Nemo Fillo Initial Review

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This season, I plan on adding a pillow to my backpacking gear list. I have always considered a backpacking pillow to be a luxury item but if you encounter a dangerous situation in the backcountry a well rested mind and body are things you can’t afford to be without. While many backpackers are satisfied with the standard stuff sack full of clothing, my problem is that balled up clothing is simply too hard. After sleeping with my head on a firm surface, I consistently wake up with a headache. This is a problem that I have also encountered at home with bed pillows that are too firm. Since I am tired of starting every day on trail with a headache that often lasts into the afternoon, the search for a backpacking pillow has begun.  I received the NEMO Fillo as a Christmas gift and am excited to give it a try.

This review is my initial impression of the NEMO Fillo. I have removed the pillow’s packaging and explored all of its features but I have not taken it on a backpacking trip yet. (Although I may or may not have taken it for a test nap on my sleeping pad on my living room floor!) Stay tuned for an updated review once I have taken the Fillo on a few backcountry trips.

NEMO Equipment is a New Hampshire based gear company known for innovative, lightweight design that has been around since the early 2000’s. Their Fillo is a combination foam and inflatable pillow. It consists of an approximately three inch high baffled air chamber topped with about an inch of memory foam. The removable cover is microfiber on the top with nylon on the bottom and comes in 5 colors. The color I have is called moss green.

NEMO advertises the dimensions of the pillow as 17” x 11” x 4” and the packed dimensions as 5.9” long x 3.9” in diameter. The claimed weight of the Fillo is 9 ounces. I measured my inflated Fillo to be about 9” x 15”. I inflated the pillow to slightly less than capacity to allow some give beneath my head and it measured at about 4.5” high. With the pillow packed, I measured the stuff sack at about 8” long but I am sure that I could compress it further if needed. It weighed in at 9.17 ounces on my scale.

NEMO Fillo Pros Upon Initial Review

That memory foam!

I was looking for something soft and I found it. In my opinion, the comfort of the memory foam layer cannot be matched by standard inflatable pillows. I also think that the foam helps to cut down on the noise that is often an issue with inflatable pillows and sleeping pads.

Machine washable cover

This is a must for an item that you lay your dirty, sweaty, hiker head on. The memory foam is in its own mesh bag inside the pillow and can be hand washed separately.

Attached stuff sack

The stuff sack is attached to the inside of the pillow’s cover. In reality I will probably roll the Fillo up inside my sleeping bag or pad to save time and space. If you do plan on using the stuff sack, however, the fact that you can’t lose it is a huge plus.

Easy to use valve

The valve on the Fillo is the same one used on many popular sleeping pads. It allows for easy inflation and quick deflation.

NEMO Fillo Cons Upon Initial Review

Weight

I feel that 9 ounces is a lot for a pillow. It will need to prove exceptionally functional and comfortable in order to stay on my gear list.

Size/bulk

The packed pillow will take up a considerable amount of space in my pack. I will probably leave it flat and roll it up with my sleeping pad to help save space. Inflated, the pillow is also on the larger side and it is rectangular. I tried this out in my Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed which has a large rectangular hood and the Fillo fit perfectly. I actually really love the way that the pillow is nestled inside the hood of my bag. If you are using a standard mummy bag, however, the Fillo may not fit inside and will most likely be sliding around due to its nylon bottom. Many other pillows on the market are shaped to fit inside the hood of a mummy bag.

Height

I am a side sleeper and am hoping that 4 – 4.5” will be enough height for me. Previous versions of the Fillo had elastic cords on the back to hold clothing and boost the height of the pillow but the current model does not include this feature.

Microfiber cover

This one is purely personal preference. I do not care for the feel of microfiber fabric and I am concerned about it being to warm during the summer months. NEMO’s Fillo Elite Ultralight Backpacking Pillow has a cotton jersey cover that I think I would prefer but this model saves weight by eliminating the memory foam layer and is about an inch shorter. I may end up sliding a shirt or sweater over the cover of my Fillo.

Ultimately, I think that the decision regarding the NEMO Fillo will be one of weight versus comfort. I know I will need to include it in my sleep system for several nights before deciding if it works for me. Be sure to check back for a review of the Fillo’s performance in the field.

Have you tried the Fillo? Is there another backpacking pillow you would recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below.