All my gear is fairly lightweight, backpacking canoeing style gear, with the exception of one thing, my pillow.

I am one of those who has to have a comfortable pillow to have a good nights rest, and I can’t seem to find it a camping pillow that does the trick.

Just curious, if I’m the only one, and if anyone has found a super comfortable pillow that is way more compressible than my queen size pillow at home.

The Therm-a-rest Compressible Pillow is the closest thing to an actual pillow I’ve ever found. It’s filled with excess bits of foam, so it rolls up to the size of a large burrito, but lofts back up and is fairly comfortable when unfurled.

That said, I’ve taken to using their Trekker pillow case more often these days and just stuffing any extra clothes in it. Much more firm and doesn’t add any weight or bulk to the pack.

For many years our pillows have been bags with a down vest or jacket stuffed into them. My wife prefers a cotton "pillow case", while I use a ripstop nylon case.

TZ

I'm in the 'need a pillow' camp myself.
I have the thermorest pillow too and it's the closest thing to a mini pillow I know of.
There is still no better pillow than one from your bed though. In the meantime we compromise and take uncomfortable but usable little pillows....

Tom

I just use my nylon clothes bag, sometimes covered in a clean shirt. It's malleable...I just mold it the way I want it. Very easy to make higher or lower. Not sure if this is an acceptable option for you.

Mike

I use a lightweight packing cube, stuffed with clothes. For fall trips, I usually have enough spare puffy clothes (like a soft wool sweater or a fleece) that this is very comfortable as-packed. For summer trips, I often have to fluff-up the clothing some to make it a comfy pillow.

I use ebags brand lightweight cubes and the mesh feel like cotton and feels great on my face.

ebags lightweight packing cubes

I find them much better than the stuffsacks that I used to pack in. They are lighter weight and it is easier to see and access everything inside.

Even if you had to add a sweater or a fleece just as a pillow, at least you have a dual purpose item. Would also recommend a test at home before trusting it will replace your beloved pillow.

I have used an inflatable Sea to Summit Ultralight Aero pillow maybe a half dozen times before it failed (baffles gave out so it blows up like ballon). What I liked about it is that is weighs nothing and packs very small. It is beyond their warranty period but I sent them an email on it anyway.

Sea to Summit stuff is often quite innovative but sometimes lacking in quality.

This thread reminds me of one of our first trips. The two oldest guys brought a 6 man tent for the two of them. . . .complete with an inflateable queen size bed (with electric pump) and two full sized pillows.

From that day forth our rule was . . . if you bring it YOU will carry and portage it. No one is going to help you recreate your bedroom at the camp site.

ockycamper: "This thread reminds me of one of our first trips. The two oldest guys brought a 6 man tent for the two of them. . . .complete with an inflateable queen size bed (with electric pump) and two full sized pillows.


From that day forth our rule was . . . if you bring it YOU will carry and portage it. No one is going to help you recreate your bedroom at the camp site."

That is our rule as well. And other than the pillow everything else is very much backpacking style, and I have liked what I have found just having a hard time with the pillow.

I used to always bring a Nemo inflatable pillow. It’s great for an inflatable pillow, but on my last trip I brought a foam travel pillow from REI, and I will bring it again on every future trip. I bought it on clearance and it looks like REI doesn’t have them in stock, but if you can find one or something similar, I would recommend it. It’s lightweight and SO much more comfortable than an inflatable pillow. REI Trailbreak Foam Pillow

For the last five trips I've used a Trekology pillow from off amazon. Cheap & compact. So far so good. It's also been used as a seat back on my solo boat on at least one trip. Maybe worth a look.
martian

I have one of REDCAMP Small Camping Pillows for... these pillows and I like it. It's a little smaller than I prefer, but acceptable, and is quite comfortable otherwise. It compresses to about the size of a Nalgene bottle.

As stated the closest thing to your pillow at home is the Thermorest compressible. I switched to one a few years ago and never looked back. So comfortable. Just make sure that you uncompress it first thing at camp as the foam needs time to "rise".

I just found a company called Goose Feet Gear.

They have a pretty nifty idea for a pillow where it’s a stuff sack where you can insert a different type of inflatable, pillow or clothes or something else. It then has a thick down topper on it.

Has anyone tried these before?

dschult2: "As stated the closest thing to your pillow at home is the Thermorest compressible. I switched to one a few years ago and never looked back. So comfortable. Just make sure that you uncompress it first thing at camp as the foam needs time to "rise"."

If you put that Thermarest pillow in a compression sack, how small can you get it down to?

I have Thermarest compressibles for the entire family in various sizes. They are still fairly bulky but they are so much more comfortable than anything else I've tried that I don't mind. Also they are made in USA.

That said, it looks like the design has changed some, and there are several complaints.

It comes in 3 sizes. Which size do you use?

ockycamper: "It comes in 3 sizes. Which size do you use?"

As a side sleeper I use a large, though the wife and kids have medium and small. Pretty big difference in packed bulk between small and large.

If you have a Scheels near you last I checked they still carry them if you want to see them in person.

I need a tall pillow, and use a Nemo Filopillow with a base of some kind. Sweatshirt, pants, whatever. Get the comfort and "give" of foam with the adjustability of air. It works well for me.

ockycamper: "

dschult2: "As stated the closest thing to your pillow at home is the Thermorest compressible. I switched to one a few years ago and never looked back. So comfortable. Just make sure that you uncompress it first thing at camp as the foam needs time to "rise"."

If you put that Thermarest pillow in a compression sack, how small can you get it down to?"

I've never tried one but it rolls into itself and compresses pretty small. About the width of a Nalgene and a smidge taller. I use a regular(medium) size.

I ordered a medium. When it arrived it was much larger then the Sea to Summit pillow I was using. In fact, rolled up the way it came it was larger then my hammock. Ended up sending it back. Too big, bulky and heavy

You will not likely find a pillow better than the one on your bed at home. Find a way to take it. It worth it when you consider you spend 25% plus of your time with it. Not just compfort, Your normal size pillow all keep your head in your normal position which is likely to keep you from getting a stiff neck or sore back. Never even consider taking a smaller pillow just to save space. You may pay for that decision.

Comfy pillow is a must for me! Best I’ve found so far is actually a small memory foam back support pillow. It packs fairly small, obviously not as small as actual camping or backpacking pillows, but worth the little extra space it takes up. Without it, my neck would be hurting and I’d get some pretty bad headaches!
Similar to this but I found it at Sierra for $15. I can turn it sideways or not depending if I want the bump part under my neck or not. My home pillow is one of those contoured memory foam pillows. Any other thing I’ve tried hasn’t given the same support.

I can get it to around the size of a Nalgene or smaller. It also compresses between other items in the pack easily.

I use my pfd as a pillow.

I use my pfd as a pillow.

A wrapped PDF is a little too firm for moi.
I’m happy with my custom made “v” pillow.
Silinylon shell with “My Pillow” filling.
But I’m in a hammock and it has bungee cord alignment pieces. Also a v cut with a center slot.
Gotta have a pillow. Just to-prop up your head for when you read off to -sleep.
It also lets me know when I’ve got the “perfect hang”. If my head doesn’t land dead center on that pillow, I’ve got some strap adjustments to do before I go to sleep!
But, believe me, for all the years camping on the ground, I’ve used many, and then some of the above.,Except the big home pillow. I only use those when I’m car camping
Tim

bwcadan: "You will not likely find a pillow better than the one on your bed at home. Find a way to take it. It worth it when you consider you spend 25% plus of your time with it. Not just compfort, Your normal size pillow all keep your head in your normal position which is likely to keep you from getting a stiff neck or sore back. Never even consider taking a smaller pillow just to save space. You may pay for that decision."

A lot depends on if you are sleeping in a tent or hammock. Hammocks, even bridge hammocks raise the head somewhat and a home pillow will not work.

I can't imagine bringing my home pillow for any reason. It would fill up a pack the size of my main pack. There are plenty of very comfortable alternatives that pack down to nothing.

CanoeViking: "All my gear is fairly lightweight, backpacking canoeing style gear, with the exception of one thing, my pillow.

I am one of those who has to have a comfortable pillow to have a good nights rest, and I can’t seem to find it a camping pillow that does the trick.

Just curious, if I’m the only one, and if anyone has found a super comfortable pillow that is way more compressible than my queen size pillow at home. "

I'm with you. Without a "real" pillow, I just don't sleep nearly as comfortably. I tried various inflatable backpacking pillows and stuff sacks stuffed with various items, but they definitely are not as comfortable for me.

Last year I happened across a small "camp pillow" at a big box store that sells generally poor quality outdoor gear. It's basically a quarter sized pillow with a cotton cover. Not a small as the inflatable backpacking pillow, but nowhere near as large as a traditional pillow. I've used it on two trips and love it. If I plan a long backpacking trip, I'll stick with the small lightweight inflatable, but for short backpacking trips or canoe camping, I'll definitely bring my "mini-pillow".

I use my clothing dry bag, add or remove fill as needed to get the right thickness. At home I use a down pillow, I'm not a fan of foam, so your needs may vary.

my wife got an inflatable pillow online quite cheap. it is the same as the Kilos one. has a soft, removeable quilted cover that can be washed. she really likes it.

my issue is a like something that really supports my neck. i cant use anything that is flat. i usually roll up my pillow at home for more neck support.

like others here i have used a sac stuffed with clothes and then a cotton tshirt on the outside. especially in summer when its hot. i dont know how anyone can sleep on a nylon bag when its hot.

i would love to find a smaller option that works for me but for now i have been using a med sized synthetically stuffed pillow. like something you would use to put in the small of your back while sitting around at home or in your car.

i carry it in a small compression sac to try and squeeze it as small as i can. i gets down to about the size of two nalgene bottles??

the other thing i used to do was when i used my foam mountain hardware sleep pad (still have it but dont use it anymore), it had a zippered section at the head end that allowed you to put clothes of small pillow in there. it worked great. it was especially nice because it prevented anything from moving around or sliding off the matt. unfortunately my thermarest self inflating matt does not have that option. :(

deerfoot: "I have used an inflatable Sea to Summit Ultralight Aero pillow maybe a half dozen times before it failed (baffles gave out so it blows up like ballon). What I liked about it is that is weighs nothing and packs very small. It is beyond their warranty period but I sent them an email on it anyway.


Sea to Summit stuff is often quite innovative but sometimes lacking in quality."

That's what I use

MaxG: "I used to always bring a Nemo inflatable pillow. It’s great for an inflatable pillow, but on my last trip I brought a foam travel pillow from REI, and I will bring it again on every future trip. I bought it on clearance and it looks like REI doesn’t have them in stock, but if you can find one or something similar, I would recommend it. It’s lightweight and SO much more comfortable than an inflatable pillow. REI Trailbreak Foam Pillow "

I have 2 of the nemo inflatable pillows. These worked great until one of them gave out and would not hold its air, probably the valve. I used them for plane flights for a more comfortable pillow.

My favorite camping pillow is the My Pillow travel pillow. It stuffs small within it's pillow case.