By Eric Alexander

ONWEGO®️ has sent me two pillows to test and review.  It is getting cold out so I will have to hold off on an actual field test, but I can tell you what I know from a first look.

The first model is the ONWEGO® Self-Inflating Travel Pillow, MSRP $29.99 (sale price $23.99). I categorize this a Glamping pillow. It's a bit large for bikepacking, but the size and comfort make it perfect for car camping. Fully inflated, this pillow is 20 X 12 inches.  Rolled up and stored in the supplied sack, it measures 6 X 6 inches and weighs 298 grams. Getting the pillow ready for use is very simple. If you are familiar with any self-inflating sleeping pad, this works the same way.  You unscrew the valve and let it fill until the padding inside puffs up. If you are short on time, you can fill it with your own breath. It takes about two good breaths to fill the pillow. 

The second model is the ONWEGO® ‘Soft-Top’ Inflatable Backpacking, Camping, Travel Pillow, MSRP $39.99 (sale price $24.99).  This pillow is perfect for packing in a pannier or seat bag for a bike trip. With its light weight and small size (4 X 4 X 3 inches), the pillow adds comfort in a compact package. To fill this pillow you use an big valve similar to a beach mat, it takes about two breaths to fill it to 15X12 inches and depending on how much air you can adjust firmness.  This pillow has a built in case that is velour on one side it’s very soft and comfortable. The case also has a pouch that stores the packed pillow attached to it so it will not get lost when in use.

You can purchase both pillows and other ultralight gear on the website https://onwego.com

I'll provide an update after a bikepacking trip along with a write-up on their sleeping pads (coming soon). 

Next week, I'll share a bikepacking buyer's guide for the upcoming holiday season. If you have a person in your life that wants to get started bikepacking or wants to add to their gear, check back to The Chainlink for my next installment.

Eric Alexander is The Chainlink's gravel and adventure contributor. We first encountered Eric a few years back on the final stretch of a particularly windy, cold, and rainy gravel ride called the Dirty Mudd'r. Since then, he's proven time and time again, when the going gets tough and you're deep into a difficult day in the saddle, he's definitely someone you want pedaling by your side. Eric participates/competes in various endurance riding events as a member of Team Twin Six.