Choosing the right travel pillow can mean the difference between a great vacation and a vacation plagued by sleep deprivation. Something as simple as your pillow can make a big difference in how well you sleep, so making sure you’ve chosen the right one for whatever adventure you’re embarking on is crucial.
Travel pillows come in a wide variety of shapes, materials and sizes. Memory foam neck pillows are popular for airline, car and train travel because they offer support and comfort, however they’re a bit heavier than other forms types of travel neck pillows. That additional weight is the price you pay for that level of comfort, I suppose. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, you might want to get a microbead pillow (also sometimes called a moshi pillow). These are those squishy pillows you’ve felt that have tiny beads in them when you give them a squeeze. These pillows are much lighter, in comparison to a memory foam travel pillow, and can usually be compressed to conserve space if necessary.
Of course, for backpacking and other forms of adventure travel, you’re going to have to take the transportability of your pillow a little more seriously. Some people will merely improvise a pillow in these situations – a bunch of clothes stuffed in a waterproof bags works fairly well, but can be lumpy and uncomfortable. You’re much better off with a camping pillow. These pillows are often made of a light fill of cotton, fleece, or down, and have a soft cotton, flannel of fleece cover. They are “packable;” meaning they can be compressed, the cover used to keep the pillow small, and tightly compacted. The biggest negative of these camping pillows is that they are often a bit soft for many people, and often don’t provide the support that backpackers, and campers desire. If you’re one of those who needs a more supportive rest, then you’re probably going to want to look into an inflatable travel pillow. Inflatable travel pillows are generally self-inflating, and provide more support than standard camping pillows. They are not made of the softest outer materials though, so you might want to purchase a small travel pillow case, or simply use a t-shirt or other piece of clothing to make it a bit more comfortable to sleep on. Inflatable pillows are extremely lightweight, and packable, which really makes them the best choice for your outdoor sleeping gear.
The comfort of your sleeping arrangements can really make or break the success of your trip. Some people absolutely can’t sleep without the benefit of a comfortable pillow. Me? I’ve a rather hard head, so I prefer to use a small pile of rocks as a pillow, but most people prefer the comfort of a nice travel pillow.
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