Best Backpacking Pillows for a Restful Night Under the Stars

A good night’s sleep is essential for any successful backpacking trip, and a comfortable pillow can make all the difference. But with so many options on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.

Fear not, fellow adventurers! I’ve scoured the web and tested out some of the top-rated backpacking pillows to bring you this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re a gram-counting ultralight enthusiast or a luxury-loving camper, I’ve got you covered.

How to Choose the Best Backpacking Pillow

If you thought choosing the best backpack pillow was as easy as ABC, then you’re in for a rude shock. Ok, it isn’t as hard as rocket science, but it isn’t easy also. You have to take your time to pick a product with a perfect balance of quality, durability, and comfort. Here are some of the factors to consider when making your backpack purchase.

Factors to Consider:

• Weight and Packability: Every ounce counts on a backpacking trip, so consider the weight and packability of the pillow. Inflatable pillows generally pack down the smallest, while foam pillows are more durable but bulkier.
• Comfort and Support: The most important factor is how comfortable the pillow is for you. Consider your preferred sleeping position and whether you need a lot of neck support.
• Material and Durability: Pillows come in a variety of materials, each with its pros and cons. Synthetic materials are lightweight and durable, while down is luxurious but less water-resistant.
• Price: Backpacking pillows range in price from budget-friendly to splurge-worthy. Decide how much you’re willing to spend before you start shopping.

Types of Pillow

We have two main types of backpacking pillows- pillowcases and inflatable pillows. The difference between the two is inflatables require blowing up whereas the pillowcases require stuffing up with clothes. Pillowcases are the cheaper option of the two, and popping is foreign to them. The level of support and comfort obtained from them entirely depends on the types and amount of clothes you stuff in them. Lack of the right amount and types of clothes will limit the desired levels of support and comfort required to make these pillows comfy.

Inflatables are more expensive than pillowcases. There is a downside with them, however- they come with higher chances of leaking air or popping up. On the other side, the good thing about them is they offer consistent amounts of support and comfort. This is an upper hand when compared to the pillowcases. You can customize inflatable pillows to your preference by inflating and deflating them as you like.

Best backpacking pillow reviews

Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium

The Seas to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium and Ultra weight are cousins, with more similarities between them than differences. In an honest opinion, this is one of the comfiest pillows you’ll find in the market. Moreover, it is made durable and long-lasting to beat the test of time. Seas to Summit always have their customers’ interests at heart, and this is exactly what they showcased with this product.

The Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium weighs a mere 2.8 oz, making it slightly heavier than the Ultralight one, coming at 2 oz. With this, it can be a little hefty and difficult when it comes to packing it down. Despite this, you shouldn’t have any problems fitting it into your sleeping bag. Another great feature of it is, it doesn’t slip or slide and you’ll use it comfortably for the rest of the night.

Sea Summit proved to us they deserved a chair among the big wigs when they launched this pillow.

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

This plush, compressible pillow is a favorite among backpackers for its excellent comfort, durability, and packability. It’s filled with recycled foam scraps, making it eco-friendly and surprisingly lightweight. The soft polyester cover has a cool side and a warm side for year-round comfort.

Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow with Fabric Cover

Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow is made using 100% polyester, and this can be translated to mean pure comfort. If you’ve been longing to lay your head down and not wake up till the next morning, how about you try this pillow? You’ll not be disappointed.

We love this pillow largely because it combines air insulation and luxury foam making it adjustable to suit your desired firmness and height. The weight of this pillow is 9 oz, and this is a huge disappointment, considering other products are coming at a record-breaking weight of 2 oz. It is undoubtedly a struggle to pack this one down, and this is the cost you’ll have to pay for the extra luxury.

Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow is machine washable- good news for men especially. Its colors are solid and well-knit, and washing it won’t compromise on its quality or performance. Finally, this product is versatile and made for multiple purposes. You can use it for camping, outdoor concerts, car, and flight trips, and the performance is equally good.

Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra Light

Seas to Summit caught us by surprise when they launched this pillow. Fantastic would be an understatement when describing it. What you’re settling for with this backpacking pillow is a classic, super comfy, and lightweight product. The Seas to Summit Aeros Pillow is one of the lightest backpacking pillows you’ll find on the market. It comes at a mere weight of 2 oz, and for its size, we were impressed by the amount of overall performance it gives.

There are lighter pillows than this one, Exped Air Pillow UL being one of them, but they aren’t as good as this one when it comes to their performance. The balance of performance and weight is well executed and this makes it lightweight and ideal for light backpackers.

Two-part valve systems are included in this pillow, and we love this feature a lot. It enables you to effectively and quickly deflate and inflate it without compromising on its quality. When compared to its counterpart, the Seas to Summit Premium, this one is softer and also comes at a lower price. There is everything to love about the Seas to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra-Light.

Exped Air Pillow UL Camping Pillow

Exped Pillows are among the best backpacking pillows on the market, and they come with lots of fantastic features too. One of their products, the Exped Air Pillow UL Camping Pillow is one to commend. It is designed in an anatomic shape, to give users the best experience ever. Also, coming at a weight of 1.6 oz, this is one of the lightest pillows you’ll find on the market. Packing it up isn’t a hassle. Moreover, you’ll sleep with it throughout the night without it sliding or slipping, isn’t this great?

Well, one problem lies with this pillow, and it must not go without saying. There is a crinkle sound produced by the textile of this pillow and it can be very annoying. The sound produced matches of a person munching on potato chips. If you don’t have any tolerance for disturbance at night when you’re having a good night’s sleep, you might not fully appreciate this pillow. Other than this, it is a great pillow worth trying out.

Sierra Designs DriDown Pillow

You’ll fall in love with this pillow right when you set your eyes on it. Its design is a simple but unique one and you’ll love it. Its features, on the other hand, are intriguing. The first thing to notice is it is lightweight, and packing it down won’t be difficult, especially for camping and road trips. Secondly, this pillow is made super durable to withstand the test of time. You will travel with it conveniently for hundreds of trips without the need to replace it, quite convenient if you think about it.

To further prove its durability, this pillow comes with a lifetime warranty. Even after ten years, you’ll still be able to return it to the manufacturers in case of a default and you’ll get a full replacement. The material used in the construction is polyester, and you can expect the comfort to be top-notch with it.

The only downside with this pillow is its size. It is huge and bulky, and traveling with it might be a limitation. Packing it down will prove to be a hassle.

Best for Luxury: Hest Camp Pillow

This pillow is like bringing a piece of home with you on the trail. It’s made with high-quality, machine-washable down and features a soft, flannel cover. The generous size and plushness make it feel like a real pillow, but it still packs down relatively small.

Best Budget: Klymit X Pillow

This affordable pillow is a great option for budget-minded backpackers. It’s made with durable polyester fabric and features an X-shaped baffle system that cradles your head and keeps it in place. It’s not the most luxurious pillow, but it’s comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.

Conclusion

We’ve concluded our review with a focus on clarity and depth. Among countless backpacking pillows, five truly shine due to their exceptional features. Our top pick is the Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra-Light for its lightweight and comfort. Following closely is its counterpart, the Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium, offering a similar comfortable experience. Both are standout choices for backpacking. With the Bamboo Pillow Benefits, you can find everything in there.