I take sleeping very seriously. Not just at home but also while backpacking, which is why I will not skip bringing a pillow. Yes, I’m aware that some ultralight backpackers simply bundle up clothes or a jacket to sleep on or use nothing at all. That may work for some, but I find it lumpy in all the wrong ways, and I cannot be losing valuable shut-eye to adjust the lumps throughout the night. Now that you know I am pro-pillow when it comes to backpacking, let’s get into the Therm-a-Rest’s Air Head Pillow. I honestly believed I would have zero thoughts about this pillow. It’s a pillow. AND YET, it surprised me. The long of the short of it, I loved it.
In this post, I’ll break down my experience with the Air Head Pillow from Therm-a-Rest – why I got it, where I used it, my favorite features, and discuss the possible downsides. Overall, it’s a great little “luxury” pillow without adding much weight or bulk.
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Why Did I Get the Air Head Pillow?
As you might have read in my review of the Parsec 20 sleeping bag, I got so chilled at night in Joshua Tree National Park that I had trouble sleeping. And because I take sleeping very seriously, I was not happy. When I returned to the internet, I promised myself that I would build a warmer sleep system for camping and backpacking. I reached out to Therm-a-rest to try out a new sleeping bag and sleeping pad with a higher R-value, and we had to complete the set with the pillow. Since my main focus was warmth, I didn’t have any particular expectations for the Air Head Pillow. It proved to be a delight and an excellent, warm addition to my sleep system.
Where Did I Test out the Pillow?
So far, I’ve taken the pillow on three backpacking trips:
- Mason Lake Backpacking Trip, which included one dispersed camping night and one night backpacking.
- Backpacking Loop in Grand Teton National Park, which included one car camping night and two backpacking nights.
- Mt. Rainier Backpacking, which included one night car camping and one night backpacking.
Major takeaway: the Air Head Pillow is compact and packable. We never stayed more than one night in a location, so I inflated and deflated the pillow each day. It is easy to inflate with a turning nozzle to secure. Deflation and rolling it into the sack is not difficult either. I can pack my sleeping bag, pillow, and sleeping pad in the bottom compartment of my backpack.
At a Glance:
- Brand: Therm-a-rest
- Direct Website: Therm-a-Rest Air Head Pillow
- Other Websites that Carry the Air Head Pillow: Backcountry.com and it does not look like REI is currently carrying it.
- Price at the time of writing: $42.95 regular size)
- Weight: 5.6 oz.
- Color: Blue Woven Dot
- Size: Regular
Benefits:
- Comfortable!
- Warmer baffled core layer and cloth cover
- Designed to fit inside a sleeping bag hood
Drawbacks:
- A couple of ounces heavier than ultralight pillows
My Favorite Features: Baffled Cushion, Soft, and Shaped Well
Baffled Cushion:
It was love at first inflation. I immediately noticed that the Air Head Pillow had a cushioned layer on the top, and it was going to be comfy. And it is comfy! I prefer to deflate the pillow slightly so that I am not bouncing around and the lack of air creates a gentle cradle for my head. I also tend to sleep on my stomach, which is tough while backpacking, so adjusting the pillow is critical. That little extra cushion is heaven after a long day on the trail.
Soft Cover:
In addition to the baffled cushion, the entire pillow has a super soft cloth cover. It is a synthetic fleece-like fabric that feels nice to put your face on during the night. It also is a bit warmer with a layer of fabric. The cover is machine washable, so you can throw it in the wash at the end of every trip or maybe just at the end of the season.
Shaped for Sleeping Bag Hoods:
The Air Head Pillow is shaped to fit snugly into the hood of your sleeping bag. Sure, other pillows on the market do the same thing, but I appreciate the snug fit when it’s cold, and I have my sleeping bag tightened up around my face. Or when I’m attempting to sleep on my stomach and don’t need extra bulk in the hood.
Comparison to Cocoon’s Pillow
Before the Air Head Pillow, I used the Cocoon Air-Core Hood/Camp Pillow, which I got because of the cloth covering that I could drool into. There are a lot of similarities, including the cloth cover and hood shape. The Cocoon pillow is 1.8 oz lighter than the Air Head but does not include as much cushion. You can also hear the bag inside the pillow, which I don’t with the Air Head Pillow. For a couple more dollars and ounces, I would opt for the Air Head. I’ll probably hold onto my Cocoon pillow as a backup or for friends who want to go backpacking, but the Air Head is first string.
Air Head Pillow “Downsides”
I am having difficulty thinking of downsides for the Air Head Pillow. It’s 3.6 oz heavier and bulkier than the Air Head Lite, but I would far prefer putting my face on the soft cloth and baffled cushion. I have yet to try other types of pillows like down or the compressible, but the Air Head Pillow is a nice in-between option with a bit of luxury while still being somewhat lightweight and packable.
Both of the backpacking pillows I’ve tried have the twist valve. The twist valve can be a little annoying as you must twist it while you’re still blowing air to fill the pillow completely. Since I prefer my pillow to be softer, I don’t need it to be full of air. The twist valve is easy to find and turn during the night to release more air.
Overall Thoughts: Therm-a-rest’s Air Head Pillow
Therm-a-rest’s Air Head Pillow was a surprising bit of comfort without sacrificing much more space or weight. The cover is warmer with a perfect fit into the sleeping bag hood, making for an exceptionally cozy experience. In a small way, the pillow leveled up my backpacking gear, and I am incredibly stoked that I got to try it out this summer. Also, how great is that color combination — blue woven dot pillow with the white heat Parsec 20?! Oooh, looking stylish inside my tent!
The Air Head Pillow is only one part of my new and improved warmer sleep system. In addition to the sleeping bag, I will be reviewing my new sleeping pad and bag – check those blog posts out below: (I will link them as I post them)
- Review: Therm-a-rest NeoAir Therm Sleeping Pad (the real game-changer)
- Review: Therm-a-rest Parsec 20 Sleeping Bag (strategic warmth)
- Shop Therm-a-Rest.com
Do you have the Air Head Pillow? What are your thoughts on the extra cushion?? What adventures have you taken it on? Let me know in the comments so that I can check it out!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
