Travel pillows: features, types, selection and operation

While traveling, the human body also needs rest, but not always there are suitable conditions for this, because it is quite difficult to carry pillows and blankets with you. And if a bulky blanket can be replaced with a compact blanket, then what to do with a pillow?

There is an exit! For a long time in any tourist shops you can find products designed specifically for travel. Let us consider in more detail what are their features, what are the advantages and how to handle them correctly.

A travel pillow is a product of a certain shape, thanks to which individual parts of the body can rest a little in the current conditions. Such products can be of various shapes, sizes, with different content and are made from a variety of materials, but, as a rule, they are all quite compact and can easily fit both in the passenger compartment and in the trunk of a car. Travel pillows not only allow a person to get some rest, but also perform many other, not so obvious functions. For example, they prevent the occurrence of pain that occurs in the process of fatigue or improper rest.

The development of osteochondrosis, which can be prevented by using a high-quality travel pillow for rest, can even become unfavorable consequences of improper rest. Also, such products not only help to reduce the tension of the muscular system, but also normalize blood circulation in the brain area, which can be disturbed by fatigue or incorrect head position during rest.

Undoubtedly, travel pillows have both advantages and disadvantages. Among the benefits most often noted are the following.

• Oddly enough, but such products are quite comfortable and really allow you to relax on the road.
• In the model range of such pillows, there are inflatable options that can even be folded into a small handbag and, if necessary, inflated. This is very convenient, since such a product takes up very little space.
• Certain models will help protect against injury. For example, when using a neck cushion, the head does not lean against the car glass and will not be subject to impact when driving on a rough road.
• Travel pillows are quite unpretentious in care, they can always be washed or wiped with a damp cloth, so you can keep the product clean and not worry about the hygienic side of the issue.
• Some products are sold with accessories for eyes and ears, which will provide a more complete rest.

But unfortunately, it is not without drawbacks.

• Some inflatable models are considered not very comfortable and not strong enough, which affects their service life.
• Most often, such pillows are made of a material that heats up quickly during use.This may cause discomfort.
• There are many cheap analogues made following the example of really high-quality products. As a rule, analogues are of lower quality and cause only disappointment during operation. Therefore, if you want to buy a good travel pillow, you can often run into a fake.
• Non-inflatable models can be quite bulky and therefore difficult to use in some situations.

To find the right product, you need to familiarize yourself with the full list of varieties and their detailed characteristics. Pillows can differ in several ways, each of which deserves special attention.

The product in the form of a bagel is designed to support the head during sleep and rest in a sitting position. The arched element is put on the neck, tightly adhering to the occipital region and preventing the head from tipping over, and also supports it on the sides. The headrest is ideal for long journeys by car. The product is attached to the top of the car seat or any other chair. You can also use it in a different version and lie down with your head on it. As a rule, head restraints are made square and can be equipped with a "memory" effect.

The body retainer has an oblong shape and is attached to the chairs in the head area. The other end rests on the seat. Outwardly, such a product is very similar to a soft arm and shoulder, on which you can take a sweet nap in a car or during a flight.

The pillow in the form of a ring is perfect for resting the back and lower back in a sitting position. Its edges gently support the spine, allowing the muscles to relax. Also, such a product can be used by placing it under your feet. Not very common, but still there are round, oval and rectangular items for travel. They do not enjoy great success, since they are only suitable for relaxing in a lying position, which can be quite difficult to occupy while traveling.

By filling the pillow, you can almost fully judge its convenience. For example, an air-filled inflatable product can be quite rigid, which not everyone will like. But such a product also has advantages if it is a neck pillow - the head will always be securely fixed in a comfortable position. Orthopedic pillows are filled with a special material with a memory effect. It means that the product will fully adapt to the part that will be located on it. Thanks to this effect, the rest will be very comfortable even in the conditions of a tourist trip.

Some models can be equipped with a massager. As a rule, these are headrest products with a battery-powered mechanism. Round parts make rotational movements, gently kneading the neck-collar zone.As a filling, microgranules are very often used - small soft balls, which in large quantities form an elastic mass that provides maximum comfort to the head and neck. But such a filling may have certain disadvantages, since balls quite often stray at the ends of the product, forming an empty middle.

A variety of materials are used to make the cover and replaceable pillowcases for travel pillows.

• Fleece – heats up quickly and can cause discomfort when in contact with the face.
• Cotton - a dense fabric that does not stretch or deform. The most dense pillows are obtained from this material.
• satin - very soft and pleasant to the touch material.
• Linen - very rarely used to make pillows themselves, but linen pillowcases are popular even when travelling.
• Spandex - elastic material, used for the manufacture of pillows with microgranules.
• Flock - a material created by applying fabric fibers to certain surfaces. Most often used to create inflatable products.

There are quite a few manufacturers of travel products, but in order to choose the best and most suitable, you should familiarize yourself with the rating of the most popular models.

• Quite popular are inflatable neck products Intex. They are low cost and high quality.
• Bestway inflatable products can be distinguished from the same price category.Their model range is quite wide, so you can choose both a headrest and a neck support.
• Travel Pillow products have a higher cost, but no less high quality. The model range is represented by both inflatable and dense products, and collar pillows are the most popular.
• Outventure products are mid-priced and feature a soft velor surface that feels great against the skin.
• The Woodsurf headrest pillow is made of soft fabric and, in combination with orthopedic filling, has a powerful therapeutic effect on the neck.
• Models from brands such as Sam, Autoatandart, Royal, Oasis and children's pillow-beds from Fly Kids are also popular.

To choose a quality comfortable product, some guidelines must be followed.

• It is best to try on the product around the neck, if we are talking about a certain model, since this is the only way to determine whether such a pillow is right for you or whether it can cause inconvenience.
• If you choose an inflatable product, it is best to get a small hand pump in advance, since inflating it by mouth during travel is not very convenient and not at all hygienic.
• If you are aiming to buy a branded product, you should immediately exclude dubious stores and models without a logo. Remember, high-quality branded pillows always have an inscription or patch with the brand logo.
• If you want to get a neck pillow, but are in doubt about the dimensions of the product, pay attention to the pillow-scarf, which wraps around the neck, also fixing and supporting the position of the head.
• It is also recommended to check the airbag.To do this, after buying at home, you will need to inflate the product and place it in a bowl of water to make sure that it does not have holes. If bubbles appear in the water, you need to fix their presence and contact the store to replace the product.

Since most models have a clear fixed shape, there are practically no difficulties with their operation. But there may be difficulties with an inflatable product, so before you take it on a trip, you need to read the detailed instructions for inflating such a pillow:

• first of all, the product must be unpacked and carefully laid out on a flat surface;
• if you use a pump, just insert the pump nozzle into the valve and inflate the product;
• if you are going to inflate the pillow with your mouth, it is recommended to carefully wipe the valve first with a damp antibacterial wipe and then with a dry one;
• after that, you can take the valve into your mouth and press a little on its base with your teeth, since it is equipped with a special mechanism that prevents deflation;
• with a few deep breaths and exhalations, you can easily inflate the pillow;
• after it becomes dense and elastic, the valve will need to be closed, preventing the product from blowing off.

Of course, when choosing a quality product, you should not lose sight of customer reviews, since very often they can influence the final decision. And if opinions differ regarding brands, then in the case of varieties, everything is pretty clear.Most users prefer products that are worn around the neck, as they find them the most comfortable and safe.

Many prefer headrests and models with massagers. They are especially popular among drivers, because in a sitting position, neck and shoulder muscles fatigue much faster, and massaging circular movements and head support help to relax.

Almost everyone notes the uselessness of round, square, rectangular and oval products, since they, in fact, are ordinary pillows with smaller dimensions and their use in travel conditions is not always convenient.

For information on how to choose the right pillow for an airplane, see the following video.