The first time you try a buckwheat pillow, the feel can be a pleasant surprise. It feels firm, stable, and modable. It is usually firmer than a foam or feather pillow, but not in a hard or rigid way. The best comparison is walking barefoot on a beach. The sand is firm under your feet, yet it shifts and molds to your shape. A buckwheat pillow behaves the same way. When you lie down, the hulls move and settle around your head and neck, creating a custom fit that stays in place until you change positions.
The sound is part of the experience too. When you adjust the pillow, the hulls make a soft rustling sound that many people compare to a rainstick or dry autumn leaves. As soon as you stop moving, the pillow becomes completely quiet. The hulls lock together and create a stable surface that supports your head without sinking.
The height and firmness depend on how much fill you use. A fuller pillow will be taller and feel more solid. Removing hulls will lower the pillow, but it will not make it softer. It will give the hulls more room to move before locking in place under the weight of your head. If you prefer a gentler feel, you can place a thin, flat pillow or folded towel inside your pillowcase on top of your buckwheat pillow. This adds a bit of softness while keeping the supportive shape underneath.