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I’m an expert at whiling away the hours on a plane. I can distract myself, even in a confined space—reading, watching movies, or thinking thoughts. I can even find pleasure in the tiny bland meal served on an airplane. What I’ve never been good at, though, is in-flight sleep. It doesn’t seem fair that only the folks in lay-flat seats get to enjoy their circadian rhythm uninterrupted, but I was beginning to be resigned to this literal class division, until after hundreds of hours of flying, I’m happy to report that there is finally something that works for me. I tried the Trtl travel pillow, and I won’t do long flights without it again.
Dozing is decidedly not as rejuvenating as actual sleep. My flight naps were often short and half-hearted. Usually 20 minutes would pass before I woke myself up because I open-mouth snored again. Bad sleep is a nuisance even if you occasionally travel, but if you fly internationally often, it can really throw off your travel days. After trying several disappointing inflatable U-shaped travel pillows and countless balled-up jackets and scarves, I was skeptical of the Trtl travel neck pillow. But it was the unusual design that caused me to reconsider.
My flight with the Trtl
I got my gray Trtl pillow before taking an eight-hour flight to Copenhagen. It wasn’t bulky and barely weighed a thing; it’s just a bit awkwardly shaped. I wondered where I’d store it because it doesn’t fold or collapse. I could have wrapped it around the handle of my backpack but I’m not much for dangling bits and bobs, so I ended up fitting the curved edge over my packing cube inside my backpack. It was a squeeze, but the backpack zipped up. Done.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
After getting situated in my economy window seat, and marveling at how the airline managed to make a Mexican-inspired dish taste like absolutely nothing, I got ready to rack up some Z’s. I took out the Trtl neck support, positioned it off to the side, wrapped the soft, stretchy fleece scarf-part around my neck, and secured the end to the Velcro. It felt pretty good. Though I think the fleece will feel a little hot in the summer, in the current winter chill, it was rather cozy. I tested out the strength of it and decided to tighten up the fleece scarf before closing my eyes.
I fake-sleep selfied so you could better imagine your future. It is legitimately comfortable.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Not only did I get hours (in a row!) of real sleep, but the fleece wrapped securely under my chin, solving my open-mouth snoring dilemma. I did wake up one time because my noise-cancelling earbuds made me claustrophobic, so I left those out on my return flight where I slept for all five of the hours between meals. The Trtl was comfortable and effective. Plus, as you can see in my fake-sleep selfie, I looked extremely cool (I have a reputation to maintain). Even if you don’t achieve this level of glamour, it’s okay; sleeping isn’t about looks anyway.
Why the Trtl works
The Trtl travel pillow has a different approach than everything else I’ve tried. Instead of something bulky and puffed to rest your head on, this is less a pillow and more a supportive holder for your noggin. It’s basically a thin fleece scarf with a rigid but padded, curved support on one end. You place the bend of the support against your head—or in front, whatever side you’d like to lean toward—wrap the fleece around once like a scarf, and use the Velcro strip to secure the hold. You can see the Velcro is lime green on mine and the Trtl logo has the partner Velco on the back.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
The stretchy fleece plays an important role in the support structure. I find the biggest culprit of crappy sleep while sitting up is the head-bob. Anyone who has slept on a bus, subway, or train knows the dreaded head-bob. You start to doze and gravity takes control of your ten-pound head for a split second. You feel the drop and wake up in time to catch your head, just before dozing off again to repeat this drowsy dance. This head drop happens with inflatable travel pillows too; your head can slip off the side and wake you up. The Trtl, however, straps you in, securing your head to the plastic support framework and eliminating any sleep bobbing.
The Trtl travel pillow is on sale right now, and comes in several colors. Even if you don’t fly, this cozy head support can be used on trains, bus rides, or long drives. By the way, there is a Trtl pillow junior (also on sale). Can you imagine if your kids could actually sleep in the backseat on the car ride to your parents’ house next week? I highly recommend grabbing this deal for yourself or anyone on your gift list who travels. The Trtl will change how you holiday.
