Looking for the best camping pillow may not be your first thought when buying gear for hiking and camping, but it’s one of those creature comforts that you only really miss when it’s gone. When you’re camping in the middle of nowhere, chances are, you’re going to think about the fluffy pillow you left back home.
Unfortunately, that same pillow is too bulky for stuffing into a hiking pack, even if you’re carrying a 60L pack. That’s why specialized camping pillows are a thing. These fluffy yet ultra-compact pillows fold down to squares and cylinders that fit in the palm of your hand. Since they’re small, the weight is negligible too so you’re less exhausted once you reach your campsite.
While picking out a camping pillow isn’t exactly rocket science, we’ve gone ahead and picked out several camping pillows for you to choose from so you won’t get stiff neck while you’re out in the great outdoors.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow
- Folds down to just 5 x 2 inches.
- Shaped to provide neck and lumbar support.
- Made from waterproof TPU fabric.
- Rapid one-click inflation and deflation.
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Best for Comfort
NEMO Fillo Elite Luxury
- Very compact and light, making it perfect for long hikes.
- Easy to inflate and deflate.
- Washable cover that can withstand your washing machine.
- Impressive cushioning that lets no air out.
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Best Budget Option
3 Pack Gray Ultralight Inflatable Pillow
- Value pack option for big camping groups.
- Soft textured fabric that vaguely resembles suede.
- Inflates easily and deflates just as fast via the air valve at the back.
- Folds into handkerchief sized squares.
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1Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow
Best Overall
Nothing says compact like a 12-inch-long pillow folding down to a tiny 5-inch-long cylindrical bag. The Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow easily takes the cake for the best camping pillow on this list. At just 110 grams or 3.9 ounces, this fluffy inflatable pillow is lighter than a can of soda.
The designers of this pillow thought of everything you could possibly want from a camping pillow. Its reverse side features a dot and latch design that keeps it from slipping out of your sleeping bag and attaches to an inflatable sleeping pad.
The Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow is made of TPU fabric, making it both waterproof and surprisingly cool against the skin. This fabric easily inflates with a single click and a few puffs of breath. All you have to do is open the small tab at the back, give it around 3-5 breaths, and you’re set. Packing up is easy too since the pillow quickly deflates with a simple long press of the air hole.
PROS
- Folds down to just 5 x 2 inches.
- Shaped to provide neck and lumbar support.
- Made from waterproof TPU fabric.
- Rapid one-click inflation and deflation.
CONS
- Hand wash only.
- Not as soft as a real pillow so you might want to put a jacket or handkerchief over it.
2Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Pillow
Ergonomic inflatable pillows may be compact and lightweight, but there’s no denying that they don’t feel like the real thing. This pillow from Wise Owl Outfitters is designed to look and feel like your regular at-home pillow, just smaller and more compressible.
The Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Pillow is a memory foam pillow that folds down into a waterproof pouch. It’s not as small as the previous pillow since the pouch is roughly the size of lightweight summer sleeping bags, but the comfort it brings is worth it if you don’t have to carry your gear on foot for an extended period of time.
The pillow has a suede surface texture that can be removed for washing. It’s completely hassle-free and washing machine and dryer friendly, letting you stay comfortable and relaxed even after your camping trip.
PROS
- Fluffy memory foam stuffing.
- Suede textured surface.
- Machine washable and dryer friendly pillow case.
- Comes with a waterproof storage bag.
CONS
- Bulky and heavy, not recommended for camping during a hike.
- Micro suede texture retains stains more versus polyester.
3TETON Sports Camp Pillow
So you liked the previous pillow but you’re not a fan of suede. Why not have a look at the TETON Sports Camp Pillow?
This camping pillow uses a polyester and cotton blend fabric pillow case that you can wash together with the entire pillow or take off for separate washing by hand or with a washing machine.
This is a no-inflation necessary pillow as the interior is stuffed tightly with comfy fluff. Sure, it isn’t memory foam like the previous one, but the overall feel is even closer to a regular pillow, making it perfect for campers who just can’t sleep unless everything feels familiar.
PROS
- Real fabric pillow case.
- A regular pillow feel.
- Folds down into a waterproof bag.
- Pillow case can be washed with or separate from the pillow.
CONS
- Not very portable.
- Little to no ergonomic support for neck and lower back area.
43 Pack Gray Ultralight Inflatable Pillow
Best Budget Option
Did anyone say bang for the buck? This 3 Pack Gray Ultralight Inflatable Pillow gives you not one but three inflatable camping pillows at the same price as others on this list. Of course, don’t expect too much since this is a much cheaper option. That said, it’s not a bad camping pillow since it does the job of being comfy and compact.
These pillows are made of light and soft PVC fabric and can be inflated in just a few breaths. Granted, the nozzle isn’t as flat as you might like, but at this price point, there’s no beating it.
PROS
- Value pack option for big camping groups.
- Soft textured fabric that vaguely resembles suede.
- Inflates easily and deflates just as fast.
- Folds into handkerchief sized squares.
CONS
- Air nozzle sticks out.
- Little neck and lumbar support.
- Slight plasticky smell when brand new that goes away after a while.
5Klymit Drift Camping Pillow
The weather changes unpredictably, especially when you’re outdoors. Sometimes it just rains and suddenly you and your gear are soaked. If you have the Klymit Drift Camping Pillow though, you’ll at least have a dry pillow.
The Klymit Drift Camping Pillow’s main selling point is its reversible cover. On one side, you have a water-resistant shell made from tiny bits of shredded memory foam. The other side is a 100% cotton cover that stays as cool on the skin as any regular cotton pillowcase.
You’ll have to remove the case for washing, but not to worry, it’s machine washable.
PROS
- Made from memory foam for maximum neck support.
- Washable and reversible pillow case.
- Pure cotton reverse side.
- Water resistant outer side.
CONS
- Can be rolled but stays bulky even when strapped down.
- No storage bag included.
6Grand Trunk Hooded Travel Pillow
Everyone has their sleeping preferences which is how this travel neck pillow ended up on a list of camping pillows. Maybe you prefer your camping pillow to be portable but also easy to use on the trip to your camping/hiking location. That’s where the Grand Trunk Hooded Travel Pillow comes in.
The Grand Trunk Hooded Travel Pillow may seem like an odd pick, but like many camping pillows, it folds into a portable carrier sack that can be stuffed into your pack with ease. The pillow comes with a cinch-able drawstring so you can keep it attached to your head as you sleep.
Not a fan of the tracest amount of sunlight filtering through your tent? Just pull up the hood of this travel pillow and snooze away.
PROS
- Carrier sack included.
- Adjustable hood that folds away when not needed.
- Comes with drawstrings for keeping your pillow secured.
- Flexible for use both at camp and on the go.
CONS
- Not an ultra compact pillow, folds to 11 x 5 inches.
- Thick fleece fabric may not be the best for warmer weather.
7NEMO Fillo Elite Luxury
Best for Comfort
The NEMO Fillo Elite Luxury is proof you don’t have to be uncomfortable just because you’re sleeping outdoors. This ultra-light, ultra fluffy, and ultra cozy pillow may share a lot of similar features with cheaper hiking pillows, but the actual experience of using it is night and day.
The pillow can be packed down to a cylindrical shape the size of a lime and it comes with a drawstring bag for keeping it folded that way until you reach your campsite. It uses an innovative synthetic fabric that’s gentle on skin and feels as cool as cotton even if you take it camping during the summer.
PROS
- Very compact and light, making it perfect for long hikes.
- Easy to inflate and deflate.
- Washable cover that can withstand your washing machine.
- Impressive cushioning that lets no air out.
CONS
- Much pricier compared to other camping pillows.
- No special ergonomic features.
8Klymit Luxe Pillow
How about a camping pillow that’s almost as big as the one you have at home? The Klymit Luxe Pillow offers full-sized comfort at a fraction of the pack size of a regular pillow.
This pillow features a soft quilted cover that you can wash in a washing machine separate from the rest of the pillow.
Weighing just 7 ounces, this pillow folds into a measly 7 x 3 inches cylinder. Once inflated, this extra large pillow expands to 22 inches x 12.5 of pure bedtime goodness.
PROS
- Soft quilted cover.
- Cover can be removed and machine washed.
- Expands to the size of a full size pillow.
- Compresses to a very pack friendly 7 x 3 inches.
CONS
- Pricy compared to other pillows on this list.
- Takes a bit longer to inflate versus smaller inflatable pillows.
