How to choose a suitable travel pillow? Important tips for more comfort

Having the right equipment has a great impact on making the travel experience enjoyable. One of the most useful equipment is a pillow, which is used to increase the quality and enjoyment of sleep during the trip. A travel pillow with U-shaped, J-shaped, medical, gel, etc. types is undoubtedly one of the most efficient devices that you can take with you on air, road, and even nature tourism and camping trips. Travel pillows have different features and care and maintenance methods than other pillows. Among the best brands of travel pillows are “Pluto”, “Turtle”, “Bicozy”, “Kailas” and “Ostrich”.

Learn more about travel pillows:

Key features of travel pillows

Travel pillows are useful equipment for comfort in travel, especially in airplanes, cars, and camping, each of which has different and numerous features depending on the manufacturer’s brand and price. By considering these features, you can choose a pillow that best meets your travel needs. In general, the following are the key features of travel pillows:

_{Turtle travel pillow; Photo source: Amazon.com website. Photographer: Unknown}

• Easy portability: One of the key features of a travel pillow is its weight and volume, which helps to carry it easily. The travel pillow should be in such a way that in addition to light weight, it occupies a small volume.
• Materials: The inner material of the travel pillow is often in the form of memory foam or memory foam, fiber or air. The memory foam model will give you more comfort due to matching the shape of the head and neck. Compared to air and foam models, the fiber model has more breathability and prevents sweating.
• Ergonomic design: U-shaped pillows provide 360-degree support to a person’s neck. Some other pillows in luxury brands have the highest quality and the highest level of comfort due to their customized design and in harmony with the natural curves of the neck and head.
• Other special features: Some travel pillows have other special features. For example, in inflatable travel pillows, it is possible to adjust the degree of firmness and softness of the pillow. Also, some travel pillows are multi-purpose and can be used in different ways such as a back. Some pillows are waterproof and others have removable covers. Cooling gel has been used in a number of types of pillows to reduce head heat, and the simultaneous combination of foam and cooling gel in travel pillows is one of the special features that has its fans.

_{Air travel pillow; Photo source: 4×4 Rental.com website. Photographer: Unknown}

A variety of portable pillows for long trips

For long trips, it is very important to choose the right pillow that is also easy to carry. In this regard, many brands have produced products that can be prepared according to personal needs and tastes. Here are some types of portable pillows for long trips:

• U-shaped neck travel pillow (U): This type of pillow is one of the oldest travel pillows available in both inflatable and filled with different fibers. This pillow has various advantages such as light weight, high efficiency and easy use.
• J-shaped travel pillow: This type of pillow is one of the special and popular types of travel pillows that have high standards. The only disadvantage of the J-shaped pillow is its volume and dimensions, so it is better to attach it to your backpack with a strap when traveling. Also, its features include ergonomic design, multiple support for different parts such as head, neck and spine, high flexibility, comfort, multi-purpose and easy to carry.
• Medical travel pillow: These types of pillows are made of crescent-shaped foam that has high elasticity and when used, it adapts to your head and neck in the shortest time; Therefore, medical pillows are the best option for people who have neck problems. Most of these pillows have a removable cover and can be easily washed.
• Inflatable body travel pillow: This type of pillow, which has a kind of upper body shape, is more comfortable than a neck pillow, and its only drawback is its large volume, which takes up more space than other air pillows.

_{Inflatable body travel pillow; Photo source: Amazon.com website. Photographer: Unknown}

• Memory foam or memory foam travel pillow: With memory foam, this pillow provides the most protection for the head and neck and is the best option for use in the car and on road trips. Also, one of its advantages is its relatively light weight and its washable surface.
• Sand travel pillow: Although this type of pillow is heavier, it can be used in travel and workplace. The sand travel pillow, which is produced in different shapes, provides good protection for the head and neck due to the presence of plastic sand.
• Gel travel pillow: This type of pillow is considered one of the advanced and popular types of travel pillows, which provides a more comfortable sleeping experience for travelers with gel technology. The features of this pillow include reducing the pressure on the neck and head, cooling and anti-sweating, as well as the right size and weight.
• Wool or feather travel pillow: These types of pillows are one of the most traditional and popular travel pillows used by people looking for natural comfort. Among the features of wool or feather pillows, we can mention high flexibility, comfort and softness, proper ventilation, high durability and durability, and adjustable volume.
• Multipurpose air pillow: These pillows are usually covered with suede and in addition to comfort and softness, they prevent sweating. Multi-purpose pillows are produced in both small and large sizes, and it does not require a lot of energy to inflate them.

_{Photo source of shopee.ph.com website. Unknown photographer}

The best brands of travel pillows

There are different types of travel pillows that those interested in nature tourism and other forms of travel can choose one of them according to their characteristics, preferences and personal tastes, brand type, quality and budget. Some of the highest quality and most popular travel pillows include Pluto, Trtl, Bcozzy, Kailas, Ostrich, Sea to Summit. To Summit), “Naturehike” and “Samsonite”. Also, a number of reputable and popular brands in the Iranian market are listed below:

• Air travel pillow, Sea to Summit brand; Aeros Down model; Product of Australia
• Self-inflating travel pillow, “Mountainhiker” brand; Inflatable cushion model; Product of China
• Multi-purpose inflatable travel pillow, Nature Hike brand; Lengthened U-Shaped model; Product of China
• Memory foam travel pillow, C2 Summit brand; Foam Core model; Product of Australia
• Air travel pillow, “Forclaz” brand; MT500 model; Product of France
• Memory foam travel pillow, Nature Hike brand; Model NH22ZT002; Product of China
• Medical inflatable travel pillow, “NECK FIX” brand; traction model; Product of China

_{Photo source: Outdoorgearlab.com website. Photographer: Unknown}

Tips for choosing the right pillow for more comfort

A travel pillow is one of the most efficient and important travel equipment, the tips for choosing it may be different depending on the taste and anatomy of each person; Therefore, it can be one of the challenges when buying it; But in general, the tips for choosing the right pillow for more comfort during the trip include the following:

• type
• size
• Volume and weight
• Ergonomic design type
• Upper and inner material
• price
• Age appropriateness
• Washable
• Easy portability
• Longevity

_{Ostrich travel pillow; Photo source: Amazon.com website. Photographer: Unknown}

Methods of care and maintenance of travel pillows

By following a few principles, you can take care of your travel pillows in the best way. These tips will help you, in addition to maintaining the quality and not changing the shape, it will be possible to use the pillows for a long time.

• Washing: If you have a pillow with a removable cover, be sure to wash it after every trip, and for this, it is better to use mild detergent and cold water. Also, if your travel pillow is made of memory foam, you should clean it by hand using a damp cloth and mild soap. Keep in mind, foam pillows are not machine washable; Because it will damage their memory foam.
• Avoid moisture: After each use, put the travel pillow in the open environment to eliminate its possible smell and moisture. You can also use waterproof covers to prevent moisture during use. Also, if you do not intend to use the travel pillow temporarily, store it in a dry and cool environment.
• Use of the cover: In order not to have to constantly wash your travel pillow, it is recommended to use a suitable cover. If you are traveling and forget your travel pillow cover, use your cotton clothes, scarf or shawl for this purpose.
• Using different directions of travel pillow: If you want your travel pillow to not sag over time, be sure to use it in other directions as well. Also, this work can prevent fatigue in the head and neck.
• Correct use and proper handling: If the travel pillow is collapsible, use this feature and store it in your bag to protect it from dirt and dust. Also keep in mind that memory foam and some air pillows are damaged in direct sunlight; So keep them away from these conditions as much as possible.
• Maintaining the form and strength of the pillow: Check travel pillows periodically to repair or replace them if you see any damage, including tears. Also, all travel pillows have a useful lifespan, which can be found out by reading the booklet or asking the seller while buying. If, after this period, your travel pillow is faced with a loss of quality and damage, it is better to think about buying another travel pillow.

_{hand wash travel pillow; Photo source: wikihow.com website. Photographer: Unknown}

This article reviews travel pillows. If you also have experience in this field that is not mentioned in this article, please share it with us and other companions in the comments section of this article.

_{Cover photo source: Abc4.com website. Photographer: Unknown}