Improved Circulation: Check
I’ll admit I had low expectations for this foot rest. By logic, propping one’s feet up further should make one feel more cramped, not less, particularly on an airplane where the opportunity to stretch one’s limbs is rare. Still, I travel frequently for work and figured it was worth a try, given Amazon’s liberal return policy, so I bought the “separated” version before a nonstop flight from Montreal to Cancun, approximately 5 hours.<br /><br />The Pros:<br />-The footrest is light and takes up very little room in my carry on. This was very important to me.<br />-It’s fairly stable once secured to the tray table (pro tip: make sure to pull it down as far as possible towards the seat in front of you when securing).<br />-It’s efficient when the tray table is in use or in the upright/latched position (both).<br />-It isn’t in the way of me or anyone walking through my row.<br />-Unlike the reviews for the nonseparated footrest, each foot remained nestled snugly in its home and my feet never felt cramped or as if they were competing for space (note: I used the footrest with flip flops and shoeless (taboo, I know). I’m not sure there would be enough room for tennis shoes, let alone boots).<br />-It works! My legs feel significantly less stiff and swollen after the flight, and I was able to fall asleep using the rest!<br /><br />The Cons:<br />-I got some stares (no comments, just stares). It was probably envy.<br />-I’m 5’5, so while this worked for me, I’m not sure it would work for (say) my 6’6 husband. (Note to self: experiment with husband).<br />-Most international flights won’t allow you to plug electronics in prior to reaching a safe altitude. While no one mentioned the footrest, I’m sure a true international flight would require this to be stowed until then.<br />-It doesn’t work miracles. The space between you and the seat ahead of you remains the same, the footrest simply allows your feet and legs to “swing,” ensuring good circulation and a bit more flexibility.<br /><br />Overall, I’d recommend this for air travel. I have not tested it in any other setting, but I imagine for an individual with restless leg syndrome, this could be quite handy in multiple settings. I found it did everything I needed it to, and the adjustable straps were convenient and simple to use.
Rating: 5 stars