The humble sleeping bag liner might be one of the most underrated pieces of camping gear out there.
This unsung hero of the sleep system can do everything from boosting the warmth of your sleeping bag to increasing its useable lifespan.
To get the most out of your sleep system set-up, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to sleeping liners—why to use one, how to pick one and how to care for it.
Why use a sleeping bag liner?
Cleanliness
You use a sleeping bag liner for the same reasons you put
sheets on your bed—hygiene. You probably don’t sleep directly on your mattress
or down quilt because they’re a whole lot harder to get clean than a set of
sheets.
Out in the wild—in the grimy world of hiking and action-packed adventures—this problem can be tenfold as you bring a day’s worth (who knows, maybe several weeks’ worth) of sweat, dirt and B.O. into your sleeping bag. A sleeping liner is a much-needed barrier that can significantly raise your hygiene standards on the trail. After all, it’s much easier to clean a liner than it is to wash a down sleeping bag or synthetic sleeping bag.
Protect your sleeping bag
Using a sleeping liner will increase the life of your
sleeping bag. The build-up of oils from your skin can migrate into the down or
synthetic fill of your sleeping bag—preventing it from fully lofting and
keeping you warm. And who wants to pay for a high-quality sleeping bag only to halve
its performance?
The sand that you bring into a sleeping bag can also work its
way through the lightweight
face fabric. Once these small grains make their way into the insulation,
they can act like sandpaper and damage the down or synthetic fill.
Comfort
Even lightweight hikers often make room in their packs for a
sleeping liner simply because it improves their chances of getting comfy and
cosy on the trail. We focus a lot on comfort when it comes to our sleep
systems—because it’s the thing that helps you doze off in unforgiving terrain. And
in high-stakes situations—like mountaineering, climbing, white-water rafting or
paragliding trips—you need your wits about you. You need your sleep.
Comfort is relative, of course—it could be the smooth feel
of a silk liner or the legroom a rectangular fit provides (we even have an
extra-wide, if that’s your bag). Either way, consider what’s comfortable for
you and make it a priority.
Add warmth to your sleeping bag
A sleeping liner can add a few degrees warmth to your down or synthetic sleeping bag. Our THERMOLITE® Reactor Liner can add up to 8֯C and even a thin Cotton Liner traps an extra layer of air to help insulate.
Our warmest sleeping liner isn’t a liner
Our ultralight Spark O down sleeping bag has a comfort level of 14֯C and the regular weighs only 225g. Pop this in your bag to radically boost your sleeping temperature—or use it on its own in warmer weather.
Use in sketchy hostels, huts or couch surfing
A big bonus of a sleeping bag liner is that it can serve as
a handy travel sheet. Protect yourself from dodgy looking hostel bunk beds or
generously offered (but slightly grubby) couches. In summer, a sleeping bag
liner can even be used as a standalone sleeping bag.
Choosing the right sleeping liner
End use
If you’re trying to extend the warmth of your sleeping bag, a THERMOLITE® Reactor™ Series liner is going to add the most degrees to your bag. THERMOLITE® is a hollow core fibre that traps air so when it’s knitted into fabric, it holds heat in the actual fibre as well as the looped structure of the knit. For this reason, it gives greater warmth-for-weight compared to most liners out there.
If you’re priority is cleanliness, any of our liners will
fit the bill—you’ll just have to factor in which weight, packed-size, shape and
fabric is right for you.
Weight and packed size
Think about what you realistically can carry on your next
trip and choose the best option within that weight and size range.
If pack space and weight is at a premium for your next trip, an ultralight and compact Silk Liner (125g for the tapered mummy version) could fit the bill. Willing to take on a few more grams for a toasty warm sleep? Then 248g for a Reactorâ„¢ Liner is totally worth it.
Fit and construction
Our travel liners come in a Standard or Long Rectangular
fit, Double, Mummy, Mummy with Hood and Traveller (with pillow insert). Our
technical liners are a tapered mummy shape. The best rule of thumb is to choose
a liner shape that best fits the shape of your sleeping bag. Or if you’re more swayed
by handy construction features—we have liners that come with hoods, pillow
inserts and comfort stretch panels.
How to wash your sleeping bag liner
Easily. All our sleeping liners are machine washable and
require only your standard laundry detergent. If you’re using a top-loader
washing machine, place the liner in a pillowcase or laundry bag first to stop
any cords being caught up in the impeller.
Steer clear of fabric softeners when cleaning your liner as
they can affect the wicking properties of the material.
To dry your liner, it’s best to hang it on a washing line to
air dry. Using a dryer could expose it to excessive heat, which can damage the
fabric.
Which liner is best for me?
Add warmth to your sleeping bag: Reactor Series
If your sleeping bag needs a thermal boost for a particular trip, check out our THERMOLITE® Reactor Series. You can even use a Reactor as a stand-alone summer ‘sleeping bag’.
Our THERMOLITE® Reactor Fleece Liner is pure toasty luxury—offering both warmth and an incredibly soft next-to-skin feel.
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Ultralight + Compact: Silk Liners
Silk Liners wick moisture and are quick to dry. The Mummy shape is suited for backpacking and the Traveller is a great addition to hostel living. Our Premium Silk Liners have Comfort Stretch Panels along the length of the seam, which helps the liner move with you as you turn.
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Light + compact: Silk + Cotton Liners
Silk + Cotton Liners are great for the same uses as pure silk liners—but their less-shiny surface makes them slightly more grippy. A solid choice for restless sleepers who might get tangled in a pure silk liner.
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For hot, humid environments: COOLMAX®
Liners
COOLMAX® Liners wick moisture and dry quickly. They’re also really stretchy—so if you’ve ever felt constricted in a liner, this is the answer. Available in both a Mummy shape and a rectangular Traveller version with a pillow insert.
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Value for money: Expander Liners
If packed volume and weight is less of a concern, the Expander Liner is a luxurious addition to your sleep system. The jersey knit construction stretches to almost twice their normal width they don’t have side seams to contend with (with the exception of the Mummy shape). These premium liners also feature an anti-microbial treatment that won’t wash out of the liner, keeping it odour-free.
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Which liner do you need for your sleep system?
Visit our Sleep System Finder to build a sleep system that’s tailored to you.
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