As a lot as I’ve devoted myself to ultralight backpacking, the one “non-essential” I’ll by no means hand over is my tenting pillow. I’ve spent loads of journeys sleeping on a greasy stuff sack crammed with further layers of clothes as my pillow, however after an extended day on the path, I desire to blow two breaths right into a backpacking pillow and name it an evening. And except you’re counting each gram in your pack, tenting and backpacking pillows are so compact and lightweight that I’d advocate them to anyone spending the night time in a tent.
Tenting pillows are available in a variety of weights, kinds, and sizes, to allow them to be used for all the pieces from backpacking journeys, to highway journeys, to front-country tenting. My favourite camp pillows inflate with simply two or three breaths, weigh lower than three ounces, and could be adjusted for various fill ranges (I over-inflate for studying after which scale back the inflation for sleeping). I’ve used each pillow on this checklist and might personally advocate all of them, no matter what sort of tenting journey you might have deliberate.
That is my prime choose for lots of causes, however largely as a result of the additional weight of the plush cowl, added baffles, and flat floor that feels extra supportive than a few of the springier air pillows, are 100% price it. For such a light-weight pillow, the Aeros Premium has loads of options like a knit polyester exterior, a contoured TPU air bladder that mimics a typical pillow, and a proprietary valve for max air fill customizing.
It additionally has extra construction than essentially the most minimal pillows on the market, with precise inner baffles that assist help the top and neck whether or not you are sleeping in your aspect, abdomen, or again. It has held up rather well for greater than 4 seasons of use backpacking, touring, and automotive tenting, too. Deflating takes only a few seconds, and I can inflate the usual dimension with simply two breaths. This pillow is out there in two sizes, however I’ve been very proud of the common mannequin.
The Particulars: 13.4 x 9.4 x 4.3 inches | 2.8 ounces | Brushed 50D polyester and artificial fill
The 2-ounce weight and 15-inch width of this pillow is aligned with the lightest pillows in the marketplace and has a killer size-to-weight ratio. It’s additionally supplied in a big dimension (2.8 ounces and 18 inches broad), although the common dimension works simply effective for me for backpacking. It has a non-slip materials that retains it from sliding round on my sleeping pad or sleeping bag, and it’s truly so tiny it will get misplaced in my bag once I’m digging via my gear at camp — an issue solved by tucking it into the underside of my sleeping bag within the morning earlier than I pack up.
The Particulars: 15 x 11 x 4 inches | 2 ounces | Polyester
Sea to Summit makes one in every of my favourite sleeping pads, and so they’ve constructed an built-in non-slip characteristic into their pillows to assist them keep safe on the pads. Because of this (and the ridiculously gentle weight), this pillow is my go-to for backpacking — much less sliding round at night time means a greater night time’s sleep. Just like the built-up Premium Pillow, this Aeros Ultralight has a contoured TPU bladder that helps keep the pillow’s form and supportive construction, and it inflates in only a few breaths. It’s tremendous customizable with the model’s lie-flat inflation nozzle, and I’ve by no means felt it lose air in a single day. The one difficulty I’ve run into are the interior baffles blowing out after a number of seasons. Fortunately, Sea to Summit presents a guaranty on all merchandise, and it was a straightforward restore/alternative course of.
The Particulars: 13.4 x 9.4 x 4.3 inches | 2.1 ounces | 20D polyester
This half-foam-half-inflatable pillow is one in every of my must-have objects for highway journeys, and it has a everlasting place in my car-camping setup. It doesn’t roll as much as the tiny dimension of air-filled pillows, however it does lie flat due to the memory-foam panel that gives a supportive backing once you inflate the entrance half. I often go away this flat and roll it up inside my car-camping mattress, then have it instantly obtainable once I unroll my mattress at night time. It has an opulent cowl with just a little little bit of density, and the reminiscence foam help feels near a house pillow with out the majority of packing a non-inflatable. If that doesn’t persuade you, it comes with its personal stuff sack and has a detachable, washable cowl.
The Particulars: 17 x 11 x 4 inches | 9.2 ounces | Polyester or microsuede and reminiscence foam
The Aeros Down Pillow has a customizable inflation valve that drops micro quantities of air with only a gentle push, then seals instantly when launched. It has a layer of ultralight down feathers for a prime cushion that feels as near my at-home pillows as something I’ve used outside, and the usual dimension nonetheless weighs simply 2.5 ounces. Sea to Summit saves a little bit of weight through the use of the identical technical polyester supplies they use of their ultralight Spark Sleeping Baggage, so it’s light-weight and sturdy, however just a little extra slippery than the brushed polyester face cloth of most different tenting pillows.
The Particulars: 13.4 x 9.4 x 4.7 inches | 2.5 ounces | Polyester and down fill
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This can be a hardy, machine-washable pillow good for front-country tenting, highway journeys, and air journey.
This basic pillow is very nice for front-country tenting, overnighters, and even use in hostels. With a plush-yet-supportive artificial fill and a smooth polyester floor, that is my choose for base tenting and prolonged journeys. This is likely one of the authentic tenting pillows, and I’ve loads of outdoorsy associates who’ve had this of their front-country tent and hammock setup for years. It compresses down into its personal pocket for straightforward stashing, and the entire pillow could be tossed within the washer once you get house. It has a layer of insulation over the fill that gives extra construction and help, and it is available in enjoyable patterns and designs.
The Particulars: 18 x 13 x 6 inches | 10.1 ounces | Polyester and artificial fill
Considerably exterior the traditional design for tenting pillows is that this travel-pillow-inspired inflatable mannequin from Outside Vitals. It’s simply as comfy for touring as the costliest travel-specific pillows, and it additionally packs down so minuscule I’ve to maintain it in my pocket or else I could lose it. I just like the horseshoe form for unconventional tenting programs like hammocks, the place an ultralight normal pillow may be vulnerable to flying out of the hammock with out a mummy bag or tent partitions to maintain it in place. Simply blow a number of breaths of air in, seal it with the flat-lying valve, wedge it round your neck, and it’s not going anyplace. The travel-pillow form isn’t for everybody, however for hammock tenting and airline journey, it’s an ideal (and reasonably priced) choice.
The Particulars: 16 x 10 inches | 1.1 ounces | 30D stretch nylon
This ultralight camp pillow from Cocoon is a superb funds choice, retailing for lower than $30, that also holds up in high quality with regards to weight, construction, and air-retention sturdiness. It is also designed particularly to slot in the hood of a mummy bag, which is very nice since a few of the extra rectangular pillows don’t wedge contained in the hoods as nicely and might create drafts and slide round. I additionally love the two-sided materials choices: one aspect has a smooth microfiber for chilly nights, and the opposite is a nylon with a smoother, cooling floor.
The Particulars: 11 x 15 inches | 3.8 ounces | Polyester, nylon, and artificial fill
Suggestions for Shopping for a Tenting Pillow
Prioritize Consolation
In contrast to conventional pillows, tenting pillows are designed to be light-weight and compact, however I’m a agency believer that this should not come on the expense of consolation. Select a pillow that gives enough neck and head help, with supplies that steadiness firmness with a pleasant floor materials. Virtually the entire pillows on this checklist are extremely adjustable for inflation ranges, which is able to assist as nicely. Lastly, contemplate the pillow’s dimension and form to match your sleeping type, breathable supplies, and ensure the pillow has both a washable cowl or could be totally hand washed.
Assume About your Sleep Setup
You’ll wish to be sure your pillow matches your sleep system, particularly for backpacking. A mummy bag with a hood will work greatest with a rounded-top pillow whereas open-top sleeping luggage or quilts can be effective with extra rectangular, bigger pillows. Sleeping pad and sleeping bag supplies are additionally slippery, and paired with a slippery pillow could make for hours of annoying sliding round. Sea to Summit makes appropriate sleeping pad and pillow supplies to assist stop this, and you may also search for brushed pillow supplies to assist all the pieces keep in place.
Think about Portability
Your sort of outing will straight influence the scale of the pillow you get, and whether or not it has precise fill or is totally inflatable. For backpacking, prioritize ultra-lightweight and compact choices, comparable to inflatable fashions, which could be simply stowed in a backpack with out including notable weight or bulk. For automotive tenting, weight and area are often much less of a priority so that you’ll have extra flexibility and might go for bigger, extra plush pillows that supply most consolation and extra help.
Often Requested Questions
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Why is a backpacking pillow price it?
I’ve all the time discovered that backpacking pillows considerably improve my high quality of sleep on the path, which improves my vitality ranges on the entire journey. These pillows are designed to be light-weight and compact, becoming simply into your backpack with out taking on area or including extreme weight. Regardless of their portability, they do provide superior help and luxury in comparison with makeshift alternate options like rolled-up garments, serving to to forestall neck and again ache. Moreover, many backpacking pillows are produced from sturdy, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking supplies, in order that they’ll final a number of seasons and could be washed and air dried.
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How do you retain a pillow in place whereas tenting?
The slippery combo of pillow + sleeping bag + sleeping pad is usually a ache. I don’t have an ideal resolution, however contemplate your complete sleep system. Some sleeping pads include built-in pillow pockets or straps the place you possibly can safe your pillow, or you should utilize Velcro strips or elastic bands to connect the pillow to the pad. For mummy luggage, you possibly can place the pillow contained in the hood to maintain it from shifting round in the course of the night time, and in case you’re having a ton of bother, attempt utilizing clothes or further gear to create a makeshift nest across the pillow. Lastly, search for non-slip supplies or grip dots on the underside to assist the pillow keep in place on the sleeping pad or tent flooring.
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Are inflatable pillows good for tenting?
Inflatable pillows are nice for tenting. They’re extremely compressible, making them extraordinarily light-weight and simple to pack, and so they take up minimal area in your pack. Most even have the choice for various the quantity of air inside, permitting you to customise the help degree to your choice for a snug night time’s sleep, and even the lightest fashions are produced from sturdy supplies constructed particularly to be puncture resistant for lengthy seasons out on the path.
Why Belief Journey + Leisure
Maggie Slepian is an avid hiker, backpacker, and bikepacker with greater than a decade {of professional} gear testing expertise. She has backpacked hundreds of miles, and her mountaineering and backpacking has taken her from winter peak bagging and coastal backpacking to prolonged journeys within the desert and excessive alpine. Maggie has spent tons of of nights in a tent each front-country and backcountry, and examined quite a lot of tenting pillows from essentially the most minimalist ultralight to the plush car-camping fashions.
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