Gear Review: The Travel Halo

This may sound surprising to some, but I have a hard time sleeping on airplanes. I just can’t get comfortable enough to doze off and rest. I don’t trust the cleanliness of the pillows offered by the airlines and I can’t stand the inflatable “things” called neck pillows. Very uncomfortable.

I recently heard about a new product that is supposed to make sleeping easier. It’s called The Travel Halo

 The Travel Halo is basically a stretchable  headband with two pillows sewn into the back of the headband and a fold down travel mask on the front.

The pillows are placed at 8 and 4 o’clock and act like chocks to stabilize the head and prevent it from rolling to one side. The fold down travel mask prevents light from disturbing your slumber.

The Travel Halo rolls up nicely into the included carry pouch. While rolled up it can fit in your hand. It’s made of polyester and spandex and weighs a whopping 2.5 oz.

Their website said it can not only be used on planes but also on high back chairs so I tested it on my own recliner. I put it on, rolled down the eye mask to block out all light, laid back and fell asleep. My head did not roll during the nap and no light got in preventing me from sleeping.

If there’s one drawback, it’s this. I have a large head. (Keep your comments to yourself.) I mean that literally not figuratively. (Okay, maybe figuratively too but that has nothing to do with this review.) With that in mind, I did find the head band to be fairly tight. There is no way to adjust the size of the headband. Perhaps future models can incorporate an adjustable ‘Velcro closure. Or perhaps over time the headband will loosen slightly to make it more comfortable for people like me.

 The Travel Halo sells for $29. It’s lightweight and it works. And did I mention it won Third Place in the Product Innovation Award category at this year’s Travel Goods Show? (The rest of the winners were wheeled bags.) It’s machine washable and is made in Colombia.

Disclosure: The Travel Halo company suppled a Travel Halo for review. OBOW is an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small commission for any items purchased through the Travel Halo link in the previous paragraph.

Photos courtesy of The Travel Halo.

Comments

[Maggie]

I have a terrible time sleeping on planes (and trains, cars, boats for that matter) so I'm always looking for something, anything, that will help me be more comfortable.

Anyway, I'm putting my money where your mouth is Frank, although apologies for not purchasing through Amazon as delivery to my part of the world is not available - but at least you can tell the manufacturers your review has one confirmed order.

My next flight is in 2 weeks so I hope it arrives in time for me to try it out.

[Peter T]

Thanks for mentioning the large head detail -- but how large is large? E.g., I wear a 7 3/4 Tilley, which is large compared to most, but certainly not the largest they make.

Details like this are most welcome. The only thing I hate more than not sleeping on an overnight, is buying travel products that don't fit or work.

[Frank@OBOW]

Size 8

[Maggie]

Received; it only took a week to get here. Will be testing it out next week - a long haul night flight awaits, and I usually get 20 mins sleep in total on them!