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We bought 15 different camping pillows from Nemo, Sea to Summit, Therm-a-Rest, and other brands, conducting head-to-head tests to find the best one for your next night out in the great outdoors.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated October 23, 2025
Sleeping outdoors can be challenging, especially when things go bump in the night. A cozy, lightweight pillow can bring a lot of comfort and help you sleep better.
We've field-tested a range of camping pillows for many years. We traveled the world testing camping pillows while backpacking, car camping, hammocking, and flying on airplanes. We specifically looked at comfort, weight, ease of use, packed size, and support. After hundreds of hours of sleeping on the job, we've compared notes, measurements, and experiences on each pillow to help you find the right one wherever you lay your head.
The best camping pillow in our tests is the Nemo Fillo. This pillow is lightweight with a super comfortable foam filling and has been our favorite for several years running.
For backpacking, you'll want something lighter, like the 3.1 ounce inflatable Sea to Summit Aeros or the 3 ounce Nemo Fillo Elite, which is a hybrid inflatable with some padding.
Editor's Note: Our camping pillow review was updated on October 22, 2025, after buying and testing the Hikenture pillow, retesting several award winners, and reassessing their performance and value.
We've been at this camping pillow thing for quite some time, but we've yet to find one that can crush our tests the way the Nemo Fillo can. We've lost count of how many years this amazing head cushion has remained number one, but just to make sure, we purchased the newest version and put it to the test once again. We compared it to older models we've kept over the years, and we're pleased to find nearly identical quality and function. The Fillo's secret to success is its hybrid layered design that combines foam and air. It inflates in just a few breaths and has a twist nozzle to release air for customized support. Even better, the pillowcase can be washed separately. “I love that this pillow can be customized to accommodate me if I choose to sleep on my back, side, or stomach,” said our lead tester.
We've simply exhausted ourselves searching for a pillow that can compete, leaving the Fillo sitting squarely on its throne for another year. It's perfect for nearly any activity, but it isn't our first choice on extended backpacking trips because it packs up a little larger. However, many of our backwoods experts still choose to carry it in their packs anyway. “My main complaint for years is that the built-in stuff sack is just too small,” said one of our longtime testers. “It's difficult to pack up the Fillo. In fact, it's kind of a pain in the rear.” Otherwise, our love affair with the Fillo continues. If you need the lightest option available, check out the Sea to Summit Aeros Down, which is much lighter at just 2.6 ounces, but not quite as comfortable.
If you're seeking both comfort and a low price, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch might be your find of the year. This soft, compressible pillow provides a cushy landing for your head and is as close to the real thing as any camping pillow (except the Hest). The Therm-a-Rest Compressible is stuffed to the gills with high-quality foam bits left over from the manufacturing of foam sleeping pads. These spongy discards are cocooned in a soft polyester case and then topped with a layer of polyester batting to even out the bumps. “I've owned several past versions of this pillow, and I love the extra batting,” said one of our reviewers. “Past models didn't have it, and I think it's a great addition.”
This pillow is ideal for campgrounds where you don't have to carry your gear far from your vehicle. Its weight and size mean it's not suited for excursions into the backcountry. It's also great for back and stomach sleepers, but some side-sleepers may need to use a hoodie or duffel bag to create a little extra loft under their heads.
The Therm-a-Rest earned top marks for its excellent comfort and ease of use, but these scores were countered with lower outcomes for packability, support, and weight. “I really liked the drawstring cinch, which scrunches the pillow up into a tighter ball for added support,” said one tester. Regardless of its split scoring, this pillow is very affordable and comfortable, and we think campers looking for both of these features will appreciate this fantastic deal. If you want something lighter and more compact without significantly sacrificing comfort, the Rumpl Stuffable Fleece is a prime pick. It's basically a pillow case that can be stuffed with your extra clothes or jackets to create the loft you desire.
If you just want the basics at the best price, the Teton Sports Pillow is your new love. We kept an open mind and were quite surprised by this pillow's abilities. It's comfortable, easy to use, and decent enough to get you through the night. “I needed pillows for a large youth group and I was very pleased with what the Teton offered,” said our key tester. “This pillow doesn't tick all of the boxes, but it's definitely good enough for one or two short campouts per year.” The Teton's polyester exterior is soft and inviting, and it stays cool against the face. It also has a bit more loft than we expected—a pleasant discovery.
The Teton does tend to compress under the weight of the head and shoulders, so larger side-sleepers may not enjoy it as much. Our testing season was admittedly only a few months, so we're not sure about the Teton's long-term durability. But, we are sure about its attractive price tag. “I loved how it can be easily washed and dried,” said one tester who still has a few kids at home. The closest comparison to the Teton is the Wise Owl Outfitters Memory Foam. In fact, it's just a tad more comfortable. However, if you'd just rather blow the doors off of the whole thing, then go big and buy the HEST Pillow. She's the real thing.
The Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down allows backpackers and campers to have it both ways. Inflatable pillows are rarely associated with this much luxury, making this a clear favorite for its ability to balance comfort and weight. The Head Down consists of a baffled air bladder topped with a layer of 600-fill quilted down. We tested the large option of the Head Down (7.4 ounces), but the regular has a smaller packed size and weighs about 5 ounces, making it a great option for backcountry pursuits. This pillow packs up small (down compresses), offers great support, is easy to use, and is soft and comfortable. Admittedly, we were a little skeptical of a down-topped inflatable; it sounded a bit gimmicky, but during testing, the down layer legitimately offered an additional amount of comfort. And, when fully inflated, it stands at about 5 inches tall, making it perfect for side-sleepers. “This pillow is arched at the bottom, so it sits nicely against your neck and shoulders,” said one of our side-sleepers. “If you're looking for a lightweight option that offers more than a little luxury, look no further.”
The thick layer of feathers quilted below fine, silky fabric certainly raises the price point, which might turn away some potential buyers. But, if you're willing to pay a higher price for a lightweight pillow that's more comfortable than a typical inflatable, this model fits the bill. That said, those looking to shave weight will find the Sea to Summit Aeros Down very appealing. It's several ounces lighter, but offers a thinner down top. If you don't like down, the Nemo Fillo Elite is a great synthetic option.
The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium is surprisingly comfortable despite being lightweight. Pressing the scales at a mere few ounces, this pillow deploys to a generous size. When packed, it condenses to about the size of a plum, making it virtually unnoticeable in your pack. The soft polyester cover is complemented by a flexible air cell, allowing the pillow to comfortably cradle your head. We feel the stretchiness of the cell is what sets this pillow apart from its peers. Contoured lines in the pillow go a long way toward providing a good night's sleep. When we added up all these benefits, there was no doubt in our minds about whether to bring a camping pillow on our next big backcountry trip. “I've used this pillow for nearly a decade of backpacking, and it's still going strong,” said one of our testers. “This is impressive durability for an inflatable pillow.”
Though not as comfortable as most of the compressible or hybrid models we tested, the Aeros keeps your head off the ground and provides a cradling layer of support. The one thing we didn't like is that the pillowcase and bladder cannot be separated for easier cleaning. Otherwise, we've named this our favorite backpacking pillow for several years running.
Nemo took the best qualities of the Nemo Fillo and scaled them down to create the Nemo Fillo Elite. At just 3 ounces, the Elite packs a massive punch when it comes to comfort and support. And yet, it manages to fold up into a tiny 0.4-liter package. This is on par with many of the other lightweight models in our lineup when it comes to packed volume. The hybrid design starts with an air bladder core, layered with Primaloft padding, then surrounded with a soft jersey cloth pillowcase. It's a great choice for backpackers, climbers, or mountaineers who want more than a plain inflatable and are willing to carry an extra ounce or two in exchange for much more comfort. “The thing I love most about this pillow is the ability to remove the pillowcase and wash and dry it separately,” said one of our most experienced testers. “This also gives me the ability to make a quick duct-tape patch or other repairs when I'm off-grid.”
While it deploys into a generous 15 x 11" pillow, the thickness of the Fillo Elite left us disappointed during testing. At only 3 inches tall, it doesn't rest high enough for most side-sleepers to get adequate cushion between the head, neck, and shoulders. The stuff sack of the Fillo Elite is also a bit too small. Though this helps achieve an incredible packed size, it makes it harder to shove the pillow into place.
We've tested camping pillows all over the world, from our own backyards to 70-mile treks through the Swiss Alps.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
How We Tested
For this review, we've spent several years purchasing and using the best and most popular camping pillows with the end goal of figuring out which pillows you, the consumer, will enjoy the most. After conducting hands-on field testing on each of them, we've narrowed our list to what we feel are some of the best pillows on the market. With the help of camping buddies and backpacking partners, these pillows were nestled under a head on a nightly basis throughout months of testing. Our review included a vast amount of travel to a wide variety of locations, including the red rock of Utah's National Parks, the backcountry of Montana, Minnesota's Boundary Waters, Washington's Olympic National Park coast, and Wyoming's Grand Tetons. We tested them in the deep woods of Alabama, Utah's Rocky Mountains, the moss-laden forests of Mount Rainier National Park, remote areas of Alaska, and the Sierra Nevadas. We've slept on them in the Alps, and we even took a few to Nepal on a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp.
Our camping pillow testing is divided across five different metrics:
Comfort (25% of total score weighting)
Weight (20% weighting)
Packed Size (20% weighting)
Support (20% weighting)
Ease of Use (15% weighting)
To get the full scoop on our testing process, visit our How We Test page.
Our Sleeper-in-Chief, Jason Wanlass, hard at work testing camp pillows.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Why Trust GearLab
Our lead camping pillow tester, Jason Wanlass, has spent the last 25 years of his life exploring the outdoors. He's an avid trail-seeker who has hiked, backpacked, and camped in Iceland, Nepal, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, and the Patagonia Regions of Argentina and Chile. Closer to home, he hikes weekly in the foothills above his home in Utah and has backpacked countless miles in nearly every Western state. Whether wandering vast U.S. mountain ranges like the Sierras, Tetons, and the Cascades or catching a plane headed for one of the remote corners of the world, Jason knows the value of getting good sleep while on the move.
Side by side is the only way we know how to do it: We test each pillow based on its own merits and then we compare these findings against all the other models on our list.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Analysis and Test Results
Whether car camping, backpacking, or paddling into the wilderness, we lugged pillows worldwide, took meticulous notes, and compared the products side-by-side. Then we evaluated each model in five core tests: comfort, support, ease of use, weight, and packed size. After compiling their individual scores, we gave each pillow an overall score on a scale from 1 to 100. It's important to note that, while many of the scores are only separated by just a few points, each pillow excels in different ways. For example, an inflatable pillow and a compressible pillow may have similar total scores; however, the inflatable has lower scores for comfort, yet may excel for weight and packed size. Likewise, a compressible pillow may have top scores for comfort but far lower scores for weight and packed size. In the end, it's important to consider each product's total score and its scores in each test to find the exact pillow that will work best for you and your camping needs.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Unlike other products that we test at GearLab, camping pillows are relatively inexpensive. Regardless of their lower prices, we still found that some pillows offered more value than others. In fact, some of the most expensive ones were the least comfortable. In the realm of camp pillows, you'll generally pay a premium for less weight and smaller packed size. To achieve this, most high-priced pillows rely on an inflatable bladder. Lower-priced models are bulkier because they're constructed of foam or another soft padding. However, these materials also make the low-priced options typically more durable than the high-end stuff, adding to long-term value. On average, we also think they're more comfortable than the expensive packable pillows.
For its performance and low price point, we like the Therm-a-Rest Compressible, which offers a great cushion for anyone who doesn't need something ultralight or ultra-packable. Consisting of foam and fabric, it's simple, without a lot of moving pieces. Although not as well-made, we also think the Teton Sports Pillow brings a fair amount of value to the table, considering both its price and decent comfort.
The Trekology Aluft 2.0 is another really well-priced option, especially if you want backpacking-focused features. When we consider performance and quality (and choose to look past price), the Nemo Fillo and the HEST Pillow are excellent products that offer a ton of value. They are both incredibly plush and soft, and it's hard to put a price on a good night's sleep.
The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch is an incredible value and offers some of the best comfort, with versatile support for all kinds of sleep styles.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Comfort
Put simply, this test rates the ahhhhh effect a pillow provides. For car campers, this is the most important criteria for selecting a pillow, and a strong consideration for backpackers, too. However, weight obviously has to take precedence when you're carrying everything on your back. If you aren't comfortable, the likelihood of quality sleep decreases, along with probable harm to your next-day energy. Pillow type, shape, contouring, size, and the fabric of the outer shell are all factors that play into the comfort of a pillow.
The compressible pillows (not inflatable) rise to the top. A typical tradeoff for higher comfort is a larger packed size. All that plush filling can compress, but it can't disappear. Such is the case with the Hest Pillow. It is the most comfortable pillow we've ever tested, but it is also the heaviest, and it has the largest packed size. It features a stretched nylon outer shell that is pleasant and cool to the face and the ability to add or remove stuffing to find your perfect level of support. We feel the Hest most closely resembles a house pillow in comfort—it has a thick, dense foam core, providing excellent cushioning.
The Hest quickly unzips and unfolds into pure comfort. Perfect for glamping.
In an attempt to achieve higher comfort with minimal packed size, hybrid models consist of an air chamber and a compressible top layer. We think the Nemo Fillo is one of the best at walking this tightrope between comfort and compressibility. Among the inflatables, the Klymit Luxe is fairly comfortable. The quilted polyester shell combines with a rubber-based inflatable bladder to create a spacious surface that conforms effectively to different sleepers' needs and gives the product a great face feel.
Stretching out in the West Deserts of Utah. The Fillo is perfect for sleeping or lounging.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Sea to Summit Aeros Down and the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down are both topped with a quilted layer of down. We found both to offer a noticeable degree of added comfort, resulting in above-average scores for this metric. As inflatable pillows, each goes a long way and is much more comfortable than many other super lightweight inflatable pillows.
The Sea to Summit Aeros Down was the perfect lightweight, comfortable option during a multi-day backpacking trip in the Tetons.
Also scoring decent marks for comfort are the Rumpl Stuffable Fleece, Wise Owl Outfitters Memory Foam and the Teton Sports Pillow. The Rumpl is unique because it uses your own clothes, jackets, socks, or hoodies as stuffing. Due to the variation of possible stuffing, we had a little trouble assessing its true comfort. However, with careful and strategic stuffing of the sleeve, it can provide above-average comfort. The Wise Owl offers nice memory foam as a cushion, while the Teton Sports Pillow uses standard polyester fill.
For the price, the Teton Sports Pillow offers a decent amount of comfort.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
An easy way to add comfort (and puncture protection) is to wrap your pillow in clothing like a balaclava or shirt. A few carefully wrapped garments can make a significant difference and turn a modestly comfortable pillow into a top performer. Don't use smelly clothes, though.
Weight
The weight of your pillow is a big concern if you plan to carry your pillow in your pack on long-distance backpacking excursions. Shorter backpacking trips lasting a handful of days may allow for some leniency, and this metric shouldn't be important at all to car campers. We used our scale to measure the weight of each pillow, stuff sack included. In the end, we were trying to identify the pillow that best balances comfort and weight.
The inflatable pillows we tested weigh much less than their hybrid and compressible counterparts. Easily crushing the competition, the Sea to Summit Aeros Down has the lowest measured weight in our lineup, and is the only pillow to come in at under 3 ounces, though the Nemo Fillo Elite comes quite close at exactly 3 ounces, and regular Aeros Premium is almost just as light at 3.1 ounces. The Nemo Fillo Elite offers more comfort and support than we expected for its lower weight, on par with the Sea to Summit Aeros (non-down version).
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium has one of the lightest weights of all the pillows (3.1 ounces) which is why it's our fave backpacking model.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Rumpl Stuffable Pillowcase is one of the lightest non-inflatable pillows we tested due to its lack of built-in stuffing. The Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down is also decently lightweight.
The Nemo Fillo Elite is pint-sized comfort that weighs just 3 ounces.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
We were also impressed that the Hikenture comes in at under 6 ounces while offering some good head real estate for our heads. The Nemo Fillo hybrid pillow is heavier, with the Wise Owl Outfitters Memory Foam and the Hest Pillow weighing the most of all contenders. To put things into perspective, the difference between the lightest and the heaviest pillows is 30.2 ounces or nearly 2 pounds.
Some of our reviewers preferred using the Klymit Luxe without its exterior quilted pillowcase. On its own, the bladder weighs 3.7 ounces, and it's very soft, comfortable, and rugged enough to use without a cover. This is a great option if you want a larger pillow that is lightweight.
For its massive size (22" X 12.5"), we were impressed with the Klymit Luxe's modest weight (6.4 ounces).
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Packability
The perfect do-everything camping pillow provides five-star comfort while taking up almost no space and weighing next to nothing in its bag. We're still seeking that elusive and dazzling unicorn in the world of cranium cushions. Instead, manufacturers compromise between these opposing characteristics. However, this quality is probably not as important to campers who don't have far to travel between their vehicle and the campsite. Volume becomes an issue when you have to fit everything you're bringing along in your backpack, and sacrifices must be made.
In this test, we measured the volume of each product in its packed form. Packing down to just 0.4 liters are the Aeros, Aeros Down, Fillo Elite, and the Hikenture. Even though the Aeros Down includes a top layer of down, it packs up to almost the same size as the regular Aeros. Other top performers were the Trekology Aluft at 0.5 liters and the Cocoon Air-Core Hood and Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down at 0.6 liters. We were also very pleased with the packed size of the Rumpl Stuffable Pillowcase at 0.7 liters, but if you have to bring extra clothes just to stuff your pillow, the packed size benefits disappear.
Packed size on display. The Hest Pillow is on the far left, while the Sea to Summit Aeros Down on the far right.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Klymit Luxe is notable as well. Measuring 22 x 12.5 inches, it is one of the largest pillows we tested, but it packs down to just 0.8 liters. Likewise, the Exped Mega blows up to 20 x 12 inches but has a packed volume of just 1.3 liters. Lastly, we were very impressed with the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down (large), which inflates to 18 X 12.5 inches, but folds down to just 1.2 liters.
The Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down offers a ton of space, but packs down to the size of a large apple.
Models with compressible fill can be made smaller by using a compression sack. We like to stuff them inside our sleeping bag compression sacks for simplicity and optimal packability.
Support
Here we rated how much loft each pillow provides and how firm they remain from sunup to sundown. A pillow can be soft and comfortable but still not provide enough support to make the next day ache-free. Likewise, it can provide ample support, like some inflatable pillows, but not comfortable support. Your preferred sleeping position influences the amount of support you need. In general, stomach sleepers need a flatter cushion with less support, while side sleepers need a thicker, more supportive pillow to keep the spine aligned. Back sleepers tend to prefer support somewhere in the middle. Matching support to your sleeping habits is the best way to wake up feeling fresh and minimize the risk of neck or back pain.
Inflatable and hybrid pillows like the Nemo Fillo aren't always as luxurious, but they do often provide great support. Moreover, inflatables allow for a range of support preferences thanks to the ability of the user to control the amount of air inside the pillow. We also really like the varied support of the Sea to Summit Aeros, which has a lower and higher end of the pillow.
The Nemo Fillo has a layered support system.
We were very pleased with the support provided by the Rumpl Stuffable. When the right combination of spare clothing is achieved (one of our favorite combos was a pair of pants wrapped in a fleece or down jacket), its support is substantial and quite impressive. But, if all your clothes are wet, or if you're wearing all your extra clothes for warmth, you'll find support and comfort coming up short. Of the ultralight pillows we tested, the Sea to Summit Aeros and Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down offer the most comfortable support. Our favorites, though, are the Nemo Fillo and Hest Pillow, which offer nearly the same support as a regular home pillow.
Lounging on our Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow at camp. It provides comfortable support.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Many of the compressible pillows fared very well in this test. The Hest takes top honors, but the Wise Owl Memory Foam and Therm-a-Rest Compressible are also excellent.
If you prefer a softer, flatter pillow, that's okay. Look for a product that earned a lower score in our support metric.
Ease of Use
When you get to camp, you shouldn't have to struggle to keep your head cushion in place during the night. Likewise, your pillow should deploy quickly and pack and unpack with ease. Lastly, your pillow should be a breeze to wash and dry. We considered a myriad of features related to how easy each pillow is to use. For simplicity's sake, we preferred pillows with attached stuff sacks. Searching for a misplaced stuff sack while packing up camp is less than desirable.
Between dirt, dogs, and drool, cleaning your pillow will eventually be necessary. The Teton Sports Pillow is a cinch to clean; just remove the pillowcase and toss it in the wash. The Klymit Luxe and Hikenture pillows also come with a machine-washable, removable pillowcase for easy cleaning. Models like the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch can be thrown into the washer and dryer as is, which is super convenient. Some models (like the Aeros) are trickier to clean because the manufacturer advises against using a washing machine. We found the inflatable pillows the easiest to clean because a simple wipe-down usually does the trick.
The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch is one of the easiest pillows to setup and use.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Inflating a pillow adds another step to the setup, but we don't think it's a big deal. Our favorite valve systems are found on the Nemo Fillo and Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down. Fine-tuning micro-units of air is an absolute breeze with the very effective twist valves on these models. Pillows like the Sea to Summit Aeros and its sibling, the Aeros Down, employ wide-mouth, flat valves, allowing for quick inflation and rapid deflation but a little less control when fine-tuning.
We inflated our Sea to Summit Aeros Premium in just two breaths. It's two-way valve makes it easy to inflate, deflate, and adjust.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
A Few Things to Consider Before Buying a Camping Pillow
Do you stick to campgrounds or do you like to go off-grid for high adventure? How you spend your time in the outdoors is a key factor in what type of pillow you should buy. Unlike backpacking pillows, car-camping pillows are not subject to weight or size restrictions. They also tend to be more comfortable. Conversely, the pillow you want to take on your next rafting trip or wall climb should be lightweight and have a small packed size. As a rule of thumb, the farther off-grid you plan to go, the smaller and lighter the pillow should be.
Do you lie on your back when you catch some zzzzs or are you a stomach sleeper? If you're either of these types, a thinner pillow may be more comfortable. However, many sleepers lie on their sides at night, which requires a pillow with more loft in order to keep the head and spine level. Finding a pillow that offers an adjustable loft is a key consideration if you want the most versatile pillow.
There are three types of camping pillows: inflatables, compressibles, and hybrids. Inflatables are exactly what they sound like. They use an air bladder that you inflate. These pillows tend to be the lightest, but not necessarily the most comfortable. A compressible pillow is similar to a standard bed pillow. It consists of a fabric exterior filled with foam or polyester. These pillows do not use air for their loft. They are the most comfortable (but not necessarily the most supportive) and are called compressibles because they need to be compressed to be stored in their stuff sacks. A hybrid is generally a cross between an inflatable and a compressible pillow. Hybrids generally have an air bladder that is surrounded by additional batting or padding. Hybrids are heavier than standard inflatable pillows, but offer more support than a compressible.
Other Notable Pillows We Tested
The Trekology Aluft 2.0 uses an entirely new, proprietary air valve to add and release air. It also employs a textured underside, which does a noticeable job of keeping the pillow in place. The strap loops around any sleeping pad and is designed to keep the pillow from moving while you sleep. It's also ergonomically shaped and has a curved top that will fit most mummy hoods. The extra strap and more complex air valve add half an ounce or more of weight to this pillow, which some serious backpackers may take exception to. The fabrics, overall design, and quality of the pillow are similar to many other brands, so the Aluft doesn't stand out much in these areas.
The Hest Pillow is spacious, easy to use, very plush, and offers top-tier support. It's also the first adjustable compression pillow we've ever seen, allowing any user to customize it to their own comfort and support levels. This adjustability makes the Hest a perfect fit for side, back, and stomach sleepers. The pillow easily rolls into itself and fits seamlessly into its rugged, built-in carrying case. However, it's very heavy and bulky, and not well-suited for backpacking, mountaineering, or river running, where space and weight are limited. But it is a good addition to any RV, trailer, tent, or hammock. The manufacturer claims this camp pillow is perfect for toting along to motels and Airbnbs. This is also a great travel option if you can free up a decent amount of luggage space to accommodate its larger packed size.
At 5.6 ounces, the Hikenture could be a decent backpacking pillow for two to three-day trips. It has just under 5 inches of thickness when inflated, so it's ideal for side sleepers, but it can get pretty uncomfortable when sleeping on your stomach, as we found out when we woke up with a neck cramp after using it for one night. The best thing about this pillow is its strap, which held on tight to our inflatable sleeping pad even when we moved around throughout the night. But features aside, this pillow doesn't offer much in the way of comfort.
Chillin' in the crisp October air on our Teton Sports Pillow.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Conclusion
Picking a pillow that best suits your camping or backpacking needs and sleeping style makes this gear category a subjective decision. Try to focus on the high-scoring products in the metrics that matter most to you rather than the overall scores. After all, selecting the right one will improve the quality of your rest, reduce aches and pains, and enhance the experience of overnighting outside. We hope this review helps you determine which pillow will keep you happy on your after-hours adventures at campsites and in the backcountry.
After choosing your pillow, other key components to getting good sleep outdoors include pitching a great tent and making sure you have the right sleeping pad or camping mattress to stay comfortable.
