The Best System Pillows for that Mattress

Sleeping Well at a Festival: Pillows, Mattresses and Campsite Comfort

Choosing a pillow that suits your mattress matters just as much in a tent as it does at home. A few nights of dub, dancehall and sound system sessions are far more enjoyable when you actually sleep between them. The basic rule is simple: the firmer and thicker your sleeping surface, the less loft your pillow needs. The softer and thinner the surface, the more support your head and neck require to stay in line with your spine.

Matching pillow to mattress type

• Air mattresses: These tend to sag towards the middle, especially once the night air cools them. A medium-height pillow with some structure usually works better than a very soft one. Check the inflation before bed, because air beds often lose firmness overnight.
• Self-inflating mats: They are thinner and firmer. Side sleepers usually need a fuller pillow to fill the gap between shoulder and ear. Back sleepers can often use a flatter one.
• Foam camping mattresses: These give even support, so a standard pillow from home often feels right. It is also a comfortable choice if you have the space in the car.
• Thin roll mats: Expect a hard surface. A compressible pillow with adjustable fill lets you add or remove loft as needed.

Practical tips for campsite nights

Inflatable travel pillows pack small, but they can feel slippery and warm. A soft cover or a folded T-shirt over the top helps. Memory foam pillows stiffen in cold temperatures, so on chilly mornings a synthetic fill may feel more comfortable. Keep your pillow inside the sleeping bag or off the tent floor so it doesn't absorb dew. Earplugs and an eye mask are worth packing alongside it, since music and early light rarely stop on a festival field.

If you have ongoing neck or back pain, ask a doctor or physiotherapist which sleeping position and support would suit you best. For pitching, ground conditions and what to bring, see our camping information. Our guides have more advice for festival weekends.