Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Pillow Problem

Pillows are bulky, but they're pretty necessary to comfort while you're sleeping. Bringing one from your house is pretty nutty unless you're just driving straight to a campground - or exploring your back yard. The outdoors industry has noted this problem, and there are a number of products out there that will help you sleep comfortably without devoting much of your pack space to head support. If you go shopping for a pillow, ask to sample lying down on it. People have many different tastes when it comes to sleeping comfort, and as such there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

Inflatable pillows work. They can be scrunched up to small size and then simply blown up at the campground. The inflation level can be adjusted to suit your level of comfort. They're inexpensive and come in different shapes and configurations. Crescent shaped neck pillows are particularly good choices, as they'll give good support to your head while taking up little space. That being said, air pillows don't really feel as good to some pillows.

There are also do-it-yourself solutions. Small backpacks stuffed with dirty socks or other articles of clothing do a suitable - if lumpy - job of providing head support. Sure, it's stinky, but it doesn't take up extra pack space and you don't have to worry about blowing it up and then discovering that you have a hole in the thing.

Compressible pillows are a good compromise. Generally made out of synthetic cushioning fabric, they fit in a small stuff-sack and expand to full size when removing it. These generally provide greater comfort while taking up relatively little space, and the feeling is comparable to that of a standard pillow.

posted by CamperVoice.com at

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