Reconsidering the pillow

I usually need something under my head, just because it feels weird without it.
The Big Agnes bags I use have an integral pouch for stuffing to make a pillow, I've been know to carry the 145g Ajungilak pillow at times as well.
A waterproof sack liner (roll-top type) can be inflated enough to make a pillow although it looses air through the night, and that's no extra weight at all if you already use one.

I can't sleep comfortably without one (if at all). Consider your water bladder. I used to carry an empty mylar box wine liner as a blow up pillow as it can also be used as an extra/back up water carrier.

I don't use anything usually. I tend to sleep on my stomach and a pillow doesn't work for me there. I use my arm if I happen to roll on my side and I almost never sleep on my back.

Someone mentioned using a combination of a platypus with rain gear. The idea was that rain gear would not be worn to bed (although I have worn my rain pants for warmth). That being the case, such a system does not wear anything.

I don't think there is a perfect pillow. I think a pillow thread comes up every couple months or so, as folks aren't completely satisfied with what they use. I'm no exception, as I've tried various things and might consider a few other ideas. One that I haven't tried (and would like to) is bubble pack. The right bubble pack weighs very little, but might be comfortable.

Assuming you don't wear yours to bed, shoes might make a decent pillow structure. I use a pair of Crocs as camp shoes and discovered that with the toes pointed towards my head and under my pad, they provided a decent rise to lay my head against. The pad provides a bit of cushion.
Marty Cooperman

There are a few sub-ounce pillows available from BPL such as this one. I’ve got one en route but I haven’t tried it yet.

I also thought of using a (I’m guessing 6″x9″ or so) Fill-Air bag which came as packing material in a shipment from Amazon. It’s small but only weighs 1/4 oz or so. I thought it would work underneath clothing, to help heft it up to your head. It just stays inflated so you’d need a little extra room in your bag.

adrian. i've come up with a perfert combination for pillows. i have an inflatable from bpl (the two chamber one)and a light wt. down back packing pillow. by themselves they aren't high enough as i sleep on my side, but together they are perfect. just use a sm. pillowcase to put them together. i have a mont-bell, but did not like it. another peice of equipment to store….

> I don't think there is a perfect pillow. I think a pillow thread comes up every couple months or so, as folks aren't completely satisfied with what they use

Actually I am pretty happy with the MB pillow, it's well shaped so my head doesn't roll off it, I can tie it to my mat to stop it moving, it's not noisy, and it's proved pretty durable.

..mainly I'm interested in how many people use nothing at all though.

I found last night sleeping on my back without a pillow is fine, on my side not so great. Might try and reduce the thickness of my pillow in stages.

Adrian,

If shoes count as nothing at all, that is how I go. However, this has been satisfactory only since I began using a Big Agnes Air Core. Somehow shoes under the BA Air Core gives this side-sleeper a very restful night.

Paul

Hi Adrian – just caught your thread – stick with the Montbell – I've got one and after numerous "light weight" experiments this option is the best – hey, in going light weight some compromise is ok to get comfort or rest after a hard day in the hills!!

I just put whatever spare clothing I have round my half inflated 2L platy water bottle inside my quilt stuff sack and use that. Dedicated pillow? whatever next?? Kitchen sink??? :-)

Ask, and you shall receive…

Oakley Kitchen Sink

nm

I mostly sleep without a pillow, but I'm a dedicated back sleeper and mostly don't use a pillow at home either. I also need some insulation under my head when it gets cold, but I can always find something in my pack to fill that gap (crocs ARE great for this).

For years I tried aforementioned pillow substitutes: shoes (too hard and lumpy), extra clothing in a stuff sack (usually didn't have that much extra clothing and my down jacket compressed down to nothing), which resulted in not sleeping all that well. Then I bought one of the inexpensive BPL single chamber pillows and found that I'd roll off unless it was only half inflated, but better by a long shot than shoes. This Spring I purchased the BPL double chamber pillow and it's the best yet. At only 30 gm it's well worth that extra weight!

I use the inflatabla pillow I bought from BPL I think and I love it. I have used the same one on at least 10 nights out and no punctures. I stick it in the hood of my bag and it stays put when I roll over which I do a lot of sleeping on the ground. This doesn't work if you have to put your head inside of the hood but I only do that when it's really cold.
My only complaint is that it is noisy when moving.
Buster

im still, after 2 years using the inflatable kid's swim floaties. cut the floatie down the seam and you end up with a 2" thick, 7×16" pillow for 1.5 ounces. I get them from Wally world at end of summer when they go on sale for $0.25 for a 2-pack.
the pillow case is sewn from soft tyvek. BTW, the bpl style pillows are used in health care industry and only cost about 30 cents if you buy them by the case. (but then who wants a whole case!)

you can see the pillow in this pic…