Travel Essentials – Silk Sleeping Bag Liner
| July 31, 2010 | Posted by Rach under packing, Travel Gear |
Click here to see the full range of silk sleeping bag liners
A silk sleeping bag liner is an item that should be top on any self respecting backpacker’s packing list. You may think that silk sounds like a luxury item that is more suited for luxury honeymoon suites than roughing it camping or in a hostel but the reality is that silk has some amazing properties that make it great for travelling with and silk sleeping bag liners are not as expensive as they sound!
If you’re looking for the best silk sleeping bag liner for travel, here are our top 5 favorites:
3. Sea to Summit 100% Premium Silk Liner
4. Grand Trunk Silk Sleep Sack
So what is a sleeping bag liner? Sometimes called a sleep sheet these are basically a sheet which has been folded in half and sewn along two sides. Commercial sleeping bag liners will often also have a pocket for a pillow. You can use them together with a sleeping bag to protect the inside and give an extra layer of warmth, or you can use them on their own in hot countries or under sheets and blankets provided by hotels and hostels if you have any doubts about their cleanliness.
You can buy a silk liner sleeping bag from Amazon or sometimes you can find cheap handmade ones in local markets if you’re travelling in Asian countries. If you’re really on a tight budget then of course it is possible to make your own by simply sewing together a cotton sheet but there really are some huge advantages to having one made from silk which will soon become apparent when you’re travelling.
Firstly silk is incredibly lightweight and packs down very small. This means you will hardly notice the space and weight it takes up in your backpack and you can simply stuff it in the bottom without worrying about folding or rolling. Secondly silk, unlike cotton, dries very quickly. You can wash out your sleep sheet and have it dry within minutes in hot sunshine, whereas cotton takes much longer and can start to smell if it takes too long to dry. Silk also has excellent heat properties – it will keep you cool in hot weather and provide warmth when it’s cold. Not to mention the obvious that silk feels great on your skin.
So just how much will one of these miracle silk sleeping bag liners cost you? Surprisingly they are very affordable and this is yet another reason why you have no excuse not to own one. You can pick up a silk sleep sheet in a rainbow of different colors from $20 or if you prefer a higher quality version that will last longer or a silk mummy sleeping bag liner to fit a mummy shaped sleeping bag, you’re looking at between $50 – $100. This is an incredibly reasonable price when you think that you will be using it every day and the benefits it will give you.
Silk sleeping bag liners protect you from bed bugs and dirty sheets, are great to cuddle up in on airplanes, buses and trains, can be used as a travel pillow when they’re inside their case and are perfect for adding a few degrees of warmth to your regular sleeping bag when you’re camping or staying in cold countries. It really is a must-have item for travelers!
The other thing about silk liners is they increase the temperature range for your sleeping bag by as much as 5 degrees. If you find you are getting chilled with your sleeping bag, try a liner before shelling out for a brand new bag.