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Trekology Aluft 2 camping pillow review: the £16 camping hack that actually works

A pillow that fits in your pocket, weighs next to nothing, and transforms your wild camping sleep. And the best part? It costs less than a round at the pub.

By Adrian Wilson

✓  Best Buy Trekology Aluft 2 Pillow RRP£16–£18Weight80gPack sizeTennis ball The good ✓  Super cheap
✓  Excellent one-way valve
✓  Sleeping pad strap included
✓  Remarkably durable
✓  Packs to nothing
The not-so-good ✗  Nothing — seriously
Check price →

At a glance

Buy the Trekology Aluft 2 on Amazon →

Overview

Trekology isn't exactly a household name, but within the budget outdoor gear scene they're a cult favourite. Based in Portland, Oregon, they make low-cost gear specifically designed for backpackers and travellers. We've used a handful of their products over the years, but the Aluft 2 pillow is far and away our favourite.

Designed for campers who want to shave grams without sacrificing comfort, the Trekology Aluft 2 weighs just 80g, packs down to about the size of a tennis ball, and costs between £16–£18. Inflate it in three breaths, strap it to your sleeping pad, and you're sorted.

On the high end, you've got the Sea to Summit Aeros — similar function with a slicker valve system but no strap, and at over double the price. Go luxe and Zenbivy's modular pillow system takes things to another level, but it'll cost you around £60. In that mix, the Aluft 2 still stands out: cheap, compact, and surprisingly effective.

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How we tested

We've been using this pillow for over five years now. Our first one joined the kit cupboard and since then we've gone through a few — not because any of them failed, but because they've been gifted to friends, lost on trails, or deliberately doubled up for extra comfort on longer trips. That kind of longevity from a pillow that costs under £20 is rare.

We've taken the Aluft 2 bikepacking through the Scottish Highlands, fastpacking across the Brecon Beacons, and backpacking along the South West Coast Path. It's been a faithful sleep companion on sweaty summer bivvies in the Lake District and brutally cold -10°C overnights on Dartmoor. In every situation, it's done exactly what we needed it to do.

Features and performance

The valve

The valve on the Aluft 2 is one of the best we've used on an inflatable pillow — regardless of price point. You blow into it like any standard valve, but a clever one-way mechanism means no air escapes between breaths. You can even fine-tune the firmness mid-inflation by pressing gently to release a puff of air if you've overdone it. When it's time to deflate, the same valve works in reverse — push the button and the whole thing collapses in seconds.

The surface and strap

The top is finished in a soft, almost velvety fabric that feels genuinely decent against your skin — no tacky, plasticky feel, no loud crinkling. If you're a side-sleeper or a toss-and-turner, that kind of consistency matters more than you might think.

The strap is arguably the single best feature. A simple fabric band loops around your sleeping pad and clicks in place with a button fastening — and once it's on, your pillow stays exactly where you want it all night. We've used it with everything from ultralight inflatable mats to chunky insulated ones, and it's never failed us.

"After over five years of testing across dozens of trips, we're still using ours. That's the best endorsement we can give."

Quick tipDeflate on the moveThe Aluft 2 compresses down to smaller than a tennis ball — small enough to tuck into a hip belt pocket or the top of your sleeping bag compression sack. We've stuffed it into down jacket pockets on summit days when camping bag space was tight.

How it performs in the UK

Here in the UK, the Aluft 2 has been through it all — warm summer nights in the Lake District, misty bivvies in the Brecon Beacons, howling winds on the North York Moors and snowy wild camps on Dartmoor. Across all of that, it's stayed dependable. No leaks. No deflations. No fuss. It's become our default — our go-to pillow for almost every wild camp, backpacking trip, or lightweight adventure we head out on.

Buy the Trekology Aluft 2 on Amazon →

Comparison with rivals

The Sea to Summit Aeros is the natural step up — a slicker valve system and similar pack size, but no strap and at more than double the price. For ultralight gram-counting, it makes sense. For everyone else, the Aluft 2 is the smarter buy. At the top end, Zenbivy's clip-in pillow system is extraordinary but costs around £60 and only works with the Zenbivy sheet — overkill if you're not using a Zenbivy bed. The Aluft 2 works with absolutely everything.

Our verdict One of the most-recommended bits of kit we own — and it costs less than a takeaway. This is one of those rare bits of gear we've recommended to basically everyone we know. New campers, fastpackers, seasoned wild campers on a budget — the Trekology Aluft 2 suits them all. Comfortable, durable, packs down to nothing, and costs less than a takeaway. Is it the plushest pillow you'll ever use? No. But that's not the point. At this price, it's almost silly not to bring it along. Buy now →

FAQs

How comfortable is the Trekology Aluft 2 pillow?Surprisingly comfortable for something so compact. The soft, velvety fabric feels genuinely pleasant against your skin — no plasticky stickiness or rustling — and the slightly curved shape cradles your neck and head far better than you'd expect at this price. For wild camping, fastpacking and ultralight backpacking, the Aluft 2 absolutely gets the job done.

How durable is the Trekology Aluft 2 pillow?Very. We've used multiple Aluft 2 pillows over five years and never had one burst or leak. The valve system is solid, the materials don't feel cheap, and it holds air reliably all night long — even after repeated use.

How easy is the Trekology Aluft 2 to use?Extremely easy. Inflate the Aluft 2 in 3–4 breaths using the one-way valve, press the button to deflate, and roll it up into its stuff sack. The included strap keeps the pillow in place on your sleeping mat throughout the night.

Is the Trekology Aluft 2 worth the money?Absolutely. At £16–£18, the Aluft 2 is one of the best value-for-money camping pillows available. For the weight, packability and comfort it provides, it's a no-brainer for anyone spending nights outdoors.