The 5 Best Backpacking Pillows
One of the most important things when backpacking is to get enough sleep to rest your mind and body. And what better way to help you get a better night’s rest than enjoying the comfort of a backpacking pillow! Having a pillow for backpacking is a small luxury that makes a huge difference, and you won’t regret the minimal weight it adds to your pack. This guide reviews everything you need to know about backpacking pillows, including what to consider when buying one and the best backpacking pillows!
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Why You Should Invest in a Backpacking Pillow
You will probably hear some hikers say that you do not need a backpacking pillow because you can use your clothes or something soft that you already have instead. That is true, BUT having a backpacking pillow is more comfortable, and you will get a better night’s sleep. We all know how important it is to rest your body and sleep well while you are backpacking, and having a pillow for backpacking will help with that. When you are backpacking, it is nice to have little luxuries, especially when they help with comfort. Backpacking pillows don’t take up a lot of space and are very lightweight, so if you are looking for a little extra comfort out on the trail, I highly recommend investing in one!
The Best Backpacking Pillows
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
Pros:
Lightweight
Compressible
Neck support
Soft
Cons:
Some hikers don’t find it as comfortable as other pillows (although I find it very comfortable)
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The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow is my favorite backpacking pillow! It is very comfortable, lightweight, and compressible. It comes in three different sizes, giving you the opportunity to choose the perfect pillow for backpacking.
Size & Weight:
Regular: 13.4 x 9.4 x 4.3 inches - 2.7 ounces
Large: 16.5 x 11.8 x 5.1 inches - 4 ounces
Deluxe: 23.5 x 16 x 5.5 inches - 6.9 ounces
Each size weighs less than a half of a pound, so it barely adds anything to your base weight! The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow stuffs into a sack half the size of a water bottle, so it is easily packable. The outside of the pillow is a soft material that adds extra comfort with a synthetic fill underneath that wicks away moisture. It also has a curved baffle on the bottom for your neck to provide the ultimate comfort and fit. It has a PillowLock system that allows you to attach it to a Sea to Summit sleeping pad, so it won’t move while you sleep. The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow is one of the best backpacking pillows that provides the ultimate comfort without compromising the weight or compressibility!
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
Pros:
Lightweight
Compressible
Neck support
Cons:
Not as durable as other pillows
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If the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow isn’t light enough for you, the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow is the perfect alternative! It comes in three different sizes, allowing you to choose the best backpacking pillow for you.
Size & Weight:
Regular: 14.2 x 10.2 x 4.7 inches - 2.1 ounces
Large: 17.3 x 12.6 x 5.5 inches - 2.5 ounces
Deluxe: 23.5 x 16 x 5.5 inches - 4.6 ounces
The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow provides the ultimate comfort without any extra weight. It compresses into one of the smallest stuff sacks on the list, so it will barely take up any space in your backpack. It also has a curved baffle on the bottom of the pillow for your neck that provides the ultimate comfort. The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow also has a PillowLock system that can attach to a Sea to Summit sleeping pad, so it won’t move while you sleep. If you are looking for the best backpacking pillow that is ultralight and comfortable, the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow is perfect!
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
Pros:
Lightweight
Compressible
Soft
Washable cover
No inflation required
Cons:
Not as light and compressible as other pillows
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The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow is a unique backpacking pillow on this list because it is not inflatable. It is a recycled foam pillow that expands on its own when unpacked! It comes in four sizes, which allows you to find the best backpacking pillow for you!
Size & Weight:
Small: 16 x 12 x 4 inches - 7 ounces
Medium: 18 x 14 x 4 inches - 9 ounces
Large: 23 x 16 x 4 inches - 12 ounces
X-Large: 27 x 16.5 x 4 inches - 15 ounces
If you are looking for the best backpacking pillow that resembles a regular pillow and is budget-friendly, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow is perfect! It has a soft polyester cover and foam pack that expands on its own. It is a little bigger when compressed than other backpacking pillows, but it makes up for it with its comfort and ease of use. The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow is the perfect backpacking pillow for someone who doesn’t mind a little extra weight or size to have the ultimate comfort!
NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow
Pros:
Lightweight
Compressible
Soft
Washable cover
Cons:
Not as supportive as other pillows
It only comes in one size
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The NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow is an inflatable backpacking pillow that has the look and feel of a regular pillow. It is the smallest pillow for backpacking NEMO offers and comes in one size.
Size & Weight:
One size: 15 x 11 x 3 inches - 3 ounces
The NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow is very lightweight and compresses into a lime-sized stuff sack. It has a layer of insulation and a soft polyester outer shell to provide maximum comfort while sleeping. It also inflates within seconds, so it is perfect for an easy setup! The NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow is the best backpacking pillow for those who want the look and feel of a regular pillow that is also very lightweight and compressible.
Rumpl Puffy Pillowcase
Pros:
Lightweight
Compressible
Soft
Not inflatable
Cons:
Comfort depends on what you stuff it with and how evenly it distributes
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The Rumpl Puffy Pillowcase is much different than the other backpacking pillows listed because it technically is just a pillowcase.
Size & Weight:
One size: 16 x 11 inches - 3.2 ounces
The Rumpl Puffy Pillowcase is a comfortable pillowcase that you can stuff with anything you have in your backpack, including a jacket or hoodie. It’s a build-your-own backpacking pillow! Many hikers enjoy the Rumpl Puffy Pillowcase because it is easy to use and doesn’t take up a lot of space when it’s in its stuff sack. It also has a puffy side and fleece side, so you can choose which you prefer. For those looking for a great alternative to an inflatable backpacking pillow, the Rumpl Puffy Pillowcase is perfect!
Backpacking Pillow Features
Weight
When you are backpacking, it is always important to consider how much your gear weighs. Backpacking pillows are usually under a pound, and most of the best backpacking pillows listed in the list are under a half of a pound! Having a little luxury like this to help with sleep that doesn’t add much weight to your overall base weight is incredible!
Size
Backpacking pillows come in all sizes, and it will come down to personal preference for what size you want. Most of them are larger than 13 x 9 inches, which is plenty of space to sleep comfortably. If you are looking for ultra-luxury, there are backpacking pillows around 23 x 16 inches that are still very lightweight! If you are unsure what size you want, I recommend using a pillow at home to measure the different sizes. You will be able to get an idea of what size backpacking pillow will work best for you!
Compressibility
Most pillows for backpacking come with a stuff sack that allows you to compress it as much as it can. Keep in mind that most backpacking pillows are inflatable, so the compressibility is usually good. Most pillows for backpacking will stuff down into the size of a water bottle or smaller.
Ease of Use
Most backpacking pillows are inflatable, but because they are small, it is easy and quick to inflate them. Other pillows for backpacking come with an empty pillowcase (like the Rumpl Puffy), so you can stuff them with anything you already have packed, including a jacket or hoodie. The advantage of having an inflatable pillow for backpacking is it tends to be more comfortable. The advantage of having a pillowcase is it takes up even less space than an inflatable pillow. Which one you choose is a personal preference!
Price
Finding the best backpacking pillow at your price point should be relatively easy because the prices usually vary from about $20-$100. If you are hoping to buy a larger one, you should expect to pay a little more for the luxury. Making sure you get the best night’s sleep while backpacking is so important, so spending a little extra on a backpacking pillow is only going to benefit you!
If you are looking for the best backpacking pillows, this guide is a great place to start! It provides everything you need to know to find the best pillow for backpacking, including what to look for when buying one and the best backpacking pillows!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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