Do those travel pillow really work?
 

I'll be traveling to Europe soon, and I have a difficult time sleeping on planes. I was wondering if anyone uses those travel pillow, and if they actually help you to fall asleep? Also, do you prefer the inflatable ones or the ones that have buckwheat in them?

Both are ok if you have to sit in a middle seat.. <BR> <BR>I had to take a flight from Seattle to Bangkok ~14 hours I think. I decided to grab one of my home feather pillows that was getting a little old and could be folded in two nicely.. Then I requested a window seat. <BR> <BR>With the pillow smashed against that cold window and me wedged into the side of the sit - I had a reasonable sleep (better than sleeping upright and snoring!) <BR> <BR>Just MHO

Anna-my husband and I love those neck pillows-we have the inflatable kind. <BR>When we are traveling overseas and need to sleep we use those and I also use an <BR>eye patch-looks dumb I know, but it really helps to sleep-blocking out a lot of light. <BR>Patti

Hi Anna, I got an inflatable and used it on my last trip. It made the diff between waking up with a sore neck and not. I sleep on planes anyway, but the pillow made quite a difference. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

I use the inflatable one, and I take an extra cotton cover for comfort. Works like a charm.

Another vote for the neck pillow, it certainly improved my ability to get at least a little sleep on plane. I tried the buckwheat ones and they are very comfortable but they weigh a TON.. we went with the inflatable, I wish I knew where to get the cotton cover Florence mentioned as the vinyl does get a little warm. Pllow , eye shades and ear plugs, look like a nerd, but who cares I'm asleep !

I made the cotton cover myself from an old pillow case. <BR> <BR>Re. looking like a nerd in a plane: Is there a fashion police there too ? ;-&gt;

Florence..They're everywhere, they're everywhere!!! :&gt;):&gt;) <BR> <BR>I was afraid you were going to say you made it yourself, SIGH. I hate to sew :&gt;)

I use one with buckwheat and it very comfortable. I just carry it in my carryon.

I've never been comfortable with those neck pillows, but I saw a new version that resembles a neck brace - it goes completely around the neck i/o just across the nape. Has anybody tried it? <BR> <BR>Re a cover for the pillow for non sewers: find t-shirt tubing (or an old t-shirt), cut a length about 6" longer than the pillow, then tie each end with ribbon. Or check a store that sells at-homecare medical supplies; they often have fabric items for making the bedridden comfortable.

I use a Bucky pillow (filled with buckwheat hulls). I took out some of the buckwheat hulls because it wasn't mushy enough for me (there's a zipper to take them out if you like). It's covered with velvet-like material (some are covered with fleece). Anyway, I love mine. I would not try to sleep without it because I get a sore neck.

i use that inflatable pillow and love it! <BR>i hurt my neck in a car accident and have to be really careful about neck position in order to avoid getting spasms. i also was a trauma nurse and know that anything that helps support the neck and is comfortable is good to have. can't get into the around the neck thing reminds me of being in a brace after the crash-ugh. also just my 2 cents here -doing slow stretching exercises for back and neck does wonders for the body. <BR>good trip to you!!

ELVIRA, an old tee shirt with ribbons I might be able to manage!! Thanks for the tip.

Inflatable pillows are great because they pack flat and weigh nothing. They do increase comfort, though if you have chronic problems sleeping on planes (as I do) they won't be a magic bullet. But still worth a shot.

Elvira: I bought one like neck brace in Boots last year, it works much better than the other type. I would be able to sleep even having to sit straight sometimes.

I'd given up on a neck pillow because it made my neck sweat or was too heavy. After reading these posts, however, I'll give it another try. I just looked in the TravelSmith catalog and they have a neck pillow and microfleece blanket combination pack they sell for $39. The blanket has a pocket at the bottom to put your feet in and the blanket is stored inside the inflatable pillow. The neck pillow has a washable cover and can be purchased separately for $19. The neck pillow also has a buckle under the chin area to keep it around your neck.

My husband and I go no where without our travel pillows. I have a pinched nerve and must have the neck support whether I am laying down or sitting up. The very best I have used is distributed by Brookstone. It is a little pricey, but the cheaper knock-off pillows do not hold up or compare in any way. The tempur-pedic Swedish transit pillow is $75 and is the typical u-shaped. They also make the Swedish 3 in 1 travel size, $80.00 which rolls up and comes with a zippered case which tucks easily into a suitcase for use in hotels. We are traveling to Spain this week with 4 of our older children, and our 18 and 22 year old daughters are insisting on having their own transit pillow as they continually stole our pillows on our trip to Paris in March. Check them out on Brookstone.com. I also couldn't survive without their regular pillows. The transit pillows take up a little more room than the inflatable ones but are definitely worth it.

Anna, the inflatable pillow does provide an easy-to-pack option for getting more comfortable if you need it. But I actually like it more for use behind my lower back, inflating it to the best comfort level, and use the airline pillow for my neck/head. Vice-versa sometimes, depending on how the seat fits me. Whether either combination helps me to fall asleep is debatable, but I definitely feel more comfortable. Frankly, the most important thing to me is a good pair of earplugs. But the inflatable pillow is a close second. <BR>

topping

I swear by my inflatable neck pillow. I have my sleep thing down to a science. Inflatable neck pillow, eye covers, and ear plugs...bottle of water and I am set, I can sleep through the rudest beverage service! Until the neck pillow, I never once got to sleep. I doubt I would bother with a buckwheat filled one, as I wouldn't want to tramp around Europe lugging it.