Any pillow recommendations?
Jan 26, 2010 12:22 AM
Joined: Jan 16, 2010
Points: 45
I tried some random memory foam pillow from target, and while it was good the first few weeks, it lost its shape very quickly and I started having neck and shoulder pain.

I like my pillows to be pretty high, other wise I get neck pain, but most pillows lose their shape pretty soon. Also, I'm a side sleeper. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #1 Jan 26, 2010 1:44 AM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
thick solid core latex pillows, maybe shredded latex if you can find one with enough fill and maybe you prefer a little bit softer feel. definitely try to find a store in your area that lets you try them out on a mattress. I think its probably harder to find the right pillow than the right bed.
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #2 Jan 26, 2010 8:38 AM
Joined: Dec 13, 2009
Points: 26
I tried a latex pillow and absolutely hated it.  I didn't like the "push back" feeling of the latex and prefer the "dead" feeling of a feather/down pillow.

I agree that finding a comfortable pillow is tougher then finding a mattress.

Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #3 Jan 26, 2010 10:07 AM
Joined: Jan 9, 2010
Points: 128
Take Budgy's advice, go to a upolstery shop and buy shreded foam and make your own! You can buy quilted, zippered pillow cases, stuff it, slap on a pillow case and you have a pillow. Not high enough? Add some more foam. Want it firm but with a little soft?  Add a little loft. Don't have a shop in your location? Buy a bag of shred on line, waterbed stores sell it for bean bags.  
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #4 Jan 26, 2010 12:46 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
Floats wrote:
I tried a latex pillow and absolutely hated it.  I didn't like the "push back" feeling of the latex and prefer the "dead" feeling of a feather/down pillow.

I agree that finding a comfortable pillow is tougher then finding a mattress.


I too haven't had any luck with latex.  I like a pillow that is soft and as pliable as possible, probably because of the weird performance art type of positions I seem to wake up in.  But also I have tried a lot so I can atleast give people an idea of what they really feel like before they buy one and take it home (and I have to, because I carry pillows from $30.00 to like $3000.00).  Tried wool, latex (solid and shredded), feather, Tempur-Pedic, 'down' with latex core, and I always end up going back to white goose down.  I really do recommend them but I think if someone wants a thick pillow with a lot of support you should try a latex, that is exactly what I didn't like about them myself.
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #5 Jan 29, 2010 6:44 PM
Joined: Jan 9, 2010
Points: 128
I love my latex pillow with a thin, fluffy  pillow on top. Overstock has GREAT latex pillows!!
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #6 Jan 29, 2010 8:36 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
Pillows are like mattresses we all like different types.  I use a latex international talalay pillow (queensisize because it is thicker).  It depends on your mattress also, if it is firm or you sink in some.
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #7 Jan 29, 2010 10:09 PM
Joined: Aug 28, 2009
Points: 53
Pillows are such a personal choice... we all seem to like something different. I love goose down pillows and slept on them most of my life; nothing else ever compared. But I decided to try Flobeds natural talalay shredded latex when I got my mattress form them last summer. They sell them very, very overstuffed and then you adjust it how you like--just unzip and take out excess foam, and you can add back some later if your needs change. Turns out they're better for my neck when I sleep on my side than the down ones are (as down compresses too much), and I really like them. I got standard size and took out about a quarter of the shredded latex and it's working quite well. But down is much better if I sleep on my back as then I like to lie quite flat (though I could take out more latex, of course, but then it wouldn't work when I lie on my side.) So I keep both down and latex on my bed. The latex keeps it shape, but you can also squish it around how you like. I'm actually surprised they work so well for me, and I even have less neck pain. Sorry the formatting isn't working with my browser so this will come through as one long paragraph...
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #8 Jan 29, 2010 10:52 PM
Joined: Sep 6, 2008
Points: 87
I bought a memory foam pillow a few years ago and thought it was going to be fabulous ... it was for about 10 days and then I woke up with SPLITTING neck shoulder pain the like I have never experience. I read information on www.chem-tox.com and found others had the same experience. I think I will look into a shredded latex bed next. Cheers.
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #9 Jan 30, 2010 1:42 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
As usual, I take matters into my own hands and make my own pillow from leftover foam.

For example, the Venus and Sensus foam we got from overstock were King size so we cut them down into 2 twins but there was about 6" too long so we cut them off. I used those extra 6" to add to another memory foam pillow that was too low for me. So it's good not only because it's higher, but it's only higher for about half the pillow and the other 6" or so is still low. So I can turn it around and sleep on the high side when I'm on my side or sleep on the low side when I'm on my back.

My wife recently bought a fiberfill pillow at Ross for about $10 and then she cut it open and took out a few big hands full of the innards from the middle of it and now she likes it.
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #10 Jan 30, 2010 2:21 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
I have tried a number of pillows, but I always seem to go back to goose down.  Memory foam seemed too firm.  Latex and shredded latex push back to much (plus they might have some latex smell for a while).

If you want high fill power goose down (700, 800) the cheapest place I have found in Unitedpillow.com (read about them in the Wall Street Journal)  I will warn you though that their customer service can be a bit spotty and slow (though they have always come through in the end) and the firm is very stuffed with feathers.  I started with a firm and ended up with a soft. 

Another interesting place that got a good review in the Wall Street Journal was myidealpillow.com.  They pick out the firmness of the pillow based on at the data you input (height, weight, sleeping style, mattress firmness, etc.).  I have not tried them, but I might order one some time soon.

Both of these places have a return policy, but obviously buying a pillow over the internet is tricky.

Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #11 Jan 30, 2010 2:46 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
www.stgeneve.com

check out their section called 'Quality Defined'

incredibly informative about many things, textiles, down, and even proper down pillow design. Their products are expensive but are considered to be among the best in the world. 
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #12 Jan 31, 2010 9:40 AM
Location: Frisco, Texas
Joined: Jan 29, 2010
Points: 4
Try this pillow out from Rejuvenite.

http://www.rejuvenite.com/_product_65708/Zoned_Firm_Pillow
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #13 Jan 31, 2010 12:21 PM
Location: Oregon
Joined: Oct 25, 2008
Points: 130
If you want a firmer shredded latex pillow at a great price, look at Pillowflex.com.  I bought one of these but it was a little too firm for me.  Good product though and really great prices - I think it was $25. shipped from Georgia to Oregon.

I have gone round and round on pillows.  Being a stomach sleeper, I don't like something too firm as it cocks my head up.  For years, I used a very old feather/down pillow that I could make a good indenation in and really didn't like anything else.  Now with my super FoambyMail mattress, I use two standard down pillows that I bought from TJ Maxx for about $15 each; one for my head and one to hug.  Its amazing all of the junk that is out there in department stores that are called 'pillows'.  I wouldn't let Bandit (my dog) sleep on most them.

Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #14 Jan 31, 2010 5:10 PM
Joined: Apr 14, 2009
Points: 8
I recommend the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow, which you can get from Amazon for $35.  I've used it for several years and it really helps with neck pain.  Takes some finagling at first to get the right amount of water in it, but once you've figured this out, it provides excellent support without pain.  Have your partner look at your neck and upper spinal column to make sure that they form a straight line.
Re: Any pillow recommendations?
Reply #15 Jan 31, 2010 5:52 PM
Joined: Dec 13, 2009
Points: 26
WOW..thats pretty interesting.  Now I can have a water pillow to go with my waterbed!