Best backpacking pillows in 2021

Whether you're turning in under the stars or sheltering in a tent, you need a soft and supportive place to rest your head and recharge. This inflatable pillow is styled in a contouring u-shape, providing the proper alignment, and reducing pressure. Though it's a cushy resting place, this pillow is built to endure, crafted from sturdy water-resistant, elastic TPU fabric. The travel-friendly, inflatable design is easy to carry, weighing 2.8 ounces and measuring only 4.92-by-2.35 inches when folded. The pillow is instantly ready for a weary head, inflating with only 3 to 5 breaths. (It deflates just as easily with a quick roll.) This pillow also includes a convenient drawstring pouch and a sleep mask. Choose from a variety of color options.

Space is crucial when it comes to your backpack. So, your pillow, though important, shouldn't take up much room. This compact pillow is designed to offer the comforts of home while maintaining a small profile. It has a soft polyester cover and is filled with lightweight, airy foam. The plush foam expands to provide 4 inches of cushioning to make any sleep space feel luxurious. When not in use, the pillow can be compressed into its integrated drawstring bag for easy storage. Depending on how much room you have in your backpack, this travel pillow is available in several different size options. (The selections also have fun patterns and color options, too!)

Petite and plush, this packable pillow by TETON Sports is a travel go-to. Its classic rectangular design has a fluffy fill and soft poly-flannel cover, ensuring winks on the trail are not elusive. It's cushy design shapes perfectly to provide personalized comfort and encourage slumber even on the hardest stretches of earth. This 9.6-ounce, 13-by-8-inch pillow even shrinks into its easy drawstring case for easy transport. After a long journey, your pillow might require a refresh. So, it a great that both the case and pillow are washable.

The terrain you travel might be harsh, but this pillow isn't. Its compact design is shaped with accommodating memory foam fill for a dreamy-soft sleep experience on the go. The outer case is cut from a breathable blend of viscose and rayon that is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. For simple backpack storage, the pillow compresses in its water-resistant sack. The rigors of travel need to be rewarded with a comfy resting spot, and this pillow provides the perfect place to reset.

You can breathe a little easier knowing that this pillow inflates on its own. So, you get all the benefits of an ultra-compact design without any extra effort. The pillow has a soft microfiber top and stabilizing easy-grip bottom. With a simple twist of the valve, it inflates to 18-by-10-by-4 inches, providing soft, supportive comfort. This simple pillow packs into its drawstring storage bag, reaching a stowable size of 13.3-by-5-by-3.5 inches. At just 12 ounces, this pillow doesn't add much weight to your backpack, either.