Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Pillow

I bought this pillow for air travel. I was using one of those wire/mesh lumbar back supports for when I fly because the seats on planes are so uncomfortable when you have to sit for 4+ hours. The last time I used mine it didn't seem to help much the mesh/wire were giving too much. So I was looking around online for a relpacement and came across this pillow, found a REI near me that had it in stock and bought it.

I was a tad nervous that this pillow wouldn't do the trick because it's so narrow I still brought my wire/mesh support along just to be safe. I used it on my outgoing flight and it worked great. Halfway threw I decided to switch back to the wire/mesh support to compare the two I quickly swtiched back to this pillow asap! I like being able to adjust the air pressure, however I could see it being a bit tricky to do on a plane as the seats are so close together. I was on a asle seat so I just put the end with the nozzle on the outside so I didn't have a issue adjusting the air pressure. If you are in a middle or window seat it will be more tricky to do.

I was staying at a family members house and we were rotating sleeping araginemts between a recliner & a sofa. They have a recliner that is pretty old and when you recline in it you have a metal bar in your back, very uncofortable. You know the episode of Seinfeld where Elaine sleeps on Jerry's parents pull out sofa and hurts her back? This recliner reminded me of that episode it is that bad. I acutally used this pillow on the recliner and was the only one who was able to get descent sleep on it. On the nights I was on the sofa I used it as a pillow for my head. I ended up using this pillow daily for a week straight.

I deflated this once just to see how much space it would take up, I'd compair the size of this pillow rolled up to the size of a can of soda but taller. Since I bought this for air travel I just left the pillow inflated as it is pretty small, I just tucked it beween my handbag and the handle of my rolling carryon while walking around the airport. I tucked it under my arm while getting on the plane.

One side of this pillow is green the other side is gray.

I have had a bad back for about 20 years, and have tried a LOT of different lumbar supports in that time. Some are too big, some are too thin, some fall apart too easily, some get dirty quickly and can't be cleaned, and some are just plain useless. I have one that's comfortable in the house, but not in the car or office chair. I have another that's good in the car, but nowhere else, and I have one that's acceptable -- but not great -- in an office chair. Even the ones I got from my chiropractor don't work everywhere well, and are difficult to clean. And all of them are bulky to travel with (except for the inflatables that are too uncomfortable to use anyway).

The Thermarest pillow is the most comfortable just about everywhere, is completely adjustable, and packs flat (or rolled). I just wish I had spent the extra money on this one first, instead of trying to get away with the cheap alternatives. I haven't had it long enough to speak to durability, but it appears very well made; and if it does fall apart, I'd buy another one just like it anyway.

The only thing I would change on this pillow would be to add a loop to one side, so that a strap could be used to hold it in place for use in a car or office chair. Aside from that, it's pretty close to perfect (especially for travel)

Although I'm a backpacker, I bought 2 of these for home/office use rather than for the woods. I'm a wee bit top heavy and sit at a desk job for 9 hours a day. I bought one to stay at work with me since my chair is far from ergonomic. I bought another to keep in my car since it doesn't have a lumbar adjustment. I was worried the piece would ruin since it stays in the car all day long...and recently it's been 105 degrees (and waaaay hotter with the windows rolled up all day). It's made extremely well and durable. I was nervous to pay this much for a pillow, but it keeps its form perfectly and it's saving my back (posture). It takes some finagling to get the air amount just right - it all depends on the curve and hardness of the chair you're leaning against. I don't use these for backpacking because I use my clothes in a stuff sack as my pillow. But if a packable, light pillow was a must have, this guy would be my choice.

I will get a cotton case made because it is slippery (nylon). If you are in doubt about whether or not to buy this item for a trip do not think further... do it. It is super high quality and perfect. For driving an auto I am not sure it may move around too much... for ALL my trips this and the neck pillow go with ...

I've used this pillow for over 15 years and I love them. Many uses besides lumbar support and camp pillow. Mine get the most useage around the pool where they serve as a small float and pillow for the pools lounge chairs. Being adjustable as to the amount of air makes them perfect and the fabric is very very tough. Have never had one leak

This has been very helpful for me. We own thermarest camp pads and found them very resilient. It is very adjustable but you need to remember to open the valve fully if you leave it in a car because heat in the car could cause it to burst. It could be a bit more narrow top to bottom for me but is working fine

Inflating itself, no saliva & food particles touch the valve, and you don't get winded trying to blow it up. It deflates compactly. What I'd like to have on the product is a washable, removable polar fleece type jacket, so that the vinyl covering of the pillow doesn't touch skin.
It's great for the neck as well as the back.

I have loved both of these that I have had. They are very sturdy, pack down to a small roll about 6" wide. The only bad thing is that I'm so comofrtable when I get off the bus or airplane that I have left two behind in my seat. So this will be my third. Bad traveller, great product!

I use this pillow on international flights and it saved me from the back pain that is almost guaranteed for someone tall like me on a 12 hour flight. I've purchased these as gifts for family and co-workers, and it's a big hit. This is a must have for long flights/car rides, and it's compact.

Love this concept!! This was our second buy and I like last year's style and shape a bit better. It's so small I can carry it in my (not very big) purse and be discreet in restaurants for lumbar support. Sure is helpful for those of us with bad backs!!