Best Backpacking Pillow

Mike K

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2012
Messages
878
My wife and I have been looking at pillows for backpacking. I currently stuff clothes (usually my down jacket) in this:

UltraLite_Pillow_Case.jpg

It works alright but I'm curious to see if I'd like an inflatable better. More support, etc.

I'm looking for a light weight option so the contenders seem to be:

Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium - 2.8 or 3.7 oz.
Seat To Summit Aeros Ultralight Pllow - 2.1 or 2.5 oz.
Exped Air Pillow UL - 1.6 or 2.1 oz. (@Nick gave it a big thumbs down for slipperiness)
Exped Air Pillow - 2.6 or 3.2 oz.
Klymit Cush Seat/Pillow - 2.89 oz

From another thread I know several of you (@steve , @Nick, @Opi , @IntrepidXJ, @Miss Buffalo maybe @gnwatts) have the Klymit pillow.

Is the Klymit pillow the hands down winner? Anyone else have any thoughts?

Is the Klymit comfy as a seat cushion and will it hold up?
 
I usually just ball up a fleece or other jacket but recently I bought the Klymit pillow; I only used it on one trip but it was nicer than not having it. At that price and weight there's no harm trying it out.
 
I stuff my puffy (profile pic) into a fleece pillow case. If I feel like it I have a Quixote travel down pillow to add support. We added Velcro to keep the flap shut and it works great.

For a seat I use the Big Agnes cyclone SL chair. We paid considerably less than the $65 price tag :eek:
 
Nick I have the same ear problem and found the kush's ear divot to be a good solution. Also it's not slippery or smelly.
 
Good stuff guys, thanks. I agree, for the price (around $12), the Klymit is definitely worth a try. If I'm going to like an inflatable it sounds like the Klymit is the one.
 
I have an Exped pillow pump. I've tried to a few times but it always seems to end up slipping to the side of my head so I always go back to my sleeping bag stuff sack filled with a down jacket.

So, IMO you are on the right track with that little bag thing you have.
 
I have an Exped pillow that I love. I have found that the key to having it not move around as much is to not inflate the pillow all the way. It is also much more comfortable this way. The new Sea to Summit pillows are very nice and have a cotton cloth feel on the face. They will be introducing some awesome ones that weigh about 4 oz. and are the size of a real pillow for 2016. I saw them at Outdoor Retailer and was very impressed.
 
I really like my exped but I haven't tried the other ones you mentioned. I also have a green one called a "cacoon ultralight". That one's totally fine, but I like the shape and valves of the exped better, giving it a slight edge.
 
I do like the Klymit pillow. I use it on my longer trips only. I don't inflate all the way and I wrap my puffy jacket around it. It does slip around a little but so do my other pillows. I use my old Kelty synthetic pillow (~6.5oz) on my shorter weekend and overnighters, it's just a little more comfy and I like a few luxuries on shorter trips. I have not tried any of the other inflatable pillows.
 
Exped Air Pillow. Side sleeper. 2 months continuous, 3 months total sleep nights. No complaints at all.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.
 
I have a small down pillow from Western Mountaineering that I love, I usually put some fleece under it for more support.
 
My wife and I have been looking at pillows for backpacking. I currently stuff clothes (usually my down jacket) in this:

View attachment 36974

It works alright but I'm curious to see if I'd like an inflatable better. More support, etc.

I'm looking for a light weight option so the contenders seem to be:

Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium - 2.8 or 3.7 oz.
Seat To Summit Aeros Ultralight Pllow - 2.1 or 2.5 oz.
Exped Air Pillow UL - 1.6 or 2.1 oz. (@Nick gave it a big thumbs down for slipperiness)
Exped Air Pillow - 2.6 or 3.2 oz.
Klymit Cush Seat/Pillow - 2.89 oz

From another thread I know several of you (@steve , @Nick, @Opi , @IntrepidXJ, @Miss Buffalo maybe @gnwatts) have the Klymit pillow.

Is the Klymit pillow the hands down winner? Anyone else have any thoughts?

Is the Klymit comfy as a seat cushion and will it hold up?
Hay, thanks for the pillow case Idea. I took the pillow case from a crappy synthetic camp pillow and stuffed it with my down jacket. I tested it out over the weekend and it worked great. It is much better than a nylon stuff sack or an air pillow. In the real world or camping you can't get any better than an a firm 800 fill down pillow.
 
Hay, thanks for the pillow case Idea. I took the pillow case from a crappy synthetic camp pillow and stuffed it with my down jacket. I tested it out over the weekend and it worked great. It is much better than a nylon stuff sack or an air pillow. In the real world or camping you can't get any better than an a firm 800 fill down pillow.
I use a fleece pillow case and stuff my puffy inside. It's better, generally, than my pillow at home. I did sew velcro on the opening to keep my puffy from trying to escape. It also helps keep the pillow fluffy yet firm! :D
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
ghsmith76 Looking for best multi-day Backpacking Trips near Livingston, MT Trip Planning 6
B Best Time of Year for Backpacking the Uintas in Utah Trip Planning 15
kimbur96 Best lens for backpacking? Photography 14
Jimmy Best Backpacking Near Phoenix/Scottsdale? Trip Planning 1
muir_mountain Best Backpacking in early June Trip Planning 12
natylka Advice on the best lightweight sleeping bag for backpacking. Gear 27
natylka Advice on the best light backpacking tent Gear 39
Devin Ashby Best Cedar Mesa/Bears Ears Guide Books? Trip Planning 8
Parma The Best Arch in Utah is... General Discussion 20
forest dweller The best / ideal conditions/ criteria to backpack with a stranger / allow a stranger to backpack with you... General Discussion 6
forest dweller What do you think is the best way to meet other SERIOUS backpackers when you only backpack once or twice a year and... General Discussion 52
Nick Best of 2019 General Discussion 48
Perry Exploring above Cataract Basin - One of the Best Seats in the House Hiking & Camping 1
Nick Best of 2018 General Discussion 43
Outdoors24 Best computer for picture/video editing? General Discussion 26
Vegan.Hiker A Personal Best (ascent) - Pemi Loop, WMNF Backpacking 23
T Best practices for upcoming trip General Discussion 4
JDWalters Best time to photograph Zebra Slot? Trip Planning 3
Upgrayedd Best place to live? General Discussion 46
IntrepidXJ Meet the woman who knows Bears Ears best General Discussion 106
Perry Leona Spring Trail to UHT - A New Personal Best Day Hike Hiking & Camping 2
B Best Alternatives to the Sierras Backpacking 12
Kelin Best Route to Alpine Lakes? Trip Planning 4
JoshuaDyal Best San Juans hike Trip Planning 0
LarryBoy Best ranges for off-trail travel General Discussion 11
Langdon Greene 2016 might be your best chance to do Wonderland (Rainier) Trip Planning 2
Mike Jones Best UL Mountain Hardwear Rain Jacket Gear 2
SwimsWithTrout Best time of year for San Rafael Swell/Cedar Mesa ? Trip Planning 4
Nick Best Packrafting Paddle Gear 8
T Best place to backpack the Bob Marshall? Trip Planning 17
WasatchWill Best Cell Phone Camera: iPhone, G4, S6, or Other? General Discussion 6
Chuck the Mauler Best dual use camera? Photography 6
uintahiker What is the Best 3 day trip in the Uintas? Trip Planning 17
balzaccom Your best shot General Discussion 2
Scott Chandler Help with the Best of the CPW Photography 9
jmerkley9 Best Car Camping - Uintas Trip Planning 2
Laura My tent shot is the featured photo for Best of May 2014 Photography 8
Antlerking Gear Review Best Hiking Briefs Gear Reviews 15
DrNed Best Hikes in Canyonlands Trip Planning 8
D Cedar Mesa to Hanksville, best day hike options? Trip Planning 3
Tater Head It was the best of times, It was the worst of times... General Discussion 6
Nick Best easy day hikes around Salt Lake General Discussion 25
Aldaron Best hike in the Uintas General Discussion 2
Aldaron The best part of BCP General Discussion 6
slc_dan Best Book for Hiking in the Uintas? Trip Planning 11
Nick BCP wins 'Best Adventure Blog'! General Discussion 16
uintahiker Aravaipa Canyon- what end is best? Trip Planning 2
Nick Album Best of 2012 Photography 45
intuitive cat what was your best/most satisfactory new gear this last season? Gear 18
Dan Best Camp Shoe - What's the lightest and most versatile? Gear 51

Similar threads

Back
Top