NEMO Fillo Review

We've purchased and tested many versions of the NEMO Fillo over the years, and what continually impresses us is its generational quality. The core bits of this pillow have remained the same—sometimes reinventing the wheel just isn't needed.

Comfort

This latest version of the Fillo employs the same layering system of air bladder and foam, producing an adjustable and versatile system that we feel appeals to the widest population of sleepers. It earned top scores for this metric.

Even when fully inflated, the Fillo still feels soft and responsive (thanks to its slab of quality foam). On the contrary, air-only inflatable models tend to feel balloon-ish and rather unforgiving when they are completely blown up. In truth, the Fillo isn't as plush as a down bed pillow, but we found this added foam cushion to be noticeable and comforting.

We also enjoyed the feel of the stretch-polyester jersey pillowcase. The case is cool, soft, and accommodating. And, despite its thin, silky texture, it doesn't snag much. This was a real plus for our male users who had a few days' worth of backcountry stubble. One often overlooked comfort feature of this pillow is the sound-deadening characteristics of the foam layer, which provides a more peaceful rest. Some blow-up pillows tend to amplify the smallest movements (even the sound of blood pumping through the ears).

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Weight

The Fillo's 9 ounces wasn't bad at all, especially when we considered the added comfort features that come with being a premium hybrid pillow. Even some of our most experienced backpackers found the Fillo's extra weight to be easily excusable, even during week-long backcountry treks. As for travelers, car campers, or RVers, this pillow's weight is a non-issue.

Packability

The Fillo's 1.4-liter stuff sack impressed us. It's not the smallest of the group, but it certainly isn't the largest. We were impressed at how this decent-sized pillow compresses down into such a relatively small space.

When compared to an average, no-frills, purely inflatable pillow on the market, the Fillo does have a larger packed size. This can be an issue for multi-day overnight trips in the backcountry, where every inch of space in your pack matters. That said, this pillow compresses down very well. After years of shoving the Fillo into our packs, we rarely felt it took up too much space, even during longer, multi-day trips. Although not perfect, we feel the Fillo's packed size is still reasonable, making it ideal for campgrounds, mountainsides, airplanes, or any other adventure where added comfort is desired. The only thing we don't like is the overall size of the stuff sack, which is a little too small.

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Support

Almost half of the population are side sleepers. Considering this, we feel the Fillo does an adequate job of providing enough loft (4 inches when inflated) to fill that crucial notch between the head and shoulders. This allows the head and upper spine to stay level, reducing crooked necks. However, we did note that the Fillo's loft was not enough for those side-sleepers with larger bodies or broader shoulders. So, if you fall into that category, you may need to shove some extra clothes, a duffel bag, or a backpack under your Fillo to engineer a little extra loft.

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Back and stomach sleepers also have no need to fear. Thanks to an effective micro-adjusting air valve, the NEMO Fillo can be deflated in minute increments, allowing you to find your perfect sweet spot. We've asked a broad range of testers to use the Fillo over the years, and regardless of their sleeping preferences, each has been able to achieve an acceptable level of comfort.

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Ease of Use

Inflating the Fillo is as easy as 1-2-3, literally. We found that most adults can fully inflate it in just three large breaths. The reason for the easy blow-up is the pillow's inch-thick layer of foam. It takes up space, allowing the Fillo to have a smaller air bladder. As mentioned, the air valve also allows each sleeper to let small amounts of air out of the Fillo without the risk of total deflation. So adjusting it in the middle of the night is a breeze.

We also loved the ability to give our Fillo a quick wash and dry. Its polyester jersey-style pillow case can be easily removed and machine-washed separately, although we recommend air-drying it, just to be safe. Luckily, thinner materials allow it to dry quickly—a nice feature if you find yourself needing to wash it in a river and dry it at camp. And, although rarely necessary, the Fillo's foam layer can be easily removed as well for a quick cleaning.

The Fillo has a built-in stuff sack that is sewn directly to the pillow case. We love this because it's impossible to lose it. However, as mentioned, we don't like its size. For years, we've written about the tight squeeze that is required to fit the pillow into place. The stuff sack is simply too small, making the stuffing process a little more difficult than necessary.

Should You Buy the NEMO Fillo?

We like the price of the NEMO Fillo. In fact, there are many basic inflatable pillows on the market that cost more and perform less. The Fillo has been our favorite for years for good reason. So, if you're in the market for a quality camping pillow that doesn't take up a ton of space, the Fillo is a solid option for all types of camping. It isn't perfect, but its hybrid design produces a better feel than most blow-up models in our lineup. For the backpackers and other high-adventure enthusiasts reading this, yes, the Fillo weighs a little more, and takes up a little more pack space, but we feel its added comfort makes this an easy trade-off.

What Other Camping Pillows Should You Consider?

If car-camping is the only game you play, go big and try the HEST Pillow. It's super plush. The Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down is another hybrid design that uses down fill instead of foam for its extra layer. And, if the Nemo Fillo sounds perfect but you need to cut size and weight for multi-day trips in the backcountry, we recommend the Nemo Fillo Elite.