Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow Review

Yes, stuff sack pillows rule (I have a few by Zpacks).

You refer to the pillow/bag as “waterproof” at least a half-dozen times, though you then say the “waterproof YKK zipper is highly water resistant, making the stuff sack functionally waterproof.” You can probably see the logical fallacy in this sentence. It would be more accurate to call the pillow water resistant due to the weakest link in the chain (the zipper).

But in general, yeah, everyone should try something like this. :^)

My wife and I have the similar stuff sack pillow by ZPacks and love it. I agree with everything in the review, but I would add that these pillows don’t breathe at all – your face will sweat even on colder nights. We save a soft layer to put over the pillow if it’s too warm out.

Still the best solution IMO.

Paul

I don’t have much experience with “pillow stuff sacks” but from the experience I do have, I have been frustrated by the lack of pillow when I’m wearing my clothes to bed.

I tend to take more puffy clothes and a lighter sleeping bag / quilt (typically a 40 deg quilt for 3 season conditions), for the added versatility of being able to be comfortable while not in my shelter on cold nights.

How often do you guys end up without stuffing for your pillows? For me that’s an issue because I’ll end up with a horrible backache by morning (side sleeper, some back injury history…).

That said — when I am able to stow puffy clothes in my pillow, it’s the best solution – far better than the wobbly inflatable pillows IMO.

That’s a real concern if you need to wear every scrap of clothing to bed. I always plan on not needing to wear my puffy to sleep in (aside from an emergency), so that becomes my pillow filling. If you are cutting it so close that you don’t have anything left to stuff a pillow with, then yes- an inflatable is the way to go.

I hate stuff sack pillows. Too lumpy, not enough to stuff it with anything . Give me my Exped inflatable pillow and I sleep like a baby.

Hello all- a few responses:

1) Highly water resistant would be more accurate- yes.

2) I never got the face sweat you’re describing, and I have used this on many nights in a variety of weather conditions.

3) The clothing issue is real. If you’re a person who brings extra clothes, or a puffy that you don’t sleep in, this system might be perfect for you.

Last, I’ve been using a Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium lately and I like the extra loft for side sleeping as well as not needing the extra clothing, and I’ve been very happy with it.  There are certainly some great options on the market.

Cycle touring most people (even very ultralight tourists) generally have some extra “town” clothing, which makes pillow stuff sacks quite a viable proposition.

As I get older, I need more and more pillow, so a dedicated pillow makes more sense to me. If I did a big tour again I’d go with the stuff-sack pillow (I have a couple of zpacks ones, they are fine, and roll top so more “waterproof”).

If its a dual-use item, then the weight comparisons vs a dedicated pillow, need to subtract the weight of a similar sized waterproof/water resistant stuff sack that you would otherwise carry to protect items. So, the weight difference would be greater.

Stuff sack with a Buff as a pillowcase. Buff is useful in more than one place making it multiple use.