WoodyKnows Side-Sleeping Backpack, Sleep Position Trainer, alleviates snoring Caused by Throat Issues (Large 1 Pack)

I bought this about a year ago and have used it every night since. It had a slight odor from the foam, I washed it in the washing machine and that went away as soon as it dried (line dry...not dryer). So in a day I was good to go. If you inflate the air bladder full, you CANNOT sleep on your back, it basically keeps you ninety degrees to the bed. I found that too much. So I let around half the air out of the bladder, and with that setting I can roll from one side to the other, and I could sleep somewhat on my back, but if I do my head is elevated and I don't snore. However, 95% of the time I don't sleep any on my back. The point is, you can adjust the bladder to give any level of partial or none at all back sleeping. It took a day to get the bladder set right, and since then I've worn it every night, never needed to reset it. Likewise, it took a day to find the best use of the straps for me. I like the backpack style just over the shoulders, not X'd across the chest. I find it more comfy, though either works fine. So, by two days in I had it all adjusted and ever since then it takes about 15 seconds a night to put it on last thing before going to bed. You just fasten the Velcro belly strap and lie down. The Velcro, the fabric, the bladder, everything still working like new after, as I said, almost a year. Likewise a few seconds when I get up to set it where it lives. I find it doesn't interfere with sleep quality at all, or ease of going to asleep. It's well made and does the job. I say it's a lifesaver since I sleep with a recording pulse oximeter (Wellvue "Sleepu" available from Amazon, finger ring sensor and wrist strap for device, highly recommended) and it was showing me an ODI of 15 or so, and sometimes SpO2 as low as 61, which was scary. Since I started using the backpack a typical ODI is around 0.5 (no apnea) and typical minimum SpO2 is over 90%. [Doc says you worry when it's under 88% for 5 minutes...which it was, pre-backpack and never since.] I recently finally had a full-blown sleep study where he confirmed the backpack has solved my issue. Highly recommend it for sleep apnea. Note: For "obstructive" sleep apnea, where the problem is lying on your back and your tongue etc. interfering with your airway. There is also "central" sleep apnea in a minority of people where the issue is malfunctioning nerve control, as I understand it. I don't think it would solve that problem. Consult a doctor if you have any doubt what your issue is or if you have an issue. But this puppy works great to comfortably let you sleep on your side, or partially on your back.

I have only used this for two nights so I can't say how well it will work in the long run. I am only 5'2", 120 lbs and bought the large size and am glad I did. The inflatable pillow really keeps me off of my back. I was afraid the smaller one would not have done the job. I have used two configurations with the shoulder straps and have not decided which arrangement works best for me. The backpack does keep me off of my back so my snoring is now very minimal and only occasional. I use an app on my phone which tracks my snoring and my Apple watch has not detected any elevated breathing disturbances. If the backpack continues to help me to not snore or have breathing disturbances, I will be very happy. I had been using a wedge pillow behind my back to keep me on my side which helped when it stayed in place but some mornings, I awoke to find the wedge off to the side. This backpack idea is the best I've found. It seems to be well made and fairly comfortable. It is on the expensive side but if the pillow maintains air and my results stay good, it will have been worth every penny. Some reviewers stated there was a smell to the unit. I did not find that the case. As for ease of use, it is easy to put on and the Velcro seems good.

I bought one of these. The side sleeper with the magic tape straps. It was amazing. I slept so well. I ordered a new one, bc mine was wearing out and it came with buckles. I cannot use it with buckles as you frequently go on your stomach and I cannot have buckles digging into me. They need to go back to the magic tape straps. I just ordered two older models of the magic tape straps on eBay. Otherwise, this was an absolute lifesaver. I have obstructive sleep apnea bc of jaw position and wake up, on back only, 18 times an hr. Since I have been using this.. I am actually slowly learning what it is like to actually get some rest. I am so upset I cannot get the product I love from them anymore. the side backpack with the magic tape straps - not buckles!

**Updated 10/1/2020.** The seller contacted me and said based on feedback, they are changing their strap design from the current buckle style to Velcro and it will be available in about a month. This would probably fix the issue I had with it. I would definitely wait until the new style comes out before purchasing it. The seller also described a work-around where you insert the shoulder straps back to the buckle again to prevent it from loosening (see attached image). Unfortunately I had already returned it and was not able to try it out. These only come in two sizes - small and large. I ordered a large because my back is a little over 15" wide and the description says to order a large for back widths over 14". It seemed too large but the main problem I found was that the shoulder straps would not stay adjusted. The slightest pressure caused the straps to loosen as I moved during the night and I would wake up to find myself on my back with the back pack next to me. At first I thought I had taken it off in my sleep but then I noticed that the straps were loosening themselves as I moved until the straps fell off my shoulders allowing me to roll onto my back. Before I ordered this, I tested the concept by using an old school back pack stuffed with a pillow and it reduced my snoring significantly. I ordered this because I liked the idea of being able to take it with me during travel. Even though a smaller size, like a medium, would have been better, I think it may have worked if the straps would have stayed tightened during the night. I saw other reviews talking about the straps being too short or the back pack too small, etc. but that was not my experience at all. Maybe this is a new version or it was just defective. Anyway, I returned it and am now using my old school back pack and I saved $60.

I discovered this product on Amazon in March 2022 and purchased it right away. Because of sleep apnea for years I've had stacked, folded blankets and a body pillow behind my back and wrapped myself like a cocoon inside the bedspread with a pillow in front of my chest. This was all to keep me on my side. It's worked okay most of the time, but didn't prevent the onset of heart arrhythmia in recent months. Finally getting a sleep test again after one several years ago that was inconclusive, I have a diagnosis. Not long before the recent test, I started using the WoodyKnows Side-Sleeping Backpack, skipping it of course on the test nights. When I wear it I reliably stay on my side. I no longer need all the blankets and pillows, nor wrap up tightly to stay in position. It's so wonderful! I've taken it with me on a week's vacation and later a two-night trip, and had good results as well. If you miss camping and other activities, the WoodyKnows may free you to do them again. I wish I'd had this years ago. It could possibly have prevented the onset of the heart condition. If you have snoring or apnea, don't hesitate. Pick the right size and try it! Update August 2022: I've continued using the WoodyKnows backpack with success. In the warmer season with lighter garments it is still comfortable. I saw some other reviews where users complained about the straps being too long or uncomfortable. I am a small frame female and I did choose to cross the straps in "X" fashion because of strap length, but I find it also ensures a snug fit with the secured belt while not constricting. The diameter of the provided inflatable cylinder insert that comes with the "small" size pack might be improved with a slightly larger circumference. I keep an extra pillow just behind the pack pillow compartment so that I can use it to slightly lift the pack and keep my face (and tongue) positioned slightly downward. The compartment has two different zipper tracks, allowing expansion of the compartment for a bigger pillow. I plan to inquire with the maker about available larger pillow that will fit. If not, wrapping the cylinder with a hand towel may do the trick.

It's a product for side sleeping, but the thick, inflexible straps make it difficult to get comfortable lying on your side. Inevitably the strap for the side you are laying on either digs into your neck or feels awful between your arm and torso. It's very annoying and I cannot find a way to get comfortable in this thing.

I was just diagnosed with sever sleep apnea. I knew I had it, but after my second more in depth sleep study It was much worse than my doctor and I suspected. Majority of my episodes happened while sleeping on my back. I thought I was mostly a side sleeper after years of forcing myself to sleep that way to not disturb my significant other, or when I stayed with friends due to my snoring. Well, it turns out after I fall asleep I turn over onto my back every time. This has been happening for over a decade now and causing my very poor sleep quality. So much so that I now have memory problems, depression, anxiety and a host of other issues that effect my daily life. I go in for an in office sleep study soon and I will most likely be fitted for a cpap machine. After I found out the second study results, I panicked and had a few months before my next sleep study so I started trying home remedies. Wedge pillows, body pillows, t-shirts with pockets on the back to put tennis balls in, etc. Then I bought this. I was not expecting much, but It has greatly reduced my snoring and apnea episodes! (See snore report pics / Snore Lab app ) first pic is before use, second after use. After just a week of using this I feel so much better! More refreshed, less groggy in the am, more focus, and just more like a normal person in general. I recommend anybody with snoring issues to try this out. You might also want to ask your doctor to schedule a sleep study to make sure you have not been having apnea episodes like I was. This may just be a great alternative to a cpap machine in my case. My only gripes about this is that the waist belt seems to sit too high up, and the straps are super long. I will need to cut the excess off I guess. I'm only 5'8" 150lbs, so they should think about making sizes instead of a once size fits most approach. Different colors might be nice also.

The design of this product is extremely well thought out and tested. It is widely adjustable, making it feasible to fit many body shapes and sizes. The sizing chart was accurate and helpful. I like that this doesn't have any buckles or plastic hardware and that the straps are secured with velcro. (I had tried stuffing a 1/2 round pillow into a thin backpack prior to ordering this and it was a little helpful but had a lot of limitations because of the plastic hardware on the backpack and difficulty securing it around my waist). The velcro that this has around the torso keeps it snug to my back. I am happy with the results but I will say I am not in love with this product. When I took it out of the last packaging, the odor from the polyurethane was so strong, I thought I was in a tire store. It is off-gassing and getting better, but a bit of a downer strapping that to my back and snuggling up under the blankets with it! Overall, I do think it is a great product and it is definitely stopping me from rolling onto my back. The product is extremely light weight and very well made. I also highly recommend it! EDITED COMMENTS: After using my first backpack for about 2 weeks, the inflatable insert kept losing air overnight. I had to blow it up every night before going to sleep and by morning it was only about 2/3 full. I exchanged this for a new one. The inflatable insert is holding air, but it is soooo squeaky when I make the tiniest movement that it is really irritating. I took out the plastic insert and stuffed it with a pillow, and now I have a great product. I think the squeaky inflatable will be helpful for traveling so the entire backpack will not take up so much room. I know their product listing says 'Newly upgraded'.....I think they need to go back to the drawing board and work out the inflatable pillow part. But I do really like it now that I have the pillow inside it.