imi

Inspired by comments in a different thread:

So, do you have a pillow with you? Inflatable? Synthetic or Down? Ultralight? … or do you just roll your smelly socks up under your head and snore away?

mev

No pillow.
Instead I put a few clothes into the stuff sack from my sleeping bag. I may also drape over a fleece over the outside of the stuff sack.

HelpSingularity 

I do as mev does but then put the stuff sack in a flannel pillow case.
Not perfect, but good enuff!

robow

I have two that I use. The first is a Sea to Summit inflatable that is very small and lightweight and takes up very little space in a pannier .....but..... it is not nearly as comfortable for me as my other pillow, a Thermarest that is comprised of foam. The Thermarest though not really heavy, unfortunately takes up a lot of space within a pannier even when rolled up and compressed, which is Ok if I'm running both front and rear panniers but all too often I make use of only 2 panniers and therefore I need to be more efficient.

phughes

I have a Thermarest, the one filled with foam that you roll up and compress to pack. I used it for years. I liked it, but it was never really perfect for me, it is a little small. I still use it on occasion though. I replaced it with an off brand inflatable, then went with the extra large Klymit Pillow X travel pillow. Unlike the other Klymit pillows, the extra large is made of a different fabric that is soft and stretches a little. It feels nice on the skin, and the little give of the fabric makes it comfortable. The X shape was a game changer for me over other inflatable pillows. Your head doesn't roll of like they can on other inflatables. I use this pillow almost weekly for travel, in addition to camping and bicycle touring.

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Pillow...gw_rp_4_i&th=1

Small cog

Another vote for the Sea To Summit inflatable pillow, takes up little space and far more comfortable than folded up clothes that I have been using for years.

Prowler 

I have an inflatable bean shaped pillow from way back, probably from REI. I underinflate it and it’s quite comfortable. I put into a DIY fleece pillow case which works for me. Deflated pillow, cover, fleece cap, socks, ear plugs and whistle all slide into a nylon stuff sack (half the size of a box of cereal) and pack with the rest of my nylon motel. Standard kit.

indyfabz

Dang it! I just blew nearly $200 of my REI money on other stuff. Only a few dollars left on account. I could have saved 20% on one. Which model do you have? I love my S2S mattress and collapsible bowl and cup.

Pratt

Sea to Summit pillow, yes, underinflated is more comfy.

HelpSingularity 

Great idea! It never dawned on me to have my camping sleeping kit (as noted above) in one central place (stuff sack). I usually dig stuff out as the need arises, which can be a pain in the dark. Thanks for the tip Prowler .

Tourist in MSN

I had a very small inflatable pillow that fit perfectly in my sleeping bag hood, much smaller than the average pillow. But it stopped functioning. Could not find another inflatable that was that small a size.

Now I have a small stuff sack that is the perfect size to fit in the sleeping bag hood, stuff some clothing into that stuff sack to make a pillow.

cyccommute 

I have the Aero Premium Pillow in the “large” size. It is really tiny when packed, weighs nothing, and is easily adjustable.

indyfabz

Thanks. I now know what I’m buying next. The magenta would go great with my lime green S2S mattress.

UnCruel 

I backpack with an inflatable pillow. I consider it a luxury, but it makes enough difference to be worth packing. I'm just not comfortable with wadded up clothing. The one I use is a Thermarest one that has a thin layer of foam and a outer fabric that is sort of like faux suede. It's very comfortable, but the downside of the faux suede is that it seems too hot during the warm months. Being inflatable, I can easily adjust it to just the firmness that I like.

I'm going to give this a try!

veganbikes

Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow. If you want to continue rolling up a jacket or filling stuff sack with random detritus from clothing to whatever go for it but I value a good nights sleep. The Aeros pillow takes up very little space and weight and adds a lot of comfort. The only time I might not take it is if I was doing adventure racing and wasn't going to be sleeping much anyway and space was a super duper premium beyond premium but I don't do that or have an interest aside from watching and reading about it so no need to worry.

There should be a little "discomfort" while touring and camping and such like that but very minimal and not to make anyone say this isn't good or I don't wanna do this or I am more of a "insert noun here" because I am "rugged" or whatever. It shouldn't just be a replica of home but it also shouldn't need to be well I don't want to take that because it adds an ounce of weight and takes up a small amount of space. Take it enjoy it and be comfortable and keep your neck in good shape (saying this as I write sitting with my neck in a bad position)

sbrudno

I am a side sleeper and need something with more height than the routine:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7TBGJB...ing=UTF8&psc=1

phughes

I'm a side sleeper too. The Klymit works great for me. The X allows your head to sink in nicely with support around it, whether I sleep on my back or my side. I am rarely on my back, and if I am, it is probably because I'm reading.

Galoot

Very little touring experience but I have to chime in for the humor of it all. On my longest tour I used the bladder from a box of wine. That's what my late brother-in-law used, and it worked great. I quit drinking Dec 2--now what am I going to use!?

sbrudno

There is just something so simple that it just makes sense!

phughes

Creative, but I won't use anything that has been used for food inside my tent or hammock. I prefer to not get eaten by bears.