Backside Line
The NEMO Fillo Elite Large Pillow is lower than half the load and packed measurement of the conventional Fillo pillow – a tenting pillow that additionally charges excessive in CleverHiker’s finest tenting pillow information. That makes it a premium backpacking pillow – one which’s a greater match for again sleepers, based mostly on its thinner, 3-inch deep profile. On high of that weight financial savings, we like this pillow’s ultra-soft jersey cowl, which provides this pillow a luxurious really feel.
Our Gear Analysts agree – the NEMO Fillo Elite Large Pillow stands out as the very best backpacking pillow for again sleepers in our record of the very best 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 bit of the Continental Divide Path. He additionally evaluated its consolation, weight, packability, help, and ease of use in a collection of side-by-side checks with 11 different tenting pillows.
On high of our most up-to-date checks, 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
Finest Backpacking Pillow for Again Sleepers
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.5/5.0
Value:
$70
Weight:
4.2 oz.
Pillow Sort:
Air
Execs
- 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 is dependent upon your sleeping model. If you happen to’re a backpacker who sleeps in your again, this is perhaps probably the most snug tenting pillow you should purchase. Nonetheless, in case you’re a aspect sleeper, you would possibly wish 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 take care of the pillow’s form. Our area checks affirm NEMO’s claims that these air baffles get rid of the balloon or beachball impact of abnormal 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 cloth is arguably the softest sleeping floor we examined – an ultra-soft polyester jersey that feels fairly posh, particularly for a camp pillow.
Nonetheless, the pillow’s dimensions are essential to think about. With a sleeping floor of 21 x 11 x 3 inches, the Elite Large Fillo is wider than the Fillo Elite. Nonetheless, that 3-inch depth is way thinner than the opposite inflatable pillows we’ve examined, which vary from 4.3 to five inches.
That’s the place your sleeping model comes into this pillow’s consolation equation. Three inches is loads of top for again sleepers. Nonetheless, aspect sleepers typically require added bulk to help their neck and maintain their higher physique in an ergonomically appropriate 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 bit 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 choice on our record of the 13 finest tenting pillows. It’s solely half an oz heavier than the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow and a couple 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 sometimes suggest for backpacking.
By way of its measurement, the NEMO Fillo Elite Large stuffs into its built-in stuff sack and packs all the way down to a palm-sized wad that’s just a bit bit greater 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 offers loads of help for again and abdomen sleepers, however aspect sleepers ought to discover a thicker air pillow to sleep in an ergonomically appropriate 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.
Nonetheless, sleeping on his aspect 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 suggest. Our tester’s neck clearly slanted downhill when making an attempt to sleep on this pillow on his aspect, which may trigger knots, kinks, and pressure 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 assessment 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 further steps appear pointless and make it more durable to dial in your most popular 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 typically popped out once we laid down, releasing all of the air.
The built-in stuff sack will be onerous to search out, because it’s hidden contained in the pillow’s cozy lining. These items sack helps the Fillo Elite Large obtain a powerful packed measurement, nevertheless it takes some persistence cramming to get the pillow stuffed into that ambitiously tight house. General, the pillow’s design is okay, nevertheless it’s excessive upkeep in comparison with tenting pillows from different main manufacturers.
Ought to You Purchase the NEMO Fillo Elite Large Pillow?
If you happen to’re doing extra backpacking than automobile tenting, the Elite Large model of the favored Fillo Pillow is a transparent improve over the unique Fillo. On the identical time, it’s most likely not the best choice for aspect sleepers – who will doubtless need a thicker, extra supportive backpacking pillow.
We like this pillow as a light-weight, snug, and supportive choice for again sleepers and abdomen sleepers who don’t want a thick pillow for further neck help. One among our Gear Analysts clearly most popular the Elite Large to be well worth the little bit of additional weight in comparison with the Fillo Elite. If this pillow matches your mountain climbing model and sleeping model, then it’s a transparent winner.
What Different Tenting Pillows Ought to You Think about?
For extra choices to think about on your sleep system, take a look at our full information to the finest tenting pillows. You may also begin with these related merchandise:
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow Assessment: Are you a side-sleeping backpacker who needs a light-weight pillow with extra help than the Elite Large Pillow? We’d begin with the Aeros Premium, our high air pillow for backpacking.
NEMO Fillo Assessment: Would you quite have a NEMO pillow that leans extra into consolation and help? The unique Fillo isn’t as gentle or packable because the Fillo Elite Large, nevertheless it’s far more comfortable, supportive, and aspect sleeper-friendly.
ExPed Mega Pillow Assessment: 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.
