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pillow recommendations


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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 39 total)
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  • #1268149
    John Frederick Anderson
    BPL Member

    @fredfoto

    Locale: Spain

    I've been using a 2 litre platty as a pillow for a couple of years, and feel the need for luxury to aid in my sleep. The platty is OK, but I keep thinking I'd like more comfort.
    I've been thinking the Montbell, the Western Mountaineering down pillow, the Thermarest lumbar pillow, or the Exped inflatable. I'm a toss and turn sleeper, front, side and back, so… I currently use a Prolite short sleeping pad.
    Any users experiences and preferences?
    cheers,
    fred

    #1687697
    Mark Ryan
    Member

    @sixguns01

    Locale: Somewhere. Probably lost.

    Fred-

    I use the Coccon Hyperlight Pillow, 2.3oz. It is inflatable with stuffing around the bladder. It doesn't feel at plastic like many others do. I am an "active" sleeper like yourself and this has proven to be the best pillow for me. In fact I sleep more on my side and stomach and the pillow has never failed me. And it is so small I just stuff it in with my sleeping bag. Amazing luxury item!

    Have fun

    #1687703
    Scott Lehr
    Member

    @lehrscott4

    Locale: Louisville - KY

    Grand Trunk makes one called the travel pillow, its insanely comfy full of synthetic fill, but weighs a hefty 8 oz.grand trunk travel pillow

    #1687705
    drowning in spam
    Member

    @leaftye

    Locale: SoCal

    I have a Kookabay synthetic inflatable pillow. It's nice and has survived my abuse well, I wish it was bigger because I also toss and turn. He does make bigger pillows for side sleepers. I really should put a couple strips of silicone on it so it doesn't slide so easily. He can also use down instead of synthetic insulation. Goosefeet can do down pillows, but I do not believe they're inflatable.

    #1687711
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    Pillows.. Tried a bunch of things through the years. The Montbell inflatable is O.K. I use a Buff as a pillowcase to get away from the plastic feeling. I have recently acquired a WM Cloudrest pillow. 5 ounces. It is a real pillow though and oh so comfy. I applaud those who can sleep on a thinlight with a ziploc bag as a pillow. That is not me. Active sleeper. Back, sides, repeat. I don't usually have enough clothes for a pillow. Don't want to be sleeping with my head on my shoes either. Going to be hard not to take it along I think. Got the Cloudrest free from Moontrail with the order of my Mitylite.

    #1687712
    Don Meredith
    Spectator

    @donmeredith

    Locale: SouthEast

    Ken, I have the same problems. I can't comfortably use an inflatable because I flop around so much in my sleep. Its good to hear that the Western Mountaineering pillow works well. I use the Thermarest pillow which is 7oz. The weight savings isn't huge but I'm curious to know if the WM packs down significantly smaller. Do you have experience with both?

    Don Meredith

    lightpack.blogspot.com

    #1687719
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    I have not tried a T-rest pillow though have seen them. I would think that a down filled pillow the same size as the T-rest foam filled ones would pack down smaller. The Cloudrest packs down to the size of a grapefruit.

    #1687735
    KRS
    BPL Member

    @krshome

    Locale: Virginia USA

    Granite Gear Pillowsack with fleece on one side 1.6 oz. I have one and it's just like home. Not UL but use it as a stuff sack for you bag and your not breaking the bank with weight. I find that a down jacket is nice stuffed in it, old socks not so great.

    #1687736
    Angelo R.
    Spectator

    @zalmen_mlotek

    Locale: Northwest CT

    +1 for the Exped.

    #1687737
    Ken Helwig
    BPL Member

    @kennyhel77

    Locale: Scotts Valley CA via San Jose, CA

    +1 on the Cocoon Hyperlite. It packs down to half the size of a soda can too.

    #1687769
    Andy F
    Spectator

    @andyf

    Locale: Midwest/Midatlantic

    I have the Exped and the Montbell. I'm still trying to decide between the two, but the Exped seems to be leading.

    #1687777
    scri bbles
    BPL Member

    @scribbles

    Locale: Atlanta, GA

    Cocoon Hyperlite has been a good buy for me. At 50% inflated your head rests right in the middle. It does have a tendency to roll with your head since there is no baffle in the middle…

    #1687790
    Vince Contreras
    BPL Member

    @pillowthread

    Locale: like, in my head???

    So, my name is pillowthread…I've thought about this one for a while, and, being that I also spend some time during an average night on each my back, side, and stomach, I can heartily recommend the WM Cloudrest pillow. Lain flat it is perfect for stomach sleeping, and folded in half it works well for back and side sleeping. It also makes a great lumbar support when either rolled up loose or inside its stuff sack. I've slept on it for 30 or so nights now, and I can attest to its comfort and laughable pack size.

    #1687894
    Chuck Cheese
    Member

    @defrag4

    I have the Cocoon one, its not really that great for my particular sleep style, I find I have to deflate it almost down to nothing to make it comfortable. It is light as hell and packs down to nothing though.

    My gf lugs around a big Thermarest pillow. Its too bulky for me but I am jealous of her when the sun goes down. The small thermarest one might be do-able, she has the medium or large size I believe

    I have also seen some down-pillows for sale, havent tried one yet

    #1687903
    Joey Dawson
    Member

    @inabag

    Locale: Northern VA

    I use a Coghlan's Pack Pillow stuffed with a synthetic vest I carry/wear year round. Light, comfy, and multi-functional.

    #1687930
    Jeff M.
    BPL Member

    @catalyst

    I recently purchased the snoring bear pillow by Arrowhead Equipment. It's not the lightest at 5 oz., but it is by far the most comfortable pillow I've tried thus far. I've never liked inflatables and I don't find that down pillows (backpacking size) provide enought support. The snoring bear measures 8" x 12" and it's made with climashield insulation with around 5" of loft. I had him make mine with momentum so its nice and soft. He also sells a smaller one which weighs in around 3 oz. with the stuffsack (snoring cub). Definitely worth looking into.

    #1687944
    Alex Gilman
    BPL Member

    @vertigo

    Locale: Washington

    +1 I would even tell you not to look for alternatives.

    #1687965
    Mark Ryan
    Member

    @sixguns01

    Locale: Somewhere. Probably lost.

    True about the Hyperlite. I leave mine half deflated and it's perfect for side and stomach sleeping.

    #1687969
    Karen Kennedy
    BPL Member

    @karenk

    Locale: NE NSW - Australian subtropics

    OK I'll be villified by the UL Police, but I like a COMBINATION pillow of an inflatable base (Flexair dual chamber was UL and great if not so durable – anyone know why BPL doesn't stock them any more?); Cocoon also works but have just acquired MontBell to try – should be better as the baffles will provide a flatter base than the Cocoon.

    On top of the inflatable we use a down layer, typically a MontBell jacket or vest (or a CloudRest pillow in the tropics if we're not carrying a down layer) and wrap everything up in an old Thermarest pillow slip. I've had these pillow slips for maybe 20 years, and I don't think these are on the market any more – weight is approx 35g, fabric is like a very light fleece – anyway the whole combination is relatively light and oh so comfy! A Buff would also work as a pillow slip I guess.

    We find that our comfort requirements are increasing in direct proportion to our advancing years!

    Cheers,

    KK

    #1688031
    Bill Markwood
    Member

    @wpmarkwood

    My wife and I liked our Thermarest pillows so much we got the large size for our everyday (night) use.

    #1688068
    Stephen Barber
    BPL Member

    @grampa

    Locale: SoCal

    Side sleeper here – I love the Kooka Bay inflatable. Light, good support, works regardless of which side I'm on!

    #1688252
    John Frederick Anderson
    BPL Member

    @fredfoto

    Locale: Spain

    Thanks for all the input.
    I will probably get an exped and a WM down pillow, one for me and one for the wife.
    Cheers,
    Fred

    #1688642
    Paul Gibson
    Member

    @pgibson

    Locale: SW Idaho

    Hey Jeff, Thanks for mentioning us :) Like Jeff mentioned we do have the option to make either size of the pillows in Momentum 90 in the blue, black or grey color. It adds $5.00 to the cost to upgrade the fabric and we ship them normally next day. I can do them with or without the hammock keeper cord.

    Paul
    Arrowhead Equipment

    #1688647
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    I'll second the Arrowhead Equipment pillows. Wonderful. I use the larger one when ground dwelling, and have found the smaller one perfect for hammocking.

    #1688656
    jeffrey bennett
    Spectator

    @jollygreen

    Locale: Near the bottom

    #1 Jollygreen Giant pillow from Bender. Man this think is awesome. It is larger than his standard pillow but only wieghs 2.2 oz. The best "lightweight" side sleeping pillow made.
    Jeff

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