Whether made of feathers, foam, or latex, there are many types of pillow fillings. Choosing the right pillow with the appropriate filling is crucial for your comfort while lying down. However, many people wake up in the morning with neck and shoulder pain. The classic 80x80 cm feather pillow is still widely used and very popular in German households. However, this type of pillow is not ideal, especially for people who suffer from neck tension.
There are now numerous alternatives available, including several ergonomic options. These have been designed to help relieve neck pain and shoulder problems. In the following article, we’ll discuss different types of pillows and their fillings, addressing the question: Which pillow filling is the best?
The Right Pillow Size
The classic pillow measuring 80×80 cm is still very popular among Germans—especially when it’s filled with feathers. However, experts generally advise against this size, as it prevents the shoulder area from sinking into the mattress. With such a pillow, the thoracic spine is not optimally supported and cannot lie straight. This leads to muscle tension.
An ill-fitting pillow can negatively affect the quality of your sleep and may also lead to back pain. For this reason, we recommend long, narrow pillows, such as the Kipli natural latex pillow in the 50x70 cm size or pillows in the 60×80 cm size. The narrower shape supports the neck and fills the space between the shoulder and neck, while allowing the shoulders to sink comfortably into the mattress.
Now that you're familiar with pillow sizes, the question remains: Which pillow filling is best?
Which Pillow Filling Is the Best Choice: The Different Types of Fillings
Anyone looking for the perfect pillow is spoiled for choice. The wide variety of shapes and materials makes it hard to decide.
Feather/Down Filling
Down and feather pillows are still the Germans' favorites. These types of fillings didn't earn their good reputation out of nowhere. Down, for example, traps a great deal of air while remaining voluminous, fluffy, and light. In addition, down helps regulate temperature comfortably.
The pillowcase doesn't need to be particularly thick, since down is very soft and doesn't poke through. However, with a down filling, you'll sink too deeply into your pillow, which can lead to muscle tension. Washing and cleaning down pillows can also often be a bit complicated. With feather pillows, it’s important for the cover to be a bit thicker; otherwise, the prickly ends of the feathers tend to poke through the fabric cover of the pillow.
However, you can also find pillows filled with a combination of feathers and down. This combination brings together the best qualities of both fillings in a single pillow.
Down and feather pillow fillings also differ in price. Feather pillows are often much more affordable than their down counterparts.
In summary, feather and down pillows are very soft and provide a comfortable sleeping experience. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily an ethical option, as down and feathers are often still obtained through so-called “live plucking,” which causes significant animal suffering. Furthermore, pillows filled with feathers and down are often not washable. This type of pillow filling is also not suitable for people with neck problems.
Foam cushion filling
What is the best pillow filling for people with neck problems? There are many foam pillows in particular that offer an ergonomic alternative to feather pillows. Foam relieves pressure and provides good support for the head. However, foam pillows are made from petroleum-based synthetic materials and are therefore neither good for us nor for the environment. Synthetic materials are often less breathable and have been treated with chemicals.
A natural and eco-friendly alternative to foam is the latex pillow, especially if it is made from natural latex.
The Natural Latex Pillow
Pillows made from natural materials, such as natural latex, offer numerous advantages that synthetic and animal-based materials lack. Thanks to their ergonomic properties and breathability, natural latex pillows are perfect for providing comfortable sleep. Natural latex is naturally breathable, durable, mite-resistant, and hypoallergenic. In addition, natural latex pillows provide excellent support, helping to prevent neck pain.
Natural latex is a renewable raw material that can be harvested sustainably. 100% natural latex pillows, such as those from Kipli, are made from 100% natural rubber and are not mixed with synthetic latex. The pillow is manufactured using an energy-efficient and sustainable process known as the Dunlop process. When purchasing a pillow, be sure to check for certifications to ensure that the pillow has been tested for harmful substances and is of high quality.
Which pillow filling is best for my sleeping position?
Not every pillow filling is suitable for all sleeping positions. Therefore, before buying a new pillow, be aware of your needs and what the pillow should provide.
Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
People who sleep on their stomachs often struggle with back pain after waking up. The sideways position of the head when sleeping on the stomach puts a tremendous strain on our cervical vertebrae and is therefore not advisable. For stomach sleepers, it sometimes makes the most sense to use no pillow at all or one that is very flat. This is a sensible decision from an ergonomic standpoint. No pillow—or just a very flat one—allows for a relatively straight spinal alignment.
If you use a pillow that is too high or has the wrong filling, your head will be elevated too high and your spine will be bent upward too much. This can result in uncomfortable tension or back pain. That’s why the best and healthiest pillow filling for stomach sleepers is a flat filling—such as organic cotton or down—to provide adequate support for the head and allow the spine to remain straight while lying down.
A pillow for back sleepers
For back sleepers, pillows with ergonomic filling—such as natural latex pillows—are particularly suitable. With such a pillow, your head and spine will be optimally supported throughout the night, and pressure on your neck will be relieved. It is recommended to choose a pillow with high-quality and sufficient filling. A pillow with a height of 14.5 cm at the center is an ideal sleeping companion.
If such a pillow is also filled with natural latex, you’ll benefit from the excellent properties of latex. It doesn’t have a memory effect, but thanks to its natural properties, natural latex offers exceptional localized elasticity. You sink in exactly where you should—that is, precisely where pressure is applied. In addition, the pillow is ergonomically designed to provide optimal support for your neck and spine.
Latex pillows also have anti-allergenic properties. That’s why this pillow filling is especially popular among people with allergies. Natural latex pillows are highly breathable and are therefore naturally resistant to dust mites. Because we sweat at night and the sleeping environment is often warm and humid, dust mites find an ideal breeding ground. However, a pillow filling made of natural latex prevents the growth of dust mites. It provides no breeding ground for dust mites or bacteria and is therefore ideal for people with allergies.
The Pillow for Side Sleepers
Those of us who sleep on our sides should make sure, above all, that our pillows provide ergonomic support—just as they do for back sleepers. In this sleeping position, you should make sure your pillow supports the area between your head and shoulders. This helps prevent overextension and the resulting tension. Here, too, a pillow filled with natural latex is the best choice.
Conclusion
Which pillow filling is best? Our article should answer that question. The choice of pillow filling is as individual as your sleeping position. Depending on whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side, your pillow should provide support that allows your cervical spine to remain straight.
We've introduced you to a variety of pillow fillings that are as unique as your own sleep preferences. By choosing a sustainable filling, you'll also ensure a hygienic and healthy sleep environment—and do something good for yourself and the environment.
If you are still unsure, please feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We look forward to helping you.