REASONS TO BUY
Inviting down topper
Great air valve
Shaped for hooded bags
Comfortable
Terrific loft
Excellent for side-sleepers
Stays in place
REASONS TO AVOID
A little heavy
Somewhat pricey
More difficult to wash and dry
Pillowcase smudges easily
Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow Review
An extra layer of down and an ergo-design offers a plush cushion for campers, especially side-snoozers
Credit: Jason Wanlass
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 23, 2025
RELATED: The Best Camping Pillows of 2025
Our Verdict
We love this bean-shaped beauty for several reasons, but our favorite thing about the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down is its ergonomic shape, which allows it to perfectly slide into the spot between your head, neck, and shoulders, keeping your upper spine level. This pillow is perfect for side-sleepers, but its shape also proved to be very comfortable for back-sleepers. Its other standout features include a stretchy air-bladder, great loft, an easy-to-use twist valve, and a plush layer of quilted down cushion on the top. This pillow's bottom fabric has some grip, so it stays in place during the night and packs up reasonably well. It also comes in two sizes. We tested the large version of the Air Head Down and loved it.
Our Analysis and Test Results
It doesn't weigh much, feels like a down puffy, and it's notched so it rides nicely on the shoulder—these are the three features that really make the Air Head Down a legit option for both car camping or longer trips into the backcountry.
The Therm-a-Rest is one of the comfiest down pillows we've ever tested.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Comfort
A quilted polyester top end gives the Therm-a-Rest a smooth, silky feel against the face. This pillow also has a ton of loft when fully inflated, so there's a lot of room for micro adjustments for that perfect feel. We really liked this.
The air bladder of the Air Head Down is baffled and stretchy, and has much more give than your average sandwich bag. This pillow's dynamic nature allows for a more accommodating, cradled feel against the head. Even better, the extra layer of down batting makes this pillow a serious contender for top-tier comfort. The only thing that held back our highest scores was that many of our testers felt the down top trapped in a bit of heat (especially on warmer nights), making the Air Head a little too warm against the face. Also, the silky nature of the quilted top tends to hold onto the face's natural oils after days of use.
A stretchy air bladder, thick layer of down batting, and five inches of loft are key to the Air Head Down's comfort.
We tested the large version of the Air Head Down, but if you tend to do more backpacking, we suggest buying the regular size. It's smaller and lighter by several ounces.
Weight
Therm-a-Rest didn't skimp on this pillow, so we were quite impressed when we weighed it for the first time. It isn't the lightest in our grouping, but wow, it really brings a lot to the table without adding much more mass to your gear pile.
We did the calculations, and it just doesn't add up. The Air Head Down has a thicker-than-average air bladder, great fabrics, a solid layer of down, and is somewhat large. So when we placed it on our scale, we were surprised that it only weighed 7.4 ounces. Granted, there are much lighter models out there, but what this pillow packs into just an extra ounce or two is noteworthy, making it a luxury choice for backpacking, car camping, or anything in between.
The large version of the Air Head Down Pillow weighed 7.4 ounces on our scales, which is about the same as a cup of sugar.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Packability
Once shoved into its stuff sack, the Air Head Down can fit just about anywhere, even into a backpack that's already maxed out. For the added perks this offers, its packed size isn't too shabby.
The Air Head Down condenses down to about the size of an apple. It isn't the smallest on our list, but when compared side by side with models that have similar features, it bests many of them. We used this pillow during a multi-day backpacking trek through the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming and never had a problem with its packability, and feel the trade-off of extra comfort is worth a slightly larger packed size. As for car camping or any other adventure, this pillow is perfect.
We were impressed with its packed size. For its massive size, it packs down to something that could fit in most backpacks or duffels.
Support
An extra layer of 650-fill down batting gave the Therm-a-Rest a bit of an edge. Support is generally not an issue when it comes to air-filled pillows, but comfortable support is another story. The Air Head's cushy top provided just enough softness to justify bumping up its score.
The Air Head Down design goes beyond basic comfort. We love that this pillow is curved at the bottom, which allows it to sit better between the head, neck, and shoulders. Having this ergonomic fit is ideal for side-sleepers. It also lets back-sleepers achieve a better fit across the back of the neck.
From all the angles. This pillow works really well for side-sleepers, but it is also great for back-sleepers, and if you let some air out, you can comfortably sleep on your stomach.
Ease of Use
The Air Head Down quickly inflates and deflates, and it doesn't slide around during the night. We didn't like everything about this pillow's ease, but we did like these two features.
We also loved that the pillowcase can be removed from the air bladder. This makes repairs easy and allows the exterior to be separately washed. However, down doesn't dry as quickly as other materials, so if your Air Head Down gets wet at camp or needs to be washed, this may pose a problem if you can't air dry it in time for bed. We also love how this pillow's arched design fits nicely into any mummy bag or other hooded sleeping bag.
Blowing it up and packing it down. It's all straightforward and easy.
While the polyester quilted top of the Therm-a-Rest is soft and silky, the bottom fabric is not as smooth—and this is a good thing. The underneath is covered in a micro-fleece type material that is soft but grabby. The reason we liked this is that it keeps the pillow in place while tossing and turning. Many inflatables tend to slip and slide against the fabric of sleeping bags and pads. Not so with the Therm-a-Rest. It stays put well, so you can call off the midnight pillow search party.
Holding its ground. It doesn't budge.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Should You Buy the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow?
If you love down, the Therm-a-Rest is a no-brainer. Every down-lover in our crew loved the feel of this pillow, even some of the ultra-light backpackers. Just know that it still has the overall feel of an air-filled pillow. Yes, the down takes the edge off, but it isn't a save-all. But yes, this pillow does have a noticeable level of added comfort. We think any campground enthusiast, backwoods aficionado, RVer, or any other outdoor lover will groove with this pillow.
The Air Head Down, regular size (left), large size (right).
Credit: Jason Wanlass
What Other Camping Pillows Should You Consider?
The Sea to Summit Aeros Down is another down-topped pillow in our lineup. It doesn't have as much down batting, but it does weigh less than the Therm-a-Rest, so it may be better suited for backpacking.
If you tend to stick to car camping and you just want the comfiest pillow available, go with the HEST Pillow. If you want comfort, but at a better price, both the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch and the Teton Sports Pillow are decent options.
Catching a few more winks at dawn.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow versus top competing products:
—Jason Wanlass
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