Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping bag liners are a handy item to have, especially if you're a backpacker or a hostel traveller. They come in two main types: mummy-shaped liners that slip inside your sleeping bag, and rectangular liners (or travel sheets) that can be used on their own or inside a rectangular sleeping bag. Sleeping bag liners can improve the quality of your sleep by wicking moisture, adding warmth, and keeping your sleeping bag clean. They can also protect you from questionable bedding when travelling. Liners are available in a range of materials, including silk, cotton, polyester, fleece, microfiber, wool, and synthetic fabrics, each with its own advantages and price point. When choosing a liner, it's important to consider factors such as comfort, ease of care, durability, and the level of warmth required for your sleeping environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types | Mummy-shaped, rectangular (or travel sheets) |
| Use | To keep sleeping bags free of dirt, body oils, and grime; to add warmth; to improve hygiene when using questionable bedding |
| Materials | Synthetic, silk, cotton, silk blends, fleece, microfiber, wool, Tencel, CoolMax®, Thermolite®, polyester |
| Features | Moisture-wicking, breathable, stretchy, lightweight, insulated, bug protection |
| Price | From $19.97 to $120 |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping bag liner shapes
Sleeping bag liners come in two main shapes: rectangular and mummy-shaped. Rectangular liners, also known as travel sheets, can be used independently or inside a rectangular sleeping bag. They are ideal for keeping you separated from questionable bedding when travelling. Mummy-shaped liners, on the other hand, are designed to slip inside your sleeping bag, protecting it from dirt and body oils. They can also provide extra warmth, making them suitable for colder conditions.
Rectangular liners offer versatility, serving as a standalone sheet or an extra layer of comfort inside your sleeping bag. They are a hygienic solution when facing uncertain bedding conditions, such as in hostels or during travels. Rectangular liners are easy to launder, ensuring your sleeping environment remains clean and comfortable.
Mummy-shaped liners are specifically designed to fit inside your sleeping bag, mirroring its contours. They help maintain the cleanliness of your sleeping bag by acting as a protective barrier against dirt and body oils. This prolongs the lifespan of your sleeping bag and reduces the need for frequent laundering. Mummy-shaped liners also provide additional warmth, enhancing the insulation of your sleeping bag in colder environments.
The choice between a rectangular or mummy-shaped liner depends on your specific needs. Rectangular liners offer standalone functionality and are perfect for uncertain bedding situations. Mummy-shaped liners excel at keeping your sleeping bag clean and warm, making them a wise choice for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts.
It's worth noting that some innovative stretch-knit liners offer remarkable flexibility, conforming to any sleeping bag shape. These adaptable liners combine comfort with convenience, ensuring a cosy night's sleep regardless of your sleeping bag's design. When considering a sleeping bag liner, prioritise your comfort, the intended temperature range, and the level of protection you desire for your sleeping bag.
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Liner materials and their benefits
Liner materials vary in their benefits, depending on the type of trip you are taking.
Cotton liners are soft, lightweight, and comfortable, especially in warmer conditions. They are also very affordable. Cotton's absorbent nature helps manage moisture inside the bag, but it is not recommended for cold or wet conditions.
Wool liners were the preferred choice for outdoor activities for many years due to their superior ability to insulate, even when wet. Wool also breathes in warmer temperatures. Wool liners can be expensive.
Synthetic liners (fleece, microfiber, insulated) can have moisture-wicking, stretchy, breathable, or insulating properties. They protect the interior of your sleeping bag from sweat, sunscreen, body oils, dirt, and mud, and they range in price depending on the specific characteristics of the fibers.
Silk liners are light, compact, and designed for comfort, making them great for travel. They are also easy to clean and dry.
Other popular liner materials include CoolMax, which is suitable for hot and humid climates, and Thermolite, which is well-known for its insulation effects. These liners can add up to 25°F of warmth and dry 50% faster than cotton. They are moderately priced to expensive.
Sleeping bag liners can add warmth to your sleeping bag, protect your bag from dirt and grime, and provide a hygienic layer between you and questionable bedding when travelling. They are easy to clean and extend the life of your sleeping bag.
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How to keep your liner clean
Sleeping bag liners are designed to keep your sleeping bag free of dirt and body oils. They are much easier to launder than a sleeping bag, so using one can prolong the life of your sleeping bag and reduce the number of times you need to wash it.
To keep your liner clean, always sleep in clean clothes when possible to minimise the dirt you bring into the bag with you. If you're on a long trip, unzip and air out your liner at least once per day, particularly if it gets damp. When you get home from a camping trip, make sure your liner is completely dry before storing it.
If your liner does get dirty, most can be machine washed. Check the manufacturer's washing instructions, which may be printed on a tag or elsewhere on the liner. If you're washing your liner in a machine, use a detergent such as Arm & Hammer Oxy-Clean Pods, and dry on medium heat. Alternatively, you can spot clean your liner by making a paste of non-detergent soap and water and using a toothbrush to gently clean the shell.
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Liners for different climates
Sleeping bag liners are useful for a multitude of reasons, from adding warmth to your sleeping bag to keeping it clean. They are also great for travellers who want to avoid questionable bedding or need protection from bed bugs.
When choosing a liner for different climates, consider the following:
Warm Climates
In warm climates, a bag liner or travel sheet can be used without a sleeping bag. Silk liners are ideal for warm weather as they are lightweight, compact, and absorbent, while also helping to insulate in cold weather. Synthetics such as CoolMax are also suitable for warm and humid climates as they are moisture-wicking and breathable. The Breeze liner is another option for warmer weather, with its Coolmax fibres that wick moisture and reduce the clammy feeling in warm, humid conditions.
Cold Climates
In cold climates, insulated liners can add extra warmth to your sleeping bag. The Reactor series liners, for example, are effective at trapping warmth with their hollow-core Thermolite fibres. The Reactor Extreme liner is specifically designed for colder temperatures, adding up to 25 degrees of warmth to your sleeping bag. It is made with a thermolite polyester fabric and weighs only 14 ounces, making it a great choice for winter backpacking.
Outdoor vs Indoor Use
If you plan to sleep outdoors, the Reactor, Reactor Extreme, and Reactor Fleece liners are recommended. These liners allow enough air circulation to keep you comfortable when used inside a sleeping bag. However, they may not provide sufficient warmth if used alone under the stars, so consider adding a windproof barrier like a poncho.
For indoor use, such as in hostels or hotels, silk blend and comfort blend liners are suitable. These liners provide a comfortable and hygienic sleeping environment, especially in tropical or subtropical locations where maintaining warmth is not a concern. The Comfort Blend liner, for example, offers a significant degree of stretch for added comfort.
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Liners for different sleeping bag types
Sleeping bag liners come in two shapes: rectangular and mummy. Rectangular liners, also known as travel sheets, can be used on their own or inside a rectangular sleeping bag. They are ideal for travellers who want to avoid questionable cleanliness in bedding, such as bed bugs, and for car camping trips, road trips, and even backpacking with a rectangular sleeping bag. Mummy-shaped liners, on the other hand, are designed to slip inside a sleeping bag, helping to keep it free from dirt and body oils. They are lighter in weight and more compact than rectangular liners, making them a better choice for weight-saving travels such as backpacking or bikepacking.
The material of the liner is another important consideration. Synthetic liners, such as CoolMax®, are moisture-wicking and breathable, making them ideal for humid conditions. They also offer some stretch, which is suitable for restless sleepers. Insulated liners, such as Thermolite®, can add up to 25°F of warmth, extending the range of a lightweight bag. Silk liners are also lightweight and pack down extremely small, making them a good option for insulating in cooler conditions while remaining breathable in warm weather. However, silk liners tend to be more expensive. Cotton liners are durable and economical but are heavier and less compact, making them bulkier for backpacking. They are also not recommended for colder conditions as they take longer to dry than synthetic materials.
Sleeping bag liners can provide extra warmth, with some liners claiming to add up to 25°F of warmth to your sleeping bag. However, the actual amount of warmth provided can vary depending on the liner material, the insulating properties of the sleeping bag, and external conditions. Liners can also improve hygiene, especially during longer trips, by keeping your sleeping bag clean and protecting it from dirt and grime. Additionally, liners are generally easier to launder than sleeping bags, reducing the need for frequent washing of the bag.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping bag liners come in two main types: mummy-shaped liners and rectangular liners. Mummy-shaped liners are designed to slip inside your sleeping bag, while rectangular liners, also known as travel sheets, can be used on their own or inside a rectangular sleeping bag.
Sleeping bag liners can improve the quality of your sleep by wicking moisture, adding warmth, and keeping your sleeping bag clean. They are also useful for protecting your sleeping bag from dirt and grime, which can help extend the life of your bag and reduce the number of times it needs to be washed.
When choosing a sleeping bag liner, it is important to consider the type of fabric. Different fabrics offer varying levels of warmth, moisture-wicking, breathability, and stretch. It is also important to consider the shape and size of the liner to ensure it fits your sleeping bag and your body comfortably. Additionally, some liners offer bug protection, which can be useful in infested areas.
