Cycling UK Forum

Can anyone recommend a decent (probably inflatable) pillow ??

Context :
I'm getting old - piles of clothes, or similar are no good.
I used to have an inflatable one ( square shaped ), that did a fair job but now it deflates during the night.
Are there possibilities that I have not yet encountered? I'm thinking along the lines of the down-filled, self-inflating, sleeping mat that bikepacker(?) was selling last year ** Perhaps there is some sort of equivalent pillow?

** Has anyone tried this new type of mat yet. What advantages/ disadvantages ?

Graham wrote:Can anyone recommend a decent (probably inflatable) pillow ??

Context :
I'm getting old - piles of clothes, or similar are no good.
I used to have an inflatable one ( square shaped ), that did a fair job but now it deflates during the night.
Are there possibilities that I have not yet encountered? I'm thinking along the lines of the down-filled, self-inflating, sleeping mat that bikepacker(?) was selling last year ** Perhaps there is some sort of equivalent pillow?

** Has anyone tried this new type of mat yet. What advantages/ disadvantages ?

I use a 2l empty coke bottle wrapped in a jacket. It's surprisingly comfortable.

This is the best one I have found.

http://www.climbers-shop.com/3831/produ ... illow.aspx


It packs small and is very comfortable. This pillow has been discussed on some Camping and Backpacking forums and receives wide aclaim.

Those of us who have used the Exped Downmat would not go back to an ordinary mat or self inflating.

I think this from wiggle is what you're after. 'self-inflating' - with a little help.




[edit: bikepacker beat me to it]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. This is looking promising for the pillow AND I might treat myself to an Exped Downmat too !!! . . . . . I'm getting a bit fed-up carting a (foam)Karrimat and a Thermarest around as well. It's all a bit bulky.

I stuff my coat and a top into the sleeping bag bag and use that.

Si wrote:I stuff my coat and a top into the sleeping bag bag and use that.

Me too, although I use my down jacket. You end up with a bag full of feathers - a real pillow! Much more comfortable than an inflatable one in my view - you can shape it as you turn over. Also, I don't like to go camping anywhere without a down jacket, even hot countries - I've been caught out before!

AndyB wrote:

Si wrote:I stuff my coat and a top into the sleeping bag bag and use that.

Much more comfortable than an inflatable one in my view !

How do you know, have you tried the Ajungilak Air Pillow?

bikepacker wrote:How do you know, have you tried the Ajungilak Air Pillow?

AndyB wrote:Much more comfortable than an inflatable one in my view !

You gave your suggestion (which I'm sure is a good one), I gave mine. It's worth noting that there is a big difference between a down jacket in a stuff sac (which is, to all intents and purposes, the same as a pillow) and a pile of clothes, that's all. And a down jacket is, for me, almost essential anyway.

I wasn't disputing your suggestion of a Down Jacket. Although I have tried it many times and for me it is not comfortable. I was however pointing out that you were deriding something you knew nothing about.

Si wrote:I stuff my coat and a top into the sleeping bag bag and use that.

Blimey, what sort of "coat" do you wear when cycle touring ?

PS. I don't have a down jacket either. I can't see how it would fit into my multiple-layer clothing approach. A bit bulky to carry, no ?

Graham wrote:PS. I don't have a down jacket either. I can't see how it would fit into my multiple-layer clothing approach. A bit bulky to carry, no ?

We aren't talking expedition category down jackets here, but something for hanging round the campsite in.
A light down jacket is warmer and packs smaller than a fleece. Eg Alpkit Filo

Of course, packs smaller means it's not so good for pillow stuffing

My pillow is a Gelert

andrew_s wrote:We aren't talking expedition category down jackets here, but something for hanging round the campsite in. A light down jacket is warmer and packs smaller than a fleece. Eg Alpkit Filo

£50 for that seems a pretty keen price.
I must be strong and resist the "bargain".

Asdace wrote:My pillow is a Gelert

Thanks for that. However, it begs the question : Can something that needs to be highly compressed for packing give sufficient support ?? ( I assume that it is not a blow-up pillow.)