To Pillow or Not?

[twowheels]

I had to get up very early this morning, so I was booted from the master bedroom to avoid problems from an early alarm... being as I'd just finished my indoor hammock setup I have to admit that I wasn't too upset about that. :-)

I have to say, getting a sheet, blanket, and pillow to cooperate in a woven hammock is worse than getting a sleeping bag to cooperate in a nylon hammock!

I slept well, except when I woke up my neck was a bit sore. I think that having the pillow wasn't good as it detracted from the hammock's support and spread out the load and thus didn't sink in as much, causing my neck to bend more than it normally would. When I use my camping gear I've only used a folded t-shirt and the hood of the sleeping bag, so I've never noticed. Anybody else have similar experiences? What are your feelings about pillows in hammocks? Is there a pillow design that works better?

[Hawk-eye]

I use a little traveler pillow ... I've seen some use one of those horseshoe pillows. I've used a stuff sack with my down jacket in it ... pillows are good. But I can sleep pretty good in my hammocks without one if need be.

[eflat7]

I have a hard time sleeping without a pillow of some sort. I have a stuff sack I carry just to stuff clothes in and use for support in the hammock. I have slept without one before, but it was hard.

[Pitch]

I've tried it both ways and decided that the pillow made things a no-go for me.

I prefer no pillow.

I think the reason is that the hammock (As flat my warbonnet is) still isn't perfectly flat. ~10 degrees off flat is pretty much what a pillow gives you anyhow...

I'd consider a thin rectangle of fleece to lay my head / side of my face on though.

[Niloc]

I have found that I can sleep fine in my hammock without a pillow also. However, if I'm forced to sleep on the ground or in a bed I need a pillow.

[Hawk-eye]

Paul at Arrowhead Equipment makes some fine pillows if you want to look into one of the local cottage industries here on Hammock Forums. He's good people.

[unicycleman]

I prefer to use my frogg togg jacket as a pillow

[Mustardman]

I use a pillow in the hammock, but not under my head - I put it under my neck. For me, the hammock tends to push my head too far forward, leading to a sore neck. If I put a pillow under my head, it would just make that effect even worse.

However, if I put the pillow under my neck, it straightens out my spine and leads to a much more restful sleep.

[miisterwright]

If you use a pillow, it's got to be small. I usually just stuff or roll the hood part of my mummy bag under my head. It's easy enough when the bag is being used as a quilt. Other times just putting my arm up or putting my hand under my neck is just the thing.

For indoor use, you may just fold up a small throw blanket or something.

[oldgringo]

Yes, under my knees.