Amazon Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock: Tested and reviewed | CNN Underscored

Mar 14, 2025

As a frequent flyer constantly searching for ways to enhance my in-flight comfort, I was intrigued by the Amazon Basic Concept Airplane Foot Hammock. I was hoping it would make economy class more comfortable by essentially creating a makeshift footrest. Eager to see if it lived up to the hype, I tested it on a recent Lufthansa flight within Europe.

Unfortunately, what I experienced was far from comfortable. Instead of easing my journey, this so-called travel hack turned into a source of relentless discomfort. At 5 feet 11 inches, I found myself trapped in an awkward, knee-locking position that only worsened as the flight went on. Rather than enhancing my comfort, the hammock left my legs stiff, my feet unsupported and my patience wearing thin.

By the time we landed, I was more than ready to leave this product behind. Here’s why it didn’t work for me and what I’d recommend using instead.

The Amazon Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock is a compact travel accessory designed to elevate your feet for added comfort during flights. While it’s lightweight and adjustable, its lack of proper support and the discomfort it creates for taller travelers make it more of a hassle than a help.

While I don’t have much that’s positive to say about this product, I acknowledge that there’s a better chance of it working for shorter travelers.

One of the few good features of the hammock is its portability. Weighing in at just a few ounces and folding down to about the size of a paperback book, it’s remarkably easy to slip into a carry-on bag or even a large pocket. I appreciated its compactness since I was already juggling limited luggage space.

The hammock comes with a small drawstring bag as well, which not only keeps the hammock clean and organized but makes it easy to locate in a crowded bag. For frequent travelers or those who like to pack light, this space-saving design is a major plus. It’s rare to find a comfort accessory that doesn’t add significant bulk or weight to your travel gear.

According to its description on Amazon, this “airplane footrest is guaranteed to provide you with comfort, whether you’re 4 feet or 7 feet tall.” But at 5 feet 11 inches, I found it to be not just uncomfortable but downright painful. Economy class is already a tight squeeze, and this hammock only made things worse. Instead of providing relief, it forced my legs into an unnatural, locked position and made it nearly impossible to shift around comfortably. Within the first hour, I felt increasing pressure in my knees, and as time went on, that pressure turned into persistent stiffness and pain.

The biggest issue was the lack of adjustability for taller passengers. My legs were bent at an awkward angle, and the hammock provided no real support — just a constricting, stationary hold that made my muscles cramp. By the end of the flight, my knees were aching, my thighs were tense and I was counting down the minutes until I could stretch my legs again. Instead of enhancing comfort, this hammock made the already limited legroom in economy class feel even more so.

To see if shorter passengers fared better with the foot hammock, I asked my mom, who is 5 feet 4 inches, to try it out. She was slightly less uncomfortable than I was, but she still found the hammock to be quite restrictive.

While my height was the main issue, the hammock also failed to provide proper support for my feet. Rather than keeping them in a natural, relaxed position, it caused my heels to fall downward and feet to turn inward, forcing my ankles into an awkward angle. Over time, this unnatural positioning led to discomfort and cramped my arches.

The hammock’s cheap-feeling material also meant my feet kept shifting and sliding while I struggled to find a stable, comfortable position. This was particularly frustrating when I was trying to sleep, as I constantly had to readjust to avoid my feet pressing uncomfortably against each other. A product designed to improve in-flight relaxation shouldn’t require this much effort just to stay comfortable.

The hammock advertises memory foam padding, but if it’s there, I certainly couldn’t feel it. The fabric felt thin and lacked any noticeable cushioning, which only added to the discomfort. Instead of feeling like a soft, supportive rest for my feet, the hammock felt more like a stiff sling digging into the backs of my legs.

To make matters worse, the strap adjuster constantly slipped and made it nearly impossible to maintain my desired height. No matter how tightly I secured it, the straps would gradually loosen and cause the hammock to sag. This meant I had to keep readjusting it throughout the flight — an annoying and unnecessary hassle, especially when I was trying to relax or doze off.

While I don’t recommend the foot hammock (or any product that could restrict your legroom, for that matter), there are plenty of travel products that can make your in-flight journey more comfortable. Here are a few Underscored favorites.

I usually sleep well on planes, but this eye mask makes it even easier. Its six-layer design provides a comfortable, blackout experience, and it’s incredibly portable by compressing down.

Read our review

This budget-friendly, compact neck pillow wraps vertically around your neck for ergonomic support to help prevent strain while sleeping on a plane. It folds into itself and comes with a convenient carrying bag to keep it clean between uses.

Read our review

We love staying cozy with the Imily Bela travel cardigan. It's perfect for layering on overnight trips. It's also machine-washable, under $60 when on sale and available in 15 colors.

Ditch flimsy airline blankets. EverSnug’s ultra-soft travel blanket keeps you cozy and doubles as a pillow in its compact carry case. With a luggage sleeve and backpack clip, it’s perfect for flights, road trips and more.

Skip the pricey noise-canceling headphones and go for the Alpine FlyFit Airplane Earplugs that block noise and prevent ear pain for under $20. Made from reusable hypoallergenic material, they’re a travel essential. Pair them with a comfy neck pillow for better in-flight rest.

While the Amazon Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock might work for shorter passengers looking for a little extra lift, taller travelers should steer clear. Instead of enhancing comfort, it made my flight experience much worse by increasing stiffness, restricting movement and failing to provide proper support. If you’re looking for better in-flight relaxation, I’d strongly recommend skipping this one.

Based on my experience, the hammock doesn’t work well, especially for taller travelers. While it’s compact and easy to pack, it caused discomfort by locking my knees in place, provided little to no support for my feet and had an ineffective memory foam cushion. The adjustable straps didn’t hold their position, and it was frustrating to use throughout the flight.

For shorter travelers whose feet don’t touch the floor, it might offer some relief, but for anyone taller or looking for real in-flight comfort, it’s more likely to make your experience worse rather than better.

To use the hammock, attach the adjustable straps to your tray table arms, then secure the straps before closing the tray. Adjust the height to find a comfortable position for your feet, either lower for resting or higher for reclining. Place your feet in the hammock and adjust as needed throughout the flight for comfort. Taller travelers may find it uncomfortable due to limited legroom and the awkward positioning it forces on the knees.

Absolutely not. At 5 feet 11 inches, I found it uncomfortable, as it caused my knees to lock up and strained my legs due to the limited legroom in economy class. The hammock’s design seems better suited for shorter people, as it can force taller travelers into awkward positions, exacerbating discomfort rather than alleviating it.

We take a hands-on, detailed approach to testing travel products. Our team has years of experience evaluating travel gear, and our travel editor Kyle Olsen rigorously tested this product in real flight conditions to provide you with an honest assessment. He carefully considered comfort, functionality and value to ensure you get reliable information based on his firsthand experience.

Kyle Olsen is the travel products editor for CNN Underscored. With over a decade of experience maximizing points and miles, he leads travel products and rewards freelance writers. Fluent in multiple languages, Olsen believes in packing light, except for his collection of airline amenity kits.