Best Camping Pillows/A pillow is a support of the body at rest for comfort, therapy, or decoration. Pillows are used by many species, including humans. Some types of pillows include throw pillows, body pillows, decorative pillows and many more. Pillows that aid sleeping is a form of bedding that supports the head and neck. Other types of pillows are designed to support the body when lying down or sitting. There are also pillows that consider the human body shape for increased comfort during sleep.
I have gotten the privilege to travel to different places in the United States. Sometimes I enjoy camping outdoors. Whenever I am out there enjoying nature, I find that I need to lay my head on some rock somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Before I knew what camping pillows were, I used to carry my bedroom pillows, and they were not very comfortable.
Therefore, I have written this article to give you insight that will help you make the right decision when buying camp pillows. I also understand the hassle that comes with looking for a proper one that will suit your every camping need. That is the reason you should stay put, and listen to what I say.
List Of The Best Camping Pillows In 2020
ONWEGO ‘Soft-Top’ Inflatable Backpacking, Camping Pillow
Most of the camping pillows that my dad brought for me would always tear whenever I threw them into the washing machine. This was because of the weak thread line that allowed water to penetrate into them. This time around, he bought me this pillow from ONWEGO, which was the best camping pillow that would withstand all kinds of pressure. It was soft and perfect for my head. What puzzled me about this pillow is that I can fold it into a minimal folding, and put it into its cover.
TETON Sports Camp Pillow Perfect For Camping
I once bought a pillow, which would always leave several lines on my face when I wake up. This made my nights very long. When I decided to throw it away, I soon got a replacement. The TETON camping pillow worked great especially when we were out camping. My face felt beautiful, and I could not feel any itchiness when I was sleeping. It is small enough and can fit my suitcase’s small pocket. Since I began using it, I have not seen any part of it tearing.
Archer Compressible Self Inflating Camping Pillow
I was looking for a self-deflating pillow, and I was glad when I found this one. Before I set out for a camp during the summer, I decided to try it out. Immediately, I unpacked it; it began to inflate itself slowly. I do not love pillows where I have to use my own breathe because I sometimes end up hurting the side of your throat. It has a thick fabric, and will not have any issues when you are sleeping naked.
The Big E-ZZZ XL Camp Pillow
My grandpa will never use a pillow that is uncomfortable to lie on. For instance, pillows which are hard as a rock. I knew this when I was doing order online. I met up with this pillow, and he says that he likes the comfort that it brings. You can adjust the size to whichever size you want when you inflate it. Additionally, the pillow has slip-resistant material that supports your head when you are sleeping. This is unlike other pillows that will slip from my head whenever I am sleeping.
Inflatable Camping Pillow | Hikenture Ultralight Backpacking Camp Pillow
I have brought several pillows for my son because most of the ones I took to him would normally tear down and were not water-resistant. This time around, I had learned my lesson. Therefore, I landed on this camping pillow, and I loved it. It was different from the rest. There is no single tear from it ever since I bought it for him. He told me that when he went camping with it, he did not have a problem inflating and using it.
Camping Pillow With Bamboo Derived Viscose Rayon Cover
As we all know, your camping bed is different from the bed at home. My best friend often complained that sleeping on the hammock bed would give him inappropriate stiff necks. When I asked him why he never carries his pillow to camp, he was quick to answer that none of his pillows would ever fit it into the bag pack. To solve this problem, I gave him this suggestion, and he loved it. It would remove the air inside it when packing, and inflate it once you remove it from the bag.
Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow For Camping
One thing that most campers hate is carrying a heavy bag when going to a camp. This was the case with my nephew. He could not find a pillow that would fit into his bag pack without adding extra weight. I decided to be of help to him. I bought this pillow, which could compress and become smaller. I even suggested that he can use it when traveling, hiking, or also when he needs comfortability when in the office. The soft foam adds to its ability to compress. The pillow can support your neck, body, and head.
Chillax Ultralight Camping Pillow – Compressible, Compact, Inflatable, Comfortable Pillow
My son loves to turn occasionally when sleeping. He can sleep on either his back, stomach or even his side. When I watched how uncomfortable he was when he was sleeping in one of the camps, I decided to buy him a pillow that would provide the comfort that he needed. The Chillax Ultralight camping pillow is comfortable and will support his back when he is asleep. The pillow will deflate to become 5X2 inches in size. It also inflates to grow about 16X12X4 inches in size.
Trekology Ultralight Inflating Camping Pillows
During one of the camps, I noticed that my friend struggled to get some sleep. This was because the camping pillow he was using was not up to par. I decided to be a blessing to his life, and so, I went into my bag pack and gave him the extra pillow that I had with me. From then, he never wants me to have it back. He tells me that his neck and back are well supported when he is using the pillow. In addition to comfort, the pillow is compact, and you can use it for long.
- You can deflate and carry it in your pocket
- It does not slip because it has slip-resistant material
- TPU fabric makes the pillow durable, water-resistant, and strong
Which Pillow Type Is Right For You?
There are pros and cons to every type of camping pillow. Here are the main categories of backcountry pillows and some quick links to our top recommendations.
Stuff Sack Pillows – are ultralight and excellent for backpacking, but they require a puffy jacket or other soft clothing to give them loft. They can be very comfortable with the right stuffing, but with the wrong stuffing, they can be hard or compress too much.
UL Inflatables Pillows – are lightweight and can stand alone, holding their shape and offering good height and support for side-sleepers. But inflatable pillows can also feel unstable and wobbly at times. In addition, ultralight air pillows tend not to be nearly as soft and comfy as other pillow types and may be hard on the ears after a few hours. y comfortable and mimic home pillows closely, but they also tend to be much bulkier and heavier than stuff sack pillows and ultralight inflatables.
Hybrid Pillows – use a combination of components, usually an air bladder topped with a layer of foam or down insulation. They share the same height and support benefits of ultralight air pillows, but they’re typically much more comfortable. That said, they also tend to be heavier and bulkier.
Critical Considerations
Sleeping Style – Size, shape, fullness, warmth, and surface all come together to determine how comfortable a camping pillow is. Look for a one that compliments the position in which you like to sleep, accommodates your size, and satisfies your preferences for softness or firmness. Side sleepers commonly prefer pillows with a bit more height to support the neck and shoulder, while back sleepers might prefer softer, lower-profile pillows.
Weight – For backpacking, every ounce matters. But sleep systems are a place where it generally makes sense to carry a bit of extra weight for added comfort. It’s still really important to keep weight to a minimum, but getting a good night’s rest is also critical. There are some good options for even extreme minimalists that weigh less than 2 oz and serve dual purposes, such as being a dry bag or stuff sack for your clothes. Generally, the lighter the pillow, the more clothing you will need to add to it as filler. If your sleep system is so light that you depend on wearing all of your soft clothes at night, we recommend carrying a pillow that can stand alone. Consider how much of your clothing you will need to wear, air-out, or dry at night.
Compressibility– The smaller the pillow can pack down, the better. When you have to squeeze everything into a backpack or bike panniers, space is at a premium. If space is tight, choose a pillow that compacts into a tiny sack. After all, even a little pillow is can be a big help. If luxury and comfort are the ultimate goals (say for car camping), go for something a little bulkier and plusher. It’s ok to be a proud pillow princess if it makes you happy. Even for car camping trips, it’s nice to trade your full-size bed pillow for a small, compressible travel one to save space while packing and alleviate worry over getting it wet, dirty, etc.
Price – While some of the best camping and backpacking pillows are a little on the expensive side, we don’t lose any sleep over spending an extra $10-$20 for a quality pillow we really love. There are plenty of cheap, heavy, plastic, uncomfortable pillows out there, but we won’t recommend anything we wouldn’t use ourselves. A healthy, kink-free neck after a solid night’s sleep in nature is priceless. Many of the pillows on our list are under $30.
Temperature– Just like it’s important to have a sleeping pad that insulates you from the cold ground, it’s key to have a pillow that protects your head and face from the cold night air. Especially if you go for an inflatable, consider that the air temperature will penetrate through the baffles of the pillow and transfer to your body. Having a barrier of insulation (like fleece, down, or foam) between your head and the air chamber will keep you a lot warmer and more comfortable. Similarly, you’ll want to choose a pillow that has a comfortable fabric surface that will wick away sweat and keep you cool on warm summer nights.
Sliding – A pillow that keep sliding out from under your head can be really annoying and disturb your sleep, and that’s a common annoyance with backpacking/camping pillows. But there’s an easy fix! Some pillows have tabs on the sides to attach an elastic cord that will secure around your pad. But if the pillow you choose doesn’t, we suggest using a few inches of adhesive velcro to create your own pillow-lock system. Simply adhere to the soft side (loops) to your pad and the rough side (hooks) to the underside of your pillow being careful to line them upright. And voilà, your pillow will stay put much better. The velcro won’t last forever, but it’s a cheap and easy way to solve the problem.
Quietness – Unfortunately, some of the lightest pillows are also the noisiest due to the crinkly materials they are made from. While Dyneema and plastics may be ultralight, it can be like trying to sleep with your ear pressed up against a potato chip bag (especially when brand new). Everyone shifts and moves some during the night and it’s inevitable that you’ll hear some rustling, but keep in mind, some fabrics are more bothersome than others in that regard. If you are a particularly fidgety sleeper, you may want to choose accordingly or bring earplugs for your tentmate.
Washability – Dirt, and grime are part of the backpacking/camping lifestyle and many just learn to live with them. But for more fastidious hikers, there are pillows with removable cases that can easily be machine washed with your clothing after each trip. Down pillows require a bit more care as dirt, sweat, hair oils, and drool can eventually cause them to lose their loft, but it isn’t difficult to rejuvenate them with a little know-how.
How to wash a camping pillow?
Inflatable pillows without a separate cover should be hand washed and air dried.
Start by closing the valve to make sure no water can get inside the bladder. You do not have to blow it up for washing. Next, fill a bath tub with some lukewarm water and add some mild laundry detergent.
Immerse the pillow into the soapy water and gently knead and scrub it with your hands. Once it’s clean, rinse of the soap from the pillow’s fabric with clean water. You may have to rinse a couple of times.
Squeeze any excess water from the fabric and hang the pillow to dry.
Make sure that you allow the pillow to dry for at least 24 hours. It should be completely dry before you store it to prevent mold or mildew.
Do not tumble dry a camping pillow, as this could damage the TPU bladder.
If your pillow comes with a removable cover, then you can use a washing machine and tumble dryer. Check the label of the cover for instructions.
Final Words
After gathering all the information, I fell in love with this Trekology Ultralight Inflating Camping Pillows. This pillow is soft, and I can use it whenever I am in the office as well. Be sure to that will be durable. Most of these manufacturers do not pay attention to the amount of thread they put on the pillow. Now, with this information, I guarantee you a comfortable sleep whenever you are camping, traveling, or even hiking.
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