SkyMall Monday: Bed Bug Sleeping Cocoon (Poll)

Hotel beds are gross. That’s just a fact. Frankly, everything in your hotel room is contaminated with something (including bodily fluids) and not just the hellholes where you expect to find filth. These days, however, more and more people are worried about a particular cleanliness issue in hotels: bedbugs. Not only will bedbugs make your stay miserable, but you very well could ruin your home life if you carry the little biters back with you at the end of your trip. We sleep in a meat locker here at SkyMall Monday headquarters to keep the bloodsuckers at bay. When we travel, however, we live in constant fear of waking up with itchy red marks brought on from letting the bedbugs bite. Thankfully, SkyMall has chosen to nip this problem in the bud and now offers a layer of protection from things that chomp in the night. The next time you’re calling it a day in your hotel room, wrap yourself up in the Bed Bug Sleeping Cocoon.Hotel sheets can be abrasive, so skipping them in favor of your own cocoon isn’t really much of a loss. Frankly, the cocoon might be a better alternative than donning a hazmat suit when you enter your hotel room.

Think that cocoons are only for moths and butterflies? Believe that any hotel worth your money will be bedbug-free? Well, while you soothe your skin in an oatmeal bath, we’ll be reading the product description:

This portable sleeping cocoon is made from a specially woven fabric that is impervious to bed bugs. Its tightly wound polyester threads are only 1-micron apart to prevent 100% of bed bugs from penetrating the fabric. The durable polyester threads are impervious to bed bugs’ teeth yet the fabric remains soft, pliable, and breathable for optimal sleeping comfort in a hotel bed. The hooded top protects your head and neck yet allows you to breathe naturally, and the entire unit fits in the included tote for ease of travel.

Ah yes, polyester: the most breathable fabric on the planet. Who doesn’t wish they could replace their fine Egyptian cotton sheets with some smooth polyester?

Well, what say you, Gadling and SkyMall Monday fans? Would you pack your own Bed Bug Sleeping Cocoon to keep you safe in hotel rooms? Let us know in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments.
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Check out all of the previous “SkyMall Monday” posts HERE.

TSA-proof energy drink sub has fliers talking sheet

If TSA rules for liquids allowed on aircraft are keeping your favorite energy drink out of your carry-on, maybe you need a new energy drink. Or maybe you just need to “Take a Sheet” says NBA star LeBron James of his new energy drink alternative, paper-thin dissolvable strips that pack as much caffeine as a typical cup of coffee.

“Taking a SheetTM is part of my pre-game and halftime ritual,” said LeBron James. “I’ve tried tons of other products in the past and none compare. SheetsTM are a smart and convenient way to get energy.” LeBron James’ business partner and Sheets™ co-founder Maverick Carter said “Sheets™ are an effective and innovative way to deliver energy. We fell in love with the concept and potential.”

SheetsTM paper-thin dissolvable strips are placed on your tongue, begin to dissolve instantly and are easily swallowed and digested delivering hours of energy. SheetsTM, won’t spill or melt, have no calories, no carbohydrates, no sugar, and require no water. One serving of SheetsTM contains caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee as well as vitamins B and E.

“I’m excited that SheetsTM has cracked the code on energy delivery. Our athlete and celebrity partners have played a key role in the innovation process and worked collaboratively with our world-class scientists to make the best possible energy product on the market. We’re thrilled to launch SheetsTM today and look forward to working with the team to develop future products using our proprietary SheetsTM technology,” said Warren Struhl, CEO of consumer product marketer Purebrands.

Basically, it’s Listerine strips meet Red Bull.

Packaged in a cigarette-like box, flavors include Berry Blast and Cinnamon Rush that sell for $5.95 for ten strips. They’re made in the USA and can be ordered online.

That’s a pretty cheap cup of coffee.

Flickr photo by Keith Allison

Hotel Madness: Vote for your biggest hotel pet peeves


We launched our Hotel Madness tournament on Monday and the entire first round is now live. If you don’t know what Hotel Madness is or you just need a refresher, check out our introductory post. First round voting is open until 11:59pm EDT this Sunday, March 20. Be sure to vote in each and every match-up listed below. Simply choose the hotel pet peeves that bother you the most. The winners will advance to the second round, which you’ll be able to vote on next week.

Make your voices heard. Vote, leave comments and let us know what you hate most about hotels.


First round voting ends at 11:59EDT on Sunday, March 20.

Follow along with the Hotel Madness tournament here.

Hotel Madness: Expensive parking vs. Tightly tucked-in sheets

The first round of Hotel Madness continues with #3 seed Expensive parking battling #14 seed Tightly tucked in sheets. Paying for gas and dealing with rental car companies can make trips a real pain in the butt. Add in having to pay an arm and a leg to park at the hotel and you’ll be ready to curse Henry Ford for ever inventing cars. Once you do get to your room, though, going to sleep will be a challenge if you don’t have the upper body strength to turn down your own bed. Hotel sheets are tucked tighter than a pair of jeggings on a hippopotamus. Who’s running the housekeeping department? Sgt. Slaughter?

We break down these two Hotel Madness annoyances below. Vote for the one that ticks you of the most and the winner will advance to the second round of action.

(3) Expensive Parking
Not all cities are conducive to walking. Heck, not all trips are in cities. Perhaps you’re on a road trip or had to rent a car in your destination because everything is spread out and people actually ask you if you lost your license because of a DUI should you even consider walking somewhere (we’re looking at you, LA). Some places just require you to have a car. And some hotels require you to pay $15 a day to park it there. Don’t forget to tip the valet $2 each time you need it, too.

(14) Tightly Tucked-In Sheets
Travelers come in all shapes and sizes from chunky to portly to fit. No traveler, however, is thin enough to fit under the covers once the those housekeepers make the bed. Drill sergeants don’t require blankets to be that tight. You shouldn’t need the Jaws of Life just to get into bed.

This is a tough one. Paying for parking is just plain tacky but your bed can make or break your trip. Which one bothers you more? Vote now!

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More Hotel Madness action:
#1 No free Wi-Fi vs. #16 Annoying hotel TV channel
#2 Bad front desk service vs. #15 Everything about TV remotes
#4 Resort fees vs. #13 Early housekeeping visits
#5 No airport shuttle vs. #12 One-ply toilet paper
#6 No free breakfast vs. #11 Expensive minibars
#7 Bad water pressure vs. #10 Small towels
#8 Room not ready on time vs. #9 Early checkout times

First round voting ends at 11:59EDT on Sunday, March 20.

Follow along with the Hotel Madness tournament here.

SkyMall Monday: Temperature Regulating Sheets

For many people, it can be difficult to sleep comfortably. Whether it’s because of stress, noise or horrific night terrors, sleep does not come easily to everyone. One of the biggest challenges to sleeping well is simply getting comfortable. Sleeping in a cold room will cause you to shivver. Sleeping in a hot room will make you sweat. It can be a constant struggle. Here at SkyMall Monday headquarters, we struggle with the oppressive heat that our building pumps into the space during the winter. It can make sleeping terribly difficult (and sweaty). How can we combat this climate controlling scurge that makes rest allusive and sleep a pipedream? The same way we address all of life’s problems: with the SkyMall catalog. Finally, we have a solution to all of this sleep deprevation. Feast your eyes on these glorious Temperature Regulating Sheets.Opening and closing windows are tedious tasks that can lead to back and shoulder injuries. Adjusting your thermostat will result in higher gas and electric bills. Kicking off the sheets or adding a blanket just seems exhausting. Why not just relax and let the sheets do the climate controlling for you? Being in bed should be restful, after all.

Think that sheets should be simple and just lay there? Believe that if you’re cold you should just put on a sweatshirt? Well, while you layer up, the rest of us are going to read the product description:

Using a fabric developed for NASA to help astronauts adapt to extreme temperature fluctuations, these sheets prevent overheating and eliminate chills to create an optimal sleeping climate. Imbedded in the sheets are millions of invisible microcapsules that absorb excess heat when you are hot and release the stored heat when you are cold, ensuring a comfortable bed temperature and humidity. Unlike an electric blanket, the microcapsules adjust independently to an individual’s climate, allowing two sleepers with different temperature preferences to remain comfortable throughout the night.

I have no idea what any of that means, but NASA sends people to space and that’s awesome. If these sheets can get me to space, then count me in.

Sleep is essential to staying healthy. Rather than struggling with drafty windows and expensive air conditioning, pick up some space-aged sheets to keep you comfortable. It sure beats buying new pajamas or gimmicky pillows. Get them for all of your bunk beds today!

Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.