It is not very often that one gets to find the best backpacking pillow for side sleepers. It becomes even more difficult if the sleeper has specific requirements in their choice of pillows, like needing it to be light weight, small in size and inflatable so as to avoid extra bulk when packing. This best backpacking pillow for side sleepers review will take you through some of the best pillows in this category so that when next time it comes to your mind that you need a new pillow, you know exactly what to get.
Top picks for Best Backpacking Pillow For Side Sleepers
1.THERMAREST COMPRESSIBLE TRAVEL PILLOW
Extremely light weight and compact design is a feature which stands out from the rest of this category. This Thermarest Compressible Travel Pillow has been designed for all conditions, be it snow or desert. The fabric used on this pillow is breathable and helps in regulating temperature within the pillow to avoid overheating while asleep.
The design ensures that air can circulate freely while one sleeps without getting accumulated in creases thus making it very comfortable while sleeping. A stuff sack with a carabiner makes storage easy while traveling or carrying around.The comfort level of this pillow has also been increased by use of synthetic fill.It also has an integrated pillow case. The only down side to this product is that it does not come with a repair kit.The best thing about this product is that it comes with a lifetime warranty.It provides a comfortable sleep while being light weight and quite compact.
2. NEMO FELLO PILLOW
The Nemo Fillo pillow is one of the most popular pillows in this category. The support and comfort level provided by this product is unmatched by any other brands in the same category. This pillow has been filled with new Expanded Polystyrene which makes it very compact and the light weight memory foam that makes it extremely comfortable while sleeping.
It also comes with a stuff sack to make it easy for storage purposes while carrying or traveling around. It can be inflated or deflated according to requirement thus making it very convenient when camping at different altitudes and inside tents as well. A great feature which sets apart from others is its ability to self-inflate once released from compression due to weight of bag etc.. Due to all these features, Nemo Fillo pillow is considered to be the best backpacking pillow for side sleepers.
3.SEA SUMMIT AEROS DOWN PILLOW
The Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow is made up of warm down which provides the best comfort and insulation factor. This pillow has an ergonomic design with baffles to avoid accumulation of heat while sleeping.This pillow can be compressed easily without any loss in fluffiness or loft level, thus making it very convenient when carrying around while traveling. The size of this pillow can also be adjusted depending on one’s need by compressing it and regaining its shape once released from compression. The only downside about this particular product is that it does not come with a stuff sack attached, but then again at such low prices, one cannot expect everything on the platter.It also comes with a lifetime warranty.The best thing about this product is its ability to retain heat and comfort level which makes it very different from the rest of products in this category.The comfort level provided by this product makes it the third best backpacking pillow for side sleepers.
4. TREKOLOGY ULTRALIGHT INFLATABLE CAMPING TRAVEL PILLOW
Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow has been built with air bubble design which adds to its comfort levels and keeps it very light weight. It is made of high quality super soft and non-ticking fabric which makes it comfortable while sleeping and at the same time protects your ears from noise.The side panels in this pillow helps in preventing heat accumulation thus keeping you warm enough when sleeping during cold nights.This pillow can be compressed easily inside its stuff sack so that it becomes easy to carry around when traveling or camping. Another unique feature of this product is that the sides are curved such that they do not put pressure on one’s ear when lying sideways, thus adding another dimension to its comfort level.
This pillow is designed to be inflatable but not self-inflating, so one has to blow into it enough air to make it the desired level of firmness. This is a good feature as one can regulate the amount of air according to his preference.
5. BIG AGNES AXL AIR PILLOW
The Big Agnes AXL Air Pillow is made up of a very light weight material called diamond ripstop. Due to its softness and small size, it provides the best comfort level while sleeping during camping or travel purposes.This pillow can be inflated easily with few breaths, but if one desires extra firmness then he has to blow into it little more air which makes it slightly difficult to set this pillow on lower pressures required for extreme cold/high altitude journeys. This product comes with a stuff sack attached in order to make storage and carrying around easier and practical when traveling or camping. However, there is no strap provided with this product in order to prevent sliding down while lying sideways. The only downside of this product is that there is no valve to regulate the airflow through this pillow, thus making it necessary to blow into it more than required which increases chances of leakage.It also comes with a lifetime warranty.The comfort level provided by this product makes it the second best backpacking pillow for side sleepers .
Things to consider before buying Backpacking Pillow For Side Sleepers
1. Durability
The durability of the product should be given a priority while buying any kind of product. The effectiveness of a pillow depends on its ability maintain its shape, fluffiness and comfort level over long time periods. A good pillow must have a high resistance to compression and be able to withstand being compressed repeatedly without losing shape or loft level. This also ensures that a particular brand is a trusted one and has been dealing in this business for years.
2. Weight factor
Pillows are light weight equipment which makes it easier for people to carry them around when traveling or camping, but still there are certain requirements which make some pillows better than others from the weight factor perspective. One such quality is the amount of insulation provided by the material of a pillow. Some materials have an ability to keep the user’s head warm by providing insulation from cold air surrounding it, whereas there are other materials which lack this quality and thus might not be suitable for people who wish to use pillows during winter times or in high altitude/extreme cold regions.
3. Material Quality
The material used for making a particular product has a great impact on its durability, comfort level and weight factor. For example, Big Agnes AXL Air Pillow is made up of a very light weight material called diamond ripstop, whereas Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Ultralight uses synthetic fiber filling within its inflatable design which provides cushioning effect along with insulation properties. One should prioritize buying products made of high quality materials keeping in mind his usage purpose and possible conditions he might face when camping or traveling.
4. Size and Shape
The size and shape of a pillow has a great impact on its comfort level while sleeping during camping, backpacking or traveling purposes. One such factor which affects the shape is the inflation method used by manufacturers to inflate their product.
5. Ease of use
A pillow should be easy to inflate, deflate and pack according to the requirements. Thus, one must prioritize buying products which are self-inflating or ones which have valves for regulating airflow. This will not only make the usage process easier but also increases chances of getting a suitable product after testing it out in various conditions during camping/traveling purposes.
6. Construction method
A pillow might not be able to provide comfort level if it is constructed using lesser than required materials or having its stitching give away during usage. Thus, one must prioritize buying products which are built using high quality material and have their stitching done sturdily .
7. Insulation ability
As discussed earlier, insulation ability of a pillow has a great impact on its weight factor as well as effectiveness in maintaining warmth throughout night time hours. A good quality backpacking pillow for side sleepers should be able to maintain its loft level even after compression during usage and also provide proper insulation levels required by the user’s body type. Such pillows come with tags specifying the best insulation levels for specific body types.
8. Comfortability
One of the most important factors which users looks for while choosing a pillow is whether it provides maximum comfort level during usage. A good quality backpacking pillow should be able to provide cushioning feel through its material, keep the head cool/warm as per user’s requirements and provide certain levels of firmness required by the user. As discussed earlier, some pillows are inflatable, others are self-inflating, whereas some are built using memory foam properties which makes them very comfortable for providing sleep hours throughout night time or after long tiring days.
9. Durability
The durability of the product should be given a priority while buying any kind of product. The effectiveness of a pillow depends on its ability maintain its shape, not getting punctured even after usage in rough conditions, not getting compressed due to heavy weights and also maintain its insulation properties throughout. The day-to-day usage at home, camping or traveling purposes might change depending on the level of comfortability provided by a pillow. Thus, one must prioritize buying products which are built with high quality materials keeping in mind the long term usage ability required.
10. Easy to clean
All kinds of pillows will get dirty/marked up during regular usage regardless of whether you are using it at home or for camping /traveling purposes. An easy to clean material is therefore an important factor that one should look while buying backpacking pillows for side sleepers or any other kind of own pillow. This includes the ability to be washed easily without any effects of discoloration or deformation of material making it unusable for usage.