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10 Best Camping Pillow For Backpacking

Pillows are very important materials that make sleeping enjoyable. No doubt, the best camping pillow for backpacking help support the head and neck while sleeping. Although some people don’t really like using pillows while sleeping because it gives them neck pains. Also, some have pillow specifications and preferences that they can’t do without. Some like hard or stiff pillows while some like soft pillows.

What are the best backpacking pillows?

When camping, one of the most important items to remember is a good pillow. For those who have never used a backpacking pillow before, they are very similar to inflatable pillows but much smaller and more lightweight. They also come in many different shapes and sizes for varying comfort levels. There are many different types of backpacking pillows on the market today, with some being better than others. Here are three of the best camping pillows for backpacking:

premium pick
top pick
top pick
Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow, Moss Green
Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow, Eggplant
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra Light (Large/Teal Green) - Discontinued

NEMO

Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow

Therm-a-Rest

Lumbar Travel Pillow

Sea to Summit

Aeros Pillow

premium pick
Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow, Moss Green

NEMO

Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow

top pick
Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow, Eggplant

Therm-a-Rest

Lumbar Travel Pillow

top pick
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra Light (Large/Teal Green) - Discontinued

Sea to Summit

Aeros Pillow

Why go for a mediocre product when you can purchase the best that would serve you quite well? We had in-depth research on the camping pillows and we came up with a list of 10. They include:

Best Camping Pillow For Backpacking

1. Nemo Fillo Inflatable Pillow

“Very soft pillows designed to give all the comfort you need!”

Premium Pick

Nemo Fillo Inflatable Pillow

Main Features

  • Comes in handy anytime anywhere
  • Easy to wash and portable
  • Size : 9 x 6 x 5 inches

NEMO FILLO is a pillow that comes with its own bag. You can easily deflate it and fold it up in its bag. It is made of polyester combining foam with air. It comes in handy a lot while traveling, either on the bus, train, or plane.

Lightweight and portable

Very lightweight and portable product weighing about 9 ounces. Since it comes with its own packing bag, then you don’t have to worry about not having enough space in your hiking backpack. Another unique feature is that it has a small pillowcase that can be easily removed and washed. 

Cons

Makes a terrible sound anytime you turn.A little heavy: 9.6 oz

Nemo pillows are created with a quality fabric cover which makes them more durable but also a little heavy. You don’t need to pack it in your bag in order to save more space as it comes with its own bag.


2. Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow

“Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow is a great pillow that can be useful for any camping trip!”

Top Choice

Therm a Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow

Main Features

  • Transportable and durable
  • Lightweight design: 5 oz.
  • Adjustable Size : 16 x 7 x 2.4 inches

This is a self-inflating lightweight camping pillow that gives sensational relief when used. It helps you relax your neck as well as your back spine. You can easily adjust it yourself to suit the way you want it.

Adjustable with quality material

It comes with a valve, you can use to adjust the pillow to your taste. While traveling, all you need to do is open the valve, allow the air to pass out and then you are good to go. It is made of polyester which is a quality material that doesn’t break easily. In addition to that, it weighs about 5 ounces which makes it easy to carry about.

Cons

  • Exposure to toluene which can cause birth issues

It is very easy to handle without any stress. However, it is very important to avoid too much exposure to prevent any birth issues.


3. Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow

“Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra-Light is an awesome pillow alternative well suited for all your summer camping !”

Best Value

Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow

Main Features

  • Suitable for any outdoor activity
  • Portable and inflatable.
  • Regular Size : 14 x 10 x 5 inches
  • Large Size : 16.5 x 11 x 5 inches
  • Lightweight 4 oz.

This is a self-inflating pillow. Merely seeing its appearance would make you want to use it. Aside from that, it is a quality camping pillow developed with polyester like the former along. This makes it very light and transportable weighing between 2-2.5 ounces. You won’t even feel you are carrying anything.

Adjustable to your choice

It can also be adjusted to suit your preference at any time with a valve. It can be used anywhere, while on the plane or train while waiting at the subway, at office sleepovers, hiking, at picnics, at conferences, and so on.

Cons

It is a little expensive. It feels like sleeping on a hard balloon.

Actually, the best portable and easy-to-carry pillow. It is a great pillow if you don’t mind sleeping on something a little hard.


4. Trekology Ultralight Camping Pillows

“Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel/Camping Pillows are wonderfully created camping pillows!”

Reliable Pick

Trekology Ultralight Camping Pillows

Main Features

  • Compressible and compact
  • Comfortable and durable.
  • Slip-resistant
  • Inflatable : 16 x 12 x 4 inches
  • Lightweight: 2.75 oz.

This kind of camping pillow is similar in appearance to the previous one mentioned in no.2. It was designed to provide adequate comfort to its owners. Small in size but mighty in function.

Durable material

A very durable material created with elastic TPU fabric which makes it resistant to water. It is an inflatable pillow that can be inflated and deflated easily with a controller anytime to suit your preference.

Easy to inflate and pack

By pressing a button on the controller designated to inflate, within a few seconds the camping pillow inflates to about 16 x 12 x 4 inches. You can take it anywhere as it can be folded when deflated. Sleep easily without worries with this particular camping pillow as it brings absolute comfort from all areas.

Cons

  • Leaks easily

Of course, this pillow enables you to sleep comfortably without slipping off while sleeping. It is very durable if handled with care.


5. Klymit Pillow X Inflatable Camping

“This brand is designed to provide adequate comfort each time you embark on a backpacking trip!”

Reliable Pick

Klymit Pillow X Inflatable Camping

Main Features

  • Comfortable and portable
  • Durable and lightweight: 1.95 oz.
  • Reliable design
  • Inflatable : 15 x 11 x 4 inches
  • Pack to: 4.5″ x 2.5″ 1″.

Awesome inflatable pillow for hiking, hunting, wildlife photography, and so on. It has an adjustable feature by simply adds air to inflate and releases air to deflate. Weighs about 1.95 oz which makes it compact and portable.

Easy to pack

When not in use, you can simply deflate and fold it neatly into its stuff sack and then into your backpack. Suitable for lumbar support.

Cons

It has no grip. Keep away from children below 9 years.

If you look at this design closely, you’ll notice an ‘X’ design which makes it easy to rest your head properly.


6. TETON Sports ComfortLite Pillow

“Very portable and affordable!”

Reliable Pick

TETON Sports ComfortLite Pillow

Main Features

  • Multipurpose design
  • No need to pump it.
  • Inflatable and portable
  • Inflatable : 18 x 10 x 4 inches
  • Packable and lightweight: 12 oz.

Self-inflating design. Small, portable, and equally lightweight weighing about 12 ounces. Actually more the rest camping pillows mentioned above. It has a valve that is used to adjust the pillow to the length which you want. You don’t need a pump to inflate. All you have to do is open the valve and allow air to enter.

Easy to carry around

When you are satisfied with the length, close up the valve. It comes with its own bag which has a strap. This makes it easier to carry about. Particularly produced for camping, backpacking, hunting, traveling, road trip, and so on.  

Cons

Doesn’t hold air in.

Enjoy your sleep with this quality camping gear. It is very useful gear for camping. It is well-suitable for short-term activities.


7. Nemo Equipment Fillo Luxury

“Nemo Equipment Fillo Luxury is a kind of design pillow alternative that reminds you of your pillow back at home!”

Reliable Pick

Nemo Equipment Fillo Luxury

Main Features

  • Lightweight design: 12 oz.
  • Portable and transportable.
  • Possess a sack bag
  • Washable with machine
  • Affordable price and self-inflating.

NEMO is an outstanding pillow for support and comfort during sleeping hours. It could be the perfect alternative to your lovely pillow at home while going camping. It is easy to pack. 

Soft and comfortable

Also easy to adjust the size to your preferred height. It combines the effort of both air and foam. Air makes it bigger while foam makes it soft and comfortable.

Cons

The valve works but it is awkward to use.

Finely made with foam and other quality materials. It should be handled with care and kept away from sharp objects.


8. WELLAX Ultralight Camping Pillow

“WELLAX Ultralight pillow is a very durable alternative pillow for camping trips!”

Reliable Pick

WELLAX Ultralight Camping Pillow

Main Features

  • Resistant to slipping while sleeping.
  • Compact and easy to carry.
  • Durable with improved comfort
  • Compressible and Ultralightweight: 2.75 oz
  • Inflated Size : 16 x 12 x 4 inch

WELLAX is a wonderful model which can be taken around easily. It can contain anyone’s head as it is adjustable easily with a controller. Provides soft and warm comfort to your head relaxing all your tension in the back spine.

More durable fabric

Well suited for traveling. Useful for back sleepers, stomach sleepers as well as side sleepers. It is made up of fabric, about 80% polyester, and 20% TPU.  This makes it a durable product.

Cons

It’s not very soft if you’re sleeping with your hand.

It is more comfortable when you sleep without your hands.


9. Rikki Tikki Inflatable Camping Pillow

“It’s a great camping pillow that can function as both back and head support!”

Reliable Pick

Rikki Tikki Inflatable Camping Pillow

Main Features

  • Compressible and compact.
  • Portable and Easy to Use.
  • Affordable price

This could be your indispensable companion anytime you travel on a road trip, summer camp or a business conference. Easy to package as it comes with its own bag. Lightweight camping pillow providing you with maximum comfort and support. It can be easily inflatable to the preferred height with a controller.

Dual functionality

Made of fabric which accounts for its softness, coziness, and smoothness. It has dual functionality such that it can be big enough to contain anyone’s head as well as small enough to be packaged.

Cons

Possess a shoddy valve.

Handle it with care if you want to enjoy it fully.


10. Camping and Travel Pillow

“It is a lovely pillow alternative for backpacking!”

Reliable Pick

Camping and Travel Pillow

Main Features

  • Suitable for back support.
  • Compressible and compact.
  • Provides adequate comfort
  • Washable

It is an incredible camping pillow from Coop Home Goods. Well constructed to serve its owner as a substitute pillow while away from home. It provides all the comfort you need. Such that you won’t miss your normal pillow.

Quality fabric

Adjustable to fit any sleeping position. Made of good quality fabric material which makes it durable and long-lasting. Comes with its own bag which makes it easy to carry about. 

Cons

More expensive.Not suitable for lightweight packing.

A little heavy so I would advise you to carry it separately in its bag.


best camping pillow for backpacking

What is a camping pillow?

While going camping, there are some important things that must be included in your backpack to make it very interesting and not regretful. Food, sleeping materials such as a sleeping pad, camping tent and pillows, blankets, lighter for making a campfire, and so on, are the few important items that you must include in your backpack before heading out.

Packing normal pillows while going camping might not be a good idea. You don’t want to carry too much load. In this article, we have taken the time to collate a list of the best choices for your backpacking, hiking, road trip, or any other trips that will require the comfort of a pillow.

I first came across a camping pillow when I wanted to go on a picnic with my friends. All items were set but the pillows just couldn’t fit in the backpack. I can’t go to a sleepover picnic and not take a pillow. In case you are currently in the same shoes as I was. Here in this article, you would find the best picks that’ll suit you perfectly.

A camping pillow is a simple and small-sized pillow created specifically for traveling. It is mostly not as big as the regular-sized pillows but too small too. They can fit into small spaces in your camping backpack while going on a trip or going fishing with your best friend. It is of different types depending on the quality. We have compressible ones, inflatable ones, and so on. We’ll get into the details later.

Before we start talking about the camping pillows, we have to first establish some necessary information. Let’s dive in!

What are the different types of camping pillows?

There are several types of camping pillows out there in various stores. You just have to find the perfect one that would fit. Have in mind that the purpose of a pillow is “comfort”, so select the one that will make you comfortable. However, while withholding the main purpose, don’t neglect the beauty of your dress. You don’t want to purchase something ugly.

Inflatable

This type of pillow is created in two ways. It is either it can be inflated manually or with a controller. Both types are created with an adjustable option. You can deflate or inflate it to suit your preference.

Compressible foam

Foams are easily compressed when laid upon and can fit into any space when rolled over and still regain its original shape/position when released. They weigh more than the former depending on the material used.

Folding pillows

These kinds can be folded when not in use. It gives room for other items you might want to carry along in your backpack. Although they are still a little puffy it will definitely do the job.

Why do you need a camping pillow?

I am sure some of us may be asking why the need for a camping pillow. You can simply rap up some pile of clothes and make a pillow yourself to get through the night.

However, using an alternative like this may cause neck pain, headache, body ache, etc., which is a very bad condition for any camping activities. This is why packing a camping pillow is necessary.

With just a single word, “comfort” the above-stated question is answered. With a good cushion for head support, you would be able to catch a good night’s rest which would make you physically fit for the next day’s activities.

There is another reason why you need a good pillow. It is very portable. Some models are compressible while some are inflatable. They are mostly soft, light, and small which makes them easily transportable when hiking.

Things to consider while choosing:

Before selecting a design, there are some factors you must consider thoroughly. Some of these factors include:

Portability and Size

It is always advisable to pick pillows that are small in size. Of course, any design that is too large will definitely cause a load issue. Something small enough to fit into your backpack is just perfect. This is because there are other important items that you still want to pack along on your trip.

Weight of the pillow

This is even more important. No doubt, these pillows should be lightweight and portable. This will help reduce the heaviness of your backpack. So before purchasing any camping pillow, consider buying something very light.

Type

As discussed above, we have different types of pillows. The inflatable, compressible and self-inflating ones are the most recommended. All these three types mentioned are easily packed, unlike the others.

Support

You always, need to choose the kind of design that will provide you with enough support when it is time to sleep. I don’t see any point in buying something that won’t give you the necessary support you need.

Comfort

This is the most important factor you must consider before purchasing a pillow for camping. Select the kind of pillow that will make you very comfortable during sleeping hours.

What is the best camping pillow for backpacking?

After reading this article, you should now have a better understanding of what to look for in a camping pillow. We’ve highlighted some of the best options on the market, so all you have to do is choose the one that’s right for you. With a little bit of research, you’ll be able to find the perfect pillow for your next backpacking or camping trip.

Quick View List :

1. Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow

2. Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra-Light

3. Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel/Camping Pillows

4. Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow with Fabric Cover

5. Klymit Pillow X Inflatable Camping 

6. TETON Sports ComfortLite Self-Inflating Pillow

7. Nemo Equipment Fillo Luxury (Moss Green) 

8. WELLAX Ultralight Camping Pillow

9. Rikki Tikki Inflatable Camping Pillow

10. Camping and Travel Pillow with Bamboo Derived Viscose Rayon Cover

Final Verdict

We have successfully listed for you the top 10 best pillows on Amazon. Their pros and cons as well as their functions. I am sure you will find one that would suit you perfectly.

There you have it! Our top ten picks for the best camping pillows for backpacking and camping. We hope that our reviews have helped you narrow down your search for the perfect pillow to take on your next outdoor adventure. No matter which one you choose, we’re sure you’ll be happy with your purchase. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring!

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