Have you ever flown first class? Me neither. As a professional travel writer and former digital nomad, I’ve taken more flights than I can count — virtually every single one in basic economy. As such, I’m always looking for ways to make the basic economy experience less cramped, uncomfortable and all-around miserable. So when the Amazon Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock began popping up on my TikTok feed, I was intrigued. Fans of the foot hammock call it a “must have” and “game changer,” citing benefits like reduced lower back tension, improved blood circulation and next-level comfort.
Curious, I ordered the legendary Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock on Amazon. At less than $15, it was easily one of the cheapest travel accessories I’ve ever purchased. Plus, I had a perfect opportunity to test the hyped-up hammock out: An upcoming seven-hour overnight flight to Brazil. And let’s just say, there’s no way I would have been able to sleep without it.
Price: $14.49 at Amazon
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My foot hammock, which measures just 9 x 18 inches, arrived neatly folded in a drawstring bag that miraculously fit into my backpack’s water bottle pouch. I was not at all expecting it to take up so little space in my carry-on, which added to the overall value of the product.
The foot hammock works by attaching the straps to the tray table in front of you, and it can be adjusted from 17 to 34 inches to make the footrest closer or further away. The setup is luckily quite easy. In fact, I was able to do it without reading the product’s included instructions. All I had to do was open the tray table, drape the straps over the back, close the table and — voila! My foot hammock was ready for use.
I’ll admit: I had low expectations for this $15 padded piece of cloth with a strap. So I was pleasantly surprised by how luxurious the foot hammock felt for my tired, travel-worn feet. Keeping my feet elevated did indeed allow blood to circulate, and the extended-leg position helped distribute the weight from my lower back.
With the help of the foot hammock, eye mask and travel pillow, I slept for nearly the entirety of the seven-hour flight. I won’t say I slept like a baby, but I did have a series of dreams about my fourth-grade math teacher — so I know I must’ve reached REM.
At 5-foot-2-inches tall, I had no issues with the length of the foot hammock’s straps. However, several taller reviewers have complained that the hammock forces their legs into a cramped, awkward angle.
If you need to store your carry-on luggage beneath your feet, you may not have enough room for the hammock to swing comfortably. This may not be a problem with travelers stowing only smaller-sized personal items, but it was for me with my hulking, overstuffed backpack beneath the seat.
There’s also some controversy about whether the hammock is disruptive to other passengers. Critics worry that foot hammocks will tug on the seat in front if you move or adjust your feet. Some airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, and Qantas, have even banned foot hammocks due to their potential to become an obstacle or disturb fellow travelers.
Although I found the seats on my flight to be pretty sturdy, and didn’t see or feel any seat jiggling, I highly recommend asking the passenger in front of you if they feel like their seat is being impacted by your foot hammock. After all, it’s important to practice good traveler’s etiquette wherever you go. It’s especially important when traveling economy class, where we’re all cramped, uncomfortable and cranky together.
Overall, I loved the foot hammock and plan on introducing it to my regular lineup of travel essentials. Costing $15 and backed by Amazon’s 30-day return policy, it’s a low-risk investment and an affordable upgrade to economy class.
I recommend the foot hammock to anyone who travels coach. However — considering how several airplanes have banned footrests — it’s a good idea to check with your airline’s policies before setting up your sling. When in doubt, check with the flight attendant once you’re on the plane.
The post This TikTok-Famous Travel Product Is the Only Thing That Got Me Through My Recent Red-Eye Flight appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
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