Pillow ideas?

[dingbat]

So I've been using a full size semi stiff pillow in the hammock. It's the only solution to shoulder squeeze I've been able to manage. I also like the way it insulates my head, neck, and shoulders on cold nights. Only issue is it takes up an enormous amount of room in the pack. It would be great to have something that functioned similarly but packed down significantly smaller. Stuffable and undersized pillows won't work.

Anyone have anything they are using or ideas that might work?

So far I've come up with the Nemo luxury fillo which I think might be wide enough to keep the hammock spread open. It's a little heavy and though it would pack much smaller than a real pillow still takes up quite a bit of room. Otherwise a DIY idea that would dual purpose a small sleeping pad. For the DIY I'm thinking about getting a ThermaRest ProLite XS and making a pillow case that I could fold it up in to. On one side of the case I'd make a double layer to stuff with down or Primaloft to add a little comfort. I figure partially inflated it would be reasonably comfortable as a pillow and still keep the hammock spread at the shoulders. It would probably pack to about the same size and weight as the Nemo all said and done but would help going to ground in a pinch, be useful for sitting on, and could be used to supplement insulation at the expense of comfort if necessary.

Neither option would be cheap. Would love to hear thoughts and any possibly better ideas before I throw a bunch of money at something that might not work.

Eta: Dangit, I didn't mean to put this thread in this section. Is there a way to move it?

[Bladerunner]

you could probably DIY something if you were so inclined. i would get some climashield apex and sew a case to it with a pocket for a sit pad or piece of semi rigid foam. it would give you quite a bit of warmth and the foam or sitpad would keep the hammock spread out. now that i think about it i may act on that idea myself. ive got some apex laying around from my UQ build and a half cut up wallyworld camp pad. ill have to whip something up and post it to the DIY thread

[dingbat]

Yeah, that's exactly where I was going with the thermarest/down or primaloft idea. Guess I didn't explain it very clearly.

[Bladerunner]

Yeah, that's exactly where I was going with the thermarest/down or primaloft idea. Guess I didn't explain it very clearly.

no that was my bad, i had misread the post. it did get the gears turning in my head and ill be making one as soon as i get off work. ill post a pic and show how it turned out. (hopefully ive got enough material, stocks running low)

[MAD777]

1. Have you considered an inflatable pillow. The best are made by Exped and by Montell.

2. I think your shoulder squeeze is from another problem. Maybe the hammock is strung too tight or your hammock is too short.

[Deathstar77]

I use my down jacket. I bunch it up loosely around my neck and provides support and extra insulation for my shoulders

[Redoleary]

Regarding the shoulder squeeze maybe you could sew a tab on the outside of the hammock and use it as a pull out, stake it out with some bungee and zing it. I don't know if that would work but it would take up less room in the pack if it did.

[Ashe]

have you seen the thermorest "compressible" pillow? the large size is 13x23, so dang-near a full size pillow, but it folds into itself for packing. they're very comfortable... filled with chunks of foam.

http://www.rei.com/product/719843/th...essible-pillow

[Klaussinator]

I usually use a small pillow, maybe 6x10, that I DIY'd from a larger one. I guess you'd call it a neck pillow.

Another option I go to when space is at a premium is an inflatable pillow made with a gallon Ziploc bag and something to wrap it in, like a sleeve made of IX or even just an extra tee shirt. Weighs nothing and takes no space, completely adjustable.


-Klauss

[Nickoli]

+1 on the down jacket/clothing if youre not having to wear it to bed. I havent used a pillow at home or on trail in over five years, so i can't offer much actual pillow advice