We’ve all been there: It’s 9 p.m., aka hiker midnight, you’re turning in for the night and you stuff your puffy inside a sleeping bag sack to form a lumpy, makeshift pillow for the long night ahead. It’s a quick and affordable solution, sure, but it can leave your neck totally wrecked for the next day of hiking and adventure. Folks, I’m here to tell you that there’s a better way.
I’m one of those hikers who suffers from weird neck and shoulder tension, so keeping my pillow game strong on backpacking trips is essential to ward off headaches. I tried several options on the market before finally settling on Nemo’s Fillo Elite ultralight pillow five years ago, and I can safely say that it’s my favorite item on my camping checklist for less than $100. It’s light, soft and just plush enough to give me a taste of my own bed while dozing under the stars. Let’s get into what makes this seemingly simple inflatable pillow so great.
At under 3 ounces, the Nemo Fillo Elite pillow has revolutionized the backpacking pillow game. This inflatable little gem packs down to the size of a lemon, is stuffed with a layer of 100% post-consumer recycled Primaloft insulation and features an uber-soft jersey fabric cover that’ll feel just as cozy as your softest sheets at home.
What we liked about it
Super light, packable and soft, the Fillo Elite manages to rival slimmer, less comfortable backpacking pillows while adding an extra layer of plush insulation and a sheet-like jersey exterior. It’s a no-brainer for thru-hikers who’ll be toughing it out for weeks and those looking to upgrade their backpacking kits for ultimate comfort this season.
Ultralight weight
It’s tough to find a good backpacking pillow that’s light enough to toss in the bag on a big expedition without thinking twice about it, but at just 2.8 ounces, the Fillo Elite is a best-in-class design that manages to feel almost as comfortable as an at-home pillow, while maintaining its ultralight prowess for gram-counting hikers looking to keep their weight as low as possible. When I first ventured away from my clothes-in-a-sack weekend warrior solution and into the world of proper inflatable pillows, I picked up an affordable Trekology pillow that barely felt better than sleeping on an ergonomically designed balloon. The Fillo Elite is somehow even lighter while providing a layer of loft that feels much plusher.
Supreme packability
When I hiked the John Muir Trail back in 2021, it was a challenge for me to stuff all my gear into a 60-liter rucksack. With every ounce counted, I had to strap essentials like my tent, Kula cloth and camp shoes to the exterior of my pack, but I never questioned the inclusion of my trusty Fillo Elite. Not only does it pack down to the size of a small fist or a lime, it remains squishy when smushed into its included stuff sack, so it’s a cinch to squeeze it into any little crevice you have left.
Super-soft feel
Unlike most other backpacking pillows, Nemo’s model is covered in a silky jersey material that feels akin to the plush sheets you’d happily snuggle up in at home. The Fillo Elite is also cleverly designed so that this fabric casing can be easily removed and washed (then put back together with its inflatable innards) after your gnarliest adventures in the dirt.
What we didn’t like about it
As far as backpacking pillows go, the Nemo Fillo Elite is truly one of the best out there today. That being said, there are a few considerations to make before plopping down $60 on a new piece of gear.
Not the lightest on the market
If you’re truly a gram-counting weight elitist, you could technically go lighter by nabbing Sea to Summit’s Aeros ultralight inflatable pillow, which weighs in at an astonishing 2.1 ounces for the regular size. That weight savings is going to cost you in comfort, though, as the Aeros does not have any plush Primaloft insulation.
Internal sack feels fragile
When I take my Fillo Elite on weekend romps in the Eastern Sierra, particularly with my dog in tow, I’m always wary of how thin and delicate the inflatable, baffled air cell interior is. Though the pillow blows up to an adequate 3 inches, the lightweight innards are barely more robust than a clear plastic balloon. Thankfully, the exterior fabric cover has been strong enough thus far to keep my pillow going for over five years of heavy summer use.
How it compares
At $60, Nemo’s Fillo Elite is a touch on the expensive side for a backpacking pillow, but we feel its robust materials and the company’s sustainability initiatives more than justify the price point. If you don’t mind hauling around a bit of extra weight and prefer an even more luxurious sleep setup (or you just want a great car camping pillow), the brand also makes a pretty stellar Fillo Camping and Backpacking Pillow with a memory foam interior that’s a bit cheaper, too. And if you want even more plush comfort, check out the Fillo King Camp Pillow.
As I mentioned earlier, the lightest big-brand backpacking pillow in stores today is Sea to Summit’s Aeros ($45), but be forewarned that you’ll be sacrificing some lofty comfort for the .7-ounce weight savings.
On a tight budget or just getting started? Trekology makes a solid, 3.9-ounce inflatable cushion to soothe your aching trekker’s neck. The best part? It’s currently on sale for $9. But, unlike Nemo and Sea to Summit, the brand only carries a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects, rather than a lifetime guarantee. Outdoor Vitals’ Ultralight Stretch Pillow is another lightweight option, weighing in at 2.6 ounces. It can be inflated in just a couple of breaths, and while it isn’t as comfy as the Fillo, it’s a great value at $20.
Bottom line
Nemo’s Fillo Elite is the ideal solution for those of us who like to sleep in the dirt, but like to relax and enjoy nature without poor sleep and headaches. It’s lofty enough to support side and back sleepers, boasting a 3-inch height when fully inflated, yet still fully inhabits the “ultralight pillow space,” at a feather-light 2.8 ounces. Plus, its supple jersey cover is reminiscent enough of your coziest at-home sheets that you’re sure to sleep like a baby in the backcountry. In short, it’s the lightest and most comfortable backpacking pillow out there.
