You go camping and have a blast, but then the next day, you're **completely exhausted...** Have you ever experienced that?
You might think that tiredness that doesn't go away even after a full night's sleep is due to age, but it might be **your pillow's fault**.
Even when camping, **using a proper pillow can improve sleep quality** and help you recover from fatigue.
In this article, we've carefully selected and will introduce 5 recommended pillows to help you wake up refreshed while camping.
What you'll learn in this article
・Understand the importance of pillows in camping
・Discover recommended camping pillows and their substitutes
Table of Contents
- Benefits of bringing a pillow to camp
- Types of pillows suitable for camping
- 5 Recommended Pillows
- Summary
Benefits of bringing a pillow to camp
Bringing a pillow to camp offers the following benefits:
Improved Sleep Quality
Do you simply accept that you won't sleep well while camping because the environment is different from usual?
Actually, I used to think that way too.
I used to think there was no need to bring a pillow, believing that less luggage was better for camping.
By the second night, I'd be tired enough to sleep, but it was normal for me to not sleep at all on the first night.
Still, I just accepted it as "how things are."
However, once I started using a pillow, my sleep quality dramatically improved, and I began to sleep soundly.
Compared to everyday pillows, many camping pillows are designed to be lower, but they are still far more comfortable than laying your head directly on the ground.
Additionally, having a pillow stabilizes your head even when you toss and turn, making it less likely for your sleep to be interrupted.
Faster Recovery from Fatigue
Camping involves staying in an unfamiliar environment, which puts a strain on your body.
Setting up a tent, building a fire, preparing meals—there are many tasks that you don't usually experience in daily life, right?
While camping, it's easy to accumulate fatigue, but if you can get quality sleep, the speed of your recovery from fatigue will significantly increase.
Muscle repair and stress relief are promoted, allowing you to be ready for the next day's activities.
Comfortable sleep helps you avoid lingering fatigue and enjoy camping to the fullest.
Wake up to a refreshing morning
If you can sleep soundly with a pillow, you'll wake up feeling refreshed.
A pleasant awakening, free from sleep deprivation and stiff shoulders, is a wonderful feeling.
Coffee in the morning sun is exceptional, and that feeling is even more profound when you've had enough sleep.
You can start your day feeling refreshed in both mind and body.
Types of pillows suitable for camping
There are **4 types of pillows** that can be used for camping.
Their **characteristics are as follows**:
- Inflatable type: Air automatically inflates when the valve is opened.
- Air type: You inflate it yourself. Some are inflated by mouth, others with an attached pump.
- Sponge type: Filled with scraps of urethane foam.
- Stuff sack type: This is where you put towels or clothes into a bag and use it.
5 Recommended Camping Pillows
Here are 5 carefully selected recommended camping pillows.
Coleman Compact Inflator Pillow II
Source：Amazon
- Inflatable type
- Dimensions: 48×31cm
- Storage size: approx. φ10×32cm
- Weight: 280g
- Material: Polyester, polyurethane foam
This is an inflatable pillow from **Coleman**, a manufacturer that many people probably turn to first when they decide to start family camping.
Coleman offers many high-quality yet affordable products, with such a wide variety that you can equip yourself with Coleman gear alone.
The Compact Inflator Pillow II has a depression in the center, which cradles the head well and provides stability while sleeping.
Since inflatable pillows become unusable if punctured, it's important to avoid using them on rocky surfaces.
TSGarden Air Pillow [Manual Press & Blow-up Dual System] Air Pillow
Source：Amazon
- Air type
- Dimensions: 45×32cm
- Storage size: 18×15×7cm
- Weight: 110g
- Material: TPU
Next up is Tsgarden's air pillow.
The advantage of the air type is that you can adjust it to your preferred height by simply controlling how much air you put in.
A unique feature of this product is that it not only allows you to inflate it by mouth, but it also has a built-in manual pump.
You can easily inflate the pillow by pressing the pump a few times.
It's also fun to get ready for bed with your children.
Mozambique Camping Pillow, S size
Source：Amazon
- Sponge type
- Dimensions: 36×27cm
- Storage size: Φ14×27cm
- Weight: 360g
- Material: Polyester
This is a product from Mozambique, a noteworthy brand that offers many high-quality and affordable products.
Sponge type pillows are heavier and don't pack as compactly as those that use air.
However, they feel much like a pillow you'd use at home, making them easy for camping beginners to adapt to.
This pillow has a good amount of elasticity and firmly cradles your head.
THERMAREST Outdoor Pillow
Source：Amazon
- Stuff sack type
- Dimensions: 19×43cm
- Weight: 64g
- Material: Polyester
This product is from Therm-a-Rest, a well-known manufacturer synonymous with sleeping mats renowned for their high insulation.
When in use, you stuff it with clothes or towels, making it very compact when not in use.
It's perfect when you want to minimize your luggage, such as for walking or train camping, or touring camps.
However, if you prefer a higher pillow, you'll need to pack enough items to fill it.
ISUKA Non-slip Pillow
Source：Amazon
- Inflatable type
- Dimensions: 30×40×5cm
- Storage size: Φ8×28cm
- Weight: 190g
- Material: TPU Polyester Diamond Ripstop
Finally, we introduce an inflatable pillow from ISUKA, a famous Japanese brand for sleeping bags.
Priced around 2,000 yen on Amazon, it's a welcome product with an affordable price point for an ISUKA item.
The pillow is designed to be low when in use, so if you prefer a higher pillow, you can place a towel or similar item underneath it.
Summary
We've introduced recommended camping pillows, but did you find one you like?
Personally, my recommended pillow is the Coleman Compact Inflator Pillow II.
It allows for solid sleep even in an unsettled tent environment.
Be sure to find the perfect pillow for yourself and improve the quality of your sleep while camping!
