Are you tired of waking up with a crick in your neck after trying to sleep on planes, trains, or buses? The struggle of nodding off while travelling and then being jolted awake by your head falling uncomfortably is a familiar one for many. Like many frequent travelers, I’ve experimented with countless sleep aids, from bulky U-shaped travel pillows to the flimsy, air-filled ones airlines sometimes provide. However, these traditional options often fail to prevent the dreaded head wobble, leaving me with neck pain that lasts long after arrival.
As someone who travels regularly, finding a solution to sleep comfortably in a seated position became a priority. I needed something that could genuinely support my neck, allowing my head to tilt gently without ending up in an awkward, neck-straining angle. While a lullaby feature might be a dream, solid neck support was the real goal.
That’s when I spotted the Trtl travel pillow on a flight and knew I had to investigate. The unique design intrigued me, and I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. Being prone to overheating, I opted to try the newly released ‘cool’ version, the Trtl Pillow Cool. In this Trtl travel pillow review, I’ll share my honest experience and whether it truly provides the neck support needed for restful travel sleep.
The Good
- Compact and lightweight design, perfect for travel.
- Exceptional support for comfortable sleep in upright positions.
- Soft and cozy material against the neck.
- Includes a convenient carry case for portability.
- The ‘Cool’ version offers enhanced breathability.
The Not-So-Good
- Higher price point compared to standard travel pillows.
- Can be slightly cumbersome to carry when not in use.
Find your Trtl Pillow and travel more comfortably here
Unpacking the Trtl Travel Pillow Innovation
Trtl is a company specializing in travel accessories, most notably recognized for its revolutionary approach to travel pillows. Moving away from the conventional, bulky U-shaped design, Trtl developed a wraparound scarf-like pillow that fits snugly around your neck. The secret lies within: an internal support system meticulously engineered to hold your head upright, allowing for a natural side tilt without the uncomfortable head bobbing that leads to neck strain.
Trtl offers a range of travel pillow variations to cater to different needs, including the original Trtl Pillow, the Trtl Pillow Plus with adjustable height for personalized support, the Trtl Pillow Cool crafted with a lighter, breathable fabric for warmer climates or those who tend to overheat, and the Trtl Pillow Junior specially designed for younger travelers.
Beyond their signature travel pillows, Trtl also provides a variety of other travel essentials, such as sleep masks to block out light, compression socks to improve circulation during long journeys, and packing pods to organize luggage efficiently.
Getting Started with Your Trtl Pillow: How It Works
The Trtl Pillow’s operation is quite straightforward, although it deviates from the familiar U-shaped pillow experience. Correct positioning around the neck is key to its effectiveness. Here’s a simple guide to using the Trtl travel pillow:
- Begin by placing the Trtl travel pillow around your neck. Inside, you’ll find a flexible yet firm support structure engineered to cradle your head and neck. Adjust the pillow so this support frame aligns with the side of your head you naturally lean towards – whether that’s to the left, right, or even slightly forward.
- Once the frame is positioned correctly, wrap the soft scarf fabric snugly around your neck and fasten it using the Velcro closure. This adjustable fastener ensures a secure fit, holding the pillow in place and providing consistent support without slippage.
- With the pillow wrapped and secured, gently lean your head against the support. The internal frame will maintain your neck in a comfortable upright position, allowing a slight head tilt while preventing uncomfortable nodding or drooping.
- When you’ve reached your destination or no longer need the pillow, simply unwrap it, fold it compactly, and store it in your bag. Its space-saving design makes it incredibly easy to pack for your next adventure. Alternatively, utilize the included carry bag and attach it to your luggage for external convenience.
Ready to experience comfortable travel sleep? Get your Trtl pillow now
My Personal Journey with the Trtl Pillow
I’ve put my Trtl Pillow through rigorous testing on numerous recent trips, encompassing long journeys by train, car, and airplane. In this section, I’ll delve into my detailed experience with the pillow, evaluating its appearance, ease of use, sleep quality enhancement, comfort levels, and packing convenience. I’ll also incorporate insights from other customers’ online reviews to provide a well-rounded perspective on the Trtl Pillow.
Unfolded Trtl Travel Pillow held by reviewer Lucy, showcasing the internal support frame and wraparound scarf design.
First Impressions: Appearance
The Trtl Pillow immediately stands out from traditional U-shaped travel pillows. It more closely resembles a soft fleece scarf, subtly concealing a curved plastic rib within its fabric layers. This internal support structure is designed to fit snugly between your shoulder and chin on one side of your neck, while the scarf wraps securely around the rest. When worn, the Trtl Pillow projects the look of a stylish scarf rather than a bulky, conventional travel pillow.
The standard models are available in understated grey or black, ensuring they won’t clash with your travel attire. The Trtl Pillow Junior, however, offers a playful range of patterns and colors, making it appealing for children.
See the different Trtl Pillow colors and models here
Simplicity in Design: Ease of Use
I found the Trtl Pillow remarkably easy to use. Its wrap-around design and Velcro fastening are intuitive, although it’s not quite as simple as just slipping on a U-shaped pillow. Despite this minor difference, putting it on is still a quick and straightforward process. You simply position the curved plastic frame between your shoulder and chin, ensuring the curved section aligns comfortably with your neck, then wrap the fleece fabric around and secure it with the Velcro. Detailed instructions are also available above.
The trickiest part is initially finding the optimal placement for the plastic frame. If it’s not positioned in the ideal spot for your individual anatomy and preferred sleeping posture, achieving maximum comfort can be challenging. However, once I discovered the perfect placement for me, using the pillow became second nature. I recommend experimenting with different positions for the support frame – try placing it on the side of your neck, under your chin, or even at the front. A few practice sessions at home before your travels can make a significant difference in mastering its use.
Find your perfect Trtl Pillow fit – shop now
Reviewer Lucy demonstrating the Trtl Pillow's effective neck support while leaning her head forward.
Unwavering Neck Support
Initially, the firmness of the internal support frame felt a little unusual. However, this initial rigidity proved to be a major advantage. It provided robust support, effectively preventing my head from rolling around during travel. The pillow kept my head stable and secure, allowing me to fall asleep and stay asleep without those jarring awakenings caused by sudden head movements.
This level of support was particularly beneficial on buses and in cars, where sudden stops and turns are frequent. The support frame maintained my head’s position even on winding roads and over bumps, significantly enhancing sleep quality during these journeys.
As someone who tends to move around in my sleep, I sometimes shift from one side to the other. When doing so with the Trtl Pillow, readjustment is needed to ensure the support frame is on the new side I’m leaning towards. This requires briefly taking it off and putting it back on. While occasionally I could get away with just twisting it around my neck without it loosening, the improved sleep quality far outweighs this minor adjustment.
Experience superior neck support with the Trtl Pillow – click to buy
Enhanced Sleep Quality on the Go
Sleep quality is a subjective experience influenced by numerous individual factors. Therefore, my sleep experience with the Trtl Pillow might not directly mirror yours. However, I can offer a valuable comparison: the difference in my sleep quality between using a standard travel pillow and the Trtl Pillow.
Typically, I get very little restful sleep when traveling, even with earplugs and an eye mask. I struggle to find a comfortable position, and regardless of the pillow used, my head tends to slump forward, resulting in neck pain and light, fragmented sleep.
With the Trtl Pillow, I’ve noticed a significant improvement. I fall asleep faster, and crucially, I stay asleep longer with fewer interruptions. While I still don’t sleep through an entire journey – and I doubt any pillow could achieve that for me – I can now consistently get a few solid hours of sleep when using the Trtl Pillow.
Unlock better travel sleep – try the Trtl Pillow today
Close-up view of the Trtl Pillow's internal plastic support frame, highlighting its design for comfort and support.
Cozy and Lightweight: Comfort Factor
The firmness of the internal support frame may require a short adjustment period. Initially, it felt a bit unusual to me, though not particularly uncomfortable. After a few uses, however, it felt completely natural against my neck.
The fleece material itself is exceptionally soft and feels considerably more pleasant against my skin compared to other travel pillows I’ve used. Since I have the Trtl Pillow Cool version, it’s also remarkably lightweight, preventing overheating under the material, a common concern with the original version, as noted in other Trtl Pillow reviews.
If you have long hair like me, ensure you position it comfortably before wrapping the pillow around your neck. If my hair is trapped directly against the skin of my neck and chin, it can become itchy. So, I make sure to tuck my hair behind my head before securing the pillow.
I also found that the Trtl Pillow fits comfortably even when wearing earphones. However, over-ear headphones would likely be less comfortable, as one ear would be pressed against the side of the pillow, leaving little space for the headphone cup.
Experience the comfortable Trtl Pillow – shop now for your travels
Travel-Friendly: Packing and Portability
Unlike traditional U-shaped travel pillows that can be awkwardly worn around the neck when not in use, the Trtl Pillow isn’t designed to be worn in this way. It would restrict head movement and feel somewhat cumbersome. Instead, it’s meant to be folded up and carried or placed in your bag.
Thankfully, it is quite lightweight. However, it does occupy a noticeable amount of space in your bag and its unique shape can make it slightly awkward to carry around on its own.
Fortunately, there are convenient solutions. If your bag is already full, you can wrap the pillow around your arm. Alternatively, the included travel bag provides a handy storage solution and can be clipped onto your backpack for easy, hands-free carrying.
Travel light and comfortable with the Trtl Pillow – order yours today
The Trtl Pillow neatly packed inside its travel case, which can be clipped onto luggage for easy transport.
Final Verdict: Is the Trtl Travel Pillow Worth It?
Since incorporating the Trtl Pillow into my travel gear, I’ve been able to sleep comfortably in the most challenging travel scenarios, from middle seats on airplanes to bumpy bus rides on uneven roads.
While the rigid internal support frame might initially feel a bit firm, once you wrap the soft scarf around your neck and settle your head into the support, it genuinely feels surprisingly similar to the comforting support of your bed pillow at home.
Every other travel pillow I’ve tried has offered minimal neck support. U-shaped pillows still allow for that distracting “bobblehead” movement, leading to frequent awakenings and stiff necks – definitely not the ideal start to a vacation!
Therefore, despite the Trtl Pillow’s higher price point (around £50) compared to average travel pillows (approximately £15), the significant improvement in sleep quality I’ve experienced makes it a worthwhile investment.
Moreover, it packs down to a smaller size than most traditional travel pillows, making it less of a burden to carry when you’re not using it. I wholeheartedly recommend the Trtl Pillow to fellow digital nomads and frequent travelers seeking comfortable and restful sleep on the go!
Upgrade your travel sleep experience – purchase the Trtl Pillow here
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