Updated advice on travel pillows

Here's what I posted on a pillow thread back last summer:

"*There was a longish thread a few months ago about travel pillows and during that time I was getting ready to travel. I found an inflatable pillow at TJMaxx for $4.99 that worked better than any other pillow I have tried.

I kept the box in case anyone asked. It is an Inflatable Microfiber Hedbed (tm) Travel Pillow. The brand is smoothtrip.

There is a little learning curve on positioning and on how much to fill, but otherwise it was great. I had previously had inflatable pillows that were crinkly which I hated but no noise with this one.*"

I've since taken it on another international trip and it works great for me. I don't like the U-shaped ones. I have tried small rectangular ones from Bed, Bath and Beyond and while they were OK they kept slipping down the side of the airline seat or onto the floor.

Thank you. I found that on Amazon and at Brookstone. It does look promising, however, both stores list it as currently unavailable.

It's been a year since I saw it at TJMaxx but if you've got one on a usual route for you, I'd stop by every time you're in the neighborhood. I have not seen them lately in mine but it's not really a very good one! I see it's out of stock on Amazon as well.

I had an earlier version of this pillow and it was my absolute favorite. I lost it several years ago and remember at that time I was unable to find a replacement. I'm glad to know it might still out there.

It's a far cry from $4.99, but I did find two places online that say they still have these pillow. With shipping, one was $22+ and one was $27+.

We took a packable down vest that did double duty. Works as a pillow (when packed in it's stuff sack) and then works as a layer for 3 seasons travel. I got a great deal on mine, which is no longer available, but this is essentially the same thing.

I have switched to a Trtl. for sleeping while traveling and I'll never use anything else. It's sort of like a fleece scarf that you wrap around your neck that has a springy thing that supports the side that you are leaning toward. I have had the best sleeps using it on planes and even at the gate waiting for my flight. It hardly takes up any room in my travel bag. The only down side to it is that it's made of fleece and can be a warm if the plane is hot--in that case I don't wrap it around my neck but just prop it up on my neck and it works that way too--it's just not as stable. You can find them online include on Amazon.

I'll second the recommendation for the Trtl. I've tried so many different styles of travel pillow and have never been able to sleep for more than an hour or so on a plane. With the Trtl though, I slept for the duration of my last cross country flight, ~4 hours. As mentioned, it can be warm, but I can deal with that for good neck support.

I've tried a small rectangle pillow on the plane before, but after about the third time of it sliding out from between my head and the window I gave up. Especially since it kept going behind me and I had to ask the person in the next row to hand it back to me.

I got the fleece one that looks like a neck wrap/scarf type of thing. This one. https://www.amazon.com/Trtl-Pillow-Scientifically-Support-Washable/dp/B00LB7REFK

I have a bad neck and regular travel pillows that go around the neck push my neck and head too far forward.
I was miserable. It was toooo hot.

I rarely am able to sleep on a flight (probably because I'm so excited!). I have a Travel Rest pillow that provides some comfort.
I'm normally a side sleeper, so it allows my head to fall where it usually does and also allows me to rest my arms in the loop in a comfortable way (for me). I'm considering a Trtl pillow as mentioned by others, but I am going to try the Travel Rest one more time before I toss it.

I use a BCOZZY pillow. It overlaps in front which helps me because I tend to nod forward when I fall asleep. It keeps my chin up. Amazon has it.

Are the knock-off Trtl pillows as good as the original? Has anyone tried those?

I've tried the U-shaped inflatable pillows, but they don't really work for me. I know have two camping pillows that I'm trying out. Once goes behind my back and the other one under my head....so far so good.

I prefer the small rectangular travel pillows. I have one that's feather-filled and another fiberfill that's a little firmer. I bought both at Bed Bath and Beyond a few years ago. I prefer these because I can use them in the hotels if needed. I bring one in my personal bag on the plane and pack the other in my carry-on size suitcase. I can't stand having anything around my neck, so the U-shaped pillows aren't for me.

I also use a Turtl, and will never use another travel pillow. My husband used some kind of inflatable pillow on an overnight international flight last year and was miserable, while I zonked out with the Turtl. Needless to say, he got himself one for our next international trip. ;-)

Try Trtl pillow on Amazon. For travel on the plain/train and My Pillow travel size for hotel, etc.

How are you all getting the Trtl to stay in place? It always slides around on me and doesn't support my head high enough to be comfortable.

“How are you all getting the Trtl to stay in place? It always slides around on me and doesn't support my head high enough to be comfortable.”

Sarah, I use the Trtl too and find that if I place the airline’s pillow on top of my shoulder so the the Trtl rests on the pillow rather than directly on my shoulder, the Trtl is raised just enough to support my head better.