Best 10 Backpacking Pillows Of 2024

One of the best ways to get very comfortable and have a good night sleep while in the wilderness is to get a backpacking pillow. It is certainly hard to get comfortable while in the outdoors and getting as many comfortable items as we can is a good decision. Backpacking pillows are very light, compact and easy to carry which makes them ideal for the outdoors. It is just easier to sleep when I have a pillow with me. I have listed a few of the best backpacking pillows that I know of. Be sure to check out at least one of them.

Best Backpacking Pillows – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Backpacking Pillow

Types Of Pillows

Foam Pillows

Whenever I think of foam pillows, I usually think of memory foam. Memory foam is the most common foam pillow that you will see. Memory foam is very lightweight and very comfortable. However, this type of pillow is not very compact. You may have a hard time carrying this to your intended destination.

Inflatable Pillows

In order to use an inflatable pillow, you will have to blow air into it. Usually, you will need 10-15 breaths. This pillow becomes soft and comfortable once it gets inflated. If you want more comfort, it is advisable to put a soft pillow cover. The cover will be very soft on the skin while the pillow provides cushioning.

Travel Pillows

Travel pillows are often neck pillows. You basically wrap the pillow on your neck. The pillow is often made for airplane travel. Travel pillows can be made out of memory foam or this can be an inflatable pillow as well. This type of pillow is meant to provide comfort while sitting down in an airplane.

Built In Pillows

Some inflatable sleeping pads have a built in pillow. The top will usually inflate and extend outwards so that people can rest their heads there. These pillows are good for cushioning the head but you cannot take them apart from the sleeping pad.

Outdoor Activity Considerations

Car Camping / RV camping

If you are planning on going car camping or RV camping, you can bring a lot of gear and equipment since you do not need to worry about carrying the items to the campground. You can bring any type of pillow you want. You can even bring pillows from your own home. Most would bring a memory foam pillow though.

Backpacking

If you are not planning on hiking for a lot of miles, you can bring memory foam pillows since they are the most comfortable. They are pretty bulky though and not very compact. If you plan on hiking for a lot of miles then I recommend getting an inflatable pillow because they are lighter and more compact.

Minimalist Backpacking

Minimalist backpackers usually do not bring any type of pillow. Pillows would add weight to the backpack and use more room. Pillows are more of a luxury item and not really needed. Most minimalist backpackers would not use a pillow. If they did, they would most likely get inflatable pillows.

Pillow Features To Think About

Weight Capacity

Inflatable pillows have a weight capacity. At home, we can roll around or jump on our pillows. But inflatable pillows would burst if we do this. They have a finite amount of weight that they can handle so it is best not to sit on them.

Cover

If the pillow is not that comfortable, you can put a cover. Covers can make an outdoor pillow more comfortable. Most inflatable pillows are made out of nylon and polyester. These fabrics are affordable and great for the outdoors but they are not very comfortable. If we put a cover, the pillow will become more comfortable.

Backpacking Features We Should Consider

Comfort

We are bringing pillows for comfort. I am one of the people that cannot sleep without a pillow. The sleeping pad is just not comfortable without a pillow. I like my head on top of something nice and soft. I sleep faster and better that way. There are a lot of people like me also. We need a comfortable pillow. Unfortunately, finding that really good comfortable pillow for backpacking can be tough. Hopefully, I can help you out.

Weight

The weight of the pillow matters. There are a lot of very comfortable pillows that I want to bring but they are often very heavy. If you are backpacking, all of your gear will have a weight. The weight can add up very fast. It is ideal that you get a backpacking pillow that is very lightweight so that you will not be very tired once you arrived at the camp site. We also have lots of items we need to bring. Each has a weight and a pillow is more of a luxury and not a necessity.

Packable

The pillow should be very compact. Pillows are often considered a luxury. Pillows are not a necessity. I can train myself to not use a pillow. I will survive also if I do not use a pillow for a week or so. Since we have a limited amount of backpack space, the pillow that we bring cannot be very big. It has to be very compact. We have a limited amount of backpack space and that space already belongs to our sleeping bags, tents, survival gear, cookware, foods and so on.

Durable

Backpacking pillow should be durable. Most of the time, a backpacking pillow will be inflatable because they are very compact. You need to make sure that the item that you got is very durable. Sleep on it before using it in the outdoors. Make sure that it can handle the weight of your head. Some items they break apart easily and some are poorly made. So make sure that your pillow is very durable before taking it to the outdoors.

Easy To Setup

The pillow should be easy to inflate or deflate or easy to setup. If it is foldable, it should be easy to unfold and fold at the same. It should be easy to pack and unpack. You don’t really want something complicated or take too much effort. Something very easy to use with no complicated instructions would be far better for backpacking.

Best Backpacking Pillows

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1. Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 9 oz
Material: Brushed polyester cover
Dimensions: 14 x 18 x 4″
Compact: Yes, 14 x 5 x 6″ compressed
Feature Summary: Foam filling expands into a 4-inch thick pillow for head, neck, and back support, compact design packs into a backpack, duffle, suitcase, or tote, brushed polyester cover is soft against skin for comfort

Short Review: I just like this backpacking pillow because this is spectacular. This is constructed out of brushed polyester cover that is soft against skin which makes this very comfortable. This also features a lofty urethane fill that is an upcycled byproduct of Thermarest mattresses. This has a compact design that packs into a backpack, duffle, suitcase, or tote. The drawstring and cord lock keeps pillow securely compressed when not in use. The design is rather lovely which is why I do not mind recommending this to lots of men and women. The compact design provides us with more room in our backpacks. This is a pretty good item for backpacking, travel and camping since this is very comfortable. I like it and feels good on the head. Very comfortable.

2. Klymit Pillow X Inflatable Camp & Travel Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.95 oz
Material: 30D polyester top with a 75D polyester bottom
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 4 Inches
Compact: Yes, 4.5” x 2.5”x 1”
Feature Summary: Supportive and ultralight, durable and incredibly comfortable, perfect inflatable pillow for camping, backpacking, hunting, and traveling, features an innovative self centering x design to keep your head perfectly oriented on the pillow

Short Review: This is certainly top-of-the-line backpacking pillows that I am aware of. This small pillow can be inflated or deflated in 1-2 breaths to meet desired support level. This backpacking pillow also makes a great seat cushion for sitting around a campfire or seated boating activities. The small travel pillow easily compresses down to 4.5 by 2.5 by 1 inches which is about the size of a lighter, when deflated and weighs just 2.55 ounces. t is awesome that this is extremely high quality and that it is also really budget friendly simultaneously. The lightweight design is great if we want to carry lots of items. This is great for camping and backpacking. A nice pillow that we can sleep on. One of the very best items that I have obtained considering the comfort this brings and its durability.

3. TETON Sports ComfortLite Self Inflating Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 11.2 oz
Material: ComforTech microfiber
Dimensions: 46x25x10 cm
Compact: Yes, 33x9x9 cm
Feature Summary: Wake up comfortably even in the car or airplane, microfiber top feels soft against your face, grey non-slip bottom keeps pillow in place, open the twist valve and watch the pillow fill itself up

Short Review: We are often looking for some extremely fantastic backpacking pillows such as this. This has a microfiber top that feels soft against the skin while the grey non-slip bottom keeps pillow in place. This is very easy to clean, just wipe it off with a damp cloth. Features a rapid inflation valve, just twist open and watch the pillow fill itself up and you can adjust the firmness to your preference. I love that this has exceeded my expectations and this can create a comfortable place to sleep. I like that this is incredibly durable as well. If you listen to my recommendations, you will not feel disappointed about your order because you will not get a really fragile item. This is very compact and small enough to fit inside your backpack.

4. Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel/Camping Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.75 oz
Material: elastic TPU fabric
Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 4″
Compact: Yes, 5×2″
Feature Summary: Inflates to a comfortable pillow for head or lumbar support, improved ergonomic design with enhanced neck support for a restful night’s sleep, enhanced design with added layers for head support that is constructed from highly durable elastic tpu fabric that boasts water resistance

Short Review: I am suggesting this pillow given that I am certain you will love it. This is a very comfortable pillow that inflates to a generous 16 x 12 x 4 inches, in a mere 3-5 breaths. This is constructed from highly durable elastic TPU fabric that boasts water resistance. This also features slip resistant material that prevents people’s head from moving around while they sleep. It is true that I only recommend high quality items such as this because I want men and women to be happy with their order. A very versatile item that gives lots of comfort when you are about to sleep. This has exceeded my expectations and it is one of the best that I have found online.

5. Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.8 oz
Material: 50D polyester knit
Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 5 in.
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Inflate pillow in just a couple of breaths with the multi-functional valve. Brushed 50d polyester knit is very soft and durable, curved internal baffles create contours that cradle your head, synthetic fill between pillow case and tpu bladder increases comfort and wicks away perspiration

Short Review: This pillow is quite inexpensive and it has a lot of happy customers. This features technical fabrics reduce weight, will withstand exposure to moisture and pack down small and comes with soft brushed knit exterior that feels good on the skin. This comes with multi-function mini valve provides easy inflation, fast deflation and the ability to fine-tune the pressure. I have no complaints, this is solid and functional. Compact design is very useful because we can put more items in our backpack. It is easier and a lot more fun to have this for the outdoors because this is designed to specifically for sleeping in the outdoors. A very comfortable pillow that can be used for backpacking and camping trips.

6. ALPS Mountaineering MicroFiber Camp Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 8 oz
Material: Soft outer Microfiber fabric
Dimensions: 10″ x 20″
Compact: Yes, 6.5″ x 9″
Feature Summary: Soft outer microfiber fabric allows you to sleep comfortably through the night, filled with our techloft insulation, making the pillow warm and soft to lay on, standard stuff sack included so you can easily bring extra comfort anywhere you go

Short Review: This backpacking pillow stands apart over a lots of other similar items. This is constructed out of soft brushed polyester fabric allows you to sleep comfortably through the night and comfortable fill insulation makes the pillow warm and soft to lay on. This also comes with a standard stuff sack included so you can easily bring extra comfort anywhere you go. The simple design of this pillow is very good because it enables the item to work well and be very budget friendly. The weight is very light which makes this outdoor friendly as well. You can sleep comfortably at night when you are in a backpacking trip with a nice pillow like this.

7. Klymit Drift Camping Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: ‎0.98 Kilograms
Material: Memory Foam
Dimensions: 23 x 23 inches
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Ultralight and compact travel pillow, air-core inflatable design, shaped for use with a sleeping bag hood or hammock, gives you on the spot comfort with a synthetic insulating layer

Short Review: If you would like something fantastic then this pillow for camping meets your needs. This is constructed with a water-resistant outer shell that is easy to clean and designed to stand up to the great outdoors. The soft Jersey cotton inner pillow case promotes sound sleep and it is also very comfortable. This shredded foam pillow provides the perfect balance of support and comfort. The design is highly unique and fantastic. This allows the items to be low-priced and functional at the same time. A very comfortable pillow that is easy to deflate and inflate. Multi-purpose item that makes the outdoors a lot easier and this is very good as well.

8. REDCAMP Outdoor Camping Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 8 oz
Material: Flannel top and a polyester bottom
Dimensions: 12 x 20″
Compact: Yes, 10 x 6″
Feature Summary: Comfort and luxury of our bestselling pillow anywhere you go, travel camping size pillow provides complete support and comfort, you can put in your backpack with a storage bag and you can’t feel this weight from your back

Short Review: Among the best items that I have ever tried is this pillow for the outdoors. This is constructed out of high quality flannel pillowslip, skin and soft, easy to replace and clean and comes with non woven fabric lining that is filled with 250g hollow fiber which makes the pillow extremely comfortable. This is very lightweight and this works well for car camping trips. love how easy it is to use this item. It is easier and a lot more fun to have this for the outdoors because this works well. This has lots of positive reviews and you can find out why a lot of people are happy with this pillow by reading through the reviews.

9. Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 9 oz
Material: Polyester / Memory Foam
Dimensions: 12 x 16 inches
Compact:
Feature Summary: Hammock pillow will give you a great night’s sleep wherever you lay your head, made with cushioned memory foam wrapped in a soft, micro-suede cover, ultimate support and comfort, designed for hassle-free cleaning

Short Review: This outdoor pillow is quite budget friendly and it has a lot of satisfied buyers. This is constructed out of cushioned memory foam wrapped in a soft, micro-suede cover which makes this very comfortable. This backpacking pillow gives you a truly supportive rest and will help you sleep at night. This is very portable as well,  you can just quickly and easily pack this camping essential into the included waterproof storage bag and you’re ready to go. You cannot tell how effective this is until you have tried it. The quality of this is superb. It looks like it will last for quite a while. The compact design is great for people who are carrying a lot of items. Sleeping in the outdoors is a lot easier if you have one of

10. Hikenture Camping Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 5.6 oz
Material: Elastic TPU fabric
Dimensions: 17.3”x12.2”x4.7”
Compact: Yes, 3″x3″x5″
Feature Summary: Inflates to a comfortable pillow for head or lumbar support, lightweight and compact design, pillow packs down to just the size of a soda can, enhanced design with added layers for head support

Short Review: A good deal of men and women are typically amazed at how impressive this camping pillow is. This is constructed with skin-friendly outer surface is made of breathable cotton and ensures a super soft touch. This also features inner woven polyester layer adds extra comfort to help you fall asleep.  This features a one click valve which allows people to fully inflate the pillow in only a few breaths. Lots of people love this item just by looking at the reviews and ratings. Compact design makes this very desirable because we need all the space in our backpacks. This is an incredibly affordable, well-built pillow and it is really sturdy.