Pillow Strap sizing for Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch
If you're a fan of the Compressible Pillow Cinch, you already know why it's a popular camp pillow. It's soft, supportive, and packs down smallish while still giving you real pillow comfort at camp. We love them for base camping, car camping and casual backcountry trips when we have the extra pack room.
Compressible loose-fill or loose foam pillows such as the Cinch compress when squeezed together. To keep weight low and give a fitted shape, Pillow Strap uses a high-stretch fabric. That stretch naturally compresses around the pillow. Our standard sizing is designed for inflatable pillows that hold a more structured shape, so choosing the correct size for loose-fill pillows works a little differently.
How to Approach Pillow Strap Sizing for Loose-Fill Camping Pillows
Loose-fill camp pillows like the Compressible Pillow Cinch and many synthetic-fill travel or camp pillows don't have a firm structure on their own like an inflatable pillow. Because our stretch fabric naturally wants to compress around whatever is inside, the standard sizing recommendations can result in a tighter fit than you might want.
Instead of using our standard sizing, choose based on the Pillow Strap "enclosure size (unstretched)" dimension. Pick a size with an enclosure just under the dimensions of your pillow. The stretch fabric will expand around it and give you a custom, snug fit without changing the shape or loft of your original pillow.
If you're a side sleeper or have wide shoulders and want more height from your pillow, feel free to try our standard size recommendations instead. The smaller enclosure will compress the pillow more, which gives you extra loft.
Pillow Strap Enclosure Sizes (Unstretched)
The table below shows the enclosure dimensions for each Pillow Strap size. These are the dimensions of the rectangular enclosure when laid flat, measured corner to corner.
| Pillow Strap Size | Enclosure Size (Unstretched) |
|---|---|
| Small | 11.5" (29 cm) x 9.5" (24 cm) |
| Medium | 13.5" (34 cm) x 10.5" (27 cm) |
| Large | 16.5" (42 cm) x 12.5" (32 cm) |
Because our fabric has a 75% four-way stretch, choosing an enclosure slightly smaller than your pillow's listed dimensions creates the perfect fitted feel while retaining the pillow's original shape and loft. There's plenty of room to expand.
Best Pillow Strap Size for Each Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch
We own all three Cinch sizes and have tested them personally. To keep the original feel of the pillow, here are our recommendations.
Therm-a-Rest Cinch Pillow Small, 15" x 11"
We recommend the Medium Pillow Strap size. With an enclosure size of 13.5" x 10.5" this pairing keeps the pillow's natural shape while providing a secure, fitted feel.
Therm-a-Rest Cinch Pillow Regular, 18" x 13"
We recommend the Large Pillow Strap size. With an enclosure size of 16.5" x 12.5" this pairing offers structure and support without squeezing the pillow too tightly.
Therm-a-Rest Cinch Pillow Large, 22" x 15"
We recommend the Large Pillow Strap size but with a catch. At 22" x 15" it is a much larger pillow than our current enclosure sizes. In the large size the pillow will compress considerably and feel a bit stuffed inside but this will create extra loft and firmness, which is perfect for side sleepers or anyone who likes a thick pillow. If this sounds like you, give it a try. No more flat pillow feel.
Use These Guidelines for Other Loose-Fill Camping Pillows
This sizing logic applies to any brand and any loose-fill compressible pillow:
Step 1: Measure your pillow's dimensions
If using the manufacturer's stated dimensions, double check by measuring yours. Manufacturers can adjust dimensions on updated versions.
Step 2: Compare to the Pillow Strap enclosure size
Choose the Pillow Strap size with an unstretched enclosure just below your pillow's dimensions. Our stretch fabric does the rest, filling out the enclosure while keeping the shape you're used to.
Want more loft or height?
If you want more loft or height from your pillow, try our standard sizing recommendations instead. The smaller enclosure will compress the pillow more, giving you a taller, firmer feel. It will be a tight fit but the stretch fabric is built to handle it.
Still Not Sure What Size to Choose? We're Here to Help!
We want you to feel confident when you order and if you have any questions we are here to help. Visit our Contact Page, let us know the size of your pillow and the fit you would like to have and we'll help you pick the perfect fit.