Topic

What are people using for pillows?


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums Gear Forums Make Your Own Gear What are people using for pillows?

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1265453
    Rusty Beaver
    BPL Member

    @rustyb

    Locale: Idaho

    I don't have enough leftovers (extra clothing, etc) to make a big enough pillow. My pack rolled up isn't tall enough either…that and the buckles don't feel too good pressed into my head or ear. I have used dried grass in my sleeping bag stuff sack with good results. Dried rush and leaves work well too but are a bit noisy. Of these, grass is the most readily available where I go but even it isn't always handy.

    What are some low cost, sizable and light (~2 oz) things people are using and/or making?

    #1664014
    todd
    BPL Member

    @funnymo

    Locale: SE USA

    When in my hammock I use a chunk of foam rubber in a tiny (fleece) pillowcase. Light, comfy, and CHEAP!

    #1664020
    Kris Sherwood
    BPL Member

    @tuskadero

    Locale: Washington State

    I made one awhile back that I am in love with. I have never been able to find a comfy backcountry pillow until now!

    I made essentially a down filled pillow case with a velcro closure. I used Momentum .9 fabric and some leftover 800fp down I had from my Quilt project. I made each side of the pillow case with a few sewn thru boxes, filled them with down, closed them and then the opening at the top is closed with velcro. Now I just thrown any stuffsacks and clothes I am not using inside to give the pillow some loft while having the outer layer having the feel of a down pillow.

    #1664028
    Denis Hazlewood
    BPL Member

    @redleader

    Locale: Northern California

    For the past year I've been using one of Bender's inflatable. Best pillow I've ever had.

    #1664050
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    Half a dead grizzly bear…

    Cheers

    #1664055
    Steve Small
    Member

    @lustreking

    A bit of extra clothing, supplemented with an inflatable water wing to gain height (I'm a side sleeper).

    #1664083
    Denis Hazlewood
    BPL Member

    @redleader

    Locale: Northern California

    2/3 of a still warm wombat?

    A portion of "passed-on" porcine porcupine?

    #1664086
    Steofan M
    BPL Member

    @simaulius

    Locale: Bohemian Alps

    I don't bring one. If side-sleeping, my arm finds its way under my head. Much less stink than dead grizzly, less to carry too.

    #1664092
    John Donewar
    BPL Member

    @newton

    Locale: Southeastern Texas

    +1 for Bender's inflatable.

    2 ounces in a homemade polyester and silnylon pillowcase.

    Party On,

    Newton

    #1664102
    Rusty Beaver
    BPL Member

    @rustyb

    Locale: Idaho

    Can someone tell me more about the Bender pillow or direct me to a link?

    Portions of grizzly and wombats sound softer than a bag of rattlesnakes.

    #1664103
    Rusty Beaver
    BPL Member

    @rustyb

    Locale: Idaho

    Sounds interesting, Kris. If you happen to have some pics, would love to see them. Thanks.

    #1664110
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I have a Mont Bell that is light and I have glued velcro on it and my sleeping pad to keep it from wandering around the tent. The Mont Bell pads have mating toggles to accomplish that. The $20+ dollar price didn't impress me. Exped has one that looks like a better shape to me.

    I have been looking at the Cocoon Ultralight Air Core pillows and I think that is the design to copy if you are going for a MYOG.There is an air bladder with a layer of polyester batting and a fabric cover. You get the support of the air bladder, the comfort of the batting, and the stay-put qualities of the fabric. The lightest model is 3.5oz, so you have your work cut out for you. If you buy one, they run about $25. They have a 6.5oz model that is more like $20.

    A Platypus bladder looks like a good start to me. One of the 1.8 liter models are more square than the 2 and 3 liter ones. A Platypus is pretty tough and you may be able to find other lighter sources for an air bladder. Adding a padded fabric bag to one of the Flexair pillows sold on BPL is a reasonable alternative to me.

    It would be great to get some multiple use– a fleece stuff sack that you can put a Platypus in– that sort of thing. The idea of having to empty a water bladder every night doesn't seem practical, but it does provide a good backup water carrier in a pinch.

    #1664137
    John Frederick Anderson
    BPL Member

    @fredfoto

    Locale: Spain

    2 litre Platy

    cheers,
    fred

    #1664138
    drowning in spam
    Member

    @leaftye

    Locale: SoCal

    @rusty

    kookabay.com

    You can also find some info by searching this site. I have the prototype he showed here. I like it, but I can't comfortably use it because I move around too much. Maybe I should velcro it to my pad. Lately I throw either my R1 or down jacket into a stuff sack. I don't wear those when I sleep because of the VBL quilt.

    #1664139
    Joe Newton
    BPL Member

    @grayjoe

    I have been using the Exped Air Pillow. Like it quite a bit.

    Joe

    #1664187
    John Donewar
    BPL Member

    @newton

    Locale: Southeastern Texas

    Rusty,

    Follow this link to see Bender's Pillow on his website.

    Follow this link to see my pillow from Bender in its MYOG pillowcase if you are interested.

    A few dots or stripes of seam sealer will keep it from wandering around in the middle of the night.

    Party On,

    Newton

    #1664395
    Rusty Beaver
    BPL Member

    @rustyb

    Locale: Idaho

    This will give me some things to contemplate over the winter.

Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...