Traveling is exciting - but it’s easy to turn an anticipated trip into an uncomfortable and endless ordeal.
Unfortunately, most of the world is designed for the average sized person—and the travel industry isn't necessarily tailored for tall guys like us. So those of us above and beyond six feet have to prepare specifically for those small seats with low backs, the lower ceilings, and limited leg space (🙄).
Here are some tips to help you get to all the fantastic destinations you want to see, in the most comfortable way possible...
1. Always Choose Comfort Over Savings
Road trips are great fun for everyone, provided you’re not confined to a car too small for your comfort. So for tall road-trippers, pick a car that's comfortable for you.
The gas mileage might be better in a tiny town car, but the journey will not be. Use a vehicle that provides ample leg room and a roof that you won’t be brushing against when you sit up straight.
In addition to that, plan your seating arrangements in advance to everyone’s satisfaction. Don’t seat the tall people behind other tall people, in order to maximize leg room for everyone. Don’t be afraid to voice your needs, whether they be about the reclining of the seat or just a quick stop to stretch your legs. The point of a road trip is to enjoy the journey, and that’s not possible if someone is miserable in the car.
2. Plane Travel? Sit in Exit Rows
Flights can be the worst for anyone over six feet. While it isn’t so bad in first class, express flights or coach are tests of knee integrity and patience.
The seats on planes are unfortunately designed with the average person in mind, so taller folks (and those of us with long legs) wind up brushing their legs right into the back of the seat in front of them.
While it’s not a perfect fix, one of the simpler remedies is to unload the seat pocket in front of you. The Skymall and other magazines, along with the other literature the airline loads in there, can take up a much-needed inch or two that can keep your knees away from irritations and abrasions.
Another, albeit more circumstantial, fix is to keep a look out for the emergency exit row. By design, the emergency exit rows are wider to allow people to funnel through quicker in the event of the emergency. But to tall folks, they’re a haven.
The extra width means extra comfort, particularly on the long flights. Keep an eye out for a vacant emergency exit row, if you’re prepared for the responsibility, and ask the flight attendant if it’s okay to occupy it or swap with the current occupants. If you plan accordingly, most airlines will allow you to reserve an emergency exit row seat when booking your flight.
Lastly, be mindful of the overhanging luggage space! It’s easy to forget after a long flight, but you’re constantly at risk of hitting your head.
3. Always Travel with a Neck Pillow
For any passenger travel - be it train, plane, or car - most comforts are designed for people 5’10” or below. Which means the taller folks have to compensate, and one of the best ways to do that is to pack a travel neck pillow.
You could end up in a seat with a very low headrest, forcing you into constantly adjusting so you can relax just right. Grabbing one of the neck pillows and using it in place of or supplementing your headrest can save you some of the dreaded neck and back pain from a long ride.
While this tip is not exclusive to tall people, wearing comfortable clothes for transit is key. Loose fitting clothes can prevent you from the constant adjustment in your seat. Wearing a loose jacket or sweatshirt can also help you stay warm, particularly when your fellow passengers have a different taste for air conditioning than you. Just make sure all of this is malleable, so you can adjust it to fit differing climates that may change in the car or on the flight.
Although there are increasingly more tall people in the world, the spaces just haven’t caught up, so it falls on us individuals to compensate. Hopefully with these pointers, you can avoid the lightly bruised knees and stiff legs when traveling to your destination (and keep all the excitement you set out with;).
Before you go, check out our top flight clothing for tall men - you'll be comfortable and relaxed on your next flight wearing these!
^^ Our Tall Athletic Shirts are your ideal travel shirt - breathable, but easy to layer, available in neutral colors, compact to fold, and flattering and comfortable. Order here!
^^ They're tall & comfortable sweatpants, but make them tall. Our Tall Athletic Joggers are the perfect breathable, just-loose-enough, flattering pants for the airport. Order here!
^^ A little chilly mid-flight? Our Tall Quarter Zips are ideal for layering over a t-shirt, and they'll keep you warm and comfortable for all your travels. Order here!
