I'm looking for an inflattable pillow, something soft and compact. I've seen a couple models, one is your basic around the neck pillow. The second is similar to the first, but it has some shoulder pads as well that are inflatable. Anyone got any advice as to which pillow to go with? Thanks!
I haven't had good luck with inflatable pillows. I just fold the airline one over and put it under my neck. It's as good as anything.
I use the cheapy. The only technique I've found that helps is not fully inflating the pillow. Now I look at it more like a sleep number bed where you inflate it until it's comfortable for you. A t-shirt, sweater or pillow case over the vinyl fabric also can make it more comfortable.
Cascade Designs (Thermarest brand) makes a travel pillow that is not inflatable but filled with a polyester fill that is very comfortable. It does not compress as small as an inflatable but my wife loves it. I carry the Thermarest inflatable lumbar pillow which I use as a neck pillow by not inflating it full. It's not a "softie," though. If I'm carrying my lightweight fleece sweater in my carry-on, I just roll that up and use it as a pillow. I need good neck support and airline pillows, no matter how I fold them, are inadequate unless I can get the flight attendant to give me a couple.
I like the Nap neck pillows they sell at Brookstone. They are a little bulky, but they weigh nothing. I just loop it around the handle of my carry-on, so it takes no space in my luggage.
I bought the Therm-a-rest pillow and like it. I use it either as a neck roll or unroll it to make a small regular shaped pillow. When it's rolled up, the string used to tighten it hangs well on my backpack. Anyway, it's a different idea than the inflatable pillows... http://www.rei.com/product/719843