Packing List Essentials: A Review of the Silk Travel Set from CALPAK

It’s no secret that our quality of sleep declines when we travel, and while we may not be able to rewire our brains to combat the “first-night effect” (let alone sleep well in an airplane’s ever-diminishing coach seat), there are a few products currently available on the market whose sole purpose is to help us get the shut-eye we so desperately need when we’re away from home.

In fact, after my last rough red-eye, I had already begun mulling over replacing my decade-old fuzzy pink inflatable neck pillow and over-stretched eye mask when I received an email from CALPAK kindly offering to send one of their silk travel sets to review.

Today's post is created in partnership with CALPAK, a family-owned business whose products are designed to enhance the travel experience, beautifully. This post is not sponsored, but I received the following product in exchange for my review. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you make a purchase (at no additional cost to you). As ever, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The timing couldn’t have been better; a weeklong road trip to visit family in Florida for the holidays and a variety of sleeping arrangements gave me the perfect opportunity to test out this silk pillow and eye mask. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on the Silk Travel Set from CALPAK and a few tips for sleeping better on your next getaway.

THE SILK TRAVEL SET

Opening the box from CALPAK felt a bit like Christmas had arrived early. The pillow and eye mask come in their own carry case, almost like a gift!

Once open, I immediately placed the eye mask over my face.

Nothing.

I mean, I couldn’t see a thing.

And I definitely couldn’t respond when Michael asked me how many fingers he was holding up.

He grabbed a flashlight and held it an inch from my face – again, I could only see darkness.

How could this be?

I snatched the mask off of my face and examined it closely. Along the bottom of the inside are two padded pouches which rest right on the face when worn, completely sealing out any light. At 4″ from top-to-bottom, the CALPAK mask is larger than any I’ve tried, including its most obvious competition: the Slip silk mask, which measures 3.5″ high. Surprisingly, that extra half-inch makes a huge difference.

The mask’s partner, the memory foam pillow, is a welcome change from the inflatable pillows of years past. The silk is smooth and substantial, and it is sewn precisely to the contours of the pillow inside – there’s no slip-sliding of the fabric over the insert, even when it’s compressed. The contours of the pillow allow it to sit comfortably behind the head without pushing the head forward, and though the front can be snapped together with a magnet, the pillow tapers at the front of the neck to prevent a choking feeling.

The silk pillow also features a removable cover for washing, which is essential. Airplane headrests are notoriously grimy (we all know that little slip of paper – if it’s even there – isn’t doing anything!), so being able to properly clean your pillow is a must. The instructions say to hand wash cold, but I suspect it would hold up just fine if placed in a mesh bag and machine-washed on delicates. With its snug fit, I worried it would be a pain to remove and replace the memory foam pillow, but it only takes me about forty seconds to insert it back into the cover (and even less time to remove).

Right out of the bag, my one gripe with the pillow is an important one: the pillow insert has a strange, chemical smell (it’s made of polyester and polyurethane, so that’s likely the cause). With use, the smell has faded slightly, but I’m not a huge fan of the odor so close to my face.

What else have I noticed with the use of the Silk Travel Set?

Well, my neck is a bit on the longer side, so I’ve never been able to take advantage of resting my head on the sides of any pillow; unfortunately, this one is no different. Michael has a much more normal-length neck and finds this pillow quite comfortable. Even still, I’m able to rest my head comfortably against the pillow and the headrest, and the curve of the pillow helps fight fatigue as I rest or use my phone.

From what I understand, one of the main reasons many people seek out silk pillowcases is to reduce hair frizz and breakage. I haven’t noticed a difference in my hair texture, but I have noticed that I no longer feel that icky hot and sweaty feeling on my neck. The silk feels pleasant and cool against my skin, in a way no other travel pillow has before. CALPAK doesn’t state what type of silk the fabric is (but I suspect it’s Mulberry silk), or the momme (though I posed a question on the product page – hopefully we’ll hear back soon!), so I can’t quite attest to the technical specs of the set. But one personal improvement I noticed is that while in transit, I often hunch over to look at my phone, but using this neck pillow proved a great way to combat “tech-neck” and I felt much better by the end of our long rides.

The one feature of the pillow I would change is the magnetic closure at the base. I think a snap, tie, or button closure would be more secure, and I find myself accidentally opening the magnets while wearing it. To me, this isn’t a deal-breaker as I plan to carry it in the case, but it does make me a bit wary of placing it near electronics and credit cards.

As for the mask, my only recommendation is to remove the tag on the back, just for aesthetic purposes. And of course, there’s always that small hair dent left behind by the elastic band; thankfully it has loosened a bit with wear, and now fits comfortably on my face and leaves less of a mark behind.

Oh – and the third piece in the set? The bag the set arrives in is perfect for toting around on trips since it keeps the contents clean. It sports top handles, a snap closure, and my favorite feature: an exterior band for sliding over luggage handles. I haven’t flown with the set yet, but my only concern with the carry bag is the possibility of a gate agent insisting on counting it as a cabin bag and possibly attempting to charge for an additional bag or gate-checking another piece of luggage. If I happened to encounter such an agent, I would quickly (and politely!) step aside to collapse and pack the clear bag into my luggage and hold/wear the mask and pillow onto the plane.

Pros + Cons

Pros: the mask is completely blackout-dark thanks to its generous size and padding in the eye area, the pillow feels cool on the skin rather than getting warm and sticky over time, and the silk fabric may be beneficial for skin and hair.

Cons: The mask feels tight for the first few uses, there is a noticeable chemical odor (after owning the set several weeks it has faded but I can still detect it), the magnet closure is a bit finicky, and it’s still a little short on the sides for my long neck.

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So, is it worth it?

At $95 (and final sale at that), the price seems steep at first glance. And chances are, you could probably find a good quality eye mask and travel pillow for much less. That being said – the silk factor is what distinguishes this set from many others on the market. In fact, there aren’t many others on the market, particularly silk travel pillows. If you already have a functioning set or if you feel uncomfortable sleeping in total darkness, then maybe this isn’t the set for you. If you’ve noticed your hair and skin have improved from incorporating silk into your nightly routine, or if you’ve been disappointed in other travel pillows and eye masks in the past, then yes – I’d say give it a shot!

TIPS FOR GETTING BETTER SLEEP WHEN YOU TRAVEL

We all handle sleeping away from home a little differently, but here are a few things to try on your next trip to ease the transition:

Act like you’re home

As much as possible, keep to your regular evening routine. End each night with a cup of herbal tea and a good book? Don’t forget to pack the teabags (these are my forever favorite) and the latest bestseller.

Get to bed

Insist on a strict bedtime when staying with friends or family, and try to adjust as quickly as possible to your new timezone by sleeping on their schedule.

Pass on the wine (sorry)

Red wine may make our bellies feel warm and our eyelids heavy, but alcohol is actually disruptive to the most restful part of sleep. Skipping it may make you feel a little better in the morning.

Filter out blue light

Lots of phones and other electronic items now feature a blue light filter, which reduces the amount of blue light emitted from a screen. Without a filter, blue light suppresses melatonin production in our bodies – the sleep hormone.

Find a sleep aid that works for you

I’m pretty medicine-averse, but I find that taking a small dose of a melatonin supplement works for me. I’ve started taking one of these every evening, and I find myself falling asleep faster without waking up groggy in the morning. Important tip: never start a new supplement or medication while traveling as you never know how it will affect you. It’s also a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting a new regimen.

The nose knows

Trick your nose into thinking you’re at home by using a pillow mist both at home and away, and you may find yourself sleeping more soundly. If you’re flying, give it a spritz before you board, or consider trying a roll-on applicator or sachet so as to not disrupt fellow travelers.

Cover your eyes

Studies have shown that sleeping in a brighter room can increase the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms and even breast cancer. These reasons are more than enough to reach for an eye mask before you roll into bed, but as the key to getting good sleep while traveling is consistency, it’s also a good idea to pack one in your bag. You never know if a neighboring home’s flood light will shine in your window all night, or if your hotel room will have an alarm clock that could illuminate an entire basketball court at night.

Take a bath – or a shower

An hour or so before you turn in for the night, take a hot bath or shower. Research shows that people who bathe one-to-two hours before bed sleep more soundly. By warming up your skin, your core temperature drops, allowing you to drift off more peacefully.

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What are your favorite tips for getting a good night’s sleep while you’re traveling?