The allure of backpacking is leaving everything behind and hit the reset button. Backpackers are adventurous spirits looking to explore the world around them, reconnect with nature and leave the crazy demands of today’s life behind, even if for a day.
This often means minimalistic packing. The point is to have only the essentials with you and still maintain your backpack at its lightest. As a result, some basic but important comforts, like the best backpacking pillow, are overlooked.
Bringing a pillow with you while backpacking is something many backpackers fail to even consider. The pillow will just take up space and there is always the option to stuff your clothes in a bag and use them as a makeshift pillow. While this is a workable alternative to having an actual pillow, it is not a very comfortable one.
That being said, the question that comes to mind is where to find the best backpacking pillow and how to know which pillow is the best in the first place. Worry not; we recognize the challenge that is shopping for the right backpacking pillow.
Here, we shall explore the concept of the backpacking pillow, the different types, advantages, and review some of the best sellers in today’s market. So shall we?
Best Backpacking Pillows Ever
It is not uncommon to have backpacking pillows confused for traveling pillows and vice versa. The two pillows are created to be compact and ideal to take with you almost anywhere you go.
They are both light in weight to keep from adding unnecessary weight to your luggage or backpack. Some are even similar in the materials used to manufacture them.
However, there exist some fundamental differences between the two that every backpacker needs to be aware of. The difference between these two pillows stems from their use and their shapes.
There is bound to be confusion when you try to differentiate between backpacking pillows and camping pillows.
After all, the whole point of both products is to provide you with that "home away from home" comfort of your regular pillow when you are in the middle of nowhere.
Well, while backpacking pillows are justifiably camping pillows, not all camping pillows can work as backpacking pillows. If this has worked to only make the state of confusion worse, let me explain.
To cater to the needs of the different types of backpackers out there, best backpacking pillows come in a variety of forms and differ in the materials used to make them. The different types of these pillows can generally be categorized into inflatable pillows, compressible pillows, and hybrid pillows:
No doubt that this question has crossed the mind of many backpackers. The extra weight added to and space taken up in a backpack is certainly no inspiration for including this pillow in one’s list of must-haves. Best backpacking pillows, however, do offer a number of benefits to their users.
Know that we have answered the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of these pillows, it is time we looked into the considerations that one needs to keep in mind whenever they are shopping for the right backpacking pillow. Here are some basic factors that you need to consider before buying one for yourself:
There are numerous backpacking pillows on the market today that claim to offer superior comfort and support to their users. To help you separate the wheat from the chaff, we have compiled a list of five pillows that are best suited for backpacking. Here we go:
This pillow is versatile in terms of use and can work well as a travel pillow or a car camping pillow. It comes in a variety of colors, catering for the different tastes and preferences of different users.
It is designed with campers and backpackers in mind. The size, lift, and firmness are, therefore, optimized to provide adequate neck and head support to its users. This, in turn, keeps sore and, or stiff necks at bay. It is also made to be soft to enhance its comfort.
Another plus is its ease of use. It is designed in such a way that its sac is part of the pillow itself and all you are required to do is adjust the drawstrings to help compress it when you need to put it away or expand it when you need to use it. Lastly, it is easy to maintain as you can easily machine wash it. It also takes a short amount of time to dry it.
The only downside to this pillow is its weight. It has a total weight of 8.6 ounces making it heavier than it backpacking counterparts.
It has a total weight of 2.75 ounces and can be packed to fit a two-inch bag. This space friendly and lightweight nature of the pillow make it a suitable backpacking companion.
This pillow is easy to you use you can inflate and deflate it in under a minute. Its ergonomic design helps to not only provide comfort but the much-needed support to its users. To enhance its comfort, the manufacturers make use of a blend of polyester and TPU fabric that keeps it from slipping as you turn in your sleep.
Another plus is the ability to adjust the firmness of the pillow to suit your needs. Simply inflate or deflate your pillow until you attain the desired height and firmness.
The manufacturers of this pillow understand adventure seekers will often seek the thrill of adventure regardless of the season. It is for this reason that they have made their pillow be waterproof and usable in hot weather conditions. What’s more, the pillow comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.
Aside from its longevity and its affordability, this pillow is also quite comfortable. It is manufactured using a combination of polyester and cotton that give it its comfortable and durable features.
It is also designed to be space friendly and can fit into a bag that is four inches long, four inches wide and three inches in height. It is also light in weight, weighing about four ounces.
Its compact design and light weight make it an ideal pillow for backpackers as it does not occupy large amounts of space nor does it add a lot of weight to the backpack.
Another plus is the fact that it comes with a removable cover that can easily be cleaned. All you need is clean water and mild detergent or soap and you are good to go.
It is easy to use and does not require a lot of space. This coupled with the fact that it is light in weight makes it an ideal backpacking companion.
To ensure that you get a good night’s sleep, this pillow includes a sleeping mask in its package. It is easy to inflate and deflate. The latter makes it easy to pack away whenever you want.
When not in use, it can easily fit in a 2 x 5-inch stuff sack. It weighs a total of three ounces making its weight contribution to your backpack rather insignificant.
It is a versatile pillow as it doubles up as a suitable back support pillow. This is useful for people who spend a lot of time in a seated position. What’s more, this pillow comes with a money back assurance should you find it to be unsatisfactory.
Thanks to the shape and comfort provided by this hybrid pillow, it is compatible with a variety of sleeping positions. Users have the freedom to choose the height and firmness of this pillow by simply adjusting the air within the pillow.
It gets its comfort feature from the foam used on the topside. This is enhanced by the use of micro-suede and, or jersey knit fabrics on the pillow covers. These fabrics are breathable and help to keep your face warm and comfortable as you sleep.
It is 17 inches in length when in its usable state. This size makes it capable of adequately supporting your neck and head as you sleep. It is also an ideal length for back support while you are traveling or when in a seated position for long amounts of time.
Although this pillow is not as small as your regular inflatable pillows, it is rather small when compressed into its stuff sack. It is also heavier than the previously reviewed pillows and has a total weight of 10.4 ounces.
Backpacking pillows are a necessary evil in order to achieve a goodnight’s sleep when away from the comfort of a regular bed. The different types of pillows cater to the needs of different backpackers.
There are various aspects of a pillow to consider before spending your money on it. One aspect that cannot, however, be compromised is your comfort. If a pillow is incapable of providing you with the support and comfort you need then it adds no value.
If you have read through the guide, then you have a working understanding of what it takes to make the best backpacking pillow and the factors to look out for.
Again, the concept of the ‘right’ pillow is highly subjective and will differ from one individual to another. Be sure to carefully weigh the features of any pillow against your needs. With that said, happy backpacking folks!
I am a big advocate that having great sleep is something everyone deserves. With over 10 years of experience in this field, I would love to use this platform as a means to help you achieve a good night's sleep.
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