Reviews of REI Backpacker Pillow

Lightweight and compressible, the REI Backpacker pillow gives you the comfort of goose down combined with the plumpness and durability of synthetic fill. Half-moon shape allows the pillow to be stuffed into the hood of mummy sleeping bag. Synthetic insulation core is surrounded by an... read more about REI Backpacker Pillow

Average Rating
 
3.3 11
$22.50
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REI Backpacker Pillow

By Warwick

from Durham, NC

About Me Avid Adventurer

1/03/2012

Not enough support on its own

 
3.0

PROS

  • Easy to pack
  • Lightweight

CONS

  • Uncomfortable
  • Too thin

BEST USES

  • Backcountry Camping

Comments:

Great idea but this pillow just offers too little support used alone. Rather I sleep on my back or side, my head still bottoms out on the ground. On the plus side, since it is so light (6oz) I use it in conjunction with my therm-a-rest synthetic pillow for winter backpacking. I do really like the way it fits perfectly in the hood of my sleeping bag and stays in place. This combination offers extra warmth in cold situations with the down and ultra comfort using the therm-a-rest underneath. With a little effort, I have had no problems stuffing the pillow back into itself. The zipper will snag a bit if you don't take the few seconds to do it right.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

By NJDrew

from Flemington, NJ

About Me Casual/ Recreational

10/24/2011

Too Thin...

 
2.0

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to pack
  • Compact

CONS

  • Too thin
  • Uncomfortable

BEST USES

  • Survival
  • Backcountry Camping

Comments:

I used this pillow for a Backcountry trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Although this pillow packs small and is very lightweight, the filling compresses to nothing once you put your head down. I had to put a folded up sweat shirt under it to get the proper thickness.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

By millsusaf

from Fishers, IN

About Me Casual/ Recreational

10/05/2011

Light and soft but not large enough.

 
3.0

PROS

  • Compact
  • Easy to pack
  • Lightweight

CONS

  • Not big enough

BEST USES

  • Backcountry Camping
  • For small children
  • Road Trips

Comments:

This pillow is very light weight and packable. It however is not very big. I was unable to get comfortable with it. Laying on my back it was ok, but laying on my side (which I seem to prefer) it was unusable. It simply isn't large enough no matter how I folded it to support my head without killing my shoulder. It will however be a great backpacking pillow for my 5 year old son.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

By Jeffrey.Clayton

from Colorado Springs, CO

About Me Avid Adventurer

9/08/2011

Too small, too thin

 
3.0

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to pack

CONS

  • Too Small
  • Too thin

BEST USES

  • Backcountry Camping
  • Road Trips

Comments:

Bought this to replace my current 'system' which was to simply use my extra clothing bag as a pillow. This item was really just too thin and small to be of use to me.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

By Jeffrey.Clayton

from Colorado Springs, CO

About Me Avid Adventurer

9/06/2011

Too small and thin to be effective

 
3.0

PROS

CONS

  • Too Small
  • Too thin

BEST USES

Comments:

Too thin and small to really be effective. I'll go back to using a stuff sack filled with a down jacket, etc.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

By chickenfried

from Daly City,CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

8/22/2011

Better options out there

 
3.0

PROS

  • Compact
  • Lightweight

CONS

BEST USES

  • Backcountry Camping

Comments:

Thought I would buy this since it's down and the same price as the synthetic filled thermarest pillow. Turns out there's not enough padding, my head bottoms out against the ground. Also material is easily snagged on the zipper. Ended up buying the thermarest. Maybe the other down pillows are better but those were out of my price range.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

By Daddycat

from Mt. Hood

About Me Avid Adventurer

7/31/2011

This pillow is good.

 
4.0

PROS

  • Comfortable
  • Shapely
  • Compact
  • Durable
  • Easy to pack

CONS

BEST USES

  • Backcountry Camping
  • Road Trips
  • Mummy
  • River Trips
  • Campgrounds

Comments:

This is the only pillow I would consider over my ditty bag. With the laundry bag and this, plush. And it is the shape. it fits and is predictable. Plus, I have brutally machine washed and dried this with no apparent loss. I don't always bring it along, but short trip, hammock weather, pillow!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

By prestone818

from Denver, CO

About Me Avid Adventurer

5/07/2011

Not that great

 
3.0

PROS

  • Lightweight

CONS

  • Not comfortable
  • Too Small

BEST USES

Comments:

I will be returning this. I find myself early in the AM hours grabbing this from my under my head and throwing it to the other end of my tent and sleeping on a jacket, backpack, clothing etc. I have never had a good night sleep with this thing. I usually sleep with on my side with my arm under the pillow and this is just too small to do that. It is also a task to fold back in and zip up. If you sleep on your back then this might work for you.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

By Replicat

from Los Angeles, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

5/01/2011

Light and comfortable

 
5.0

PROS

  • Comfortable
  • Easy to pack
  • Compact
  • Lightweight

CONS

  • Zipper snags

BEST USES

  • Backcountry Camping
  • Campgrounds

Comments:

Comfortable pillow let's u sleep well and tucks right into sleeping bag. It's light!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

By Candi P

from Tucson, AZ

About Me Avid Adventurer

9/22/2010

Just Right

 
4.0

PROS

  • Easy to pack
  • Comfortable
  • Compact

CONS

BEST USES

  • Backcountry Camping

Comments:

The best thing about this pillow is the shape. I've tried a few other things, but this actually fits inside the hood of a mummy bag, which brings the comfort level up significantly. Although the pillow is small, it's thick enough to be quite comfortable even on rocky ground with a leaky air mattress. I was so happy with this purchase that my husband got one as well. One downside: the fabric is NOT down-proof, and the pillow looses feathers a lot. It hasn't affected the comfort after several uses, and is a pretty minor annoyance.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

By Norcal4u

from Sacramento, ca

About Me Casual/ Recreational

8/28/2010

Its ok

 
3.0

PROS

  • Easy to pack
  • Compact
  • Lightweight

CONS

  • Too thin
  • Not that comfy

BEST USES

  • Hiking

Comments:

Overall, I am not that satisfied with this pillow. It has goose down and compacts rather small, but does not provide enough support for a comfortable nights sleep.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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