Travel Pillow Reviews

I have used the TravelRest pillow for a couple of trips in the last year. It's not bad, but did not turn out to be the miracle pillow that I was hoping for (which may not exist anyway).

It does require a bit more fiddling than your usual collar type pillow - after you blow it up you have to secure it around your headrest (and receive strange looks from the people sitting behind you), then you secure it to your seatbelt.

At times it seemed like a bother, especially if I didn't secure the pillow at whatever position on the headrest was comfortable for me, then I would have to fiddle with it again. Once it was comfortable, it worked pretty well, I guess.

I don't care for inflatable pillows (I have not tried either of those you posted). I prefer a normal little pillow, sized and shape like the airlines used to hand out.

they are hard to find but we love our snuggy snoozers - flat back so they work way better than other inflatables.

http://www.globetrekker.com.au/products.php?product=Design-Go-Snuggy-Snoozer

I have used the TravelRest Pillow for the last two years on lots of red eyes. Wouldn't travel without it! It's the only pillow that has worked for me and it also works for my 11 year old son in the car when we drive to our cabin on the weekends. I bought it after reading the reviews on Amazon. The first time using it it takes a bit to adjust the air to your personal preference and play around with how you like it situated. But now that I've figured out the "sweet spot" for it, I'm thrilled.

The thing about the shaped neck pillows is they only work when you are sitting up and back in your seat. If you get lucky enough to have a couple seats to spread out, or if you like to put the tray table down and lean forward onto that (as an alternate position) they don't work.

Best pillow that I use as an international flight attendant is one from Walmart(smallest size in the linen department for around $5 that is downlike and rolls up. I have had for several years and it goes everywhere with me.

Suze, I read a suggestion on Flyer Talk recently for leaning forward on the tray table. Someone said they used a child's beach ball to put their head on in that position. You can blow it up to any desired height. I thought it sounded good so I am going to try it on my next long flight.

I use a conventional size pillow of latex foam rubber (which is the same type of pillow that I use at home). I can use it in the "tray table" position, lying flat (when I can get an extra seat), or leaning against the wall if I'm in a window seat. I do have an inflatable next pillow, but am more likely to sit on it than to use it around my neck.

JaneB~ While that sounds like a fun and colorful idea, I'm not sure I can imagine balancing on a beachball and falling asleep! Won't it roll around if you don't stay in exactly the same place?

Suze, Don't know about rolling. If it is not blown up too full, it might not roll. I'll try it out--what's to loose except $.99 for a blow-up plastic beach ball.

I have this down pillow case that folds into itself to make a travel pillow. Very lightweight to pack and can be flattened.
https://www.pacificcoast.com/pillows/all-pillows/pillow-fixer~9

I also use a neck pillow I bought years ago in the automotive department of Target. It's much more lightweight than other neck pillows. It only weighs a few ounces.

Try this site.

http://www.minitravelmates.com.au/cart/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=20

I use one similar to the inflatable "Snoozer" and have no problems.

My wife uses...me.

The best pillow I haved tried is the Plane Travel Pillow I ordered from Amazon. It is a samll memory foam pillow that provides good support for my neck and also stablize my head which allows me to sleep during long flight. It also dosen't push my neck forward like my U-shaped neck pillow. It is not that expensive either ($14.50 with free shpping from Amazon).

I tried the "beach ball" thing and it worked ok but the ball was not easy to inflate. I also ordered one of these and it works for your neck AND for leaning forward on the tray table!
It has 2 large holes so inflation is quick and easy. It looks funny but it's the best I have tried.

http://www.magellans.com/store/In_Flight_Comfort___Pillows_and_BlanketsIF138?Args=

We did the beach ball thing. I can doze better leaning forward and down than I can sitting upright. You only partially inflate the ball, pull down your tray, then lay a small pillow (like the airline) or your jacket or something over the ball. Then you sort of fold your arms on the tray under/around the ball, then you can lean into it with your head turned to side (kind of like hugging it). The problem is if your pile isn't high enough and the seatback is leaning in too close, then your head can't really settle into the pile.
I think this idea was a cheap response to seeing this article but not wanting to lug this cushion around:
http://www.skyrest.com/

The trick is to immobilize your neck. Cricked neck = no sleep. Most travel pillows don't immobilize the neck and are so thick your head is tilting forward.

After trying almost everything and even trying to fashion something homemade, this neck brace is simple and cheap and gives me 6 hours sleep without waking (with eye mask and Bose QC 15). It even folds up fairly small.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/otc-professional-orthopaedic-soft-foam-cervical-collar,-average/ID=prod2630377-product?V=G&ext=frgl_Google_Medicines_&_Treatments

I have a memory foam neck pillow, the kind that is a half-donut around the neck (some anonymous brand). I have to say these are a baaaad idea. It is incredibly heavy and bulky to transport, and once in place is too bulky to be able to recline one's head properly. I have always had more luck with just the inflatable kind, or even just the built-in headrest (on most flights I have had recently you can bend the 'wings' of the headrest in so that your head is minimally supported.

Lavandula

I use U-shaped Eagle Creek that I can blow up as much or as little as I want (if I want softer or harder) and the cover with zipper comes off for laundry.

Have it for at least 10 years, still good.

Must have U-shaped as I lose square pillows and somebody wakes me up when it falls on the floor

When leaving the plane, roll up to squish the air out, and put in a bag. Easy, not much space needed.