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Our outdoors experts have tested heaps of unique camping pillows over the last eight years. Here are our top 16 models in this review. Each product has been tested in tents, hammocks, RVs, and airplanes. Comfort, weight, ease of use, packed size, and support were measured. Based on hundreds of hours of sleep on the job, we’ve compared notes, measurements, and experiences. Our favorite recommendations include compressible, stuffable, hybrid, and inflatable products to improve your night’s sleep.
Finding the best tent and getting the right sleeping pad or camping mattress are also key components to getting good sleep outdoors. Mattresses are plusher and are good for car camping, while sleeping pads are lighter and used with backpacks. Whatever your interest in the outdoors, we’re here to help you find the perfect camping gear.
Best camping pillow for side sleepers – Buying Guide
Comfort and support are paramount when choosing a camping pillow for side sleepers. To prevent neck and shoulder pain, side sleepers need a pillow with adequate height and firmness. Pillows with contoured or ergonomic designs provide the necessary support while adapting to the body’s natural curves. They offer a balance between softness and firmness, conforming to the shape of your head and neck while maintaining support during the night. Also, an inflatable pillow with adjustable firmness can be a versatile choice, allowing you to fine-tune the height and support. In addition to durability, lightweight construction, and compactness, the pillow also withstands the rigors of outdoor use. Choose a pillow with a washable, moisture-wicking cover to keep it fresh. These features will ensure a restful night’s sleep, even under the stars.
Best camping pillow for side sleepers Comparison
1. NEMO Fillo Backpacking & Camping Pillow
Easily Packable—The Nemo Fillo Pillow packs remarkably small in an integrated stuff sack that won’t be lost. It’s the ideal companion for backpacking, camping, airport travel, road excursions, and outdoor activities.
Designed for comfort, the 3″ I-Beam baffled air cell avoids the balloon effect and offers a natural pillow shape as soft and yielding as your pillow at home. Luxuriously Soft –
Thick premium foam and a smooth, machine-washable microsuede or jersey cover for a clean, cooling feeling and elite comfort, unlike regular camping pillows. Quickly Inflatable – Designed with an ergonomic valve that inflates the pillow in seconds. Dedicated to Sustainability – For twenty years, Nemo has made legendary outdoor gear that promotes love for adventure, one another, and our planet.
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2.Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch Camping
If you want comfort and affordability, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible might be the deal of the year. As near to the genuine thing as any camping pillow, except the Hest, this large compressible pillow gives a comfortable landing for your head.
High-quality foam remnants from foam sleeping pads fill the Therm-a-Rest Compressible. Spongy discards are enclosed in a soft polyester case with a toasty fleece and a relaxed, silky side. While the Therm-a-Rest received high marks for comfort, ease of use, and support, it received lower ratings for packed size and weight. Campers seeking both features would appreciate this inexpensive and soft cushion, regardless of its split rating. You’ll love the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down if you want something lighter and more compact.
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3. Air Head Down Inflatable Camping
Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down enables trekkers to have it all. With their capacity to balance comfort and weight, inflatable pillows are rarely associated with this level of luxury. In terms of weight, this cushion is close to being the finest. Soft and comfy, it folds up tiny, provides excellent support, and is simple. Despite our initial reservations about a down-topped inflatable, the down layer provided additional comfort during testing. This lightweight choice offers more than a bit of luxury.Despite the fantastic price, this type is ideal if you want a lightweight pillow that is more comfy than a standard inflatable. Although slightly thicker, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible is just as comfortable and weighs a few ounces less. .
Thin feathers quilted beneath beautiful, smooth fabric raises the price, which may deter some purchasers. Although slightly thicker, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible is just as comfortable and weighs a few ounces less.
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4. Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Inflatable Travel Pillow
Although lightweight, the Sea to Summit Aeros is surprisingly comfortable. Weighing just a few ounces, this pillow expands to a generous size. When packed, it is about the size of a plum and virtually unnoticeable. The pillow cradles your head comfortably, featuring a soft polyester cover and a flexible air cell. The stretchiness of the cell sets this pillow apart. A pillow with contoured lines helps you sleep well. All these benefits convinced us to bring a camping pillow on our next backcountry trip. A tester has used this pillow for nearly a decade, and it’s still going strong. Despite not being as comfortable as most of our compressible or hybrid pillows, this pillow keeps your head off the ground. It also comes in Ultra Light, Premium Deluxe, and down-top versions so you can choose according to your ultralight preferences.
This model is our favorite and the one we prefer for backpacking trips lasting several days or longer. Consider the lightweight Nemo Fillo Elite if you choose a hybrid.
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5. NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow Backpacking Pillow for Travel
We redesigned our best-selling Fillo Elite ultralight pillow to improve your sleep at elevation. New fabrics and an ergonomic valve make it easy to inflate—cooling, luxurious plush cover. A 3″ I-beam baffled air cell reduces standard camp pillows ‘balloon’ effect, resulting in a more natural form that cradles the head. A supple layer of 100% post-consumer recycled Primaloft insulation provides exceptional height and comfort despite its lightweight. The Fillo Elite packs down to about the size of a lime, making it tiny and lightweight enough to travel into the bush. The integrated stuff sack will be found in your pack. The Fillo Elite packs down to about the size of a lime, making it tiny and lightweight enough to travel into the bush.
The integrated stuff sack will be preserved in your pack, as well as the depths of your sleeping bag. While the Fillo excels in the backcountry, it’s also ideal for other trips! You can take it on a flight or a lengthy road trip, use it for lumbar support, or even put it in your pocket for an emergency sleep!
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6. TREKOLOGY Ultralight Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow
Trekology may be an obscure manufacturer of camping pillows. As the inflatable camping pillow market is already saturated, we were pleased to see a design with quality-enhancing features. To add and release air, this pillow uses a proprietary air valve. A textured underside keeps the pillow in place as well. A snap-on elastic strap secures the pillow to most single-sized sleeping pads by snugly looping around them. This strap is not standard on most inflatable pillows. Some pillows may have loops on both sides, allowing the owner to design their own strap. Also ergonomically shaped, the Aluft has a curved top that fits most mummy hoods.
Some serious backpackers may take exception to the extra strap and complex air valve on this pillow. Aluft’s fabrics, overall design, and quality are similar to many other brands, so it doesn’t stand out much. This review recognizes its unique innovations.
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7. Klymit Luxe Travel Pillow
A soft polyester inflatable pillow specifically designed for airplane and camping use, always ensures a good sleep no matter the place. Our small travel pillow weighs only 6.2 oz and deflates down to 3 by 7 inch compact size making it very suitable for trips like camping and short trips. At Home in Convenience Hybrid Inflatable Sleeping cushion: The small cushion with the polyester fiber fill has easy inflation for supportive comfort hence an all purpose travel, trekking or hammock inflammation accessory. Outdoor Pillow … Reusable & Machine washing: The cover of the camping pillow is made to be machine washing & dryer hence making cleanup very quick.
It’s the Ultimate Outdoor Sleeping Experience with Klymit: Our award winning products are developed for you to spend a night outside sleeping as comfortable as in your own bed but this time the outdoors is the bedroom.
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8. TETON Sports Camp Pillow
The travel pillow provides excellent comfort, and it enables the user to relax when camping, backpacking, or taking road trips. The pillow makes it convenient for the user as the pillow, and the case is both machine wash friendly, thus requiring less cleaning effort. Since the pillow does not require any inflation, it can be self-inflated, making it easy for those who love stargazing, travel for long hours, or go by air.
The pillow can also be in tune with the lining of certain Teton Sports sleeping bags and is easy to carry. Teton Sports is dedicated to their customer’s needs as they have encouraged customers to reach out to their support team in case of fostering inquiries, turning their outdoor experiences into hassle-free ones.
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Learning More About Comfortable Sleeping During Camping Activities
Most especially if you really want peace of mind during your sleep while camping, it’s not only about having a good pillow. Here are some more tips meant to improve your sleeping while camping out there:
Providing a Purchasing Guide for A Comfortable Sleeping Pad
Investing in a reliable and comfortable sleeping pad is crucial and can make a big difference, especially when camping out. Try to use one that has enough thickness to cushion and insulate you from the cold, especially if you are camping on rough ground. If you have a good-quality sleeping pad along with the pillow you have selected, you will create decent sleeping surfaces.
How to Choose a Sleeping Bag
During camping activities, the sleeping bag becomes an essential tool for achieving warmth and pleasure. Take one that is ideal for the weather conditions in which the camping will be carried out, plus leave enough space for side sleeping. Many people opt for mummy bags since they’re warm, but there are those who sleep on their sides and require more room in their rectangular or semi-rectangular zipped bags.
Arranging Your Tent Appropriately
Even the most demanding campers can sleep better in a well-pitched tent, especially when it is dry and stable. Make sure that the inside of the tent is pitched on flat ground and deeply pegged to the ground. Ventilation is also important to control the temperature and limit condensation inside the tent.
Conclusion
It is undoubtedly true that anyone who goes camping and sleeps on their side can benefit from the search for the best camping pillow for side sleepers. By keeping in mind the loft, firmness, materials used, and ease of travel, one can select a pillow that is suitable for one’s needs and which will assure a good sleep. Our best choices, such as the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow and the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow, show that different preferences can be satisfied with the available camping pillows. Moreover, the right sleeping equipment and the proper arrangement of the camping site will add up even more comfort.
Do you want to take your camping to the next level? Check out the camping pillows text to learn which ones are the best and let you sleep comfortably even in the wilderness. Happy camping!
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