The Naturehike Yugu 2-in-1 is two pillows in one: a layer of soft egg-crate foam on top of an air chamber you blow up. The foam gives it the feel of a real pillow, the air gives it height you can set yourself, and the whole thing weighs 162 g. What sold us is how tiny it gets in its little sack, and how nice the material feels against your face. It cost us $35.
What’s in the box
A contoured pillow of 42 × 25 × 12 cm with a cream top of egg-crate sponge foam over a TPU air chamber, a soft grey flocked underside with the valve, and a small dark grey stuff sack. It won a 2024 Asia Outdoor Gear Award.
What we like
- Tiny in its little sack
- Material feels really nice
- Foam top over an air chamber
- Only 162 g
- Valve sets the firmness
- Good value at $35
What we don’t
- Firm if over-inflated
- Can slide on a slippery mat
- Rustles a little, like any air pillow
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Naturehike |
| Model | CNK2300DZ024 |
| Material | Sponge foam topTPU air chamberFlocked underside |
| Weight | 162 g |
| Size | 42 × 25 × 12 cm |
| Valve | Two-wayAdjusts the firmness |
Foam on top, air underneath
The foam layer is what makes the Yugu feel different from a plain air pillow. Your head rests on soft, dimpled sponge rather than stretched plastic, so it’s quieter and less bouncy, and the air chamber underneath gives the height. The contoured shape is lower in the middle and higher at the edges, which cradles your head and supports your neck on your back or your side.
Set the firmness with the valveFirmness
Open the two-way valve on the underside and the foam draws in some air by itself; a few breaths top it up. Stop early for a soft pillow or add another breath for more support; blown up hard it feels firm. Press the valve to let the air out and it rolls back into its little sack. The flocked grey underside is soft, though it can slide a little on a slippery mat.
Three sizes
The Yugu comes in three sizes. We tested the Standard, which is plenty for a hike; the Large and the Plus are the same foam-and-air design, just wider and longer, which suits car camping or anyone who likes a full-size pillow.
| TestedStandard | BiggerLarge | BiggestPlus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Contoured | Rectangular | Contoured |
| Size | 42 × 24 cm | 52 × 32 cm | 66 × 36 cm |
| Best for | Hiking & backpacking | Camping & travel | Car camping |
| RRP | $35 | $42 | $51 |
| Shop | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
How it compares with the other Naturehike pillowsVs other Naturehikes
We’ve tested two other Naturehike pillows. The Automatic Inflatable Foam Pillow fills itself when you open the valve, and the Washable Memory Foam Pillow is solid memory foam with a cover that comes off to wash. The Yugu is by far the lightest of the three.
This one Naturehike Yugu | Auto Naturehike Auto | Washable Naturehike Washable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable cover | No | No | Yes |
| Type | Foam & air hybrid | Self-inflating memory foam | Memory foam |
| Size | 42 × 25 × 12 cm | 42 × 30 × 10 cm | 50 × 32 × 11 cm |
| Inflating | Half self-inflates | Self-inflates | None |
| Weight | 162 g | 320 g | 790 g |
| Price paid | $35 | $57 | $67 |
| Our score | 9.2 | 8.6 | 8.8 |
Conclusion: Naturehike Yugu 2-in-1 Sponge Inflatable PillowConclusion
The Naturehike Yugu 2-in-1 is the best of both worlds: soft egg-crate foam to lie on and an air chamber underneath that lets you set the height, in a contoured shape that supports your neck. At 162 g it packs into a small sack. It’s firm if you over-inflate it, the underside can slide on a slippery mat and it rustles a little like any air pillow, but for $35 it’s one of the most comfortable light pillows we’ve tested.
Tiny in its little sack, with a material that feels lovely against your face.
The egg-crate foam top makes it quieter and less bouncy than a plain air pillow, the air underneath sets the height and it weighs just 162 g. It’s firm if you over-inflate it and can slide a little on a slippery mat.
- Backpackers
- Hikers
- Ultralight
Yes. For $35 you get a 162 g pillow with a soft foam top and an air chamber you can set to the height you like. Don’t over-inflate it.
