When it comes to camping pillows, Trekology may be a slightly more obscure manufacturer. However, we were left feeling rather impressed following our first experience with the Trekology Aluft 2.0. The inflatable camping pillow market is already fairly saturated, so we were pleased to see a design where obvious effort was made to create quality-adding features. This pillow uses an entirely new, proprietary air valve to add and release air. It also employs a textured underside, which does a noticeable job of keeping the pillow in place. Additionally, it comes with a snap-on elastic strap designed to hold the pillow from moving by snuggly looping around most single-sized sleeping pads. Most inflatable pillows do not come standard with this strap. At best, some may have loops on both sides of the pillow, leaving the owner to design their own strap system. The Aluft is also ergonomically shaped and has a curved top that will fit most mummy hoods. They’re heavier and usually more expensive than foam pads and not as compact as inflatables. They are also susceptible to tears. Lightweight and durable, these are popular for thru-hiking. They’re also popular for winter camping trips thanks to their insulative properties. Stay Warm First, look for a spot on level ground. Not only is camping on angled ground uncomfortable, but it will also have you fighting to stay on your pad all night. When it comes to pillows, there has always been a trade-off between weight and comfort. Softer, fluffier foam pillows feel great when you go to bed, but the added weight can drag you down. Closed-cell foam pads are thin and light, but extremely durable and they provide consistent insulation. Because there’s no inflation involved, they are impervious to tears and punctures.

Comfortable, inexpensive, maintains its support during sleep, quiet, designed for mummy bags, relatively lightweight The style of the pillow is also worth considering. Foam-filled pillows are softer and replicate feather pillows better than inflatable ones, but the additional weight and space requirements can be an issue. We’re fans of pillows that combine the two, whether the cushioning is actual foam or a lightweight synthetic fill. It’s a lot easier to get a good night’s sleep when you know where everything is. When you head to bed, make sure everything you need is close by and easy to find. Few things are more annoying to a camper than trying to keep your pillow on your sleeping pad. Waking up with your head on the ground and blindly groping around in the dark for a missing pillow is a great way to ruin your sleep at 1 a.m. When choosing a car camping pillow, comfort is king. Go for a bigger pillow and one that uses foam filling.Cocoon’s Sleeping Bag Hood Pillowhas a thin layer of synthetic fill over the air bladder for a soft feel at the head. One thing to note is that, when fully inflated, air pillows can feel too firm for some campers. Make sure to use the valve to fine-tune the softness of your pillow. Nemo's 2020 Fillo Elite Luxury Pillow is not only small and lightweight, but also extremely comfortable to use thanks to the layer of Primaloft insulation. The updated soft cotton jersey cover feels soft against your skin and can easily be removed and washed which is always a plus after long trips away. This version of the Fillo is huge, with a 9cm depth and a huge area of cushioning to give you maximum comfort and the best nights sleep possible. This mix is perfect for side sleepers, letting you inflate the pillow to just the right amount of loft to let you sleep on your side without cranking your head toward the ground. In addition, the polyester jersey outer feels great against your face and soaks up drool (not a listed benefit, but we’ve verified this during repeated tests). Some ultralighters will even cut down their foam pads to save weight. Also, they set up instantly — just lay them down, and you’re good to go. On the other hand, they don’t provide the cushioning of an inflatable, and they take up a lot of space. Though not as small as an inflatable option, this pillow is the lightest compressible pillow we've found

It doesn’t matter how light a camping pillow is if it isn’t comfortable. Often, there is going to be a trade-off between comfort and lightness, but pillow companies are going to great lengths to minimize that compromise. The best-case scenario is a level patch of ground that’s covered in loam or pine needles that’ll act as a good, soft area. If you’re camping on bare ground, no worries. Just make sure that it’s level and clear of debris. A good sleeping pad will take care of the rest (pun intended). Choose the Right Sleeping Pad This pillow will please the vast majority of campers due to its superb comfort, adjustable support, and washable external layer Store your headlamp by your head, preferably in your tent’s storage netting. That way, you can grab it when nature calls or if you hear something outside your tent that requires investigation.

In general, the more features a pillow has, the higher the price will be. Lighter, more compressible pillows tend to cost more than their heavier, bulkier counterparts. On the plus side, well-established companies like NEMO and Sea to Summithave spent more time developing their products, dialing down more durable and comfortable designs. Condensation can be more difficult to deal with. However, a little care can go a long way in preventing moisture from building up inside your tent. I was under the impression there would be a layer of "fluff" between the top of the pillow (my head) and the air bladder, but apparently it's just free-floating inside the bladder itself. Getting wet in the middle of the night is a great way to ruin a restful evening. One common way to soak your sleeping bag is to get caught in a rainstorm without a rainfly. Another is to let condensation accumulate on the tent’s inner walls. Before you shoot me, I realize this pillow isn't UL, but I am a side sleeper and I like (need?) a nice pillow to get a decent night sleep.

The Fillo’s adjustability covers a wide range of pillow height preferences. The inflatable cells with engineered baffles allow you to increase the pillow height to over 10cm. This is only a luxury if you don't normally carry a pillow, otherwise it's just a top quality version of many of the other travel pillows out there. One of our favorite details of this premium inflatable pillow is the three-way mini valve, which allows for rapid inflation and deflation. It also features a press-button release valve to let you fine-tune the pillow’s softness to your preference. Rain is an easy fix. If there’s any chance of rain while you’re camping, set up your tent’s rainfly. Make sure that it’s cinched down to prevent the wind from blowing it away. We like to flatten our pillows out and roll them up in our sleeping bags. This serves not only to add an extra layer of protection but also to keep our sleeping gear together so we don’t have to search for the pillow when setting up camp. (Photo/ Sea to Summit)If you turn it inside out and stuff it with clothes, it makes a great pillow. And at just an ounce, you’re not going to find a lighter option. Also, you’re using gear that you’d be bringing with you anyway, so you don’t have to save space for a pillow. Durability Also, store your boots just inside your tent’s entryway, or just outside it. That way, you can slip them on when you wander outside to make coffee. Ideally, your tent will have a vestibule so you can keep them outside without exposure to any potential rainfall. Be Prepared While the bladder itself may be a lot more resilient than I am expecting (ie. puncture resistant/leak-resistant), I can't seem to figure out why the "fluff" inside even exists. As your first defense against the cold, hard ground, a goodsleeping padis essential for a good night’s sleep. Inflatable Thankfully, many camping pillows have features to prevent this. Some pillows are made with a contoured shape to mold to your head. Others have scalloped “wings” that help conform the pillow to your head and shoulders. This prevents it from squeezing out from under you while you sleep.

If you tend to camp in cold weather, find a sleeping bag with a rating geared for colder temps. This also applies if you tend to sleep cold. Often, these will have venting options that let warm air out if you get too hot in your sleep. When you shop for a pillow, determine your must-have features, weigh them against your budget, and find a camping pillow that’s best for you. If you’re new to camping and still trying to figure out what kind of pillow you want, go for a good budget pillow. It’s a great way to test a pillow without making too big of an investment.Nemo's Fillo Pillow is extremely comfortable to use and the microsuede cover feels really soft against your skin. The cover can be easily removed and washed which is a bonus after long trips away. The Fillo King really lives up to its billing. With a luxurious soft feel and up to 15cm worth of comfort in terms of height when fully inflated this is a serious treat for any camper. We’ve found that a pillow that combines foam cushioning and an air core like NEMO’s Fillo is a great compromise between the two. Upcycled foam from the brand’s production process is used on the head side, and the core is inflatable for extra loft. Also, they’re notoriously noisy. Many campers report that it’s like sleeping on a bag of chips. If you’re a light sleeper and don’t want to sleep with earplugs, inflatable bags may be too loud for you. Few things feel better than getting warm and cozy in a sleeping bagon a cool night. So, be sure to get a sleeping bag that’s designed for the environment you’ll be camping in.