Therm-a-Rest Foam Compact Travel Pillow

Last updated: December 30, 2021


Therm-a-Rest Foam Compact Travel Pillow

We looked at the top Travel Pillows and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Travel Pillow you should buy.

Product Details

In our analysis of 236 expert reviews, the Therm-a-Rest Foam Compact Travel Pillow placed 16th when we looked at the top 18 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow is a true travel essential. Ideal for anyone seeking sleep and comfort on-the-go, it offers all the support of home bedding in a small, convenient, and lightweight package for camping, plane travel, car trips, backpacking, trekking, and festivals. Easily compressible for packing into a backpack, duffel, suitcase, or tote, the pillow expands into a 4-inch thick, soft and squishy pillow for head, neck, and back support. The brushed polyester cover is soft against skin for cozy comfort, promising sleep and relaxation in places where getting a little shut-eye can be a challenge. Rest comes even easier knowing that the lofty urethane filling is upcycled—the byproduct of Thermarest mattresses, utilizing the waste generated during production. The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow is available in four sizes: Small measures 12 x 16 x 4 inches expanded (13 x 4 x 4 inches compressed) and weighs 7 ounces; Medium measures 14 x 18 x 4 inches expanded (14 x 5 x 6 inches compressed) and weighs 9 ounces; Large measures 16 x 23 x 4 inches expanded (16 x 7 x 7 inches compressed) and weighs 12 ounces; XL measures 16.5 x 27 x 4 inches expanded, (18 x 7 x 7 inches compressed) and weighs 15 ounces. Machine washable. Made in the USA.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

Durable fabric that resist scratches and stains in case of a spill or accident.
The lightweight rectangular pillow compresses down for packing and, when the cord lock is released, it springs into a soft 10.2-centimetre-thick (4-inch-thick) pillow.
This model does offer incredible simplicity. We like that the stuff sack is built into the design of the pillow. Just roll the pillow up, tuck it into the lip of the pillowcase, and pull the drawstring tight. It also fits snug in every mummy sleeping bag hood we tested it with and didn't move around much in our sleep.
Wow!!!! This is an amazing pillow!I have now had this for a while, I got it to replace a down REI brand pillow that I thought was neat, but this one seriously blows it out of the water!!! It's perfect for car camping, day trips, overnighters and I say backpacking too (because I'm comfort driven)
I always like smart design work, and I think it really shows that the company did its research before manufacturing the pillow. Speaking of design, you have a pretty nice selection of colors and patterns to choose from. I went with the classic “denim” color model, but you can choose between denim, poppy, “night sky,” “indigo dot,” and “mosaic.”
This measures at exactly about 42 by 67 centimeters. The impressive thing about it is that it gives you the feeling of being at the comforts of your home.
- The Z9
At its maximum loft, the pillow feels like the perfect size for travel. It’s larger than the pillow offerings on most airplanes but noticeably smaller than a standard-size pillow (which means you won’t be bumping your neighbor).
It is capable of a loft of four inches when unfolded giving it the ability to adequately support your head, neck, and shoulders as you sleep. The cover is made from brushed polyester that adds to its comfort. Comfort is a key consideration whenever one is shopping for a camping pillow.
The Therm-a-Rest compressible feels the most like a regular pillow and offers excellent comfort for a decent price.
Therm-a-Rest offers sizes S-XL so you can be sure to get the best size for your application. As well as camping, these would be perfect for travel on a plane, train, or road tripping with the family. They are so similar to home pillows, but can take up far less space when packed when you need it most.
The foam can expand to attain a big pillow or compress to achieve a small-sized pad.

What reviewers didn't like

Traditional design won't support the neck and head from moving while sleeping.
It's heavy.
However, more than a few people ended up with a shredded cover and the foam pieces spilling out all over the place during the initial washing and drying of the pillow.
Sometimes looks bumpy and lumpy.
- The Z9
I did not like that it didn't have a way for me to attach it to a carry-on and I didn't love how lumpy the pillow got after a lot of use.
Some users found that the fabric tore easily while washing and compressing.
It weighs roughly the same as the Nemo Fillo, but it’s packed size is almost twice as big.
Not the smallest, most packable pillow out there but for the comfort it is a trade-off
According to some users, the pillow lack durability
View our Travel Pillow buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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