REASONS TO BUY
Weighs a few ounces
Small packed size
Extra comfort layer
Attached stuff sack
Washable pillow case
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited loft
Tough to fit in stuff sack
A little noisy
Pricey
Nemo Fillo Elite Review
It's soft, lightweight, and it crams into one of the smallest stuff sacks we've seen — a perfect hybrid pillow for the trail or anywhere you're headed
Credit: Jason Wanlass
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 23, 2025
RELATED: The Best Camping Pillows of 2025
Our Verdict
So the NEMO Fillo Elite is a far cry from the sheer comfort offered by the basic NEMO Fillo version, but it will appeal to backpackers looking to save on packing space and weight, all while still enjoying a bit of cushion and support. At first glance, the Fillo Elite resembles many of the inflatable pillows in our lineup. It's a very basic air-bladder system that is small and extremely lightweight at a mere 3 ounces! However, one of its key distinguishing features is an extra layer of PrimaLoft® batting that sits between the bladder and the pillow case. In our opinion, this extra layer of comfort is just enough to label the Fillo Elite as a hybrid pillow. It's also supportive, cool, easy to inflate, and super lightweight.
Our Analysis and Test Results
We absolutely love this pillow's jersey blend case. Its polyester material is brushed just enough to make it super pleasant against the skin. Even better, the case can be removed and machine-washed separately—something many inflatable pillows can't offer.
The Nemo valve system makes it easy to fine tune air levels, making it easy to customize comfort.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Comfort
Do you have a favorite old T-shirt? Well, that's similar to how the jersey-blend pillowcase feels against the face after sleeping on the Fillo Elite for a few nights. The polyester exterior of this pillow feels a lot like well-used cotton, and it combines well with the added cushion of the PrimaLoft® fill to create a decent place to put your head. Elite's air cell is baffled and has a concave center, so it cradles well and is about as comfortable as an air-filled bladder can be. In truth, pillows like these aren't typically cozy, but for Fillo's size and weight, it was fairly comfortable. Our complaints were that it's a little small and a bit noisy.
We love the feel of the polyester jersey fabric. The Nemo also has just enough give to be acceptably comfortable, even for an inflatable.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Weight
This pillow ranks alongside the best ultra-light pillows in our lineup. If you're someone who counts every ounce of your backpack, you'll be impressed (just like we were) by the 3-ounce weight of the Fillo Elite. That's practically the weight of a bag of cotton candy.
The Fillo was barely heavy enough to activate our digital scale. This beauty is an excellent choice for any adventure where weight is at a premium. For what this pillow offers in basic comfort, we were surprised that it weighed so little.
At 3 ounces, the Elite weighs less than a standard bar of soap or deck of cards.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Packability
The Fillo Elite destroyed the competition when it came to packability. If you are looking for a pillow that doesn't take up space in your backpack, luggage, or vehicle, your options don't get much better.
We've tested several versions of the Fillo Elite through the years, and we can honestly say that we love how it packs up. Its stuff sack is incredibly small, so it does take a bit of elbow grease to muscle this pillow into place. That said, the result is one of the smallest packed sizes of all the camp pillows we tested. So, we think the trade-off is worth the added effort.
We love the Elite's packed size. It's small enough to be packable for any adventure, especially backpacking.
Support
As with any air-filled pillow, the Fillo Elite provides solid support. However, it doesn't accommodate side-sleepers all that well, so it earned average marks for this test.
When fully inflated, the Fillo only produces about three inches of loft—pretty flat for an inflatable. Since side-sleepers make up the majority of the snoozing public, this pillow's lack of lift is a problem. Kids or smaller-framed campers who sleep on their sides won't have much of an issue; however, larger adults or those with broader shoulders will need to prop up their sleeping pads with extra items (like clothes or a backpack) in order to create the angle necessary to sleep comfortably. As for stomach or back sleepers, we think you'll enjoy this pillow a lot.
The Fillo Elite doesn't have enough loft to sleep comfortably on your side without a crooked neck, but it does well for every other position.
Ease of Use
Overall, the Fillo Elite is straightforward. There isn't much to its design and function, making it relatively simple to use.
We loved many things about the Elite: the pillowcase can be removed and washed separately, and it inflates in about three breaths and deflates just as quickly. The stuff sack is attached, and the Elite is super small and simple to carry. In fact, we absolutely loved the freedom of shoving the Fillo in a pocket, center console, backpack, and more without it taking up space. However, we just don't like the effort it takes to get it into its stuff sack. Although it's rectangular when blown up, it still fits into most hooded bags, but the bottom fabric is silky and tends to easily slip and slide on pads and sleeping bags—not ideal.
The Filo Elite is easily deployed and only takes a couple of deep breaths to fill. Our main gripe is the lack of grip on the bottom of the pillow.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Should You Buy the Nemo Fillo Elite?
If you vibe with small and simple things, the Nemo Fillo Elite may be the pillow for you. It is perfect for any adventure where every ounce matters. And, when we consider its size and weight, it delivers reasonably well in terms of overall comfort. If you buy this pillow (or any other lightweight model), you will have to accept that no air-filled model kills it when it comes to comfort, but we do like the Fillo's hybrid design, which includes an extra layer of padding that sets it apart from many bladder-style cushions.
This pillow is great for stomach sleepers.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
What Other Camping Pillows Should You Consider?
The Sea to Summit Aeros Down and the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down are similar to Fillo's; however, both have an extra layer of down cushion instead of Primaloft. Both are super comfy, but we found them to be a little warmer against the face. Their down accounts for a longer drying time after getting wet or washed. The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium is another great option. But, if you would rather have a true hybrid option that is both lightweight and comfortable, you'll want to consider the original Nemo Fillo.
Through our overnight field testing, we've found that Nemo has cracked the code on comfortable and light backpacking gear.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Nemo Fillo Elite versus top competing products:
—Jason Wanlass
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