You know the feeling. You’re scrunched into a middle seat on a six-hour flight, your neck is doing that weird clicking thing, and the "premium" headrest feels like a brick wrapped in sandpaper. It sucks. Most people grab those inflatable U-shaped donuts at the airport gift shop for thirty bucks, realize they’re basically garbage, and then toss them into a closet forever. But then there’s the MyPillow travel pillow. It doesn't look like much. In fact, it looks like someone just shrunk a regular bed pillow and forgot to give it a proper shape. Honestly, it’s just a small rectangle. But it has a cult following for a reason.
It’s small. It’s squishy.
The whole "interlocking fill" thing—which is basically just shredded pieces of open-cell poly foam—is the secret sauce here. Unlike solid memory foam that turns into a rock when the plane cabin gets cold, or those beaded pillows that shift around and leave your ear touching the plastic tray table, this stuff actually holds a shape. You can punch it, roll it, or fold it into a ball, and it stays. It’s weirdly low-tech in a world of "ergonomic cooling gel" marketing, yet it works because it’s adjustable in a way most travel gear just isn't.
What's actually inside a MyPillow travel pillow?
Let’s get into the guts of it. If you cut one open—don't, it’s messy—you’d find what the company calls "patented interlocking fill." This isn't NASA-grade secret material. It’s poly-foam. The magic isn't the chemical makeup; it's the geometry. Because the foam is chopped into irregular bits of varying sizes, they hook onto each other. When you move the pillow, the pieces slide, but once you apply the weight of your head, they lock into place.
Most travel pillows fail because they are "one size fits none." If you have a short neck, a thick U-shaped pillow pushes your head forward at a painful angle. If you’re a side sleeper against a window, those donuts are useless. The MyPillow travel pillow is basically a 12-inch by 18-inch miniature version of their standard pillow. It fits into a "GoAnywhere" sleeve that lets you roll it up like a sleeping bag.
Why the "Roll" matters for packing
Space is everything. When you're trying to avoid a checked bag fee, every cubic inch in your carry-on is a battleground. This pillow rolls down to about the size of a large burrito. You can clip it to the outside of a backpack using the handle on the sleeve. It’s lightweight. Like, really light. We're talking about 10 or 11 ounces. You won't even notice the weight, though the bulk can be annoying if you're a strict minimalist.
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is only for planes. It’s not. I’ve seen people use them in lumbar support roles for office chairs, or as a "spacer" pillow between the knees for side sleepers staying in hotels with crappy, thin bedding. Hotel pillows are notoriously hit-or-miss. Usually miss. Having a consistent piece of foam you trust can actually be the difference between a migraine and a decent night's sleep in a Marriott.
The durability factor: Washable or trashable?
Most cheap travel pillows are disposable. You spill some tomato juice on a plane, and that’s it—it’s gross forever. This one is different. You can throw the entire thing, fill and all, into the washing machine. In fact, the company actually recommends drying it on high heat to "fluff" the foam bits back up. The heat makes the foam expand.
It’s a bizarrely resilient piece of gear.
I’ve talked to travelers who have used the same one for five years. The cover might get pilled, and the white fabric definitely picks up stains if you don't use a colorful pillowcase, but the structural integrity of the foam doesn't really quit. Compare that to an inflatable pillow that develops a microscopic leak the second it touches a zipper. There's no contest.
A quick note on the "Lumpy" complaint
If you read reviews, the number one complaint is that it feels "lumpy." Well, yeah. It is lumpy. It’s literally a bag of foam chunks. If you want a smooth, sleek surface like a Tempur-Pedic, you’re going to hate this. But the lumpiness is the point. Those lumps create air channels so your face doesn't get as sweaty, and they allow you to shift the support to exactly where you need it. If you want more loft under your neck, you just shove the lumps over there.
Is the MyPillow travel pillow worth the hype?
There is a lot of noise surrounding this brand. Politics aside, if we just look at the utility of the object, it fills a specific niche. It’s for the person who hates the "neck brace" feeling of traditional travel pillows. It’s for the person who wants to feel like they’re in a bed, even when they’re in a coach seat.
But it’s not perfect.
- It doesn't offer 360-degree neck support.
- If your head drops forward when you sleep, this won't stop it.
- It requires a "squish and adjust" period every time you move.
If you’re a "bobblehead" sleeper—the kind whose head falls straight down onto their chest—you might actually prefer something like a Trtl wrap or a high-walled Cabeau. But for the window-leaners? This is the gold standard.
Real-world use cases you might not expect
Think about camping. Or long bus rides through South America. Or even just a long session in a dental chair. Because it's small, it's incredibly versatile. I know photographers who use these to cradle long camera lenses in their bags. It’s basically a soft, adjustable block of padding.
One thing to watch out for: the price fluctuates wildly. Sometimes you can find them on "Buy One Get One" deals, and sometimes they're $25 apiece. Honestly, at $25, it’s a bit of a stretch for a bag of foam, but if you catch it on a deal, it’s one of the best values in travel gear.
How to actually pack it without losing your mind
Don't just stuff it in your bag. The "GoAnywhere" case that comes with it is key. You fold the pillow in half, roll it tight, and slide it into the attached cover.
- Flatten the pillow completely to get the air out of the foam.
- Roll from the short end.
- Tuck it into the sleeve.
- Use the built-in loop to carabiner it to your luggage handle.
If you lose the sleeve, a standard large rubber band or a compression sack works too. Just don't leave it compressed for months at a time. Like any foam, it needs to breathe to keep its "spring."
The final verdict on comfort
Comfort is subjective, obviously. But the data from frequent flyer forums and long-haul travelers suggests that the MyPillow travel pillow succeeds because it mimics the "home" experience. Most travel gear feels clinical and "gear-ish." This feels like a pillow.
It's cozy.
It smells like... well, it smells like nothing, which is better than the chemical off-gassing you get with cheap memory foam. Just make sure you wash it before your first trip to get the factory dust off and to let the foam pieces expand to their full potential.
🔗 Read more: Sex Nude on Beach Rules: What You Need to Know Before Stripping Down
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
- Test it at home first: Don't let your first time using it be on a 10-hour flight. Nap with it on your couch to figure out how much "scrunching" you need for your specific neck height.
- Get a darker pillowcase: The standard white case shows every bit of airplane grime. The company sells colored cases, or you can easily make a "shams" style cover out of an old t-shirt.
- The "Fluff" Rule: If it feels flat after being in your suitcase, toss it in a dryer for 10 minutes or give it a vigorous 30-second shake. This resets the interlocking fill.
- Check the size: Ensure you are buying the 12" x 18" travel version and not the "Petite" or "Roll-and-Go" which can sometimes have slightly different dimensions depending on the retailer.
Stop settling for those inflatable donuts that make your neck sweat. Whether you love or hate the branding, the physical design of this little travel pillow solves the biggest problem with sleeping on the move: it actually stays where you put it. Grab a carabiner, clip it to your bag, and stop waking up with a kink in your neck.