Backcountry Pillows

Pro953

WKR
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
608
Location
California
Who here brings a pillow (inflatable) into the backcountry? Over the years I just rolled up my puffy or fleece and used that as a pillow. Sleep is becoming more important and harder to come by with age, wondering if any of the inflatable pillows are worth it, or just a silly gimmick.


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Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Messages
611
I use the sea to summit Aeros ultralight pillow and really like it.


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Marbles

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
May 16, 2020
Messages
4,413
Location
AK
They can be nice. I have an Exped pillow, and it does not come along much. However, I take my wifes Sea to Summit pillow every chance I get. I'v not tried to figure out we, but I don't find the Exped worth carrying, it just is not that comfortable.
 

tdot

WKR
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Messages
1,895
Location
BC
It seems over the last 4-5 years I've gone from rolled up clothes which worked 100% fine for 2+ decades, to a regular stuff sack with clothes to a HMG pillow stuff sack, stuffed with my down puffy, to this camping season I've been trying various dedicated pillows. Not yet sure which one will make the cut, but I'll definitely be taking a dedicated inflatable pillow that also has foam in it. Sleep has been significantly better over the last couple nights out.
 

xcutter

WKR
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
1,407
Location
Connersville, IN
Klymit X pillow isn't bad. Only complaint is I like it filled up with air when laying on my back but not as full when belly sleeping.
 

rclouse79

WKR
Joined
Dec 10, 2019
Messages
1,858
I splurged for the sea to summit Aeros before my spring bear trip. It seemed expensive for what it was, but I had zero buyers remorse after the trip. Once I got the right amount of air, it was almost as good as my pillow at home.
 

mlgc20

WKR
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Messages
1,192
Location
DFW, TX
I'm ultralight in just about all my gear choices. But, my pillow system is not somewhere I worry about weight. I carry the Exped XL air pillow. I slip that into a customer pillowcase that I had made. And then I put my puffy in the pillow case on top of the air pillow. This gives me the pillow height I need as a side sleeper and the down puffy gives the cushion. The pillowcase is made of microfleece, so it's nice and soft. And it has straps that I can attach it to my quilt to keep it from moving around. As a result, I sleep great in the backcountry.

Below are a couple of pictures of what my pillow ends up looking like from both sides. Don't judge my dancing monkeys. My daughter was 2 at the time and she picked out the pattern. And I love it.
Pillow1.jpgPillow2.jpg
 
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
8,699
Location
Central Oregon
Puffy works great until its cold enough you want to wear it to sleep.

I tried the sea to summit aeros deluxe i think.
It was honestly a little large. It was to big to put in the hood of my bag to keep it from sliding off.

The x pillow is cheap and ok but I have to put a shirt over it because the material grabs my hair somehow.

I want to try the seas to summit aeros down. But just always have something else to spend money on.
 

Jimss

WKR
Joined
Mar 6, 2015
Messages
2,121
I'm constantly searching ways to drop ounces of wt and bulk off my back rather than more. I always use my jacket for a pillow. I'm so tired at the end of the day that I have no problem falling asleep.
 
Joined
Mar 4, 2014
Messages
2,174
I have a few of the Outdoor Vitals pillows. If you look around you might find the “free” pillow link from them. You can get up to two if you pay shipping. They are very light and a decent pillow. They also make for an awesome butt pad. Yes, they are that durable.
 
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Pro953

WKR
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
608
Location
California
Seems like the sea to summit is the Cadillac option. Do you fill it 100% or is it better at 80%?

For those that stick with the puffy, more power to you. I just find these days I hunt so much better with a good night of sleep.


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snuzzo29

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 15, 2019
Messages
154
Location
WY
Another vote for the Sea To Summit Aeros. I use the premium version in size large. I usually fill to 90% but it's really personal preference. Try different fill rates to see what you like best.
 
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Messages
3,872
Location
Edmond, OK
Sea to Summit Aeros user here too. Tried the clothes in a pullout and just never slept well. The S2S fits perfectly in the hood of my Slick Bag. Can’t imagine not bringing it with me up the Mtn.


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Joined
Nov 13, 2014
Messages
2,413
I think I've been through them all and found the filo elite luxury to be the winner. It goes where I go.
 

FlyGuy

WKR
Joined
Aug 13, 2016
Messages
2,088
Sea-to-summit is sooooo nice. I am a stomach and side sleeper and it makes all the difference. I use the XL with my quilt, and the S stuffs well inside the hood of my mummy bag.


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