The Best Backpacking Pillows in 2024 (Reviewed & Compared)

Our pick of the best of the best backpacking pillows in 2022 is much like the flagship Fillo Elite, though this one is significantly lighter and smaller than the original. 

The Fillo Elite Ultralight is designed with a 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Primaloft insulation layer for extra cushioning, a 3″ I-beam baffled air cell, and a jersey cover. This popular backpacking pillow is easy to inflate and simple to wash in a machine. With your purchase, you’ll also receive an internal stuff sack, as well as NEMO’s lifetime warranty.

According to many backpacking pillow reviews, this is an excellent pillow not only for backpacking adventures, but also for smaller travel trips, sleeping on an airplane, and giving your lumbar the support it needs. For more options, you can take a look at our top list of travel pillows.

The Trekker Pillow Case is a compact, practical, and extra-light camping pillowcase that you can stuff with soft materials to give you the ultimate comfort you need. 

Its exterior is covered with brushed polyester, which makes it even softer when pressed next to your face. This pillowcase is light as a feather and is ideal for travelers and hikers looking for a minimal-weight option. Since it measures 14″ x 17″ and weighs only 2.3 ounces, it will easily fit in a shirt pocket.

Many customers believe this to be the best travel pillow for backpacking, calling it the ultimate must-have for every nature enthusiast.

The Aeros Ultralight Pillow comes in two sizes, a regular and a large one, and there are three attractive colors to choose from. This premium inflatable backpacking pillow features an ultra-soft 20-denier stretch polyester exterior and a sound-proof TPU air bladder for comfort and extra support. 

Reviews of the best lightweight backpacking pillows note that the inflation, customization, and deflation takes only a few seconds due to the innovative patent-pending mini valve. More recently, Sea to Summit updated this bestseller to be compatible with its one-of-a-kind Pillow Lock system.

So if you’re looking for a good backpacking pillow, reviews confirm that this is a durable and strong choice, not to mention a comfortable one. Due to its incredible softness, we believe it’s just right for stomach sleepers. Not only that, but users also praise Sea to Summit for being very responsive to customer questions and inquiries.

According to the company, the Animas Pillow is the “lightest weight, most comfortable pillow for sleeping outside.” We completely agree, and here’s why: This is a small, practical backpacking pillow with an ergonomic shape for added comfort. Thanks to its trendy siliconized print on the bottom, the pillow stays in place the whole night. With this in mind, we believe this is a good option for restless sleepers and side sleepers.

Another reason this is practically the best inflatable backpacking pillow: the 20D polyester fabric feels amazing against your face. The fact that Sierra Designs also includes a storage bag is an added bonus. However, the product isn’t available for international shipping.

Our next pick is heavier than the other options on this list, but it’s still a worthwhile mention thanks to its excellent quality. TETON Sports’ ComfortLite Self Inflating Cushion is described as a cushion for multiple-purpose sitting. 

Reviews of the best backpacking pillows and pads claim that this self-inflating pad is ideal for camping or even as a comfortable cushion to use perhaps while attending an athletic event or outdoor concert. It features a slip-resistant, heavy-duty base that keeps the cushion secure and a soft, yet durable microfiber top. Not only that, but it inflates and deflates very quickly.

As a bonus, you receive a free lifetime warranty for this product, just in case, as well as a stuff sack with a drawstring closure.

Klymit’s bestseller, the Pillow X, is a light, high-quality pillow that’s about the size of an average lighter when packed. Due to its innovative “X Design,” you receive superior head support and comfort throughout the night. 

The best light backpacking pillow for added neck support, it’s available in two attractive colors. And for those who like to customize their sleep environment, it can be adjusted for pressure and height. The 30D polyester face material makes it ultra soft when pressed against your delicate skin.

Customers rave about how compact and light this backpacking pillow is, and the majority of buyers recommend it for hiking or other adventures where you don’t want to carry too much heavy stuff. The only complaint we came across was from one user who claimed that the X can be slightly uncomfortable in certain spots.

Zpacks’ best ultralight backpacking pillow combines the ultimate comfort of a pillow with the functionality of a dry sack. This backpacking pillow is made in the United States, and it comes with a two-year limited warranty against any defects in the workmanship and materials. 

This ultra-comfy backpacking pillow features soft micro fleece on one half of the inside, letting you turn the dry bag inside out before packing it with your extra clothes. The top portion of the lightweight Medium Pillow seals with hardened velcro, making it easy to close and roll. 

Overall, users are satisfied with their purchase of nearly the lightest backpacking pillow on the market and would buy this item again. Nevertheless, one customer claimed that this backpacking pillow is a bit crinkly and loud when you lie on it.

According to Big Agnes, the AXL Air Pillow is a comfortable camp pillow that even Goldilocks would approve of. One of the main features of this quality backpacking pillow is the micro-release button that allows you to fully customize the plushness level to your personal liking. 

As we searched for the best backpacking pillow in our review, we examined each product’s thickness and comfort. We’re glad to say that Big Agnes’ AXL Air Pillow is just the right thickness for a night of restful sleep. The stretch nylon feels very comfortable, and it’s also puncture resistant. Best of all, since the material is antimicrobial, you don’t need to worry about nasty odor-causing bacteria.

According to positive customer reviews, this is a light, tiny backpacking pillow with the perfect ergonomic shape for ultimate comfort throughout the whole night. However, according to one user, the seam came undone quickly. Since the customer service is very responsive, we believe this issue was dealt with in a timely manner. 

Western Mountaineering’s Cloudrest Down Pillow is expensive but well worth the price. This lightweight hiking and camping pillow features a built-in stuff sack that lets you compress the pillow down. 

This pillow weighs 5 oz, and to ensure ultimate softness, it’s filled with 800 power goose down, the most luxurious pillow filler. Not only that, but this will be one of the comfiest backpacking pillows you’ll find. Best of all, this is a versatile product; you can take it with you camping, hiking, and even on an airplane flight.

Overall, customers would purchase this item again. Many praise the Cloudrest Down Pillow for being lightweight, yet supportive. The only downside we can think of is its high price point.

Cocoon’s Sleeping Bag Hood is a traditional, inflatable pillow filled with synthetic fibers. This exclusive compressible backpacking pillow is made from polyester microfiber and 20-denier nylon, making it anti-microbial and soft to the touch. 

Since its design is very versatile, you can easily fit it into the hood of a mummy bag, or use it any way you want. Best of all, you can completely customize your sleep experience depending on the weather! This means you can rest on the cozy microfiber side on chilly nights, or if you’re a fan of cooling pillows, there’s the micro-ripstop nylon side for when it’s too warm.

According to reviews of the top-rated backpacking pillows, the one-of-a-kind baffle design—which features a pocket to cradle the head—delivers extra comfort. Many even state that the Sleeping Bag Hood Pillow is the best they’ve ever tried. On the flip side, a few customers said that this pillow can be easily punctured.