EXPED has been manufacturing innovative, no frills outdoor equipment since 1997. With a goal to provide the highest quality Swiss designed outdoor products, their new extra wide Mega Pillow is a great addition to my sleep system.

First generation pillows were the size of a small throw pillow you might find on a couch. Good for a nap but not a night’s sleep. They always seem to find their way off my sleeping pad, and I routinely had to search for them in the middle of the night. The result has been interrupted and less than restful sleep.

 

Ideally, a proper camp pillow provides support as you roll from your back to your side. The Mega Pillow, at 20.7 inches wide, 12.6 inches deep and 4.7 inches high, reminds me of the pillow I leave at home. It incorporates an air core surrounded by a cushion of soft insulation and a fleece shell with near vertical side walls and a low-profile valve, making the entire pillow available as a resting platform for a tired head. As with most backpacking pillows, when the Mega Pillow is deflated, it fits into a small stuff sack and weighs a mere six ounces.

I particularly like the one-way valve and the small deflation pin, allowing minute adjustments to the loft and firmness of the pillow. Camping gear inevitably gets dirty and the removable inner air cushion allows you to safely wash away the camp smell and dirt from the fleece cover.

The extra-large shape can limit use inside a mummy bag, so on particularly cold nights I use the available loops on either end of the pillow to tie a shock cord and attach it directly to my sleeping pad. It stays in place while I pull the drawstrings close around my face.

Likes:

  • Packs small for backpacking
  • Large surface area
  • Good support for back sleepers

Dislikes:

  • Almost twice the size (in stuff sack) and slightly heavier than other backpacking pillows
  • Not as soft as some competitors
  • Side-sleepers may require additional support under their sleeping pad

Learn more about EXPED and their variety of high quality camp products by visiting their website HERE.

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