It is a gear evaluation of the Greatest Backpacking Pillows for 2024.
The common-or-garden Backpacking Pillow is without doubt one of the most neglected objects that we take into the backcountry. Most of you is perhaps extra involved concerning the light-weight sleeping mat, ultralight sleeping bag, or a Backpacking Quilt in your huge journey, however for now, allow us to give attention to the light-weight backpacking pillow.
This evaluation has been up to date to replicate the long-term use and testing of those backpacking pillows.
How We Examined
All of the Backpacking Pillows on this evaluation have been extensively evaluated and researched by the skilled writer who has greater than 30 years of expertise in Via-Mountaineering, Backpacking, Mountaineering, and Bike Touring. A number of the Ultralight Pillows have been bought and a few have been provided by the producer. They’ve been rigorously examined by the writer over a number of years of long-term testing whereas Tenting, Backpacking, Via-Mountaineering, and on Bike Touring Journeys. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the writer have mixed to provide you with one of the best ultralight backpacking pillows for 2024. Learn the Evaluation Coverage for additional particulars.
Greatest Backpacking Pillow 2024
Listed here are the Greatest Backpacking Pillows of 2024:
Greatest Backpacking Pillow Total
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
Weight: 2.1 oz / 60 grams
Professionals:
> A number of sizes and shade choices
> Polyester knit cloth and TPU bladder – high-quality supplies
> Easy inflation in a few breaths
> Consists of free storage bag
Cons:
> Hand wash and air dry solely
The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow is one of the best steadiness between compact measurement, high quality, consolation, and weight.
I used this pillow for a number of journeys and the extra I used it, the extra I appreciated its place on the prime of the record for finest backpacking pillows 2024.
It’s perfect for gram-counters attempting to sleep comfortably with out sacrificing an excessive amount of house in your pack. It actually has a really compact packed measurement. It’s formed in such a means that your head suits into the contours of the pillow. For again sleepers, abdomen sleepers, or aspect sleepers this inflatable pillow ought to provide you with evening’s sleep.
It is available in common, giant, and deluxe sizes. I used and examined the common measurement that’s excellent for anybody wanting an ultralight pillow. It’s coated with a smooth and washable stretch polyester knit that gained’t irritate your face irrespective of how delicate your pores and skin occurs to be. I examined this pillow with stubble and a beard and appreciated the consolation and undeniable fact that it was not loud and annoying once I rubbed up towards it.
If you happen to use the Sea to Summit Sleeping Pad it comes with a locking mechanism to maintain the pillow locked onto the sleeping pad.
The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow is without doubt one of the finest ultralight backpacking pillows for ultralight thru-hikers.
Greatest Ultralight Pillow – Runner Up
Therm-a-Relaxation Air Head Lite Pillow
Weight: 2 oz / 58 grams
Professionals:
> Ultralight
> Machine cleanable
> Very small packed measurement
> Solely a few breaths to inflate the pillow
> Tender to the contact and Snug
Cons:
> Not as comfy as among the different pillows on this evaluation however finest for its measurement and weight
I spent one of the best a part of 2 years utilizing and testing the Therm-a-Relaxation Air Head Lite Pillow. It is rather much like the Sea to Summit Pillow and they’re so comparable that there’s little to separate which one is healthier.
The Therm-a-Relaxation Air Head Lite Pillow has a really small pack measurement that’s the lightest backpacking pillow and is sort of comfy. It isn’t as comfy as among the different backpacking pillows on this evaluation however that’s the compromise an ultralight hiker will make. When testing all of the pillows I discovered the Sea to Summit above and Nemo Filo had barely extra comfy outer materials than this one.
It is usually not as sturdy as another backpacking pillows, so don’t consider utilizing it as a sit pad round camp. It isn’t as comfy because the Nemo choices however doesn’t endure the sturdiness points that the Nemo Pillow has.
Total, in case you are an ultralight hiker and are searching for an ultralight pillow then think about the Therm-a-Relaxation Air Head Lite Pillow as probably the greatest pillows for 2024.
Most Snug Ultralight Pillow
Nemo Fillo Elite
Weight: 2.8 oz / 80 grams
Professionals:
> Versatile sufficient for use for sleeping anyplace
> Machine cleanable
> Lower than 3 ounces in weight
> Virtually as comfy as your pillow at house
Cons:
> Sturdiness points. I’ve had 2 of them changed below guarantee within the final couple of years.
Because the best-selling pillow from Nemo’s beloved tenting vary, this up to date model of the Nemo Fillo is designed with brand-new materials and a good higher air valve than ever earlier than. Get pleasure from a luxurious sleeping expertise irrespective of the place you might be!
I used and examined this pillow for greater than 200 nights when thru-hiking the Appalachian Path and Te Araroa Path. I discovered the Nemo Filo Elite inflatable air pillow to be very comfy. It comes with a small quantity of Primaloft artificial fill insulation that provides to the general consolation.
This compressible pillow packs down about as small as a lemon however is barely larger than the Sea to Summit or Therm-a-Relaxation Pillows. There’s an built-in stuff sack, not like some others which makes it simpler to pack and retailer it when not in use.
Regardless of all of the optimistic issues about this pillow, there are some sturdiness points with this pillow. Throughout the testing of this pillow, I had two of them changed below guarantee. Whereas I feel the pillow is tremendous comfy, light-weight, and extra, it actually has sturdiness points. This has led me to take away it from the highest spot as one of the best backpacking pillow winner!
The Nemo Fillo Elite is a superb light-weight backpacking pillow. I used this pillow for a few years and it ticks numerous packing containers and provides me all of the consolation and assist that I want. It was the principle motive I moved away from utilizing a stuff sack crammed with a down jacket for a pillow on backpacking journeys. However sturdiness points have let this pillow down.
Greatest Tenting Pillow
Nemo Filo Tenting Pillow
Weight: 9.2 oz / 260 grams
Professionals:
> Very comfy
> Washable exterior cowl
> Nice for aspect sleepers
> Add or scale back to quantity of air to regulate the pillow to precisely the way you need it
Cons:
> Slightly heavy for most individuals to take backpacking
The Nemo Fillo Tenting pillow is one of the best tenting pillow for 2024. It’s simply as comfy because the Therm-a-Relaxation Compressible Pillow and weighs nearly the identical however has a smaller pack measurement.
The Nemo Fillo Tenting Pillow is a mixture of comfy foam and air that you just inflate into the pillow. This hybrid foam and air pillow may be very comfy however just a little too cumbersome for most individuals to think about taking over a backpacking or climbing journey. However if you happen to regard consolation forward of weight then this can be a winner. For automotive tenting, it’s an apparent alternative.
The thickness of the pillow might be adjusted by including or eradicating air from the pillow. So it’s straightforward to regulate to your private preferences. Add to that the washability of the suede materials.
Total, the Nemo Fillo Backpacking and Tenting Pillow is without doubt one of the most comfy tenting pillows for 2024.
Most Snug Tenting Pillow
Therm-a-Relaxation Compressible Pillow Cinch
Weight: 10 oz / 300 grams
Professionals:
> Out there in small, medium, and enormous
> Machine cleanable
> Makes use of partially recycled supplies
> Made within the USA
Cons:
> Wants common fluffing
Therm-a-Relaxation compressible journey foam pillow is made within the USA and is right for somebody who desires consolation above all else. The Therm a Relaxation compressible journey foam pillow is additional mild, regardless of being full of smooth foam filling, providing the entire comforts of your mattress at house for sleeping nearly anyplace. However in relation to a backpacking pillow it doesn’t pack to a small measurement like among the ultralight pillows listed above.
I used this pillow on a few journeys and preferred the 4 inches of loft and plush assist. I additionally preferred the brushed polyester cowl which is smooth and supple towards your pores and skin, so even probably the most delicate face can relaxation straightforward on it. This pillow could be an ideal tenting pillow and would even work properly on airline flights or long-distance bus journeys. A superb mixture of consolation and compact measurement makes it choice for many backpackers.
A current improve to this new mannequin consists of an built-in drawstring and rope lock that retains the pillow good and securely compressed when it’s not in use. So there’s no fear it’ll come free and re-inflate whenever you’re on the go. It stays small and the place it needs to be!
Total, in order for you consolation then that is your pillow. The bigger measurement and weight make this finest suited to automotive tenting and in a single day backpacking journeys the place weight and pack measurement will not be the primary concern.
Greatest Insulated Pillow
Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow
Weight: 2.5 oz / 70 grams
Professionals:
> Extremely-soft and supple with further down prime
> Small, unobtrusive air valve gained’t interrupt sleep
> Bigger than different backpacking pillows, however nonetheless as small and light-weight
> Twin-layer inner airbag prevents leaking in a single day
Cons:
> Not the most affordable tenting pillow
Providing an opulent sleeping expertise due to a down pillow prime, the Sea to Summit Aeros Down fuses the normal Sea to Summit high quality with added softness and assist, inflating generously to about the identical measurement as a pillow you’d use in mattress.
As soon as stuffed contained in the supplied sack, it’s as small as 5.5 x 3.15 inches, weighing solely 6.7 ounces – that is nothing, permitting you to suit extra essential issues into your bag, like additional underwear and waterproof clothes.
Tender, nylon woven prime cloth is rapidly and simply inflated, adjusted, or deflated, due to their patented mini Multi-Operate valve, so that you’re able to hit the hay in seconds and simply put it away the following day.
The mix of down and light-weight building makes the Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow one of the best down pillow for backpacking. It’s an fascinating mixture that simply appears to work.
Greatest Stuff Sack Pillow
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow
Weight: 1.7 oz / 48 grams
Professionals:
> Added consolation from the reversible fleece-lined aspect
> Absolutely waterproof
> A number of sizes to go well with you
> Doubles as storage for clear garments or down jackets and so on
Cons:
> “Small” cushion is particularly small – test measurements earlier than shopping for!
Versatile and multi-purpose, the Stuff Sac pillow from Hyperlite Mountain Gear is a two-in-one particular pillow you’ll remorse not buying sooner.
Throughout the day, you possibly can defend and retailer your garments inside – at evening, it’s the proper place to snooze.
Premium building options embrace fully-taped seams and a water resistant YKK zipper, 100% waterproof DYNEEMA composite materials, and a reversible, 100-weight fleece lining from Polartec.
Coming in each small and enormous, pint-sized and extra-big campers can get a full eight hours simply, each are made in Maine USA, and weigh lower than 2 ounces, so both means, you’ll be capable of retailer it in just about any bag.
Top-of-the-line ultralight backpacking pillows or ought to I say probably the greatest stuff sack pillows for backpacking.
Greatest Funds Backpacking Pillow
Trekology ALUFT 2.0 Ultralight Tenting Pillow
Weight: 3.9 oz / 110 grams
Professionals:
> A number of colorways to select from
> Inflates and deflates in seconds
> Improved ergonomic design with added neck assist
> Superb for again, aspect, or abdomen sleepers
Cons:
> Inflation solely – no added foam or padding
Maximizing consolation while minimizing footprint, Trekology’s ALUFT 2.0 is without doubt one of the most compact, light-weight pillows available on the market. As soon as folded, it’s a tiny 5×2 inch, smaller and much squishier than your common soda can.
Enhanced with TPU cloth that’s each sturdy and elasticated, the two.0 model is new and improved for 2021. Not solely is it comfier, but it surely now boasts water resistance, so you possibly can sleep below the celebrities with full peace of thoughts.
The rubber anti-slip gripping dots on the reverse of this intelligent pillow forestall any friction towards your sleeping mat, conserving it held in place all evening lengthy. The built-in latch strap provides additional safety, so your head gained’t go bump within the evening!
This is without doubt one of the finest price range tenting pillows with a great deal of consolation at a price range value.
Extra Tope Rated Backpacking Pillows
Smart Owl Outfitters Reminiscence Foam Tenting Pillow
Weight: 11 oz / 312 grams
Professionals:
> Tremendous reasonably priced with out reducing corners
> Machine cleanable and dryer pleasant!
> 100% satisfaction assure fulfilled by a USA-based customer support
Cons:
> Can get just a little lumpy, but it surely’s extremely straightforward to fluff out
The Smart Owl Outfitters Tenting Pillow is without doubt one of the most budget-friendly pillows on our record, you is perhaps questioning why I’m recommending such an affordable and cheerful cushion. This unhealthy boy from Smart Owl Outfitters is what you name an absolute cut price buy!
Pairing foamy assist with a smooth, micro-suede cowl, your head feels prefer it’s being cradled by a cloud; being 5 inches thick, it affords superior consolation regardless of coming at a fraction of the price of different backpacking pillows.
Select between three sizes to fit your wants and preferences – even the big pillow will fold right down to a powerful 12×17 inches, simply becoming inside the common rucksack, tote, suitcase… just about any bag you need to use!
It is a nice tenting pillow for automotive tenting and journey. It doesn’t fold down actually small like the opposite backpacking pillows on this evaluation however it’s a price range value and an excellent price range automotive tenting pillow. As a result of it’s fairly giant it’s the finest backpacking pillow for aspect sleepers.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
Weight: 2.8 oz / 79 grams
Professionals:
> A number of sizes and colours out there
> Contoured TPU air bladder for spectacular assist
> Artificial lining for an improved airflow
> Silent inflation for these late-night returns
Cons:
> Costlier than different Aeros pillows regardless of minimal variations
Providing each common and enormous sizes to go well with a wide range of backpackers. The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium assortment is superbly designed with an ultra-soft brushed polyester knit exterior.
No larger than a bottle of ibuprofen when you’ve popped it within the supplied stuff sack, it weighs lower than three ounces, which is about the identical as a pack of playing cards. That is perfect for individuals who don’t suppose they’ve room for a pillow of their bag!
Merely inflated in a most of seven breaths, in addition to swiftly deflated or adjusted utilizing the patented Multi Operate Valve, it’s up and working in seconds after which down once more even sooner, for even the busiest of budding vacationers.
The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium stepped up their sport in relation to light-weight tenting pillows. This is without doubt one of the finest.
Extra Pillows for Backpacking and Mountaineering
Here’s a record of another pillows that both nearly made it to the record of pillows or are but to be examined.
- Cocoon Hyperlight Air Core Pillow: The Cocoon Hyperlight Air Core Pillow is a light-weight inflatable pillow that packs up small however not fairly as small as among the Aeros vary.
Backpacking Pillow Comparability Desk
Backpacking Pillow Patrons Information
Consolation
If it doesn’t softly cradle your head, both utilizing foam, air inflation, or one other technique of padding, then it doesn’t meet the fundamental standards of being an honest pillow. You may need a desire for a selected texture or materials.
A number of the comfy pillows are coated in neoprene whereas others have a rougher exterior cloth – relying on how you are feeling about texture and whether or not your pores and skin is delicate, you would possibly need to think about if you happen to’ll be capable of calm down on prime of it before you purchase.
There are a few several types of backpacking pillows and every is totally different in relation to consolation.
The inflatable pillows have the benefit of permitting the top to sink into the pillow relying on how a lot air is inside.
Foam pillows are normally set and unable to be modified which generally is a good factor for a cushty pillow.
Stuff sack pillows might be adjusted by including extra clothes to the stuff sack to fill it up. It may be reasonably annoying to sleep on a stuff sack pillow when the jacket inside is filled with zips.
Packed Measurement
If you happen to’ve been backpacking earlier than, you’ll be properly conscious of this already. House is a crucial commodity in your backpack, nearly all of which you’re going to need to reserve for extra essential climbing gear.
The smaller and flatter a pillow might be made, the higher. Some are designed to roll up as small as a pair of socks inside their carrying pack, so if you happen to’re in need of room it might be value valuing measurement over every little thing else. Inflatable pillows are one of the best compressible pillows for the load.
Probably the most ultralight of the pillows on this evaluation is concerning the measurement of a lemon and weighs 2 ounces or much less.
Pillow Measurement
The dimensions of the pillow, as soon as it has been unpacked or blown up, will probably be one other essential consideration. If you’re a aspect sleeper you might have considered trying one thing just a little thicker than somebody who’s a again sleeper.
Weight
As a basic rule, the bigger the pack measurement of the pillow the heavier will probably be. Most ultra-lightweight pillows want air to inflate the pillow. Most add a small quantity of weight by including a layer of suede or fleece to make it extra comfy.
Sturdiness
Even if you happen to’re not going very far, you need this pillow to outlive being repeatedly shoved in and yanked out of your bag, rubbing up towards your entire different stuff, and presumably getting leaked on or scratched up – it may undergo rather a lot!
Aiming for a cloth that’s capable of stand as much as extra misery than the common pillow will expertise, constructed with temperature modifications, staining or spillages and different tough stuff on the whole is your finest guess to ensure it lasts the entire journey.
Maintaining Your Pillow Clear
Accidents occur. When one thing sticky explodes contained in the bag, or your nighttime drooling will get uncontrolled, you’re going to need to give your pillow an intensive cleansing to get it again to its unique comfy situation.
This will probably be a lot simpler and faster for you if the pillow might be machine-washed! It doesn’t matter if it’s dryer pleasant as air-drying is cheaper anyway, however simply with the ability to toss it right into a washer whenever you get an opportunity is a helpful comfort.
Ease of Use
No one desires to spend ten minutes messing round assembling a pillow earlier than they will fall asleep, particularly if you happen to’ve been out adventuring all day. These merchandise that want you to make use of all of the air in your lungs will not be a backpacker’s buddy.
Prioritize selecting up a pillow that can have you ever snoozing in seconds. You would possibly spend a few additional bucks on it, however your extremely drained backpacking self from the long run will thanks for splashing that money.
Worth
The value is without doubt one of the many issues to think about when buying a climbing pillow. The great-quality pillows on this evaluation are reasonably priced and worthy of consideration. Admittedly, among the pillows are a bit dear however they’re normally ones crammed with down or high-quality foam.
Conclusion
Listed here are one of the best pillows for backpacking and climbing in 2024:
Incessantly Requested Questions
How do you employ the Nemo Fillo pillow?
All you might want to do is find the crimson inflation valve system and guarantee it’s within the ‘open’ place, by twisting as soon as to the left after which pulling upwards and including about 2 breaths.
As soon as it feels good, push down and twist the inflation valve once more, returning it to the ‘locked’ place and sealing in all of that air. You may fluctuate the air stress for a more durable or softer pillow.
How do you retain a pillow on a sleeping pad?
There are many hacks to strive, from shopping for a pillow with in-built loops or attachment factors to being intelligent with some Velcro hooked up to the pillow and the sleeping pad. It’s fairly tough to verbally spell these out, although.
The way to deflate a backpacking pillow?
To deflate, merely open up the valve on the inflatable pillow and squeeze it to take away the entire air. Then place the backpacking pillow into both the provided stuff sac or pack it inside with the sleeping bag.
What Makes A Good Backpacking Pillow?
You would possibly suppose that every one there’s to think about when searching for pillow for backpacking is whether or not it feels good to put your head on. Certain, that’s high-quality whenever you’re utilizing it inside the home, however issues have to be just a little extra rigorous in relation to backpacking gear. You could think about weight, packed measurement, ease of use, washability, value, and extra.
BikeHikeSafari Gear Evaluation Course of
The writer, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari will not be half of a giant weblog community and is proudly impartial. All opinions on this web site are impartial and trustworthy gear opinions of out of doors merchandise by the writer.
The writer, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an outside retail retailer and may be very skilled in what’s essential when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for opinions and they don’t settle for sponsored opinions on this web site. All of the feedback concerning the gear opinions are from the writer based mostly on his years of expertise. Hope this impartial evaluation was useful for you.
