Pillows what kind

Think feathers are all fluff? Feather and down pillows offer conformability, softness and support. The feathers used in a quality pillow are very small and highly curled. Did you know that one of these feathers is as strong as carbon fiber? If you want the softest, gentlest pillow, go for down. Down pillows are soft, puffy and supple, and known for ultimate luxury.

A popular type of down pillow is European goose down with a fill power of and up. Down pillows are fluffy, light and cozy, but are not meant to provide support. Memory foam pillows are great because they remember you all night long. You stay comfortable because the pillow adjusts to your individual shape, which allows your shoulders, neck and head to rest in a natural position.

Memory foam pillows self-adjust as you move during the night. Pillows made with memory foam come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are designed to bounce back to their original shape at different speeds.

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Read More. The shredded pieces of foam create a more adjustable and flexible feel but with a similar bounce and responsiveness as the memory foam pillow. You can re-arrange the distribution of the pieces and carve out a place for your head if needed. Latex is actually extracted from a rubber tree called the Hevea-Brasiliensis tree. Latex pillows have become increasingly popular because they have soft and supportive qualities and will last awhile.

Watch out for pillows labeled as latex blend pillows, the latter of which may be blended with polyurethane foam. Its name pretty much sums it up — a body pillow is a pillow that supports your entire body.

These pillows are typically long and narrow and run the length of your body. They can be used for a variety of reasons but are typically used for comfort, support or pressure relief.

Body pillows seem to be especially popular with pregnant women or people recovering from injuries who need extra support below their head. They can be made with a variety of fillings including organic and conventional and firmness levels to meet all needs.

This option is popular with shredded memory foam pillows or other pillows with easily-removable filling. Adjustable pillows provide a way for every type of sleeper to enjoy their pillow.

Feathers in a feather pillow tend to come from the wing and back feathers of geese or ducks. They are flat and have quills running through them. Feather pillows can still provide a soft and fluffy feeling but will retain their shape longer than down and will help the pillow keep its shape and firmness since they are larger and more structured than down clusters. Typically, down pillows will contain some feathers in them, so keep a look out for the down to feather ratio in the pillow.

These pillows are filled with buckwheat hulls, which are the hard outer shell t hat protects the buckwheat seed. Most body pillows measure 20 x 54 inches in length and are used to provide a variety of support for alleviating joint pain to influencing a better sleep position.

These are popular to place along headboards as well and can double as both head and joint pressure point relief all in one product. Leachco Pregnancy Pillow. Pregnancy pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are specific to alleviating back and stomach pain or pressure through the night. These can be very specific to personal wants and needs and are designed to help support the variances in comfort and body shape through a growing pregnancy. Travel-sized pillowcases exist solely for this size which can be very useful for travel in a plane or car.

The term travel pillow is also synonymous with wrap around style pillows that fit between your head and neck in various ways to keep your head from falling forward or too far to the side when relaxing in a more upright position.

Boppy Pregnancy Wedge Pillow. Wedge pillows come in various sizes, but all are used for differing body support. Whether you need one for a pregnant belly, lumbar support, or for an upright position, a wedge can be an affordable pain relieving choice. Usually made from a poly foam or memory foam, wedges are specific to helping with comfort positions.

Cushy Form Bolster Pillow. A rolled pillow, otherwise known as a bolster, can be used to decorate your bed , but its origin began with neck and leg support- and it is still very helpful when used in this manner. Your neck needs proper support between your head and back especially when laying on your back. A rill can help with this. Spinal alignment can also be aided when a bolster is placed under your knees when laying on your back as well.

The type of fill used within a pillow is a number one influence to loft and comfort. Much of what is used within a pillow determines the degree of softness or the firmness level. Different fills can also be used to help alleviate allergies or can be specific to cooling and warming needs. Goose and duck feathers are a traditional pillow fill due to their strength and ability to spring back under pressure. The micro feathers that are often used in pillows are also very curly to provide the ability to support the weight without bottoming out.

They are usually mixed with a small percentage of down to provide a softening effect. Down is the natural underlayment of waterfowl to provide warmth and protection.

The down of a bird is soft, cushioning, and very supple, and it is often mixed with feathers to provide malleable, luxurious pillow choices. Down on its own is not very supportive, hence why it is often mixed with the stronger feathers. Memory foam became popular due to its ability to contour your body shape and weight without sacrificing support.

This material is popular in everything from ultra-slim pillow designs to more lofty side sleeping choices. Because of the close-cellular structure of this man-made material, it can become slightly heat retentive. Shredded memory foam pillows are extremely popular since they are usually adjustable to fit the needs of almost every sleep position and preference.

Shredded memory foam is much less firm in feel than memory foam and is usually very malleable and easily shapeable. When blended with a polyfill, you can also adjust the softness level as well. Kapok is the fiber found in the mature pods of the Kapok tree.

Softer and loftier than cotton, and more durable than wool, Kapok is often used in a blend to provide unparalleled softness and comfort. Polyester fiberfill is a synthetic material made from fine durable fibers that stand up well under pressure and bounce back into shape very well. Naturally hypoallergenic, this is an affordable and a popular choice for many manufacturers as it can be made to mimic the feel of down and provide everything from soft to firm comfort.

Micro-beads are tiny unexpanded polystyrene beads EPS that contour to whatever shape you place upon it but hold a very firm feel under the weight.

These are popular in many travel pillows as well as bolster pillows. Buckwheat hulls are a natural fill alternative which is very popular in Asia and provide a somewhat similar feel to micro-bead, but they are made with an all natural rather than synthetic materials. The firmness is slightly softened as well making them a durable contouring material to rest your head upon. Gel-infused fibers and gel layers are very popular in pillows to help draw heat from your skin surface.