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When you go on a camping trip, you'll want something to support your head as you sleep. Others may like the added convenience of having a pillow to sleep on after a long day of camping. You could look at camping pillows and bring one on the trip. Since there are tons of options, like different fill materials and sizes, you may not know which one you should buy.
We created a list of camping pillows to help you find one that will support your head during a trip. Our favorite was the Therm-a-Rest Pillow since it includes foam, comes in four sizes, and you can compress it. Read on for more of our choices, and at the end, we also created a buying guide reviewed by an outdoor guide, so you can find your ideal filling, thickness, and other important points!
My name is 박 (Pak). I am a first-generation Korean American who has worked in the outdoors for 6 years as a guide. Now I'm enjoying traveling around with my bicycle and spending time outdoors with my dog Gaara.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
As you look through the list of the 10 best camping pillows, you may wonder which will be the most comfortable for you. We think it's important to look into a pillow's fill material, size, shape, and convenience. Because of this, we wrote a buying guide to help you look at these details and find a great pillow for you!
Not only do you need to think about the material, but also the pillow's shape and size. From standard shapes to curved ones, you have lots of options to think about, so we want to go over some of them.
Most camping pillows will come in standard or curved shapes. The standard shape is a rectangle, which most people are familiar with. These pillows are usually wider, providing more head space as you sleep.
However, because it thins out at the edges, it's less ideal for people who sleep on their backs since it doesn't offer support along the sides of their heads. The thinner edges do prevent the pillow from covering your face, so this makes standard pillows excellent for side sleepers.
Curved pillows do a great job of providing support to the back and sides of your head. Unfortunately, if you're a side sleeper, the pillow's side will bend into your face. Curved pillows make it easier to keep still when you're sleeping, though, thanks to the extra side support.
Pillows come in various sizes of length, width, and thickness. Most pillows will be roughly 16, 12, and four inches in length, width, and thickness, respectively. Keep in mind you can find pillows as small as 10 inches and as big as 23 inches in length.
Smaller pillows are easier to carry around and store, but your head may roll off of them if you move in your sleep. Larger pillows provide more head space while letting you fold them in half to make them thicker, but they will take up more storage space.
As you look into the thickness of pillows, you should choose one between 3 to 5 inches to provide enough support for your neck. You may decide to choose a thinner pillow if you have smaller shoulders, or a thicker one if you have broader shoulders. However, this mostly applies to side sleepers. If you are worried about space, think about getting an inflatable pillow as they pack pretty small.
Camping pillows have different fill materials, which refers to the material inside of the pillow. You will mostly come across the cotton, foam, and air pillows, so let's see what advantages you can get!
Unfortunately, cotton easily absorbs water, so it can get gross if you tend to sweat or your face gets very oily at night. Cotton isn't anti-microbial so it tends to stink after a day or two. It is best to find a material that will have more antimicrobial properties like wool which will keep the stink away longer especially if you get your pillow wet.
Foam pillows come in a variety of types, such as memory foam or polyester. Memory foam molds to the shape of your head, while polyester remains a more consistent shape that provides support. Foam pillows have different degrees of firmness, giving you the option to find one you like.
On the other hand, the pillows may not feel as comfortable if you sleep on a hard surface since the foam will get compressed from both sides. Luckily, foam pillows do a good job of supporting your neck when you sleep, making them good for side sleepers. Foam pillows are a great choice for campers who want comfort or customized options.
You can also choose an air pillow, meaning you blow it up with air before using it. These pillows are easy to store since you can deflate them when you don’t need them, making them take up less storage space. However, if they pop or get a puncture, they become useless.
You can fill up an air pillow with as much air as you want, letting you choose the level of softness you're comfortable with. Choose an air pillow if you have very limited storage space or you want greater control over just how soft the pillow is.
The firmness doesn’t matter as much for inflatable pillows since you can manually adjust them, but you should keep it in mind for other types of pillows. While soft pillows are more comfortable for the head, they may not provide as much neck support since your head will sink into them. On the bright side, the pillow will naturally adjust its shape as you lie on it.
Firm pillows do a great job of providing neck support due to their hardness, but some people will find them too tough to sleep on. Firm pillows work well for people who sleep on any side since their thickness is consistent. Sellers will use different terms to describe the firmness of the pillows, so we recommend reading the product descriptions carefully.
At some point, your pillow might get dirty. There's oil from your face, but also the extra dirt you may encounter when camping. That's why a removable cover may come in handy. This way, you can easily wash it when it gets dirty. A case or cover will help you avoid staining and dirtying the actual pillow.
Without a cover, you may need to wash the entire pillow. In some cases, even by hand. And a whole pillow will take a lot longer to dry off than a single cover. It may be one extra thing to think about, but in the long run, a cover will benefit you. Some may not come with covers, but the pillows themselves may be machine washable if you just want to wash the entire pillow.
A great tip is to use an extra buff or neck gaiter as a pillowcase. Then you have an extra one in your pack and can use any pillow!
Water-resistant pillows are a common option for camping trips. If you camp without a water-resistant pillow, you could end up with a wet pillow you can't use. For example, if you camp with kids, some of them may accidentally spill water on the pillow.
Whether you plan to camp in a hot or cold climate, you may want a water-resistant pillow. If you camp in hot weather, the heat could cause you to sweat which would soak into the pillow. If you go in cold weather with rain or snow, water could get into the tent and get on your pillow.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow for Camping | $29.95 High Mid | Best Pillow Available in Multiple Sizes | ||
2 | Teton Sports ComfortLite Self-Inflating Pillow | $19.99 Mid | Best Self-Inflating Option for Camping | ||
3 | Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Camping Pillow | $17.99 Low Mid | Best Non-Slip Pillow for Any Sleeping Position | ||
4 | Wise Owl Outfitters Compressible Foam Pillow | $21.95 Mid | Best for Protecting Your Pillow | ||
5 | Teton Sports | $14.99 Low Mid | Best Camping Pillow With a High-Quality Case | ||
6 | Rugged Camp Camping Pillow | $15.99 Low Mid | Best Inflatable Option That's Really Easy to Inflate | ||
7 | Coop Home Goods Adjustable Travel and Camping Pillow | $34.99 High Mid | Best Camping Pillow for Warm Areas | ||
8 | Cozy Hut Portable Memory Foam Camping Pillow | $39.00 High | Best Camping Pillow for Comfort | ||
9 | Klymit | $24.46 Mid | Best Water-Resistant Option That's Easy to Carry |
Pros:
Cons:
Our top pick from Therm-a-Rest comes with a drawstring on the storage bag, so you can make it smaller for transportation. Since it's available in various sizes, you can choose whichever size works best for your camping trip.
A couple of reviewers said the pillow felt a bit lumpy as if it had chunks of stuffing in it. However, many reviewers appreciated that they could compress the pillow to transport it. They also liked how it provided neck support to avoid strain and aches.
Pros:
Cons:
This one inflates and deflates on its own, so it's a convenient option for people who aren't a fan of manually inflating pillows. The valve is designed to easily twist open and closed when you want to adjust the air volume in the pillow.
Some reviewers said the material was a bit slippery and would make noise during the evening. Nevertheless, plenty of reviewers appreciated how the pillow was self-inflating. They also loved how they could adjust the firmness by letting some of the air out.
Pros:
Cons:
This Trekology pillow can be compressed down to a size smaller than a soda can for easy storage. It also has non-slip rubber on the bottom, so you don't have to worry about the pillow sliding around in your tent.
A few reviewers said the pillow would leak a bit at the seams or at the valve. On the other hand, more than a couple of reviewers appreciated the lightweight design since it made transportation easier. They also found the pillow comfortable to sleep on.
Pros:
Cons:
This one comes with a removable cover, so you can easily clean and dry it whenever you need to. The waterproof sack is also a plus since it can help you with transportation and protect your pillow during rainy or super humid weather.
A couple of reviewers felt the pillow didn't do a good job of providing their necks or backs with support. On the bright side, a plethora of reviewers loved how soft the pillow felt. They also appreciated the cover since they could remove and wash it as needed.
Pros:
Cons:
This pillow comes with a soft pillowcase that can be washed, removed, and used as needed. You can also compress the pillow into its carrying case, so this makes it convenient to carry along with its lightweight design.
A couple of reviewers found the pillow too thin for their preferences. Despite that point, a plethora of reviewers appreciated the removable cover and said the material felt soft. They also loved the lightweight design since they could easily carry it when they would go camping.
Pros:
Cons:
This Rugged Camp option is designed for you to easily fill it up with air after a few breaths. Since it has a simple valve for you to use, you can easily inflate and deflate the pillow when you need to. It can also be packed to a compact size, so it won't take up much space in your bag.
A few reviewers said they had issues with the pillow forming leaks after a few uses. Despite that point, loads of reviewers noticed the pillow was easy to inflate when they needed it. They also appreciated how the material and surface were soft when they used it.
Pros:
Cons:
This pillow is great to use in warmer conditions due to its breathable design and water resistance. It's designed to keep your head cold, so you don't end up sweating during the night.
Some reviewers said they struggled with compressing the pillow, so it was difficult to store. Nevertheless, a fair portion of reviewers noticed the pillow kept their heads cool during the night. They also appreciated how the pillow felt plush while they used it.
Pros:
Cons:
This pillow puts a heavy emphasis on comfort since it has memory foam and is five inches thick at the edges. It also can be compressed and adjusted as needed, making it great for camping.
Some reviewers said the pillow felt stiff and didn't provide them with enough support. But on the other hand, a plethora of reviewers noticed this pillow was comfortable to sleep on. They noticed it worked great for people who slept on their sides.
Pros:
Cons:
This pillow comes with a pillowcase and a waterproof cover to keep your pillow safe. It even comes with a Velcro strap for the cover, so you can prevent your pillow from slipping out while you travel.
Some reviewers said they expected the filling to feel softer than it did. On the other hand, many reviewers appreciated how the cotton cover felt soft against their skin. They also appreciated the waterproof cover since they could carry it with minimal worries.
A pillow isn't all you'll need to stay comfortable, so take a look at some other products that could help you get a good night's sleep in the great outdoors.
As you go through our camping pillows, you can also check the best sellers on Amazon, so you can review the options available to you.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Therm-a-Rest|Compressible Travel Pillow for Camping
No. 2: Teton Sports|ComfortLite Self-Inflating Pillow
No. 3: Trekology|Ultralight Inflatable Camping Pillow
No. 4: Wise Owl Outfitters|Compressible Foam Pillow
No. 5: Teton Sports|
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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