Best Backpacking Pillows

Can A Backpacking Pillow Be Used For More?

Backpacking pillows are great because they are small, compact and allow you to travel with a quality pillow that does not take up too much space. Backpacking pillows are small but still manage to hold and support your head and neck throughout the night despite where you are sleeping or in which position.

Quick Look At Our Top 5 Picks

IMAGE PRODUCT
  • Upcycled
  • Compactable
  • Machine washable
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  • Extremely durable
  • Compacts to 5 x2 inches
  • Ergonomic design
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  • Poly-flannel material
  • Extra soft
  • Company you know and trust
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  • Shredded memory foam
  • Easy to compact
  • Lightweight design
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  • Durable
  • Hypoallergenic
  • No harsh chemicals or heavy metals
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If you need to, you can use the pillow not only on trips or when you are backpacking, or on the plane but at home as well. They are not specifically designed to be used at home, but if you find that you are missing a pillow or you need an extra one for a guest or someone sleeping on the couch, you will find that these pillows would suit your needs perfectly.

Special Considerations For Creating This List

  • Compact design: The pillows of course should be a small size and should be easily able to compact so that they can fit with your travel gear. The pillow should be able to be brought down into travel size yet still inflate and be brought into an appropriate size to comfortable cradle your head.
  • Durable: Regardless of the material that is used to create the pillow it should be made to be durable and hold up in all weather conditions. It should also be able to hold up for long term use so that you do not have to buy a new one in a year or so.
  • Soft material: The material used for the inside of the pillow as well as the outside of the pillow should be extremely soft. Whether it is foam, air or shredded memory foam it should be soft enough to keep your head gently cradled and supported.
  • Machine washable: The pillow should be easy to wash, if it is an inflatable it should be simply washed with soap and water. If the pillow is made of another material it should be machine washable and be able to hold up to the multiple machine washes you need to use.

Top 5 Backpacking Pillows Reviewed

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow for Camping

If you are looking for a backpack pillow that is not only light weight but is easy to pack away whether or not you are taking this pillow on a camping trip, a train or long bus ride or even if you are taking a flight. You can order it in one only size but in multiple different colors such as amethyst, bluebird, cardinal, clover, denim, grey, pistachio or furry camo depending on your own style and personal preferences.

This is a compressible little pillow that easily stows away without losing its shape or comfort over time. Most all travel and backpacking pillows are already a small size but this one is special because it is able to compact itself down and make it easier for you to fit in to virtually any space.

The stuffing of this pillow is made out of soft foam that is four inch thick to keep your head and or neck cradled through the duration of your adventure. This pillow is perfect for taking on journeys and when you come home you can send it through the washing machine as often as you need to without worrying that it will damage or change the shape of the pillow.

As many people who are campers and outdoorsmen or women, you probably have a love for nature and want to see it better protected. With this pillow you will find it made out of recycled material making it eco-friendly and guilt-free.

Pros:

  • Upcycled
  • Compactable
  • Machine washable
  • Multiple color options

Cons:

  • Some report it being far too small
  • Some users report it being too lumpy

Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel/Camping Pillows

Trekology has manufactured a very light, inflatable pillow that can be easily stored in the house, in a bag and on any vehicle. Not only is ultralight something that everyone is looking for in a travel pillow, but being able to compress it and pack it easily, without hassle is a major plus.

This pillow is great because it allows you to easily inflate it, and set it up so that you can use it at a moments notice. The lightweight design is great when you are packing your bag full and their is extra weight holding your bag down, you do not want to add a heavy, and awkwardly shaped pillow that is difficult to pack into your backpack.

You can deflate and fold this pillow into a 5 by 2 inches size which can slide into a pocket and when it is filled up it will measure 16 by 12 by 4 inches in an ergonomic design to provide support not just for your head and neck but for your back or legs as well. You can order your compact inflatable pillow in one of eight different colors including black, brown, orange, pink, blue, green, dark blue or blue camo.

Durability is something that was kept in mind when creating this pillow, so you know that it is going to last you through many trips. It is easy to use and you simply have to inflate the pillow with a small button that you press once to begin filling the pillow.

Pros:

  • Extremely durable
  • Compacts to 5 x2 inches
  • Ergonomic design
  • Many color options

Cons:

  • Some had trouble keeping it inflated
  • Some say it inflates to a too large of a size

TETON Sports Camp Pillow Perfect for Anytime You Travel

Teton Sports Camp pillow is compactly designed and comes with a travel bag as well so you can keep the pillow encased and in good condition. You can order this pillow in a checked or plaid pattern and in a variety of fun different colors including red and black, brown, black and beige, in yellow and black or in black, red, white and grey colored.

This pillow is made of a poly flannel material to keep it warm and fuzzy and it is also an extremely fluffy pillow despite that fact that it is compact. Teton is a company known for making quality sports equipment so it is a name and a brand you can trust when purchasing a travel pillow.

You can machine wash this pillow whenever and as often as you need it to be without the pillow coming out misshapen. You can keep it fluffed, and comfortable and in good quality to use long-term on all of your ventures.

Pros:

  • Poly-flannel material
  • Extra soft
  • Company you know and trust
  • Machine washable

Cons:

  • Some expected it to be more fluffy than it was
  • Some report it not being very comfortable

Compact Travel Pillow Made with Shredded Memory Foam

For those of you who love memory foam, especially shredded memory foam, this is going to be the pillow you may find best suits you. Memory foam is going to conform to the shape of your head and neck and provide you with extra support even when you are sleeping on the ground on a camping trip.

The shredded memory foam makes the pillow even more comfortable because it can adjust and move to your needs. It is also covered in a fleece case that is soft against your face and warm for you as well.

The pillow can be folded in half and compacted so that you can more easily store the pillow and pack it away for a trip. It comes with a clip to carry it attached to your bag or to hang it in your tent to keep it dry.

The pillow is lightweight so it will not be weighing down your bag and as it can be compacted, it will not be awkward for you to try to pack it in with everything else. The pillow is grey and stylish so it will match with most any camping gear design and color you have.

Pros:

  • Shredded memory foam
  • Easy to compact
  • Lightweight design
  • Fleece lined

Cons:

  • Some say it takes awhile to expand
  • Some report it being uncomfortable

Coop Home Goods – Adjustable Travel/Camping Pillow

Coop Home Goods is a company that is known for making quality pillows and sleeping equipment so it is a name you can trust when it comes to purchasing a travel pillow. Their pillow case is made of bamboo which creates a viscose rayon cover which is breathable and helps to keep you cool throughout the night.

The pillow is very durable so you can keep using it again and again on as many adventures, long journeys and trips that you want and need to take. It is a hypoallergenic pillow that keeps the irritants off of you as well as repels the dust mites so you can sleep knowing that you will breathe comfortably through the night.

Coop Home Goods prides themselves on only using materials that their customers know and trust and leaving out unnecessary additives. There are no harsh chemicals or heavy metals used in the entire process of creating, cleaning, finishing and distributing this pillow to you.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Hypoallergenic
  • No harsh chemicals or heavy metals
  • Bamboo cover

Cons:

  • Some had pillows fall apart on arrival
  • Some say the size is very small

Closing Thoughts

Backingpacking, adventuring and generally going on trips should be fun, relaxing and enjoyable as much as it is possible. For this reason, your pillow should be supportive, and soft to help you actually rest your head and relieve stress.

These pillows should not be expensive, and should not be overly large but should be easy to compact and fit into your backpack. They should not be weighty, but should be light and take up little to no space in your pack.

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About Mariam Mariam loves to sleep. In fact, you will most likely find her in her bed drafting a new article while watching Game of Thornes..