{"id":579,"date":"2019-04-16T20:51:34","date_gmt":"2019-04-17T01:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carcampingtips.com\/?p=579"},"modified":"2020-08-24T18:00:14","modified_gmt":"2020-08-25T00:00:14","slug":"do-i-need-a-camping-pillow-reasons-types-and-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/do-i-need-a-camping-pillow-reasons-types-and-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need a Camping Pillow? Reasons, Types, and Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Our Trusty Camping Pillows at Work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are sticks (trek poles) made specifically for hiking, there are bags made specifically for sleeping in while camping, and there are pillows made for camping. All these specialized types of camping gear makes you wonder whether there’s something you’re missing out on? This post explores this question specifically for camping pillows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we start, to define a camping pillow: A camping pillow is a pillow specifically made for camping, and is typically going to be more waterproof, more lightweight, and more compact than a traditional pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I need a camping pillow? The main reason you need a pillow specifically made for camping is if you need a lightweight and compact pillow option, which is typically a requirement for backpackers. Otherwise, there are other options to support your head such as your clothes, your bags, and traditional pillows from home.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of types of camping pillows though to fit a range of needs, and there are other reasons why you might want to get a camping pillow even if you are just going to be car camping. Let’s discuss this in detail, and by the end, you’ll know if you want a camping pillow or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reasons Why You Might Need a Camping Pillow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if you aren’t a backpacker, a camping pillow can be more convenient for several reasons. Some reasons may be a … dealmaker? Is that a word, yet? \u00af\\_(\u30c4)_\/\u00af<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever, let’s dig in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Camping Pillows Are Lightweight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Camping pillows, almost by definition, are smaller than regular pillows. Depending on their design, a camping pillow may be made up of materials very similar to an ordinary pillow you’d find on your bed, but just less of it. These pillows fall more under the category of Travel Pillows. <\/strong>Several pillows advertise themselves as both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I decided to do a little bit of research for the average weight of camping pillows on Amazon–here’s what I turned up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most popular top 12 results that advertised themselves as camping pillows, there was a mix of inflatable and non-inflatable pillows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For non-inflatable camping pillows, I found the average weight was: 13.02 ounces (~368g)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For inflatable camping pillows have a much lighter weight, coming in with an average weight of: 2.82 ounces (~80g)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Camping Pillows Are Compact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I have an inexpensive camping pillow I’ve taken on many camping trips. It’s small, and it feel like it’s enough to buffer my head from the ground but it isn’t like sleeping on a cloud. We’re camping, after all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has two loops on the end, which allow you to compress <\/strong>and roll up <\/strong>the pillow, and then put the loops through the pillow to help it to retain shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the key benefits of camping pillows: They are intended to take as little space as possible<\/strong>, so they can fit easily on your person or in your backpack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small pillow is great for a backpacker, since they have a limited space to carry all they need, but this also is helpful for your camping gear box<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can get tiresome to march around your house and scrounge everything you need for your camping trip every time you want to go camping–it’s much easier to have a camping gear box full of all the stuff you need so you can just get up and go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This box has a finite space, therefore, you may even find yourself wanting to save space with your camping gear even if you are just planning on car camping.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Small of a Pillow Are We Talking Here?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For the most popular top 12 camping pillows on Amazon, I did some research and found the average size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For non-inflatable camping pillows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n