View Full Version : pillow talk
ekeverette
10-15-2011, 17:16
could a couple of you seasoned hikers please give me some suggestions on a good pillow that will get my head off the matt, but not weigh me down. it was a post not to long ago about this, but can,t find it. thanks.
could a couple of you seasoned hikers please give me some suggestions on a good pillow that will get my head off the matt, but not weigh me down. it was a post not to long ago about this, but can,t find it. thanks.A search on "pillow" title only shows about 30 threads.
Based on your two criteria only, the medical inflatable is a good solution.
Hosaphone
10-16-2011, 13:31
Thermarest compressible pillow (http://www.backcountry.com/therm-a-rest-compressible-pillow?CMP_SKU=CAS0444&MER=0406&CMP_ID=SH_FRO001&mv_pc=r126&mr:trackingCode=853DC1DA-F061-DF11-9DA0-002219319097&mr:referralID=NA) is a comfy foam pillow but heavy at 7oz for a small. The best inflatable I've tried so far is the Exped Air pillow (http://www.rei.com/product/797662/exped-air-pillow?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-797662&mr:trackingCode=0AC76540-144C-E011-9D00-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA) at ~3oz. I've been trying really hard to get used to sleeping on an inflatable but I still don't find them as comfortable as foam. The search function works pretty well but here's the thread you're looking for (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?77384-Pillow-Shopping).
BigHodag
10-16-2011, 14:04
I use a small inflatable U-shaped travel pillow that weighs just 4 oz. While these can be found at Target and Walmart for about $5, I bought my recent one at Academy Sports for just $3. I store it deflated inside my hammock stuff sack to keep it with my sleeping system. It also does double duty on bus trips so I don't mind the few extra ounces. The secret to these is to under-inflate so they're "mushy."
I've been the "just stuff your jacket into a stuff sack" route and had the stiff neck in the morning. I've always awaken fresh and relaxed with the travel pillow.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?77384-Pillow-Shopping
I saw a Zip-Open Travel Pillow at KMart that I'm considering. I don't think I can get a good night sleep on stinky clothes stuffed into a sack. It's going to be enough transitioning from my Tempurpedic to a ThermaRest.
I put my sweater in a stuff sack - that's the pillow
I saw a Zip-Open Travel Pillow at KMart that I'm considering. I don't think I can get a good night sleep on stinky clothes stuffed into a sack. It's going to be enough transitioning from my Tempurpedic to a ThermaRest.
Your "pillow" is gonna smell just as bad as those clothes after awhile .... Rain jacket, or down stuffed within a pillow sack or homeade sack works without adding weight, AND doesn't lose its loft like down or foam pillows.
I have a thermarest and down pillow ... after trying them ALL ... its not worth the weight of a wannabe pillow ...
Why not just strap a pillow pet to your pack and call it a day?
Thermarest (cascade designs) used to make a flocked nylon "pillow case" which you could stuff with clothing items. A down vest or jacket is ideal and your head will keep it moderately warm for those quick late night trips to the bushes. You can make do with what you have, too, and not carry any extra weight. Just stuff clothing items into a stuff sack and cover the sack with a t-shirt of any material for a reasonably supportive pillow.
Hosaphone
10-18-2011, 16:10
Rain jacket, or down stuffed within a pillow sack or homeade sack works without adding weight, AND doesn't lose its loft like down or foam pillows.
In effect, using an insulating layer as a pillow actually DOES add weight to your pack, because you need a heavier sleeping bag. If you wear the insulating layer inside the bag, you can extend the rating and get by with a lighter sleeping bag. For example... a 20 degree bag and using your down jacket as a pillow, or you could carry a 30 degree bag and wear the jacket, and carry a 3oz pillow. They will most likely work out to similar weights.
Maple_Sky
10-19-2011, 11:02
For a section hike this summer I used a kid's water wing from walmart cut down one seam so it laid out. It weighs very little and takes up little space in the pack. I just inflated it, wrapped it with my cleanest bandanna, and secured the ends of the bandanna with my hair elastics. It worked out just fine.
Old Hiker
10-19-2011, 11:43
I have a down vest that has a pocket with a stuff sack in it. Dual use with no weight gain. If I had to wear it to bed, I'd just use a stuff sack with any excess clothing. Except for socks. They stay outside!
Smooth & Wasabi
10-19-2011, 14:00
I have been using a flex air pillow from the now defunct Backpacking light store. Maybe someone who knows another source could chime it. It is inflatable with a microfiber cover that is pretty comfy. Weight is about .5 ounces if I remember correctly. I have been using mine for a year and it has held up to a couple weeks worth of trips but I can't speak to long term thru hike durability. They were packaged in threes for around 15$ so replacing once in a while is reasonable.
gearfreak
10-19-2011, 15:12
I used the Epxed Air Pillow (http://www.rei.com/gear/feature/search/Google/Exped%20Air%20Pillow?s_kwcid=TC%7C13029%7Cexped%20 air%20pillow%7C%7CS%7Ce%7C6733085645&cm_mmc=ps_google_CH-_-Category%20-%20Sleeping%5FBags-_-Sleeping_Bags_Brand_Exped-_-exped%20air%20pillow&gclid=CL6NpYW59asCFQJ-5Qod7y3IMA) for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was very pleased with it. I prefer it to the Thermarest small I've used for years at more than twice the weight. Much easier to pack as well. I initially kept in in the hood of my bag, but for the final couple of nights moved it under my pad just to elevate my head. Worked for me. 3 ounces.
Why not just strap a pillow pet to your pack and call it a day?
Mary found hers
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/296659_10150377883168534_503258533_8342353_6444863 30_n.jpg
Mary found hers
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/296659_10150377883168534_503258533_8342353_6444863 30_n.jpg
Yeah! Thats where i got the comment from ... our discussions on the facebook group .... i can see this becoming a trend and atleast a dozen thru hiker's will have pillow pets hanging from their packs in 2012 ... i see it happening. =)