Packing Neck Pillow

Look around and buy a cheaper one to try it out.
I have one because it's easier to pack than a stuffed one.
It serves it's purpose.

Both my husband & I have the RS inflatable neck pillow. We've been very pleased with the quality, comfort, and ability to fold down to place in our carry on. You can take advantage of weekly discounts on items like this online. We live near RS headquarters, and stop by frequently for sale items as needed.

There was a photo I saw a few years ago of a woman walking through the airport with her neck pillow hanging from her backpack. You had to do a double take as it looked just like her bum. I tried to find it but couldn't.

Anyway. . . There are alternatives to the u-shaped neck pillow like turtleneck things that support your neck, although I haven't tried them. If you want an inflatable, just make sure the outer covering is comfortable and soft, like faux suede, not smooth plastic.

Oh - How do I get a discount coupon for the RS website? Where is the RS store located?

Cynthia, the RS website provides an "Shop Online" store. They provide weekly discounts on their products. RS headquarters is located in Edmonds, WA.
ricksteves.com

I have not tried the inflatable ones. I travel with the microbead one also. I never actually "pack" it. Mine has a snap to form a circle, so I just attach it to my personal item or rolling carryon. At hotels I have used it in addition to the bed pillow to be more comfortable. Hubby tried the firm memory foam type but switched to the microbead also.

In addition to my previous postings, I have used the Bucky mini U-shape neck pillow. It attaches to your carry on. I use it domestically on occasion. The one caveat I had with the Bucky pillow was in Australia a number of years ago. It was confiscated due to the Millet Hull contents. Who knew? They emptied it and I was left without a travel pillow. When we returned home, I was able to refill per Bucky. Hence, I now rely on the inflatible for overseas journeys. Bucky is a local online company in Seattle, WA. They also sell their products on Amazon.

We like the Samsonite inflatable pillow. It inflates easily and deflates by sucking the air out, so it packs flat. It has a nice soft cover. I got my husband's online and I found another one at Marshalls. They have it on the Bed,Bath &Beyond website and the 55 reviews give tips on how/how not to use it successfully. My husband has had his for probably 3 years and is a frequent traveler.

You can take advantage of weekly discounts on items like this online.
We live near RS headquarters, and stop by frequently for sale items as
needed.

Any weekly discounts are swallowed by the expensive shipping costs. If you live near the RS store on the west coast, who cares about shipping charges? :-)

My inflatable one is packed right now. I just want to say I love how it deflates. But more than that, when I doze, I like to be able have my head down and over, with my chin resting like that.

I bought this one and liked it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXW41D8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It deflates and fits inside a small-ish bag. I attached the bag to the handle of my suitcase with a caribiner so I didn't have to fit it inside the suitcase - that worked well.

These are the ones I bought:

Neck Pillow
I also own this one:
Lewis N. Clark

We love the Cabeau Memory Foam pillows. Yes, they are bulky, even when squished down into their travel bag, but they are really comfortable and they support your head. No more stiff necks. SInce they take up a fair amount of space, we hang them off a loop on our RS Veloce shoulder bag when we’re boarding the plane.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cabeau+evolution+pillow&tag=googhydr-20&index=hpc&hvadid=241575592249&hvpos=1t2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12757413248751022437&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012133&hvtargid=kwd-20547592560&ref=pd_sl_79jk2sv7pt_e_p37

We love the Cabeau Memory Foam pillows. Yes, they are bulky, even when squished down into their travel bag, but they are really comfortable and they support your head. No more stiff necks. SInce they take up a fair amount of space, we hang them off a loop on our RS Veloce shoulder bag when we’re boarding the plane.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cabeau+evolution+pillow&tag=googhydr-20&index=hpc&hvadid=241575592249&hvpos=1t2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12757413248751022437&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012133&hvtargid=kwd-20547592560&ref=pd_sl_79jk2sv7pt_e_p37

I just picked up this unit at REI. TEst nap in the recliner suggests it needs a tether to prevent the two lobes from separating. So, you might want to make sure that little feature is included in any pillow you consider. This pillow requires a few puffs to inflate and collapses into a ridiculously tiny case.

Sea to Summit Aeros

https://www.rei.com/product/104643/sea-to-summit-aeros-premium-traveller-neck-pillow

I like Nolah AirFoam Pillow, I bought this pillow half a year ago. This pillow is very soft and comfortable, and also does not take up much space. If you read more about it, you will find out that this option is great. Yeah, there some cheapers, cooler options but I personally love this pillow.

One unrelated tip: if you get an inflatable one, consider trying it a bit underinflated. I thought mine was really uncomfortable, but that's because I like my neck extended a bit and it pushed my head too far forward. If these pillows are uncomfortable to you for that reason, if you uninflate them part way they are much more comfortable. That's the benefit to an inflatable one, rather than just the bulkiness if packing it, for me.