Which One?

I am another satisfied Montbell pillow user. I use a buff (tubular bandana) as a SUL pillow cover.

I also have an inflatable pillow that I made by cutting and resealing the end of a 5L POE WxTex drybag, but it doesn't have the center dimple, so it's not as comfy.

On a trip a few weeks ago, I used a FlexAir Plus Ultralight Pillow for the first time. I slept 3 nights on it and I have to say, I can't imagine every again going on a trip without one! I used to use a stuff sack filled with my extra clothes, but like someone else mentioned, as I started to lighten up, I didn't have much leftover to use as a pillow. The quality of my night's sleep increased dramatically with a this pillow. It's my new favorite piece of gear!

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I've used the flex air one on 3 different 3-night trips. Came in a 3-pack and I'm still on the first one. As long as you do not overinflate it the comfort level is nice. Curious about the Mont-Bell now but their site says it is sold out (though I'm sure I can find it elsewhere).

Anyhow, the flex air is on this site:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/flexair_ultralight_pillow.html

Dave,

Montbell pillows are available at Prolite Gear for $28.95. Usually no sales tax and free shipping if you spend at least $50.00.

http://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_ul_comfort_system_pillow.html

I wanted to like the Montbell pillow, but I recently tried it and found that inflatable pillows just don't work for me. The air inside causes my head to bounce too much, which is why I needed a pillow in the first place to use with my Big Agnes Air core mattress.

Down is in my opinion the best material for a pillow. This is what I use at home.

I recently got the Western Mountaineering Cloudrest, and let me tell you–that is 4.3 ounces of pure comfort well worth it. It even comes with its own stuff sack! Last year I carried a large down pillow that weighed 8.5(!) ounces, so this was a significant weight savings for me. Since I am lightweight, not SUL, I find the down pillow justified to get a good night's rest.

After trying the uber light inflatable pillows from BPL, it quickly became clear that nothing works worse for me than an air-filled pillow.

The Cloudrest is ridiculously effective at insuring a comfy night's sleep in the back country. It's not too bad for helping out on the long car rides to get there either!

Scott:

I too have tried the BPL uber light inflatables — and they are nothing at all like the MontBell or Big Agnes or even the el cheapo Intex multi-chambered inflatables! But in any case, it's why having choices is a very good thing!

I tried an Integral Designs down pillow and I felt like I may as well just lay my head on two pieces of nylon. I exaggerate, of course, but as we all know, down compresses all too easily! Otherise, we could all be using blue foam pads and still feeling comfy from the down crushed beneath us? But alas, no — well, not for me anyway.

I guess you're right Ben. I need to just get it and stop complaining about my stuff sack pillow. I've never been unhappy with any of my Montbell purchases, and come to think of it, I think you were responsible for advocating that I make a few of those purchases, i.e. the Thermal Sheet.

Ben the Gear Enabler — scored another one.

Jonathan, how's the thermal sheet working out for you?

I love the thermal sheet! It works well with my 3 season bag to push it to lower temps. It is also awesome for summer!

Good to know. I love mine too, and I'm sure glad I got it before MontBell changed it to that ugly "muscat green" color! :)

i have tried despartely for years to come up with a pillow system that helps with my arthritis in my neck. all the pillows that i've tried over the years do not have enough loft or are to big and heavy. i'd wake up miserable. so i purchased a uber light inflatible from bpl and a western cloudrest. i put the two together in a light wt. pillowcase i made to fit. it's the most comfortable sleep i've had in years. just the right height for sleeping on your side. the two chambers in the inflatible keeps my head from rolling off in the night. i also have a big agnes sleep system which i could put the pillows in, but prefer to keep the pillows separate….happy sleeping……

I unfortunetly recieved the color you speak of. I got it at a closeout price from Prolitegear.com and I guess they sent me the new one for the closeout price. It is pretty ugly, but it still gets the job done. Sorry to hijack the thread. I'll be getting the pillow to complete my UL Pad 90.

I am sure all you guys have tried a 2 ltr. Platypus as your pillow. Filled up w/ H2O stuffed in sleeping bag stuff sack with your spare clothes and you have a very light weight pillow that actually is multi-tasking. Just checking….