Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Camping Pillow

Why Should You Have A Camping Pillow?

A camping pillow is one of the essentials that you should include in your bag when backpacking or camping. But why do you need to have one in your camping bag? Because sleeping outdoors will not feel the same as your cozy bed. The comfort and ambiance of your bedroom and bed are vital when it comes to getting some good night’s sleep. Once you get used to the coziness, it becomes difficult to sleep without it. Having a camping pillow will help you fall asleep faster and comfortably.

The camping pillow will help you avoid back and neck pains which are not only damaging to your body but can also ruin your outdoor expedition. For example, if you were planning to wake up and go hiking or fishing as you are camping out in the woods neck and back pain can prevent you from doing any of these activities. And so something as simple as a camping pillow can help to prevent avoidable body aches from ruining your camping experience.

Benefits Of A Camping Pillow

• Now you know some of the key reasons why you need to have a camping pillow when backpacking or camping. But, it is also essential to grasp some of the benefits that you can get from using this headrest on your outdoor excursions.
• It will eliminate the need to carry the massive regular pillows, and it will not add any significant weight to your camping backpack.
• You will not have to keep twisting and turning trying to get a comfortable sleep position in your hammock or tent. And so you can get quality and sufficient rest even when you are sleeping outdoors.
• Some will have some unique contours to cradle and support your neck and head. Also, they can help to ensure that you maintain proper spine alignment to prevent aches and other problems,
• They can help to reduce tiredness as you will get some good rest and so you will have enough energy to do all your camping activities.

Types Of Camping Pillow

As you continue your search for the best camping pillow, it is crucial to understand that they come in different kinds.  And there are three main types which are the compressible, inflatable and hybrid

#1 Compressible

The compressible pillow is quite similar to what you use at home and as the name suggests you can compress them to a small size for packing or when you want to store them. These pillows are quite comfortable, but it also depends on the filling material. The most common filling materials are down feathers, foam and synthetic fibers because they are easy to compress. These pillows are also soft, and light but most will pack larger than the inflatable types.

#2 Inflatable

Inflatable headrests are one of the most common camping pillow types, and it is the kind that requires one to blow air into it for inflation. The most significant advantage of the inflatable camping pillows is that they are thin and flat when you inflate them and hence easy to pack and store. Also, these headrests will allow you to make adjustments to get your desired firmness.

#3 Hybrid

The hybrid camping pillow combines features of both the inflatable and compressible ones. Most hybrid camping pillow designs will feature an inflatable bottom section and a compressible upper section. A hybrid will be softer than an inflatable pillow and also more compact and lighter than the compressible types.

Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Camping Pillow

Knowing the different camping pillows makes it easier to pick one, but there are still many brands out there, and so you need to know how to choose between them. While all camping pillow manufactures will always claim their products to be the best you should consider the following important factors when shopping to ensure you get the best camping pillow for you.

#1 Material

The camping pillow material determines the comfort and also the durability of your headrest. Thus, it should always be one of the first factors that you consider when shopping for one. And there are several material options to choose from with the most common ones being nylon, polyester, fleece, and cotton. However, cotton and polyester are the most popular as they are very comfortable and last longer than others.

#2 Firmness

The right camping pillow firmness will depend on your preferences. And so no one pillow firmness will be the best for all campers. But, it is always important to make sure that the pillow firmness that you choose can support your head and neck adequately. Also, some like the inflatable pillows make it possible to adjust the firmness by increasing or reducing the air.

#3 Weight

You do not want a pad that will add more weight to your camping backpack as it will be very inconvenient for your camping trips. However, you do not also want to buy something that is light but does not provide enough support. And so you should never compromise on the comfort of the pillow just to get something that is lightweight. If you want a camping pillow that is lightweight and still very comfortable, you should consider buying the hybrid.

#4 Size and Shape

While the pillow weight is vital to ensure that you do not add a lot of mass to your pack, the size of the pillow also matters. Size not only determines the space that it will take up in your camping pack but also the area that you will have available for your head when sleeping and the comfort level. The pillow shape, on the other hand, will also determine the space that you get, but regular shapes like rectangle and square seem to work well for most campers.

#5 Ease of Use

While most compressible pillows will be ready for use immediately you get them out of the bag, others like the hybrid and inflatable will require some inflation. Going for something that is easy to use will save you a lot of time. But, this does not mean that the compressible ones are always the best when it comes to ease of use because there are also many inflatable and hybrids that will only take a few breaths and seconds to inflate. And so the right idea is always to go with a user-friendly pillow.

#6 Price and Warranty

Price is an important factor when buying anything, and so you should also not overlook it when shopping for a camping pillow. Always go for the best quality that is within your budget. But, make sure quality, support and convenience are your top priorities. Warranty, on the other hand, will assure you that the pillow will serve you for long enough because you do not want to keep buying a new headrest every time you are going camping.

Top 5 Camping Pillow Reviews

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Editor Rating:

This Therm-a-Rest Compressible pillow is very versatile, and it will work for backpackers, campers and anyone else that wants something to support the neck and head when traveling. It is also thick enough as it expands up to 4-inches to offer you maximum support.

The ultralight design also ensures that it will not add a lot of weight you to your pack and it uses some high-quality materials for both the filling and cover. Cleaning this pillow should also not be a problem for you as it is machine washable and the polyester cover does not stain easily. It is available in half a dozen color options and designs that include denim, poppy, and mosaic.

Pros

• It is available in half a dozen fantastic color options.
• This compressible pillow will expand to create a headrest that is up to 4 inches thick.
• The compact design makes it very convenient as it will pack well in almost any bag type.
• You can always be confident of a soft and comfortable feel thanks to the polyester cover.
• Polyester also makes it a durable camping pillow, and it will be a long time before you need a replacement.
• It weighs only 7 ounces and so it will not add any significant weight to your camping or traveling pack.
• This headrest is quite versatile as you can also use it for plane travel and road trips.
• It is an easy to maintain pillow since it is machine washable.

Cons

• It will require a lot of fluffing before you can use it.
• This pillow can be a little clumpy.
• The polyester cover is not breathable enough, and so it can get hot.

TETON Sports Camp Pillow

TETON Sports Camp Pillow

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Editor Rating:

Those that prefer to buy small pillows that do not take up a lot of space in their camping bag will love this one. Although some campers will also find it too tiny, the size means that it is one of the easiest to pack up. It works as both a traveling and camping pillow, and it features a 100% brushed flannel cover that is both soft and comfortable.

You can get this pillow in four different colors and patterns that will also match your TETON sleeping bag. It will come with a free stuff sack for convenient storage and transportation that features a drawstring with a barrel lock.

Pros

• It is an ideal pillow for both traveling and camping.
• This headrest will also come with a free stuff sack for storage and transportation.
• It includes a 100% brushed flannel case that feels soft and comfortable.
• There are four different patterns and colors available.
• These camping pillows have some coordinating patterns that make it possible to find something that matches your TETON sleeping bag.
• The case is washable for easy cleaning and to keep your pillow in good shape.
• You will get a limited lifetime warranty on each pillow that you buy.

Cons

• It is quite a small pillow, and it will take some campers a long time to get used to it.
• Some campers complain that it does not provide a lot of neck support.
• Like many other compressible camping pillows, it can be a little clumpy.

Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel/Camping Pillow

Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel/Camping Pillow

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Editor Rating:

A camping pillow should always be compact and easy to carry. This inflatable one by Trekology is one of the most convenient when it comes to packing up as it folds to about 5×2 inches which is smaller than a soda can. Inflation and deflation are both easy as you only need about 5 breaths to inflate it fully. Deflation on the other hand takes seconds, and there is nothing much you need to do.

The polyester and TPU fabric combination makes it comfortable and also quite durable. And it also features an improved ergonomic design to offer adequate neck support. There are multiple and stylish color options available for this inflatable pillow.

Pros

• It is one of the most compact camping pillows as it will fold to a smaller size than a trash can.
• Inflating and deflating is very easy and it will only take a few seconds.
• The back section has a slip-resistant material to ensure that it stays in place as you sleep.
• It features an improved ergonomic design to offer sufficient support, and it is also spacious enough for your head when inflated.
• Trekology makes it with an elastic TPU fabric that is both strong and very durable.
• Firmness adjustability makes it ideal for all sleep positions.
• You get to pick from close to a dozen color options that include green, blue and orange.

Cons

• It can be quite loud when blowing it up.
• This inflatable pillow would be better with a little extra height.
• The smooth back surface makes it easy to slide out as you sleep which can be very annoying.

Coop Home Goods Premium Shredded Memory Foam Camping Pillow

Coop Home Goods Premium Shredded Memory Foam Camping Pillow

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Editor Rating:

It is still possible to enjoy the comfort of your shredded memory foam pillow when camping or traveling by buying this compressible headrest by Coop Home Goods. And besides, from the memory foam filling, it also comes with a comfortable cover that is a blend of bamboo and polyester for comfort and to enhance breathability.

The cover is removable and machine washable for easy cleaning of the pillow. This hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant product will also come with a sack for convenient storage and carry.

Pros

• It comes with a stuff sack to make it easy to compress and pack when traveling.
• The bamboo and polyester blend cover has natural thermoregulation to keep the pillow cool and comfortable.
• It is a hypoallergenic camping pillow that is also dust mite resistant.
• Despite being a small travel or camping pillow, it still offers the same support and comfort as the full-size ones.
• Cleaning and maintenance will be easy for the users as it is machine washable.
• Although it is a shredded memory foam pillow, it weighs 36 ounces only when in the carry sack.
• You can adjust the headrest firmness to suit your needs by adding or removing some of the foam.

Cons

• This pillow has a faint odor when you get it that can take several weeks to dissipate.
• The stuff sack is not the best quality, and it will start to come apart after a while.
• More color options would have been great.

Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium

Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Editor Rating:

This premium inflatable pillow features a brushed 50D polyester knit that makes it soft and durable to ensure that you use it for a long time and that you get the best sleep. It is available in large and regular sizes, and you will also get to pick between two colors which are green and blue. There is also a unique synthetic fill between the cover and TPU bladder to enhance heat dissipation and comfort.

This pillow features some curved internal baffles that create some unique contours that will cradle your head and keep it comfortable throughout the night. And it also has a scalloped bottom edge that will always center the pillow over the shoulder to make it possible to sleep in any position that you like. It will inflate in just a few breaths and deflate in seconds.

Pros

• The polyester material makes it a very soft and long lasting camping pillow.
• It has a synthetic fill to wick away perspiration while also making it more comfortable.
• The pillow cradles your head for more comfortable sleep thanks to the unique contours.
• You can use it in any sleep position and even for supporting your back when sitting.
• It uses a multifunctional valve, and you can inflate it in a few breaths.
• This inflatable headrest is available in two different sizes.
• Campers can pick between blue and green, but both still look fantastic.
• It will fold into tiny size to make it easy to pack up.

Cons

• It will keep sliding off if you are using an air mattress or any other smooth sleeping surface.
• The price might seem a little too much for an inflatable camping pillow.
• There are a few complaints about air leakages in some of these pillows.

Conclusion

You will need to make sure that you have a comfortable sleep environment if you want to enjoy the great outdoors when camping or backpacking. A camping pillow is one of the best ways of doing this, and you should never have any difficulties finding something that works well for you. Knowing why you need one, the different types available and the essential factors to consider when shopping for one will make things easy for you.  And with the reviews above of some of the best camping pillows in the market, you should have a good idea of what to buy.