Ostrich Pillow Original: Bury Your Head and Nap
A pillow you wear over your whole head. Nap anywhere, look like a stuffed alien.
The ostrich famously does not bury its head in the sand, but the Ostrich Pillow lets you do the human equivalent. It is a soft, puffy pod that slips over your entire head, with a hole for breathing and two holes on the sides for your hands. You put it on, lay your head on a desk, and disappear from the world for twenty minutes.
It is one of the strangest-looking travel accessories ever sold, and it is designed to look exactly like that.
How does the Ostrich Pillow Original work?
The pillow is filled with microbeads, which the listing says are 95 percent air, and wrapped in a very soft microfiber fabric. It is shaped to surround your head, blocking out light and distractions so you can rest in public places. The listing calls this sensory isolation, which is a fancy way of saying the world goes quiet and dark.
The side holes let you tuck your hands and arms inside, so you can rest your head on a desk or table and use your arms as support. The brand pitches it for long-haul flights, daily commutes and power naps at work or at home. The product details name Studio Banana as the manufacturer, and the listing describes the shape as a patented design, which is fair: nothing else looks quite like it.
Care is simple but manual. The listing says to hand wash it with soap and water and let it air dry thoroughly. Because it is bulky, it takes up more room in a bag than a folding neck pillow, and you should be ready for a few stares if you wear it on a plane.
Ostrich Pillow: who it’s for (plus gift ideas)
The Ostrich Pillow is for frequent travelers, office workers who need a quick nap, students pulling long study sessions and anyone who does not care what strangers think.
- Frequent flyers who struggle to sleep on planes
- Remote workers who love a lunchtime nap
- A cozy office bundle with the under-desk foot hammock
- College students in noisy dorms
Pros and cons
What we like
- Blocks light and distractions
- Hand holes support desk naps
- Light microbead filling
- Soft microfiber fabric
- Unforgettable design
What gives us pause
- Bulky to carry
- Hand wash only
- Draws attention in public
- Can feel warm during a long nap
FAQ
How do you use the Ostrich Pillow?
Slip it over your head, tuck your hands into the side openings and rest your head on a desk, table or seat.
What is the Ostrich Pillow filled with?
The listing says it is filled with microbeads that are 95 percent air, wrapped in soft microfiber.
How do you clean it?
The maker says to hand wash it with soap and water and let it air dry thoroughly.
Is it good for flights?
It is designed for long-haul flights, commuting and power naps, but it is bulkier than a regular neck pillow.
The verdict
The Ostrich Pillow Original is equal parts nap tool and performance art. If you can handle the stares, it makes sleeping in odd places much easier. For more strange comforts, try the wire head scratcher or the Snuggie.