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New design for travel pillows

By Rain Noe - February 10, 2010

in Object Culture

One of my most prized travel possessions is an inflatable travel pillow similar to the one above. (I can't find the exact model online as I bought it in Japan.) It only takes a few seconds to inflate, keeps my head from bobbing around during sleep and most importantly, folds completely flat when not in use. The cover is also removeable and machine-washable, so I can get those airplane germs off of it after each use.

I think it's pretty much the perfect design--it's comfortable, cleanable and portable--but a company called Designs in Progress has developed a competing product, their new Embrace Sleep Collar Travel Pillow, made from memory foam:

Personally I'm not crazy about the aesthetic, as it looks like something you use to restrain Hannibal Lecter, and it seems like it would get hot without that front opening that the U-shaped variety has. The Embrace is designed to encircle your neck completely to prevent forward head-bobbing, but I've found the U-shaped variety also precludes that by keeping your head more or less comfortably immobile. Lastly, as malleable as memory foam is, it won't fold as flat as the inflatable kind.

However, I should point out that I've never actually used the Embrace, these are just my impressions based on seeing it. What do you think, would you try this thing out?

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lisa

13 years ago

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It looks pretty clever to me. It looks about 1/3 the size a normal travel pillow and keeps your chin up.
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Bernardo

14 years ago

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When flying I always think of a device to hold my head from falling forward. Something like a large elastic band attached to the top part of my chair that I could put around my forehead for support. Or even a rope attached to the ceiling that would have a place for me to stick my head in comfortably (but I guess the amount of choking passengers wouldn't allow this option to be a success :D ).

I hate sleeping in a chair...
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Bernardo

14 years ago

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I think different people have different types of body. And my body is definitely the type that when sitting falls to the front. I don't feel comfortable when leaning back unless actually lying down (or almost). So I think this new pillow/neck support would be perfect for me. I really want to try one on my next 9 hour flight!
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matt

14 years ago

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I'm with you. Your pillow looks like a travel pillow and not a neck brace for someone who just came out of the hospital. Although, I have never tried it either and it may do the job.
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Andres Salamanca

14 years ago

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I think that your point is reasonable. The inflable one looks more confortable, even if it isn't. I thought that is the main point.
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Ben

14 years ago

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Yeah definitely! I'm a bit taller and on longer flights there is almost no way to use a neck pillow and not come away with some kind of spinal damage (especially on those 20 hour flights to New York or London from my home of Melbourne).

The main problem I have is not having a chin prop, this seems like it would be the answer, so long as the heat is covered, but on international flights things usually get chilly anyway.

Thanks for posting this! If I get one I'll ping you back with a review.
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minhloc

14 years ago

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well, is it really new ?

soft orthopedic collar already do the same job
which is to support one's neck.
i do recon the color is a bit better though.
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sarah

14 years ago

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i would DEFINITELY try this out... seems like the perfect antidote to international-economy-classitis. the usual ones don't give anywhere near the right amount of support. i've used the ol' sweatshirt wrapped around my neck (!!) method several times and it's great, as ridiculous as it sounds. this looks like a great solution
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