Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: Samm on July 16, 2011

Title: Pillows
Post by: Samm on July 16, 2011
Having not camped in a while, I spent a very comfy night out last night, but was struck, yet again, by how much I miss a normal pillow.  Some spare clothing wrapped in my primaloft jacket was my pillow of choice last night, but it just didn't cut it.  What does everyone else use?  Everything else I have ensures a great nights sleep, but the lack of a decent pillow is the thing that always wakes me.  Any suggestions of good, comfy, lightweight pillow suggestions?
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Rumblebum on July 17, 2011
I went to Halfords and got an Urban Escape Self Inflating Pillow and Sac, they are down from £9.99 to £5.99, i find its a really good job and rolls up to quite a small size, u can blow it up but i prefer it to be about three quarters inflated. 
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Matthew on July 17, 2011
After trying many pillows I now swear by the Thermarest one.
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: VMCC on July 17, 2011
I use my ordinary pillow from home, in fact I use two. But then I go car camping not backpacking.
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: LandyLiam on July 17, 2011
for me it has to be the full pillow for car camping, otherwise i use a cheapo plastic blow up one but i put my fleece over it to make it bearable, or if really cold i wear the fleece and put the t shirt over it  :) i don't like the small camping pillows, size matters  ;) this one is approx 45x30x7cm
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: RedLeader on July 18, 2011
Tesco do an inflatable pillow that has been serving me well for a while, I've had 2 to date as the hiking tends to be quite hard on them.

This looks like it for £2.99 - Link (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9278792/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports+and+leisure%7C14419152/Trail/searchtext%3EPILLOW.htm)
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: suspectmonkey on July 18, 2011
For me it has to be the Backpacking Pillow (http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product301.asp?PageID=37) from backpackinglight.co.uk.  After enduring my head sliding off dry bags stuffed with fleeces and waking up with deflated pillows I splashed out on this little number.  It's light (62g), rolls up really small and has a beautifully comfy and plush silk finish.  If you are handy with sewing then you could easily make your own, but for me it was £10 well spent!

To be honest I've stopped scrimping on sleeping gear.  At the end of the day a fair few of us buy fancy lightweight kit, but I've come to realise it doesn't make a difference how light your pack is if you've had a bad nights sleep!  They used to say something like a kilo on your feet is worth two on your back, but I reckon an extra hours sleep is worth a kilo on your back at least :)

(http://backpackinglight.co.uk/upload/productimage/301_E.jpg) 
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: twentyclicks on July 21, 2011
Poundland inflatable for me also. very slight fleece texture to take the plastic feel off, 58g.
Thought it was broken at first as quite hard to blow up, but this is actually good - can really customize the pressure and the valve never leaks. I'm happy enough with it. Makes some difference; essential sleep kit!
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: LandyLiam on November 29, 2012
Found my perfect pillow, the Decathlon/Quechua  "Comfortable inflatable pillow" for £10.

Its a good size 50cm x 34cm, and weighs 250g. It's a plastic blow up one with a very comfy cloth surround, the blow up bit is hollow in the middle, bit like an oval donut, which seem to keep you head in one place rather well, no sliding off! available in grey or blue.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/comfortable-inflatable-pillow-id_8172443.html

(http://www.decathlon.co.uk/media/817/8172443/zoom_asset_33441868.jpg)
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: LennyJ1 on November 29, 2012
Here is the pillow I use.

Works great as a stuff sack for my spare socks and base layers and works even better as a pillow once I stuff my soft shell or waterproofs into it.

http://www.nevisport.com/pr/1401/stuff-sack-pillow-large (http://www.nevisport.com/pr/1401/stuff-sack-pillow-large)
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Wolf_Larson on November 29, 2012
Sleeping bag holder with fleece in it works for me
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Mourneman on November 29, 2012
Sleeping bag holder with fleece in it works for me
i use my mutimat bag ;D
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Ed on November 29, 2012
Found my perfect pillow, the Decathlon/Quechua  "Comfortable inflatable pillow" for £10.

Its a good size 50cm x 34cm, and weighs 250g. It's a plastic blow up one with a very comfy cloth surround, the blow up bit is hollow in the middle, bit like an oval donut, which seem to keep you head in one place rather well, no sliding off! available in grey or blue.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/comfortable-inflatable-pillow-id_8172443.html

(http://www.decathlon.co.uk/media/817/8172443/zoom_asset_33441868.jpg)

+1 - I have the same pillow in a rather fetching dark blue. Works a treat. So does sleeping on my arm if I'm stuck
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: specimanYak on November 30, 2012
Tesco do an inflatable pillow that has been serving me well for a while, I've had 2 to date as the hiking tends to be quite hard on them.

This looks like it for £2.99 - Link (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9278792/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports+and+leisure%7C14419152/Trail/searchtext%3EPILLOW.htm)

I use the this as well, inflate it three quarters and my head melts into it.
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Wolf_Larson on November 30, 2012
Sleeping bag holder with fleece in it works for me
i use my mutimat bag ;D

What is that mate ?
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Spud on November 30, 2012
Sleeping bag holder with fleece in it works for me
i use my mutimat bag ;D

What is that mate ?

It's the bag he keeps his sleeping mat in Dave.
Title: Re: Pillows
Post by: Wolf_Larson on December 01, 2012
Cheers Spud  ;)