I am a frequent flyer, sometimes clocking up to ten flights a month. Although I occasionally get an upgrade to the front of the plane, I am usually stuck in cramped economy seats in the back. Over the years, I have tried just about every product available to make flying economy more comfortable. Some products work well and help the hours fly by (pun intended), while others feel like a scam.
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Despite my enthusiasm for other items that make flying more comfortable, I have always been reluctant to try foot hammocks. This type of flight accessory hangs over seat-back trays and provides an elevated place to rest your feet. Although it sounded great to me in theory, I hesitated to use one because I worried about disturbing the passenger in front of me. Plus, I assumed it would take up too much space in my carry-on, and I wasn’t convinced this type of device would actually make flying more comfortable.
However, when a friend mentioned that she won’t take any flight without her foot hammock, even short domestic flights, I knew I had to try one myself. My friend recommendd the Basic Concepts airplane foot hammock, which costs around $15, so I figured it was worth trying at least once.
I first used it on an eight-hour flight to Europe. While in the air, I was more comfortable than I expected and slept better too. My foot hammock is also much smaller and lighter than I expected, weighing less than three ounces and folding up to a size smaller than a coffee cup. To my surprise, the low-fi device quickly earned a permanent place in my carry-on and has accompanied me on several flights around the world. I love that I can easily adjust the hammock’s height throughout my flight depending on whether I prefer my feet lower to the ground or higher up. Even better, I’ve never once received a complaint from the passenger in the seat in front of me.
I asked Mikel Daniels, a board-certified podiatric surgeon and president of We Treat Feet Podiatry, why foot hammocks make airplane rides so much more comfortable and whether they offer any health benefits.
“I love foot hammocks. They can make an economy-class seat feel noticeably better,” Daniels said. “From a podiatrist’s perspective, its real value is pressure relief and positional comfort, not blood-clot prevention,” he explained.
Although disgruntled economy passengers might be tempted to blame the airplane seat for uncomfortable flights, they are sitting in the same spot for hours under any circumstances. “Think about holding the feet, knees, hips, and lower back in an awkward, fixed position for hours,” he said. The result is predictable as passengers’ bodies become sore and uncomfortable with each passing hour. Using a foot hammock can help because it makes it easier to change position and can reduce fatigue in several ways.
“Having the feet off the ground can feel better because it changes the entire lower-body kinetic chain. The ankles are no longer fixed at floor level, the knees can settle into a more natural bend, and the hips and lower back may not have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable seated position,” Daniels explained. Additionally, “I find that many people naturally prefer some degree of knee flexion and foot elevation when relaxing. The hammock accommodates that need,” he said.
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Moreover, most people feel better when they alternate positions when flying. That makes foot hammocks a good idea even for those who don’t mind keeping their feet on the ground. “A foot hammock creates another point of support. Muscles, joints, and nerves generally tolerate travel better when they are not locked into one posture for several hours,” Daniels said.
Foot hammocks may be particularly beneficial for shorter passengers whose feet don’t reach the ground, as well as those with sore heels, plantar fasciitis, forefoot pain, or sensitive pressure points that contact the floor. “Getting the feet off a hard floor can provide welcome relief,” Daniels said.
I’m not alone in my love for the Basic Concepts foot hammock. “Such a simple concept, yet my latest travel obsession. My teenager and I used these on an economy flight to Europe, and they made the long flight much more comfortable. We mostly used them to prop up our feet but also felt good when placed under our knees. It’s nice and compact, so I plan to bring them with me on domestic flights now too!” wrote reviewer qcmom14 at Amazon.
“This is pretty awesome. I fly constantly (usually 5 hours from NJ to Las Vegas), and this is very legit. Reduces lower back pain. Amazing. I was not a believer. But pretty effective technology. Simple but effective. Highly recommend. And the best part? Very small and [completely] easy to put in f ur carry-on bag. And one more. It doesn’t really bother the passenger sitting in the front because it hooks up to the tray table, but does not pull the seat back to bother the passenger. No impact on the front seat,” wrote reviewer Margaert C. Park.
Daniels cautioned that although foot hammocks may make flights more comfortable, they do not improve circulation or prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). “A foot hammock may improve subjective comfort, but a traveler should still periodically remove the feet, flex and point the ankles, contract the calf muscles and stretch,” Daniels said. “The CDC specifically emphasizes frequent leg movement and walking breaks for reducing risk associated with prolonged seated travel,” he cautioned. He advised that travelers with prior clots, an inherited clotting disorder, recent surgery, active cancer, pregnancy, or other important risk factors should discuss individualized DVT prevention with their physician before travel.
Additionally, for all passengers, including those who use foot hammocks, Daniels recommended changing positions every 20 to 30 minutes, including periodically taking your feet out of the hammock to move your feet, ankles, and legs. He also suggested walking around the cabin when conditions allow.
Nevertheless, Daniels recommended using foot hammocks as part of a healthy flight routine. “A foot hammock is a small, low-cost comfort accessory that can make a long flight less punishing,” he said. I have no plans to stop using mine anytime soon.
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