10 Best Backpacking Pillow Side Sleeper 2025 in the United States

The Hikenture Camping Pillow is an ultralight, inflatable pillow designed specifically for outdoor activities like camping and backpacking. It stands out with its durable construction, featuring a thickened TPU bladder to prevent air leaks, ensuring reliability on your trips. The pillow boasts a removable, washable cotton cover, making it comfortable and easy to maintain. The ergonomic design caters to both side and back sleepers, offering good neck and lumbar support, which is essential for a restful sleep in the wilderness.

Additionally, the pillow’s firmness can be adjusted via the valve to suit personal preferences. It inflates quickly with a one-click valve and deflates just as easily, adding to its convenience. Packability is a significant strength, as it compresses down to the size of a soda can and weighs only 159 grams, making it highly portable and space-saving in your backpack. On the downside, hand washing the cover might be a minor inconvenience for some users. The Hikenture Camping Pillow is a practical choice for backpackers and campers who prioritize comfort, durability, and ease of use in their gear.

The Trekology Ultralight Inflatable Camping Travel Pillow (ALUFT 2.0) is highly portable and lightweight, folding down to a compact 5x2 inches and weighing just 3.9 ounces. This makes it an excellent choice for backpacking and travel. The pillow is constructed from durable TPU fabric that is also water-resistant, ensuring it can withstand various outdoor conditions.

Its ergonomic design provides good neck and lumbar support, which is beneficial for side sleepers looking for comfort during their adventures. The pillow measures 16x12x4 inches when inflated, offering sufficient support for a restful sleep. The anti-slip design with dots and a latch strap ensures the pillow stays in place on sleeping mats, preventing any sliding during the night.

It's easy to inflate and deflate, requiring just 5-8 breaths for inflation and featuring a quick deflate button for convenience. However, considering the material and design, it is hand wash only, which might be a bit cumbersome for some users. The compact size and lightweight nature are great for packing, although some may find the firmness less adjustable compared to foam pillows. This pillow is ideal for those who prioritize portability and durability, especially for outdoor activities like camping and hiking, but may not be the best for those who require a softer, more versatile pillow.

The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch Camping and Backpacking Pillow is designed for side sleepers who engage in outdoor activities like backpacking. Measuring 14 x 18 inches, this pillow offers a decent size for comfort while remaining relatively lightweight at 10.1 ounces, making it suitable for travel and camping. The use of upcycled sleeping pad foam and a cover made of 60% recycled polyester highlights its eco-friendly design.

The pillow's support can be customized using the cinch cord, which allows you to adjust the firmness to your preference. This is particularly beneficial for side sleepers who need specific support levels to avoid neck pain. Additionally, the insulation layer on top prevents lumps, ensuring a smooth sleeping surface.

The pillow is packable, as it stuffs easily into itself for compact storage, and is machine washable, adding convenience for cleaning after outdoor use. It's important to let the pillow sit open for 24 hours upon first receiving it to restore its loft, and it should be stored uncinched for best performance. While it excels in packability and support, some users might find the initial setup slightly inconvenient. This pillow is ideal for adult side sleepers who prioritize comfort and sustainability while backpacking or camping.