The Yukon Outfitters Prolite Pillow is more accurately described as an insulated, self-inflating, multi-use pillow. This was another surprise gear review opportunity from YO with a product they were adapting for their new line of hammock gear.
Yukon Outfitters Prolite Pillow
- Manufacturer: Yukon Outfitters, made in China
- MSRP: US$24.99
Available Features/Specifications
Features and Specifications
- Soft synthetic fill
- Inflatable design (variable fill for custom comfort)
- Lightweight and compact
- Inflates to 16×12 in (40.5×30.5 cm)
- Stuff sack: 9×4 in (23×10 cm)
- Durable ripstop shell
- Includes bungee cord with Clip
- Twist valve
- 210T diamond polyester TPU
Weight
- 8 oz (227 g)
Product Description
The Prolite pillow is a self-inflating insulated camp pillow that has attachments to work with a hammock. The pillow can be used anywhere, of course, and can be used as a sit pad or knee pad. The outer shell is somewhat stiff, but the overall design is what you might expect from a Therm-a-Rest pad.
Recommendations and Review
The Prolite pillow is actually pretty competitive for its class. The self-inflating yet inflatable (by blowing into the valve) design allows for quick inflation and immediate use. It packs down pretty small. In my use, I hardly used the stuff sack, preferring to deflate it and stick it at the bottom of my pack flat.
One of the first things I did was cover the pillow with a pillowcase. I seem to always carry a microfiber head buff—a tube of fabric that has multiple uses. I find the shell on the pillow a little stiff and plastic, but adding that microfiber pillowcase makes all the difference in feel. The pillow itself is very warm and comfortable.
I don’t always use a pillow when I sleep in a hammock, but when I do, my preference is for a neck pillow, or a pillow with no back but has side panels. This is because I find the hammock does a good job of supporting the back of my head, but I do like having something to rest the side of my head on. With that, I don’t find the Prolite very comfortable in a hammock unless it is deflated almost entirely. The insulation makes it a great addition for cold or winter camping. I just don’t use it fully inflated. My wife and kids, on the other hand, love pillows in their hammock and this pillow is often fought over.
Quality and Craftsmanship
The design is basic, but it does the job well. The insulation is a really nice feature and makes this pillow a good option for cold weather. Because of its durable and sturdy construction, it works well as a sit pad or knee pad. I often used the pillow as a sit pad, insulating my backside from getting cold.
Best Fit
If you are a pillow person, this pad may be a great fit. I would recommend getting a pillow case. The included shock cord is a great addition for hammock campers because it prevents the pillow from sliding to the center of the hammock.
Disclosure of material connection: The author (Derek Hansen) was provided with a free sample from the manufacturer for testing and evaluation purposes. The comments in this post (written & spoken) are of my own opinion, which I formed after personally handling the gear. I was under no obligation to publish a review of this item.
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