The search for the ultimate travel pillow has been a challenging one. But what if I told you that I tested them all on the bumpy roads of an amusement arcade? Sounds crazy, right? Well, it's true.
When testing a travel pillow's comfort and fit is easy – just hop on a train and take a nap – but simulating its supportiveness in motion is another story. You never know when you'll hit a rickety transport or encounter a driver who's had one too many cups of coffee.
That's why I turned to the unlikeliest of places for my rigorous testing: the Arcade Club in Leeds. Armed with armfuls of travel pillows, we set out to put each one through its paces on some of the most motion-simulated games around – including Mach Storm and After Burner.
As it turns out, not all travel pillows are created equal. The Trtl's side-bracing support made a high-octane game feel serene, while a reasonably priced memory foam pillow from Boots was the perfect shock absorber for a bout of bumpy gameplay. Lifeventure's inflatable travel pillow, on the other hand, slid about on the smooth headrest.
Of course, this kind of testing isn't without its risks – and I'm not just talking about the risk of neck injury (although that was a consideration). There's also the very real possibility that wearing a travel pillow while playing an arcade game might not be entirely safe for you or your fellow gamers.
Despite these concerns, I couldn't help but feel like a kid in a candy store as I made my way through each game. And when it came time to try out each pillow one last time on the busy train journey home from Leeds to Chester – complete with a flamboyant procession of travel pillows emerging from a large rucksack – I felt like the ultimate travel pillow connoisseur.
So, which travel pillow reigns supreme? Let's take a look at this week's top picks and see which one comes out on top.
When testing a travel pillow's comfort and fit is easy – just hop on a train and take a nap – but simulating its supportiveness in motion is another story. You never know when you'll hit a rickety transport or encounter a driver who's had one too many cups of coffee.
That's why I turned to the unlikeliest of places for my rigorous testing: the Arcade Club in Leeds. Armed with armfuls of travel pillows, we set out to put each one through its paces on some of the most motion-simulated games around – including Mach Storm and After Burner.
As it turns out, not all travel pillows are created equal. The Trtl's side-bracing support made a high-octane game feel serene, while a reasonably priced memory foam pillow from Boots was the perfect shock absorber for a bout of bumpy gameplay. Lifeventure's inflatable travel pillow, on the other hand, slid about on the smooth headrest.
Of course, this kind of testing isn't without its risks – and I'm not just talking about the risk of neck injury (although that was a consideration). There's also the very real possibility that wearing a travel pillow while playing an arcade game might not be entirely safe for you or your fellow gamers.
Despite these concerns, I couldn't help but feel like a kid in a candy store as I made my way through each game. And when it came time to try out each pillow one last time on the busy train journey home from Leeds to Chester – complete with a flamboyant procession of travel pillows emerging from a large rucksack – I felt like the ultimate travel pillow connoisseur.
So, which travel pillow reigns supreme? Let's take a look at this week's top picks and see which one comes out on top.
I gotta say, who needs boring old train tests when you can crash test travel pillows in an arcade? Sounds crazy, but actually kind of genius. The fact that different pillows performed way better on different games just goes to show how important it is to find the right fit for your gaming (or traveling) style. And yeah, safety first, but if a few bumps and bruises mean you get to experience some sick gaming sessions... it's worth the risk 
it sounds like a total waste of time and resources but hey if someone wants to spend their weekend in an arcade trying out pillows then thats their prerogative 
i mean wut r u gonna do when u get back home from a long train ride tho?? gotta make sure u don't die 
i gotta try that out 4 myself lol 
but honestly who doesn't want to be able to play mach storm without getting all cranked up? 
just read about testing travel pillows on bumpy arcade rides 
it's about time we got some honest reviews on these travel pillows 
. Like, why do we need that much space? Are we always expecting to be hit with a $20 bill? And have you ever noticed how when you're walking down the street and you're like "I'm running late" or whatever... suddenly everyone's staring at your watch 
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has anyone else ever tried this? what were your results? do u have any recommendations for the ultimate travel pillow for long car rides or train journeys 
. An amusement arcade to test travel pillows? Come on, that's just crazy talk. What about the long-term effects of sleeping on those pillows all day? And what about the weird looks you'll get from other gamers? 
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