Well, it was obvious that after mentioning the Ajungilak pillow in my review of the Luxury Lite pillow, I would eventually get round to doing a piece on it.
I bought the Ajungilak Pillow some 3 years ago when I got fed up of lying on a makeshift pillow made of a fleece rammed into a stuff sack. At the time, this little beauty was a massive stride forward for me in terms of weight, comfort and size. At 145grams, it certainly isnt heavy but as I have found out since its not the lightest either.
Ajungilak-Air-Pillow
The pillow itself consists of an inflatable pvc inner that is then covered with a microfleecey-type outer. The outer is machine washable which is certainly useful. The pillow is what I can only describe as a peanut shape (which led my kids to nicknaming it the big yellow peanut) and is a respectable 48cm x 26cm in dimension when inflated. When deflated the pillow will roll down very small and has its own stuff sack and can fit in the palm of your hand.
pillow in its stuff sack
What I like about the Ajungilak pillow is its simplicity and also its comfort. On the downside, weight aside, there are a couple of minor niggles. One is that the pvc inner inflatable part can cause some slight squeaking noises if you are a restless sleeper who turns their head frequently. The second is that the pvc inner is inflated by means of a “blow-up” tube and cap arrangement, much like you find on lilo’s etc. This is fine but perhaps with age the fit has deteriorated and now occasionally the cap pops out if I put too much pressure in the pillow.
Overall, I like the Ajungilak pillow and Mammot do several other versions in the same range if this particular one doesnt float your boat. It does still get an outing now and again and feels reassuringly solid. The back up is that you can still use the fleecy cover as a stuff sack to put clothing in if the inner does pop.
Pro’s
Reasonable price (approx £15)
nice shape and size when inflated
soft feel to outer material
own stuff sack
packs very small
Cons
Reasonable weight but certainly not the lightest
my 3 year old pillow has developed a disliking for full inflation and can lead to the air stopper popping out
squeaks a little if you are a restless sleeper
Saddlebags and Backpacks - a brewer's outdoor adventures 
Sleeping bag stuff sack and spare clothes do fine. One item removed is 100% of that item removed from the pack weight Dave.
This is very true Martin and shows my decadent side! I need to toughen up
🙂
I’ve never got on with the spare clothes in a stuff sack routine. Mostly because I tend not to carry any spare clothes and the one stuff sack I use isn’t big enough to make a decent sized pillow. I used to use one of these before I bought the NeoAir as I got a good night kip with one. Now however I find myself struggling with the thickness of the NeoAir and a suitable head rest. Last time out I used a rucksack which wasn’t ideal…
I’ve tried a rucksack and it just isnt comfy. I have also tried going without and I end up with a blocked nose. Alas I think I will forever have to be a slave to my pillow…..
I’m with you on that.
Might have to buy the longer NeoAir (more weight -grr!) not to mention the cost 😦
they are a cost and in the end I plumped for a small neoair. If I had the money I probably would get a medium or standard as well…….
I could always still get the POE Thermoether mat….much cheaper as a midweight long option……
My friend use to present a Local TV series about history stuff. He told me of a story about a new highland clan leader who took his men on a cattle raid to prove he was as hard as his father. The first night they all bedded down and he used a stone for a pillow. Come the morning apparently lots of the men had gone. He asked why? It seemed the pillow was seen as soft and the men thought he was a big girl needing one compared to his father who never needed a stone pillow. I don’t know if it is a true tale – but I do know we like our comforts. Full length air pads and the like. Hamish Brown had no sleeping mat for his Munro walk. I love my full length NeoAir.
great story, whether true or not…. 🙂
In the summer I can manage nicely with the Gossamer Gear Thinlight and the pillow but come the autumn etc…. Besides which, I dont like to suffer for my art, so if I can chop down weight in many areas it allows me the lattitude to take one or two “luxury” items
F*ck I’m gonna leave the inflatible pillow at home and carry a rock instead 🙂
😉
ah but a rock is a tad heavy now isnt it Baz…?
🙂
Not pumice stone. And it’s multifuntional – you can use it on the rough spots on your feet 🙂
A rock is always available at your wildcamp in the Highlands Baz. They had only bracken for bedding and the clothes they wore for warmth back then. How little do we need to have on a backpack? Comfort and civilisation. A debate on its own.
Baz, you can use the rock to chuck at people too¬
Martin, bracken and heather (the plant not some girl) too are surprisingly warm and comfy to sleep on. I have had one or two bivvy nights tucked in amongst the spongy vegetation !
We carry scaled down versions of our homes on our backs. Modern materials mean we can get away with less and have increased comfort from what we carry. In those distant times there was no different on what they slept on only where; on the hill or in a stone built ‘tent’ that was their base.