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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow on: August 26, 2013, 02:37:44 PM
flanagaj


Location: Dorset, England
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« on: August 26, 2013, 02:37:44 PM »

On my first bike packing trip I took a really cheap inflatable pillow with me and it was so bad that I ended up binning it and stuffing a few clothes in a dry bag.  It was basically a single chamber balloon that you inflated and put inside a thin cover.  As it only had a single chamber your head felt like it was on a water bed and it moved around.

I need my sleep set up to be comfortable and a good pillow is part of the equation.  Before I take the plunge and buy another one, I just wonder what people recommend.  At home I like quite a thin pillow so one that is fat will not be any good.

Thanks
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #1 on: August 26, 2013, 03:12:33 PM
Dr Galactus


Location: Bristol, England
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« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2013, 03:12:33 PM »

I usually don't use one but when I do, either my rolled up jacket or an alpkit padded cell inside out and stuffed with clothes, works great and is multi use so no extra weight http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16562&category_id=296
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #2 on: August 26, 2013, 03:36:01 PM
AZTtripper
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« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2013, 03:36:01 PM »

At home I like to have a thin pillow as well, at home I sleep on my stomach or my side. If I am on my side I fold the pillow in half for the perfect thickness.

Out in the field in a mummy bag I am forced to sleep on my back. And then I just take any extra clothing and stuff it in the dry bag from my sleeping pad. That and my pack is more then enough.
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #3 on: August 26, 2013, 05:26:05 PM
sherpaxc


Location: Austin, TX
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« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2013, 05:26:05 PM »

One of these. Without a doubt the best camp pillow out there. I still use a bit of clothes with it to prop my head up even higher. I actually carry two so I can have one between my legs when I sleep.
http://www.rei.com/product/830617/exped-air-pillow
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #4 on: August 26, 2013, 09:05:20 PM
12wheels

Bolder Bikepacking Gear


Location: Boulder, CO
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« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2013, 09:05:20 PM »

Do you use a Camelbak?  If so, blow air into the mouthpiece, inflate the bladder, and close the valve.  The back side of most of the carriers are smooth and make comfortable pillows.  If it's wet cover it with a dry piece of clothing. 
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #5 on: August 27, 2013, 07:00:22 AM
wahday


Location: New Mexico
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« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2013, 07:00:22 AM »

I bought a fleece lined stuff sack for my sleeping bag from REI which I turn inside out stuff with clothes. I love it - quite comfy and a good size so my neck isn't jacked up in the AM. I also use a small stuffed cloth sack between my knees for a better sleep (otherwise I get some back and hip pain)

The other thing I did for a good night's sleep was buy a new pad. Got a Big Agnes (can't remember the model) which changed my life. I had been using thermarests. What a huge difference! Last three nights out with it have been my best camp sleeping in years.
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #6 on: August 27, 2013, 07:45:07 AM
danimal


Location: The Great Northwet
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« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2013, 07:45:07 AM »

I have been happy with one of these: http://www.rei.com/product/799192/cocoon-hyperlite-pillow

Initially it was quite bulbous and my head would tend to roll off.  I made one simple mod to it that helped a lot and may help a lot of other inflatable pillows.  With it deflated,  I draped it over a button at it's center and, from the other side, tied a small piece of thin cord TIGHTLY around the pillow/around the button.  Makes a depression in the center to cradle my skull.  I also put it under my air pad so it stays put.  Call me a wuss, but I love having a pillow.  2.4 OZ is a small price to pay for a happy neck in the AM.
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #7 on: August 27, 2013, 09:10:15 AM
mtnbound


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« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2013, 09:10:15 AM »

+1 on the fleece lined stuff sack.  Use the stuff sack during the day and turn it inside out at night.  I stuff my down jacket inside, plus maybe a few other things and it makes a good pillow.  The fleece is just awesome and the stuff sack doesn't really add any extra weight.
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #8 on: August 27, 2013, 10:46:21 AM
trebor


Location: Los Angeles, CA
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« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2013, 10:46:21 AM »

I've had fair luck with these.

http://www.ultralightdesigns.com/products/sleeping/flexAirPillow.html

Got the 3 pack. 1 was a defect with one seam unsealed, one leaked flat on the second use, the third one is still working. YMMV.
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Rob Roberts

  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #9 on: August 27, 2013, 01:33:39 PM
WyoRacerX


Location: Wyoming
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« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2013, 01:33:39 PM »

Thumbs up for the Exped.

One of these. Without a doubt the best camp pillow out there. I still use a bit of clothes with it to prop my head up even higher. I actually carry two so I can have one between my legs when I sleep.
http://www.rei.com/product/830617/exped-air-pillow


Sent from my mobile
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #10 on: August 28, 2013, 12:57:30 AM
Area54
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Location: Daisy Hill, Brisbane Australia
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« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2013, 12:57:30 AM »

I use a down vest inside a stuffsack, the backside of a pack or ortlieb bumbag, or just an outstretched arm. The less to carry the better, and using things for multiple uses is better than carrying specialised things that perform only one function.

I'm a side sleeper, so need a little cush for the ear, but 'train' so to speak, with a thin pillow at home.

I hate the noise of inflatables, feel and sound like I'm sleeping on a pack of potato chips.

Our daughter curled up with a 6" round log one night, she's hardcore Smiley

The little Exped 'cashew nut' pillow/pad inflator is a neat little thing too. It may seem dinky, but it works well to keep moisture out of the pad (more critical for cold weather use) and suffices as a pillow.
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Amazing where riding a bike will take you...

  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #11 on: August 28, 2013, 08:37:10 PM
Opening Gambit


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« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2013, 08:37:10 PM »

Try this website for size:

http://www.feistycamping.co.uk/#!other-sleeping-kit/c1toy
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #12 on: August 29, 2013, 01:13:28 AM
Damnitman


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« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2013, 01:13:28 AM »

...the empty bladder from the box of wine you finished off sitting around the fire works great...
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  Topic Name: Anyone recommend a good camping pillow Reply #13 on: August 29, 2013, 12:40:51 PM
wunnspeed

SpoK Werks - Handmade Cycling Goods


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« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2013, 12:40:51 PM »

I love my Exped medium air pillow. Tiny, light and quickly becoming one of the best parts of my sleep system.
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