10 Best Backpacking Pillows For The Rugged Outdoors
The Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow hits all the right notes for a backpacking pillow. The pillow is my overall top pick because of its packability, ultimate comfort, value, and insulation.
Due to the Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow’s foam design, it’s best to let the pillow expand. This process can take a few minutes. The inflation time for the upcycled foam (scraps of reused mattress foam) is annoying but otherwise not a big deal.
If you’re backpacking and want to splurge on one item, let it be this pillow.
Backpacking and mountaineering are tough outdoor activities that require a rested body and a sharp mind. Not only can poor sleep lead to physical pain, but it can also increase brain fog. Being tired can lead to questionable decisions in the backcountry that dramatically increase your risk for injury.
With the right backpacking pillow, you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready for all the challenges ahead. A good pillow will also help you avoid neck and back pain. In this guide, I’ll review the 10 best backpacking pillows so you can sleep well under the stars.
My Review Process
I’ve spent the last two decades mountaineering and backpacking in a variety of places. I’ve found that some items are worth carrying just to make the outdoors more comfortable.
Having a backpacking pillow can save you from losing sleep or waking up with aches and pains. I’ve tried out dozens of backcountry pillows and I’m here to help you find one that will leave you rested and recharged on your next adventure.
The features I look for are ones that are packable, light yet comfortable, and easy to clean. You can learn more about this in the buying guide section below.
Best Overall Pillow
The Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow hits all the right notes for a backpacking pillow. The pillow is my overall top pick because of its packability, ultimate comfort, value, and insulation.
Due to the Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow’s foam design, it’s best to let the pillow expand. This process can take a few minutes. The inflation time for the upcycled foam (scraps of reused mattress foam) is annoying but otherwise not a big deal.
If you’re backpacking and want to splurge on one item, let it be this pillow.
Best Budget Pick
The Wise Owl Pillow is a great choice for backpackers and is my go-to budget pillow. This comfortable camping pillow is not only inexpensive but also large and machine washable. The amount of support and comfort you get from the memory foam is surprising, considering its low price.
The trade-off is an underwhelming carrying case and the general bulkiness of the pillow. A stuff sack is included, but it doesn't really compress the pillow that much. It may be worth buying a compression sack to fold down the pillow more. Still, at such a low price point, this comfortable camping pillow is a great choice for backpackers.
Best Pillow for Backpacking
The small Nemo Fillo Elite is one of the lightest pillows out there and perfect for extended trips through the outdoors. This firm pillow is surprisingly supportive, packs down well, and has a removable pillowcase that you can machine wash.
Due to the Nemo Fillo Elite's supportive and firm feel, it isn’t the softest pillow out there. It also doesn’t provide much insulation from the ground.
Still, this pillow works well in most conditions. If you’re worried about space and weight, the lightweight Nemo Fillo Elite is a great camping pillow candidate.
Best Pillow for Mountaineering
The Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow is a great mountaineering pillow that I’ve used many times. The ergonomic shape cradles your head whether you're a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper. The pillow packs down to a third the size of a Nalgene water bottle and has an air pressure inflation valve, which rapidly fills up the air bladder.
While the Sea to Summit Aeros is a great supportive pillow, it isn’t as soft as other options. The firmness of the pillow may be an issue for lighter sleepers. There isn’t much insulation, so if you're mountaineering in snowy climates, you may want to wear a beanie while sleeping. However, this pillow’s utility, support, and ease of use make it perfect for mountaineering.
Best Pillow for Hiking
If you’re looking for a hybrid pillow to accompany you on day hikes or casual camping trips, the NEMO Fillo is my top pick. The NEMO Fillo is a comfortable hybrid pillow option that provides excellent support. It also comes with a removable pillowcase that's machine washable.
Unfortunately, the NEMO Fillo is a heavier camping pillow and won’t be the best choice for extended backpacking trips. I recommend using this one on day hikes where weight isn’t a huge concern. You can lounge around on the summit or near a stunning lake in comfort.
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers need a pillow with extra loft and enough shape to keep their spine in alignment. As a side-sleeper myself, I love the Therm-A-Rest Air Head Down. The pillow is comfortable, has lots of loft, a soft surface, a non-slip bottom, and an ergonomic shape.
This pillow is a bit pricey, in part because it’s made with down feathers. It’s also a little heavier than some ultralight options. However, if you can manage a little extra weight and heft, this is a stellar backpacking and mountaineering pillow. You can also pack it down well due to its inflatable design.
Best Ultralight Pillow
If pillow weight is your biggest concern, take a look at ultralight backpacking pillows like the ZPacks Medium Dry Bag Pillow. This pillow only weighs one ounce and is my favorite ultralight pillow. It's a fantastic, utilitarian purchase.
The Dry Bag Pillow doesn’t inflate. Instead, you stuff the bag with your clothes and lay on the microfleece outer cover for maximum comfort.
The level of comfort this pillow provides depends on what clothes you bring with you. Lumpy or balled-up clothes will create a lumpy surface on the pillow. A puffy jacket is a great stuff sack item for comfort. This isn't the fanciest backpacking pillow, but it weighs next to nothing. For many weight-conscious backpackers, that’s reason enough to try it.
Best Stuff Sack Pillow
The Hyperlight Mountain Gear Stuff Sack pillow is my favorite stuff sack pillow. This ultralight backpacking pillow is water resistant, compact, comfortable, and great for ultralight backpackers. When you’re not using the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack as a pillow, the water resistance makes it a great bag for a bear hang.
This is a less supportive makeshift pillow than others I’ve tried, and how comfortable it is, depends on what clothing you bring with you. Still, the pillow’s ultralight weight and practical design make the Hyperlight Mountain Gear Stuff Sack a winning choice.
Best Inflatable Pillow
In my opinion, the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow is a fantastic lightweight backpacking pillow and the best inflatable pillow available today. It's a great firm pillow for ultralight backpackers, and deflating the air bladder allows it to pack down well. The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium is also highly supportive.
Like the regular Aeros, this lightweight backpacking pillow isn't as soft as some might prefer. The lack of insulation can also be a big factor for cold weather camping. Still, if you’re looking for a packable, supportive, and reasonably priced inflatable pillow for backpacking, the Aeros Premium is a solid option.
Most Comfortable Pillow
The HEST Pillow is one of the most comfortable backpacking pillows out there. The HEST Pillow's construction uses quality materials, and the pillow is thick enough to support side sleepers. The soft surface feels great on your face, and the warmth of the HEST Pillow also sets it apart from more spartan options.
The HEST Pillow is a luxury pillow, so it doesn't pack down much and can be quite bulky. It’s also one of the most expensive backpacking pillow options. If you’re willing to pay a premium for exceptional comfort, the HEST Pillow is an excellent choice.
Backpacking Pillow Buying Guide
There are a few important things to keep in mind when deciding which pillow will give you the best night’s sleep in the backcountry.
Price
You can find great backpacking pillows for cheap, but budget options usually sacrifice something to keep prices down. A budget option may not be as supportive, packable, or comfortable as more expensive pillows.
If you have camped before and don’t have trouble sleeping, a budget option should suffice. If you’re new to sleeping outdoors, a comfortable camping pillow that cradles you into sleep is an excellent choice that's worth the extra money.
Pillow Type
Not all outdoor pillows are built the same. Inflatable pillows like the Sea to Summit Aeros rely on air or an inflation valve to puff up an inflatable bladder.
Stuff sack pillows are makeshift pillow covers that you stuff extra clothes into to create the pillow. These are the most efficient solutions in terms of weight, but they rely on whatever clothing you bring to make them comfortable.
A compressible pillow is made of compressible materials like upcycled foam. The foam expands when the pillow is unfurled from its stuff sack. The compressible materials offer support, but the foam may need extra time to reach its maximum inflated size.
Lastly, there are hybrid pillows that use a combination of components. This combination is usually an inflatable bladder topped with foam or down insulation. The NEMO Fillo is a good example of a hybrid pillow.
Weight
Weight is one of the top considerations for any mountaineering or backpacking trip. Unlike a car camping pillow, backpacking pillows need to be relatively lightweight. Any extra weight can slow you down on the trail or leave your back aching at the end of a big day.
For extended trips or larger mountaineering objectives, things can get heavy quickly. The good news is that there are quite a few ultralight pillows to choose from on trips where weight is a concern.
Packed Size
Space is another prime consideration. Packed size refers to how much space the pillow takes up when it's not in use. The packed size for a stuff sack will always be the smallest since it's just a cover.
Luxury pillows pack down to about the size of a Nalgene bottle. While small, when you have a tightly packed backpack, it may not be small enough. More ultralight options may be about the size of your fist, so they hardly take up any pack space at all.
Washing Care
Pillows naturally attract oil and dirt from your skin. Some pillows can be washed, but only by hand. The machine washable varieties are much easier to manage. If you’re having trouble finding a pillow that’s machine washable, a nice compromise is a removable cover that is machine washable.
Sleeping Style
Different sleeping styles demand different types of pillows. If you sleep on your back, you need a softer, lower-profile pillow that cradles your head and keeps your spine aligned throughout the night.
If you’re a side-sleeper, you’ll probably want a firm pillow with lots of support and loft. With a supportive pillow, your spine is more aligned with your head and neck. Stomach sleepers need a thinner, softer pillow that allows them to turn their heads and still be able to breathe.
Noise
Ultralight camping pillows may weigh next to nothing but will often make a lot of noise because of the crinkly materials inside them.
If you’re a heavy sleeper, this may not be an issue, but light sleepers won't enjoy sleeping on crinkly materials. If you’re a light sleeper, opt for backpacking pillow options that are softer and quieter, or make sure to bring some earplugs.
Insulation
Some pillows for backpacking are insulated, and some aren’t. Insulated pillows use synthetic insulation or down feathers to keep your head warm overnight.
Non-insulated pillows are great for warm summer nights. Insulation can matter a lot in the alpine or in an environment with wild temperature swings.
Soft Fabrics
Some pillows save weight by reducing the materials they're made of. This usually comes at the expense of comfort. If you like sleeping on soft and warm surfaces, make sure the pillow you're eyeing has soft face fabrics. Soft fabrics can help you fall asleep faster and prevent skin irritation.
Summary
If you want an outdoor pillow that ranks highly across the board, the Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow and the NEMO Fillo Elite are both excellent choices. People who prefer inflatable pillows should check out the Sea to Summit Aeros and Sea to Summit Aeros Premium. For budget shoppers, check out the Wise Owl Pillow.
Ultralight adventurers should check out the ZPack Medium Dry Bag Pillow or the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack. If comfort is the biggest concern, opt for the luxurious HEST Pillow. For day hikers and people interested in a casual camping pillow, the NEMO Fillo is a superb choice.
Common questions
I’m happiest on long backpacking trips into little-known pockets of wilderness, skiing down backcountry mountains, and on all-fours, scrambling the rocky spines of alpine ridges. When I'm not adventuring in the outdoors, I'm most likely writing about them.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
