Therm-a-Rest Compressible Review

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.