I’ve had terrible luck in the past with travel pillows. Specifically, the u-shaped ones that sit on your shoulders and are supposed to be good for your neck.
In order to save space, I’ve opted for the inflatable pillows as opposed to the larger, buckwheat-filled type that take up waaaay too much room. But, the problem that I have is that after one or two uses, they begin to leak. And though they are not super expensive (at about $12), I’m not very happy about throwing this money away on a one-time use item.
I somewhat reluctantly carried the Cocoon U-shaped Air-Core Pillow (above) with me on my most recent travels. It IS inflatable and really not much larger than the size of two fists, but I wasn’t convinced that it was going to be worth the space it would take up. In the end, I just tucked it into the bottom of my day bag.
Though I didn’t use it much on the long flights to Hanoi or during the actual trip, it more than made up for the space it took up on the return flights from Bangkok. OMG, why hadn’t I ever used one of these before???
I generally tuck myself into my window seat (see photo) with the airline provided pillow (and blanket) and call it a night. I wake up frequently with my neck in pain or my hand or arm asleep. What I found with the Cocoon U-shaped pillow was that I could actually sit upright, fall asleep in a somewhat comfortable position, and sleep solid without crankily moving around to wake up my limbs.
The seams are all really solidly sown. And though I’d only had about 10 hours sleep-time with this, I don’t expect this to leak like some of the more cheaply made versions I’ve purchased in the past.
I know I’ve complained about my re-entry and how jet lag had the better of me this past week, BUT, I know it would have been a lot worse if I hadn’t slept on my flights. And having the Cocoon pillow was just the thing I needed to help me have a deep sleep!
Cocoon has a lot of great travel products including sleep sacks, pajamas and blankets, but their u-shaped pillow won my heart (and neck!) and I’ll never travel without it again!
I know. I’m gushing. But I really mean it!
Travel Well!
Beth
Related links:
Royal Robbins Giveaway
Guilty Travel Pleasures
Rough Guides
Overland Equipment Daybag
Creature Comforts
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ricki@tripbase says
Gushing about a travel pillow? I’m convinced.
jessiev says
VERY cool. i need one. thanks!