When traveling, it’s important to pack light. Not only will it save you a few bucks when it comes to checking baggage, but you also won’t have to cart around a bunch of junk that you’re never gonna wear/use. However, packing light doesn’t mean you should compromise on the essentials. What are the essentials? Well, that all depends on you.
If you’re a gadget fiend, then you’ll want to make sure that you have every piece of mobile media you can carry. Most importantly, you’ll want to make sure that you have the power source for your media, or else you’ll be a sad panda by the end of day two. The FlipIt! USB Stealth Charger (ThinkGeek, $13.99) is the perfect gadget companion for the traveling geek because it takes any traditional power source and uses it to your advantage. How does it do that? The device fits over a standard outlet and leeches power from the device being charged there, converting it to USB power that can in turn be used to charge your iPhone, iPod, or any other mobile device. Because it works with an in-use power source, you’ll be able to power your electronics just about anywhere even if all the available outlets are taken. Take that, overcrowded airport gate!
I’d keep an eye on this baby though – it’s just the type of awesome technology that someone will try to shiest from you when you’re not looking.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.35″ x 1.3″ x 0.67″
-USB charger for mobile devices
-Leeches power from in use power lines
-Supplies 1000mA (1A) at 5V
-Contact pad rotates 270 degrees for easy access
Have you ever found yourself out and about, wishing you could sit down only there were no available seating surfaces? Most of us would just tough it out or make do with the options available. I once sat on a freezing cold curb in Chicago for a solid three hours because it seemed better than standing. True story.
If you simply must have a chair at a moment’s notice and you don’t want to actually cart around a chair with you at all times, then the Pocket Chair (Things You Never Knew Existed, $9.98) is for you. In case you can’t already tell by the name, it’s a chair…that fits in your pocket! Now, don’t get your hopes up; it’s not like you’re gonna be able to fit a La-Z-Boy in your pocket. Is it a pathetic excuse for a chair? Yeah. Is it a million times better than not having a pathetic excuse for a chair? You bet. As long as you don’t expect to be sitting on a cloud, you’ll be fine.
This chair allegedly supports up to 250 pounds. Who wants to test that out?
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9.25″ x 6.25″ folded
-Capacity: Up to 250lbs
-Chair that fits in your pocket
-Includes chair and carrying case
-Study lightweight steel
-Stitched nylon canvas seat
I try to be responsible and keep all my important documents in one place so that in case there’s some sort of emergency like an earthquake or hurricane, I’ll be prepared. That being said, my most important bits of information aren’t exactly safe in terms of theft. Gee, I wonder if someone could steal my identity if they had my passport and every other bit of residential proof they need to become me on paper? Well, the joke’s on them because I’m gonna start locking that shit up.
You can stick all the important documents you like in a fireproof safe or in a safety deposit box at the bank, but nothing is as securely portable as the Mobi Safe (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $13.95). Just large enough to protect the essentials, this safe comes complete with a 4-digit combination lock and a vinyl coated aircraft steel cable. So you could even tether this safe to your wrist if you felt that such a drastic action was necessary. Personally, the combo lock is enough peace of mind for me.
Why trust a sketchy hotel safe when you can lock up your cash in this thing instead?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Portable safe
-Holds small objects like phone and cash
-4 digit Combination lock
-Vinyl coated aircraft steel cable
I don’t mean to brag, but I am a fantastic packer. I can pack 10 days worth of clothes into a small suitcase that could pass for carry-on (very important these days, what with baggage fees being so outrageous). As amazing a packer as I am, even I sometimes fall victim to the perils of overpacking. The funny thing is, I tend to overpack when I’m just staying for the weekend versus a long trip. I don’t know what it is, but the shorter the trip the more likely I am to jam 17 shirts into my bag before debating whether to bring my entire movie collection.
I feel the worst overpacking happens when going to the beach because you actually might need all of the things you’ve packed. Sunscreen? Necessary. Sunglasses? Necessary. Book? Necessary. Music? Necessary. Towel? Ultra necessary. Too bad that your towel takes up the most space or else you’d totally be able to get by with just one small beach bag, right? The Pocket Towel (Latest Buy, $22.95) makes packing for the beach easy with a magical towel that is small enough to fit in your pocket. Inside its handy little pouch is a nearly full-size bath towel made of ultrafine microfibre that can absorb three times its weight in water! You could probably fit at least two dozen of these super absorbent pocket towels into the same space as a regular beach towel. Plus, instead of putting a soggy towel back into your bag just so it can soak everything else inside, you can simply fold it and put it back in its storage pouch.
A towel like this might also be helpful when you find yourself caught in a torrential downpour (like the ones we’ve been experiencing lately) without an umbrella or poncho.
4 out 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 3.5″ x 2.2″ (folded); 48″ x 24″ (unfolded)
-Weight: 3.9oz
-Full size towel in convenient travel form
-Absorbs 3 times its weight in water
-Neoprene storage pouch included
-Available in blue, green, or red
-Made of ultrafine woven microfibre
I went on vacation recently and you wouldn’t believe how much the whole situation ripped me off. I mean, first off I had to pay an exorbitant amount of money just to book a plane ticket. Then I get to the airport and I have to pay even more money to check my bag (after I’ve already checked myself in, of course). Sure, the airlines say that they’re saving you money on ticket prices, but they’re actually just itemizing the cost for you. Plane ticket: $300. Bag check: $25. Meal: $10-20.
The travel industry is already hammering you with costs, so why make it easier for them to take your money? One of the easiest ways to spend less money is to pack a small carry-on instead of checking your bag. The problem with that is trying to jam a week’s worth of clothes into a small suitcase, unless you have the Packable Closet (Hammacher Schlemmer, $36.95) which would actually make it quite simple. This storage system is a traveler’s dream because it hangs in the closet as you pack it and then seamlessly transfers to a suitcase. With three collapsible mesh panels, you can separate different items of clothing as you pack while still keeping everything tidy. Then all you have to do is lift the hooks from your closet rod and slowly lower the whole thing into your suitcase. The shelving will automatically compress itself to fit inside most carry-on suitcase interiors. When you arrive at your destination, just lift the unit out of the suitcase by the closet hooks and hang up the storage system. No need to unpack!
I was on a three and a half hour flight and I didn’t even get so much as a bag of peanuts. True story.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18″ x 12″
-Weight: Supports up to 35 lbs
-Packing clothing storage system
-Hang items while packing
-Three layers of organization
-Mesh compartments collapse to fit inside suitcase
-Automatically expands when lifted
-Water and stain resistant
-Lightweight steel frame
-Nylon mesh side panels
