Planning on going on a camping adventure? You might want to set your priorities straight when it comes to gear – you certainly don’t want to come unprepared! But technically, there is only so much you can bring – hence the name backpacking…so is there any room for a pillow? The answer will vary from person to person, but there are certain things to consider before you make the final decision: are backpacking pillows, in fact, worth it!
The basics
First of all, you need to know the utter basics! When it comes to backpacking, being fully prepared is key, especially if you plan to stay in the wilderness for more than a few days. Packing can be pretty difficult, especially if it’s your first time going somewhere where you can bring only so many items, but learning to balance your needs and being practical is the most important thing there is! Once you figure out how long and where you’ll be going – it’s up to you to decide on whether you need a pillow or not!
Comfort
When going camping or backpacking, most people think of other kinds of dangers, like wild animals, weather, food, and any typical thought that might pop in your mind when you are thinking about it. But, most people forget about the comfort you need to feel while sleeping, regardless if it’s for one night or ten nights in a row. You definitely need as much rest you can get, so you can be as energized as possible the next day. Backpacking pillows offer comfort and coziness you might be craving, especially after a long hike or exploration of woods nearby. This is especially important if you have a certain condition or an injury. In order to prevent your back and neck from hurting during your tip, bringing a backpacking pillow will certainly help with that!
Types of backpacking pillows
To further make the decision process easier, you might want to know the differences between the pillow types! The main ones are compressible pillows and inflatable ones. So the inflatable pillow is a much more efficient option, both in money and in terms of storage. It’s good enough to be used during camping, but obviously not for the long run. Inflatable pillows are better than sleeping without a pillow! And on the other side, if people are really dependable on the comfort, their pillow brings, getting a compressible one is a better option – especially if you have a problem with sleeping. Just have this in mind when packing, a pillow takes up a lot of space!
Additional things
A common misconception with backpack pillows is that they are large and uncomfortable, but the truth is that simply doesn’t have to be the case! There are so many different styles of pillows, from small ones to the larger, chunkier ones, but the most prominent difference is the material and the texture it’s made from. Oftentimes they are made from either soft polyester and even nylon! So don’t be fooled that there is one particular backpacking pillow you can get! And besides, you can reuse that pillow everywhere you go. You can carry it in the place, go camping and have it around for the sake of comfort! The same thing goes with the prices – it all warriors on the pillow itself!
Why would you need one?
So picture yourself in a tent, you are just about to lie down and sleep after an exhausting day of walking through the woods, and as you do so, sour heads touch the ground…not the most pleasing thing to do, especially if you are in a tent. The truth is you need some support in that region as it will certainly make your body more relaxed, and you’ll fall asleep faster. It can be the smallest inflatable pillow you can imagine, but it’s always better to have something than to have nothing at all! Please don’t shy away from them because you are prioritizing something else, and backpacking pillows are made and designed for camping and backpacking, so use that to your advantage!
At the end of the day, you need to see what suits your needs – if comfort is high on your list, you might want to consider bringing a pillow on your next adventure. Sometimes it’s better to overpack than to regret not bringing an item – you never know when you’ll need it, especially when it comes to your wellbeing, as your body needs to rest and get back all the energy it spent while hiking and exploring!
