Reviews You Can Rely On

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Review

For those who don't travel far from their vehicles to the campsite, this model is inexpensive and comfy
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therm-a-rest compressible camping pillow review
The outstanding value Therm-a-Rest Compressible adds a lot of comfort to nights spent outdoors while still leaving some padding in your wallet.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Price:  $32 List
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Manufacturer:   Therm-a-rest
By Ross Robinson and Jason Wanlass  ⋅  May 19, 2023
80
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 16
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Weight - 20% 8.4
  • Packed Size - 20% 7.8
  • Support - 20% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 9.0

Our Verdict

At first sight, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible did not wow us. Taking it out of the box, it looks and feels like a lumpy mess. However, after deploying it, we were very impressed with the expansion rate of its foam core. As the Therm-a-Rest's urethane foam fill takes in air, it provides a substantial base for any tired head. We enjoyed several nights of pleasant sleep and were reminded of the sage advice concerning book-cover judgment. We were won over by the comfort this pillow provides, as well as its simplicity and support. Comfort, however, often has drawbacks in weight and packed size, which is true for this pillow, but we loved sleeping on it. It's a great option for car camping and is fairly priced. See how it measures up versus competitors in our article on the best camping pillows.
REASONS TO BUY
Great value
Very comfortable
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Large packed size
Editor's Note: This review was read through and expanded upon on May 19, 2023.

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Bottom Line Serious comfort for folks who don't need to spend top dollar on a lightweight, packable modelMove over blow up pillows, sleeping on the ground far from home just got a whole lot better with this cozy compressible optionThis is a simple and affordable pillow, though it's also large and heavyLight and compact, this is a durable and well-priced option for your next snooze under the starsFrom its proprietary air valve to built-in sleeping pad straps, this product caught our eye for its new, innovative approach to the common inflatable pillow
Rating Categories Therm-a-Rest Compre... REI Co-op Trailmade... Teton Sports Pillow Cocoon Air-Core Hood Trekology Aluft 2.0
Comfort (25%)
8.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
Weight (20%)
8.4
9.4
8.0
9.7
9.7
Packed Size (20%)
7.8
7.8
6.7
8.9
8.9
Support (20%)
7.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
Ease of Use (15%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Specs Therm-a-Rest Compre... REI Co-op Trailmade... Teton Sports Pillow Cocoon Air-Core Hood Trekology Aluft 2.0
Type Compressible Compressible Compressible Inflatable Inflatable
Measured Weight 8.6 oz 4.9 oz 10.0 oz 3.7 oz 3.8 oz
Packed Volume 2.6 L 2.5 L 4.5 L 0.6 L 0.5 L
Length 15.5 in 15 in 16 in 15 in 17 in
Width 9.5 in 9.7 in 9 in 11 in 12 in
Thickness 6.75 in 5 in 4 in 3.5 in 4 in
Stuff Sack included? Yes, built in with drawstring Integrated stuff sack with loop/toggle button closure Yes, with drawstring Yes, with drawstring yes, with drawstring
Materials Outer: Polyester; Inner fill: Upcycled foam Shell Material: two-sided recycled polyester. Fill: polyurethane foam Fill: SuperLoft Elite 4-Channel Hollow Fiber; Inner Shell: P5 Poly Hiā€“Count; Outer Shell: 100% Brushed Flannel Polyester microfiber/20-denier nylon/synthetic fill/thermoplastic air bladde Shell Material: Polyester; Bladder: TPU/thermoplastic Polyurethane

Our Analysis and Test Results

We tested several versions of the Therm-a-Rest for our review (it comes in three different sizes), and we feel its stand-out feature is its overall comfort. It is a compressible pillow made of upcycled Therm-a-Rest mattress scraps encased in a soft polyester shell. Similar in design to a standard bed pillow, this cushy and thick cushion packs a lot of pleasure into its price. Although the weight and packed size limit its uses, it certainly delivers for car camping trips or other basic camping activities. We loved using this product and even took it along on a five-day canoeing trip where weight and packed size weren't major issues. We've also brought it alone on several hut-to-hut treks, where less gear is needed, and backpacks are lighter. However, due to its heftier size and weight, this isn't an ideal pillow for traditional, multi-day slogs in the backcountry.

Performance Comparison


therm-a-rest compressible camping pillow review - blake stave enjoys a peanut butter burrito while relaxing in the...
Blake Stave enjoys a peanut butter burrito while relaxing in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota. The Therm-a-Rest can double as a back rest, or even lumbar support in its packed form.
Credit: Jenna Rae Ammerman

Comfort


Hundreds of dense, expandable foam fragments cocooned in place by a soft, fleece-like polyester pillowcase earned the Therm-a-Rest Compressible top marks for comfort. This pillow is similar in design to a common bed pillow, making it one of the more comfortable options in our review. Additionally, newer versions offer a bonus layer of insulative padding built into the pillowcase. This extra cushioning creates a barrier between the interior foam pieces and the outer shell, resulting in a more comfortable, less lumpy sleeping experience.


The Compressible is large enough to tolerate a few turns in the night. It is also thick and soft. Incredibly soft. We loved how the outer shell felt against our cheeks. You just might let out an audible "Ahhh" when you lay down on this pillow after a long day in the outdoors.

therm-a-rest compressible camping pillow review - the therm-a-rest is soft, thick, and large. comfortable? oh yes.
The Therm-a-Rest is soft, thick, and large. Comfortable? Oh yes.
Credit: Jenna Rae Ammerman

Weight


The Compressible weighs in on our scale at 8.6 ounces, which doesn't scream extended backcountry use. When compared to the inflatable models we tested, this pillow certainly weighs more, which doesn't lend well for trips where weight is a concern. However, the weight is negligible for walking from the car to a campsite. It also is a viable option for an in-flight snooze on a plane or for catching some shuteye while riding shotgun on a long road trip.


Packed Size


There's simply no way to avoid the chief drawback of this cozy pillow: its relatively large packed size. Stuffed into its attached sack, the Copmressible has a volume of 2.6 liters, which lands on the large end of the spectrum of models we tested.


For many experienced backpackers, this pillow may simply be too big. However, car campers, hammock enthusiasts, RV-ers, and jet-setters shouldn't consider the scores in this metric too heavily. When Stowed, this pillow folds in on itself and is secured by a drawstring, resulting in a packed size that is a little less than half its deployed size.

therm-a-rest compressible camping pillow review - ross robinson rolls up and packs this compressible pillow into its...
Ross Robinson rolls up and packs this compressible pillow into its built-in stuff sack in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Credit: Jenna Rae Ammerman

Support


The Therm-a-Rest compresses slowly after you lay your head down but doesn't flatten. It's firm enough to provide decent support to side and back sleepers alike. However, it doesn't perform as well as models with an inflatable air chamber, which offer greater support and don't flatten at all throughout the night.


The core of the Therm-a-Rest Compressible consists of hundreds of individual foam pieces, which tend to move and separate away from the head during the night. This greatly decreases the pillow's support and often requires one or more re-fluffs during the night.

therm-a-rest compressible camping pillow review - the thickness of the therm-a-rest compressible provides sufficient...
The thickness of the Therm-a-Rest Compressible provides sufficient support and great comfort.
Credit: Jenna Rae Ammerman

Ease of Use


This pillow is incredibly simple. We like that the stuff sack is built into the design. Just roll the pillow up, tuck it into the lip of the pillowcase, and pull the drawstring tight. It also fit snugly in every mummy sleeping bag hood we tested it with and didn't move around much in our sleep. Furthermore, the Compressible can be machine washed and dried. The nature of the pillow's exterior fabric gives the pillow some grip, allowing it to cling nicely to the silky interior linings of many sleeping bags. This extra grip does an excellent job of keeping it in place throughout the night.


One noticeable drawback of the Therm-a-Rest is its inability to repel water. The soft, polyester exterior soaks up moisture quickly, which is then absorbed quickly by the foam core. Once soaked, this pillow doesn't dry very quickly in the outdoors, which could make for a long, uncomfortable night if your bedding happens to get wet.

Upon receiving this pillow, send it on a trip through the washer and dryer (set to tumble dry) to help decompress the foam inside the pillow and increase its loft.

Value


When it comes to basic camping scenarios, the Therm-a-Rest provides great value when compared to other compressible pillows in this review. It is easy to use and well-made. The simple design is its greatest advantage because it allows the pillow to be large and cushy without getting excessively heavy. It's an excellent price for nighttime comfort and painless necks the following day.

Conclusion


The Therm-a-Rest Compressible is a great budget-friendly option that doesn't feel cheap. It isn't our first choice for multi-day backpacking trips due to its weight and size, but it is excellent for shorter trips, such as car camping weekends and mid-day campsite hammock naps. It's a good option for a travel pillow and would be a welcomed addition if you're trying to catch some sleep aboard a plane or in an airport. We also feel it is an excellent choice for extended hut-to-hut trekking, where less gear is needed. Its comfort is notable in our lineup, as it effectively mimics a standard bed pillow, particularly the largest model of the Therm-a-Rest. Furthermore, our eco-hearts are glad to see such a fine product come from upcycled materials.

therm-a-rest compressible camping pillow review - although this pillow appears lumpy, it doesn't feel lumpy under your...
Although this pillow appears lumpy, it doesn't feel lumpy under your head. It's really comfortable, and a relatively inexpensive option for car camping.
Credit: Jenna Rae Ammerman

Ross Robinson and Jason Wanlass