Are these journey devices genius or gimmicks? A frequent flier weighs in

As somebody who incessantly travels between the U.S. and the U.Ok., I’ve a tried, examined, and perfected routine for getting by journey days as stress-free as potential. My wireless noise-cancelling headphones are completely important, as is a few kind of journey pillow. My husband and I each carry our personal empty reusable water bottles that we are able to fill on the airport water fountains as soon as we’re by safety (no $5 airport waters for us!) and we make certain all of our gadgets — together with the transportable charger — are juiced up and able to go.

While I wouldn’t name myself a luxurious traveler, I do attempt to make the entire journey as snug as potential. Fuzzy socks with slip-on footwear, refreshing face wipes, and my favourite gently steaming eye mask make the entire journey day really feel a bit much less like a chore.

But for all the helpful journey necessities on the market, you’ll discover lots that straddle the road between genius and gimmick. Do you want a transportable pillow that makes you feel like an ostrich sticking its head within the sand? How about an airplane foot hammock in your ft? Or possibly a hoodie with a built-in passport holder? Spend just a few hours planning in your subsequent journey and you will understand that many journey merchandise available on the market sound so eccentric that they simply is likely to be downright sensible.

Whether your subsequent getaway includes a 12-hour flight or roadtripping throughout a number of state strains, likelihood is there’s a journey doodad on the market to unravel nearly any drawback you may encounter, from the mundane to the foremost.

1. A carry-on bag that’s additionally a stroller

Juggling a toddler, stroller, varied baggage, and baggage by a busy airport terminal is likely to be the tenth circle of hell. But this game-changing product may simply be the answer mother and father have been in search of. The TernX Carry On Luggage Stroller is strictly what it appears like: a suitcase-stroller hybrid that options an 18L suitcase on the base of a completely useful journey stroller.

The entire factor folds down into the scale of an ordinary carry-on suitcase that matches into the overhead compartment of a airplane.

“Traveling with a baby can be stressful, but this stroller made everything so smooth and comfortable,” wrote a grandparent who used TernX to journey with their 10-month-old grandchild. “The built-in suitcase has very good capacity — we could easily store baby essentials and travel items without any hassle.”

If your internet habits are anything like mine, you’ve probably seen this memorable travel pillow all over your social media for the past several years. Appropriately named Ostrichpillow, the model focuses on distinctive merchandise for relaxation and leisure. But it’s the model’s unique journey pillow that stands out for its, uh, distinctive design.

Filled with microbeads, it’s a bit like burying your head within the sand to dam out lights and sounds so you may get some much-needed relaxation.

“My wife hates being around me when I wear this while we travel because it looks [ridiculous],” wrote one 5-star reviewer. “But man does this work well. I never sleep on planes and knocked right out with this on.”

Truth time: I own this device — but unfortunately (fortunately??) I’ve never had the occasion to use it. I bought it during the height of the pandemic when I was leery about using gas station restrooms on long road trips.

While I haven’t yet put it to the test, it continues to bring me some peace of mind when I bring it along on camping trips or long hikes. It packs down very small, and what makes it unique is that a gal can use it fully clothed, so it seems like it would be less awkward to use than other similar devices on the market. And for what it’s worth, reviewers who’ve actually used it are obsessed with it.

Long-haul flights are uncomfortable for a lot of reasons, but being 5-foot-4, one of my consistent complaints is not having a foot rest to relieve pressure on my lower back. With this foot hammock, you can easily elevate your feet and legs off the ground to prevent swelling and soreness. Though it looks gimmicky, reviewers say it really works, with one 5-star commenter saying it “made a cramped economy seat comfortable for the first time.”

The shtick with these undies? They’re super lightweight, fold down to the size of a tube of lipstick, and dry in just seconds — making them the perfect travel panties. Because they’re ultra lightweight, can be washed and dried in a hotel bathroom, and are made of antimicrobial and odor-blocking fabrics, it’s not hard to see why many reviewers say they’ve become their go-to summer, gym and travel undies.

“Washed these knickers out overnight and they dried beautifully,” wrote a reviewer who brought them on a “hot and sweaty” holiday in Bangkok. “Very happy with them.”

Do you always travel with a hoodie and an eye mask? This nifty find turns your two favorite travel items into one. Dubbed the “airplane mode” hoodie, it’s tailored with a built-in contoured eye mask and small zippered sleeve pockets so you can keep your AirPods or Beats Buds close by while you snooze on your journey. It even includes hidden zippered compartments behind the kangaroo pockets where you can safely store your passport, phone and cash.

Reviewers are pretty convinced it’s one of the best travel essentials out there, with one especially enthusiastic shopper saying, “I loooooove how many pockets this hoodie has!!!”

The middle seat is no longer off limits thanks to this cleverly designed travel pillow. It’s made of soft, plush fabric with a lightweight internal frame that ergonomically supports your neck while you nod off. Though you look a bit like a turtle in its shell while wearing it, you at least won’t wake up from your in-flight nap with a stiff, sore neck.

“I love nothing more than snoozing the entire flight,” wrote an enthusiastic recent reviewer. “This neck support is the first ‘pillow’ type product that has allowed me to truly sleep upright without that dreaded mid-sleep drift into your seat neighbor or too far forward.”

Sometimes the most useful travel essentials come in the smallest package. This souped-up carabiner might not look like anything special, but travelers say its innovative design will save you in all kinds of ways when you’re on the road or the trail. It’s a 3-in-1 hook and clip that can hang almost anything, anywhere. Whether you’re trying to keep your bag from touching a dirty bathroom floor, or need to hang your hiking backup somewhere far from the muddy ground, reviewers say it’s “great for keeping things off the ground.”

You may have the slickest, sexiest, newest pair of wireless headphones or earbuds — but they won’t be of any use for in-flight entertainment without a wireless transmitter.

Basically, this little doodad lets you listen to the movies and TV shows on your flight using your own wireless headphones. Just plug the adapter into the headphone jack on the TV in front of you. But it has plenty of other uses, too. If your car doesn’t have Bluetooth, no problem — you can use AirFly to hack it. It can also be used like an old-school headphone splitter to pair two wireless headphones to a TV, iPad or phone. No more hearing the kiddos fight over the iPad in the backseat!

When I travel somewhere new, my daily step count absolutely skyrockets. I’m on my feet all day, trying to take in as much of the visual feast around me as I possibly can. But it does mean that at the end of the day, my dogs are barking and could use some reviving before the next day’s adventure.

These foot masks envelop your foot in a soothing blend of epsom salt, menthol, shea butter, and essential oils, and begin self-heating to warm and relax tired, achy feet. Reviewers say they’re essential for travel and jobs where you’re on your feet all day.

“Wore them every couple days during a week of 20k+ steps/day in Disney World, they helped” wrote a recent shopper. “Not a replacement for well fitting shoes and rest but it helps tired and aching feet significantly.”

Tired of feeling like a bobblehead while snoozing on your flight? This unusual device could be the answer. Instead of supporting you from the neck — like most travel pillows aim to do — the Sleeper Hold Travel Pillow attaches to your seat headrest and then gently supports your head with the light-blocking eye mask. The whole thing packs down into a small carrying bag that you can easily attach to a backpack or suitcase.

“I thought it was expensive and gimmick-y and truly thought that I would end up returning it,” wrote a 5-star reviewer who said their first impression was wrong. “I felt a little awkward at first with a mask over my eyes but after I got over that it was the best nap I’ve ever had on a plane.”

Traveling with kids is a marathon, not a sprint. To make sure you and your kiddo are refreshed and energized at the end of a long-haul flight, this nifty product could be your last-mile savior.

The Plane Pal is a self-inflating cushion that fits in the space between your little one’s seat and the seat in front, giving them a flat surface to lie down and snooze through the time zones.

“Our girls slept for the whole 8 hour flight (nighttime flight) and half of the 10hr flight there (morning flight),” wrote a reviewer with twin 2-year-olds. “Was also great to provide space for the girls to get closer to the plane’s TV screen and to stop dummies/toys/snacks falling on the floor.”