Monday Kit Tip - Pillow Talk

I've never used anything other than a stuff sack filled with clothes and wrapped in a fleece.

Always works for me. 

Doesn't work for me.

Mike fae Dundee wrote (see)

What if you don't have any spare clothes, and are wearing your fleece?

If it is really so much colder than you expected that you are wearing everything that you brought with you, you probably need to improve your planning skills.

I used to have one of those Anjungilak inflatable pillows and it was quite comfortable.

However, a drybag stuffed with spare clothes and covered with a Buff was just as comfy and no exta weight.  You can roll down the drybag top to get the desired degree of firmness.

I was hoping that we would get some old-skool mountain man on here with the traditional solution of using your boots as a pillow (has anyone ever done this in real life?).

That's why i need my Montbell pillow Benco. I don't carry spare clothes. Or wear boots.

I used to use spare clothing in a stuff sack, and it works fine.

I know, I was being facetious.

I'll get me coat.

A coat for a pillow?

Yeah, a nice puffy one, rolled up and stuffed in a buff....

(that sounds so dodgy)

John Burley wrote (see)

I thought it was widely agreed that everyone needs a bosom for a pillow...???

Mike fae Dundee wrote (see)

John Burley wrote (see)

I thought it was widely agreed that everyone needs a bosom for a pillow...???

Do you have a link for backpacking bosoms John? I'm sure that could be a winner.

Voilà!

... you'd have to carry them on the outside of your UL pack, Mike, obviously. Now that's a sight I'd not forget in a hurry!

Just out of interest then, how do you all stop the pillow drifting off into the dark recesses of the tent, during the night?

Yes, I know it could go in the hood of the bag, but not if you actually want to use it.

I have a very nice cotton flannel pillow case (in a lovely paisley pattern ). Sewn on three sides with an elasticated opening on the other. Slip over the top of the mat and stuff with clothes. Works perfectly and is definitely one of my luxury items, but is a bit bulky and seems unnecessarily decadent... so what do you do?

Stop your pillow from moving around by putting something heavy on it, ones head for example.

Aye Benco, if only I could sleep that soundly 

Sounds interesting Mike. I've one of the old Insulmats with the corners cut off, could be part of the problem. Maybe my Heath Robinson pillowcase isn't so bad after all...

thebeatmeister wrote (see)

....what are bosoms?

I've used a pair of trainers as a pillow. I always sleep on my side and at a party once I was the last one standing so all the beds, sofas, cusions, anything soft had been taken.

Just curled up with my head on my shoes like the tramps do in films and had an amazingly good sleep.

Dunno if it was the beer, comfort, or fumes that made me sleep so well.....

Nowdays I use either an ajunkilak pillow, or my RAB generator smock packs into its own pocket and fits inside the hood of my bag. Plus I don't go to those kind of party's anymore.

edit for spelling

iInflatable pillow from the Pound shop or B and M bargains in a fleece bag I made put in spare clothing if wanted for extra cushioning .Very comfortable