Bottom Line
One of the more unique camping pillows we’ve reviewed, the NEMO Fillo is a hybrid that combines an air bladder with a thick layer of luxury foam for more cushion than the typical inflatable pillow. In doing so, NEMO has made a foam/air hybrid that’s softer and quieter than the average camping pillow. Of course, that added foam cushion costs the Fillo in weight and packability. But It’s certainly a comfortable camping pillow – and maybe packable enough for backpackers willing to sacrifice a little weight and pack space for a better night’s sleep.
Based on these field tests, the NEMO Fillo is certainly a good option for the campground, but we’re not sold on it as a backpacking pillow. For the full stack of the best camping pillows, see our complete tested and reviewed camping pillow gear guide.
How We Tested
For the past few months, we’ve tested the Fillo alongside other pillows as he hiked a section of the Continental Divide Trail, backpacked the Gila Wilderness, and camped at the foot of the Organ Mountains in New Mexico. Alternating the Fillo pillow with the twelve other pillows in our best camping pillow guide, he compared its comfort, weight, packability, support, and ease of use in a series of side-by-side tests.
Quick Specs
NEMO Fillo
Best Air/Foam Hybrid Pillow
CleverHiker Rating:
4.5/5.0
Price:
$45
Weight:
9.2 oz.
Pillow Type:
Foam/Air
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Supportive
- Above-average durability for an air pillow
- Machine washable case
- Integrated stuff sack
Cons
- A bit bulky/heavy for backpacking
- Slippery underside
Comfort
Comfort is the Fillo Pillow’s calling card. We’ve had solid nights of sleep on inflatable camp pillows, but we acknowledge they can feel like sleeping on balloons or noisy chip bags. Air pillows also can smush side sleepers’ ears overnight, especially when fully inflated. NEMO set out to solve these problems with this air/foam hybrid. The pillow’s core is an I-beam baffled air cell that maintains a consistent pillow shape. It’s then topped with a sheet of inch-thick foam that slips inside a mesh pouch hidden under a soft pillow cover. This hybrid construction softens the surface of the Fillo Pillow, so it has more give than the typical air-filled camping pillow.
The Fillo’s sleeping surface is comparatively compact, measuring 17 x 11 x 4 inches. For us, that was plenty of sleeping space, though the 4-inch depth isn’t quite as deep as the other air pillows we tested. Our side sleeping tester noticed this difference, but the Fillo was still thick enough to sleep on his side comfortably. The stretchy, polyester face fabric has a smooth texture that’s comfortable against the skin.
Our testers have found this air/foam combination quite comfortable in the field. On a frigid overnighter in the Gila Wilderness, CleverHiker Gear Analyst Jory Brass scored a solid night of sleep on the Fillo, which kept him warm, comfortable, and well-supported at his creekside campsite. The Fillo was also one of his favorites on another test trip in the Organ Mountains, where he alternated all the air-filled pillows overnight to rank them for comfort. The Fillo feels cushy by air pillow standards, but it’s still firmer than a fully compressible foam pillow like our top pick, the Therm-a-rest Compressible pillow, or our luxury pick for the campground, the HEST Pillow.
Overall, the Fillo wasn’t the most comfortable pillow we tested, but it still ranked among our top few picks for comfort, especially among the camping pillows that are packable enough for backpacking.
Weight & Packability
This is the big question for the NEMO Fillo: Is it actually light enough and packable enough for backpacking? That’s where we’re not sold on this popular camp pillow. NEMO lists the Fillo at 9.3 ounces – that’s borderline, at best, for backpacking. Its packed size is also significantly larger than the other pillows recommended for backpacking. Packing somewhat awkwardly into its attached stuff sack, the NEMO Fillo takes up almost as much pack space as a 1L Nalgene bottle. That’s the trade-off of adding that thick sheet of polyurethane foam to soften up the pillow.
Ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers probably wouldn’t pack this pillow, which weighs 3-4 times more than the ultralight backpacking pillows we recommend in our camping pillow guide. Similar to the Therm-a-rest Compressible Pillow, however, we could see some backpackers sacrificing that weight and bulk if it meant sleeping much more comfortably. After all, there’s no sense carrying an ultralight pillow if it’s not comfortable enough for a quality night of sleep. In the end, though, the size and packed weight of the Fillo Pillow make it a more obvious choice for the campground.
Support
The NEMO Fillo Pillow is one of the most supportive pillows we slept on during our side-by-side testing. Air pillows, in general, provide more support than compressible foam pillows, especially when they’re fully inflated. The Fillo’s sturdy air cells hold plenty of air pressure to hold up campers’ heads and necks as they sleep. This was clear as we slept on it, even though the foam topper made the Fillo a little bit softer than the other air pillows.
In spite of being thinner than other air pillows we tested, the Fillo still provided plenty of resistance to support our testers in all sleeping positions. Our side-sleeping analyst would have appreciated a slightly thicker pillow for neck support. However, he woke up with a kink-free neck in the Gila Wilderness after sleeping on the Fillo Pillow on a drafty night that could have resulted in knots and soreness. The Fillo packs more support than the Therm-a-rest Compressible and HEST pillows – two of our editor’s picks.
Ease of Use
Campers usually don’t stress over camp pillows, but the Fillo Pillow took some time for us to figure out. First, the valve can be a little finicky because it both twists and pops in and out. Twist it to unlock the nozzle and pull it out – that’s the open valve position that allows you to inflate the pillow by mouth. To close the valve, push it back in and twist it back to the locked position. It’s a two-step process each way, which is different from the other valves we tested. This makes it a little tougher to fine-tune your air pressure than the simple touch valves in most camp pillows. Plus, our valve had a little play to it, so it didn’t always lock/unlock cleanly or open/close easily.
Finally, the Fillo has several floating pieces – with a foam pad that slips into the mesh pouch of a removable cover with a hidden stuff sack that wraps over a bladder. It also stuffs somewhat awkwardly into its hidden, integrated, stuck sack. You might want to play with this pillow at home to avoid struggling with this pillow in the dark.
Should You Buy the NEMO Fillo Camping Pillow?
The NEMO Fillo is an air/foam hybrid that gives you the best qualities of both inflatable pillows and foam pillows. NEMO is one of those brands that’s more than willing to sacrifice a few ounces to make your outdoor experience more comfortable.
That’s the case with the Fillo. The added layer of luxury foam adds a degree of comfort that’s not typical of air pillows. At the same time, that added weight and bulk weaken the biggest advantage of air-filled pillows: weight and packability. The Fillo is heavier and bulkier than the pillows we typically use and recommend for backpacking.
Overall, we like this pillow best as a campground pillow. But it’s a possible comfort splurge for backpackers who don’t mind carrying a few extra ounces and surrendering almost a liter of pack space to a camp pillow. As with most outdoor gear decisions, you should weigh the trade-offs, given your personal preferences and use.
What Other Camping Pillows Should You Consider?
For more options to consider for your sleep system, check out our full guide to the best camping pillows. You might also start with these similar products:
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow Review: Were you hoping the Fillo would be a more clear-cut option for backpackers? The Aeros is a comfortable and supportive backpacking pillow that is more than three times lighter than the Fillo.
HEST Camp Pillow Review: If you’re cool with a heavier pillow for the campground, why not go with a full foam pillow? Made with luxurious memory foam, the HEST Camp Pillow is the most comfortable camping pillow we’ve tested.
Therm-a-rest Compressible Pillow Review: If you’re fine carrying a few more ounces to boost comfort, the Therm-a-rest Compressible is another comfortable pillow with a similar weight and packed size to the NEMO Fillo.
