Pillowpacker travel pillow

» What it is: A 19-by-14-inch travel pillow with a hypoallergenic fiber-filled cover surrounding an inflatable core, plus a pillowcase.

» The good: Inflatables generally seem unyielding and thus uncomfortable — like trying to sleep on a beach ball. The noninflatables often are impractically large, taking up too much carry-on space. But this inflatable is truly comfortable, like a regular pillow, yet versatile on the road. The trick is to inflate it only 25 percent to 50 percent. Filled only partially, it feels and behaves like a regular pillow. Instead of the typical stem type, the air valve twists, making adjusting the inflation easy.

» The bad: It’s pricey for a travel pillow, but by the time you pay for two or three that wind up in your basement, at least you will have one that works.

» Cost: About $99, plus shipping. The website lists prices in Canadian dollars, which are neck and neck with U.S. dollars at the moment. A down version is available for $119 Canadian.

» Available from: pillowpackers.com

———

Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com.