In this Forclaz MT500 Inflatable Backpacking Travel Pillow review, I share insights from over four years of using this compact and durable pillow, revealing how it transformed my sleep during my hiking and mountaineering tours.
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or casual camper, you will want to read about the enduring qualities that make the Forclaz MT500 a reliable and affordable choice for a restful night under the stars.
Key features & benefits
- Inflatable pillow.
- Padded.
- Removable and machine washable cover.
- Pleasant and comfortable.
- Very reliable.
- Easy adjustability.
- Stuff sack included.
- Great price.
What this is about
Before discovering this Forclaz MT500 pillow, I would use my backpack or the stuff sack of my sleeping bag, fill it with my clothing, and use as a pillow.
But trust me, this did not work well, and it would result in neck pain that would follow me all the day, then it would repeat next night and so on.
This small piece of equipment has changed a lot regarding comfort when sleeping outdoors away from my car. I am a side sleeper and stomach sleeper, so having a pillow is essential.
Forclaz in the name of this pillow is a brand that has Decathlon behind it, and Forclaz MT500 describes tens of products (55 as of the moment if writing this text) which you can see on Decathlon site. So the pillow is just one of them.
Materials & construction
There are two pieces here, and this is the inner inflatable pillow which you see in the picture below on the left, and the cover. Of course, you can separate them completely easily.
From their specifications, the inner is a mix of 50% thermoplastic polyurethane and 50% polyester. The cover is a 100% Lyocell, plus a 100% polyurethane foam. The stuff sack is polyester.
Now, what is the Lyocell?
If you follow the link you will realize that Lyocell is a semi-synthetic fabric used as a substitute for cotton or silk, and its main component is cellulose derived from wood.
This technicality aside, from my own experience, this is a very pleasant material, and it is indeed silky on touch. Note that it is very silent as well, no cracking noise when you turn in the bed.
The foam is sewn-in into the upper area of the cover. The whole cover is machine washable, and for the inner inflatable piece use only water for cleaning.
The valve
There is one valve only, and this is perfectly enough, see the picture. It is very reliable and the pillow remains firm and inflated all the night. You inflate the pillow by blowing in up to three times and it is ready.
This is a one-way valve so air cannot escape when you blow it in. But there is a central button in the valve under the lid, see the picture below, which you can use for tiny deflation if you feel that the pillow is too hard. The same button is used for deflation as well.
Note that the cover is with a simple sleeve design, see the picture below, there are no zippers so nothing can go wrong, and I know it from my own years of use.
Please see more in this short video:
Who is this Forclaz Inflatable Hiking Pillow for
Regarding the best use, and from my own personal perspective, this is a piece of equipment to carry in the backpack, or for any other activity where you are not close to your car. This can be also for bicycle or motorbike tours.
If/when I sleep in the car or in a tent next to the car, I always use a standard pillow from home. But on a tour, you will certainly want something smaller and compact when packed, yet large enough to provide a comfortable head support. This is why I carry this pillow.
So for me this is mainly about mountaineering and hiking. The last time I used the pillow is just a few days ago in my February tour reported in a recent post about my Elegear sleeping pad.
Before that I used it in the Slovenian Alps in the Bivak IV where I slept when climbing Skrlatica, and in several other tours in the Italian Alps.
Regarding the size, you will see the numbers below, but bear in mind the following. When I use this Forclaz MT500 pillow with a sleeping bag that has a large hood, I put it simply in the hood. One example is my Crua Graphene Sleeping Bag.
There are both good and bad sides of this. For me, the good is that the pillow remains in place all the night. Namely, I am restless when sleeping, and with such a hood the pillow is always where it is supposed to be.
The bad is that the pillow occupies the hood and therefore it does not protect me from the cold, see the picture. So I use a beanie and I am fine.
But in a very cold environment, or simply when the hood is too small for such a pillow, you have to put it underneath the hood. If you sleep without moving too much this is fine, otherwise you will be looking for the pillow all the time as it will surely not stay in place.
You might want to know that there are brands with sleeping pads designed with silicone grip patches embossed on the mat, you have it in the Sea to Summit Ultralight SI Sleeping Pad and in the Ether Light XT Extreme Insulated Air Sleeping Mat. They also make corresponding pillows that fit this PillowLock system.
The packed size is officially 0.7 liters, but this has no much meaning as the pillow can definitely be compressed to a smaller volume and into any shape. From my measurement this Forclaz MT500 trek pillow dimensions are around (L x D) 14 x 8 cm.
Regarding the shape, when used in the hood as described, its rectangular shape is not really optimal, but I would not complain too much about it. Other than that, it is perfect if you use it underneath the hood.
So this pillow is most suitable for:
- Backpacking, hiking, and mountaineering, i.e., for activities where the gear is carried in a backpack.
- Kayaking.
- Bicycle and motorbike tours.
Specifications
- Type: inflatable padded pillow.
- Weight: 6.17 oz (175 g).
- Dimensions (L x W): 14 x 10 in (36 x 25 cm).
- Thickness: 3 in (7.6 cm).
- Packed volume: 0.7 liters.
- Warranty: 2 years. But my pillow is in a great shape after more than 4 years.
Final thoughts & rating
In conclusion, my four-plus years with the Forclaz MT500 Inflatable Backpacking Travel Pillow have been a testament to its durability and comfort.
This pillow, with its inflatable design, machine washable cover, and sustainable features, has consistently provided a reliable and pleasant sleeping experience during outdoor adventures.
While the rectangular shape may not be perfect in hooded sleeping bags, its versatility, affordability, and compact size make it an excellent choice for backpacking, hiking, and various outdoor activities.
Despite some minor drawbacks, the Forclaz MT500 remains a commendable investment for those seeking a dependable and cost-effective backpacking pillow. With positive attributes outweighing the negatives, it continues to be my go-to choice for a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors.
Below you can see how I rate this backpacking pillow:
Forclaz MT500 Inflatable Backpacking Travel Pillow
Pros
- Washable.
- Reliable.
- Padded.
- Silent.
- Affordable.
- Easily adjustable.
Cons
- There are lighter options.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY
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