Inflatable pillows, are they any good?

[prerunner221]

I used a couple house pillows during my last adventure. They worked, but they left my wife and I wanting. We looked at several options at REI while in Boulder, but never pulled the trigger. We have Tempurpedic pillows at home, but I'm not throwing those up in the RTT for any period of time. As it was the pillows had to come out every day, and I wouldn't want them in the truck. So we are looking for pillow options. I have one I'm leaning towards, but wanted to see what everyone here used. Thanks!

 

[robert]

I've got one of the Sea to Summit Travel pillows and while it's better than a stuff sack with clothes in it I'm not overly impressed. Problem is I'm a side sleeper and I have pretty wide shoulders so I need a thicker pillow. I'd like to try one of their Aeros Premium Deluxe Pillow but they're expensive so for truck camping I just stick to the regular pillows I keep back there. They are a couple of firm, thick models from Wal-Mart. Not too expensive and if they lose their loft or start to get funky I'll just toss them and get new ones.

 

[jwolfuo]

I'm really curious about this as well. I've messed around with a few of them at REI, but my opinion is that an air pillow will simply never be as comfortable as what you've got at home.

My plan is to buy a really comfy stuff sack and toss a down jacket inside.

 

[andoor]

I have been using the sea to summit Aeros premium for a while now. It is the best backpacking pillow I have used, packs up smaller than a beer can. The one way valve system also lets you get the firmness exactly how you want it. They make some larger versions also.

 

[jwolfuo]

I have one that I've been using for about a year and it's okay, but I find it can't be inflated too much, or it becomes too stiff. It's great that it takes up next to no space (deflated), but I'd prefer a smaller, "normal" pillow.

Which one are you using?

 

[thefishhawk]

I have an STS one too and love it. Thick enough, comfy, and tiny when packed. I have the lightweight one in large, not the premium with the cover. I'll take it when traveling anywhere instead of gambling on what kind of pillows are at a hotel or mom's lol.

I do think they are overpriced for what it is. After a couple years I had problems with pinhole leaks for no apparent reason just suddenly developing. Contacted STS and they sent me a new one so good service there. I appreciated that they took care of me but if this one doesn't last longer I'll still be forced to conclude the payoff wasn't worth the money. I love the pillow but for a premium price I want a premium product that lasts a long time. Especially when a nice shredded foam Thermarest pillow that will last forever is cheaper.

So, while that pillow was getting replaced I needed one so I poked around and found a knockoff on Amazon. If you search they look almost like the STS ones, they are pretty much a blantant rip off, even the "aeros" name. But for $10 I figured why not. Pretty decent pillows, maybe 80-90% of the STS. Valve isn't as good and it's in a weird place on the side. Storage sack isn't as nice. For $10 I'd use it. Time will tell how it holds up, I've only had it couple months. It was perfectly fine for that 5 day trip then when the new STS came the kid wanted it so I passed it over to her. I think those are good place to start if you want to try the inflatable pillow thing without dropping $45. The STS is marginally better but not 4x's IMHO.

 

[jscusmcvet]

I use an inflatable as a base with a hunting seat pillow on top of it. Works like a charm. Probably would take up same room as a regular pillow but this way I am "rugged"

 

[CSG]

As I only camp out of my rig, I bring a couple of down pillows from home. I can't imagine sleeping on an inflatable pillow would be comfortable. When I was young, I'd stuff my down jacket into a stuff sack and sleep under the stars. Now, I'm old and want my comforts on the road.

 

[Robert Bills]

A down jacket in a stuff sack makes a great pillow.

 

[Outside somewhere]

Just because your outside doesn't mean you have to settle for a crappy pillow. Guess it's the same reason people upgrade their mattress be it for a RTT, reg tent or camper. Sams, costco, bed/bath/etc - you can find varying degrees of cheap but good pillows. Bed/bath sends out those coupons 5 times a week and most stores let you stack the discounts FYI. I just clamp them to the track of our garage door when I get home from a trip to let them fully dry from any condensation and air out. Toss the cheap pillow cases in the laundry and done. The weight/size of real pillows isn't a deal breaker to me so I don't settle.

 

[nwoods]

NEMO Fillow is quite good. Fills instantly, packs small, smartly designed, cans stuff in clothes to raise height as desired. We have several and they've held up for a few years now.

 

[bunger]

... Problem is I'm a side sleeper and I have pretty wide shoulders so I need a thicker pillow. ...

That's my problem too.
I use 2 pillows, one stacked on the other.
One is a Therma-Rest compressible from ********'s and the other is a small inflatable that I got online.
I inflate the smaller pillow as needed for good support.

I've tried a lot of pillows and this is what works best for me.

 

[nwoods]

That's my problem too.
I use 2 pillows, one stacked on the other.
One is a Therma-Rest compressible from ********'s and the other is a small inflatable that I got online.
I inflate the smaller pillow as needed for good support.

I've tried a lot of pillows and this is what works best for me.

Same for me. I put my backback or duffle at the head of my sleeping pad, then the Fillow on top of that. Works great.

 

[Honu]

ditto Nemov fillow pillow has padding and I put very little air in it
best pillow for camping I have tried

 

[towee]

I'm not a fan of any of the air filled pillows tried the sts both sizes and the nemo fillow love the thermarest compressible pillow they take up a little more space but its worth it to me.