Which pillow for backpacking

I rarely carry a dedicated pillow but when I'm not doing too many nights and space isnt a issue I've used a thermarest compressible small pillow and have liked it. Weighs about 8oz so definitely not ultralight but I think it's more comfortable than an inflatable.
 
Never pack a pillow. Depending on what clothes I have for the trip, I usually use those - or my pack or the lid.
 
positivepete! I guess that's what some time in the military did for me. Cold food, no problem. No coffee, no big deal. No pillow, no issues. I can take sleep aids and they dont make me groggy or affect my function. But I do forget sometimes how that stuff works on other people. My wife is an example, nighttime cold medicine puts her out like a coma patient for 4 hours and she wakes up with a hangover.

There was a time when I was a submariner that I ate powdered eggs, drank powdered milk, and could sleep on a coil of rope. I've graduated from those days to enjoy a better life, replete with tremendous comfort. I don't voluntarily subject myself to discomfort unless it helps me accomplish my goal. And poor sleep actually makes hunting harder for me. I can endure extensive discomfort if I have to, but I don't have to...and I won't.
 
I bought an Aeros last year and wasn’t a fan at all. Ended up using an extra shirt/shirts...I do have a couple friends that love theirs and recommended them to me.
 
Used clothes in stuff sacks non inflated etc but the inflatables allow me to adjust based off the lie of the ground better and getting older this piece of equipment has become more and more important!
 
Backpacking pillows are disappointing for the most part. They'll leave you wanting more. More like your pillow at home. I've tried them all, several different times. I've ended up with the Nemo Luxury Pillow. I forget the exact name. But it's the closest backpacking pillow that resembles a pillow in my opinion. I really like the Thermarest pillow too. But the insulation goes flat fast.

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Used clothes in stuff sacks non inflated etc but the inflatables allow me to adjust based off the lie of the ground better and getting older this piece of equipment has become more and more important!

The inflatable I still have (large Sea to Summit Aeros) was a step up from the Therm-a-Rest stuff sack pillow, which was a step up from the regular stuff sack filled with various amounts and types of clothing. But there is nothing better in my experience than foam. At 9 oz, I'm very happy to carry the medium Therm-a-Rest compressible. At 12 oz I would even consider the large if it didn't take up so much room when compressed. :LOL:
 
Nemo fillo gets my vote. Closest thing to a real pillow from home IMO. After sleeping on it for 2 weeks + on a moose hunt I was sold.
 
I kind of like that. However, 1" of foam at 11 oz or 8" of foam at 9 oz? Therm-a-Rest Compressible pillow for the win. :-)
Lol, I feel ya. I really like the Thermarest pillow too. The only reason I'm not using it today is due to how quickly the insulation goes flat. I feel like I'm fluffying up the pillow quite often. It is a great pillow though. I use it almost as much as my Nemo

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Lol, I feel ya. I really like the Thermarest pillow too. The only reason I'm not using it today is due to how quickly the insulation goes flat. I feel like I'm fluffying up the pillow quite often. It is a great pillow though. I use it almost as much as my Nemo

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Great to know there is an alternative. Mine is still new, so it is very very fluffy. Plump like a marshmallow.
 
Ima give that Thermarest a try this year. I’ve got to have a good pillow to get any sleep.

I can do without a lot of things, while backpacking, but a good pillow ain’t one of them.

Ordered a medium from backcountry.com for 52% off.
Took your lead and did the same.
 
The therma rest pillow is solid as long as it has time to puff up..... I can fit it with my 20 degree apex quilt in medium 5 string stuff Sack Sack and be at 2.5 pounds.
 
When I first got my thermarest I was like, " this is crap". It was skinny compressed and a total waste. Then I read the instructions (who knew pillows came with instructions right). It said to wash and air dry, as it only then will it puff up fluff up and expand. What a difference that made.
 
I've tried about six different ones over the years and the 3 oz Filo Elite is still my pillow of choice. It's soft, insulated, fairly quiet, and wider than most. I attached it to my pad with Velcro and that in itself made it 10x better.
 
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