If you’re a side sleeper and are looking for the best camping pillow on the market, you’ve come to the right place.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
While camping is all about embracing the adventures of the outdoors, when it comes to nighttime, good sleep is essential. A camping pillow allows you to fully enjoy sleeping under the stars and avoid waking up with a sore neck in the morning. Unlike regular pillows, the camping ones are much more comfortable to pack and easy to carry.
The 5 Best Camping Pillows for Side Sleepers
If you haven’t been able to find the perfect product for your unique camping needs, use our following guide to the best camping pillow for side sleepers in order to make an informed decision:
1. REDCAMPS Compressible Flannel Travel Pillow
The REDCAMPS Compressible Flannel Travel Pillow is extremely lightweight and easy-to-carry. Take the luxury and comfort of this bedtime camping gear anywhere you go. This camping pillow is ideal for side sleepers. It comes with a high-quality flannel pillow cover that is quite easy to remove and clean. One downside to this product is that it is not suitable for individuals looking for a thick pillow. However, it does feature a zipper-system that allows you to easily stuff it as per your needs.
Pros
- Soft, comfortable fabric
- Lightweight
- Easy-to-clean
- Comes with a pillow slip
- Storage bag included
- Money-back guarantee
- Ideal for side sleepers
Cons
- Not very thick
2. WELLAX Ultralight Camping Pillow
The WELLAX Ultralight Camping Pillow makes travelling more comfortable and easier than ever! It is compact, lightweight, and available in a small size. This camping pillow is manufactured with most high-quality nylon that makes it heat and water-resistant. Moreover, you can wash it in the machine. How much simpler and cozier can camping get?!
Pros
- Enhanced comfort and durability
- Best head and neck support
- Ideal for side, back and stomach sleepers
- Water-resistant
- Strong construction
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Slip-resistant
Cons
- Only available in a small size
3. Cozy Hut Memory Foam Camping Pillow
The Cozy Hut Memory Foam Camping Pillow retains its shape and provides continued support during your outdoor adventures. The outer cover of this pillow is machine washable and provides ultra moisture-wicking properties and durability. One thing to remember before buying this camping pillow is that it is quite stiff, and therefore, it is unsuitable for individuals looking for a soft cushioned product to bury their heads into.
Pros
- Grade memory foam interior
- Doesn’t go flat
- Offers comfort, support and breathability
- Outer cover is machine washable and moisture-wicking
- Offers superior portability
- Ergonomic design
- Ideal for side, back and stomach sleepers
Cons
- Stiff
4. NEMO Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow
The NEMO Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow is made up of 100% polyester. It gives you adjustable comfort with the air insulation that is combined with its luxury foam. This camping pillow is lightweight, and its pillowcase is machine washable. While this product is a little pricier than some of the products mentioned in this guide, it might be worth your investment. It also comes with a built-in stuff sack that protects its surface from the inevitable camp dust.
Pros
- 100% polyester
- High-quality foam with air insulation
- Fully adjustable to desired firmness and height
- Compact and lightweight
- Machine washable
- Integrated stuff stack
- Ideal for side sleepers
Cons
- Costly
5. Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Camping Pillow
The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Camping Pillow comes with a brushed 50D polyester knit and multi-functional valve which makes it quite durable and soft. The synthetic fill between the TPU bladder and pillow case of this product makes your experience more comfortable and effectively wicks away excessive perspiration. Moreover, the curved internal baffles of the pillow perfectly conform to the natural shape of your head. Lastly, this product is available in two colors.
Pros
- Multi-functional valve
- Curved internal baffles
- Brushed 50D polyester knit
- Durable and soft
- Scalloped bottom edge
- Ideal for side, back and stomach sleepers
Cons
- Only available in two colors
What to Consider When Buying a Camping Pillow for a Side Sleeper
Support
There are some camping pillows in the market that provide sufficient support only when you sleep in a particular position. However, as a side sleeper, you’ll need a higher pillow. Moreover, if you tend to toss and turn a lot, opting for a less firm product would be a better choice.
Comfort
If you’re going through the hassle of taking a camping pillow with you, it is essential that it fulfills its main purpose; providing maximum comfort. However, this factor greatly depends on your personal preference. Discover what you like in your regular pillow that you’re used to, and try to purchase a camping pillow as similar to it as possible.
Lightweight
The weight of your pillow should be as light as possible. The lighter your pillow, the easier it will be to carry it. However, if you require some extra padding for a good night’s sleep, it might be worth it to carry a little extra weight.
Portability
For camping purposes, a packable pillow is preferred over a regular one any time. Additionally, for backpackers, the smaller the camping pillow packs down, the better.
Types of Camping Pillows
When it comes to camping pillows, there are several types available to choose from.
Inflatable
These camping pillows either need a pump to inflate or are self-inflating. While it requires more effort to setup the former, they are a better choice when it comes to adjustability. They can be customized according to your personal needs and preferences. However, both the options are lightweight, and come with protection against sharp elements.
Compressible Foam
As the name suggests, these items roll or compress into small packages and you can easily inflate them whenever you’re ready to sleep on them. As they are compressed, they take up only a small amount of space. However, they might weigh relatively more due to material density.
Folding
These camping pillows are usually a great option for RV and tent camping, when you don’t need to hike from one place to another. They can be folded to a smaller size. However, even though compact, they are still quite bulky to fit into a backpack.
Down or Polyfiber-Filled
These pillows compress very easily and you can fluff them back into shape whenever needed. They are lightweight and a pretty popular choice for camping trips.
Travel Pillow Case
This is probably one of the most compactable and lightweight choices from the types above. Travel pillow cases are especially designed to be stuffed with your personal jackets or clothing to create a soft resting platform for you to lay your head onto. Moreover, they are fully adjustable.
Our Final Thoughts
Finally wrapping up our guide to the best camping pillow for side sleepers, we believe that the Cozy Hut Memory Foam Camping Pillow deserves to be our best overall choice product. Not only does it retain its shape at all times, but it also provides the much-needed support to your neck, head, and back during your camping trips. However, your final choice should reflect your own unique preferences and needs. If you’re still finding it difficult to make a decision, consult our buying guide to find the best possible product for you!
