Exped Air Pillow

Cost: Medium - $39, Large - $45 

Product description: Compact and light inflatable pillow for any adventure. Skin-friendly, tricot polyester fabric for comfort. Large FlatValves for inflating and deflating separately and easy operation. 2 eyelets for attaching to the mat. Two breaths inflate Air Pillow fully. Asymmetrical shape: side sleepers (high position) and back/stomach (low position). Fits neatly into the hood of the sleeping bag. Repair kit and carry bag included. 

Product specifications:

Air Pillow M
Dimensions   38 x 27 x 11 cm   15 x 10.6 x 4.3"
Weight 80 g 2.8 oz
Packed 5.5 x 12 cm 2.2 x 4.7"

Air Pillow L
Dimensions 52 x 34 x 13 cm 20.5 x 13.4 x 5.1"
Weight 95 g 3.4 oz
Packed 5 x 14 cm 2 x 5.5"

 

Bob's impressions: I like this pillow a lot. I've used other inflatable backpacking pillows and I find this one to be comparatively more comfortable. My assumption is that this is due to the asymmetrical baffle design. I'm a side sleeper with a big head (literally and figuratively), so the four inch height of the neck edge of this pillow provides excellent support and, for me at least, a better night's sleep.

If you're like me, regardless of how comfortable the manufacturer says the fabric is you're going to cover the pillow with something else - in my case a fleece. Also, if you're like me you're going to leave the stuff sack and repair kit at home. Without them, my medium pillow (fits my Lost Ranger pillow pocket) adds 2.7oz to my pack. Though the flat inflation valve feels a bit clumsy to blow into, it works well. But the quick deflation delivered by the flat valves more than makes up for any difficulty of inflation. It's a pleasure to not have to spend extra time squeezing and folding in order to remove air from the pillow.

I've always needed something more than a balled-up down jacket or backpack in order to sleep comfortably while camping. The Exped Air Pillow is the best solution I've found so far.

Laura's impressions: This pillow seems to cradle my head just right, it's not too hard and the medium size fits in my Roxy Anne pillow pocket. It's simple to use and comfortable to sleep on, and has made up for its extra expense many times over in better sleep.

 

Italics indicate manufacturer's remarks and details.