Give a gift to go
Traveling provides endless opportunities to enjoy new people, places, food, culture and fun. But it also provides its fair share of hassles, from the waking nightmare that air travel can be to the occasional speed-bump on a road trip.
here are a few gift suggestions to make your intrepid traveler’s trips safer, more comfortable and drama-free.
Powerbag: Power, especially in airports, is a precious commodity. just try scoring an outlet near a crowded gate — travelers can get quite territorial, and emotions can run high. Let the selfish mob tear itself asunder while you keep your gadgets powered using the Powerbag, a line of practical backpacks, cross-body messenger bags and briefcases featuring built-in, battery-powered charging systems that keep portable electronics charged.
Charge the bag ahead of time, and it can fuel up gadgets on the go through its built-in Apple, micro-USB, mini-USB and USB connector ports covering a wide variety of consumer electronics, including many tablets, smartphones and gaming devices.
Powerbags come with their own AC adapters for when their energy reserves are depleted, and those levels can be checked with a press of a button. The Wheeled Briefcase by fûl, which can charge a typical smartphone up to four times, retails for $249. Backpacks and messenger bags start at $140 at MyPowerbag.com.
Safe Skies luggage locks: Safe Skies offers a large selection of TSA-accepted luggage locks displaying the company’s proprietary symbol of a torch, which lets baggage screeners quickly identify, open and inspect bags and then relock them easily.
This line of locks includes compact, rustproof padlocks for $8.95 to $14.95; dial combination locks for $9.99 to $18.99; flexible-loop cable locks for $14.99; and combination-locked secure luggage straps for $20.95. SafeSkiesLocks.com.
Mobile Foodie Survival Kit: Depending on where travelers find themselves, the food can be, well, a bit sketchy. Or underseasoned.
But for those packing the Mobile Foodie Survival Kit, supplemental flavor is quickly at hand. The plastic cylinder bundles 1.5 tablespoon-size containers of organic herbs and spices, including sea salt, black pepper, cayenne, onion, basil, wasabi, cinnamon, oregano, garlic, thyme, curry, ginger and dill.
those containers are unlabeled so they can be reused or restocked with whatever. it costs $26 at uncommongoods.com.
Easy2Pick wireless luggage finder: Dark blue suitcases sounded like a good idea at the time. And oh, look, that guy decided to wrap a red ribbon around his dark-blue bag’s handle, too. Awesome.
A wireless luggage locator can help clear up the confusion, transmitting a signal as it makes its way from the bowels of the conveyor system. This electronic luggage tag has a wireless transmitter and key-chain recognition device, which starts flashing, vibrating and sounding off within about 65 feet of the bag.
Specific codes for each set protect against accidental identification. Light, noise and altitude sensors turn the tag off when it is on the plane while powering it back up on the conveyor belt. Cost: $24.95 at various retailers found at NaftaliInc.com.
Chrome Niko: every traveler needs a good, durable bag that is comfortable to carry and packing plenty of compartments. Meet the Niko, technically a camera bag that is also excellent for serving as an always-around travel companion.
The smartly designed Niko includes a top-loading camera compartment for easy access, as well as a main chamber for stashing lenses, wallet, passport, gadgets and other essentials. The bag also has Chrome’s signature quick-release buckle on its shoulder strap — with built-in bottle opener — as well as Velcro tri-pod straps on the side.
The Niko is also built to last, made up of a weatherproof nylon on the outside and a military grade truck tarpaulin liner on the inside. It’s not the biggest bag, measuring 15.5 inches wide by 9 inches high by 6.25 inches deep, but it’s an outstanding bag for light travelers. it costs $95 at ChromeBagsStore.com.
WineHug: Enjoy your trip without wondering whether your belongings are soaked in that bold, complex Cabernet.
The WineHug inflates around a bottle to create a cushioned shell and includes a foam core to secure its contents.
it flattens and folds to take up little space, and it inflates with the turn of a valve. Cost: $19.95 to $24.95 at WineHug.com.
Tech Travel Moc II Slippers: Travel-friendly slippers from Acorn are made of a soft shell, a ripstop water-repellent nylon rim and a microfleece lining that wicks away moisture. The moccasins come with a travel pouch for storage. Cost: $35-$40 at acorn.com.
Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale: A portable luggage scale can help travelers pack smart and avoid overweight luggage fees. Attach it to a bag’s strap, lift, wait for the beep, and the gadget reports the weight on a digital display in pounds or kilograms.
The Balanzza weighs as much as 100 pounds and, weighing 10 ounces, it’s light enough to bring along for the ride. Cost: about $25; retailers at balanzza.com.
CamelBak water bottle: A CamelBak water bottle lets travelers drink up and avoid getting gouged for bottled water after going through security.
These come in a variety of colors, styles and models, but it’s hard to go wrong with the Groove Stainless .6L. It’s simple, elegant and sturdy, with a built-in filter that purifies tap water and a straw.
Travelers must take their CamelBaks through airport checkpoints empty, but they are easily filled at new water stations popping up at many airports. The stainless steel CamelBak costs $35 at stores found at camelbak.com.
