How to Make a Pillow out of Gear

Backpacking is an enjoyable pastime for any outdoor enthusiast. Innovations in backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents have increased the ease and comfort of backpacking, yet effective pillows have not been designed to maximize the comfort of the experience. Blow-up pillows are lopsided and uncomfortable and synthetic pillows are too bulky to fit in your pack. It is imperative to construct a pillow out of gear to enhance the comfort of sleeping while on backpacking trips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Pack your backpack with extra clothing that is soft and has a little bulk to it.

Step 2

Once your sleeping bag is laid out, use the stuff sack as a pillow case by stuffing all of your extra clothing into it

Step 3

Cinch up the stuff sack draw cord and pat the stuff sack to even out the padding.

Step 4

Place the stuff sack inside of a sweatshirt for extra warmth and comfort.

Step 5

Place the stuff sack at the head of your sleeping bag and it is ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

If your sleeping bag does not have a stuff sack, extra clothing can be placed into a sweatshirt or directly into the head of a mummy bag. For backpacking trips with minimal gear, the back pads of your pack can be used as a pillow by simply placing your pack at the head of your sleeping bag.

If your sleeping bag does not have a stuff sack, extra clothing can be placed into a sweatshirt or directly into the head of a mummy bag.

For backpacking trips with minimal gear, the back pads of your pack can be used as a pillow by simply placing your pack at the head of your sleeping bag.

Avoid using hard, solid materials to stuff the sack as they will cause kinks in your neck and back and make hiking uncomfortable the next day. Do not pack bulky extra gear just to be used for your pillow. There will be enough to use with your typical pack contents for a comfortable pillow.

Avoid using hard, solid materials to stuff the sack as they will cause kinks in your neck and back and make hiking uncomfortable the next day.

Do not pack bulky extra gear just to be used for your pillow. There will be enough to use with your typical pack contents for a comfortable pillow.

Article Written By Tyler Nall

Tyler Nall is a forestry technician and outdoor enthusiast. He received his Bachelor of Science at the University of Oregon with majors in psychology and sociology. Nall started writing professionally in 2004 and currently writes for various websites.

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