This is post two of a multi-part series. For part one, see Eco-Product of the Year Nominee
In-Flight Product of the Year. No, that doesn’t mean the best item from the SkyMall magazine. Although the canine genealogy kit, beer pager and spa hot tub in a box are all game-changers (and by game-changers I mean unequivocally absurd). Instead it refers to the product that is most helpful for those trans-oceanic hauls.
Our first nominee is The Travel Halo.
I have never been one to benefit from travel neck pillows and I have tried a dozen different designs. Not only do they not work for me, they are bulky and if I am able to get some sleep using one, I end up with a crick in my neck.
The Travel Halo solves these problems. The first thing you will notice is how small it is. When it arrived I thought I might have received the wrong product. It comes in a nice cinch sack and is about the size of a softball. All parts are soft, so it can condense to even smaller sizes and it only weighs 2.5 ounces. I have lost a couple travel neck pillows due to not having a place to store it. This is not a problem with The Halo.
The design of the travel neck pillow is inherently flawed. I don’t have a long neck by any stretch (sorry, couldn’t help myself), but to even get my head to rest on the neck pillow, I have to bend my neck ala B.K.S. Iyengar. It is uncomfortable and leaves a lasting reminder once I reach my destination. The ingenious design of the Travel Halo is that it fits directly on your head and keeps it in place. There are two small pillows in the back of the headband design that stabilize the head.
The only bad news is now that I am traveling with an infant, sleep is a distant memory and not even the transcendent design of the travel pillow can help me (and my unfortunate fellow passengers).
Pros ~
- Included eye flap that can be pulled down as a sleeping mask
- Small, lightweight and compact
- Actually keeps your head in place in a comfortable position
- The rear pillows keep your ears off the seat so you can still use headphones comfortably
Cons ~
- May look a bit silly if worn when not in your seat
- Small stabilizing pillows in the back could be a bit larger for extra support
The Travel Halo can be purchased directly from www.thetravelhalo.com for $29.99
Full disclosure: The Travel Halo sent me their product to test free of charge and with no stipulations. Financial compensation was not received for this post. Opinions expressed here are my own. I receive no financial interest in sales of this product. Read our full disclosure policy. All images courtesy of TheTravelHalo.com
For past travel gear reviews please check our essential travel packing list and here is a great list of gear for photographers.
