Monkey Pillow Case 20% discount coupon

I am interested in your pillow case here but what exactly is it for? I read some reviews that sort of make me think it has dual purposes? Can't just be a pillow case can it….that would violate the "bpl protocol". All the pros would go on and on about the wasted weight.

If it makes the difference for you between a good night's sleep and a miserable one then it isn't wasted weight. Specifically for dual use, I have one of Wallace's Monkey pillows and I usually use it as a kind of a stuff sack for spare clothes in my pack.

However, I'll add that I feel many of the dual uses people talk about are really justifications for a single use — for example, yes I'll put spare clothes in the pillowcase to carry in my pack, but it isn't subbing for a stuff sack, if I didn't use the pillowcase I would just stuff the clothes in without any kind of storage. So it's dual use, but not really. Which brings me back to: if it serves an important single use then it's worth the weight IMO.

Just to put my comments in, I believe a good nights sleep on the trail/backcountry is one of the most important things in my book. If you don't sleep good, it won't matter how light your stuff is or isn't.

With that said, I agree with JR, that I put my bed kit in there. I typically carry a wool top and bottom plus sleeping socks, and put those inside the pillow case that separate those items from my other pack items. You could also use it as a daypack to carry a few light items (shown in attached photo)

IMHO though… back to my first comment, a good nights sleep for me personally can make or break my trip. I am sure that others can even find other uses for this pillow case.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Wallace
SupaChef

"Which brings me back to: if it serves an important single use then it's worth the weight IMO."

Yes, yes, and yes. I use this with an Exped pillow and stuff my down sweater in it. It's a fairly luxurious pillow set up like this and I appreciate the support as a side sleeper.

Someone at the GGG commented on how it might work as a daypack but I never tried it. Your photo shows proof of concept.

Would the large fit a large exped pillow and some clothes to give that cushy feel? I currently put a buff on the exped pillow and slide a base layer or some similar article into the buff on top of the exped.

Just as a frame of reference, here is a post I made a long while back. The Large Exped pillow fits the large size great. And yes, you should have enough room to stuff in a few items, depending on how bulky they are. I usually put my MontBell UL Down parka in there if I am not wearing it to sleep in.

Large Exped post

Wallace
SupaChef

BTW… here are the latest patterns that I am using with Monkeys! I have black in 100 wt and other patterns, but these are the most popular.

Cool!
Those look like they might be pair I just ordered yesterday – yellow momentum one side and monkeys on the other.
1.4 oz for a better night sleep – totally worth it.

Wallace,

Great idea/solution to a problem that I had not thought about solving!

Question for you, as I am a little confused:

Options for the top is either 100 or 200 weight fleece.

However, is the Monkey Pattern something other than 100 or 200 weight fleece?

If so, what is it and how does it compare to the 100 or 200 wt fleece? Softer, warmer, heavier?

Basically, how much heavier are these other options or really no difference in weight?

You offer options for different high tech materials…guessing that this is for the under side of the pillow.

What are the differences and/or advantages of the different high tech materials offered?

(How do I know which one combination of options is going to be best for me).

Your pillow looks great…I want one because I am tired of "sweaty neck" from using my rain gear in its stuff bag as a pillow.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

P.S. If this matters, I sleep on a 1/4" foam pad….elastic straps can be shorter due to the pad being thin?

Tony

Tony,

I greatly appreciate you taking the time to cover those topics. Let me try and be simple and to the point while answering your inquiries.

Weight wise, the fabrics are pretty darn close. The monkey fleece is a standard fleece that can be referred to as no pill fleece. The 100 wt and 200 wt are polartec fleece. And the 200 is a bit thicker than the 100, but not much weight difference. The 100 and 200 wt fleece are in plain colors. 100 = black, while 200 = blue and red.

Momentum 90 (1.1 oz/yd) is one of the most popular as it comes in blue, yellow, red, and off brown color.

Nobul1 (0.67 oz/yd & Dark Grey) is a fabric that TiGoat sells, and it is light and thin… but strong. Really nice for the UL'ers out there.

Pertex Quantum (1.1 oz/yd) is a shiny metallic grey and is on par with Momentum, matches with everything.

Differences between the materials is really more of a preference as to which color. You might save a gram if that by choosing the Nobul1. But I personally think that is just splitting hairs.

If you love monkeys like I do, I would get those. If you think warmth of your ear and head/neck area is a plus I would choose the polartec 100 or 200 which is thicker and probably more comfortable. But honestly I would say they are all really close.

As for the pad, I have not really targeted the CCF pad, but I would be happy to get something started and see what works for you. I would just calculate pillow size, contents you might stuff, width and height of pad, and make a prototype for CCF pads. Let me know, or just request the custom order.

I will gladly hit any points I missed or further questions if you have them.

Wallace
SupaChef

Wallace,

Thanks for the great breakdown and fast reply!

Great and clear explanations, which I need as a simpleton.

Question that came up: Any special instructions for washing & drying?

I definitely will be ordering one shortly.

Just have to figure out which combination works for me.

Regarding my sleeping on a CCF pad, no worries with me…..I sleep like a dead log to the point where I can sleep with my glasses on. :)

Honestly, I would likely opt for no straps to secure to the sleeping pad….plus, being in a bivy bag does not give me much room to move around to lose my pillow.

Now….the big decision…Monkey or No Monkey/100 polartec??? :)

Wishing you all the best with your business.

Note: Found this link which gives information on differences in Fleece

http://www.fabricdiva.com/Fleece-Facts-All-About-Fleece-W2.aspx

Link on Polartec

http://www.milldirecttextiles.com/faq.asp?id=1423164910525425404025#11

Tony

"If you love monkeys like I do, I would get those."

I ordered a couple last year. One with monkeys and a black one. Of course my 12 y/o daughter was too mature for monkeys and chose the black one. I of course was thrilled to get the one with monkeys.

Ian,

Do you notice much of a difference between the black 100 weight fleece and the monkey fleece?

I am a cold sleeper and I am leaning towards the black 100 weight fleece, but the monkeys are cool. :)

Tony

I took some pics today of the pillow case that I am using as my own. I put the regular Exped pillow in there and then stuffed my MontBell UL Down Parka in there for example.

Hope this helps as I have gotten questions asking how much room there is in this combination.

Wallace
SupaChef

Hi Wallace,

Which size case would you recommend for the Exped pillow pump?

http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/mats/pillow-pump

Cheers'

Stephen

Exped Air Pillow M or Regular size – 15 x 10.6 x 4.3 inches (shown in photos above)

Pillow pump – 14 x 7 x 4 inches

I would recommend the small size case.

Wallace
SupaChef

Much appreciated Wallace, I am going to order one now.

Ordered mine last night!

Decided for the 100 wt fleece and yellow momentum 90 fabric without the elastic loops.

Thanks for all your help and looking forward to using it on the trail.

Tony

Just ordered one as well. I opted for the size small with the elastic straps, black 100wt fleece and gray pertex. Looking forward to using this setup with my exped ul medium pillow and my down jacket/vest stuffed in there.

-jake

Ordered mine two days ago and Wallace sent me a photo of my custom pillow….no elastic straps.

Sending the photo of my pillow really was a nice and unexpected touch.