neck pillow to pack clothes in -- UPDATED -- REVIEW

Thanks, horsewoofie. This looks like a great idea. I just ordered one and will try it out on a long flight, soon. Appreciate your sharing.

Looks intriguing. Would either of you be willing to post a review once you’ve tried it out? Having bought and rejected two neck pillows I’m gun shy of buying another.

This actually looks like a good idea.. I dont know how comfy it would be.. but for a shorter ( under 6 hours or so ) flight.. it saves luggage and thats a good thing!

Hmmmm, that's got me thinking. I could make one - out of an old pillow case, perhaps, and then roll my Costco packable vest in it. Perhaps a scarf or two if it needs bulk.

(The Costco vest, by the way, has gotten a lot of use on my current trip and will definitely be invited along for the next one.)

If it looks useable and moderately comfortable once I receive it, I'll plan to use it in Dec. and will post some thoughts about it after my return from Sicily and Rome (again! yippee!).

That actually looks like a great idea. I've always done something similar. I bring a pillow case with me and stuff my coat (down jacket for winter travel) plus an extra sweater, and sometimes the airline's pillow as well. Then I lean that against the window. Wouldn't work unless you have a window seat (but I always do). It serves several purposes - I like leaning against the wall (window), I don't trust the cleanliness of the airline pillow - and anyway it's not big enough by itself, and I like having the pillow case with me in case the hotel pillow is really hard or something, I can stuff soft clothing (the down jacket again) in my pillow case and use it along with the hotel pillow.

Jmauldinuu, looks like you’ll be the first to try out the pillow. Let us know how it works. I’ll test pack mine when I receive it but don’t have any trips planned (not the same as using it on the plane). Have a great time in Sicily and Rome! Buon Viaggio!!
Kathy

Thanks for the pre travel review. I am like Isobel as far as using a pillow case. I sew, so I made a smaller case with a flip closure so my slippery down jackets don't escape. As mentioned, I often resort to this for all sleep nights as I often find pillows too thick or two hard for neck issues.
I saw a DIY version of the standard curved pillow. She had a zip for stuffing, but second go around, she said she wouldn't use the velcro closures as they stick to clothing and things. Use strings. She uses her socks and a coat for the stuffing.

Hope it works as well for you on the plane.

As I skimmed thru replies, getting ready to post one, I noticed CWsocial got very close to what I was going to post.

For years now, I always take 4 old pillow cases with me (two to use on the departing flights and two to use on the return flights for my husband and myself), that is even when we are lucky enough to snag reasonably priced upgrades to business class flights for the overseas legs. You could get by with just one pillow case per person, but I figure after overseas flights, they have likely picked up cabin germs....so I just feel safer buying my face into a fresh one on the return flight.

What do I do with the pillow cases?
1) If in comfort coach, I stuff my LandsEnd fleece jacket, my standard issue airline pillow along with an extra (when there are vacant seats) and use it as a pillow. Easy to adjust to shape for use leaning forward, to the side, or leaning back. In business class, I might use it for more side comfort, but sometimes now.
2) The pillow case also comes in handy should we find ourselves at a hotel that just does not have enough extra pillows. We usually ask for extra pillows when making our reservations, but sometimes that just does not mean as many as we might like (we usually request a minimum of six). Small throw pillows from within the hotel room or the method used on the plane can come into play.

The pillow cases I take are usually really old ones (some scream 1970s), are somewhat thread bare or frayed and fold nicely into two separate quart-sized zip locks. At the end of the trip, they can be used for laundry bags.

......and, of course, it is always great when we get a fabulous upgrade on the plane with plenty of nice pillows, plenty of pillow in our hotels, and the home-brought pillow cases remain in their zip locks for future trips :)

Disclaimer: We still take the blow-up pillow for my hubby, as he likes a lot of neck support....sometimes it gets used/sometimes now.

Thanks for the review horsewoofie!!

My mother loved small, rectangular pillows. When we were kids, each one of us had one of these in a homemade pillowcase made of terrycloth. It had a zipper along the short end (so could be taken off and washed) and handles sewn onto it for easy carrying. Also a printed cloth nametag! Everybody's was a different color. We traveled mostly by bus in those long-ago days. Memories! I used one of these old, terrycloth pillowcases after my husband and I started traveling to Europe when we were in our fifties. Then, horror of horrors, I accidentally left it in a lodging in Piazza Armerina, Sicily. I tried later to get it back, but to no avail.

So now I have a homemade cotton pillowcase that fits the airline pillow. I use in on the way over and, if I think of it, I wash it during the trip. If I forget to do that, then on the way back I turn it inside out to have a clean surface. No need to carry two pillowcases!

My neck is picky, and can give me pain all trip if I don’t take care of it. On the plane, I use an oblong micro bead travel pillow I got at Target years ago. Didn’t like the polyester cover, so I sacrificed an old long-sleeve top. I cut the sleeve off the shirt, and stuffed the pillow inside. (didn’t even bother to hem the cut end.) Much softer, all cotton, easy to wash. The neck pillow isn’t very attractive, but since I use metal binder clips to anchor the beads where I want them, it’s already an eccentric (but functional) solution. A comfy Franken-pillow.

The tubular idea sounds good but what about the clothes inside, though? Rumpled?

I like the pillowcase tips. Thanks! I have reflux issues and European pillows, whether in an apt or hotel, are the absolute worst I've ever come across. Huge and fluffy until your head meets the sheets! Looking for ideas of how to add some height to the Euro marshmallow pillows.

Thank you, horsewoofie. I ordered three at a discount, one for each of my family members. When they arrived, I opened one of them and did a test "stuff". I was able to easily stuff 2 pair of socks, 2 panties, 1 bra, 1 travel blouse, and one pair of travel pants. I could easily stuff more in but wanted a bit of slack for neck comfort. This would make a great emergency clothes kit. It also is quite comfortable. I had never heard of this before. Thanks!

Rainy, I’m glad you like it. Your test pack takes care of a day’s clothes. Thanks for the review.
Just to let everyone know, pre-Christmas discount is 3 for $60.

Like the idea, but now $35...bit pricey for a stuff sack.

I like this idea. I think it would be comfortable if I stuffed it with all my underwear. Of course if I lose it I’m in trouble.

Paul, if you go to “buy now $35” then change the quantity to 3 you’ll see the price change to $60, so if you buy 3 they’re $20 each.
Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with this product.

Has anyone used this on a plane, in addition to a carry on and a personal item? We are will be flying Lufthansa. I am very intrigued with the idea of this neck pillow adding extra packing space. However, I am worried that I would not be allowed to bring on the pillow (around my neck, along with a carry-on and personal item. Any thoughts or experience with this would be appreciated.

REVIEW : I just used this "neck pillow" on my way over to Sicily. I did not like it and left it in the trash in Palermo. Here's why: 1. It is huge. Like ginormous. When I had it filled, it went along the top of the inside of my rollaboard and the half way down the side. It was too big to carry separately, so once on board the transcontinental flight I had to open my bag and get the pillow out, before stowing my bag. It then took a significant part of my under-seat foot space. 2. So it was also too big and bulky around my neck. 3. And messed up my packing system (cubes packed tightly) because if I packed it too tightly it wouldn't bend around my neck; it needed some squish to even be slightly comfy and then retrieving clothes from it for wear was a pain 4. It was made of a heavy nylon or poly (?) smooth material - think camping tents - that made my neck and face sweat. So, 5. I never could get to sleep with it and finally took it off and went pillow-less the rest of the flight. I don't recommend this pillow. But Sicily is beautiful!!

Wow! It’s not what I expected! Glad to know that my “great find” was a bust before I used it. I am surprised though. At home it looked like it would work great. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy Sicily!

Just wanted to add that I (like several PPs) always take my own pillowcase with me on trips – not for the plane, but if I need an extra pillow when sleeping at the hotel or holiday apartment; I stuff it with a fleece jacket, sweat pants, etc. My advice is to use a color that is NOT white (mine happens to be a deep wine red) so that when checking out, I'll see it among the (usually white) hotel/apt pillowcases. The pillowcase can also do extra duty as an extra sack for organizing laundry, books, souvenirs, etc. in my suitcase. I've never used a neck pillow on long flights; I'm okay between the airplane pillow(s), blanket, my jacket, scarf/muffler, etc. And since we usually travel off-season, I've been fortunate on my last two trips to Europe (Nov & Dec) to be able to lie flat (!) as there were so many empty seats. Not bad for a coach ticket : ) and a real lifesaver on a 10+-hour flight.