Bought a $40 inflatable pillow for the PCT, regretted it by night two

I figured a cheap inflatable pillow would save space and weight on my pack. But it deflated around 2 AM both nights, woke up with my head on the ground. Ended up spending another $15 at a gas station for a foam one that actually works. Anyone else ditch the fancy ultralight gear for something more reliable?

3 comments

3 Comments

sanchez.mary14d agoMost Upvoted

Glorified balloon" is about right. I had one of those big camping pillows that turned into a pretzel by morning. Ended up just shoving my rain jacket in a stuff sack and calling it good. You ever try one of those little camp chairs that fold up tiny but then you're basically sitting on the ground anyway? Same energy.

amyh2118d ago

Is it really that big of a deal to wake up with your head on the ground? I used a stuff sack with my puffy jacket inside for the whole AT and never thought twice about it. Sucks you wasted 40 bucks on a glorified balloon, but a gas station foam pillow for 15 sounds like a solid upgrade. People act like a few hours of bad sleep is a tragedy, but you're out there hiking, not sleeping at the Ritz.

abby_robinson5817d ago

Read this thing online about how your spine alignment can get messed up using just a jacket under your head. Something about cervical curvature? But honestly, I'm with you - used a rolled up hoodie for half the PCT and barely noticed.