Every “best travel pillow” I tried promised sweet dreams in economy class. But here’s the catch: most of them forced me into one unnatural position—flat on my back, head pushed forward, zero anti-chin drop , and I always end up like I lost my pride with my dog after the vet visit.
And here’s the truth nobody tells you: about 70% of us sleep on our sides at home. So why are travel pillows designed only for back sleepers?
That realization hit me hard one flight, when I was wedged into a middle seat, surrounded by strangers. I looked down at the U-shaped pillow around my neck, trapping heat, squeezing my jaw, and forcing my head backward. My “Resting B*tch Face” wasn’t from attitude—it was from misery and poorly designed pillow—all fluff with little actual support and prevention. Why isn't anyone getting it right? What is the secret to a great and amazing travel pillow?
My Breaking Point with Traditional Travel Pillows
I’ve bought them all: memory foam neck rings, inflatable side pillows, bulky contraptions that looked like medical devices. Every time, I thought, maybe this one. And every time, I ended up awake, exhausted, and regretting the purchase.
Most travel pillows deliver on one narrow promise: “keep your head from falling forward.” But none of them solved the bigger problem—how do you actually relax into a natural sleeping position in economy class?
I didn’t want just a pillow. I needed a system that let me sleep in many positions—side, upright, curled slightly forward—without overheating or feeling trapped.
The First Bolstie Moment
Bolstie wasn’t born in a lab. It was born in frustration and a little bit of scrappy creativity. I stuffed my with clothes, slung it across my body, and suddenly, I felt something different: relief. For the first time, my torso was upright, my neck supported, my body mimicking the posture of lying on my side—even in the tightest economy class seat.
That experiment became Bolstie: a compact, washable travel pillow that doubles as a packing cylinder. Instead of choking your neck, it uses the clothes you’re already bringing to build ergonomic support. No wasted space, no gimmicks—just real comfort for real travelers.
Why Bolstie Feels Different
Bolstie doesn’t force you into one position. It works with your body instead of against it:
• As a travel pillow for side sleepers, it supports your head and chin without pressing on your ear.
• As a travel pillow for long haul flights, it gives your core something to lean into, so you’re not fighting gravity for 10 hours straight.
• As a travel pillow for neck pain, it eases pressure by distributing weight naturally along your body.
• And because it’s a compact washable travel pillow, it fits in your personal item without taking up extra space.
Here’s the part I love most: Bolstie isn’t just for planes. I’ve used it on trains, in the car, even as a quick lumbar support when I’m working in a hotel chair. It’s a shape-shifter, designed for the way real people travel.
I Created Bolstie for Myself
Bolstie wasn’t created because I wanted to be in the “travel accessories” industry. It was created because I was tired of being miserable on flights. I wanted to land refreshed, not wrecked. I wanted to enjoy travel again, instead of dreading it.
And I realized if I, as a lifelong side sleeper, was struggling, then millions of other travelers were too. We were all stuck with the same false promise: that travel pillows had already “figured it out.” They hadn’t.
The Resting Bolstie Face
Now, I smile when I see people board a plane with their U-shaped pillows. I know what’s coming—the restless shifting, the heat, the frustration. Meanwhile, I’m settling in, sliding Bolstie across my chest, and letting my body melt into that supported side-like posture.
From takeoff to touchdown, I’m not fighting my body anymore. I’m resting. I call it my Resting Bolstie Face—the face of someone who found a way to sleep in economy class without giving up comfort or sanity.
Closing Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt betrayed by travel pillows that looked good on the shelf but failed you at 30,000 feet, I get it. I’ve been there. That’s why Bolstie exists—not as another gadget, but as a genuine solution for side sleepers, restless travelers, and anyone who refuses to be told there’s only one way to rest.
Next time you fly, don’t settle for being forced onto your back. Let Bolstie support the way you naturally sleep. Because the best travel pillow isn’t the one that looks cute in the airport gift shop—it’s the one that finally lets you arrive happy, rejuvenated, and ready to explore.
