fleece stuff sack which is filled with a high loft down or synthetic garment on top, and whatever I have that isn't too hard on the bottom to fill out the volume. I typically bring one more clothing layer than I need to sleep comfortably. If it is surprisingly cold I lose my soft pillow, but I am warm enough.

--Mark

FWIW Cut Bender some slack. I challenge anyone to open, run and grow a cottage gear industry as Bender is doing and not run into problems if your products take off in demand. If you have watched this forum closely you will have noticed that the demand for his gear has increased while his ability to keep up with this demand was the only real issue. His subsequent "open apology" and efforts to fill orders and handle any other issues should put this to rest.

That said, I use Bender's Kookalight Pillow.



It is supportive, extremely packable and light in weight, 1.3 ounces. I keep it in a MYOG pillow case while packed and in use.



The firmness of the pillow and its support are easily adjusted by how much it is inflated.



The total weight of the pillow and case adds up to 2 ounces.



My pillow has served me well. I highly recommend it as part of your sleeping gear.

Party On,

Newton

pillow

I have tried 3-4 different styles of inflatable pillow because of the weight advantage. They all turn hard as a rock no matter how much air I put in them. So, I made my own pillow with microsuede on one side, 1.1 uncoated nylon on the other. I used a part silk, part synthetic fill which packs up fairly small and offers a lot of cushiony support. Comes in at 4 ounces and I wouldn't trade it for gold. Well, maybe gold.

Ryan

I suspect, that like so much of our gear, the "best" camping pillow, is a personal thing. What works for one, might not work for others.

With that said, I've had it with the cheap inflatable hospital-type pillows. Likewise, I can't get a good night's sleep on a stuff sack filled with any extra clothes. Limited experiments with other inflatable pillows have left me still looking for a simple solution that' comfy and will stay put under my head.

On this last Saturday night, desperate to find a solution that would let me comfortably sleep, I pushed my clothes-filled stuff sack out of the way and folded my sit pad (a piece of the GG nightlight pads) into thirds, placed it under my head, and proceeded to sleep great the rest of the night! The pad didn't slide around at all (as I go from side to side to back to stomach and so on) and provided enough cushion (I like firm pillows) and height that I could finally get comfy and get a good night's sleep.

I think I'll continue to experiment with this and see how it goes.

my buddy has and likes this for hammocking:

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Pillow.htm

I second or third the Cocoon Ultralight Air-Core Pillow. Picked one up last week and used it on a 3 day float trip on the Suwannee River last weekend. Blow if full, then let out a bit of air. Slept like a log!

I love my Montbell UL Comfort System pillow. It cradles my head so I don't roll off. In fact I use the whole system with the attachable sleeping pad for my body and sitpad for my feet.

I've tried a few, none have been ideal. For whatever reason the Thermarest has been the one that has worked best for me, and unfortunately it's one of the heavier ones. The GG stuff sack pillows are nice IF you're carrying enough clothing to make a decent pillow... usually I'm wearing most of the clothing that I packed. REI carries some of the options mentioned, if you have a local store head over there and try em out.

If you're thinking you want the Kookabay, don't worry about Bender - he's a good guy. Do allow for enough lead time that you're not in a jam if delivery is a little behind though (as with any small manufacturer doing made to order).

Thermarest -- compresses during the night (did not pass the better half test)

Big Agnes (air with foam pad) -- heavy and not very thick, maybe three inches (another failure)

Ultralight Designs -- good on thickness for side sleepers. Less than one ounce and literally zero pack size. Untested, but I think this one will win.

My technique is to slide my shoes user my 3/4 length prolite and then stuff my rain jacket into aTurtleFur fleece neck gaiter. The shoes elevate my head and the rain jacket (low volume) gives me something soft and squishy to rest my head on :)

Total extra weight carried: 0 oz!

I've also used the nightlight-I wrap a length of shockcord around it to keep it folded. The nightlight is my sit mat and FBC cosy (Wrap the shockcord to hold the mat around the bag) The shock cord is also my poncho belt. If I'm not wearing my down jacket I wrap it around the pillow for extra comfort.

I also do the shoe pillow method, shoes under mat soles down to elevate the head and anything soft on top but the old synmat felt ok on it own mostly I just need my head at the right angle for my neck. Im going to a new pad combo and plan to have my head hanging over the mat. Ive been playing with my old 12oz 72" ridgerest folded in half for more cush, vapor trail under the legs then my new pillow will be my sea to summit shower bag with shoes inside and rain gear stuffed over shoes just right then tied with a couple cords to the ridge rest. The sea to summit bag while heavy at 4 oz is multipurpose as a dry bag stuff sack for sleeping bag and clothes, watercarrier at camp and of course a shower. Now I need a lighter version of the shower bag I saw one somewhere on here or another site someone made one out of I think cuban But so far I have not been much on MYOG...yet

Edited by mtmnmark on 03/09/2011 10:52:50 MST.

Another + for the Cocoon Hyperlight. I have used a number of pillows in the past few years in search of something perfect, and I am certain this is as close as I'll get. Great balance of UL and comfort. Just enough polyfill to mask the sense that you're resting your head on an airbag. My only qualm with it is the feel of the material on my skin, so I usually wrap it in a shirt if I have a spare.

Thermarest makes a pillow case. it's soft, somewhat large, and is light. i shove stuff sacks, clothes, and whatever else i think is somewhat soft into it and that seems to be the best solution i've come up with. that roll up Thermarest pillow - ugh. flattens way to easily.

Edited by asciibaron on 03/09/2011 12:41:15 MST.

I would recommend the Thermarest Compressible Pillow.

More info: http://best-gear.org/thermarest-compressible-pillow/

Edited by SineadD on 06/05/2012 07:01:56 MDT.

Shoe Pillow for me too. I have a short length of string that holds my pad rolled up in my pack, I use that to hold my shoes together, oriented like laying in a shoebox. That goes under the head of my inflatable mat.
I've also carried a small (12x12?) square of fabric to wrap around the shoes if they're muddy or wet.

It's not my temper-foam pillow from home, but the string I bring anyway, and the nylon square weighs maybe 5 grams. The biggest benefit for me is that it ensures I didn't leave my boots out to get wet and/or chewed on by rodents. I'd like to believe that a small amount of warmth transfers to them, drying and warming them for the next day. Probably wishful thinking.

I've been using the Klymit Cush pillow recently, and really like it. Very adaptable for height, and the ear space works great. I've even used it at home in bed - my wife thinks I'm crazy, but that's nothing new!

Like NickB described above, I have a GG sit pad in my Gorilla or Murmur packs. I take it out and roll it loosely or fold in thirds and secure it with a small DIY Velcro strap that I also use to wrap around my NeoAir pad in my pack. This makes a very acceptable pillow for essentially no weight penalty. If I'm not wearing my Possumdown beanie, I do put something on top so it's not bare skin applied to evazote. I have done this for as long as GG has made the pads for their packs.

Have tried a lot of pillows, and as a side sleeper who likes a high pillow the new UL by expel is mighty nice. Using these vs the thermarest compressibles(prev item_ will make weight-bearing and space-occupying life a bit simpler.
Sam.