| Model | Rating | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|
Sea To Summit Aeros | 4.6 | Check Price |
Nemo Fillo Pillow | 4.7 | Check Price |
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow | 4.4 | Check Price |
Coop Travel Pillow | 4.6 | Check Price |
Trekology Camping Pillow | 4.6 | Check Price |
Sleeping comfortably during a camping trip requires a comfortable pillow.
But the pillow needs to be easy to pack, maintain and compact so it won’t cause trouble packing.
I selected the best camping pillows on the market, so you can go through my list and find the one that meets your budget and your preferences.
Go through my list and find your top pick!
Sea To Summit Aeros
The Sea to Summit Aero pillow is one of those game-changing outdoor products.
It is highly practical and durable, with a minimalist design and ultralight construction.
Most importantly it packs tiny and provides superior comfort.
The pillow is inflatable, and you can do it easily.
It has a thin layer of protective fabric and a comfortable and soft polyester cover.
The pillow perfectly cradles your head and gives you the necessary comfort to pull up a full night’s sleep.
The pillow also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Tiny when packed
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Excellent support
- Easy to deflate and inflate
- Durable
Cons
- Only hand-washing safe
Dylan's TakeAmong all camping pillows on the market, this Sea to Summit really impresses me.
It is durable and great for front, back, and side sleepers.
Nemo Fillo Pillow
Nemo Fillo pillow has a hybrid construction and features a convenient combination of air, foam, and microsuede cover.
Overall, it is a great pillow that is highly comfortable to sleep on.
It features five inches loft from the foam filling and weighs less than 1 pound.
Therefore, Nemmo Fillo is one of the lightest camping pillows you’ll ever find.
The pillow is highly durable and offers the perfect balance between comfort and portability.
Pros
- Luxurious feel
- Pillow slip can easily be detached
- Uses air and foam for ultimate comfort
- 5-inch thick
Cons
- Pricey
Dylan's TakeThe Nemmo Fillo pillow is my choice for long-distance backpacking trips.
It is comfortable, includes a lifetime warranty and so lightweight that you won’t even notice you are carrying it.
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
The Therm-a-Rest pillow gives the feeling as if you were sleeping in your bad, on your comfortable home pillow.
It features a plush polyester cover and 4-inch urethane fill.
The pillow weighs 12 ounces and gives you a lot of space with size 16x23x4 inches.
The soft foam provides much-needed neck support but doesn’t pack very well.
The price is reasonable, too.
Pros
- Compressible
- Excellent neck support
- Superior comfort
Cons
- Heavier than some other camping pillows
Dylan's TakeI recommend this pillow for car camping or shorter backing distances.
It is very comfortable, but some other pillows are easier to pack.
Coop Travel Pillow
If you prioritize comfort and support over portability, the Coop pillow might be just the right fit for you.
The pillow has memory foam filling and has a machine-washable cover.
It provides coziness, support, and a soft feeling from the first moment you lay your head on it.
The pillow weighs 36 ounces and can be compressed to 10×6 inches.
It might not be the best one in terms of packing, but it can be the most comfortable one.
Pros
- Perfect size
- Breathable filling
- Ultimate comfort
Cons
- Heavy
- Bulky
Dylan's TakeIf you don’t want to sacrifice your comfort on camping trips, check the Coop pillow.
It will give you the feeling as if you were back home sleeping in your warm and cozy bed.
Trekology Camping Pillow
Trekology pillow is an inflatable, ultralight, and budget-friendly camping pillow.
It is similar to the winner of this list, but the price tag is significantly lower.
The weight is 2.75 ounces, and you can compress it to an impressive size of 5 x2.5 inches.
Moreover, it has a water-resistant polyester-TPU blend that will withstand different outdoor conditions.
However, it isn’t as soft as the Aeros pillow, but it is an excellent replacement for it.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Durable constriction
- Tiny when packed
- Lightweight
Cons
- The cover isn’t soft
Dylan's TakeFor occasional camping trips, the Trekology pillow is more than perfect.
The price is great, the durability and the comfort, too.
Buying Guide
When looking for a camping pillow, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, the durability of your camping trip will determine if you can settle for an uncomfortable pillow for a weekend getaway or you need superior comfort for longer trips.
Also, if you prefer active trips, you need to recover and get rest during the night.
A good pillow can help you with that, alongside comfortable sleeping bags and other camping gear.
Camping pillows gain success in the last couple of years and make an irreplaceable thing in every camper’s backpack.
Let’s see what you should consider when buying one for yourself.
Size
The first thing to consider is the size for packing, but comfort as well.
Tiny pillows are easy to pack but not comfortable for sleeping.
If you buy a tiny pillow, it is better to leave it home and use your jacket instead.
Look for medium-sized camping pillows for the best balance between comfort and portability.
Material
The material determines durability and comfort.
Compressible pillows are more comfortable than inflatable but less portable.
Air in inflatable models can be hard to touch, and some don’t even come with a softcover.
Inflatable models compress to pocket-size, which makes them perfect for long-distance backpacking endeavors.
Hybrid models might be the solution.
They have a foam filling with inflatable parts, so they are compact when packed and comfortable when fully inflated.
Consider how quick the pillow is to dry as well because compressible models take more time.
Compressibility
When you are going on a camping trip, you value every inch of storage space.
Most campers prefer pillows that can be compressed to a smaller size for packing.
Home pillows are bulky, so camping pillows are usually compressible.
Support
Support the pillow provides will prevent you from back pain, neck stiffness, strains, or any other issues that can ruin your camping trip.
Even though the support a person needs is individual, thicker pillows provide better support for the neck.
Choose a pillow that ensures at least 4 inches of girth.
Those will provide similar support to the neck you use at home.
Side sleepers will enjoy cradled pillows, while those who sleep on the stomach can get a thinner pillow without compromising comfort.
Back sleepers will benefit from the 4-inch thick pillow.
Durability
Ripstop materials and thermoplastic polyurethane, as seen in some inflatable models, are durable.
Even though most manufacturers claim their pillows are long-lasting, the reality is different.
Camping pillows are known for their shape-losing abilities, inflatable issues, and torn covers.
However, there are some models, such as those on my list, that can withstand years of use.
Lastly, check the warranty on the pillow.
If it is less than 5 years, the pillow might not be worth it if you are a regular camper.
Frequently Asked Questions about Camping Pillows
Let’s discuss camping pillows in detail so you can choose the best one for you.
Do I Need a Camping Pillow?
If you can sleep on the ground without issues, you can go without a camping pillow.
But, a camping pillow is a necessity if you need a good night’s sleep for your outdoor activity.
Or, you don’t want to ruin your time in nature by sleeping issues or neck pain.
Sleeping without a camping pillow might end up with a stiff neck or insomnia caused by different odors and discomfort if you fold your jacket and use it instead of a pillow.
You can also lose time trying to fill the stuff sack with enough clothes to use a pillow.
There are so many reasons why you should get a camping pillow.
Those aren’t expensive, but they will make a significant difference on your trip.
The difference is huge – a good night of sleep compared to no sleep at all.
How to Clean a Camping Pillow?
Check the instructions you got with the pillow.
The selection of the materials determines the proper maintenance.
Sometimes, camping pillows have removable covers that are machine washable.
On the other side, some camping pillows are suitable only for hand-washing.
Hand-washing mostly applies to inflatable pillows.
They are easy to wash and dry, even when you are on the go.
However, don’t forget to close the valve to prevent the water from entering the bladder.
You can use laundry detergent, soap, or shampoo to clean the dirt with your hands.
How are Camping Pillows Different from Travel Pillows?
Camping and travel pillows might seem similar at a glance.
But the differences are in features and properties.
The first noticeable difference is the ability to pack.
While travel pillows are created to be used while traveling – riding on a bus, car, or airplane, camping pillows are designed to be used during the night.
Therefore, travel pillows aren’t designed to be tiny when packed.
Oppositely, camping pillows can be compressed to a tiny size to be packed easier.
Travel pillows are heavier and bulkier and often have a specific shape to support the neck and back during sitting position while riding.
Camping pillows resemble the design of standard pillows.
Conclusion
A comfortable camping pillow improves your camping experience by giving you the ability to rest well and get a full night of quality sleep.
It also helps you prevent neck pain and other physical problems that can ruin your trip.
Camping pillows need to have a good balance between comfort, size, maintenance, and packing properties.
The inflatable is easiest to pack, but compressible and hybrid are more comfortable.
It all comes down to your priorities – comfort versus portability?
What do you value more?
Which model from my list seems most appealing to you?
Best Overall Choice
Sea To Summit Aeros
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