Pillow Talk...

[Dragon Rider]

Hey Everyone,

First let me wish everyone a very happy holiday season. I trust that you will all find time to enjoy this time with family and friends and that anytime you have as a push back from work is a refreshment felt to the very core.


Next I would like to ask a question...if it's been asked before, please feel free to point me to the appropriate thread.

When I lay in my hammock in the back yard for an afternoon, I rarely use a pillow. Even if I end up taking a snooze, I seem to wake up without any neck issues. However, when I hang in the hammock overnight, I have used a small homemade pillow that I whipped up in my basement. When I wake up in the morning I have experienced some neck stiffness/soreness after spending a night (and using a pillow) whereas I have never had this issue after an afternoon nap, not using a pillow. So what are your thoughts? Is a pillow necessary? Are there those of you who don't use a pillow at all? Are my neck issues due to the length of a night's slumber or because I'm using a pillow?

Looking forward to hearing other's experience with this. Thanks everybody and again, have a great holiday season.

[Bla1z3]

Try sleeping overnight without the pillow.

[Chriss]

I typically use a pillow in my BMBH and WBRR and do not experience any neck pain. Although in my WBBB I seem to be more comfortable without my pillow. Just comes down to what works for you. Try a night without it. It's the only way to know if it will work for you. Cheers and Happy Hangin!

[dirtwheels]

I find a smallish pillow under my neck is all I need. I have a great 16x12 down pillow with a hyper d type material that's just to big for sleeping on my back but works great for side sleeping or lounging. The one I carry backpacking is a little larger than a coke can with syn insulation and weighs 3.5 oz.

[SilvrSurfr]

I used a pillow for the first few months of hammocking but dumped it when I started seriously hiking. It took a little bit of getting used to, but I don't miss it anymore. I don't even use a pillow hanging at home. My general approach to saving weight when hiking is to try and alter behavior first, when that alone can save me weight. For example, Knotty mods and integrated bugnets are popular with those who kick their topquilt out of the hammock. My solution? Don't kick the topquilt out of the hammock.

Same with a pillow - try sleeping without one and you may find you don't really need it.

[Algonquin_bound]

I use a pillow for a full night sleep, but could see a easy transition for many without one. I like the 'cradling' effect of a pillow in the hammock, and the incorporated insulation. If I used a underquilt maybe I could do without. Dunno, still think I would just like the feel of a pillow, but thats personal preference. Definitely thinner pillow in the hammock though, so I could see going without being easy transition for those it works for....

[BryanS]

I don't use a pillow at all, hanging when camping or indoors, and with the sleeping position I don't feel like I want one

[matjbrown]

I use the Cub from Arrowhead. At home I use a pillow when I sleep on my back, and then don't when I am tossing to the side or stomach. So the Cub works for me because it's small, and clips to the ridgeline. I can fling it out of the way if I don't want it. I think you just have to keep trying new things until you find what you like.

[Boston]

I use a pillow to support my neck, and support my head when rolled to the side, but it doesn't really provide much directly beteen the hammock and the bottom of my head.

Your neck issue may be because your pillow is forcing you head/neck into an unnatural angle. Try using a smaller pillow just under your neck.

[cattons]

Lol at the thread name. Click bait for sure. I find that a pillow when napping sure does make me more comfy, but definitely not a necessity as I can still find a sweet spot without it.