Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow

Indispensable back support travels with me everywhere: in the car, on plane trips, to the movies, and at home when working on the computer or watching tv. If you have a spine or lower back problem or sciatica your physical therapist advises you to sit tall and straight with no slump. This little puppy provides the support to keep that correct spine position. Roll it up tight to deflate and stick it in your carry-on tote. Buy two and keep the second in your car. The ability to inflate to just the right firmness for different needs makes this product so flexible. The only downside to this pillow is it's SO easy to forget and leave it behind! I've lost three in the five years I've used it. Do yourself a favor: get a bright colored one and put your phone number on it. I use this to drive my son from TX to college in MO. I don't know if my back would make it without this pillow.

I fly most every week for work and the airline seats hurt my back because there's little to no lumbar support. I finally found this pillow and provides just enough support so that my back doesn't hurt. It would also work in a car or stationary chair, but for those uses I'd recommend just getting a small regular pillow since there's no need to deflate.The pillow self-inflated in 1-2 minutes. I found that I even needed to let some air out after the plane gained altitude. Inflate to about 50-75% of where you really want it and it should be just about right when you're in the air. It's easy enough to add or remove air either way though, so don't sweat it.The only downside is that this does not pack down to be terribly small, but it still fits in a carry-on easily. When deflated and rolled up, it is the shape of a cylinder about 3" in diameter and about 5" tall.

This is my favorite lumbar support pillow! After injuring one lumbar disc and healing well, I began the search for Lumbar support pillows that would work with two different cars, chairs and couchs at home, and desk chairs at work. Oh, and airplane seats, movie theater seats, and shuttle vans. I tried 4 different actually pillows and two different inflatable pillows. I returned all the traditional lumbar pillows because each of them would only fit with one or two types of seating. The first inflatable pillow (NOT Thermarest) seemed to work well, but it began to leak after 2 weeks. The valve was soft plastic, like a beach ball, and very difficult to open and close. So changing the firmness of the pillow was a struggle. A replacement pillow also leaked and was returned.Then, finally, I saw this Therm-a-Rest lumbar pillow!It's perfect. Cars, vans, airplanes, theaters, restaurants.... it goes everywhere with me and let's be safe and comfortable as my back continues to heal and strengthen. The same amazing Therm-A-Rest inflation valve that's been keeping me confortable camping for years is perfect for this pillow. It's a snap to inflate and deflate. It never leaks. If it's too firm I can leave it in place behind me and reach to crack open the valve, let the pillow soften a bit, and close it.... all without taking the pillow out from behind me.When traveling, it's easy to deflate it, roll it up with the valve open so it's very small, then close the valve to keep it rolled up. It fits in my back pack, no problem.The hourglass cutaway shape helps hold the pillow in place while focusing the support on just my lumbar area.And the blue is a pretty color that helps me see it and not forget in in restaurants and theaters.I can't say enough good things about this lumbar support pillow!Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Pillow Nautical Blue

My husband and I each bought one of these for a June 2016 trip to Scotland. We used it on the plane and for two weeks driving in Scotland. There are no down sides. I love that I can blow it up, put it behind my back, then with a twist of the nozzle gradually release air until the firmness is perfect. As other have mentioned if you deflate it and roll tightly, then secure with a rubber band it becomes nearly the size of a can of soda. My sister just visited and borrowed one for her long drive home. She loved it as well and just bought one too.

I fly a lot and this does help with back support. My only complaint is that after the first couple of times I used it it does not inflate 100%. It is still better than nothing.

My physical therapist had recommended the McKenzie Lumbar Roll to use for sitting comfort when I had lumbar pain induced by lifting too much weight. I'm now recovered for the most part and only have flareups if I sit too long. However, we travel a lot and planes and cars provide poor lumbar support and require hours of sitting. I ordered this for travel since it blows up, and the McKenzie roll is not convenient for travel. In fact, I left one behind on a trip. This is the answer for travel. Also, I've found that it's great when I know I'll spend a good amount of time reading. Even at home, I find this pillow so much more comfortable than the McKenzie which is quite large at all times while the Therm-a-Rest lets you regulate the amount of air and bulk you want.

Surprisingly effective. Best for travel (for home use, the Bodyline Back Huggar low back support is the absolute best product IMO). The Therm-a-rest does self-inflate and you can add more air easily to make it more firm if you desire. Unscrew the valve and roll it and presto--it's ready to travel. The only thing I would've liked to see is a travel pouch to put it in that can be clipped to a bag or backpack. As it is, you roll it and...then what? There's nothing to hold it in the roll shape and/or nothing to put it in for travel. For that, I deducted a star. BUT...as a travel back support, it works well and I'd buy it again...just keep in mind you'll need to find/purchase a pouch to use to transport it.