I Fly Once a Month, and This Inflatable Footrest Instantly Upgraded My Economy Seat (Plus It's On Sale!)

"As a travel writer and frequent flyer, I pack with precision-every item in my has to earn its keep. I was skeptical about adding an airplane footrest to the mix, but testing a few out on a recent overnight flight from New York City to Paris quickly changed my mind. My favorites kept my feet elevated, were a breeze to set up, and packed down into small carrying cases that I could attach to my personal item."

"As a 5-foot-two-inch tall traveler flying in cramped economy seats, I tried out inflatable models, hammocks, folding stools, and convertible options, and was pleasantly surprised by how many of them drastically reduced tension in my feet and legs over the course of the 7-hour flight-and shocked by how many didn't fit between the seats at all. In order to pick the best ones for your own travels, read on for my reviews of each style to decide which might be right for you."

"Since trying out this inflatable footrest on my recent trip to France, it's earned a permanent spot in my travel arsenal. It's designed with two valves, which allow you to inflate it to different heights. I found that inflating only the smaller section on the bottom was ideal for in-flight comfort, as it allowed me to slip my feet between the pillow and the seat in front of me without feeling cramped."

"The larger section can be inflated on its own, making it a double-height cushion that fits well in an exit row or a seat with more leg room; this height would be great for travelers who prefer to recline their seat and sit with their knees elevated. When both valves are inflated, the pillow's height is similar to that of the seat itself, which makes it a comfortable traveling bed for small children."

Testing on an overnight New York City–Paris flight compared inflatable models, hammocks, folding stools, and convertible options for a 5-foot-two traveler in cramped economy seats. Many footrests drastically reduced foot and leg tension during the seven-hour flight, though several models failed to fit between seats. Top picks packed into small carrying cases attachable to a personal item. An inflatable model with two valves offered adjustable heights: the smaller bottom section fit between pillow and seat for comfort, the larger section created a double-height cushion for extra legroom or reclined knees, and full inflation matched seat height for a child bed.

Read at Travel + Leisure