• COVID-19 Park and Trail Closures
  • Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
  • Shop
  •  

SoCal Hiker

  • Find a Hiking Trail
    • All Areas
    • Arizona
    • Colorado
    • Los Angeles
    • Orange County
    • Oregon
    • San Francisco Bay
    • Washington
  • Trail Guides
  • Six-Pack of Peaks
    • Colorado Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Bergen Peak
      • Rocky Mountain
      • Birthday Peak
      • Horseshoe Mountain
      • Grays Peak
    • New England Six-Pack of Peaks
    • NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mount Umunhum
      • Mount Saint Helena
      • Mount Tamalpais
      • Mount Diablo
      • Mount Sizer
      • Rose Peak
    • Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Tumalo Mountain
      • Black Butte
      • Black Crater
      • Maiden Peak
      • Mount Bachelor
      • South Sister
    • SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mt. Wilson
      • Cucamonga Peak
      • Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy)
      • San Bernardino Peak
      • San Jacinto Peak
      • San Gorgonio
  • Backpacking
    • High Sierra Trail
    • John Muir Trail
      • Overview of the John Muir Trail
      • Training
      • Day-by-Day Itinerary
      • Resupply Addresses
      • JMT Discussion Forum
    • Lost Coast Trail
    • North/South Lake Loop
    • Rae Lakes Loop
    • Red Peak Pass Loop
    • Theodore Solomons Trail
    • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear
  • Forums
    • Latest Topics
    • Ask a Question
    • Campfire
    • Trails
    • Trail Reports
    • Gear Wisdom
    • Classifieds
  • Login

How to Use a Buff as a Backpacking Pillow

May 21, 2014 By Jeff H 3 Comments

Buff - the Perfect Backpacking Pillow

I love my Buff. It’s the multi-purpose headwear that can be a neck gaitor, a face mask, a headband and a about a dozen other configurations. I’ve worn my Buff on the Trans-Catalina Trail and the John Muir Trail. But not until a recent backpacking trip did I learn that a Buff could also become the perfect backpacking pillow.

I had been using a Thermarest fleece pillow case. It’s fairly small and light, and you can stuff your jacket inside. But when you’re backpacking, you want every piece of gear you bring to do as much as possible, so you have less weight to carry. Curt Cragg — the organizer of the JMT JAM 2014 shared his awesome tip for using a Buff as a pillow case.

Here’s how it’s done:

What You Need

 

You’ll need a Buff and a jacket. I’m using my Marmot fleece.

Steps 1-2

Fold your jacket up into a rectangular bundle and insert it into the Buff. The stretchy material of the Buff helps hold everything in place.

 

Sleep Well!

That’s really all there is to it! It’s a quick and easy tip that’s more comfortable than a nylon stuff sack, and more efficient than a separate pillow case.

Finished Buff pillow

The Buff might just be the perfect backpacking pillow.

The Perfect Backcountry Pillow

Got any other great Buff tips? Share them in the comments below.

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: Backpacking, buff, tips

Like what you found here at SoCal Hiker? This site is a labor of love. Share your support for the site and help us development of new trail guides and expanded coverage -- make your next outdoor equipment purchase through our advertisers.

You can also subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Denise says

    May 26, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    YES. I got a buff last Christmas and knew this sucker was going to be handy, so much more comfy then my nylon stuff sack.

    Reply
  2. Backcountry Beauty (@BackcntryBeauty) says

    June 15, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    Another ingenious use for a Buff! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  3. Ange says

    June 19, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    I love this idea but maybe I will stuff with something other than my fleece jacket I like to sleep in that 🙂 in a pinch without a buff if you have a hoodie you can fold the body part and insert it into the hood if there’s drawstrings bonus cinch er in!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Denise Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About SoCal Hiker

Jeff on Mount Rainier

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking and backpacking trails with enough detail to make it an enjoyable experience for you. And while I started with trails in Southern California, I’ve expanded across the west. We hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more…

Connect with SoCal Hiker

  • 22,158 Fans
  • 12,066 Followers
  • 21,640 Followers
  • 1,714 Followers
  • 5,308 Subscribers
  • 338 Subscribers
SoCalHiker was selected one of USA TODAY's 10 Best Hiking and Outdoor Blogs
Get our day-by-day guide to thru-hiking the John Muir Trail
Get up-to-day wildfire status throughout California

Products

  • Mount Baldy T-Shirt $23.00 – $27.00
  • San Bernardino Peak T-Shirt $23.00 – $25.00
  • All the Paths T-Shirt $26.50 – $28.00
  • San Bernardino Peak Mug San Bernardino Peak Mug $15.95

Sponsors

Sponsor SoCalHiker and see your banner here

Featured Posts

Hiking Black Butte from the Lower Trailhead

Black Butte is an iconic mountain that stands alone, prominent and proud. The 6,436' … [Read More...]

Hiking Monserate Mountain

A popular hike in north-inland San Diego County, Monserate Mountain provides a good … [Read More...]

Hiking Sutton Mountain

Sutton Mountain gives you a sense of just how big Oregon is. Nestled between the … [Read More...]

Lastest Comments

  • jen on Hiking Quartz Peak in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness
  • Marlene on Ridgeline Loop to Barbara’s Lake
  • Jen Davies on Hiking Mitchell Canyon to Mount Diablo
  • Brandon on Muir Monday: One Touch of Nature Makes the Whole World Kin
  • Shannon on Hiking to Mount Saint Helena
Get your SoCalHiker stickers now

Get your SoCalHiker stickers!

Latest Posts

  • Hiking Black Butte from the Lower Trailhead May 24, 2022
  • Hiking Monserate Mountain May 6, 2022
  • Hiking Sutton Mountain April 25, 2022
  • Hiking Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park December 21, 2021
  • Hiking Corte Madera in the Pine Creek Wilderness December 17, 2021

Recent Forum Topics

  • All about permits for newcomers
  • 1st overnight backpack trip with my son
  • JMT NOBO from Red Cones to Happy isles – how many days?
  • Early Spring SoCal Backpacking
  • Logistics for Kearsarge TH to Crescent Meadow TH

The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series

Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge SeriesThe Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series gives you an opportunity to explore your world while supporting a great cause. There are eleven challenges around the country. Hike or run them at your own schedule.

Flex your adventure muscles!

Learn more here.

 

Search

Tags

3-6 miles 6-8 miles 8-10 miles 11+ miles Arizona Backpacking coastal dog-friendly easy family-friendly High Sierra Trail hiking Hiking The John Muir Trail hipster inspiration JMT John Muir John Muir Trail Kings Canyon National Park LA County moderate Mount Rainier National Park Muir Monday National Park Orange County Oregon out of bounds Pacific Crest Trail peak peakbagging quote scenic Sequoia National Park Sierra Nevada Six-Pack of Peaks State Park strenuous Thru-hiking Utah vista Washington waterfall wilderness Wonderland Trail Yosemite

Copyright © 2022 SoCalHiker.net · Metro Theme on Genesis Framework with WPEngine Hosting · Contact SoCal Hiker · Sitemap · Privacy Policy