Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley.
Once, on a trip to Las Vegas in college -- New Year's Eve, circa 1990-something -- I remember sleeping on the floor in a standard hotel room with 11 people. (Hey, it was cheap! And it worked OK back then!) These days, I'm known for being an incredibly delicate sleeper, with absolutely no chance of getting a good night's sleep unless I have all the tools in my arsenal (and no hope of having a productive or enjoyable travel day without my full eight hours).
Central to my sleep strategy is the Manta Pro Sleep Mask. Yes, I've owned a zillion sleep masks over the years, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's the one that lives permanently in my carry-on bag, always ready to come with me on every trip. I even have a second one that's a permanent fixture on my bedside table at home.
It's just so thoughtfully designed with its 100-percent blackout effect, comfort, and serious staying power, no matter how much I thrash around while trying to sleep on a plane, train, or anywhere else. A slim front panel evokes a DJ's LED sunglasses, but it's actually just a ventilated, cooling material that allows air to circulate through the futuristic-looking mask.
The eye cups are the real game-changer here. Made from C-shaped cushions, they keep the outer portion away from your face, so I never feel pressure on my eyes. This makes the mask ultra-comfortable, but it also helps preserve those pricey eyelash extensions I occasionally treat myself to before big vacations.
I also have Manta's Classic Sleep Mask, which is half the price. But the Pro version has traction piping on the inside of the face wrap, so it stays in place really well -- something I need as someone who moves around a lot in my sleep.
The other major perk is that the eye cups are removable, so you can reposition them to match your eyes for a bespoke fit. You can also adjust the band to fit your head just right. All this customization results in total blackout conditions, even in broad daylight or the harsh lighting of an airplane cabin -- seriously.
At $85, you might call this mask a bit of a splurge in the category, and it is. But I maintain that sleep is one of the most worthwhile things you can splurge on. The Manta Pro is a serious piece of equipment, built to last. It also comes with earplugs and a mesh bag for machine washing. To me, the value is clear. Shop some more top-rated Amazon travel essentials for good sleep, below.