It’s that time of year again. I should probably just move to Alaska.
I’m looking for a new new pillow. Does anyone know what is the best pillow material for hot humid nights? A few years ago there was an infomercial for Soba (buckwheat) pillows. Were those any good?
Bamboo. Seriously, in much of Asia you can get a woven bamboo pillow. Basically a small pillow shaped box woven out of bamboo. It breathes, kinda absorbs sweat. They are not real soft but do have some give.
For hot humid weather if you absolutely have to have a pillow, they ain’t bad.
Try to find 100% cotton. Any natural fiber will breathe and absorb moisture better than synthetics. Attempt to find pillow stuffed with cotton, rather than some synthetic puffy material.
China Guy and Dogzilla,
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll go down to Pearl River in Manhattan’s Chinatown to see if I can pick up a bamboo pillow.
Some background: I’m living in Fort Worth, TX. It’s pretty humid, and starting to get really warm (starting to break 100F). Even when it’s cool I sweat a lot when I sleep, so when it’s hot I can drop a few pounds in water overnight.
So: I like the goose down pillows with cotton pillowcases. Even when it’s hot and the A/C fails, the pillow stays relatively cool, and doesn’t stink. I’m guessing this is because it’s springy, but doesn’t have thousands of little moisture-trapping pockets like a foam pillow. The real trick is to let it air out during the day – don’t cover it with the blankets.
The Dun King
In Japan we have pillows filled with buckwheat husks which are nice and cool, and are much more comfortable than the woven bamboo pillows. They should be available in Asian shops in the US. There’s also a modern version filled with what I can only describe as “plastic macaroni” (short plastic tubes) which is what I use - just as effective and lasts longer.
I also found the buckwheat pillows more supportive of my neck. Another alternative: there are foam pillows with deep horizontal grooves in them that allow air to circulate. I found mine at Bed Bath & Beyond, don’t remember the brand. Unfortunately they’re kinda spendy, $30 apiece I think.
In hot weather, I take one of those frozen blue things that are sold to go into freezer chests and prop it up on my face to keep it from sweating. I cannot stand sweat on my face.
>>It’s pretty humid, and starting to get really warm (starting to break 100F)<<
Hey man, that ain’t warm, that’s damn hot!
There is a thing called a chillo. I have only seen it mail order. The add says to put some water in it one time to activate it and insert it into the pillow cover.
I have the buckwheat hull pillow and use it year round. Stays pretty cool in the summer. And you can adjust the support just by giving it a little poke