As a seasoned traveler who has journeyed across continents and oceans, I've had my fair share of sleepless nights and discomfort during long flights in economy class. That is, until I discovered the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow in 2014.

This trusty travel companion has been by my side for almost a decade, for any trip longer than 3 hours. The Travelrest travel pillow has transformed my long haul air travel from restless naps in economy class, into 3-6hr rejuvenating sleeps!

In this post, I'll share my personal experience with the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow, highlighting its features, benefits and why it still remains superior to any neck pillow on the market.

The Life-changing Discovery of the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow

My journey with the Travelrest travel pillow began in 2014, after many a sleepless long haul flight trying both airline supplied pillows and neck pillows.

Being 6’2” tall I was running out of hope finding a way to get comfortable in a coach class seat, until I came across the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow in an online store.

Intrigued by its unique ergonomic design and 4 out of 5 Amazon review rating, I decided to give it a try. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of a long-term love affair with the Travelrest inflatable travel pillow.

It has accompanied me on countless flights and train journeys, providing the comfort and support I need, to arrive at my destinations feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!

Who are Travelrest?

The Travelrest travel pillow was originally created by John Mittelstadt in 2007. John frequently travelled to Asia experiencing discomfort during long haul flights.

Struggling with bulky, non-supportive airline pillows and other travel pillows that pushed his head forward, John sought a more comfortable and stable solution.

His ingenious idea to tie an airline pillow to his seat's headrest using his running shoe laces set the stage for the development of the inflatable Travelrest® pillow.

As a result John Mittelstadt created “Hi Gear Design” in 2007, which to this day continues to develop new and innovative travel products.

Travelrest Travel Pillow: My Secret to Restful Journeys

The Travelrest pillow's innovative design and features have made it an indispensable part of my travel gear. Here's what I love about it:

Ergonomic Design

The pillow's unique shape wraps around my head, neck, shoulders and also supports my upper body (unlike neck pillows), ensuring I stay comfortable throughout.

Versatile Use

Whether I'm on a plane, train, or automobile, the Travelrest inflatable pillow adapts to any type of travel, preventing neck strain and even doubling as lumbar support when needed.

Inflatable and Adjustable

The large easy to clean air valve allows the travel pillow to be quickly and easily inflated or deflated, in the tightest of spaces. It also gives the ability to adjust the firmness of the pillow, according to my preference, which is a game-changer.

Adjustable Strap

An adjustable strap attached to both the top and bottom of the inflatable travel pillow gives you a number of options:

Attach the strap around the headrest of your airline seat, preventing you from invading other passengers space, while sleeping.
Keeps the pillow in place when you leave your seat.
Enables you to wear the pillow (cross body), which is my preference.

Seatbelt Attachment

A dual use strap enables the travel pillow to be secured to a lap belt when inflated or used to attach the pillow to a luggage handle or backpack strap when rolled up.

Lightweight and Portable

When not in use, it deflates and rolls up small, taking up minimal space in my luggage or can be clipped around a luggage handle or strap.

Upgradeable

The Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow can be easily upgraded, with the addition of a luxury velour and memory foam cover. No need to buy a new pillow!

High-Quality Materials

After nearly a decade of use, my Travelrest pillow still looks and feels as good as new, thanks to its durable and easy-to-clean fabric.

Travelrest Travel Pillow Choices

Travelrest inflatable travel pillows are more portable than typical neck pillows. Not only is it lightweight, but also compact when rolled up.

There are two versions of the Travelrest travel pillow available:

Cover Upgrade for Travelrest Ultimate

Already purchased the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow, but want the luxury of the Travelrest All-in-One Travel PIllow?

Simply upgrade your Travelrest Travel Pillow by purchasing the luxury velour and memory foam cover sold separately, for little additional cost!

How the Travelrest Travel Pillow Outshines the Competition

Over the years, I've tried numerous travel pillows, but none have compared to the Travelrest pillow. Here's how it stacks up against other popular travel pillows:

Traditional U-shaped pillows: U-shaped pillows fall short when it comes to providing complete support for the head, neck, shoulders and upper body. The ergonomic design of the Travelrest pillow ensures full support, allowing for a more restful sleep and reduced discomfort during my travels.
Memory foam pillows: While memory foam pillows can be comfortable, they are often bulky and challenging to pack. The inflatable design of the Travelrest pillow makes it compact and easy to store when not in use.
Microbead pillows: Although microbead pillows can conform to the shape of your head and neck, they may not provide adequate support. With the Travelrest pillow's adjustable firmness, you can always find the perfect level of support for your needs.

How to use Travelrest Travel Pillow

Unlike neck pillows, Travelrest inflatable pillows come with two attachment points, enabling you to securely attach the pillow to airplane passenger seats, car seats and / or lap belt or simply wear it across your body.

If you are flying and a side sleeper, I always recommend selecting a window seat. Airplane window seats typically provide and additional 3”- 4” of room between the airplane seat and interior panel of the plane, making it ideal when using a Travelrest travel pillow.

Complementary Travel Accessories

In addition to the Travelrest inflatable travel pillow, there are a few other essential travel accessories that I highly recommend for a restful journey.

Active Noise-Canceling Headphones

A good quality set of over the ear, active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, such as the Bose QC 35 Series II, can make all the difference during a flight.

They can help to block out ambient noise and create a more peaceful environment for sleep.

onaEz 3D Total Blackout Luxury Travel Sleep Mask

The onaEz 3D Total Blackout Luxury Travel Sleep Mask is another game-changing accessory for sleep during travel.

The mask has built in recesses ensuring the mask won’t place pressure on your eyes. It completely blocks out light, which helps promote REM sleep and comes with an adjustable strap.

No more being rudely awakened when the cabin lights are turned back on and window shades are pulled up!

Why the Travelrest Travel Pillow Is a Must-have for Every Traveller

Having used the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow for nearly a decade, I can confidently say that it can be game-changer for anyone seeking comfort and support during their travels.

Its innovative design, adjustable firmness, and high-quality materials and 2 year warranty have made it an indispensable part of my travel gear, allowing me to arrive at my destinations feeling refreshed and ready to explore.

If you're a traveler in search of the perfect travel pillow, I wholeheartedly recommend giving the Travelrest Pillow a try. From my experience, once you've tried it, there's no going back to anything else!

Click on the below to upgrade your travel gear and embark on your next adventure feeling well-rested and comfortable with the Travelrest Travel Pillow.

Frequently Asked Questions from Fellow Travellers

As a longtime user of the Travelrest travel pillow, I often receive questions from fellow travelers. Here are some of the most common inquiries:

Cleaning the Travelrest pillow is a breeze. If you have the version without the velour / memory foam cover, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let it air dry.
For the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow with the velour / memory foam cover, simply unzip the cover, remove the bladder and memory foam pads and wash in a gentle cool wash and air dry.
Reviews on both Amazon and the manufacturers website state that these pillows have been hugely successful!
I have personally been using the Travelrest pillow with great success over many years.
Everyone is different and you may experience different results.
The Travelrest pillow measures approximately 26 x 7.5 x 5.5 inches when fully inflated and much smaller than traditional neck pillows when deflated. It weighs around 7 ounces.
Yes, my Travelrest pillow is always at hand. It can be used on planes, trains, buses, and road trips.
Yes! I travel in economy class most of the time and have not experienced any issues.
To inflate, unroll the pillow with the valve side up and within 3-6 breaths the Travelrest pillow is ready to turn round and use.

To deflate simply apply pressure to the pillow while pushing on the valve, then roll the pillow back up, expelling remaining air as and when required from the valve.