Sometimes a few luxury items can go a long ways towards helping you really enjoy camping, and a pillow is often one of those items. And for some getting a good nights sleep without a pillow is difficult to impossible. Whatever the case, there is a camping pillow for you.
Camping Pillow
What to look for when looking for a camping pillow.- Weight - If you are car camping then this isn't all that applicable, but for those that have to carry their gear, weight will matter. Pillows don't weigh much, but then they really are a luxury item, and the last thing you want is to be weighted down by luxury items.
- Size - Similar to the point above, those who have to carry their gear will not want an overly large pillow taking up all kinds of their room in their backpack. A small pillow, or better yet a compressible pillow will minimize space taken up in your backpack.
Best Camping Pillow
A selection of the best camping pillows available.- Mont Bell U.L. Comfort System Pillow - Just like there are inflatable and foam sleeping pads, so too are there inflatable and foam pillows. This pillow from Mont Bell falls under the inflatable category. The benefits of an inflatable pillow is that they pack down extremely small, and can be made a variety of thicknesses. And it weighs just 2.3 ounces, or 65 grams, which is hard to argue with. Plus, it is surprisingly comfortable.
- Therm-A-Rest Trekker Pillowcase - Why take a pillow when you have plenty of soft things, like sweaters, along already? Well, these things tend to shift around at night, for one. But if you take a pillowcase, you can stuff all that soft stuff in and viola, you have a pillow. You could always just grab a pillowcase from home, but a microfleece pillowcase like the Trekker will feel that much better at night. And it weighs just 2.3 ounces, or 65 grams, which makes it a lightweight alternative to a full pillow.
- Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow - If nothing but a real pillow will do, this pillow from Therm-A-Rest is the best you will find. It compresses in to the pillowcase when not in use so you don't have to worry about it taking up room in your bag, and has that familiar, plush pillow feel to lull you to sleep. Weights vary from 7 ounces, or 198 grams, to 12 ounces, or 340 grams, depending on the size you choose, so your comfort does come at a bit of weight increase over the other two options.
Alternatives to Camping Pillows
As stated above, a pillowcase is a lightweight alternative to a pillow, provided you have a few clothing items to stuff in to the case at night. It might be a bit lumpy, but it will keep you comfortable.Of course you can always just fold those same clothes up and make a pillow from the layers. Provided you have enough extra clothing this is a great option, and means that you don't have to carry any extra gear with you. It also means your clothes are toasty warm, though perhaps a bit drooled on, in the morning.
