Today’s spotlight is on the best backpacking pillows for side sleepers. The power of a good night’s sleep cannot be underestimated as you wake up the following morning ready for the next experience.
Backpacking pillows can make all the difference in your backpacking adventure. They allow you to make it through the night and have a good night’s rest as you prepare for the next day’s trip.
Backpacking pillows are ultra-lightweight, making them easy to pack. With plenty of choices on the market, it can be hard to know the right backpacking pillow to select. We have done the homework for you and put together the best backpacking pillows for side sleepers. Let’s jump into the top-ranking backpacking pillows:
Best Backpacking Pillows for Side Sleepers
1)Nimo Fillo Elite Luxury Pillow
The Nimo Fillo Elite Luxury begins our list of the best backpacking pillows for side pillows. The pillow has a sophisticated design with an ergonomic valve that allows lightning-fast inflation of the pillow.
The air valve can be used to adjust the thickness, which is a plus for versatility. A large surface area provides plenty of room for your head to move.
Besides being suitable for side sleepers, back and stomach sleepers benefit from this pillow.
The soft cover has a cool, luxurious feel that is machine washable for convenience.
The pillow is ideal for various outdoor activities like car camping, backpacking trips, and weekend camping. You can also bring it along on an airplane or a road trip.
It is super easy to carry because of its lightweight design.
Another highlight of the Nimo Fillo is its ease of use. It features inflatable elements and functions like a compressible pillow. Three breaths are enough to inflate it.
The air valve is made to make changing air pressure levels a piece of cake. Because the stuff sack is included in the design, the entire pillow is less likely to deflate.
Microsuede covers the outer shell’s top, offering excellent next-to-skin comfort. The memory foam is also integrated with it, allowing your head and face to gently sink into it.
Features
- Integrated stuff sack
- Luxurious soft cover that is machine washable
- The outer shell is made of microsuede and polyester
- Thick luxury foam
- 5 inches thick
- Air valve makes adjusting air levels easy
- Ideal for various uses
Pros
- Easy to inflate
- Plenty of support
- Compact size
- Thickness is a breeze to adjust
Cons
- Pricey
2)Exped Air Pillow UL
Get a deep and comfortable sleep with the Exped Air Pillow UL that comes second on our review of the best backpacking pillow for side pillows. The pillow is made with simplicity and comfort in mind.
The pillow is enclosed in a polyester shell for durability. Its thickness and softness mean it can take in some turns and head roams throughout the night. The fabric on the outer exterior is soft, has a fantastic feel, and is what you need to lay down your head after a long day.
The fabric also provides a good grip to keep the pillow in place. Besides, it is machine washable making life way easier.
The pillow is available in four sizes, so you can pick the one that is convenient for you. Another facet is a stuff sack that allows you to easily roll the pillow up, slide it into the lip of the pillowcase, and then draw the drawstring tight.
It is also designed with sleeping bag compatibility and fits perfectly in the hood of virtually every sleeping bag.
Features
- Available in four sizes
- Polyester outer fabric
- Suitable to use with sleeping bags
- Soft, plush material
- Integrated stuff sack
- Machine washable
- Compressible design
Pros
- Easy on your wallet
- Good grip
- Easy to use
- Ample support and comfort
Cons
- Heavy
3)Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow
The Therma-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow is what you need to sleep like a baby after your backpacking trip. Besides backpacking, the pillow is also ideal for air travel, camping, and road trips.
It is compactly designed, meaning it will easily fit into a backpack, suitcase, or tote, and you will move around without feeling any of its weight.
You can use the drawstring and cord lock to compress it securely when not in use. The pillow is snug in almost any sleeping bag’s hood and can be used with sleeping bags. The pillow can be machine-washed, then dried. The outside fabric is made with the pillow’s grip in mind, helping to keep it in place.
Additionally, there are four sizes to help you pick the one that meets your needs best. It is created from recycled Therm-a-Rest mattress scraps and covered in a polyester shell that looks like suede.
Foam filling extends into a 4-inch-thick pillow for head, neck, and back support in tents, vehicles, airplanes, and other difficult-to-get-comfortable areas.
Features
- Brushed polyester cover for comfort
- Weighs 9 ounces
- Soft foam filling
- Drawstring and cord lock hold the pillow securely in position
- Machine washable
- Integrated stuff sack
- Compatible with sleeping bags
Pros
- Easy to use
- Approachable price
- Soft and comfortable
Cons
- Large size
4)Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
Another pillow that ranks highly is the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow. The soft topper incorporated in its design is a key feature that sets this pillow apart from competitors. It has stretch-knit fabric, which feels soft against your skin and makes the pillow perfect for camping and travel.
The pillow has an internal bladder that inflates much like a sleeping pad. Thanks to the multifunctional valve, you can simultaneously inflate and fine-tune the adjustment.
The top section of the valve is the inflated part; you can do it either using your mouth or a Sea to Summit pump sack.
When you take pauses while filling it up, the air cannot escape from the valve because it is a one-way valve. If you’ve overinflated it, you only need to push the button to release a little amount of air at a time.
Technical fabrics minimize weight and prevent moisture from sneaking in and allow easy packing down. Packing down is hassle-free. You only open the deflate valve underneath the inflation valve, and all the air escapes. Then you can compress and put it down, and you are good to go.
Nevertheless, the pillow is compatible with sleeping mats from Sea to Summit with Pillow Lock patches to snugly hold the pillow in place.
It also features a layer of synthetic fill beneath the exterior fabric that makes it soft and protects the bladder on the inside.
The pillow is also great for backpacking, air travel, and camping.
Features
- Soft brushed knit exterior enhances comfort
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Regular and Large sizes
- Multifunction mini valve for fine-tuning
- Versatile hence ideal for various uses
- Made of polyester
Pros
- Soft material for a good night’s sleep
- Easy to use and pack down
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Susceptible to punctures
5)Cocoon Ultralight Aircore Pillow
Cocoon Ultralight Aircore Pillow is another product that feels like a real pillow, ensuring you lay down comfortably after a draining day or night.
It offers the support and comfort of a superior synthetic pillow with the smallest practicable packing size by using an inflated air core underneath a layer of premium synthetic fill.
The pillow is purposefully designed for use in the hood of your mummy sleeping bag. It fits perfectly into a hood because of its rounded edges.
If you want to go backpacking, this is the pillow you should get. It has a compressible design and boasts synthetic insulation on the interior.
A valve makes inflation easy using the mouth. If you’re simply resting on top of your sleeping bag, you can tuck it inside the hood. Although it can slide off your sleeping pad, the rounded edges make it fit nicely and stay in place all night.
The top of the pillow is made of lightweight and soft fabric. A lightweight fleece, on the other side, feels soft and comfortable all night long.
You can pack it down in the staff sack and head out to your next adventure.
Features
- Compressible design
- Rounded edges make it fit snugly in a hood
- Lightweight fabric on the top
- It has synthetic insulation on the inside
- 5 inches thick
Pros
- Silk and microfiber dual sides
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Soft and plush
Cons
- It takes time to find the right firmness
How To Choose the Best Backpacking Pillows for Side Sleepers
There are many pillows on the market, making it difficult to determine the one to settle for. Here are some imperative factors to guide you when shopping for the best backpacking pillows for side sleepers:
Weight
Your backpacking pillow should be lightweight and easy to pack so that it is hard to notice in your backpack when hiking. It should fit well with other items you need for your adventure in the backpack. The lighter it is, the more fun you have.
Other Sleep Gear
Your outdoor sleeping gear affects your backpacking pillow needs. Most pillows will be comfortable for you if you sleep in a tent on top of an inflated sleeping pad.
Based on how comfortable your sleeping pad is, you may need to look at the thickness of your backpacking pillow. You can also get an airbag that can be adjusted on the go. A thick pillow, on the other hand, will not allow your body to sink into your perfectly soft sleeping pad, so you might find that your head is held too high for comfort.
Fabric
Another element to look at when buying the best backpacking pillows for side sleepers is the fabric, as this is where your face will rest. While contact with rubbery plastic may cause your face to sweat, a silky fleece will feel great against your flushed cheeks.
However, if you wear a sleeping bag with a hood, stickier pillow materials will help to prevent your head from falling off in the middle of the night. When you’re tossing and turning while wearing a nylon over fleece, your pillow will fly into your tent wall like a slick bar of wet soap.
Washability
Dirt and grime are inevitable with backpacking. There are pillows with detachable cases that are machine washable after each use. Down pillows are prone to oil, dirt, and drool that can make them lose their loft and hence need more care.
Sliding
A common annoyance with backpacking pillows is the constant sliding out from under your head, interfering with your sleep. To fix that, some pillows have side tabs to attach an elastic cord that secures around your pad. You can also use a few inches of adhesive Velcro to form your pillow-lock system.
Types of Backpacking Pillows
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Inflatable pillows
Inflatable pillows have an air sack as the main form of support. They are lightweight, packable, and pretty comfortable. However, they are prone to punctures and lack stability.
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Hybrid Pillows
Hybrid pillows use an inflatable air sack to provide support and have a foam layer to optimize comfort. However, these pillows are heavier and difficult to pack.
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Compressible Pillows
These pillows are designed with materials that expand, like shredded pieces of foam. They are almost similar to home pillows and are usually very comfortable. On the downside, they are heavier and not ideal for ultralight backpacking.
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Stuff Sack Pillows
Rounding things off are the stuff sack pillows. They are ultralight and perfect for backpacking. Typically, they are made of a soft face fabric like polyester fleece. They are immune to punctures, lightweight, and packable. They serve as a stuff sack for storing gear when you aren’t sleeping, making them multipurpose as well.
On the flipside, they need to be stuffed to maximize their comfort, as they are only as comfortable with what you fill them with.
Best Backpacking Pillow for Side Sleepers FAQs
Q: Why Do Backpackers Carry Pillows?
Backpackers carry pillows to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep while backpacking. A good backpacking pillow supports your neck and head, offering a better sleeping position. They ensure a good night’s rest so that you are ready for the next activity once you’re up the next morning.
They also keep your sleeping area hygienic as the pillows are super easy to clean and maintain.
Q: What Is the Difference Between a Side Sleeper and a Back Sleeper Pillow?
Side sleeper pillows have a wider gusset than standard pillows. Compared to pillows made for back or stomach sleepers, they are taller, have more loft, and are often firmer. This guarantees proper head and neck support, maintaining the alignment of the spine.
Q: Do Side Sleepers Require Two Pillows?
A suitable pillow should be adjustable to allow you to sleep comfortably in different positions. It is recommended that side sleepers use two pillows for optimum comfort and alignment. One pillow serves the head while the other supports the knees.
Conclusion
The right backpacking pillow is essential for a comfortable sleep while backpacking. It is no secret that this is the best review for backpacking pillows for side sleepers; we hope you have found this information enlightening and can now make a wise buying decision.