Forclaz MT500 inflatable pillow

Okay okay okay before I begin, this was totally an indulgence item in an otherwise very lightweight sleep set up. But, absolutely no regrets. Other cycle tourists make do with a lot less, but with us wild camping up to 30 days in a row, having a snuggly pillow means the world to me. I’m also not fussy about where my gear comes from as long as it does the job, and this spontaneous Decathlon purchase went the distance!

The Forclaz MT500 inflatable pillow comes as two components – an inner inflatable pillow, and an outer cushioned cloth pillow case.

What I Loved:

• Comfort: This pillow is way more comfortable than I what I was expecting considering it’s inflatable. I found that the trick is to not blow it up the whole way, and instead just inflate it enough that it’s still got a bit of softness. This makes it perfect for cushioning the head and moving around to different positions in the night.
• Separate Pillow Case: one word – WASHABLE – yes please. Massie, massive fan, this is the one thing that I think really sets it apart. After a few nights in a row of wild camping, this is always one of the first things to go into the washing machine. It also has a soft inner lining so you don’t feel like you’re sleeping on a unbreathable, polyester balloon. It fits very snugly on the pillow itself, and there’s no chance of it slipping around or falling off, even with the most restless sleeper.
• Compact & Lightweight: Yeah, it’s not the smallest pillow on the market, but I still managed to fit mine in with my sleeping bag stuff sack, so it doesn’t feel like it’s taking up much room at all in my pannier bag. For the extra comfort, it’s worth the extra grams to me.
• Durable: I’ve tossed this thing around a fair bit, and it’s held up. No leaks, no punctures, and the material feels sturdy.

What I Didn’t Mind:

• Noise: Some people mention it makes noise when you shift around? I really didn’t really notice this at all.
• Size/Plushness: Okay, so it’ll never beat a traditional pillow in these departments, but that’s kind of the trade-off of an inflatable, right? It’s lightweight and portable, so you’re trading a bit of plushness for packability. Personally, I didn’t mind it at all, I got used to the size after a couple of nights on it.
• Price: For the quality and comfort, I actually thought it was really reasonably priced at $25USD. Definitely worth it if you want something that’ll last and won’t let you down on your trips.