The Pillow Problem

[Gray Ghost]

I cannot sleep without a pillow. My brother and cousin are out like a light without one. I bought one of those compressed pillows from Gander Mountain and it was horrible, (at least for me). I have also carried in a pillow case and filled it with whatever clothes i bring, but I don't carry enough in the summer to provide an adequate cushion. I've resorted to stuffing a thin pillow between my back and external frame pack. It provides a little extra cushion and works out okay. Has anyone else solved this problem? If so, how?

[Kevin]

I bring a fleece for the camp in the evening and a pair of light poly pro pants/long underwear bottoms in case I want to get out of my dayhiking clothes. Both these items go into my thermarest pillow case and work great.

Sounds like you're not carrying enough clothes .

[Wildernessphoto]

Sounds like you're not carrying enough clothes .

I Agree! I carry long johns, fleece, extra socks, a coat, rain gear and long pant. That all put into a pillowcase works great!
-Gary-

[Boreal Chickadee]

I share your problem and MUST have something under my head. On our recent trip to duck Hole I used the PFD, which was sufficient with the bag on top. One time in total desperation I resorted to bringing along a baby pillow. It worked. I know it sounds crazy but the baby pillow on top of whatever else I could put there to increase the elvation was worth the few extra ounces for me to carry in. A good night's sleep is priceless. The crook of soemone else's arm and shoulder works best, but no such luck there.

[Dick]

Same here - those so-called camp pillows don't do a thing for me. I use clothes, sometimes just rolled up, sometimes I'll put them in my sleeping bag's stuff sack with a fleece on top. In the winter I have a plaid jacket/shirt thingy that I like to wrap around my head and breathe into it, so I'm not sucking cold air. Works better than a balaclava for me.

[Wildernessphoto]

I heard some guys use there food bag for a pillow...

[Boreal Chickadee]

That's what I heard too Gary. And when they sleep in the next tent I hope those bears don't think I'm sleeping on food too.

[Wildernessphoto]

That's what I heard too Gary. And when they sleep in the next tent I hope those bears don't think I'm sleeping on food too.

Sleep far, far away....

[fvrwld]

I have a super-compressible down jacket that I always bring and stuff in my Thermarest pilowcase when its time to hit to sack.

There are numerous infatable pillows out there. Check out campmor.com. They have several.

[AdkWiley]

i use a thermarest pillow cover as well and jsut stuff in my fleece jacket or other clothes. I alwasy get very hot when i sleep so i usually have extra clothes to use that i get out of wheni get in my bag.

[lumberzac]

If you use a water bladder try filling it with air and using it as a pillow.

[Rick]

Ghost,
I absolutely have to have a pillow as well. Rather than use a big pillowcase, get a smaller stuff sack - Say 6"x12". The same amount of clothes in the stuff sack will puff up larger than in the pillow case and won't "migrate" and flatten out. You can always then roll it in a t-shirt or pillow case if you don't like contact with the nylon sack material.

In the deep summer when I don't have a lot of clothes, I'll use my Toilet paper roll, first aid kit, or my MSR water bladder (partially filled - You don't want it too stiff). I also carry a small 18"x24" square of ensolite foam pad to sit on. This works well as a pillow by folding it in half and taping the the 2 halves together and then filling with some clothes (or just using it as an added bae beneath your stuff sack pillow).

When Kayaking I found that my paddle float as well as my light nylon rollup watertight bags work great. the roll-to bags with clothes in them will also hold air, as long as you don't put a lot of weight on them (roll the top at least 3 times).
In fact, if you are already a canoer or kayaker and have one youcan double the usage of your roll-top bag , you might consider bringing it as a stuff sack and trying it as a pillow. Try it at home first.
Good Luck
Rick

[AdkWiley]

even though i dont use a pillow on the trail, i use a down pillow when im at home and the thing masses into just bout nothing! then again ive head it for a really long time, prob 8 years now, but might be good to look into a mall down pillow. if your need a pillow badly enough im sure u wont mind a little extra weight

[erica]

I'm another pillow hog - Gotta have one! If I sleep better, I'll have more energy to carry a few more ounces. I use a stuff sack filled with clothes or a jacket.

[redhawk]

Sure am glad you people are "roughing it"!

I like something under my head as well. I usually do the clothes stuff sack routine. It seems to be the best method.