Klymit Drift Review

Comfort

The Klymit Drift is an exceptional camp pillow for comfort. Klymit uses shredded memory foam and gel fiber to create a plush amount of cushion without being too soft. It's also large enough to support side sleepers without kinking the neck, and is gentle on the ears.

The included pillowcase of the Klymit Drift uses jersey cotton to create an unbeatable against-skin feel and is easy to keep clean thanks to the secondary rainshell cover. We used the Drift in our own beds throughout testing, and all of our testers shared it felt similar to their normal at-home pillows…need we say more?

In addition to the depth of the Drift, it's also almost as wide as our normal pillows, making it more ideal for campers wanting at-home comfort even if they're enjoying the great outdoors.

Weight

As a pillow that puts comfort over anything else, the Klymit Drift isn't a very light model. However, it wasn't an issue when we camped close to our vehicles, and some of our testers simply left it inside their camper vans.

We measured the Klymit Drift at a hefty 34.6 ounces, making it a strictly “close to the car” camping pillow. The weight-for-comfort compromise was well worth it, but this is not a backpacking pillow.

Packability

The Klymit Drift can't be packed down at all, making it one of the bulkiest pillows in our lineup. As we've already shared, in a car-camping setup, its heft isn't a deal breaker, but it does take up a lot of space in the back of the car.

Its packed and setup dimensions are the same…you can't make the Drift any smaller unless you use your own compression straps. While we generally find car-camping and van life to be less weight- or space-conscious, look elsewhere if you need a pillow that'll compress down in transit, so you can fit more gear inside your vehicle.

Support

Support is a highlight for the Klymit Drift. The memory foam and gel fiber padding is soft without losing overall structure, so you won't sink all the way to the top of the camping mattress. Whether you sleep on your back or your side, the Drift cradles your head without creating pressure points on the back of your head or ears.

Some of our testers couldn't tell the difference between the Drift and their normal at-home pillow, especially if the pillow cases were the same color. Keeping our heads in a comfy and supported position throughout the night also helped our necks feel better the next morning.

Ease of Use

Overall, this simple pillow is very user-friendly; just swap out the shell pillowcase for the jersey cotton and go to bed. However, if you like the air adjustability of an inflatable camping pillow, this might not be the best choice.

When choosing an at-home pillow, you typically need to find your preferred firmness since there's no adjustability. Inflatable camp pillows, on the other hand, just need more or less air to dial in how soft you want your pillow to be. The Drift is essentially an at-home pillow, so there's no way to make it feel more or less cushy unless you're willing to remove or add stuffing inside the pillowcase. The rainshell pillowcase is a great addition to the Drift and can quickly be flipped from the cotton side to the shell side. One of our biggest grievances when camping with our at-home pillows is keeping them clean and dry, but Klymit found a great solution.

Should You Buy the Klymit Drift?

Add the Klymit Drift to your cart if you want a supportive pillow that rivals at-home comfort. It can't be compressed and is heavier than most camping pillows, but if you're camping close to the car, this is a great fit and offers an accessible price point. The dual-cover pillowcase design takes a bit of practice, but it's a great way to keep the pillow dry and clean for travel without sacrificing skin comfort once you're in your sleeping bag.

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