A pillow is far from a necessity for your survival kit.
But that doesn`t mean it`s not a nice addition. Although balling up a jacket is a semi-comfortable alternative, nothing beats sleeping with an actual pillow in the wilderness.
At just 3 ounces packed, the Snugpak Basecamp Ops Air Pillow provides a whole lot of comfort without adding hardly any weight to your rucksack. Not only is it lightweight, but it packs down to just 4 x 4 inches. You won`t have to sacrifice any of your other survival gear to bring this pillow along.
I`ve used this Snugpak air pillow several times myself. I`ve even tested it head-to-head with a handful of other camping pillows to see which I think is best.
Here`s what you need to know about the Snugpak Basecamp Ops Air Pillow for camping.
Quick Thoughts
I love that this inflatable pillow is so lightweight and compact.
It`s comparable in size/weight to other backpacking pillows that cost a whole lot more. You`ll barely notice the Basecamp Air Pillow in your pack.
Like most inflatable camp pillows, you can easily adjust this Snugpak pillow`s firmness to your preferences. It`s just as comfortable rock hard as it is with a little forgiveness.
At just 4 x 4 inches when packed down (a stuff sack is included), the fully inflated pillow clocks in at a surprisingly large 18 x 10 x 3 inches.
This Snugpak pillow is also incredibly durable a must for survival, especially for long periods of time.
Finally, it holds air well. Inflate it before bed and it will still be fully inflated in the morning. You can even go a couple of days without reinflation with minimal air loss.
Pros and Cons of Snugpak Basecamp Ops Air Pillow
I`m a big fan of this Snugpak air pillow. I recommend it to all campers, backpackers, and survivalists looking for a lightweight camp pillow, although it does have a few minor negatives.
What I Like About the Basecamp Air Pillow
A few of the things I like most about this survival pillow include:
- Small Packed Size This air pillow is just 4 x 4 inches when packed.
- Lightweight The Basecamp OPS Air Pillow weighs just 3 ounces so you`ll barely notice it in your backpack.
- Comfortable The pillow is large and comfortable. It`s easy to adjust the firmness to your personal preferences. The pillow is great for side sleepers and back sleepers.
- Durable Like all of Snugpak`s products, this one is built to last, even with heavy use.
- Affordable The Snugpak air pillow is remarkably affordable, especially compared to other backpacking pillows in a similar weight class.
What I Dislike About the Basecamp Air Pillow
A few of the things I don`t like about this survival pillow include:
- Crinkly Sound This isn`t the quietest air pillow in the world. There is a slight crinkly sound when you move around on it. An easy fix is to wrap your jacket around the pillow before use.
- Too Big for Some Hoods This air pillow is a little too large to fit completely inside the hoods of some mummy-style backpacking sleeping bags.
Snugpak Basecamp Ops Air Pillow Specs and Features
Here are the most important features and specs for this Snugpak Air Pillow:
| Weight: 3 Ounces | Packed Size: 4 x 4 Inches |
| Full Size: 18 x 10 x 3 Inches | 30D Stretch Fabric w/ TPU Coating |
| Inflate by Mout | Comes with Storage Bag |
Visit Snugpak.com to learn more about the Basecamp Ops Air Pillow`s features and specifications.
My Experience with this Snugpak Air Pillow
Most survivalists do without a pillow in their survival kits.
A pillow isn`t by any means necessary for your survival. You`ll get by just fine by folding up your jacket or using your pack as a pillow.
But that doesn`t mean a quality air pillow doesn’t have its place in wilderness survival.
Personally, I much prefer using an inflatable pillow over balling up my jacket. And since the Snugpak Basecamp OPS weighs just 3 ounces, it`s really not adding much weight at all to your backpack.
I`ve taken this Snugpak air pillow both car camping and backpacking. I`ve been quite happy with the results.
It`s quite comfortable and easy to adjust to your personal firmness preferences. It`s quick and easy to inflate and deflate. It comes with a compression sack for easy storage.
Like all Snugpak products, the Basecamp Air Pillow is super tough. The materials and craftsmanship are both of noticeably high quality. This is a very durable camp pillow that holds up to all the wear and tear you can throw at it.
I particularly like this camp pillow`s shape, size, and exterior texture. It`s large and square with a soft outer texture that doesn`t stick to your head at night.
Although this air pillow is awesome for most camping uses, it`s too large to fit in the hood of some mummy sleeping bags.
Is the Snugpak Basecamp Air Pillow Right for You?
I recommend the Snugpak Basecamp OPS to all campers and backpackers looking for a lightweight camp pillow.
It`s just as good if not better than the vast majority of camping pillows on the market.
I also recommend this inflatable camp pillow to preppers for use in a survival kit, bug-out bag, or to stash at your bug-out location.
As I`ve mentioned several times, a pillow is completely unnecessary in a survival situation. But it`s definitely nice to have a little extra comfort in times of uncertainly. And the Basecamp Ops Air Pillow does provide that.
Alternatives to the Snugpak Air Pillow
The Snugpak Basecamp OPS Air Pillow is a fantastic camping pillow but it`s far from your only option.
I`ve also recently tested out the Therm-a-Rest Air Pillow, Cocoon Camp Pillow, Nemo Fillo Pillow, and the REI Camp Pillow.
In all honesty, there`s not much differences between all of these pillows, except for minor differences in weight, materials, and comfort.
Out of those five camp pillows, I believe the Snugpak is best for survivalists and preppers, although any of them will work well for camping and backpacking.
But what really helps the Snugpak Basecamp Air Pillow stand out from the pack is just how cheap it is comparatively. You can buy it for just under $20 while most other camping pillows in its class cost at least twice that.
What`s the Verdict?
In my opinion, the Snugpak Basecamp OPS Air Pillow is one of the best camping pillows available today, especially for wilderness survival.
It`s incredibly durable, very comfortable, and super easy to inflate. It packs down small and weighs so little (just 3 ounces) that it won`t take up any space in your backpack. It`s available in three different colors.