I’m sorry, but I find this travel pillow hideous. It’s just so big and dorky. But damn if it isn’t effective. It’s actually really comfortable. It’s sort of like a scarf that you wrap around your neck, with a built-in frame that cradles your head securely and comfortably. The scarf part is nice and made of soft fleece, similar to other travel scarves or blankets. The hook-and-loop attachment point isn’t too loud when you adjust it, so you won’t disturb your neighbors. The Trtl comes in a few colors depending on where you purchase from. I’m usually a side sleeper, and I found that I was able to get comfy and doze off while using this pillow—even on an airplane as a sometimes-fearful flier. It’s particularly excellent for the middle seat. Once you get the ideal tightness and positioning, it‘s stable and warm. And I woke up with zero neck pain.
The Trtl comes with a carrying case that I don’t love: The carabiner is small, and the pillow flops around uselessly—I accidentally whacked a few people with it in the airport when it was attached to my backpack before deciding to just rearrange my bag and cram it inside. The pillow itself is too bulky to be stored easily. Because of the built-in frame, it’s not squishy or compressible or flat. But if you don’t overpack your belongings or you find other travel pillows difficult to use, the Trtl might be exactly what you’re looking for. I’ll definitely be using it again—even though it makes me a tad self-conscious. One thing to note is that the Trtl is not compatible in the slightest with over-ear headphones. If you’ve got earbuds, you should be fine, but if you prefer over-ears and want to be able to listen to music while you nap, try a different pillow.