Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow : Packable Comfort

The Magellan's Travel Supplies web site lists this lightweight pillow under "Inflight Comfort," but for me, Therm-A-Rest is synonymous with camping and backpacking gear. I've toted
my Therm-A-Rest inflatable mattress up many a Colorado 14,000-foot peak, to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and up Mt. Kilimanjaro (actually, our Tanzanian porter carried some of my gear, but you get the point). Now, I have a Therm-A-Rest compressible pillow, so I can travel or camp with a little bit more comfort.

I don't mind roughing it, but I need to sleep on a pillow. In the past, I've always stashed a vest (down, if I had one with me, fleece if I didn't) into a flannel pillowcase and hoped that I didn't get a zipper-pull jab in the middle of the night. My new Therm-A-Rest pillow is so much better than my make-do substitute.

Therm-A-Rest's cotton-fleece pillow is filled - but not overstuffed - with a soft foam filler. From its compressed state, the foam expands to five times its smooshed-up size. (When expanded, the pillow measures a respectable 12 x 16 inches. When compressed, it is just 12 x 4 x 4 inches.) Within limits, it's possible to move the foam around a bit for neck support or other personal comfort preferences. The fabric on one side of the pillow is smooth polyester and the other textured cotton fleece.

During testing, I found that I liked putting my head against the smooth side with the textured side toward the mattress. That little bit of extra friction kept it from sliding around when I moved.

The Therm-A-Rest pillow is also ideal for travel since it weighs only seven ounces and, in its stuff sack, fits easily into a day pack or carryon bag. I can use it on the plane, as well as at my destination (you never know what kind of pillow awaits you on vacation). It's even washable, so I can always have a clean pillow.

Therm-A-Rest also makes two larger pillows: a 14 x 18-inch 9-ouncer for $19.95, and a 16 x 23-inch behemoth, weighing 12 ounces and selling for $24.95.

Bottom Line: A versatile, comfortable pillow for traveling or camping. -- C.W. (Jan '06)

Price: $14.85

Manufacturer's Site: www.thermarest.com

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