Backside Line
The NEMO Fillo Elite Large Pillow is lower than half the load and packed measurement of the traditional Fillo pillow – a tenting pillow that additionally charges excessive in CleverHiker’s greatest tenting pillow information. That makes it a premium backpacking pillow – one which’s a greater match for again sleepers, primarily based on its thinner, 3-inch deep profile. On prime of that weight financial savings, we like this pillow’s ultra-soft jersey cowl, which supplies this pillow a luxurious really feel.
Our Gear Analysts agree – the NEMO Fillo Elite Large Pillow stands out as the most effective backpacking pillow for again sleepers in our listing of the most effective tenting pillows.
How We Examined
Gear Analyst Jory Brass has examined each NEMO pillows over a number of backpacking journeys in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness, Organ Mountains Nationwide Monument, and a piece of the Continental Divide Path. He additionally evaluated its consolation, weight, packability, help, and ease of use in a sequence of side-by-side exams with 11 different tenting pillows.
On prime of our most up-to-date exams, CleverHiker Senior Gear Analyst Casey Handley beforehand examined the Elite Large Pillow over 500 miles of the Arizona Path.
Fast Specs
NEMO Fillo Elite Large
Greatest Backpacking Pillow for Again Sleepers
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.5/5.0
Value:
$70
Weight:
4.2 oz.
Pillow Sort:
Air
Professionals
- Light-weight
- Compact
- Very snug for back-sleepers
- Wider than most backpacking pillows
- Built-in stuff sack
- Machine cleanable case
Cons
- Costly
- Slippery underside
- A bit heavier/bulkier than UL backpacking choices
Consolation
The consolation stage of the NEMO Fillo Elite Large Backpacking Pillow largely depends upon your sleeping type. In case you’re a backpacker who sleeps in your again, this is likely to be essentially the most snug tenting pillow you should buy. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re a facet sleeper, you would possibly need to think about a thicker pillow that gives extra neck help.
The Fillo Elite Large Pillow options the identical base as the unique Fillo Pillow – a baffled air cell with I-beams to keep up the pillow’s form. Our subject exams affirm NEMO’s claims that these air baffles get rid of the balloon or beachball impact of atypical air pillows. As a substitute of topping this pillow with an inch-thick sheet of froth, like the unique Fillo, NEMO has added a skinny layer of Primaloft insulation for added heat and cushiness. The face material is arguably the softest sleeping floor we examined – an ultra-soft polyester jersey that feels fairly posh, particularly for a camp pillow.
Nevertheless, the pillow’s dimensions are essential to contemplate. With a sleeping floor of 21 x 11 x 3 inches, the Elite Large Fillo is wider than the Fillo Elite. Nevertheless, that 3-inch depth is far thinner than the opposite inflatable pillows we’ve examined, which vary from 4.3 to five inches.
That’s the place your sleeping type comes into this pillow’s consolation equation. Three inches is loads of peak for again sleepers. Nevertheless, facet sleepers usually require added bulk to help their neck and maintain their higher physique in an ergonomically right place.
For our back-sleeping gear analyst, the Fillo Elite Large Pillow was snug for the lengthy haul on the Arizona Path. Our side-sleeping analyst wanted to stuff spare garments beneath the pillow on a piece of the Continental Divide Path so as to add some help. His spouse – who believes much less is extra with pillows – additionally preferred the texture of the Elite Large Pillow (as did the couple’s cat). General, this pillow’s consolation traits clearly favor backpackers who largely sleep on their again.
Weight & Packability
In comparison with the unique NEMO Fillo, the Fillo Elite Large Pillow is considerably lighter and extra packable. With a packed weight of 4.2 ounces, the Fillo Elite Large is the third lightest possibility on our listing of the 13 greatest tenting pillows. It’s solely half an oz heavier than the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow and a pair of.5 ounces greater than our minimalist resolution, the Hyperlite Stuff Sack Pillow. That’s a major improve in weight financial savings in comparison with the unique NEMO Fillo, which weighs greater than 9 ounces – heavier than we usually advocate for backpacking.
When it comes to its measurement, the NEMO Fillo Elite Large stuffs into its built-in stuff sack and packs right down to a palm-sized wad that’s just a bit bit larger than the lime-sized stuff sack of the Aeros Premium Pillow. Most ultralight backpackers wouldn’t hesitate to hold the NEMO Fillo Elite Large Backpacking Pillow on a long-distance path.
Help
The Fillo Elite Large Pillow gives loads of help for again and abdomen sleepers, however facet sleepers ought to discover a thicker air pillow to sleep in an ergonomically right place. Inflatable pillows present loads of help (typically extra successfully than foam ones). In our most up-to-date rounds of testing, the gear analyst couldn’t fault the Large Elite Pillow when sleeping on his again.
Nevertheless, sleeping on his facet was one other story. As touched upon within the consolation part, this pillow’s 3-inch depth is 1.5 to 2 inches thinner than the opposite air-filled pillows we advocate. Our tester’s neck clearly slanted downhill when attempting to sleep on this pillow on his facet, which may trigger knots, kinks, and stress complications.
Ease of Use
Like the unique NEMO Fillo, the NEMO Fillo Elite Large Backpacking Pillow combines a number of options. Its design isn’t as convoluted as the unique Fillo, however there’s nonetheless a hidden stuff sack, detachable cowl, and finicky valve that’s not as easy as different camp pillows in our evaluation lineup.
Actually, the valve isn’t our favourite. It twists to lock and unlock into place, and it have to be popped out to inflate after which pushed again in – and locked – to shut up tight. These additional steps appear pointless and make it more durable to dial in your most well-liked air stress with out dropping air within the course of. Even after mastering the twists/turns and pulls/pushes required to explode the pillow, the valve generally popped out once we laid down, releasing all of the air.
The built-in stuff sack might be laborious to search out, because it’s hidden contained in the pillow’s comfortable lining. These things sack helps the Fillo Elite Large obtain a powerful packed measurement, however it takes some persistence cramming to get the pillow stuffed into that ambitiously tight area. General, the pillow’s design is okay, however it’s excessive upkeep in comparison with tenting pillows from different main manufacturers.
Ought to You Purchase the NEMO Fillo Elite Large Pillow?
In case you’re doing extra backpacking than automotive tenting, the Elite Large type of the favored Fillo Pillow is a transparent improve over the unique Fillo. On the identical time, it’s most likely not the most suitable choice for facet sleepers – who will doubtless desire a thicker, extra supportive backpacking pillow.
We like this pillow as a light-weight, snug, and supportive possibility for again sleepers and abdomen sleepers who don’t want a thick pillow for additional neck help. Considered one of our Gear Analysts clearly most well-liked the Elite Large to be definitely worth the little bit of additional weight in comparison with the Fillo Elite. If this pillow matches your mountain climbing type and sleeping type, then it’s a transparent winner.
What Different Tenting Pillows Ought to You Take into account?
For extra choices to contemplate in your sleep system, take a look at our full information to the greatest tenting pillows. You may also begin with these related merchandise:
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow Evaluate: Are you a side-sleeping backpacker who desires a light-weight pillow with extra help than the Elite Large Pillow? We’d begin with the Aeros Premium, our prime air pillow for backpacking.
NEMO Fillo Evaluate: Would you reasonably have a NEMO pillow that leans extra into consolation and help? The unique Fillo just isn’t as mild or packable because the Fillo Elite Large, however it’s far more comfortable, supportive, and facet sleeper-friendly.
ExPed Mega Pillow Evaluate: Is your thought of luxurious a full-sized, smooth, and supportive air pillow that’s nonetheless packable sufficient for backpacking? Then take a look at ExPed’s luxurious air pillow for the backcountry and frontcountry.
