Bottom Line
The Trekology Aluft Pro may be the cheapest camping pillow on our list, but it’s a potential luxury for both the backcountry and the campground. This pillow held its own during our side-by-side pillow testing, and its removable pad strap kept it secured to our sleeping pads overnight. Most budget camping pillows are too bulky for backpacking, but we have no qualms about carrying this inexpensive pillow in our pack for our backcountry escapes.
While this is a fantastic budget buy, it’s not the top-ranked pillow on our list. Still, we like it better than some premium camping and backpacking pillows that cost 2-3 times as much. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pillow that’s appropriate for car camping and backpacking, we can’t think of a better camping pillow than the Trekology Aluft Pro. It scored average to above average in each of the metrics we tested to determine the best camping pillows.
How We Tested
We tested this pillow on the Arizona Trail and Continental Divide Trail. Comparing its comfort, weight, packability, support, and ease of use with other camping pillows, the Aluft Pro – especially given its price, seriously sold us and earned itself a spot on our best camping pillow list.
Quick Specs
Trekology Aluft Pro
Best Budget Backpacking Pillow
CleverHiker Rating:
4.5/5.0
Price:
$22
Weight:
6.3 oz.
Pillow Type:
Air
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Affordable
- Removable cover is machine washable
- Height provides excellent support
- Strap keeps pillow in place
Cons
- Firm feel not for everybody
- Heavy
- Limited packability
Comfort
We have no qualms about the comfort of Trekology’s Aluft Pro Pillow. Sleeping on it several nights in the southwest desert, both Casey Handley and Jory Brass found this to be a comfortable camping and backpacking pillow. The pillow’s face fabric feels soft against the face and its subtle padding makes it slightly softer than the typical pool toy feeling of some inflatable pillows.
With a 5-inch depth, the Aluft Pro has enough heft to support all sleeper’s heads and necks – even side sleepers. Shaped like a cartoon dog bone, the Aluft Pro’s curved contours snug up nicely against our shoulders to support our necks. We find this ergonomic shape more comfortable than a simple rectangular camping pillow.
Just keep in mind that most people find air pillows most comfortable when they’re not fully inflated. The Aluft Pro has a push button in the valve that makes it easy to release air until the pillow deflates down to your Goldilocks point – where the balance between softness and support is just right.
Finally, the pillow includes a removable strap to secure it to your sleeping pad. That came in handy on a frigid night of tossing and turning in the Gila Wilderness. The strap kept the pillow in place, so he didn’t have to reach outside of the warm cocoon of his mummy bag to put it back on the sleeping pad. That’s another plus in the comfort column.
Overall, this is one of the more comfortable inflatable pillows we’ve reviewed. The Aluft Pro’s cheaper price certainly didn’t cheapen our sleeping experience.
Weight & Packability
Another plus of the Trekology Aluft Pro Pillow is that it’s light and packable enough for backpacking. Weighing 6.2 ounces packed on our gear analyst’s scale, it’s about average for a backpacking pillow – which is good for its price. For comparison, the Aluft Pro is about twice as heavy as our favorite ultralight air pillows but lighter than others which cost 2-3 times as much. Weight wise, this is the rare budget camping pillow that’s actually a reasonable option for backpackers.
This pillow’s packability is also on par with other pillows we tested. The Aluft Pro’s packed size is slightly stouter than a 20-ounce can. That’s in the same ballpark as two much more expensive inflatable pillows we also tested. Again, this isn’t a premium, ultralight backpacking pillow, but we don’t hesitate to recommend the Trekology Aluft Pro for backpacking. It’s surprisingly packable at such a budget-friendly price.
Support
As an inflatable pillow, the Trekology Aluft Pro also provides plenty of support for campers and backpackers. Its air bladder inflates to provide plenty of air resistance to support sleepers’ heads and necks. With a listed height of 5 inches, the Aluft Pro has more than enough loft for side sleepers, who generally prefer a thicker, firmer pillow to take pressure off their necks. Gear analyst, Jory Brass, found this pillow plenty supportive as he slept on his side in the Gila Wilderness. That’s a good sign since he has broad shoulders and a temperamental neck that needs some TLC. The pillow’s ergonomic shape also cradles the base of your head and neck to maximize its support.
Overall, this pillow’s support is what we’d expect from an inflatable camping pillow. Our side-by-side testing showed that its support was in line with the premium inflatable camp pillows we tested in the Southwest.
Ease of Use
Some camping pillows have little quirks to figure out, but the Trekology Aluft Pro is straightforward to use. It’s a simple air pillow sold with a separate stuff sack that’s clearly labeled and branded. The soft cover can be removed and machine-washed to clean snot, drool, stains, and debris. The valve isn’t particularly confusing, but we used the pillow several times before realizing that it has an internal black button that you click and unclick to lock in its inflate or deflate position.
Once we discovered that locking mechanism, it was even easier to inflate and deflate the pillow and close the outer valve cover without losing any air pressure. The pillow fully inflates in 3-4 breaths and fully deflates in 6-7 seconds if you open the valve and squeeze the pillow down to its packable size.
Should You Buy the Trekology Aluft Pro Camping Pillow?
We’re fans of the Trekology Aluft Pro – which is why it’s a best buy in our guide to the best camping pillows. Priced in the $20 range, this inflatable pillow is appropriate for car camping and backpacking. It consistently scored alongside more expensive camping pillows in our side-by-side testing in the backcountry and frontcountry.
It is relatively comfortable, packable, supportive, and easy to use. We didn’t discover any red flags while testing it on iconic backpacking trails or typical roadside campgrounds. Although the Aluft Pro isn’t the most packable pillow, it’s a good buy for anyone looking for a budget-friendly camping and backpacking pillow.
What Other Camping Pillows Should You Consider?
The Trekology Aluft Pro isn’t the only camping pillow we recommend. Our full guide to the best camping pillows provides reviews of the entire lineup we tested.
REI Trailmade Mummy Bag Pillow Review: Are you not a fan of inflatable camping pillows? The REI Trailmade is a budget-friendly alternative that’s made with compressible foam blocks, which may be more comfortable for some sleepers.
Therm-a-rest Compressible Pillow Review: If packability isn’t as important to you, the Therm-a-rest Compressible is one of the most comfortable camp pillows around, and it only costs slightly more than the Trekology Aluft Pro.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow Review: Do you want to compare the Trekology pillow to a premium backpacking pillow? The Aeros is our favorite ultralight backpacking pillow, weighing less than half of the Aluft Pro and packing down to the size of a large lime.
