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If your long-haul flights leave you with an aching back, sore feet, and cramped legs, then an airplane footrest might be in order to help you sleep and feel relaxed. These are the best footrest for travelers as recommended by our awesome readers!
Best Travel Foot Rest
Written By: Tae Haahr
Table Of Contents
Some travelers just can’t get comfortable on a flight and that can be due to sitting for long periods of time, or other physical limitations. Sometimes it helps to elevate the feet, but that’s usually not an option since aircrafts are not built to accommodate this.
Rather than suffer from travel footrest airplane issues, you can bring along a mobile footrest to help make your trip way more comfortable. Especially if you often experience back, foot, or leg pain during your flights. They can also aid you in sleeping better on-board.
TFG readers share their top picks and tips on a footrest for travel, and this is what they said.
What Is the Best Travel Footrest to Feel More Comfortable on Flights?
Best Airplane Foot Hammock
Andyer Portable Travel Footrest
Andyer Portable Footrest
The Andyer is a budget-friendly, lightweight, and compact choice. Just hang this foot hammock and you’re ready to settle in!
One reader shares how a foot hammock for airplane trips worked for her. “I tried one of these footrest slings on a recent 15-hour flight to Dubai. I give it a big thumbs up! It hangs from your tray table and doesn’t affect the person seated in front of you.
You can get this one for under $10 on Amazon and another reader advises to “get the cheapest, less padded version. It takes up less room on the flight, easier to pack and just as effective.”
In this post you’ll learn how to stay warm on a long haul flight!
Petutu Airplane Footrest Hammock
The Petutu is easy-to-clean, reversible, and effortless to pack with a handy storage bag. It comes recommended by TFG readers and one shares, “I travel with this and it makes a difference.”
You can use it on an airplane, train or coach. Or you can throw this under your office desk when you’re home. We love multi-use and this one seems to be!
Readers share their top tips on how to have a stress-free flight!
Anxingo Footrest Hammock Sling
Anxingo Hammock Sling
The Anxingo foot hammock is easy to use and packs up nice and tight to ensure you have foot and leg comfort without taking up a ton of valuable carry-on real estate.
One reader got relief during her last journey, saying, “It worked great for me on an 8-hour flight. Rolls up into something smaller than a burrito so I was happy.”
Simply slip this onto the handles of the tray table, while it’s folded up or down, and it’s ready to use. When you’re done with it, pack it into the carrying bag to keep it compact and toss it into your personal bag. Voila!
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Sleep Ride Footrest
Readers say the Sleepy is a sound foot hammock for plane journeys to help support the feet, legs, and lower back. Hang it over the tray table and adjust the straps to your comfort.
One reader recalls she “used one of these on a recent trip to Paris and really liked it,” adding that “it helped her lower back to be able to stretch legs out and have her feet supported.”
Once the flight is over, simply throw it in its bag and stuff it into your travel purse. It’s lightweight and compact, ideal for any, or all your trips!
The Trtl travel pillow, is it good? Find out here!
Best Portable Footstool
North Coast EWH Portable Foot Rest
North Coast Compact Portable Folding Footrest
Portable footrests work well because they’re durable and long-lasting. The North Coast is small enough to fit in an in-flight bag or your carry-on making it super travel-friendly.
One reader shares, “I’m short, so when your feet don’t always reach the floor it can be very uncomfortable. I have a foldable foot stool that I take on long flights, it folds nicely and fits in the front pocket of either my suitcase or backpack. I’ve had mine for 16+ years.”
Just slip this handy stool out of your bag and pop it up when your flight takes off. It’s easy to fold up and move when you need to get up for a stretch or pack away when your trip is done!
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Econo High Folding Travel Footrest
Econo-High Portable Folding Footstool
The Econo-High is portable because it folds neatly and fits into a travel pouch. Readers point out this one is a bit more solid to keep your feet comfortable, then a plastic model and can actually fit in your carry-on.
One reader says she brings a “little folding bench for her footrest and carries it with her everywhere and always uses it when she flies.”
Here’s a round-up of the best travel pillow for more restful in-flight naps!
Best Travel Foot Rest Pillow
Guass Inflatable Pillow
A very portable footrest airplane solution is an inflatable one. The Guass pillow is under $15 and TFG readers rave about how well it works for them.
One reader shares just that, saying, “I’ve used one of these footrests and would do so again. It helped to give my body a better position in the seat and relieve the pressure from my legs.”
Readers emphasize a pillow like this makes a real difference. As a bonus, an inflatable foot pillow can also double for use under your desk (at work or home), or while traveling on a bus or in a car. Truly, a versatile option!
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STYDDI Inflatable Foot Rest Pillow
STYDDI Inflatable Travel Footrest Pillow
The STYDDI is a packable foot rest that can help relax your feet and has PVC flocking for full comfort during your flight.
One TFG reader shares the wonders of pillows. “I have short legs so I just use a little inflatable foot rest. It keeps my legs from swelling and my knee from hurting.”
This model has a two-layer mouthpiece that can help the pillow both inflate and deflate. Once deflated, this travel accessory can pack easily into your carry-on suitcase.
Find out our foolproof formula for long-haul flights or short weekend getaways!
Best Airplane Footrest Comparison Chart
Should I Consider an Airplane Footrest?
A footrest can be a useful tool for travelers with frequent foot and leg pain or those that are on the shorter side. They help personalize travel to the needs of your body and make the flight more comfortable.
Many readers especially recommend this option if you’re under 5’3” because it gives you a little height. One reader shares, “I’m really short and having a footrest helps my legs feel more comfortable on long flights.”
They are equally as important if you’re flying with an injured foot or leg. Not only do they help with foot and leg pain, but one reader shares that they also help relieve back pain. “It helps offset pressure on my back during the flight.”
Alternative Footrest Solutions
Maybe you don’t have room in your carry-on or simply don’t want to take up space with an additional travel accessory. In that case, there are a few things you can use to help prop up your feet that you probably already have.
Use Your Under Seat Bag
One way to elevate your feet is to use your under-seat bag as a footrest. Since you’re bringing it along anyway, it can serve a secondary purpose.
A reader shares this tidbit, saying, “I always use my under-seat bag (usually a full backpack) as a footrest. This allows me to scoot it around to extend each or both of my legs as needed, and I can scoot it out of the way.”
Use a Detachable Strap as a Sling
If you favor the sling method of resting your feet, then there is a DIY way you to achieve a similar experience. How you ask?
One TFG reader shares this tip! “I use the detachable shoulder strap from my bag as a foot sling.” This means you don’t have to bring along anything extra but can still obtain comfort.
Use Your Travel Pillow
If you’re already packing a travel pillow for your flight, it can also double as a footrest (pending you’re not already using it for under your head). Which could be the perfect solution to avoid packing extra.
A reader recounts her DIY foot rest pillow trick. “Try a blow-up neck pillow, place it on the floor, and put your feet on it. It will add about 4-inches of floor height.”
It’s not only inflatable pillows that can do the trick. Another reader offers another option, adding, “I have a wedge travel pillow that can double as a footrest. I love it!”
Taking a red eye flight? Heed these tried and tested tips!
Other Helpful Tips
Keeping your feet elevated is a good start, but there are other tips and tricks that readers recommended to keep your feet and back comfortable during air travel.
Use Compression Socks
Compression socks are designed to add pressure to your legs to maintain blood flow, along with reducing swelling or discomfort.
They are widely celebrated by TFG readers and make most travel accessory top lists. If you anticipate sitting through a long flight, then you might want to check a pair of these out.
Want the right pair? Check out the best compression socks for air travel.
Exercise
If you’re on a particularly long-haul flight, one way to keep your feet and legs comfortable is to get up and walk around every so often. Getting up on your feet can help get the blood flowing and stretch them out.
You might also want to consider doing some exercises to help stretch your feet and legs. Movement can help keep your legs pain free (or at least less) on lengthy air journeys.
How to Pack Your Footrest
Who says packing cubes are limited to clothing? Many of our readers use them to pack much of what they bring on their trips, as they allow you to organize by number and color, so you know what’s in each bag.
Not only do these handy cubes allow you to keep your things organized and compact, but they can also be used to store a footrest into your carry-on, so when you embark on the plane, it’s easy to take out. Watch the video below for more.
You can learn our hacks with packing cubes in this video!
We put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
What do you think is the best airplane footrest? Share and comment below!
For more airplane travel essentials, please read:
- 5 Airplane Skin Care Essentials to Upgrade Your In-flight Beauty Routine
- Airplane Essentials: Top Items to Make Flights More Enjoyable
- Business Travel Essentials: 15 Products to Simplify Your Life
- Travel Fashion Talk: Editor-in-Chief Alex’s In-Flight Clothing Essentials
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