I have over 30 years backpacking experience, starting with Scouting as a youth. I am currently the High Adventure Leader for a Scout Troop. I try to get out once or twice a month, plus at least one week-long trek each year. My trips are of two types. First, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and generally use a lightweight approach on these typically solo trips. Other trips with family involve more traditional backpacking equipment. Terrain varies from sea level to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), desert to mountain, and trail to cross country, occasionally including snow travel.

This is the second of three reports of the FlexAir Pillows based on use over two months. My first report described the headlamp in more detail.

Product Description:

FlexAir Disposable Pillows www.flexair.com
Manufactured by Little Rapids Corporation www.littlerapids.com
Received new April 18, 2006
Inflatable, adjustable, disposable pillow
Nonwoven poly fabric with a soft finish
Three models:

FlexAir 150 FlexAir 240 Plus FlexAir Dual-Chambered
Size per manufacturer 14.5 x 10.5 in (36.8 x 26.7 cm) 19 x 12.5 in (48.3 x 31.8 cm) N/A
Size as measured (uninflated) 14.5 x 10.5 in (36.8 x 26.7 cm) 18.9 x 12.5 in (48.0 x 31.8 cm) 18.9 x 12.5 in (48.0 x 31.8 cm)
Approx. measured height (fully inflated) 5 in (12.7 cm) 7 in (17.8 cm) 4 in (10.2 cm)
Weight, measured 0.6 oz (18 g) 0.8 oz (25 g) 1.1 oz (32 g)
Weight limit 50 lb (23 kg) 150 lb (68 kg) N/A
MSRP (USD) $26.71/case of 50 $36.17/case of 50 N/A

FlexAir 150 and 240 Plus (top) and Dual-Chambered (bottom). Fully inflated (more than necessary).

Field Test:

I have used one or more of these pillows on several overnight trips as well as extensively both at home and on road trips. Most trips were in the foothills of Southern California, elevation 750 to 4,000 feet (200 to 1,200 meters), temperatures 40 to 85 degrees F (4 to 29 C).

Inflation: Inflating these pillows is very easy, like a breath of fresh air. The smaller pillow takes just one large puff of air, as do each chamber of the Dual-Chambered model. The larger pillow takes just a couple more, depending on how firm I want the pillow, but nothing to get winded about.

Rather than the typical valve found on inflatable pool floats, the valve is located deep inside the pillow, and opened by inserting a regular drinking straw into it. When the straw is removed, the valve closes by itself. This eliminates getting poked with the valve. I have found I don't even need the straw for inflation. I just blow firmly into the pillow and, poof, it inflates.

Deflating the pillows in the morning is almost as easy. Just insert the straw and squeeze the air out. It takes me just a couple seconds and the pillow is ready to be packed.

Comfort: My sleeping style is diverse. I like to occupy as much ground as possible and toss and turn to keep my muscles in shape for the next day's hike. I usually end up sleeping on my side, but need a pillow most when sleeping on my back reading in bed.

I have found that I am most comfortable when I inflate these pillows just enough so my head is supported just barely off the ground. When fully inflated, the pillows are bouncy and my head slid off easily when I moved. Still, even when just lightly inflated, when I roll to one side of one of the single-chambered pillows and the air is squeezed to the other side, the pillow sometimes pops out from under me. Wrapping the pillow in something like a jacket helps. I did find that using the pillow inside the hood of my mummy bag did partially solve this problem, as the pillow (and the air inside) was confined by the sides of the hood.

The Dual-Chambered pillow quickly became my favorite. With my head nestled in the low spot, and my neck supported by the nearest chamber, the squirminess of the other pillows was greatly reduced. I found the Dual-Chambered pillow useful whether sleeping on my side or my back, although it was a bit low for reading in bed on my back.

The pillows also worked fairly well as a body pillow between my knees. Because of some lower back problems, I find that using a pillow in this manner greatly increases my comfort.

Another use: I found that the small pillow works great as lumbar support in my truck. I can inflate it just right to support my lower back on long drives. There is some of the same squirminess when moving, especially during hard cornering, but it works very well without causing any pressure points.

Fabric: The manufacturer says the pillow has a a soft finish that "is comfortable against the ... skin." My comfort seems to depend on weather conditions. The fabric is not breathable (really!), so when the night is warmer or the humidity is higher, it is a bit uncomfortable. Wrapping the pillow in some extra clothing makes a big difference for me.

The fabric does absorb a bit of water when wet, but not enough to be a problem. In most conditions, they dried quickly.

Noise: As this is essentially a plastic pillow, it can be noisy. I found the crinkling and rustling to be annoying. Sometimes it was enough to take a little longer to fall asleep. Wrapping the pillow in a piece of clothing helps some, but does not eliminate it. I will admit I need quiet to sleep.

Durability: While these pillows are sold as disposable, they are claimed to be reusable. After about a dozen nights use over two months, the fabric shows only a slight shine from loss of a little flocking, and the seams and valves all are intact.

I have only experienced noticable loss of air in one pillow once. On a drive from California to Arizona, I used the smallest pillow as lumbar support for my lower back. I had inflated the pillow near sea level, and the highway climbed to 4,000 feet and then dropped back to sea level. When I stopped driving, I noticed the pillow was almost flat. Whether it lost air from atmospheric pressure caused by elevation changes, or whether air leaked past the valve when I squished the air that direction when adjusting my driving position or cornering, I do not know. I have had not loss of air during any overnight use while sleeping.

Next: In addition, this summer I am planning at least one week-long hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in Northern California. Elevations will range to 9,000 feet (2,700 meters). Temperatures 30 to 90 degrees (-1 to +32 C) with a chance of rain.

My tests will include continued review of the points covered in this report, with special attention to durability. In addiiton, I would like to see if cold air moves under my head while sleeping in colder temperatures. So far, temperatures have not been low enough to test this factor.

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Field Report

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