Some tech accessories end up defining a trip more than the destination itself, and a few products mentioned by longtime traveler Damien Wilde have quietly become cult favorites. His reflections on what he packs—and why—paint a picture many frequent flyers will recognise instantly.
I mean, who hasn’t tried to fix their travel kit again and again hoping for that tiny improvement?
A Growing Obsession With Travel Comfort
Wilde admits he tweaks his travel bag almost obsessively, always hoping the next small gadget gives him that 5% boost in comfort.
It might sound excessive, but anyone who spends hours on planes knows that even tiny gains matter.
He’s poured time, money, and more trial-and-error than he’d like to admit into picking the items that now come with him everywhere.
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And out of all that fussing, a few pieces of gear have become absolutely fixed in his routine.
The Pillow That Finally Worked
Travel pillows are strangely personal.
Some people swear by those puffy U-shaped ones; others toss them aside after ten minutes.
Wilde says he’s tried so many versions over the last several years he could almost open a secondhand shop stocked entirely with them.
But one finally stuck.
The model that won him over comes from Cabeau, a brand that longtime travelers are starting to mention more often.
It’s the headrest straps that clinched it.
He explains that most wrap-around neck pillows—though comfortably marketed—just don’t hold your head in place.
You end up slumping sideways or fighting the very thing that’s meant to help.
This one anchors itself to the seat’s headrest, almost like turning the pillow into a tiny hammock for your head.
Odd image, sure, but people say it works.
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Four or five hours of light sleep doesn’t sound incredible, but compared to the usual discomfort of long-haul economy, it’s practically a gift.
Pair it with an eyemask and the flight starts to feel less like punishment.
Gaming Gear for Long-Haul Survival
The Retro Device That Keeps Flyers Sane
When in-flight entertainment disappoints—and let’s be honest, that’s often—the rescue sometimes comes from unexpected sources.
Wilde likes to unplug from modern apps and pick up something more old-school.
His surprise favourite is the Modretro handheld from Chromatic, which has become a quiet obsession over the past half-year.
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It scratches the nostalgia itch without feeling outdated.
He calls it the Game Boy he wanted as a kid, but with all the bits polished for adults who appreciate nicer toys.
At the core of its appeal is the simple design: bright colours, a crisp backlit screen with that quirky 1:1 aspect ratio, and a metal body that feels reassuring in hand.
And crucially—it plays original cartridges flawlessly.
Some days he loads up classic titles he grew up with.
Other days he tries newer releases published by Chromatic itself.
He says the little device helped him slow down, enjoy games properly, and stop racing through them like he does with emulators running at comically fast speeds.
There’s something therapeutic about that.
A Quick Comparison With Modern Consoles
Here’s a funny bit: Wilde still travels with a Steam Deck sometimes.
He loves it.
But he insists the Modretro scratches a very different itch.
A quieter one.
The Deck is powerful and easy for big sessions, but the retro handheld slips into a pocket, lasts ages on one charge, and doesn’t tempt him into checking notifications or toggling apps.
For travelers burnt out on constant screen noise, that simplicity hits harder than expected.
Why These Accessories Keep Landing in Carry-Ons
Travel Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
People who fly a lot know comfort is never guaranteed.
Even tiny missteps—like grabbing the wrong pillow—can ruin a long night.
Wilde’s list works because he focuses on practicality.
Some readers might wonder whether a pillow or a tiny game console can really shift the travel experience so dramatically.
Actually, yes.
Because these trips often stretch 8, 10, even 14 hours, the margins matter.
This is where the smallest comforts stack up.
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For perspective, long-haul travelers often report that even one extra hour of sleep improves jet lag symptoms by a noticeable degree.
So anything that helps you rest or unwind tends to earn a permanent place in the bag.
A Look at How Flyers Spend Their Time in the Air
Below is a simple snapshot based on survey data from several international carriers across 2024 and early 2025, showing how passengers typically fill their in-flight hours:
| Activity Type | Approximate Share of Long-Haul Passengers |
|---|---|
| Watching media | 58% |
| Sleeping | 42% |
| Playing games | 19% |
| Reading | 33% |
Travelers often split their time among multiple activities, but gaming and sleep consistently show the biggest rise year after year.
It’s an interesting trend.
And it gives context to why gear like Modretro consoles or travel pillows end up being more influential than first impressions suggest.
One More Small Insight
Wilde jokes that he buys gadgets even if they boost his travel comfort by just 5%.
Anyone who travels frequently will probably laugh and nod at that.
Because after enough long flights, you realise comfort isn’t a luxury—it’s survival.
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That’s why accessories like these slowly become permanent staples.
