Product Information
Manufacturer: LuxuryLite
Manufacturer URL: http://www.luxurylite.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005
MSRP: $39.00 USD
Country of Manufacture: USA
Color: Black
Listed weight: under 4 oz (100 g)
Actual weight: 3 oz (85 g)
Quoted Dimensions: 19 x 15 x 6 in (48 x 38 x 15 cm)
Measured Dimensions: 18 x 14 in (46 x 36 cm)
Materials Used:
                Pillow - Material used not known.
                Foam - reticulated open-cell
                Bladder - plastic
Features:
                Small pack size
                Large usable size
                Breathable foam and cover
                Ordinary straw is used to inflate/deflate

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Product Overview:
    The Travel Pillow arrived wrapped tightly in plastic shrink wrap with a card giving information about the pillow.  The tightly rolled package was roughly the size of a 12 oz (355 ml) can of soda.  Once I removed the shrink wrap, I unrolled the small package.  I discovered a straw that was folded in half to fit inside the rolled pillow, the pillow cover with reticulated foam padding and air bag inside.    The foam and air bag are accessed through an opening along the top seam.  The opening is 6 in (15 cm) long and held closed by a single snap.
    The valve is a strip of the plastic air bag that  seals on itself.  See the included picture of the valve with the straw inserted.  In order to deflate the air bag, the straw must be inserted into the opening far enough to extend into the air bag.  This requires a straw of at least 8.25 in (21 cm).  A slightly longer straw would make it easier to remove as it would stick out enough to have something to pull on.  To inflate the air bag, simply insert the straw part way into the valve and blow air into the straw.  The height of the pillow can be adjusted by the amount of air blown into the bag.  One thing to note is that the air bag makes a crinkling noise when inflated and moved.  I put some talc inside the pillow cover as LuxuryLite suggests to reduce the noise, but I did not notice any difference.  Will this noise be bothersome while trying to sleep in the back country?  Only time and nights with my head on it will tell.
    The cover is a black synthetic material with a very soft texture.  All seams stitching is tidy and with a heavy thread.  The cover is machine washable or field washable according to LuxuryLite.
    The foam insert is of the open cell variety.  According to LuxuryLite, if the foam starts to stick to itself, I can simply rinse it with water and wring it out, thus restoring its cushioning.

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Testing Conditions:
     Testing locations will be in the San Bernardino, Angeles National Forests, and sections of the Sierra.  I have plans to do sections of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Southern California and Sierra areas as well.   I have plans to do some day hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave Preserve.  Temperatures at night will typically be between 32 degrees F (0 C) and 60 degrees F (15.5 C), but may be colder.  Day time temperatures will range from 50 degrees F (10 C) to 90 degrees F (32 C). Elevation will range from 2200 ft (671 m) to over 10,000 ft (3048 m).  The LuxuryLite Travel Pillow will also see varying terrain and conditions.  The terrain will include the back and side of my head, as well as the backside of my knees.  Conditions will include warm, moist air in the form of breath, and light to moderate precipitation in the form of a good night’s sleep induced drool.

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Things I will be looking for and questions I'll be asking and answering:

1. Is the 18 x 14 in (46 x 36 cm) size large enough that my head does not loll to one side or roll off as well as being small enough to fit inside the hood of my Montbell Alpine Down Hugger #3 sleeping bag?  Will I need to use it under my sleeping bag?
2. What is my preferred pillow height while sleeping on my back and on my side?
   
3. Will the breathable cover and open cell foam soak up whatever drool it may encounter and become “yucky”, or does it repel it?  If it does soak it up, is it easy to rinse out while on the trail?
4. How long will it take for the cover and/or foam to dry?
   
5. The website states that the foam does not hold water and that it can be wrung out and used.  Will the foam degrade and tear if I wring it out?
6. Since I will be using my own breath to inflate the pillow, will the moist air cause a lot of condensation to build up over time inside the air bladder and add weight?
7. Does the air bladder deflate easily, allowing me to repeatedly roll it into a tight package, or does it retain some air and not allow it to roll to its original unused size?
8. Will the valve seal tightly throughout the testing period or will it develop a leak?
9. If my inflation straw gets damaged, is there any other way to inflate the air bag while in the back country?  Do larger diameter straws work better than smaller diameter ones?
   
10. If the air bladder develops a leak while on in the back country, can I stuff articles of clothing inside the cover and under the foam and still be comfortable?
11. And as always, I will report on any observations that I have not mentioned here that may come along during the testing period.

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Things I like:

• Small pack size
• Light weight
• Comfort

Things I didn't like:

• It's noisy when inflated
• It did not come with a strap or something to keep it packed small
  

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Reviewer
Name: Scott Downard
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Email address: rookthepagan@verizon.net
City, State, Country: Apple Valley, California, U.S.
Date: September 22, 2005


Backpacking Background
    As a teenager I did a lot of backpacking and hiking with the Boy Scouts.  After I turned 18 and I left the Scouts I abandoned backpacking.  When I was 28, I started getting interested in backpacking again.  I started buying gear to replace the old stuff from my teenage years.  I hike in the local mountains and desert areas.  I hike mostly in the spring and fall in moderate weather.  Some rain is encountered.  I primarily do day hiking and short term (i.e. one to four nights) backpacking excursions with  some  five day trips.  I like to hike fast and light while backpacking.


I thank Backpackgeartest and LuxuryLite for letting me test this item.