Need pillow help!
- Thread starter RegUser
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cougarmeat
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How are you sleeping; on your side or on your back? It could be that the hoodie is not giving enough support, rather than too much support. If you are on your back, you probably don't need a pillow. There are some inflatables that have sort of a fleece cover on one side; that's nicer than nylon against your face. Just my opinion, but I'd forget about the expensive inflatables with some kind of "thermal" fill. When you move your head on those, it sounds like your head is crushing on a bag of cornflakes.
I use a small REI camp pillow, but I can carry more bulk in the kayak. I do have a small Sea-to-Summit inflatable that collapses to the size of my fist, but I've never had to use it. A friend sewed me a fleece bag that I can stuff clothes in for a pillow. A bag holding the "fill" works better than just wadding a jacket up under my head.
I use a small REI camp pillow, but I can carry more bulk in the kayak. I do have a small Sea-to-Summit inflatable that collapses to the size of my fist, but I've never had to use it. A friend sewed me a fleece bag that I can stuff clothes in for a pillow. A bag holding the "fill" works better than just wadding a jacket up under my head.
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Hey @cougarmeat Thanks for sharing, this really helps! That fleece bag idea sounds smart! Does it stay put while you sleep? Also, if you’ve tried both the REI pillow and the Sea-to-Summit one, which feels better?
cougarmeat
Well-known member
Yes, the fleece "pillow case" stays put. I have hardly used the blow-up Sea-to-Summit bag. I just tried it out to assure myself it wasn't as noisy as the more expensive "premium" blow-ups. And again, I mostly kayak camp, so weight and bulk, though a consideration, are not as crucial as when backpacking.
But more influentially, I hardly ever need a pillow at all. The hammock supports my head just fine, so the pillow is mostly used as a support under a knee or next to my head to push the bugnet away. It's more of a "change of pace" item - something to switch things up a bit. I usually wear a sleep beanie. I don't like nylon against my skin. I sleep in light ankle socks, PJs, and a light beanie or balaclava in the winter. It's easier to wash clothes than to wash down filled gear or a hammock. And changing into some soft cotton after a day on the water or trail signals my body that it's sleepy time.
Note that "hardly ever ..." Sometimes, in the wee morning hours - not when I initially go to sleep - I might wake a little and my body is just a pile of relaxed bones and skin. At those times, I can fetal up on my side and put the small pillow under my head to keep a comfortable neck alignment.
But more influentially, I hardly ever need a pillow at all. The hammock supports my head just fine, so the pillow is mostly used as a support under a knee or next to my head to push the bugnet away. It's more of a "change of pace" item - something to switch things up a bit. I usually wear a sleep beanie. I don't like nylon against my skin. I sleep in light ankle socks, PJs, and a light beanie or balaclava in the winter. It's easier to wash clothes than to wash down filled gear or a hammock. And changing into some soft cotton after a day on the water or trail signals my body that it's sleepy time.
Note that "hardly ever ..." Sometimes, in the wee morning hours - not when I initially go to sleep - I might wake a little and my body is just a pile of relaxed bones and skin. At those times, I can fetal up on my side and put the small pillow under my head to keep a comfortable neck alignment.
LowTech
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Similar to CougarMeat I use a double ended stuff sack that's about 4" in diameter and around 10" long to stuff one or two of my shirts into (depends on how heavy the shirts are). I use that under my neck for neck support and to keep the side of the hammock off my face. No extra gear to pack.
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