Best Backpacking Pillows: Rest Your Head and Sleep Soundly

With adjustability, padded foam, and lightweight design, this travel pillow has almost everything that you need for your next backpacking trip. For optimal portability, it compresses to a small ball for easier storage in the backpack. You don't have to sacrifice any packing space for other important stuff. It is only 9 ounces, and you will never feel any additional weight on your shoulders.

The pillow has memory foam on one side to conform to the shape of your neck and back for comfort and stability. The inflatable chamber, on the other side, allows you to adjust according to your comfort level. A foam pillow is perfect for side, stomach and back sleepers. The ultra-soft pillowcase is not only comfortable, but also easy to maintain, and clean. Most people appreciate the multipurpose design that offers lumbar support on car trips or flights for a good night’s sleep.

On the flip side, the Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow is a bit noisy when making any movements, and that can interrupt your sleep. The backpacking pillow is also not very easy to pack in its bag.

This pillow takes just three to five breaths and a few seconds to fully inflate. It weighs four ounces and inflates to 15 by 12 by 4.5 inches. When you're done using the pillow, it folds up and easily packs into a tiny pouch that's smaller than a soda can. It's made of durable TPU fabric and a soft, 100 percent cotton cover.

This pillow is very comfortable and practical. It is ergonomic, provides head support, and helps your neck relax. It also features a secure valve, so it doesn't leak air. You can easily adjust the thickness with the amount of air you put into it, and it's perfect for instances in which you can only carry minimal items.

However, the pillow may start to leak air after a short period of use. It can also be challenging to remove air from the pillow and pack it back up into the tiny bag. In addition, it may also slip out from under your head when you're sleeping.

This extremely lightweight and water-resistant camping pillow is the ultimate travel companion. The high-performance backpacking pillow folds down to the size of a soda can, and it will not take up too much of your backpack space. And at only 3.4 ounces, the travel pillow is also lighter than a can of soda. The TPU fabric is elastic and durable, and more importantly, water-resistant. You can watch the stars and listen to the sounds of the waterfall or the sea close by without worrying about it getting wet.

The proprietary latch design keeps it in place, and there is no slipping when you try to change positions. It has rubber anti-slipping dots that increase friction with the sleeping mat for stability and comfort when sleeping. You will find the removable strap that connects with the sleeping bag to be quite functional. It further prevents the pillow from moving around.

You will need a pillowcase to avoid sticking to the material, which can be quite uncomfortable, especially when you need to shift positions. Also, putting the travel pillow back into its case is not always as easy as it may seem.

This backpacking, camping, and travel pillow comes in four colors (black, brown, green, and grey) that match a variety of TETON Sports sleeping bags. The pillow and pillowcase are washable, and it doesn't require any inflation. The pillow also packs down nice and tight for portability.

The pillow is very comfortable, a good size, and is well-made. It also fluffs up really well and comes with a sack to store it. It's a great pillow to use if you want to travel light, and it doesn't take up much space in your pack. The fiberfill is supportive, and the cover is soft. Plus, since it's not inflatable you don't have to worry about air leaking out.

The biggest complaint about this pillow is that it may be a little smaller than you expect. It is also not as lofty as some people would like, and the filling has a tendency to move to the side of your head when you lay down on it.

The Wise Owl 5-inch-thick pillow is made of compressible memory foam and has a micro-suede cover. It comes in three sizes: 9 ounces, 11 ounces, and 13 ounces. It compresses down into a stuff sack, so it is easy to store in a backpack or tote bag. The pillow is machine-washable, is available in five colors, and comes with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

One of the best things about this pillow is that it takes very little effort to roll it up and put in the included stuff sack. When you remove it from the sack, it is several inches thick for comfort. Yet, it's firm enough to support your head. It washes really well, and if you use dryer balls, it fluffs up nicely.

However, it may not be as large as the measurements claim to be. The small option is particularly small. It may also make some noise when you move around, which can be a problem if you're a light sleeper.

This inflatable camping pillow features a unique X design, so your head stays perfectly positioned. It weighs just 1.95 ounces and is 4.5 by 2.5 by 1 inch when packed and 15 by 11 by 4 inches when inflated. It takes just a couple of breaths to inflate, and it fits nicely inside the hood of a mummy sleeping bag.

You can adjust the firmness and height of the pillow by adding or releasing air. It comes with a stuff sack as well as a limited lifetime warranty. The cover is rather soft and quiet when you move around on it. It does a good job of aligning your neck with your spine, and the center of the pillow is thinner than the sides, so the edges act like little neck pillows for added comfort.

One problem with this pillow is it's hard to keep in place because it slides around a bit. It may not work as well for side sleepers compared to back sleepers. Also, it may be a little heavier than advertised, which can be an issue for an ultra-light backpacker.

The Sea to Summit inflatable pillow only takes a couple of breaths to inflate using its multi-functional valve. The cover is made of brushed 50D polyester, while the fill is made of synthetic fibers. The TPU bladder is designed for comfort and to wick away moisture, such as sweat. It comes in two sizes: large and regular.

The pillow cradles your head with the use of curved internal baffles. The edge has a scalloped bottom to accommodate your shoulders if you sleep on your back. The pillow is comfortable, packs up small, and deflates very quickly. The regular size works really well in mummy-style sleeping bags, and it's sturdy, well-built, and durable.

One downside with this pillow is that it's a little pricey. Also, it makes a slight sound when you move around, which some people find irritating. It may not be as comfortable for people with larger heads.

This ultralight inflatable pillow is designed for backpacking, airplane travel, and other uses. It weighs 2.75 ounces and inflates to 16 inches by 12 inches by 4 inches. It takes up little space in your pack because it rolls up smaller than the size of an average adult hand.

The pillow is compact and lightweight. It's made of waterproof knitted cotton and is durable, non-slip, and puncture-resistant. You can adjust the firmness of the pillow by the amount of air that you use. It's really easy to inflate and deflate, and the height is spot-on for a side sleeper. The pillow also comes with a bonus credit card-sized multitool with a knife, saw blade, wrench, screwdriver, bottle opener, and more.

However, some users have complained that it emits a strong odor, and it may deflate a bit when you sleep on it because it loses pressure a little too easily. Also, there's no foam insulation, so it doesn't provide any warmth in colder temperatures.