The Best Camping Pillows In 2023

Top 5 Best Camping Pillows 2023:

1. Nemo Fillo
2. Trekology Ultralight Pillow
3. Klymit Deluxe
4. Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
5. Rumpl Stuffable Fleece Pillowcase

When you think about it, sleeping outdoors seems lovely and relaxing, but in reality, it is one uncomfortable nightmare!

Let’s face it, the ground can never be as comfy as your bed, but there are things that you can do to make it more pleasant.

For example, a camping pillow can make a world of difference in terms of sleep quality in the great outdoors. Seriously, this little thing can turn the most humble camping trip into a “glamping” extravaganza.

You’ll be able to enjoy your weekend in nature fully rested and ready for a day filled with adventure.

Don’t believe us? 

Try it for yourself!

In today’s article, we’re going to help you find the best camping pillow for your needs, so let’s get down to it!

What To Look For When Buying A Camping Pillow?

Ok, so how do you pick a pillow that’s going to suit you the best?

You go through the following sections to learn about the most important factors of camping pillows and then make an informed choice. 

Below, you can read about the key things to know before spending your hard-earned money.

1. Sleeping Position

The first thing that you need to think about is your preferred sleeping style. 

Are you a back, or a side-sleeper?

When it comes to side sleepers, the ideal camping pillow is the one that’s a bit higher so that it accommodates your neck well. 

On the other hand, back sleepers will probably feel better sleeping on low-profile pillows, as they won’t bend their neck too much.

But wait, there’s more.

The softness (or firmness) of a pillow also plays a significant role here. The rule of thumb is that side sleepers go for a bit firmer while back sleepers should be fine with softer pillows. Of course, this choice is entirely up to you as only you know what feels best for your body.

Related: The Best Pillow For Combination Sleepers

2. Size And Compressibility

Deciding which pillow size is right for you requires quite a bit of consideration.

If you’re a camper who tries to pack as light as possible, then a small inflatable pillow will be a good perfect choice. 

When folded and packed, such pillows are no bigger than your average smartphone. You’ll have to sacrifice comfort for compressibility, but when camping, even a little pillow goes a long way.

In case that comfort is your primary concern, look for something bigger and plusher. The backpackers who are in “camp cozy” will be happy to learn that there are many soft and (relatively) large models that can be packed down to the size of a water bottle.

3. Weight

Weight of the pillow is, again, something that will concern backpackers, but not so much car campers or “glampers”. 

Those who carry their camping gear on their backs will probably try to spare every ounce, but we urge them to think about their sleep quality just for a second.

Let’s be real, the lighter the pillow, the less comfortable it’s going to be, and this is a compromise that backpackers have to make. However, try to find the golden mean and get the best of both worlds.

Unfortunately, there is no “best weight” to be recommended, so you’ll have to do the math and figure out what’s the most you can carry.

4. Ease Of Cleaning

There’s no way to camp without getting dirty, and we’re sure you’re aware of this by now. This implies that your camping pillow will require to be cleaned from time to time, and you want that process to be as easy as possible.

The painful truth of camping pillows is that more comfort means more hassle in every other aspect. This is also true in the case of cleaning, as big, plush, snuggly models require the most effort to wash.

On the other end of the spectrum, inflatable or sack pillows are the simplest to wash and the quickest to dry.

The option that encompasses both comfort and easy maintenance is a foam model with a casing that can be taken off and thrown into the washing machine.

5. Temperature

There’s no AC in your tent, so you’ll have to adjust to the temperature in nature any way you can. 

What role does a pillow play here?

Well, your pillow should be able to keep your head warm on cold nights and keep it cool when it’s hot outside. Also, look for moisture-wicking materials when going camping in the summer, because you’re probably going to be sweating a lot.

Certain companies makes two-sided models, with one side being suitable for cold temperatures and the other side for warm weather. You’ll find an example of such a pillow later in the article.

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Types Of Camping Pillows

Before we get into the best pillow list, we’d like to get you acquainted with all the different kinds of camping pillows out there.

The following paragraphs will clarify the term “camping pillow” for you, and thus give you a better idea of what to look for.

1. Sack Pillows

These pillows are, well, sacks. 

Plain old sacks made from materials that are pleasant to sleep on, which you fill up with your clothes and use as a pillow.

Genius, right?

They are the most lightweight of all the options, but their comfort isn’t exactly top-notch. They can be very pleasant with the right stuffing, but not as nice with the wrong one.

2. Inflatable Pillows

Inflatable pillows are light, foldable, compact, and easy to pack when deflated. Once you inflate them, you’ll get a firm pillow with enough height to support a side-sleeper. 

Their downside is that they might be too hard on the ears after sleeping on them for a few hours.

3. Compressible Pillows

Compressible models are the ones that closest resemble what you have at home. They are filled with foam, down, or other soft materials.

This means that they are possibly the comfiest out of all camping pillows, but also quite heavy and bulky.

4. Hybrid Pillows

The hybrid variety tries to achieve optimal comfort and packing size at the same time. Such pillows usually have an air bladder in the middle, surrounded by layers of foam or other materials.

It wouldn’t be wrong to think of them as an inflatable pillow, but more comfortable and bulkier.

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5 Best Camping Pillows In 2023: Detailed Reviews

Now that you’ve learned all the essentials, it’s time to take a look at the top 5 camping pillows that we were able to find. 

Below, you can read some carefully constructed reviews that’ll help you pinpoint the model that suits your needs.

1. Nemo Fillo

In the camping world, Nemo is a name that needs no special introduction. 

The exquisite quality of their gear has made this company one of the most reputable in the industry. Let’s check out their awesome Fillo pillow.

This is a hybrid pillow with a microsuede cover, foam filling, and an air chamber in the center. The latter allows you to adjust the firmness to your liking, which is something that very few models offer. This feature also makes it ideal for all sleeping types – back, side, or combined.

This pillow has a stuff sack attached to it, so you don’t have to worry about losing it or trying to find it when packing your gear up. Just be aware that stuffing the pillow into the sack might be slightly troublesome.

When it comes to size, Fillo isn’t the smallest, that’s for sure. It can be packed down to the size of a softball, so it doesn’t take up too much space either. Another thing that could bother backpackers is the pillow’s weight, which is around half a pound.

All in all, Fillo is a well-rounded camping pillow that should satisfy both backpackers and car campers alike. It’s also sold for a very competitive price, so you won’t have to break the bank for it.

2. Trekology Ultralight Pillow

Trekology’s product is the first inflatable model on today’s list. This pillow has gotten a lot of positive feedback from the camping community, so we decided to check if the hype was justified.

See what we found out.

This inflatable pillow has an ergonomic design that aims to make it suitable for all sleeping positions. Its sides are higher than the middle, and its firmness provides excellent neck support. The pillow doesn’t have any extra padding, so it might be too hard for some people.

A great thing about this model is the water-resistant fabric that it is made of, which makes it perfect for sleeping on during hot summer nights. Since it’s not going to absorb any moisture you’ll be able to pack it up as soon as you’re done using it.

When packed up, the pillow is smaller than a can of soda. It can be fully inflated with only a few breaths, and it has a quick-deflating technology which makes packing quick.

A few customers reported that, with time, the pillow might start to leak air which is a common issue with inflatable designs.

3. Klymit Deluxe

Here we have another hybrid model, but this time from a manufacturer called Klymit. Is it better, or worse than other hybrids on this list? Let’s take a few moments to find out.

Klymit Deluxe is a rectangular camping pillow that’s almost as large as a standard bed pillow. Its construction features a rubber air bladder, which is enveloped with a polyester sleeve. The bottom side of the pillow is silky, which might make it slide in some tents.

This model is one of the most comfortable that we tried, and it’s ergonomic design will prevent your head from slipping off.

One would think that the pillow’s size a downside when it comes to packing it up. However, Klymit actually packs down to relatively small dimensions, so it’s not as bulky as you’d expect it to be.

An issue with such a model is that it doesn’t fit the standard mummy sleeping bag hood, so it’s best used with hoodless bags.

To sum up, Klymit Deluxe is what you should go for if you want something that resembles a regular pillow. Ultralight backpackers probably won’t love it so much, but all other varieties of campers probably will.

4. Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

Therm-a-Rest is one of the most popular models online right now. This compressible pillow offers a great combination of price and quality, which is what made its rise to fame possible.

The pillow has a simple and handy, built-in sleeve which will allow you to pack it up very easily. Unfortunately, this pillow isn’t so compact even when packed down, so it isn’t the best choice for ultralight backpacking. Besides this, it’s also one of the heaviest on our list.

Eco-friendly shoppers will be glad to find out that the pillow’s filling is upcycled mattress foam. The foam provides the sleeper with excellent comfort, regardless of the sleeping position.

Therm-a-Rest is available in multiple sizes, colors, and designs. Find one that matches your tent color, or browse through the dimensions to find the ideal one for you.

Another very cool thing about this product is that it is machine-washable, so cleaning it after a dirty trip should be a breeze.

5. Rumpl Stuffable Fleece Pillowcase

Last but not least, we have a stuff sack pillow made by Rumpl, another major player in the camping gear market. This product is (potentially) every backpacker’s dream, and now it’s time to see what it’s all about.

First, this product isn’t a pillow in the conventional sense of the word. It is a fleece case that you can be filled with clothes and made into a proper camping pillow. This means that it is up to you to make it as soft or as firm as you like. 

The comfort level depends on the type of clothes that you put in it, so you might have a few rough nights until you find something that works.

Second, the main benefit of Rumpl’s product is its compressibility, as well as weight. It is the lightest pillow on our list and one of the smallest when folded.

Third, the pillow has two sides, one covered with nylon and another with soft fleece. This will give you the option to choose between the material that suits you at any given moment. 

Finally, the Rumpl sack pillow is a good pick for a minimalist or a camper that lacks packing space. It doesn’t have the plushness of some other models, but you can’t get much more compact than this.

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Conclusion

Slowly but surely, we’ve come to the end of the article, and all that’s left to do now is to announce the winner of the roundup. 

After a lot of careful consideration, we decided to award Nemo Fillo with the first place. Our reasons for this are simple – it has an excellent comfort to size ratio, its price is reasonable, and many people seem to love it! 

In case you don’t agree with us, we encourage you to try any of the other pillows on the list as they’re all fantastic products.

That’d be all for today. Until next time – stay out there!