Quirky Yet Practical: Ostrich Pillow Mini Review

• You can find the Ostrich Pillow Mini on studiobananathings.com, the official website.
• The Ostrich Pillow Mini is also on Amazon.com

What looks like another useless novelty item destined to collect dust on a distant shelf is actually a remarkably practical travel accessory.

How to Use the Ostrich Pillow Mini:

Watch this video for a visual representation of how the Ostrich Pillow Mini can be used:

While most travel pillows are designed to fit around the neck, the Ostrich Pillow Mini turns the norm on its head with an iconoclastic design.

In cars, airplanes and on the go, I tend to sleep with my elbow planted to an armrest with my palm supporting my head. The Ostrich Pillow Mini is meant for just that. The pillow is meant to be worn as a glove or as a band going around the arm. It’s also great for sleeping face flat on an airplane tray table.

The pillow acts as an extra cushion between your palm and your face. Or it can allow you to rest on your arm without your arm falling asleep.

Pros:

• Uniquely practical design
• Lightweight and portable
• Soft
• Versatile – not just for travel

When I first tried the Ostrich Pillow Mini, I was pleasantly surprised by its light weight and portability. It weighs less than an apple, and isn’t as bulky as other travel pillows like the J-Pillow and the Cabeau Evolution Pillow. The weight and compactness makes the Ostrich Pillow Mini easy to toss in your backpack and go.

The pillow is filled with silicon-coated micro-beads, not feathers as the term “ostrich” may imply.

The exterior of the pillow is made of a soft and stretchy light grey material, while the inside comes in either Sleepy Blue (which I have) or Midnight Grey. The slot and thumb holes are perfectly placed to fit almost everyone’s hand.

As I realized after waking up from a 30 minute nap while I should have been studying for the SAT, the Ostrich Pillow Mini isn’t just for travel. The Ostrich Pillow is the perfect device for impromptu naps whether at work, school or home.

The stand out aspect of this pillow is it’s design, starting from the packaging to the fine details of the pillow. When using the pillow, prepare to get compliments.

Cons:

• Hand can get a bit sweaty
• Can’t wear the Ostrich Pillow Mini on arm when wearing a jacket

As you’ve probably already realized, the Ostrich Pillow Mini isn’t your average travel pillow. It doesn’t support the neck, and can’t be used the same way you’d use a “U” shaped pillow. On the other hand, the Ostrich Pillow’s oval eggish shape allows you to use it as a normal pillow without putting your hand through the slot.

To some extent, the pillow’s usefulness is completely dependent on your sleeping style while traveling.

Here are three objections I’ve come across when using the Ostrich Pillow Mini:

• What happens when you sit in the middle seat on a plane and don’t have an armrest to put your elbow, leaving you with nowhere to support your arm?
• What happens when there is no table for you to lay face flat?
• That looks so stupid!

To the haters I ask: “When was the last time you flew on a plane without a tray table?”

One more thing I’ve noticed – although it’s been snowing outside recently – is that my hand can get sweaty when using the Ostrich Pillow Mini for extended periods of time. The pillow is ventilated with it’s hand holes, but it still can overheat. I’m going to be magnanimous about this issue and say it’s not a big deal, but I’d recommend switching hands every so often.

The Verdict:

This pillow isn’t for everyone, but if you’re the type who likes to sleep with your palm supporting their head or with your face flat on a table the Ostrich Pillow Mini is perfectly suited for you.

If you’re looking for a more traditional pillow, you should check out the J-Pillow, Travelrest Pillow or the Cabeau Pillow.

Where to Get It:

• You can find the Ostrich Pillow Mini on studiobananathings.com, the official website.
• The Ostrich Pillow Mini is also on Amazon.com

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Note: The Ostrich Pillow Mini was provided for this review. As always, this review contains only my honest views and opinions