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The amount of energy you’ll have for camping activities directly depends on how well you sleep at night. A good camping pillow plays a large role here – it holds your head and neck in the right position so you wake up refreshed and well-rested.
Compared to the pillows we use at home, camping models are both lighter and smaller (to make packing easier). Besides size and comfort, choosing the best camping pillow also relies on what type of sleeper you are.
In this article, we’ll present the best camping pillows in all three main categories – inflatable, compressible, and hybrid pillows. This way, you can find a model that matches your sleeping habits and provides you with home-level comfort no matter where you are.
Therm A Rest Compressible Camping Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Lofty foam filling with 4-inch thickness
- Soft brushed polyester cover on both sides
- Safe for machine washing and drying
- Available in four different sizes
- Over ten great-looking color options
- Pillow case included
- Perfect for side sleepers and back sleepers
Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 4 inches (Medium)
Packed Size: 14 x 5 x 6 inches
Weight: 9 ounces
Type: Compressible
Materials: Polyester Cover, Urethane Foam Filling
Trekology ALUFT 2.0 Ultralight Camping Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Ergonomic curved shape for better head support
- Incredibly lightweight and compact when packed
- Durable TPU bladder resists punctures and water
- Inflates easily with just 3 to 5 breaths
- Quick Deflate valve feature releases air in seconds
Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 4 inches
Packed Size: 5 x 2 inches
Weight: 3.4 ounces
Type: Inflatable
Materials: TPU Bladder, Polyester Top Surface
TETON Sports Travel Camping Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Fluffy and soft poly-fiber fill inside
- Soft poly-flannel case can be removed
- Works equally well as a head or lumbar pillow
- Comes with a storage bag for easy carrying
- Available in four color combinations
- Perfect for side sleepers
Dimensions: 12 x 18 inches
Packed Size: 4 x 7 x 9 inches
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Type: Compressible
Materials: Poly-Flannel Shell, Poly-Fiber Fill
Klymit X Inflatable Camping Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Unique X-shaped design for improved support
- One of the lightest pillows on the market
- Fully inflates with only two breaths
- Adjustable height and firmness (add or release air)
- Covered by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Can be used for car camping
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 4 inches
Packed Size: 4.5 x 2.5 x 1 inch
Weight: 1.95 ounces
Type: Inflatable
Materials: 75D Polyester Bottom, 30D Polyester Top
Teton Sports ComfortLite Self-Inflating Camping Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Self-inflating design (just push and twist the valve)
- Soft microfiber top for improved comfort
- Non-slip bottom keeps the pillow from moving
- Durable polyurethane inflation bladder
- Nylon stuff sack makes carrying easier
- Perfect for side sleepers
Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 4 inches
Packed Size: 13 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 12 ounces
Type: Inflatable (self-inflating)
Materials: Microfiber, Polyurethane
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Camping Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Hybrid design provides both support and comfort
- Soft top cover made of polyester knit
- Curved baffle on the inside for good head support
- Scalloped bottom edge places the pillow on the shoulder
- Multi-functional valve for easy inflation and deflation
Dimensions: 16.5 x 11.8 x 5.1 inches (Large)
Packed Size: 4 x 3 inches
Weight: 4 ounces
Type: Hybrid
Materials: 50D Polyester Cover, Synthetic Fill, TPU Bladder
ALPS Mountaineering Versa Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Brushed polyester cover increases comfort
- Flat valve makes inflation and deflation easy
- Very small and compact when deflated
- Stuff sack with a cinch cord included
- Available in two colors (orange and grey)
Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 5 inches
Weight: 2.8 ounces
Type: Inflatable
Materials: 20D Polyester, TPU Bladder
Marmot Strato Camping Pillow
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Unique pillow shape with 3D ergonomics
- Flex-baffle technology provides great head support
- RF welded seams significantly improve durability
- Fine-tune valve for adjusting pillow firmness
- Plush polyester cover increases comfort
Dimensions: 12 x 14 x 2.5 inches
Packed Size: 5.5 x 4.1 x 1.7 inches
Weight: 1.41 ounces
Type: Inflatable
Materials: 20D Polyester, 20D Nylon
- What Makes This Camping Pillow Stand Out
- Four-inch thickness provides great neck support
- Durable urethane insert with adjustable firmness
- Soft top filled with eraLoft fill
- Available in two sizes (Regular and Large)
- Packs very small relative to its inflated size
- Can be used for car camping
Dimensions: 15.5 x 11 x 4 inches (Regular)
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Type: Hybrid
Materials: Polyester Cover, eraLoft Synthetic Fill, Urethane Insert
How To Choose A Camping Pillow – Buying Guide
Type of Pillow
Three types of pillows are commonly used on camping trips: compressible, inflatable, and hybrid pillows (a mix of the previous two). Which one you should choose depends on whether you like a softer or a firmer sleeping surface and how much space you have for packing.
Compressible camping pillows: These are very similar to the pillows we have at home. They can be filled with down or synthetic materials (like foam) and are generally considered the best camping pillows in terms of comfort. However, they won’t provide optimal head support and aren’t particularly compact when packed.
Inflatable camping pillows: An inflatable pillow for camping contains a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) bladder which you inflate with air. This type of pillow allows you to adjust the firmness and packs very compact when deflated. However, it’s not particularly comfortable.
Hybrid camping pillows: These take the best out of the previous two, and combine an inflatable bladder with a soft foam-filled layer on top. They promise the best sleep quality, but they are also bulkier than inflatables and cost significantly more.
Size And Shape
Your new pillow must be sufficient in size to keep your head in place and give you good support. However, it must also remain small enough so it doesn’t take up too much space when packing. Finding a balance between these two sides is crucial for overall practicality.
As for the shape, the pillow for camping must be ergonomic. A properly shaped pillow will keep your head and neck in line with your spine, distributing pressure evenly and allowing you to relax.
Head and Neck Support
A good pillow for camping must support your head and neck the right way, otherwise, you might as well be sleeping on a pile of clothes. However, not all of us sleep in the same position – some sleep on our backs, others on their stomachs while many side sleepers.
If you are a stomach sleeper, your head doesn’t require much support and you can use a thin pillow. On the other hand, side sleepers need a thick pillow while back sleepers should get something in between.
Weight of the Pillow
Since you’ll have lots of other camping gear weighing you down, all the best camping pillows are lightweight. However, if you’re conscious about every ounce, there are still some differences between pillow types.
For example, inflatable camping pillows are generally very light. On the flip side, non-inflatable foam-filled pillows can be a bit heavier so they are more commonly used for car camping.
Material Quality
To provide top-level durability and comfort, manufacturers use various materials when making camping pillows. Natural materials like cotton or down camping pillows have the highest level of comfort and breathability, but they aren’t firm and can be less durable.
On the other hand, inflatable camping pillows are firm and durable but they won’t allow any air circulation. Additionally, they often come with some type of material on top (cotton or microfiber) to increase comfort.
Ease of Use
As we’ve mentioned, the pillow should easily fit in your backpack. For easier packing, many of these camping pillows are similarly sized to a soda can. And, when you decide to unfold them, you should be able to do that with ease.
Compressible camping pillows should open and fluff up mostly on their own (with a little help), while inflatable pillows should have a high-quality valve to blow the pillow up quickly. On the other hand, they should also be easy to deflate and fold back down when it’s time to go home.
FAQs
Q: What Kind Of Pillow Should I Use For Camping?
Camping pillows are compact and lightweight when packing while providing a soft and supportive surface to rest on. The ideal type of pillow also depends on your sleeping habits (stomach, side, or back) and whether you prefer a soft or firm pillow.
Q: How Do I Keep My Pillow From Sliding On My Sleeping Pad?
If your camp pillow constantly slides over the pad or in the sleeping bag, you can easily solve the problem by applying some seam sealer on the bottom of the pillow. A few small dots or lines will do the job just fine and provide traction that prevents sliding.
Q: How Do You Make A Camping Pillow?
The only materials you’ll need to make a camp pillow are a piece of memory foam, 1-gallon Ziploc bag, a larger piece of polyester fleece, and a webbing or leather strap. Here’s what you need to do:
- Cut the foam in the shape of your future pillow and place it in the Ziploc bag
- Create small holes in the bag and push the foam to the bottom
- Place a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the bag
- Use a medium-heated iron over the foil to permanently seal the bag
- Based on the pillow dimensions, sew a pillowcase from the polyester fleece
- Place the sealed foam in the case, roll up the pillow and tie it with the strap.
Q: What Can I Use Instead Of A Pillow?
If you don’t own a pillow or don’t want to bring it with you, you can use rolled-up clothes as a pillow alternative. Fleece jackets work best for this purpose, but other items can also be fairly comfy if you pack them tight and put them in a stuff sack.
Q: How Do Self Inflating Pillows Work?
Self-inflating camping pillows contain compressed foam inside a sealed airtight chamber. Once you open the valve, the foam starts expanding and causes the camp pillow to start drawing in air. When the foam fully expands, you need to close the valve to prevent it from deflating.
Globo Surf Overview
A well-made pillow can make a big difference on a camping trip. To cater to your personal sleeping habits and make your nights as comfy as possible, the best camping pillow comes with a lot of different features. Hopefully, our reviews and guide have helped you pick a pillow that will completely change the way you look at sleeping in a tent.
More Camping Reviews:
- Backpack Cooler
- Pop Up Tent
- Family Tent
- Multi Tool
- Flashlight
- Portable Radio
- 4 Season Tent
- Camping Gear
- Camping Table
- Camping Games
Have you tried a camp pillow that made it onto our list? Is it comfortable to sleep on? Is it compact and easy to take with you? What about durability? Please share your experience with us in the comment section below.