Camping pillows are a relatively recent development in the world of camping gear. There is not yet universal adoption of the camping pillow amongst car campers, backpackers or any variation of adventurer really. The biggest difference between at-home pillows and camping pillows is size.
Camping pillows are almost always significantly smaller than traditional pillows, with the aim of being far lighter and more packable. There are three main types of camping pillows to choose from:. The current rise in camping pillow popularity is cushioned by the popularity of ultralight air pillows. So small is its packed size it can likely fit in the top of your sleeping bag stuff sack or occupy any nook or cranny of your pack.
Just take care to not lose it in your pack! Inflatable camping pillows are the clear choice for the dedicated ultralight hiker looking for comfort boost, but really they are the go-to camping pillow for all pursuits where packed size and weight are critical concerns.
Typically, lighter, more packable gear trades comfort and durability to be that way. The covers are machine washable so they can be kept clean comfy for years. These pillows are very similar to the pillow you might use on your bed at home, just slightly smaller and easier to squish into a packable size.
The Compressible Pillow exemplifies this category with its foam filling being upcycled from Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad production waste. The pillow stuffs into its own brushed polyester cover for easy transport and expands to offer great support and blissful comfort.
The brushed polyester Trekker Pillow case is ultralight and can fit in your shirt pocket, while the Stuff Sack Pillow is cross functional and has a soft interior lining to make your pile of clothes a soft and uniform surface. When it comes to camping pillows, new tech does not render old methods obsolete. Stuff Sack Pillows are classically reliable and functional.
Have you ever woken up with a crick in your neck from sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow? Or have you tried sleeping with no pillow only to wake up in the middle of the night or the next morning sore and regretful? To put it simply, you should carry a camping pillow because they add more to a sleep system then they detract from a packing philosophy. That is to say:. Some hardcore ultralight backpackers may claim camping pillows are superfluous extra weight, but most campers and overnight adventurers will agree that camping pillows are worth their weight, especially on extended trips in the backcountry or in situations that require a well-rested body to stay safe.
Before I had a proper camping pillow and I would simply stuff clothes into the hood of my mummy bag and do my best. I would wake up with a strained neck and tight shoulders, forcing a smile anytime someone asked me how I slept. Both reviewers try to spend every free moment they have enjoying the outdoors. Whether wandering the vast mountain ranges of the Western United States or catching a plane headed for one of the remote corners of the world, Ross and Jason know the value of getting good sleep while on the trail.
After decades of backcountry adventures, both reviewers have developed an extensive knowledge of camping pillows from their personal trial and error experiences.
For this review, we've spent several years purchasing and using the best and most popular camping pillows with an end goal of figuring out which pillows you, the consumer, are most interested in.
After conducting hands-on testing on each of them, we've narrowed our list to what we feel are the best pillows on the market.
With the help of camping buddies and backpacking partners, these pillows were nestled under a head on a nightly basis throughout months of testing. Our review included a vast amount of travel to a wide variety of locations, including the red rock of Utah's National Parks, the backcountry of Montana, Minnesota's Boundary Waters, and Wyoming's Grand Tetons.
Whether car camping, backpacking, or paddling into the wilderness, we lugged pillows all over the world, took meticulous notes, and compared the products side-by-side. Then we scored each model in five core metrics: comfort, support, ease of use, weight, and packed size. After compiling their individual metric scores, we were able to give each pillow an overall score on a scale from 1 to This score lets us rank the pillows and assess their overall performance.
It's important to note that, while many of the scores are only separated by just a few points, each pillow excels in different ways. For example, an inflatable pillow and a compressible pillow may have similar total scores; however, the inflatable has lower scores for comfort and individual scores for weight and packed size. Likewise, the compressible pillow may have top scores for comfort, but far lower scores for weight and packed size. In the end, it's important to consider each product's total score, as well as their scores in each performance area, to find the exact pillow that will work best for you and your camping needs.
Unlike some other types of products that we test at OutdoorGearLab, camping pillows are relatively inexpensive. Regardless of their lower prices, we still found that some pillows offered more value than others. In fact, some of the most expensive ones were the least comfortable. In the realm of camp pillows, you'll generally pay a premium for less weight and smaller packed size. To achieve this, most high-priced pillows rely on an inflatable bladder. Lower-priced models are bulkier because they're constructed of foam or another soft padding.
However, these materials also make the low-priced options typically more durable than the high-end stuff, adding to long-term value.
On average, we also think they're more comfortable than the more packable, more expensive pillows. It's a perfectly good cushion for most folks who head out for a handful of nights each year and don't require a pillow that's ultralight or ultra-packable. Consisting of foam and fabric, this product is simple, without a lot of moving pieces. In the end, we feel this simplicity gives this pillow durability.
The Rumpl Stuffable Fleece rings in at the same price , and while it requires some DIY to stuff it full of extra clothes, it saves weight by utilizing what's already in your pack for cushioning.
Some will like it; some will find this annoying. While the added feathers certainly increase comfort, they also increase the price. Put simply, this metric rates the "Ahhh" effect a pillow provides.
For car campers, this is the most important criteria for selecting a pillow, and a strong consideration for backpackers, too. If you aren't comfortable, the likelihood of quality sleep decreases, along with probable harm to your next-day energy. Pillow type, shape and contouring, size, and the fabric of the outer shell are all factors that play into the comfort of a pillow. The compressible pillows not inflatable rise to the top in this metric.
A typical tradeoff for higher comfort is a larger packed size. All that plush filling can compress, but it can't disappear. In an attempt to achieve higher comfort with minimal packed size, hybrid models consist of an air chamber and a compressible top layer.
We think the Nemo Fillo is one of the best at walking this tightrope between comfort and compressibility. Our reviewers also loved the feeling of the microsuede external shell when lying down for a kip.
The Luxe's quilted polyester shell combines with a rubber-based inflatable bladder to create a spacious surface that conforms effectively to different sleepers' needs and gives the product a great face-feel.
It features a polyester outer shell that is pleasant to the face, with a cooling side opposite a cozy side, and offers spacious dimensions compared to most other models. We feel the Trailbreak Foam Pillow most closely resembles a house pillow in comfort, followed closely by the Therm-a-rest Compressible.
Both are very similar pillows; however, we feel the Trailbreak has a thicker, denser foam core, resulting in a higher level of comfort. The Sea to Summit inflatable pillow didn't overwhelm us in this metric.
We found this extra layer very effective and feel that they are more comfortable than their strictly inflatable peers. Also scoring decent marks for comfort is the Rumpl Stuffable Fleece. This pillow utilizes extra socks, clothing, or jackets as its fill. Due to the variation of possible stuffing, we had a little trouble assessing its true comfort. However, with careful and strategic stuffing of the sleeve, we found it could provide above-average comfort.
The weight of your pillow is a big concern if you plan to carry your camping pillow in your pack on long-distance backpacking excursions. Shorter backpacking trips lasting a handful of days may allow for some leniency, and this metric shouldn't be important at all to car campers. We used our scale to measure the weight of each pillow, stuff sack included. In the end, we were trying to identify the pillow that best balances comfort and weight.
The inflatable pillows we tested weigh much less than their hybrid and compressible counterparts. The Aeros weighs more but is far more comfortable. To put things into perspective, the difference between the lightest and the heaviest pillows is 8.
The Rumpl Stuffable Pillowcase is one of the lightest non-inflatable pillows we tested due to its lack of built-in stuffing. Even with the added down, the Aeros Down is half an ounce lighter than its non-down sibling, the Aeros. The Nemo Fillo Elite weighs just 3 oz.
When you get to camp, you shouldn't have to struggle to keep your head cushion in place during the night. Likewise, your pillow should deploy quickly and pack and unpack with ease. Lastly, your pillow should be a breeze to wash and dry.
In this metric, we considered a myriad of features that relate to how easy each pillow is to use. For simplicity's sake, we preferred pillows with attached stuff sacks. Searching for a misplaced stuff sack while packing up camp is less than desirable.
Between dirt, dogs, and drool, cleaning your pillow will eventually be necessary. Because it's the most similar to a house pillow, the Teton model is a cinch to clean.
Just remove the pillowcase and toss it in the wash. The Klymit Luxe also comes with a machine washable, removable pillowcase for easy cleaning. Models like the Therm-a-Rest Compressible can be thrown into the washer and dryer as-is, which is super convenient. Other models like the Aeros and DriDown pillows are trickier to clean because the manufacturers advise against using a washing machine with these products.
Additionally, we found the inflatable pillows the easiest to clean, with a simple wipe-down that does the trick. Inflating a pillow adds another step to setup, but we don't think it's a big deal. Fine-tuning micro-units of air is an absolute breeze with these very effective twist valves.
Pillows like the Sea to Summit Aeros and its sibling, the Sea to Summit Aeros Down , employ wide-mouth, flat valves, allowing for quick inflation and rapid deflation, but a little less control when fine-tuning.
The perfect do-everything camping pillow provides five-star comfort while taking up almost no space and weighing nearly nothing in a pack. We're still seeking that elusive and dazzling unicorn in the world of cranium cushions. Instead, manufacturers compromise between these opposing characteristics.
However, this metric should not be important to car campers who don't have far to travel between their vehicle and the campsite. Volume becomes an issue when you have to fit everything you're bringing along in your backpack, and sacrifices must be made.
For this metric, we measured the volume of each product in its packed form. Packing down to the size of a billfold at just 0. The Sea to Summit Aeros model comes in with a volume of 0. Surprisingly, the Sea to Summit Aeros Down , which also includes a top layer of down, shares virtually the same packed volume as the standard Aeros.
We were also very pleased with the Rumpl Stuffable Pillowcase 's packed size, but if you have to bring extra clothes just to stuff your pillow, the packed size benefits disappear. We were also impressed with the packed size of the Luxe. Measuring in at The largest volume of all models tested belongs to the REI Trailbreak , compressing to only a third of its deployed size and measuring 6. This metric scores the pillows on the loft they provide and how firm one remains from sunup to sundown.
A pillow can be soft and comfortable but still not provide enough support to make the next day ache-free. Likewise, it can provide ample support, like some inflatable pillows, but not comfortable support. Your preferred sleeping position influences the amount of support you need.
In general, stomach sleepers need a flatter cushion with less support, while side sleepers need a thicker, more supportive pillow to keep the spine aligned. Back sleepers seem to prefer support somewhere in the middle. Matching the best support to your sleeping habits is the best way to wake up fresh and minimize the chances of developing neck or backaches.
While compressible pillows trend toward the most comfortable, the inflatable and hybrid pillows like the Nemo Fillo supported our heads the best.
Moreover, they allow for a range of support preferences with the ability for the user to control the amount of air inside the pillow. We really liked the varied support of the Sea to Summit product, which has a lower and a higher end of the pillow. We were very pleased with the support provided by the Rumpl Stuffable. When the right combination of spare clothing is achieved one of our favorite combos was a pair of pants wrapped in a fleece or down jacket , the support provided is substantial and quite impressive.
But, if all your clothes are wet, or if you're wearing all your extra clothes for warmth, you'll find support and comfort coming up short. Falling to the bottom of this category is the Sierra Designs DriDown , as it flattened out by the time we woke up.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products.
And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content.
No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Best Camping Pillow of We put camping pillows from Nemo, Therm-a-Rest, Sea to Summit, and more to head to head testing in search of the best products. Photo: Jason Wanlass. By Jason Wanlass and Ross Robinson. Share this article:. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Learn more. This review compares 16 of 's top models. We've traveled the world testing each product in tents, hammocks, and airplanes, measuring each against our key performance metrics. After hundreds of hours of sleeping on the job, we've compared notes, measurements, and experiences on each model. We tested a range of pillows that includes compressible, stuffable, hybrid, and inflatable to give you our favorite recommendations that'll improve your night's sleep, wherever you lay your head.
Top 16 Product Ratings. Displaying 1 - 5 of
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