.
Looks interesting... And I think that the 2.4 ounces includes the stuff sack so maybe the difference between this one and the Exped is even a little less than 0.3 ounces.
I'm an admitted geek and have a gram scale: I'll test it out here shortly, once I'm through cutting my toothbrush in half. (Now, is that lengthwise or cross-section?!)
36301
it's 2.2 ounces on my scale, without the stuff sack. Not bad.
http://bigskyproducts.com/Big-Sky-DreamSleeper-UltraLight-inflatable-pillow.aspx
this works for me.
Thom
it's 2.2 ounces on my scale, without the stuff sack. Not bad.
That's basically the same as the Exped UL size large. Thanks.
it's 2.2 ounces on my scale, without the stuff sack. Not bad.
At that price and weight, it does look interesting. I also like the idea of the two "folds" to cradle the head. However, the material and valve look very similar to the Klymit Pillow I own. That nylon, while soft, is not near as soft as the one side of the Aeros. I keep trying to get away from my S2S (because of $$); but keep returning it to my number 1 spot. How can you put a price on softness. Lol.
jjozgrunt
09-19-2016, 20:31
+1 S2S Aeros Premium Pillow large size.
I use the z-packs stuff sack/pillow. Love it. Holds my sleeping quilt and liner during the day. At night I put my puffy or other clothing in it.
I use the z-packs stuff sack/pillow. Love it. Holds my sleeping quilt and liner during the day. At night I put my puffy or other clothing in it.
I wish I could get comfortable with this method but after 12 days of a sore neck and fitful sleep I'm good with carrying the 2-3 additional ounces.
I wish I could get comfortable with this method but after 12 days of a sore neck and fitful sleep I'm good with carrying the 2-3 additional ounces.
Same here. A while back someone had a thread going about where ultra-lighters added weight back to their overall load, and I forgot to mention a pillow. A couple ounces extra, for a piddly twenty dollars, to vastly improve sleep and recovery, is well worth it. Heck, many of us here drop as much on beer in the first town we hike or hitch into. Then again, beer can help with sleep too...
Moosling
09-20-2016, 20:25
I use the z-packs stuff sack/pillow. Love it. Holds my sleeping quilt and liner during the day. At night I put my puffy or other clothing in it.
Yeah basically what I do I just use my tent sack or clothes bag with my extra clothes in it.
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poolskaterx
09-21-2016, 16:59
I use a cocoon pillow, 3.4 oz on my scale at under $30 at REI. Has a nice cover that you can take off and wash with a soft microfiber side and a cooler feeling nylon side, the inflatable has a dropped section that cradles your head. Been using it for about 2 years now with no issues; I figure worst scenario is if it pops I can stuff my down vest into the pillow case.
A great robust alternative is the Instant Camp pillow (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011041REC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2GP8LXNO9A8S2&coliid=I32TIXZHB5URJF) at Amazon.
So I went ahead and ordered this pillow today. I'll post a gear review once I put it to use on my SNP section hike in Oct. At only marginally more weight than the Exped and less than half the cost, I figure it is worth a shot given the excellent reviews. Thanks for the recommendation.
I have close to 100 nights on the Red Exped Air Pillow, size large. I could not be happier. Actually, I might be happier with the medium size. But the large works for me.
If the new pillow doesn't work for you.
Wayne
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capehiker
09-27-2016, 23:58
I am a huge fan of the Big Sky Dream Weaver pillow (new one is 1.5oz).
Same here. A while back someone had a thread going about where ultra-lighters added weight back to their overall load, and I forgot to mention a pillow. A couple ounces extra, for a piddly twenty dollars, to vastly improve sleep and recovery, is well worth it. Heck, many of us here drop as much on beer in the first town we hike or hitch into. Then again, beer can help with sleep too...
+1 It's not "extra" weight if it serves a real purpose. The benefits of a good nights rest cannot be overstated, it makes everything else easier and more enjoyable.
Yeah basically what I do I just use my tent sack or clothes bag with my extra clothes in it.
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I have done this for years, but when we were caught in a few day stretch of much colder than forecast weather and had to wear all of our clothing to stay warm at night, there was nothing left for a pillow. My neck got so jacked up I could barely turn my head for a week...now 2 ounces for an inflatable pillow is well worth it.
cmoulder
09-28-2016, 06:51
I have done this for years, but when we were caught in a few day stretch of much colder than forecast weather and had to wear all of our clothing to stay warm at night, there was nothing left for a pillow. My neck got so jacked up I could barely turn my head for a week...now 2 ounces for an inflatable pillow is well worth it.
+1
If you don't have enough clothing left over to make a pillow but enough to keep you warm when temps dip lower than anticipated, you've done it juuusssst right. :)
nsherry61
09-28-2016, 08:01
. . . If you don't have enough clothing left over to make a pillow but enough to keep you warm when temps dip lower than anticipated, you've done it juuusssst right. :)
In the last few years I've gotten frustratingly good at this, and that's when I tuck my shoes under the head end of my sleeping pad and inflate my 2L platapus bladder as my pillow.
cmoulder
09-28-2016, 09:09
I used my shoes a couple of times inside plastic grocery bags and then finally relented and got the Exped UL medium. I have never regretted that purchase.
It works much better for me when attached to the air mat with an elastic strap.
36406
I used my shoes a couple of times inside plastic grocery bags and then finally relented and got the Exped UL medium. I have never regretted that purchase. It works much better for me when attached to the air mat with an elastic strap.
36406
Good point with regards to the pillow moving.
Some more pillow talk...
1) Depending on type of material used, inflatable pillows can be noisy and/or stick to the side of your head. This is probably pretty obvious, but wrap 'em in some clothing when stickiness or noise is an issue, or buy or make a pillow case. One trade-off: the clothing I use for this purpose has little silvery trails of drool visible, as though slugs invaded throughout the night.
2) As cmoulder alludes, when a plasticky inflatable pillow sits directly atop a tent floor or on an inflatable mattress it tends to slide around like two well-lubricated lovers on a Slip-n-Slide. (I have no experience with this, unfortunately.) This gets even worse when your camp spot isn't entirely level, as mine never seem to be. To combat it, I use a dab or two of grippy silicone seam-sealer on the cool side of the pillow. The strap is a great idea too. It may add a few grams, but it encourages a much deeper sleep and keeps everything in its rightful place.
3) When puncture appears a probability, as it frequently does here in the desert (or when sleeping atop pine needles), it's worth placing something extra under the pillow before laying down to rest. I use an additional piece of clothing or my shoes for this, along with the wrapped piece of clothing. This also applies to an air mattress of course, but after a few punctured Therma-Rest$, I'm back to good old-fashioned foam, except in winter. The pillow, on the other hand, is a lot easier to protect (it stays put on a foamy mattress better than it does atop an inflatable one) and so I'm sticking with it from here on out. (I'm just not sticking to it.)
cmoulder
09-28-2016, 09:53
Fortunately I'm a knuckle-dragging Neanderthal and am not bothered by the pillow's noise/sticky characteristics. :D
But it does get icky enough eventually to bother even the densest Neanderthal, and I have found it cleans up fairly well with rubbing alcohol. Tried Dawn and some other soaps/detergents and nothing else worked nearly as well.
I use REI flash pillow. Weight: 1.13 oz
I made a .5 oz fleece pillowcase for it.
Extra clothes do not work for me, as I often put my coat on at 3am.
Sandy of PA
09-29-2016, 10:05
A Buff makes a perfect pillow case and still works as a buff.
A Buff makes a perfect pillow case and still works as a buff.
I know some people who sleep in the buff, but I don't imagine that's the kind of buff (http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blogs/wanderchic/files/2013/08/ways-to-wear-a-buff.jpg) you speak of.
...inflate my 2L platapus bladder as my pillow.
I've used a 1 liter Platy filled with water. It sloshed a little but was okay. lol! Inflatable is better.
I took a SlumberJack pillow and cut it in half and used that my first trip.
https://www.campmor.com/c/camp-pillow---20-in-x-10-in-41424
It is super heavy at 5 oz, but still my favorite pillow. I take it when I go with my husband. Backpacking with husband is like weekend car camping - minus the car. With no bear can, I take all kinds of luxuries- like 5 oz pillows!
Oh! SlumberJack pillow is now only 8-ish oz. My old one weighed way more... :) You get two 3.9 oz pillows for $11-ish if you cut one in half.