So I finally caved and bought a $40 inflatable pillow after years of using a stuff sack
I always figured it was a dumb luxury item, but after a weekend in the Adirondacks where my neck was wrecked, I gave one a shot. The difference in sleep was honestly huge, and it packs down to the size of a soda can. What's a piece of gear you thought was pointless until you actually tried it?
My old camp pillow was a rolled-up fleece for a decade. I called those fancy ones a total scam until a friend made me try hers at Joshua Tree. Now I'm a convert who feels pretty dumb about all those lumpy nights.
Honestly the rolled up fleece thing still works for me. Those fancy pillows take up too much room in the pack and they never stay put. I woke up with mine on the ground half the time. I'll stick with my jacket in a stuff sack, it's free and it works.