Gear Review: Our Top 3 Camping Pillows

Just like at home, having the right pillow can make a big difference to your sleeping experience while camping. Over the years we’ve tried several different solutions, and as I get older I found that a good pillow has become more important than ever. Here’s what we’ve found.

Things to Consider

When it comes to choosing the right pillow option you need to consider what type of travelling you’re doing. Backpacking, canoeing, boating in, and car camping all have different requirements when it comes to space and weight.

What kind of weather are you likely to encounter? If it’s going to rain and be damp you might want a certain kind of material.

Are you a side sleeper or a back sleeper? Being a side sleeper usually means needing a bit more thickness to make it work.

Cost. If you don’t have much wiggle-room in your budget, this will be a big determining factor.

Our Top 3 Camping Pillows

Yes, you can take a pillow from your bed at home. However, it will take up a lot more space and often be much heavier. We have 3 dogs running around in our tent and I don’t need my at home pillow to get that dirty. Many people like to bundle their clothes together and use that as a pillow. It’s a great option when you’re trying to go light and everything needs to serve multiple purposes. However, I’ve never been able to get a good night’s sleep on a pile of clothes.

BUDGET MINDED

The Quechua Air Basic Camping Pillow from Decathlon is cheap and has survived many camping trips with us. We originally bought them because of the price. Because it’s an air pillow it takes up next to no space when deflated and it’s very light. Blow it up when you get to camp and easily deflate it when you leave. The dogs have traipsed all over it and it’s still holding air no problem. Darrell uses this pillow on every trip.

Pros: Light, space saver, durable, cheap.

Cons: The material is rough and not super comfortable, it’s not thick enough for many side sleepers, very basic.

BEST AIR PILLOW

I found the Quechua pillow wasn’t quite as comfortable as I was looking for, so I bought the Hikenture Camping Pillow with Removable Cover from Amazon. It’s twice the price but comes with a nice pillow cover, a storage bag, and is even easier to inflate. For an air pillow at a decent price, this one is my top pick. It folds up nice and tiny, is so much more comfortable with the soft pillow cover, and does well being shoved into different positions (laying flat or standing it on it’s side).

Pros: Packs up pretty small, light, very comfortable pillow cover and nice shape. Inexpensive.

Cons: Still isn’t quite the right support for me as a side sleeper.

BEST FOAM PILLOW

After many trips sleeping on air pillows, I realized they just weren’t quite right for me if we had space for something bigger. They need to be fully inflated to make me feel like they provide enough support, but then they’re almost too stiff for me. I researched a lot of foam pillows that would pack down small, and eventually came across the Klymit Drift Pillow thanks to a video from Ozark Overland Adventures on YouTube (check them out if you’re into overlanding and camping).

This pillow is fantastic. It’s pricier than the others, but it’s the right amount of support for me to be comfortable when laying on my back or my side. I’ve swapped it out with my regular bed pillow a few times and it was great for the night. The pillow case is half jersey cotton and half durable protective material for keeping things dry when you’re not sleeping. The foam gets shaken into each half depending on what you need. It compacts down fairly small and easily fits into a smaller space.

Pros: Soft, comfortable, great for side sleeping, has protective case for keeping it dry.

Cons: Doesn’t pack up as small as the air pillows, heavier, more expensive.

Of course, what pillow works for you is entirely subjective. Our favourite pillows may not be ideal for someone else, but these will give you a starting point. Let us know in the comments what your favourite pillow is for camping!