Best Backpacking Pillows (Campers Pillow)

Backpacking is not just a simple activity, it’s an exhilarating adventure that combines the thrill of hiking with the serenity of backcountry camping. It’s a journey that allows you to expand your horizons and immerse yourself in a more profound experience.

The Key equipment in Backpacking is, of course, your BACKPACK, keeping in mind that you must keep all your key essentials in your backpack and carry them around with you. One of those key essentials is, of course, your trusty pillow.



Tips for Beginner Backpackers

First-time backpackers are in for a real treat, but there are a few pointers that I would like to share with you;

  • Choose an Easy Desitination – For starters, a short overnight trip or hike is best, close to home, should an emergency occur.
  • Get All your Essentials Only – Do not try to be too fancy or over-enthusiastic when buying your clothes and gear for the trip; stick to the most essentials, and try to borrow equipment where you can look for starters.
  • Planning your meals is crucial. Pack plenty of snacks, consider ready-to-eat meals, or plan where and how you will eat. This preparation ensures you have the energy you need for your backpacking journey.
  • Get to Know Your Destiantion – Get the proper maps and necessary documentation, and ensure you know your destination’s ins and outs.
  • Take an Experienced Backpacker Along With You – One of your best bets as a First Time Backpacker is, of course, to tag along with an experienced Backpacking friend on your trip.

Finding the Best Backpacking Pillow

In this article, my main concern is to help experienced and beginner backpackers find the most comfortable and least space-taking pillow they can take along on the trip. Whether you will sleep in a tent outdoors or a local backpacker’s hotel, taking your comfortable pillow is always your best bet. Also, you may need an alternative sleeping area.

When it comes to sleeping outdoors, comfort is key. A good sleeping system, including a sleeping bag, sleeping pad or yoga mat, and of course, a comfortable pillow, ensures that you get a restful night’s sleep, ready to tackle the next day’s adventures.

When it comes to pillows, there are pros and cons to every camping, Backpacking, and portable pillow type, so here are a few pillow types to consider;

  • Stuff Sack Pillow – This is a pillow made from your clothing, jackets, and soft materials stuffed into a sack to be used as a pillow. If you have good stuffing, this is a great idea; if not, you are in for a rough night.
  • Inflatable Pillows are very lightweight, compact, and easily portable. Yet when inflated, they may become deflated at night and are quite firm to sleep on.
  • Compressible Pillows – very comfortable and luxurious. These are usually made of shredded or memory foam pillows that can compress very small and expand rapidly when you take them out. They are comfortable but will add some weight to your backpack.
  • Hybrid Pillow – This pillow usually has an air top and foam stuffing, making it more comfortable than the inflatable pillow yet a bit lighter than your memory foam compressible pillows.

These are only a few of your favorite options for backpacking pillows.


Features of a Good Backpacking Pillow

Campers Pillow

  • It can be compressed.
  • It is portable in size and shape and easily fits inside your backpack. When packing your pillow, consider placing it in a compression sack or at the top of your backpack for easy access and to optimize space and weight distribution.
  • Easily Inflatable for inflatable pillows.
  • Durable and washable cover design. Regularly cleaning your pillow according to the manufacturer’s instructions will ensure its longevity and maintain hygiene during your trips.
  • Compact and easy-to-store design.

Reviews: The Best Backpacking Pillows

We have listed our top choices in Backpacking Pillows, which are portable and very comfortable;
We hope you love the products we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.


1
Reviewed by: Eliza Ward Score: 99.1

The Airhead is an inflatable pillow design perfect for Camping, Backpacking, and overall travel.
  • The pillow is easy to use. Inflate it by pressing the built-in pump, which will deflate in just a few seconds.
  • It has an improved ergonomic design with enhanced neck and back support.
  • It is compact and lightweight, which makes it very convenient for backpackers to carry.
  • Blow-up design with a durable and breathable cotton cover.


2
From Wise Owl, we have a soft and plush compressible foam model pillow that will also fit snugly in your backpack and expand when taken out.
  • It is filled with comfortable plush shredded memory foam of the finest quality.
  • It comes with a colorful cover from which you can choose.
  • It compresses easily and in a small compact shape to fit into your backpack and expand into a comfortable pillow when taken out.
  • It is quite lightweight and very durable for a compressible pillow.



3
The Visco Love Us Backpacking Pillow is another small and compact compressible memory foam pillow ideal for traveling.
  • Versatile enough to be used as a camping, car travel, Aeroplane travel, Backpacking, and hotel stay pillow.
  • It is filled with premium, lightweight memory foam and a very lightweight design.
  • It is ergonomically shaped and offers orthopedic comfort and support.
  • The Microcapsules with thermic coatings and ventilation ducts in the pillow allow for better moisture management and breathability.


4
This is a comfortable and adjustable Hypoallergenic design shredded memory foam, compressible pillow from Coop Home Goods.
  • It comes with a breathable and washable cover from pure cotton.
  • It is filled with premium shredded memory foam that compresses easily and expands into a soft, comfortable pillow.
  • It is completely portable, has an adjustable design, and is lightweight and durable.
  • One of the best choices in a reliable travel companion for any trip.


5
The Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Pillow is another superb design ideal for backpacking.
  • A hybrid design Pillow with compressible and inflatable technology.
  • Ergonomically contoured for optimal neck and shoulder support.
  • It is very durable with TPU fabric and added layers of head support.
  • CInflates easily with the click of a button.
  • Available in a few color variations.


6
You can take a durable and compact design sports and backpacking pillow from Teton anywhere.
  • Available in a few color patterns and completely washable.
  • The pillow will loft up and compress again for storage in your backpack, so inflating it is unnecessary.
  • These pillows are designed to match the interior linings of the TETON sports sleeping bag brands.
  • Highly durable, lightweight, and versatile for camping, Backpacking, and all travel and outdoor excursions.


7
  • A small and compact portable backpacking pillow.
  • Easily compresses to fit in your backpack.
  • It comes in many colors and prints with a polyester cover.
  • The foam filling expands up to 4 times when removed from the backpack.


8
  • A Very lightweight and compact travel pillow for your backpack.
  • Versatile uses and offers excellent comfort and support.
  • Available in many colors with a TPU coating and elastic Polyester cover.
  • Ergonomic curved design for optimal support.
  • Highly compact and compressible.


9
  • A soft, comfortable inflatable pillow is available in different prints and col.or. options.
  • Small but inflates into a comfortable size, ideal for backpacks.
  • They are ergonomically designed for optimal support and comfort.
  • Easily inflates and deflates.


10
  • This compact pillow is designed especially to be portable for camping and backpacking.
  • It is inflatable and lightweight, has a reliable valve that does not allow the air to escape, and is easily refillable.
  • The small pillow can also serve as a back pillow for car seats and office chairs.
  • It is easily compressible and weighs only 4Oz.


Index Table: Top Rated Backpacking Pillows

No.ProductImageFeaturesBrandScore
1Airead Ultralight - Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow
  • Inflatable
  • Compact
  • Lightweight
Airead99.1
2Wise Owl Compressible - Compact Backpacking Pillow
  • Color Options
  • Compressible
  • Lightweight
Wise Owl98.7
3Visco Love Us ProComf - Memory Foam Backpacking Pillow
  • memory Foam Fill
  • Compact Size
Visco Love Us98.4
4Coop Home Goods Adjustable - Backpacking Pillow
  • Memory foam Fill
  • Washable Cover
  • Compressible
Coop Home Goods98.1
5Trekology Ultralight - Inflatable Backpacking Pillow for Side Sleeper
  • Lightweight
  • Compact Inlfatable
Trekology97.8
6Teton Anytime - Backpacking Pillow
  • Compact
  • wasgable
Teton97.5
7Therm-A-Rest Portable - Backpacking Pillow
  • Color Options
  • Portable
  • Compact
Therm-A-Rest97.3
8MarchWay Ultra-Light - Compressible Backpacking Pillow
  • Compressible
  • Lightweight
  • Colors Available
MarchWay96.9
9Wise Owl Outfitters Inflatable - Backpacking Pillow
  • Inflatable
  • Lightweight
  • Color Options
Wise Owl Outfitters96.5
10RikkiTikki Ultralight - Backpacking Camping Pillow
  • Inflatable
  • Compressible
RikkiTikki96.1


About the Author

Eliza Ward

Eliza Ward is a health and body posture enthusiast, nature lover, and full-time mother for 3 lovely kids in South Africa. She has always had a fetish for pillows and has the best product recommendations for all her friends and family. So she turned what she loved into her full-time job - by testing and recommending the best pillows for our online readers. Read her reviews to know how detailed her observations are.