For years I've had an older style bed, with the block and incline which had a built in pillow. I decided to splash out on a new flat bed (the Tactical X, which I must add is amazing with the support) that did have a small kind of pillow but I've found that as in lying flat or on my side it's too small.

So I'm looking at options. I originally thought to get a small camping pillow but I would want to keep it in the bed when folded so I don't have something extra to store but in worried that it will make the bed to bulky to close with the sleeping bag in there as well so started to look at inflatable ones but wasn't sure if they'd be comfy.

What do you guys use and can you keep it in the bed when folded. Also does anyone know if the inflatable ones are any good?

In reply to Post #1
Have a look at the therma-rest compressible camping pillows. They're designed to squash down into a compression bag so easily go flat in a bedchair.

They're not as luxurious as a normal pillow but they do the job. I have 2 in my bedchair with sleeping bag and bedchair buddy

In reply to Post #1
One of the bags you get inside a large box of wine.

Emptied first, then half filled with air.

In reply to Post #1
I use a trekology ultralight (amazon)... Find it OK, some nights I wish it was a normal pillow, but it saves weight.
Have found that when temperature gets down near zero it can deflate, presumably due to part of the valve / seal contracting...

Tried a camping on years did not like it.

I just use my softie jacket rolled up these days which also means it's handy if I get a run in the night in cold weather.

In reply to Post #1
Have a neck problem and need a good pillow. The inflatable ones I've tried are small, hard and thin. Used to use them but can't now. Use a Nash pillow, light soft and comfy, full width of the bed. Leave mine in the bed when folded and stored withe straps pulled tight you wouldn't know its there. It springs back fully for use. Does the job.

I just use a normal pillow and it stays in my bed chair no problem when folded up

In reply to Post #7
No matter how much air you put in an inflatable one they are uncomfortable. A ' normal' one for me everytime.

I've got a Fox Camo pillow and found that a bit flat so bought a memory foam pillow to go inside it and it's perfect. Folds into my Flatliter bed as well 👍🏻

In reply to Post #1
Haven't tried any inflatable pillows, but was quite happy with the Nash pillow that came with my SS3 system until I took a proper pillow from home. It is my one luxury even when travelling light, if I'm not catching at night I want to be comfy on the bank.

I only use a feather duck down pillow at home I just bought another for fishing I want the same level of comfort

I use a normal pillow Inside a trakker pillow case washed regually so it smells like home 😂.
You will have no problem folding your bedchair with it inside plus your bag and Bivvy table 👍

In reply to Post #11
Im the same
Duck down for me all the way
Makes all the difference in winter

In reply to Post #13
Thanks guys. Food for thought. I was going to for an inflatable one as I thought it would be the only choice to keep it inside my bed when folded but if but then I think I'm good for a proper one. Thanks for your help.

In reply to Post #14
I also use a regular pillow inside a trakker pillowcase. I think it is the best you can do. I mean, the inflatable ones are terrible. At least, I don't like them as I don't feel comfortable sleeping on them. I am also trying to wash it as often as possible as I like when the bed sheets are clean and fresh. Actually, the biggest problem for me was the mattress. I have read many Mattress Reviews as I wanted the mattress to be both excellent and tiny. I have some terrible backaches if I don't sleep on a proper mattress.

In reply to Post #2
Yeah, that's what I use. Great pillow 👍

For years from the mid 80's to early 2000's I used an inflatable pillow and it was brilliant, it had "Flocked" surfaces and very warm and soft. I regarded it as my lucky pillow but sadly, it punctured and I have never been able to get one as good. So now, I just use a normal feather filled pillow with washable outer with a pillow case made from fleece that I made.

One of the things I learnt to do with an inflatable pillow was to blow it up, and let the air come back out to it was almost soft and then put the plug in. Put too much air in and it would be too hard, or if you did blow it up hard, put your fleece jacket over the top of it folded up like an other pillow over the top.

Inflatable pillows are horrible, just use one like you have at home.

In reply to Post #17
I regarded it as my lucky pillow but sadly, it punctured and I have never been able to get one as good

I suppose you felt let down?

(Sorry)

In reply to Post #19
>> I suppose you felt let down<<

Oddly enough, I did, after it had punctured, I still took it with me for about a couple of years and used it. But, about every 3 or 4 hours I would have to blow it up again.

In the end, I gave up on it, but I still have it. With the advent of SIM's I'm hoping to find a puncture repair patch that might work on it. Bought one last week but not tried it.

Overall though, they are crap unless your lucky to find a good one like I did.

I use a Vango inflatable pillow, self inflating, you can top it up by mouth if you need to,..

I found to get the most comfort out of it is to only use 50% pumped up,I use it with a aqua sleeping bag,and snugpak softie 9 ,and jungle bag...its best used in the hood so it doesn't slip out of position..find it great...I also recommend the adventure 25 sim,by multimat,it turns a bedchair ,very comfy..

And if your on the deck,the 'venture' ,by Thermarest is brilliant as well....