No matter how you travel, it can be difficult. Between the long grueling hours, and the aches and pains from sitting so long, traveling is no joke.
Luckily there are ways to make it better. Travel pillows can help make any type of travel more comfortable. From neck pillows to back pillows to coccyx pillows, there is something for everyone.
So, what is the best travel pillow? That depends on what you’re looking for. If you need support for your neck while you sleep on your flight, then a travel neck pillow might be best.
However, if you travel a lot by car, then you won’t need anything to use as a headrest help you sleep behind the wheel. You might do better with a lumbar support cushion or coccyx seat cushion.
Let’s take a look at some of the best travel pillows for your needs.
Car Travel
For long car rides, if you are the driver, you might need some extra support and comfort under your bottom. Sitting in the same position for many hours can cause serious blood flow problems and make your legs hurt.
If you don’t use cruise control, you have the added strain of pushing the gas pedal constantly. This can ruin your posture and make it difficult to walk when you do get out of the car.
You may want to consider a back cushion or seat cushion to help your body relax against the flat back of the seat. You can check out our Memory Foam Coccyx Seat Cushion to help relieve tension put on your tailbone, hips, and thighs. It is heat responsive and has an ergonomic design that can travel with you anywhere.
If you are looking for more back support, then you should try our Lumbar Support Pillow. It can improve your posture while driving and contour your body to reduce chronic pains in your lower back. It is also made of pure memory foam, like many of our other products. It also features adjustable straps that are perfect for attaching to any chair.
If you are looking for a seat cushion, but you are worried about memory foam retaining heat., you should try a gel-infused cushion. Our gel-infused cushions have ventilated memory foam that provides a cooling effect while you sit. This way, after a long trip in the car, you aren’t sweating because of your cushion.
We have a gel-infused lumbar support cushion and a gel-infused coccyx seat cushion. Both of these cushions provide the same benefits as their non-gel counterparts. They are both orthopedic and ergonomically designed with a lifetime replacement guarantee. The cover even makes them machine washable.
Plane Rides
If you are looking for the best travel cushion for long plane rides, you should look for a neck pillow. Oftentimes, on long-haul flights, the easiest thing to do to pass the time is sleep. But sleeping in an airplane seat can be nearly impossible without the right elements. If you are stuck in an aisle seat with nothing to rest your head on, it makes it even harder to get some rest. And unfortunately, a full-size pillow isn't likely to fit.
One of the best things you can do to improve your chances of sleeping on an airplane is to buy a U-shaped neck pillow. A pillow that supports your neck makes it so that you don’t have to lean on anything or anyone. You can simply doze where you are with full chin support from the U-shape, no matter the size or location of your seat (yes, we're talking about the dreaded middle seat). It almost functions as a sort of neck brace that holds your head in place (albeit much more comfortable).
We offer a Memory Foam Airplane Travel Pillow Kit at Everlasting Comfort. It has a pocket for your phone and comes with travel accessories like earplugs and a sleep mask too! It is also made of high-quality pure memory foam, making it extremely soft yet supportive. Portability is important, too, and this kit comes with a drawstring bag to make carrying as easy as possible.
It is better to buy a memory foam neck pillow ahead of time before your flight. This is because airports often mark up the price of their neck pillows, knowing you’re in a hurry. they also tend to sell lower quality compressible pillows that inflate or that are made with microbeads. Investing in one beforehand can save you a lot of money in the long run. The best travel neck pillows for shut-eye are made with memory foam to give side sleepers and back sleepers alike the support they need.
However, to increase your chances of sleeping while flying, here are a few other tips.
- Pick a seat that is not near the back of the plane or near the bathroom, if possible.
- Wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in.
- Bring ear headphones to block out the noise.
- Bring an eye mask to block out the light.
- Pack lightly to reduce the number of carry-ons you have under your seat.
- Listen to some relaxing music.
- Try to avoid caffeine before your trip; it will only keep you up.
Again, if you tend to get overheated, you can look at our Gel Infused Memory Foam Travel Pillow. It will help keep your neck cool while still providing the head support you need.
Other Travel Cushions
If lumbar support or neck support is not what you’re looking for, then you can also try our other pillows. If you wanted a pillow for under your feet, we offer a memory foam footrest pillow. Although it is usually used for desks, it can also be used for traveling. Perhaps you want to put it under your footrest that while on the train to take the weight off of your feet and legs.
We also have bolster pillows, which can be great for redeye flights. This is pillow is known for its versatility and can go between your legs, under your knees, behind your neck, or behind your back. It can help improve your sitting or sleeping posture to reduce the aches and pains you feel daily.
If you travel on planes and other types of transport in a wheelchair, we have just the cushion for you. Our Gel Infused Memory Foam Wheelchair Cushion is perfectly designed to help make any wheelchair more comfortable for long trips. Sitting in a wheelchair all day can produce back and hip pain. It has a measurement of 18x17x3” suitable for most chairs.
Benefits Of Memory Foam Travel Cushions
Since most of our cushions are made of memory foam, it may be worth mentioning why memory foam is so useful, especially for seat cushions.
One of the best parts of memory foam is the support and contouring of your body. Memory foam is unique in its ability to do both. Because of the material of the foam, it is both soft and firm. It can easily adjust to any body shape or type in a matter of seconds, and then when you get up, go back to normal. It is bouncy but not flimsy.
Memory foam is much better for travel than other types of pillows, including bulkier inflatable travel pillows or traditional down pillows.
It can also help support pressure points in your shoulders, neck, and back. If you are planning on sleeping with a memory foam cushion, especially on the go, you will experience less pain and discomfort. The way that memory foam conforms to your neck can help prevent awkward sleeping positions that put an unnatural amount of stress on your body.
It may also help with snoring. Sleep posture can have a huge impact on breathing. Sleeping in the proper position can help open up your airways. This means, if you are sleeping in a public space, you will bother fewer people around you.
Memory foam is also hypoallergenic. It can keep mold and dust mites at bay during usage. It does not release any “micro-fluff” into the air that cotton and feather does. Not only that, but memory foam is also extremely easy to maintain.
The best memory foam cushions and pillows come with removable velour, bamboo fabric, or microfiber pillowcases that making washing simple. These can usually be removed with either a zipper or velcro. The density of the cushion also makes it more durable than standard cushions made of other materials.
How To Pick The Best Travel Cushion
So when you pick your travel pillow, make sure you consider what support you are looking for. This can vary from person to person. Even if you are looking for a neck pillow, there are a few different shaped pillows to pick from.
The one you get should depend on how you tend to lean when you sleep. For example, do you tend to lean your neck to the side or move forward when you drift off?
Perhaps the most important factor to consider for a travel pillow is comfort. It may look nice when you use it, but at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter. You want a pillow that will support you and last a long time.
Pick a travel cushion that is the best size for you. Since they come in many sizes, it is best to decide what you need before you buy. If you buy a pillow or cushion that is too bulky for your liking, you won’t want to take it with you when you travel. It may be worth investing in a pillow that comes with its own carrying case so that it's packable and you don't have to worry about trying to cram it in your duffel.
If you travel a lot, you’ll also want to make sure that your top picks of cushions are durable. Consider buying one with a washable cover so that it can be used for longer. If you buy a pillow that cannot be washed and it gets dirty, then you will be forced to buy a new one.
Sometimes cheap pillows can wear out after only a few uses. They tend to sag and become unusable, meaning you’ll have to cough up more money.
You should also think about the price of the pillow that you buy. Decide what is in your budget, and go from there. If you travel a lot, it might be worth it to invest in a more expensive pillow. However, if you are only planning on using it once or twice a year, then don’t splurge.
Other Things To Consider
If you’re thinking about purchasing a travel pillow, consider the following:
- Don’t wait until the last minute to buy an overpriced pillow at the airport.
- You won’t be able to trial run the durability of the pillow, but you can try it on for comfort if you are shopping in a store.
- If you are shopping online, you should read the reviews left by customers. See if they have anything negative to say about the pillow and then weigh their opinion against your own.
- Consider the function that your travel pillow will serve.
In Summary
No matter what travel pillow you decide on, there is likely one on the market that is perfect for you and your needs. Since they come in so many shapes and sizes, it is nearly impossible not to end up with a travel pillow that you love.
Don’t compromise on comfort, even when you are traveling. Hectic work trips and family outings can be stressful enough, so don’t add an uncomfortable seat to the list, because you still deserve to get much-needed travel rest.
Sources:
1.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581
2.https://www.cntraveller.com/article/how-to-sleep-on-a-plane
3.https://www.webmd.com/allergies/what-does-hypoallergenic-mean
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