No one has done a more comprehensive testing of backpacking pillows that I've seen than this guy. My Nemo Filo stopped holding air after just a few uses and defintely suffers from the 'bubbling' or air pockets moving your head to one side.
Taking the Big Sky concept, I pulled the plastic bladder out of a Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury, slide it into a merino wool buff (already in my pack) and then stuff extra clothing between the bladder and buff. The pillow is as wide as the Megapillow and feels like a regular bed pillow with the clothes on top (usually a down jacket). Or flip it over with the clothes on the bottom for a cooler next-to-face experience. This also raises the height to a more ergonomic position. On its own, the bladder is only 42.5g. You could also do your pad strap stickers trick, but I’ve actually found that the width, weight of the clothes and buff keeps the pillow in place pretty well.
The Fillo is the best. As someone who spends a lot of time in the backcountry and has obsessed over cutting ounces even down to the toothbrush handle, I have found that some things are just worth the weight and the space- a pillow is for sure one of them. We can debate all day about the practicality of a camp chair, but there is no denying the importance of a good sleep system. If you're cutting ounces on a good night's sleep, you cutting into your recovery. That is why I carry the Fillo.
These 5 pillows are the ones I think are the best after testing dozens and dozens of pillows over many years. If there is a pillow that has a chance of being comfortable, I have most likely tested it.
Your channel taught me about the importance of pad straps. Thank you for that. My pillow is a sea to summit that doesn't have one. GGG sells adhesive hooks that I attached and used shock cord to hold in.place. that works for me.
I'm using a cheap dimpled overmat with an integrated pillow on my main sleeping pad and an additional travel memory foam pillow lately. Best sleep outdoors I've ever had.
Just used my fillo for the first time last night at a scout camp. Have the disco 30 and the pocket that holds the pillow made it extremely comfortable and held it in place. What I also like was no noise from it when moving around as I am a side sleeper who flips around often.
Nice hack: adding the strap. I added a strap to my old Trekology pillow. Now have the new one that comes with a strap. Nice. To get some more comfort and insulation I made a small down and feather pillow with a strap. I attach it to the Trekology which I under inflate a bit. Super comfortable! Only a couple ounces. Filled it with stuffing from an old Ikea pillow. Pretty simple sewing project. There's a video on my channel. Thanks for another great vid. Tom
My C5-6 are blown along with L5. The Nemo Fillow and Disco bag I sleep in every night since it cradles my neck perfectly. Only pillow I can sleep face up on. I’m normally a side sleeper so the Disco is perfect room wise. But have shifted to face up since I have to compromise both ends. Never would have thought a camping setup would force my body into a great compromise position. Nemo! I’m probably one of your few customers that can claim a full year sleeping in your equipment every night. Thanks for the review. Trying different pillows and sleep systems was amazing. I can rest anywhere now with the right gear.
I've tried so many pillows throughout my years. I'm in my 40s now, and the only one that lets me get the best sleep is the Thermarest compressible pillow. It's the heaviest, and it does take up space, but my sleeps are the best.
After watching recommendations - I bought exped megapillow, as I do camp only with car, the weight for me does not matter. This pillow really a game changer. The size and strap really matters, finally I can roll during the night and the pillow is always there.
I switched to the Nemo Filo and I was amazed how much better I slept as a side sleeper. I was using the Filo Elite before which was light and comfortable but just not enough pillow. It’s worth the weight to have a good night sleep.
I use the Aeros UL and use the bungee loop fitted to my pad with it to keep it on my pad. It's thin and fits in the little hole from the plastic retainer on the vent. So I close the vent plug around it to secure the small bungee cord to the pillow, inflate it, and then pull the bungee around the pad. I dont sleep at the very top of my pad due to being short, so this works. It needs pulled down an extra inch due to how far up the vent anchor is. Else the bungee slips off the pad. Diffrent pads and bungee cords would work better or worse.
Great video. I absolutely love my trekology 2.0 pillow. I also have the Nemo fillo which I find to not be as comfortable to use vs the trekology pillow
When I sleep on my side, I typically sleep with my arm under my pillow. If I use pillow straps, they are either so loose to allow my arm underneath that the straps don't do much to keep the pillow in place, or if the straps are more snug, putting my arm underneath puts a lot of tension on the straps. So much that I have had one snap. My solution has been to switch to a hammock kit. I keep my pillow tethered to the top of my hammock so it doesn't slide under my butt when I get in, but it also allows me to sleep with my arm under my head. The bridge hammock I'm using also has a bit of a raised area under my head, so I'm sleeping with a smaller and lighter pillow than when I was sleeping on the ground. Hammock FTW
The ZenBivy sheets they sell have kind of a hood at the head end which contains your pillow without really needing a strap to hold it, so that's another good option. I also sleep with an arm under the pillow, and the ZB sheet was very convenient for me.
I have the Nemo and I'd say it is just barely ok.... pillows are so subjective. The Nemo does feel like a balloon, to me, when fully inflated. Deflating it, I lose some of the height, which is bad because I'm a side sleeper. May have to try the Trekology seeing how the Exped has been sold out for a while.
Might buy that Trekology, but going to try wrapping a buff around my fairly cheap inflatable Klymit V Seat and stuffing a a shirt or pullover in the buff.
Have you tried the sea to summit ultralight deluxe pillow? It has 5.5 inches of height and weighs 4.6oz. I have found it to be a really comfortable pillow. i especially like the baffles on top.
Hey Justin! Great video, thank you. I have a s2s ether light and I was wondering if the exped megapillow works with the s2s pillow lock stickers? It looks like the fabric is similar between the exped and the aeros premium pillows. Thanks a lot!
I haven't been able to find any pillow except the Thermarest compressable that works. Al the others are like sleeping on a balloon. It's frustrating to find a lightweight chiropractic type pillow for hiking. You either have to suck it up with an inflatable or carry the extra weight. Only problem with tbe Thermarest is that once you compress it and uncompress it for camp it doesn't fluff as it should. The quest for my perfect pillow continues
Ditto. I tried the Trekology and tried the Nemo but so far Thermarest is best, but still not great, and takes up a ton of space in my pack. It doesn't "compress" much.
Do you have any tips on using a pad strap with a tapered pad? My NeoAir tapers at the head end, and that can cause the strap and pillow to slide off the top, waking me up, and leaving me to reattach it in the middle of the night.
I’m over 6 feet and it would be nice if someone made a 6-7” thick pillow… I have to have a regular pillow and a half inflated pillow under that to be comfortable
Recently got the Thermarest compressible pillow, at home I sleep on my stomach squeezing the pillow with my arms/hands so inflatable pillows are usually not ideal. The pillow feels great but takes up a lot of space
What’s the advantage to having the pillow on top of the pad rather than in the hood of your sleeping bag? That’s what I’ve always done so I can have a hand or both hands under the pillow
Many backpackers no longer use sleeping bags (and thus have no mummy bag hood). Quilts can provide more warmth for less weight by ditching the fabric and insulation on the underside of a sleeping bag. Since the insulation you compress with your body during sleep doesn't really provide any warmth/insulation, you save weight with a quilt. I'm pretty sure Justin has made some outstanding video with a more thorough explanation of quilts vs sleeping bags.
Hey Justin! I was excited to see this video pop up because the Big Sky pillow has been unavailable for purchase (at least in the US) for some years now. I thought that you reviewing it meant maybe they were starting to sell them again. The link you used for the Big Sky is mistakenly a duplicate for the Sea to Summit. If you do have a valid link for the Big Sky, could you update the link and respond to this comment so I know? Thanks for your help and another banger review!
@@ruddyman I looked a bit deeper than Amazon and found their website just yesterday. They’re sold out again. But they do have a waiting list which is hopeful!
Je ne me complique pas la vie , j'amène un simple taie d'oreiller en polar, la dimension est de 20 x 40 centimètres, et lorsque c'est le moment de dormir, j'insère une veste ou manteau dedans et cela fait parfait pour mois. En polar c'est génial, c'est chaud durant les froid d'hiver et c'est facile à séché si besoin au cas où si nous avons eu trop chaud dans le cou, selon les saisons.
Awww. Caught a boo boo. The Exped is not the most expensive pillow. It's the one I got that no one ever reviews oddly. The Sea to Summit Aeros down deluxe at $89.95 is. It sucks by the way. If you can imagine what an inflatable feathered brick feels like then you know.
I'm sorry but I think Nemo might be the most overrated backpacking brand. I had to return the Tensor as my arms would fall asleep within minutes when on my side, and would wake up with back pain when I slept on my back. I tried the Filo pillow and returned that too because it was pretty lackluster.
@@higler. Sorry you had to wait 3 months for the confirmation!Your comment back made me laugh 😂..also that you don’t use a pillow and watched a video on finding the best backpacking pillow! You must be blessed with a strong neck to not have to use a pillow so enjoy that. I almost crippled myself with a bad camping pillow this weekend.
The trekology is terrible. The best pillow here is the fillo but where is the MEC deluxe inflatable? It blows all these pillows out of the water in terms of comfort and packability.
Yes, straps on pillows are game changers! Height was also a key factor for me. The Hikenture pillow has worked well for me but I had to try the Exped Megapillow and now I'm converted. Just wish it wasn't so heavy!
After years of using a stuff sack for a pillow recently I bought a Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow. It's been a game changer. While I liked the multi-function of the stuff sack the STS pillow is far more comfortable. Never going back to the stuff sack.
Check Out PackWizard Here! www.packwizard.com/
👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇
Trekology Pillow: geni.us/TrekologyPillow
Sea to Summit Pillow: geni.us/AerosPremium
Nemo Pillow: geni.us/NemoFillo
Big Sky Pillow: geni.us/AerosPremium
Dyneema Patches: geni.us/DCF-Patch
Exped Pillow: geni.us/MegaPillow
No one has done a more comprehensive testing of backpacking pillows that I've seen than this guy. My Nemo Filo stopped holding air after just a few uses and defintely suffers from the 'bubbling' or air pockets moving your head to one side.
Thought for sure the new Zenbivy one would be here. You seemed enthusiastic in your Zenbivy review.
Taking the Big Sky concept, I pulled the plastic bladder out of a Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury, slide it into a merino wool buff (already in my pack) and then stuff extra clothing between the bladder and buff. The pillow is as wide as the Megapillow and feels like a regular bed pillow with the clothes on top (usually a down jacket). Or flip it over with the clothes on the bottom for a cooler next-to-face experience. This also raises the height to a more ergonomic position. On its own, the bladder is only 42.5g. You could also do your pad strap stickers trick, but I’ve actually found that the width, weight of the clothes and buff keeps the pillow in place pretty well.
The Fillo is the best. As someone who spends a lot of time in the backcountry and has obsessed over cutting ounces even down to the toothbrush handle, I have found that some things are just worth the weight and the space- a pillow is for sure one of them. We can debate all day about the practicality of a camp chair, but there is no denying the importance of a good sleep system. If you're cutting ounces on a good night's sleep, you cutting into your recovery. That is why I carry the Fillo.
These 5 pillows are the ones I think are the best after testing dozens and dozens of pillows over many years. If there is a pillow that has a chance of being comfortable, I have most likely tested it.
Sea to Summit Aeros down deluxe is missing from your repository.
Your channel taught me about the importance of pad straps. Thank you for that. My pillow is a sea to summit that doesn't have one. GGG sells adhesive hooks that I attached and used shock cord to hold in.place. that works for me.
I'm using a cheap dimpled overmat with an integrated pillow on my main sleeping pad and an additional travel memory foam pillow lately. Best sleep outdoors I've ever had.
Just used my fillo for the first time last night at a scout camp. Have the disco 30 and the pocket that holds the pillow made it extremely comfortable and held it in place. What I also like was no noise from it when moving around as I am a side sleeper who flips around often.
Nice hack: adding the strap. I added a strap to my old Trekology pillow. Now have the new one that comes with a strap. Nice. To get some more comfort and insulation I made a small down and feather pillow with a strap. I attach it to the Trekology which I under inflate a bit. Super comfortable! Only a couple ounces. Filled it with stuffing from an old Ikea pillow. Pretty simple sewing project. There's a video on my channel. Thanks for another great vid. Tom
My C5-6 are blown along with L5. The Nemo Fillow and Disco bag I sleep in every night since it cradles my neck perfectly. Only pillow I can sleep face up on. I’m normally a side sleeper so the Disco is perfect room wise. But have shifted to face up since I have to compromise both ends. Never would have thought a camping setup would force my body into a great compromise position. Nemo! I’m probably one of your few customers that can claim a full year sleeping in your equipment every night. Thanks for the review. Trying different pillows and sleep systems was amazing. I can rest anywhere now with the right gear.
I've tried so many pillows throughout my years. I'm in my 40s now, and the only one that lets me get the best sleep is the Thermarest compressible pillow. It's the heaviest, and it does take up space, but my sleeps are the best.
After watching recommendations - I bought exped megapillow, as I do camp only with car, the weight for me does not matter. This pillow really a game changer. The size and strap really matters, finally I can roll during the night and the pillow is always there.
I really want you to try the flextailgear pillow! it has ergonomic neck support and really nice cushion in the cover.
It’s my favorite!
@@tc2156 me too!! I have neck issues and this is the best option for me.
Finally got old Justin back for at least 1 video. Thanks buddy. :)
I switched to the Nemo Filo and I was amazed how much better I slept as a side sleeper. I was using the Filo Elite before which was light and comfortable but just not enough pillow. It’s worth the weight to have a good night sleep.
I use the Aeros UL and use the bungee loop fitted to my pad with it to keep it on my pad. It's thin and fits in the little hole from the plastic retainer on the vent. So I close the vent plug around it to secure the small bungee cord to the pillow, inflate it, and then pull the bungee around the pad. I dont sleep at the very top of my pad due to being short, so this works. It needs pulled down an extra inch due to how far up the vent anchor is. Else the bungee slips off the pad. Diffrent pads and bungee cords would work better or worse.
Great video. I absolutely love my trekology 2.0 pillow. I also have the Nemo fillo which I find to not be as comfortable to use vs the trekology pillow
Nice custom on the Big Sky, might try that.
When I sleep on my side, I typically sleep with my arm under my pillow. If I use pillow straps, they are either so loose to allow my arm underneath that the straps don't do much to keep the pillow in place, or if the straps are more snug, putting my arm underneath puts a lot of tension on the straps. So much that I have had one snap. My solution has been to switch to a hammock kit. I keep my pillow tethered to the top of my hammock so it doesn't slide under my butt when I get in, but it also allows me to sleep with my arm under my head. The bridge hammock I'm using also has a bit of a raised area under my head, so I'm sleeping with a smaller and lighter pillow than when I was sleeping on the ground.
Hammock FTW
The ZenBivy sheets they sell have kind of a hood at the head end which contains your pillow without really needing a strap to hold it, so that's another good option. I also sleep with an arm under the pillow, and the ZB sheet was very convenient for me.
I have the Nemo and I'd say it is just barely ok.... pillows are so subjective. The Nemo does feel like a balloon, to me, when fully inflated. Deflating it, I lose some of the height, which is bad because I'm a side sleeper. May have to try the Trekology seeing how the Exped has been sold out for a while.
I still have an old thermarest pillow from the 90s. I think it’s time to upgrade!! lol
Captain pillow is back!
Might buy that Trekology, but going to try wrapping a buff around my fairly cheap inflatable Klymit V Seat and stuffing a a shirt or pullover in the buff.
I just purchased the sea to summit ultralight deluxe. It is huge! And only 4 oz seems a lot like the mega pillow you have.
Have you tried the new Deluxe Pillow from MEC? Surprisingly the most comfortable pillow have ever tried. Perfect blend of support and comfort!
Where do you buy your shock cord from? I have the Nemo and want to try making a pad strap as well. Thanks! Always appreciate your videos.
I’m a back sleeper and want neck support without my head being pushed up. The Flextail b-shaped (ergonomic) pillow is the only one that works for me.
No love for Thermarest Compressible or Sea To Summit Foam Core... Is it a weight thing?? Cuz those are honestly the best ones out there!!!
Definitely a weight and packability thing. I have the Thermarest foam core and love it, but it is huge to pack.
Have you tried the sea to summit ultralight deluxe pillow? It has 5.5 inches of height and weighs 4.6oz. I have found it to be a really comfortable pillow. i especially like the baffles on top.
Hey Justin! Great video, thank you. I have a s2s ether light and I was wondering if the exped megapillow works with the s2s pillow lock stickers? It looks like the fabric is similar between the exped and the aeros premium pillows. Thanks a lot!
Ah the dream sleeper! You do know your pillows.
My megapillow got lots of leaks in the inner bladder. Not worthy of the high asking price.
The trekology aluft ultra looks comparable to the mega pillow, have you tried it yet?
What about Zenbivy pillow (full setup) vs the fillo?
very helpful, I wonder if you ever tested STS Aeros Down Pillow, curious how it compares for you?
Im still seach for the perfect camp pillow. i always end up taking 2 as a side sleeper. I never find them high enough
I haven't been able to find any pillow except the Thermarest compressable that works. Al the others are like sleeping on a balloon. It's frustrating to find a lightweight chiropractic type pillow for hiking. You either have to suck it up with an inflatable or carry the extra weight. Only problem with tbe Thermarest is that once you compress it and uncompress it for camp it doesn't fluff as it should. The quest for my perfect pillow continues
Ditto. I tried the Trekology and tried the Nemo but so far Thermarest is best, but still not great, and takes up a ton of space in my pack. It doesn't "compress" much.
Do you have any tips on using a pad strap with a tapered pad? My NeoAir tapers at the head end, and that can cause the strap and pillow to slide off the top, waking me up, and leaving me to reattach it in the middle of the night.
I’m over 6 feet and it would be nice if someone made a 6-7” thick pillow… I have to have a regular pillow and a half inflated pillow under that to be comfortable
Purple pants
What about hooded sleeping bags. Is this list relevant for them?
Woauw! Thanks for your great
work!!
As the best ultralight pillow: exped ultra m pillow. Lighter at 45 g, and already has loops for pad straps. Vert comfortable as well.
Recently got the Thermarest compressible pillow, at home I sleep on my stomach squeezing the pillow with my arms/hands so inflatable pillows are usually not ideal. The pillow feels great but takes up a lot of space
For me, Trekology for 3 season, Hikenture for winter.
What’s the advantage to having the pillow on top of the pad rather than in the hood of your sleeping bag? That’s what I’ve always done so I can have a hand or both hands under the pillow
Many backpackers no longer use sleeping bags (and thus have no mummy bag hood). Quilts can provide more warmth for less weight by ditching the fabric and insulation on the underside of a sleeping bag. Since the insulation you compress with your body during sleep doesn't really provide any warmth/insulation, you save weight with a quilt. I'm pretty sure Justin has made some outstanding video with a more thorough explanation of quilts vs sleeping bags.
I have never used a pillow at home or camping ☺
I like my Zpacks pillow with its strap
Can you review flextail zero pillow?
I have tested it. It's not for me. I don't like the wedge shape.
Is there a reason you didn't talk about the S2S ultralight?
Exped Ultra pillow, Large: 46 x 30 x 12 cm / 4.7 inches thick, 65g.
Hey Justin! I was excited to see this video pop up because the Big Sky pillow has been unavailable for purchase (at least in the US) for some years now. I thought that you reviewing it meant maybe they were starting to sell them again.
The link you used for the Big Sky is mistakenly a duplicate for the Sea to Summit.
If you do have a valid link for the Big Sky, could you update the link and respond to this comment so I know? Thanks for your help and another banger review!
I purchased one a year ago from their website. I don’t think they stay in stock very long.
@@ruddyman I looked a bit deeper than Amazon and found their website just yesterday. They’re sold out again. But they do have a waiting list which is hopeful!
@@DevinSchiro I think the waiting list is how I got mine. It’s the only inflatable pillow that I’ve been able to use.
So interesting i can sleep without a pillow now 😀🤣
For those other back sleepers out there that prefer slimmer pillows, I’m a big fan of the $10 ozark trail camping pillow.
No Zenbivy? 🧐
Je ne me complique pas la vie , j'amène un simple taie d'oreiller en polar, la dimension est de 20 x 40 centimètres, et lorsque c'est le moment de dormir, j'insère une veste ou manteau dedans et cela fait parfait pour mois. En polar c'est génial, c'est chaud durant les froid d'hiver et c'est facile à séché si besoin au cas où si nous avons eu trop chaud dans le cou, selon les saisons.
Awww. Caught a boo boo. The Exped is not the most expensive pillow. It's the one I got that no one ever reviews oddly. The Sea to Summit Aeros down deluxe at $89.95 is. It sucks by the way. If you can imagine what an inflatable feathered brick feels like then you know.
I'm sorry but I think Nemo might be the most overrated backpacking brand. I had to return the Tensor as my arms would fall asleep within minutes when on my side, and would wake up with back pain when I slept on my back. I tried the Filo pillow and returned that too because it was pretty lackluster.
I don't sleep on a pillow.. ever. Not just talking about backpacking. Does this make me a pyschopath? Thanks.
yes
@@waitingforspring317 thought so, thanks for the confirmation!
@@higler. Sorry you had to wait 3 months for the confirmation!Your comment back made me laugh 😂..also that you don’t use a pillow and watched a video on finding the best backpacking pillow! You must be blessed with a strong neck to not have to use a pillow so enjoy that. I almost crippled myself with a bad camping pillow this weekend.
Isn't Packwizard your own website? Why not just say that vs as a sponsor? Unless you sold the website.
👏👌🇳🇴🤠
The trekology is terrible. The best pillow here is the fillo but where is the MEC deluxe inflatable? It blows all these pillows out of the water in terms of comfort and packability.
Yes, straps on pillows are game changers! Height was also a key factor for me. The Hikenture pillow has worked well for me but I had to try the Exped Megapillow and now I'm converted. Just wish it wasn't so heavy!
After years of using a stuff sack for a pillow recently I bought a Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow. It's been a game changer. While I liked the multi-function of the stuff sack the STS pillow is far more comfortable. Never going back to the stuff sack.