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 Klymit Drift Camping Pillow is a versatile option designed to provide comfort on outdoor adventures, especially for side sleepers. It features a large size of 23 x 16 x 6.5 inches, which offers ample space for side sleeping but may be considered bulky by some. The pillow weighs 28 ounces, which is relatively heavy for backpacking, potentially adding to the load during long hikes.

The pillow is stuffed with shredded memory foam, providing a balance of softness and support, and allows for foam removal to customize firmness. The material includes a durable 70D polyester ripstop outer shell and a soft jersey cotton inner case, ensuring both longevity and comfort. The outer shell is water-resistant, and the entire pillow is designed to be easy to clean with a removable, machine-washable cover, making maintenance convenient.

When packed, it compresses to a size of 13.5 x 5 x 7 inches, which is compact but not the smallest option available. This pillow is particularly suitable for those who prioritize comfort over ultralight packing and are looking for a durable, supportive pillow for camping. However, it may not be ideal for minimalist backpackers due to its weight and packed size.

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.