This is a gear assessment of the Best Backpacking Pillows for 2022 by BikeHikeSafari.
The humble Backpacking Pillow is without doubt one of the most missed objects that we take into the backcountry. Most of you may be extra involved concerning the light-weight sleeping mat or 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.
I’ve received you lined with all one of the best ultralight backpacking pillows. One of them is sure to fit your wants and preferences, so scroll by means of and see for your self.
Best Backpacking Pillow 2022
Here are the Best Backpacking Pillows of 2022:
Best Ultralight Pillow
Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Pillow
Weight: 2 oz / 58 grams
Pros:
> Ultralight
> Machine washable
> Very small packed dimension
> Only a few breaths to inflate the pillow
> Soft to the contact and Comfortable
Cons:
> Not as comfy as a few of the different pillows on this assessment however greatest for its dimension and weight
I’ve been utilizing the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Pillow not too long ago and it’s my favourite ultralight pillow for backpacking and mountain climbing. This is my new favourite ultralight backpacking pillow.
The Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Pillow has the smallest pack dimension, is the lightest backpacking pillow, and is kind of comfy. Obviously, it’s not as comfy as a few of the different backpacking pillows on this assessment however that’s the compromise an ultralight hiker will make. It can also be not as sturdy as some, so don’t consider utilizing it as a sit pad round camp.
It just isn’t as comfy because the Nemo choice however doesn’t endure any sturdiness points.
Overall, if you’re an ultralight hiker and are in search of an ultralight pillow then think about the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Pillow as one of the best available on the market in 2022.
Most Comfortable Backpacking Pillow
Nemo Fillo Elite
Weight: 2.8 oz / 80 grams
Pros:
> Versatile sufficient for use for sleeping principally anyplace
> Machine washable
> Less than 3 ounces in weight
> Almost as comfy as your pillow at dwelling
Cons:
> Durability points. I’ve had 2 of them changed underneath guarantee within the final couple of years.
As 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 an excellent higher air valve than ever earlier than. Enjoy a luxurious sleeping expertise irrespective of the place you might be!
Thanks to a three-inch l-beam baffled air cell, this inflatable air pillow doesn’t really feel like mendacity on a balloon as competing merchandise do. 100% post-consumer Primaloft artificial fill insulation creates a cradling layer that helps your head and boosts its peak impressively.
This compressible pillow packs down about as small as a lemon, it’s completely tiny packed dimension and simply mild sufficient to hold wherever backpacking takes you. An built-in stuff sack ensures it gained’t get misplaced within the backside of your backpack, so you may at all times seize it when wanted.
There are some sturdiness points with this pillow. I’ve had two of them changed underneath guarantee within the final couple of years. While I believe the pillow is tremendous comfy, light-weight, and extra, it definitely has sturdiness points. This has led me to take away it from this yr’s greatest 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 a variety of bins and offers me all of the consolation and assist that I would like. It was the primary motive I moved away from utilizing a stuff sack stuffed with a down jacket for a pillow on backpacking journeys. But sturdiness points have let this pillow down.
Best Lightweight Backpacking Pillow
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
Weight: 2.1 oz / 60 grams
Pros:
> Several sizes and coloration choices
> Polyester knit material and TPU bladder – high-quality supplies
> Simple inflation in a few breaths
> Includes free storage bag
Cons:
> Hand wash and air dry solely
Full-sized but tremendous mild, this pillow retains all the ordinary Sea to Summit high quality, while lowering all the way down to the footprint of a paperback guide, weighing lower than that may at a tiny 2.1 ounces (while you selected the common dimension).
Ideal for these gram-counters on the market attempting to sleep comfortably with out sacrificing an excessive amount of rucksack house as this has a really small packed dimension. The built-in contours cradle your head as you sleep so it really works properly. For again sleepers, abdomen sleepers, or aspect sleepers this inflatable pillow ought to provide you with a great night time’s sleep.
Choose between the common, massive, and deluxe sizes to go well with you – each is roofed with a comfortable and washable stretch polyester knit that gained’t irritate your face irrespective of how delicate your pores and skin occurs to be.
The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow is without doubt one of the greatest ultralight backpacking pillows for ultralight thru-hikers.
Best Camping Pillow
Nemo Filo Camping Pillow
Weight: 9.2 oz / 260 grams
Pros:
> Very comfy
> Washable exterior cowl
> Great for aspect sleepers
> Add or scale back to quantity of air to regulate the pillow to precisely the way you need it
Cons:
> Just a little heavy for most individuals to take backpacking
The Nemo Fillo Camping pillow is one of the best tenting pillow for 2022. It is simply as comfy because the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow and weighs nearly the identical however has a smaller pack dimension.
The Nemo Fillo Camping Pillow is a mix of comfy foam and air that you just inflate into the pillow. This hybrid foam and air pillow are very comfy however a bit of too cumbersome for most individuals to think about taking over a backpacking or mountain climbing journey. But for those who regard consolation forward of weight then this can be a winner. For automotive tenting, it’s an apparent selection.
The thickness of the pillow could be adjusted by including or eradicating air from the pillow. So it’s simple to regulate to your individual private preferences. Add to that the washability of the suede materials.
Overall, the Nemo Fillo Backpacking and Camping Pillow is without doubt one of the most comfy tenting pillows for 2022.
Best Insulated Pillow
Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow
Weight: 2.5 oz / 70 grams
Pros:
> Ultra-soft and supple with further down high
> Small, unobtrusive air valve gained’t interrupt sleep
> Larger than different backpacking pillows, however nonetheless as small and lightweight
> Dual-layer inner airbag prevents leaking in a single day
Cons:
> Very costly for a tenting pillow
Offering an opulent sleeping expertise due to a down pillow high, the Sea to Summit Aeros Down fuses the standard Sea to Summit high quality with added softness and assist, inflating generously to about the identical dimension as a pillow you’d use in mattress.
Once stuffed contained in the offered sack, it’s as small as 5.5 x 3.15 inches, weighing solely 6.7 ounces – that is principally nothing, permitting you to suit extra essential issues into your bag, like further underwear and waterproof clothes.
Soft, nylon woven high material is rapidly and simply inflated, adjusted, or deflated, due to their patented mini Multi-Function valve, so that you’re able to hit the hay in seconds and simply put it away the subsequent day.
The mixture of down and light-weight development makes the Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow the greatest down pillow for backpacking. It is an fascinating mixture that simply appears to work.
Best Stuff Sack Pillow
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow
Weight: 1.7 oz / 48 grams
Pros:
> Added consolation from the reversible fleece-lined aspect
> Fully waterproof
> Multiple sizes to go well with you
> Doubles as storage for clear garments or down jackets and so on
Cons:
> “Small” cushion is very small – examine 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.
During the day, you may defend and retailer your garments inside – at night time, it’s the right place to snooze.
Premium development options embrace fully-taped seams and a waterproof 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 approach, you’ll have the ability to retailer it in just about any bag.
One of one of the best ultralight backpacking pillows or ought to I say top-of-the-line stuff sack pillows for backpacking.
Best Budget Backpacking Pillow
Trekology ALUFT 2.0 Ultralight Camping Pillow
Weight: 3.9 oz / 110 grams
Pros:
> Multiple colorways to select from
> Inflates and deflates in seconds
> Improved ergonomic design with added neck assist
> Ideal 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. Once folded, it’s a fully tiny 5×2 inch, smaller and much squishier than your common soda can.
Enhanced with TPU material 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 may sleep underneath the celebs with full peace of thoughts.
The rubber anti-slip gripping dots on the reverse of this intelligent pillow prevents any friction towards your sleeping mat, preserving it held in place all night time lengthy. The built-in latch strap provides additional safety, so your head gained’t go bump within the night time!
This is without doubt one of the greatest funds tenting pillows with a great deal of consolation at a funds worth.
Best of the Rest
Big Agnes Q Core Deluxe Inflatable Travel Pillow
Weight: 3.1 oz / 88 grams
Pros:
> Soft, supple end – no want for an added cowl
> Sturdy and cozy on the identical time
> Tear-resistant, puncture-proof aviation-grade expertise
> Comes with a lifetime guarantee
Cons:
> Hand wash and air dry solely
The Big Agnes Q-Core Deluxe is without doubt one of the hottest pillows from Big Agnes, best for backpacking, tenting or journey. Fusing all the greatest sleeping pad expertise with added coziness that even delicate pores and skin can address, it’s a worthy funding.
The outer material is nylon and has a four-way stretch and a soft-touch end molds to your head so there’s no “ballooning” or any stress factors as with different journey pillows. Plus, built-in warmth reflective expertise permits you to keep heat with out changing into uncomfortable.
A minimalist, offset development permits for a lighter pillow that also provides steady consolation and stability all through the night time. The low-profile single-port valve means speedy deflation, with a refined adjustment button for fast modifications!
This is without doubt one of the largest backpacking pillows on this assessment but it’s nonetheless light-weight.
Wise Owl Outfitters Memory Foam Camping Pillow
Weight: ? oz / ? grams
Pros:
> Super inexpensive with out reducing corners
> Machine washable and dryer pleasant!
> 100% satisfaction assure fulfilled by a USA primarily based customer support
Cons:
> Can get a bit of lumpy, but it surely’s extremely simple to fluff out
The Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Pillow is without doubt one of the most budget-friendly pillows on our checklist, you may be questioning why I’m recommending such an inexpensive and cheerful cushion. This unhealthy boy from Wise Owl Outfitters is what you name an absolute cut price buy!
Pairing foamy assist with a comfortable, micro-suede cowl, your head feels prefer it’s being cradled by a cloud; being 5 inches thick, it provides superior consolation regardless of coming at a fraction of the price of different backpacking pillows.
Choose between three sizes to fit your wants and preferences – even the massive pillow will fold all the way down to a formidable 12×17 inches, simply becoming inside the common rucksack, tote, suitcase… just about any bag you need to use!
This is a superb tenting pillow for automotive tenting and journey. It doesn’t fold down actually small like the opposite backpacking pillows on this assessment however it’s a funds worth and an amazing funds automotive tenting pillow. Because it’s fairly massive it’s the greatest backpacking pillow for aspect sleepers.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
Weight: 2.8 oz / 79 grams
Pros:
> Multiple sizes and colours obtainable
> Contoured TPU air bladder for spectacular assist
> Synthetic lining for an improved airflow
> Silent inflation for these late-night returns
Cons:
> More costly than different Aeros pillows regardless of minimal variations
Offering each common and enormous sizes to go well with a wide range of backpackers. The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium assortment is fantastically designed with an ultra-soft brushed polyester knit exterior.
No larger than a bottle of ibuprofen when you’ve popped it within the offered stuff sack, it weighs lower than three ounces, which is about the identical as a pack of playing cards. This is good for individuals who don’t suppose they’ve room for a pillow of their bag!
Simply inflated in a most of seven breaths, in addition to swiftly deflated or adjusted utilizing the patented Multi Function 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 actually stepped up their sport in the case of light-weight tenting pillows. This is without doubt one of the greatest.
Klymit Pillow X
Weight: 2.5 oz / 71 grams
Pros:
> Replacement covers could be bought individually
> Color choices to go well with you
> Cleverly designed to maintain the pinnacle secure all night time
> Lifetime restricted guarantee offered
Cons:
> No grip – could slip and slide on sleeping mats
With an progressive, self-centering Klymit X design, your head is at all times completely oriented whilst you sleep while you pack the Klymit Pillow X in your journey. It’s supportive, sturdy, ultra-light, and most significantly, very comfy.
Height and stress could be immediately adjusted by including or releasing air to go well with you. This raises and lowers the peak of the pillow, in addition to modifying its firmness, offering your most customizable sleep but while on the go.
Decreasing to an ultra-compact 4.5 x 2.5 inches and weighing lower than two ounces, you may inflate it in only one or two breaths and pack it just about anyplace. Plus, it suits within the hood of a mummy bag to retailer securely when not in use. Lightweight and low-cost mountain climbing pillow.
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch
Weight: 10 oz / 300 grams
Pros:
> Available in small, medium and enormous
> Machine washable
> Uses partially recycled supplies
> Made within the USA
Cons:
> Needs common fluffing
Made within the USA and best for backpacking, the Therm a Rest compressible journey foam pillow is further mild, regardless of being full of comfortable foam filling, providing all the comforts of your mattress at dwelling for sleeping nearly anyplace.
Expanding out to 4 inches of thick and plush assist, it’s good to be used wherever you might be, even on public transport. The Therm a Rest compressible pillow is made with a brushed polyester cowl which is comfortable and supple towards your pores and skin, so even essentially the most delicate face can relaxation simple on it.
A current improve to this new mannequin consists of an built-in drawstring and twine lock that retains the pillow good and securely compressed when it’s not in use. So there’s no fear it can come free and re-inflate while you’re on the go. It stays small and the place it must be!
Overall, if you would like consolation then that is your pillow. The bigger dimension and weight make this greatest suited to automotive tenting and in a single day backpacking journeys the place weight and pack dimension are usually not the primary concern.
More Pillows for Backpacking and Hiking
Here is a listing of another pillows that both nearly made it to the checklist 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 a few of the Aeros vary.
- Exped Air Pillow: The Exped Air Pillow is small and light-weight and will probably be reviewed for the checklist very quickly.
- Sierra Designs DriDown Pillow: Sierra Designs DriDown Pillow is good and comfortable and cozy however there are lighter choices on the market for related consolation.
Buyers Guide
Here is a few useful data that may help you in making the choice on what pillow is greatest for you.
You want to think about the next issues in a tenting pillow:
- Comfort
- Size and Weight
- Durability
- Ease of Maintenance
- Simplicity
Comfort
If it doesn’t softly cradle your head, both utilizing foam, air inflation, or one other technique of padding, then it’s not assembly the essential standards of being an honest pillow. You might need a desire for a specific texture or materials.
Some of the comfy pillows are lined in neoprene whereas others have a rougher exterior material – 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 for those who’ll have the ability to quiet down on high of it before you purchase.
There are a few several types of backpacking pillows and every is totally different in the case of consolation.
The inflatable pillows have the benefit of permitting the pinnacle to sink into the pillow relying on how a lot air was inside.
Foam pillows are normally set and unable to be modified which generally is a good factor for a snug pillow.
Stuff sack pillows could be adjusted by including extra clothes to the stuff sack to fill it up. It could be slightly annoying to sleep on a stuff sack pillow when the jacket inside is filled with zips.
Packed Size
If you’ve been backpacking earlier than, you’ll be properly conscious of this already. Space is an important commodity in your backpack, the vast majority of which you’re going to need to reserve for extra essential mountain climbing gear.
The smaller and flatter a pillow could be made, the higher. Some are designed to roll up as small as a pair of socks inside their very own carrying pack, so for those who’re wanting room it could possibly be price valuing dimension over the whole lot else. Inflatable pillows are one of the best compressible pillows for the load.
The most ultralight of the pillows on this assessment is concerning the dimension of a lemon and weighs 2 ounces or much less.
Pillow Size
The dimension 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 a bit of thicker than somebody who’s a again sleeper.
Weight
As a basic rule, the bigger the pack dimension of the pillow the heavier it is going to 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.
Durability
Even for those who’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 whole different stuff, and presumably getting leaked on or scratched up – it might undergo rather a lot!
Aiming for a fabric that’s in a position to stand as much as extra misery than the common pillow will expertise, constructed with temperature modifications, staining or spillages and different tough stuff generally is your greatest wager to verify it lasts the entire journey.
Ease Of Maintenance
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 a radical cleansing to get it again to its authentic comfy situation.
This will probably be a lot simpler and faster for you if the pillow could 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 while you get an opportunity is a helpful comfort.
Simplicity
Nobody needs to spend ten minutes messing round assembling a pillow earlier than they’ll fall asleep, particularly for those who’ve been out adventuring all day. Those merchandise that want you to make use of all of the air in your lungs are usually not a backpacker’s pal.
Prioritize selecting up a pillow that may have you ever snoozing in seconds. You would possibly spend a few further bucks on it, however your extremely drained backpacking self from the long run will completely thanks for splashing that money.
Affordability
The worth is without doubt one of the many issues to think about when buying a mountain climbing pillow. The good-quality pillows on this assessment are inexpensive and worthy of consideration. Admittedly, a few of the pillows are a bit expensive however they’re normally ones stuffed with down or top quality foam.
Conclusion
Here are one of the best pillows for backpacking and mountain climbing in 2022:
Frequently Asked Questions
All it’s good to do is find the purple 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.
Once 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 can differ the air stress for a more durable or softer pillow.
There are loads of 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.
To deflate, merely open up the valve on the inflatable pillow and provides it a squeeze to take away all the air. Then place the backpacking pillow into both the provided stuff sac or pack it inside with the sleeping bag.
You would possibly suppose that each one there may be to think about when in search of a great pillow for backpacking is whether or not it feels good to put your head on. Sure, that’s nice while you’re utilizing it inside the home, however issues have to be a bit of extra rigorous in the case of backpacking gear. You should think about weight, packed dimension, ease of use, washability, worth, and extra.