Camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it. Gone are the days of wadding up your down jacket and turning it into a makeshift camping pillow while you try to get a few winks. The truth is, sleeping in the great outdoors is just as comfortable as you make it, and we’ve keyed in on the best camping pillows out there to make sure you catch those all-important Zs.

We’ve tested more than two dozen pillows now over close to a decade of wilderness slumber. These pillows have helped us sleep soundly on chilly fall nights and balmy summer ones, at campsites next to babbling brooks, in alpine basins and sometimes just the back of our trucks at a last-minute road trip parking lot. We measured them up against one another on both comfort, but also consider metrics such as price, packability, and ease of cleaning.

Whether you’re after the end-all camping (but not backpacking) comfort of the LUNO Packable Camp Pillow, or maybe need something that can be carried in a pack, like the budget-friendly Cocoon AirCore Hood/Camp Pillow, we’ve pulled together our list of the top cushions for camp snoozes. Check out our recommendations below.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Best Camping Pillows guide on May 9, 2025, to add five new excellent camp pillows, including our new best overall pick, the LUNO Packable Camp Pillow, as well as several other award-worthy camp cushions.

Best Overall Camping Pillow

LUNO Packable Camp Pillow

$60 at Luno

9.3

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Materials: Polyester jersey and spandex blends outside, shredded memory foam fill
• Weight: 2 lbs., 9 oz.
• Packed Volume: N/A
• Thickness: 6"
• Stuff Sack: N/A

Pros

• Super soft memory foam fill has 6" of cushion
• Adjustable firmness with access zipper
• Warm and cool sides of the pillow
• Washable cover

Cons

• On the pricier side
• Won't pack down very small

Billy Brown

The LUNO Packable Camp Pillow ($60) became the primary pillow for our campers this spring, and we’re even talking domestic use here. This memory foam pillow is swaddled in ultra-premium materials that land it on the high-brow end of camp pillows, but it manages to do so without asking for a silly amount out of your pocket. We think this is the best overall camping pillow out currently.

With a warm and a cool side of the pillow, most of our campers were won over. LUNO uses a polyester jersey blend on one side for cozying up and a very fine polyester spandex mesh on the other to shed excess warmth on summer nights. This avoids the common issue of memory foam pillows that trap heat and stay hot, making them less ideal on super warm evenings.

We broke this pillow in on a road trip across Washington recently, where it showed up every night and was a soft place to crash out on after miles on the road. There’s no stuff sack of any kind, so you’ll need to keep it clean while travelling, but that’s no heavy lift.

There’s a hidden zipper on the side of this pillow, which allows you to adjust the amount of shredded memory foam filler to your liking, though we found the standard amount worked for just about everybody who used it. When we played around with adjusting the amount of memory foam fill, we realized you’ll need to find a safe place to stash your excess foam, but that you can really dial in the comfort to each camper.

The Packable Camp Pillow is available in two sizes, and even the regular is a healthy 11” x 16.5”, making these cushions ideal for car and front-country camping. The packed size is a bit larger, but that’s less of an issue when you’ve got a trunk to fill instead of a backpack.

At $60, the Packable Camp Pillow undercuts several other premium pillows on our list but bests more than a few in comfort. A similar cushion to consider would be the HEST Camp Pillow, a similar memory foam-filled design but at a higher price of $89. For most folks, we think that the LUNO option does it better. It certainly isn’t a pillow we’d backpack with, but instead has become our go-to for car camping.

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Best Budget Camping Pillow

Cocoon AirCore Hood/Camp Pillow

$30 at REI

6.5

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

• Type: Inflatable
• Materials: Nylon, polyester
• Weight: 4-10.5 oz.
• Packed Size: 4 in x 3 in – 7 in x 5 in
• Thickness: N/A
• Stuff Sack: Separate

Pros

• Tiny packed size
• Choice of two fabrics
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Slightly finicky valve cap

Billy Brown

We absolutely loved the Cocoon AirCore Hood/Camp Pillow ($30) as a budget-friendly camping pillow that is still comfortable and small enough for backpacking with ease.

For only $10-15 more than our cheapest pillow on the list, the AirCore Hood/Camp has a lot more bells and whistles. It’s the second smallest pillow on this list (only to the Aeros Down Ultralight Pillow) and third cheapest (behind the REI Co-op Trailmade Mummy Bag Pillow and the Trekology ALUFT 2.0).  

When we tested this pillow in Montana’s Swan Valley this spring, we really appreciated the difference in fabric between the two sides of the pillow. With nylon and quilted sides, you can decide if you want that cozy feel of the fleece-esque quilt or the cooling relief of nylon.

We also found the setup to be a breeze: simply puff out two breaths, and the pillow is totally full. You can release pressure slightly if you want a softer pillow. Three sizes give campers a choice between small, medium, or full-sized pillows. 

We loved this pillow so much that we took it on various hammock reading excursions in parks and by streams in Missoula. That’s when we noticed the need to firmly secure the cap to avoid losing air. Twice, we thought we had secured the cap, but instead, air was leaking out. Avoid doing this overnight by checking that the cap on the valve is firmly in place. 

If you’re looking for a compact, lightweight pillow that won’t break the bank, look no further than the AirCore Hood/Camp Pillow. It’s safe to say we’re hooked. 

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Best Backpacking Pillow

Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow

Check Price at REICheck Price at Backconutry

9.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

• Type: Inflatable
• Materials: 50D brushed polyester stretch knit face, synthetic fill
• Weight: 2.7 oz. (regular)
• Packed Volume: 0.4 L
• Thickness: 4.3"
• Stuff Sack: Separate

Pros

• Perfect fit in many mummy sleeping bags
• Soft stretch knit face material
• Slight scalloped edge to tuck under your neck
• Very small packed size and weight

Cons

• Pillow cover can become grungy, but can recover with some soap and water

Billy Brown

Made of technical fabrics from the brand’s sleeping bags and laminated on a TPU air bladder, the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow ($55) is contoured to provide secure comfort while you sleep. We’ve used these pillows for entire thru-hikes now, and they’re still going strong, providing the perfect solution for those carrying everything on their backs.

Senior Editor Nick Belcaster has been using the same Aeros Premium pillow since 2018, and besides needing to be washed a few times, it’s been perfect. Packing down to smaller than your fist, it was one of the luxury items that found their way into his pack during the PCT, where it was 100% worth the weight. The TPU bladder can be reduced in pressure a good bit for a deep cushion on the trail.

The scalloped bottom secures the pillow to your shoulders, keeping it in place whether you’re sleeping on your back, stomach, or side. It even works well when sleeping upright in a chair, making it a great choice for road trips or long flights.

One of our favorite details of this premium inflatable pillow is the three-way mini valve, which allows for rapid inflation and deflation. It also features a press-button release valve, which lets you fine-tune the pillow’s softness to your preference.

We also love Sea to Summit’s proprietary PillowLock system, which is on all of their pillows. This system works with Sea to Summit sleeping pads to stick to the pad and keep it in place while you sleep. When you pack it up, the pillow compresses into its stuff sack to about a third of the size of a water bottle, so you have no excuse to leave it at home. If you want an even more pillow-like topper, try the Aeros Down Pillow for very similar features with an extra layer of warmth and fluffiness. 

The only thing we weren’t crazy about about the Aeros Premium Pillow was its price, which is on the high end comparatively. But when ounces count, it’s an easy trade-off we’d be willing to make again.

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Best Camping Pillow for Side Sleepers

Rumpl Camp Pillow

Check Price at REICheck Price at Rumpl

8.7

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Materials: Polarfleece, polyester, recycled memory foam
• Weight: 2 lbs., 1.6 oz.
• Packed Volume: N/A
• Thickness: 7"
• Stuff Sack: Included

Pros

• Extra tall pillow for side sleepers
• Adjustable memory foam fill
• Warmer fleece and cooler polyester sides for temperature regulation
• Nice looking design

Cons

• Tough to get back into its stuff sack
• Too heavy for backpacking

Billy Brown

The Rumpl Camp Pillow ($49) is our new choice for side sleepers, as it is one of the most supportive pillows right out of the box and can even be used to cushion sore knees or backs. 

At 7″ tall, this pillow has plenty of plush for any-sized camper. If the stuffing is just a bit too much for you, there’s also a zipper to pull a bit of the memory foam out for a softer experience. Our side sleeping campers lauded the pillow height, saying it was perfect for those needing a bit more neck support.

The Camp Pillow is 22” x 15”, close to the typical pillow size, and is covered in two different fabric types for alternative cool and warm-weather use. We found ourselves on the warmer polar fleece side more often this spring, but the quilted polyester side (with its pretty mountain motif) will be excellent to pivot to as the nights warm up.

Other side-sleeper specific pillows to consider include the NEMO Fillo King, a half-foam, half-air bladder option that also provides a good 6” of pillow height, just at a higher price point (and complexity). It is, however, easier to dial in your neck height, and if that’s important to you, give the NEMO a look.

The Camp Pillow isn’t the easiest to get back into its stuff sack, but with enough gumption, it’ll go. It’s also ‘heavy’ for a camp pillow at just north of 2 pounds, but we wouldn’t weigh this much against it. If you need a bit extra support in a camp pillow, certainly check out this option from Rumpl.

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Best Backpacking Ultralight Pillow

Feathered Friends Geoduck Travel Pillow

$45 at Feathered Friends

8.3

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

• Type: Down
• Materials: Textile outer, 800+ fill-power goose down
• Weight: 6 oz.
• Packed Volume: N/A
• Thickness: 3.5"
• Stuff Sack: Attached

Pros

• Ultra-premium goose down fill
• Quite light
• Fills out the hood of a mummy sleeping bag well
• Relatively affordable for a down-filled pillow

Cons

• Pillow can invert if compressed too quickly

Billy Brown

Bringing a pillow on long backpacking trips typically means being stuck with an inflatable option, but the down-filled Feathered Friends Geoduck ($45) isn’t buying it. Just a soft as the brand’s premium sleeping bags, this camp pillow tucks into the hood of your mummy bag for an all-in-one experience.

Stuffed with 800-fill power grey goose down (we own puffies that don’t even use this nice of a feather), the Geoduck is a simple design made to compress into its own pocket when you aren’t getting some shuteye on it. It’s as simple as inverting the pillow into the small internal stuff sack, which reduces the volume by about a third.

Comfort on the Geoduck is impressive, and it’s certainly on the plush side of the spectrum of camp pillows. We think it works best when used inside the hood of a sleeping bag, as it’s wrangled and allowed to puff up completely. Otherwise, the pillow’s exterior is slick, which can slide around a bit.

The only flaw we could drum up came when enthusiastically lying down on the Geoduck, which sometimes forced down from the pillow and into the stuff sack portion. This happened enough that our resident gear hacker added a single snap to the aperture, which kept things where they belong.

We even found that the Geoduck Pillow does excellent double duty as a travel pillow. If you don’t want to compromise on backpacking comfort (and want something less DIY than the stuffable Zpacks pillow), we think this pillow is about the best thing currently available.

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Best Down-Air Hybrid Pillow

Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Amazon

Specifications

• Type: Inflatable and insulated
• Materials: Partially recycled polyester, urethane insert, down fill
• Weight: 4.9 oz. (regular size)
• Packed Volume: 0.6 L
• Thickness: 4 in"
• Stuff Sack: Separate

Pros

• Very comfortable against skin
• Different sizes available
• Sleeping-bag-hood compatible
• Removable and washable cover
• Seasonal versatility

Cons

• More expensive
• A little sticky
• Side sleepers may want more support

Billy Brown

The Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow ($63-73) is lightweight enough for extended backcountry missions but soft and insulated enough to feel like a luxury. How? This iteration of the Air Head pillow has a topper of down added underneath the polyester baffles on the outside of this inflatable pillow.

Aside from the insulation and comfort the down provides, the Air Head Down Pillow is also specifically designed to fit in the hood of a sleeping bag. We found good compatibility with snug mummy bags and spacious camping sacks alike. 

The inflatable body inflates and holds air well across a whole variety of temps. And if you spend time camping or backpacking in any season outside of summer (think: winter camping or those fall hunting trips), you’ll be thankful to have a pillow like this when the temps drop. While testers reported that the down could feel a little sticky on hotter nights, there are none of the dreaded crinkle noises that some other down pillows may have. 

Lastly, we love the Air Head because it comes in two sizes — so you can pick the best one to fit your sleeping bag or general backpacking needs.

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Best Summer Camp Pillow

L.L.Bean Flannel Camp Pillow

Check price at L.L.Bean

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Materials: Cotton flannel, 70-denier nylon exterior, polyester fill
• Weight: 1 lb.
• Packed size: 6 in x 6 in x 10.5 in
• Thickness: N/A
• Stuff sack: Separate

Pros

• Similar to your pillow at home
• Choose between cotton flannel or nylon
• Machine washable

Cons

• Too heavy for anything other than car camping
• Larger packed size

Billy Brown

You don’t always need something fancy for a comfortable night’s sleep under the stars. The L.L.Bean Flannel Camp Pillow ($30) has everything you need and nothing you don’t for a classic camp getaway. 

When we tested the L.L.Bean pillow in northwestern Montana this spring, it made us feel like we were at home in the great outdoors. The soft cotton flannel side of the pillow felt good on our skin and not too hot; the 70-denier nylon was cooling on the other side. The pillow is very user-friendly: just give it a quick shake or two, and it’s good to go, soft and fluffy enough to almost immediately go to sleep on. 

While the stuff sack is definitely losable, everything else about this pillow felt very kid-friendly, ideal for a sleepover or summer camp excursion. It’s soft, comfortable, and plush. At the end of a camping trip, just throw the cover into the washer and dryer to clean it right up. And at just under $30, if your kid rips it or somehow loses it, it’s not the end of the world.

This pillow excels for car camping, not human-powered adventures. At one pound, it’s definitely too heavy for backpacking. And with the second-largest packed size of all the pillows on this list, it’s also best when you have ample room to pack and store your items. 

We love a classic camp pillow that just screams summer. It makes us nostalgic for long summer nights, melting ice cream, and simpler days. For your next car or RV camping trip, make sure to toss the Flannel Camp Pillow in your bag for a good night’s sleep.

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Other Camp Pillows to Catch Some Zs On

HEST Camp Pillow

$89 at REI$99 at Amazon

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Materials: Memory foam, polyester blend
• Weight: 2 lbs., 3.2 oz.
• Packed Volume: N/A
• Thickness: N/A
• Stuff Sack: Integrated

Pros

• Substantial size
• Washable cover
• Customizable loft

Cons

• Noisy zippers
• On the heavier and larger side
• Price

Billy Brown

If you’re looking for a camp pillow that feels like your pillow at home, maybe even better, look no further than the HEST Camp Pillow ($89). We were pleasantly surprised when we unzipped this pillow from its traveling case and saw how large and supportive it was, right out of the bag. 

This pillow is a little tricky to set up initially without instructions, especially if it’s dark and you’re already at your campsite for the night. We suggest checking out the instruction card prior to when you want to fall asleep. A little extra preparation is worth it, though: this pillow comes with an integrated stow cover that’s dirt and water-resistant for keeping it clean while transporting, as well as a machine washable cover to get out all the stink of camping. You can also adjust the loft by removing or adding more fluff for your ideal thickness and size. Go to the brand’s website for detailed instructions. 

A blend of memory foam and polyester makes the pillow poofy, dense, and heavy — ideal for a good night sleep, but not a good option for backpacking or any other trip where space is at a premium. HEST has the largest packed size of all the pillows on this list. Our other knock on this model is zippers that one testing partner noted were noisy while sleeping and rattled around when he shifted his head. 

The HEST Pillow is best for people who like a substantial feeling, soft, large pillow and don’t have weight or budget concerns. Pack it along on your next car camping trip for a luxurious touch and sound sleep.

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NEMO Fillo King

Check Price at backcountry$75 at Amazon

Specifications

• Type: Foam and inflatable
• Materials: Polyester, open-cell foam
• Weight: 14.1 oz.
• Packed volume: 3.2 L
• Thickness: 6"
• Stuff Sack: Integrated

Pros

• Tons of loft
• Huge expanded size
• Integrated stuff sack
• Machine washable cover

Cons

• Larger packed size than regular-size pillows

Billy Brown

The king-size version of the excellent Fillo camping pillow, the NEMO Fillo King ($75) offers 6 inches of loft, which provides great support for side sleepers. The first camp pillow that we’ve seen that incorporated recycled foam filling with an inflatable interior, the Fillo Series combines softness and support better than any other pillow we’ve used.

This mix is perfect for side sleepers. You can inflate the pillow to just the right amount of loft to sleep on your side without cranking your head toward the ground. In addition, the polyester jersey outer feels great against your face and soaks up drool (not a listed benefit, but we’ve verified this during repeated tests).

The stuff sack is integrated into the pillow, sliding into a pocket on the bottom of the pillow. This is huge for those of us who’ve tossed the contents of our tents looking for our pillow’s tiny stuff sack, only to find it stuck to the bottom of our sleeping bag. The soft face fabric mimics your favorite pillowcase at home.

The Fillo King is great for camping, but its packing size and functionality make it ideal for road trips, long flights, and even for lumbar support on the road.

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Teton Sports Camp Pillow

$20 at Amazon

6.8

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

• Type: Synthetic fill
• Materials: Polyester shell and hollow fiber fill
• Weight: 1 lb., 11.2 oz.
• Packed Volume: N/A
• Thickness: 7"
• Stuff Sack: Included

Pros

• Dependable summer camp-style pillow
• Deep 7" of cushion
• Two different face fabrics with fleece and cooler polyester
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Stuff sack isn't the best
• Synthetic fill can hold onto heat

Billy Brown

At $36 (and often on sale for less), the Teton Sports Camp Pillow is a trusty classic pillow design that doesn’t demand much in return for its loyalty. This pillow jams in features of our other favorite pillows, but for a bit less out of pocket.

Offered up in both regular and grand sizing (we tested the Grand), this pillow is covered in both a cooling polyester and a fleece side so you can dial in your comfort. The hollow fiber fill is fairly basic compared to the memory foam and down options out there. Still, it’s also not going anywhere for a long time, and is durable enough to withstand being forgotten outside in the rain (ask us how we know). 

Thankfully, that pillowcase is removable, so even after a soggy evening, we could revive the Grand Camp with a pass through the washer. The pillow itself packs down pretty compactly into the included drawstring bag as well, and lands about middle of the pack in compressed size compared to the rest of our lineup.

For just a bit more than our best budget pick, the Grand Camp pillow is an excellent option if an inflatable pillow isn’t your style.

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EXPED Mega Pillow

$65 at REI

Specifications

• Type: Inflatable
• Materials: Brushed tricot nylon exterior, 160 g/m Texpedloft microfiber insulation
• Weight: 6 oz.
• Packed Volume: 5.1 in x 3.9 in packed size, inflated dimensions 20.9 x 12.6 x 4.7 in
• Thickness: 4.7"
• Stuff Sack: Separate

Pros

• Large when inflated but packs down small
• Soft tricot nylon material feels good on skin
• Can be attached to a mat
• Removable, washable cover

Cons

• Doesn't fit easily in some sleeping bag hoods
• Can be a little too thick when fully inflated

Billy Brown

Big pillow lovers, rejoice. You’ll never need to spend another camping night with your head sliding off the pillow or feeling like there juuuuust isn’t enough support. The EXPED Mega Pillow ($60) is mega in all the ways you want and none of the ways you don’t. 

This pillow packs down relatively small and light, ideal for everything from car camping to backpacking, but blows up big. Hence the name. We loved how supportive and comfortable this pillow was. In fact, our secondary tester started out the night with this before our primary tester had to steal it and try for herself. It’s just that good. The soft cloth feels good on our face and both back and side sleepers will find adequate support. 

It’s hard to find much to complain about. If fitting your pillow into your sleeping bag’s hood is important to you, and if your hood is super tight to seal in warmth, you might find the large square shape of this pillow tough to stuff in. Eyelets on the pillow’s sides allow you to attach the pillow to a mat if you’re sleeping outside your hood.

While this isn’t the lightest pillow on our list (the ALUFT 2.0 from Trekology manages to shave about 3 ounces and $30, for example, while Sea to Summit and Cocoon also have slightly lighter options), unless you’re packing your backpack ounce by ounce, you’re fine right here.  

If you’re going to get just one camp pillow that’s comfy enough for truck camping but small and light enough to shove in a backpack without a second thought, the Mega Pillow is it. 

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Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow

$65 at REI$67 at Amazon

Specifications

• Type: Inflatable
• Materials: Polyester with down pillow top
• Weight: 2.5-6.7 oz.
• Packed Size: 3 x 2.5 in-3.5 x 2.7 in depending on size
• Thickness: 4.7"
• Stuff Sack: Separate

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Won't slip off pad
• Down pillow top for extra comfort
• Inflate with a few breaths

Cons

• Not machine washable
• Hot sleepers might not need or like the down topper
• A little noisy

Billy Brown

Already an avid user of the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight pillow? Upgrade your backpacking and camping kit with its sister, the luxuriously plush Aeros Down Ultralight Pillow ($65-90).

The Down Ultralight Pillow is, perhaps unsurprisingly, pretty similar to the Ultralight pillow from the same brand. New with this model, though, is the down pillow top for added insulation and comfort.  

This pillow has all the same features we love in the Aeros Ultralight — a pillow lock system to keep your pillow on the brand’s sleeping pads, and technical fabrics used in the brand’s Spark sleeping bags to keep the weight down. The pillow is so small — the smallest packed size of our roundup — that we actually thought we lost it for a minute there. A good problem to have! Three sizes (regular, large, and deluxe) give campers a variety to choose from. 

The pillow top, though very plush and comfortable, does crinkle a tiny bit. We didn’t find it to be a dealbreaker, but if you’re sensitive to noise, consider that fact. This pillow is also a little bit challenging to get back in its (very small) stuff sack prior to your morning coffee, and you’ll need to hand wash the pillow if it gets dirty or use a pillowcase if you’re concerned about washability. It’s for these reasons the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow eeks out the award for down-insulated pillow.

Still a ridiculously comfortable, albeit pricey, camp pillow, the Aeros Down Pillow is a soft and supportive option that’s incredibly compact. The down topper provides a nice bit of insulation and a little bit more lift for all of us side-sleepers.

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Zpacks Medium Pillow

Check Price at Zpacks

Specifications

• Type: Stuff sack
• Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabric, microfleece
• Weight: 1 oz.
• Packed Volume: Unavailable
• Thickness: Depends what you stuff in it
• Stuff Sack: Integrated

Pros

• Lightest pillow available
• Doubles as a stuff sack
• Optional pillow attachment cord keeps pillow where you need it

Cons

• Only as comfortable as what you pack inside it
• Limits use as stuff sack (avoid wet or sweaty clothes, food)

Billy Brown

If saving weight is your goal, the Medium Pillow from Zpacks ($55) is the only way to go. Instead of designing a traditional pillow, Zpacks took its dry sack and sewed soft microfleece to one side of the interior. Rather than bringing a separate pillow with you, this brilliant design saves weight by using the stuff you’ve already brought with you as cushioning.

You can use it as a regular stuff sack while you hike, as the taped seams will keep everything dry even if you take a dunk in the creek. When it’s time to bed down, turn the sack inside out, fill it with your clothes, and then seal it up and get some shut-eye. Remember that this pillow will only be as cozy as whatever you fill it with!

Also, keep in mind what you store in the stuff sack during the day. If you use it to store wet clothes, your pillow will likely be wet. If you’re in bear country, food should never be stored in the stuff sack if it’s going to later be in your tent. 

For the toss-and-turners, the Medium Pillow also sports two sewn-in tabs for attaching Zpacks Pillow Attachment Cord (or, seriously, just buy some shock cord and rig it up yourself MYOG-style). This cord snugs up around your backpacking pad and keeps your pillow locked in place, similar to the PillowLock system on many Sea to Summit camp pillows. If you’re averse to sticking Velcro tabs onto your pad, this can be a great option.

Packed size isn’t an issue, as you’ll be using it as a stuff sack, and at around an ounce, you won’t even notice this ultralight pillow in your pack.

The only issue is if you run out of clean clothes — the idea of sleeping on a pile of week-old socks is less than appealing. If you want to add an additional few ounces and a few more bells and whistles, we recommend the Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow.

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REI Co-Op Trailmade Mummy Bag Pillow

$25 at REI

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Materials: Recycled polyester
• Weight: 5.25 oz.
• Packed Size: 15.1 x 9.6 in
• Thickness: 5"
• Stuff Sack: Attached

Pros

• Price
• Compresses fairly small
• Ideal fit for a mummy bag
• Recycled materials

Cons

• Lumpy
• Takes a while to fluff up
• Not the smallest packed size

Billy Brown

The REI Co-Op is known for its quality, budget-friendly outdoor gear, and the Trailmade Mummy Bag Pillow ($25) is no exception. For less than a concert ticket, you can up your camping game and support your head and neck all year long. 

We like the foam-filled construction of this pillow — it’s cozy and supportive for those who prefer not sleeping on air with the other inflatable pillows on this list. The pillow is made with recycled materials and leftover bits of the foam used in REI’s sleeping pads, which keeps those scraps out of the landfill. If you have the REI Trailmade 20 sleeping bag, congrats, you’re in luck! This was designed specifically to fit into the hood of that bag, but its shape is also designed for most other mummy bags. 

The attached stuff sack and innovative button and hook closure is a nice touch to keep everything together in your tent. 

The Trailmade pillow packs down to about 1/5th of its full size. That puts this pillow in a fairly awkward spot on our list — on the bigger and heavier side for backpacking, while not having the size or features of a full glamping experience. While it won’t compress as much as some of the inflatable bags on this list, its packed size is about the same as the Feathered Friends Geoduck at a fraction of the price. That’s foam versus down for you!

The only reason it isn’t our absolute favorite budget pillow is because for about $10 more, you can get something much lighter and smaller packed size-wise from Cocoon’s AirCore Hood/Camp Pillow.

Our only complaint about this pillow is that it’s a little lumpy. Make sure to shake it well and give the foam time to decompress. But for the price and comfort, it’s not the end of the world. The Trailmade Pillow is a steal, especially with discounts that REI frequently has during its sales.

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Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

$27 at REICheck price at backcountry

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Materials: Polyester, urethane foam scraps
• Weight: 7-15 oz.
• Packed Volume: 2.6 L
• Thickness: 5-7", depending on size
• Stuff Sack: Integrated

Pros

• Incredibly soft
• Mimics the feel of a full-size pillow
• Fun patterns

Cons

• Takes time for the foam to fully expand
• Some users find it lumpy
• Not as lightweight as some competitors

Billy Brown

A lightweight and compressible offering, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow ($32-47) is a close approximation to the pillow we sleep on at home. Filled with leftover pieces of the high-quality foam Therm-a-Rest uses in its sleeping pads, this pillow expands to a whopping 27 x 16.5 inches for the XL size.

The foam gives it a luxurious, fluffy feel, and provides a nice bit of insulation from any cold that comes up from the tent floor. The soft, recycled polyester fabric cover feels snuggly and warm against your face. When you’re not using it, the pillow packs into itself and compresses down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. If you can’t find this offering near you, the REI Trailmade Mummy Bag Pillow is a very similar alternative.  

While not as light as some other pillows on this list (the XL weighs in at just under a pound (or 16 ounces), while options like our favorite EXPED Mega Pillow weighs almost 10 ounces less and the lightest option, the regular size of the Sea To Summit Aeros Down Pillow is a mere 2.5 ounces), the comfort-to-weight ratio on this Compressible Pillow is on point. It’s light enough for backpacking, and it’s plush enough to leave your bed pillows at home during car camping. This perfect blend of versatility and comfort make this the best camping pillow on our list.

One thing to note: The foam takes a while to puff up, so be sure to unpack it and let it expand as soon as you set up camp.

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Camping Pillow Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Camping Pillows

Our Testing Process and Testing Grounds

The GearJunkie staff knows our way around a campsite, and we’ve brought together our collective experience here to find the best of the best camping pillows available today. In our search, we aimed to find and test pillows that every outdoors person across the spectrum could enjoy — from luxury-minded car campers to ounce-counting ultralight backpackers.

When we bedded down for testing, we paid close attention to a number of different factors, including overall comfort, durability, and packed size and weight (someone’s got to carry these pillows, after all). The better the sleep, the more likely we are to actually bring the pillow, and not resort to balling up layers and waking up with an aching neck.

Our testing also got a little techy, and we broke out the scales and measuring tape to get real-deal numbers on weights, packed sizes, and the all-important cushion height. In order to quantify relative compression we used a 2-pound kettlebell to measure the amount of sag each pillow, and we also noted how well these pillows laundered, how easy they were to adjust support on, and how much space they took up in our different sleeping bags.

Then we hit the trail with these pillows. Each were distributed to a member of our testing team and slept on for a number of nights, with pillows being cycled out to get a broad impression between different sleepers. After it all, we compile our testing notes and render our verdict.

Our Expert Testers

Lead tester Kylie Mohr has been camping since she was a homesick little kid at YMCA camp in northwestern Washington; today, she likes to explore the Montana wilderness at her fingertips, as well as neighboring Idaho and Wyoming, on a variety of camping trips. 

Car camping by a creek to later fish, or backpacking to an alpine basin to revel in wildflowers with friends, Mohr put these pillows to the test this spring on over five camping trips with multiple testing partners. She tested every pillow herself on at least one overnight in a tent, and another overnight in her bed at home, to really get a feel for every option in a variety of environments. She also packed them along on afternoon hammock hangs and reading sessions in parks to really bolster her comfort and log more testing hours. 

We at GearJunkie have been testing camping pillows for a number of years, and while outdoor equipment won’t last forever, we’ve had good results in getting many seasons of use out of the options we’ve tried out so far.

Finally, the testing doesn’t stop here, and as new camping pillows hit the market we’ll be chucking them in our packs and continue testing, ensuring that our lineup is as fresh as can be.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Camping Pillow

Camping Style

Car Camping

Choosing the right pillow depends largely on how you usually camp. Specifically, do you sleep in your car, or do you hike out into the woods before you tuck in for the night?

Car campers can go the more luxurious route. Because you don’t have to carry the pillow around with you or fit it into a backpack, packed size and weight don’t matter.

Often, people will just bring along their everyday pillow to sleep on. But campfire smoke and the dirt and dust that come with living outdoors for a few weeks can leave your pillow smelly and dirty, rendering it unfit for use back home.

Car camping pillows are made of durable and easily cleaned materials, so you can beat them up at a campsite without worrying about whether they’ll be usable when you get back home.

When choosing a car camping pillow, comfort is king. Go for a bigger pillow and one that uses foam filling. Foam pillows like the Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow and the REI Co-op Trailmade Mummy Bag Pillow use foam cutaways from the brand’s sleeping pad construction. When unpacked, the foam puffs up and feels like a traditional feather pillow for a great night’s sleep.

Backpacking

Backpackers have a lot more to consider than car campers, as they’ll be carrying their pillows with them in the wild. Pack space and weight are issues here, as you’ll be working with limited space in your pack and feeling every ounce with every step.

Inflatable pillows are a good option for backpackers because they pack down small and don’t weigh as much. The downside to inflatable pillows is that they provide little insulation from the ground, and they can make a crunching sound when you move on them (to go along with your inflatable sleeping pad). They also tend to be firmer than foam pillows.

We’ve found that a pillow that combines foam cushioning and an air core, like NEMO’s Fillo, is a great compromise between the two. Upcycled foam from the brand’s production process is used on the head side, and the core is inflatable for extra loft.

Side sleepers love the Fillo King’s extra loft. The lightest one we’ve found is a converted stuff sack from Zpacks. Backpackers have often used stuff sacks filled with clothes as makeshift pillows, and Zpacks took this a step further by lining the inside with a soft fleece material for added comfort. Our lightest pillow that isn’t just a stuff sack is the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow, which, at its smallest size, is a mere 2.5 ounces.

Comfort

It doesn’t matter how light a camping pillow is if it isn’t comfortable. Often, there is going to be a trade-off between comfort and lightness, but pillow companies are going to great lengths to minimize that compromise.

Some companies like Sea to Summit and Trekology have added contouring to their pillows, basically creating an inflatable hammock for the head. This lowers the chance of the pillow sliding around from underneath you.

It also helps to keep your head on the pillow if you tend to move around in your sleep. Other pillows feature straps or sticky material to prevent them from sliding around on your sleeping pad. Sometimes these locks are proprietary, meaning they only work with the brand’s own pads (like the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow or Aeros Down Pillow)  — something to keep in mind. 

The style of the pillow is also worth considering. Foam-filled pillows (like the vintage-feeling L.L.Bean Flannel Camp Pillow) are softer and replicate feather pillows better than inflatable ones, but the additional weight and space requirements can be an issue.

We’re fans of pillows that combine the two, whether the cushioning is actual foam or a lightweight synthetic fill. If you’re looking for the true feather pillow experience, look no further than the Feathered Friends Geoduck Travel Pillow, which is filled with 4.6 ounces of 800+ fill power goose down. 

Cocoon’s Sleeping Bag Hood Pillow has a thin layer of synthetic fill over the air bladder for a soft feel at the head. One thing to note is that, when fully inflated, air pillows can feel too firm for some campers. Make sure to use the valve to fine-tune the softness of your pillow.

Face feel is another consideration, particularly for side and stomach sleepers. Most pillows feature a brushed polyester side for a softer touch. Many of our favorite pillows, including the LUNO Packable Camp Pillow, have a choice between nylon and some sort of microfiber on the other side. Don’t forget to consider the stuff sack. You might prefer it to be attached or sewn onto the pillow itself if you tend to lose things or want to keep your gear more contained.

Packed Size

If you’re car camping, packed size isn’t an issue, as you can stuff your pillow anywhere. For backpackers, how small your pillow packs down is a huge consideration.

Your backpack has limited space. Trying to fit everything you need into it can take a huge amount of creativity (and some serious Tetris skills). A tiny inflatable pillow can leave you more room for extra food, more layers, battery packs, or anything else you can think of bringing.

While often less comfortable than foam pillows, inflatable pillows tend to pack down to the smallest size. We’ve seen some that pack down to the size of an orange, which will leave plenty of room in your pack.

If you’ve got the room for it and you want a more comfortable option, a foam pillow usually packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. Smaller pillows can also fit into an exterior pocket or an extra water bottle pocket. This saves space in the pack’s main compartment.

If you’re really hurting for space, you can usually strap a pillow and any extra gear to the outside of your pack. The main issue with this is that it leaves the pillow at risk of snagging on a branch or rock. This can puncture a pillow’s air bladder and render it useless, so keeping it in the pack or a pocket is the preferred option.

Weight

Again, car campers don’t need to worry about weight. But backpackers need to count every ounce; every bit of weight added to the pack wears on their shoulders, backs, and knees.

When it comes to pillows, there has always been a trade-off between weight and comfort. Softer, fluffier foam pillows feel great when you go to bed, but the added weight can drag you down.

Inflatable pillows tend to feel firmer and are generally noisier than foam but can weigh half as much as foam pillows. When you’re looking for a lightweight backpacking pillow, look for one that weighs well under a pound.

Some of the best pillows we’ve seen have weighed 10 ounces or less without sacrificing much comfort, including the EXPED Mega Pillow and Cocoon AirCore Hood/Camp Pillow. If you really want to save weight, the Medium Pillow from Zpacks is a great choice. It’s essentially a stuff sack with a soft interior.

If you turn it inside out and stuff it with clothes, it makes a great pillow. And at just an ounce, you’re not going to find a lighter option. Also, you’re using gear that you’d be bringing with you anyway, so you don’t have to save space for a pillow.

Durability

Generally, camping pillows are used inside the tent, so a decent pillow should last a while. With foam pillows, durability isn’t a huge issue, as they’ll work well even with a few small holes in the fabric. But it’s a huge issue with inflatable pillows; even a tiny pinprick could flatten it by the end of the night.

Even if you only use your pillow inside the tent, debris like pine needles and twigs can get into the tent. These little bits can eventually find their way to your pillow and find a way to puncture it in the middle of the night.

Look for inflatable pillows that are made up of durable material, like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or one that comes with a more rugged cover, like the HEST Camp Pillow. Valves can also be a weak point on an inflatable pillow. Make sure the one you buy has a tough, well-built valve that isn’t prone to leaking. And ask around — fellow campers and online reviews are your best resources for gauging a pillow’s durability over time.

With a little care, you can prolong the life of your camping pillow. Always store it in your stuff sack to add a protective layer, and don’t carry it on the outside of your pack. Passing branches can poke or tear holes in your pillow while you hike, so be sure to store it somewhere inside the pack, whether it’s the main compartment or in an exterior pocket.

We like to flatten our pillows out and roll them up in our sleeping bags. This serves not only to add an extra layer of protection but also to keep our sleeping gear together so we don’t have to search for the pillow when setting up camp.

Price & Value

In general, the more features a pillow has, the higher the price will be. Lighter, more compressible pillows tend to cost more than their heavier, bulkier counterparts. On the plus side, well-established companies like NEMO and Sea to Summit have spent more time developing their products, dialing down more durable and comfortable designs.

When you shop for a pillow, determine your must-have features, weigh them against your budget, and find a camping pillow that’s best for you. If you’re new to camping and still trying to figure out what kind of pillow you want, go for a good budget pillow. It’s a great way to test a pillow without making too big of an investment.

Budget

If you’ve got 2,600 more miles ahead of you, you’re likely looking to save some coin, and choosing even a budget camp pillow is better than wading up your socks under your head. More often a simpler air bladder design, budget pillows don’t offer up much in terms of modulating the comfort level, but will get the job done. Expect to pay between $20 and $35 for pillows like the Cocoon Aircore Hood/Camp Pillow and Trekology ALUFT 2.0.

Mid-Tier

Primed for backpacking and camping, even mid-tier camping pillows can afford to pile on the luxury, with microfleece covers, added synthetic insulation, and be offered in multiple sizes. For between $40 and $75, you can tuck into pillows like the EXPED Mega Pillow ($60) that have a bunch of support, squishy and soft like the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow ($37), or even primed for thru-hiking like the Medium Pillow from Zpacks ($55).

Premium

The inclusion of down insulation is typically the difference between middle-of-the-pack camping pillows and premium options — but not always. The HEST Camp Pillow ($89) asks for near a hundo for the real-deal memory foam pillow feel it provides. For a hybrid design that does pack on the feathers, the deluxe-sized Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow ($90) is our go-to.

Camping Tips & Tricks: Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Tent Location

We’ve spent enough evenings slowly sliding off our sleeping pads or waking up crammed into a corner of our tents to know the value of finding level ground, so pick your tent spot wisely. When you find your campsite, drop your pack and wander around the area a bit.

First, look for a spot on level ground. Not only is camping on angled ground uncomfortable, but it will also have you fighting to stay on your pad all night.

Once you’ve found the flattest spot, clear it of debris with your boot and pick up any rocks that can jab you in the back through your sleeping pad. Be diligent here — even a small rock can irritate your back.

The best-case scenario is a level patch of ground that’s covered in loam or pine needles that’ll act as a good, soft area. If you’re camping on bare ground, no worries. Just make sure that it’s level and clear of debris. A good sleeping pad will take care of the rest (pun intended).

Choose the Right Sleeping Pad

As your first defense against the cold, hard ground, a good sleeping pad is essential for a good night’s sleep.

Inflatable

Generally, the softest and cushiest sleeping pads are fully inflatable. Basically a huge rectangular balloon, inflatable sleeping pads will keep you completely off the ground and have the most mattress-like feel you can get when you camp. They’re also lighter and take up less pack space than foam pads.

There are a few trade-offs here. First off, inflatable sleeping pads are less durable than foam pads or combos. Any small prick in the pad can lead to a slow leak that will have you sleeping on the cold, hard ground all night.

Also, they’re notoriously noisy. Many campers report that it’s like sleeping on a bag of chips. If you’re a light sleeper and don’t want to sleep with earplugs, inflatable bags may be too loud for you.

They can also take a lot of time to set up, with several minutes of blowing into the valve.

That said, these still work great car camping and especially backpacking.

Closed-Cell Foam

On the other end of the spectrum is the closed-cell foam pad. This is a thin foam sleeping pad that folds up like an accordion or rolls up to save space. Due to their unique shape, they are also known as “egg crates.” If you ever see one, you’ll understand why.

Closed-cell foam pads are thin and light, but extremely durable and they provide consistent insulation. Because there’s no inflation involved, they are impervious to tears and punctures.

Some ultralighters will even cut down their foam pads to save weight. Also, they set up instantly — just lay them down, and you’re good to go. On the other hand, they don’t provide the cushioning of an inflatable, and they take up a lot of space.

You’ll often see them attached to the outside of a hiker’s pack. These are best for minimalist backpacking, and many campers will combine these with the other two to add a layer of insulation and pad protection.

Self-Inflating

Self-inflating sleeping pads are a compromise between the two. These are basically a closed-cell foam pad within an inflatable sleeping pad. They are quick to set up. And they provide a combination of the insulation you’ll find in closed-cell foam pads and the cushioning you’ll find in an inflatable pad.

They’re heavier and usually more expensive than foam pads and not as compact as inflatables. They are also susceptible to tears. Lightweight and durable, these are popular for thru-hiking. They’re also popular for winter camping trips thanks to their insulative properties.

Stay Warm

Few things feel better than getting warm and cozy in a sleeping bag on a cool night. So, be sure to get a sleeping bag that’s designed for the environment you’ll be camping in.

Sleeping bags come with a designated temperature rating. You can easily pick the right one for whatever location and season you decide to camp in.

If you tend to camp in cold weather, find a sleeping bag with a rating geared for colder temps. This also applies if you tend to sleep cold. Often, these will have venting options that let warm air out if you get too hot in your sleep.

Another option is to go to sleep with your socks and mid-layers on, and then slowly de-layer while you sleep. One tester who does this says a pile of warm clothes stuffed in the toebox “keeps my feet warm.”

Keep the Essentials at Hand

It’s a lot easier to get a good night’s sleep when you know where everything is. When you head to bed, make sure everything you need is close by and easy to find.

Store your headlamp by your head, preferably in your tent’s storage netting. That way, you can grab it when nature calls or if you hear something outside your tent that requires investigation.

Many tents have elastic mesh nets stitched into the inside. This helps organize smaller items in your tent like the aforementioned headlamp, multitool, spare socks, and anything else that will fit.

Also, store your boots just inside your tent’s entryway, or just outside it. That way, you can slip them on when you wander outside to make coffee. Ideally, your tent will have a vestibule so you can keep them outside without exposure to any potential rainfall.

Be Prepared

Getting wet in the middle of the night is a great way to ruin a restful evening. One common way to soak your sleeping bag is to get caught in a rainstorm without a rainfly. Another is to let condensation accumulate on the tent’s inner walls.

Rain is an easy fix. If there’s any chance of rain while you’re camping, set up your tent’s rainfly. Make sure that it’s cinched down to prevent the wind from blowing it away.

Condensation can be more difficult to deal with. However, a little care can go a long way in preventing moisture from building up inside your tent.

First, make sure that any wet clothes are outside the tent. Hang them to dry on lines or lay them out to dry during the night. Also, roll back your rainfly or leave your vestibule door open. The openings allow humid air and your exhalations to vent outside the tent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are camping pillows worth it?

Absolutely. Camping pillows add a bit of comfort and help you get a better night’s sleep than a pile of clothes or a wadded-up jacket. The minimal investment of money, pack space, and weight is nothing compared to the comfort a pillow provides. It only takes one night of trying to sleep without one to realize the value that a good camp pillow provides.

How do you keep a pillow on a sleeping pad?

Few things are more annoying to a camper than trying to keep your pillow on your sleeping pad. Waking up with your head on the ground and blindly groping around in the dark for a missing pillow is a great way to ruin your sleep at 1 a.m.

Thankfully, many camping pillows have features to prevent this. Some pillows are made with a contoured shape to mold to your head. Others have scalloped “wings” that help conform the pillow to your head and shoulders. This prevents it from squeezing out from under you while you sleep.

Some have texture on one side to increase friction and prevent sliding. This texturing often comes in the form of small rubber dots that add a bit of stickiness to help keep it on the pad. While it can help a bit, sleepers who tend to move around can still easily knock the pillow off the pad.

Some pillows include a more secure feature made up of elastic straps on the bottom of the pillow. The straps wrap around the sleeping pad to hold it in place.Others still are made to pair specifically with sleeping pads in the same brand. Often, these pads and pillows are designed to nest within a sleeve on the sleeping pad. In some cases, the pillows have hook-and-loop fasteners that are paired with similar fasteners on the pads.

How do I wash my camping pillow?

Odors like campfire smoke and head funk can build up over time, eventually ruining a good night’s sleep. Be cautious when washing your camp pillow. Different pillows have different requirements when it comes to cleaning. Be sure to check your pillow’s packaging.

You may luck out and have a pillow you can toss in the washer and dryer when you get home. Others can be machine-washed but require hang-drying, so read carefully.

Most pillows require a bit more delicacy, particularly inflatable pillows. If you’re handwashing an inflatable pillow, make sure the valve is closed so water doesn’t get inside, and then immerse the pillow in soapy water.

You don’t need any special soap for this. Camp soap or laundry soap will work fine. Knead the pillow gently with your hands until it’s clean. Then rinse it with clean water to get the soap out and hang it to dry. Be careful not to tumble-dry inflatable pillows, as it can damage the air bladder.

Which camping pillow is best for me?

The best camping pillow depends quite a bit on your personal sleeping preferences. If you’re a side sleeper, a thicker foam pillow is the better option. However, it will likely be heavier and take up more pack space.

If you’re trying to save weight and pack space, an inflatable pillow is a good idea. If you’re not sure what you want, look for a versatile pillow like NEMO’s Fillo line. It combines an inflatable bladder with slight padding on the face side, providing a mix of softness and packability. They also feature bungee cords on the back. This lets you roll up some clothes and stow them in the bungees if you want more loft.

If you’re new to camping and don’t know exactly what you want, think about what’s important to you and how much you’re willing to spend.

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