Useful travel gear
I’m currently researching a story about travel gear and clothing, and it has got me thinking about how useless so many so-called travel products are. Many of them have so many bells and whistles but are largely designed for mountaineers or Antarctic explorers rather than members of the general public.
Multi-language translators?
Another problem is items that are bought and then never used in practice, thus taking up valuable room in your bag. Multi-language translators and altimeters, anyone? So with this in mind, I’ve drawn up a list of things I’d genuinely find useful as an everyday traveller, whether on a city break or a more adventurous trip. These things may be out there already – and if you know of anything that fits the bill, I’d love to hear about it. And, er, ‘review’ it.
THE LIST
Zip-off trousers
I want them to be quick drying, lightweight, have zip-off legs and zipped pockets for security. Crucially, they must look reasonably presentable and not designed for people with beards.
Compact battery charger
Simple equation: four AA batteries recharged, minimum bag space taken up to do it.
Keyring compass
A tiny compass that I can fit to my keyring so I know what direction I’m facing when I come out of a subway station.
Walking shoes that pass as smart-casual at night
If I’m going hand-luggage only, I want a pair of shoes with which I can walk up a mountain, trudge around a city, presentably go to a restaurant and hit the bars in. Must have good grip, plenty of air flow and not look like they’re aimed at hikers.
Powerful pocket camera
At least 10 mexapixels, and with at least 10x optical zoom – but must slide into the pocket easily.
A Ryanair friendly, multi-compartment bag
I want something that fits within Ryanair’s 55cm x 40cm x 20cm carry-on baggage limit, with multiple compartments so that I can keep everything organised. And I’d prefer to be able to carry it on my back if possible.
Warm weather socks
Trainer socks that don’t make feet sweaty and fungi-packed in hot weather. Preferably not made of cotton, but not scratchy either.
Travel towel that actually works
Travel towels are generally horrible bright blue chamois affairs that merely push water around rather than soak it up. And they tend to stink within seconds. One that actually works would be lovely.
Any suggestions for such items? I’d love to hear them. I’d also love to hear about any items of travel gear that you find indispensible yourself. Feel free to enlighten me, and other readers, by leaving a comment below.
Tags: carry on baggage, clothing, Ryanair, travel equipment, travel gear
Hi David
Aquis towels are really good, but now difficult to find the best ones (i.e. expensive), even online (says me who just had hers nicked from pool changing room).
Oh the shoe thing… think we’re all obsessed with the shoe that goes up a mountain, not too obviously a trainer, smart enough for city walking, going out on the town and even to the bloody opera if necessary. Do find something occasionally, but wear them out in a couple of trips! And it’s much easier for men than women to find that sort of thing too. But I do have a mini compass on a keyring. Plastic and hideous, bought in Alexandria 20 years ago to wander and always know which way the sea was so couldn’t get too lost, for about 20p. Perfect. Friends always laugh at me when I whip out a compass in cities, but it’s absolutely essential to me. And if you find that ideal-sized bag with the compartments etc, let me know!
The Lifeventure Microfibre Trek Towel is great – this doesnt ‘stink’ as is treated with an antibacterial formula. It certainly soaks up water, absorbing 7x its own weight in water, and dries 6x quicker than a normal standard towel. It is very lightweight and ultra compact too. It comes in blue or green – http://tiny.cc/DfbY1
This may sound like a silly thing but I find it really useful. I have a moustache and goatee and any trip longer than a week and it starts to look a bit ratty and the moustache starts to tickle my top lip. I used to take a little pair of scissors but found them really annoying trying to trim a mo and inadequate for the goatee. A few months ago I bought a razor by Schick called the Quatro which has a mini beard trimmer in the handle. It’s powered by a single AAA battery and makes trimming facial hair (and sideburns!) a breeze.
As for compasses I recently bought a watch with one built in and find it fantastic. I also used to have a Casio watch which told you the sunrise and sunset times after you manually put in your longtitude and latitude – perfect for landscape photography.
Energizer makes a compact recharger that charges both AA and aAA batteries. Works on universal current. I’ve used it in China and England, though for England I had to buy a connector plug. I got it at Wal-mart, something like $10 for the charger and $10/set of 4 batteries. Very useful to have. Batteries recharge overnight while you sleep. I have 2 cameras and eight batteries (4 as spares) so I’m set if I take beacoup pix one day and run out of battery power.
I’ve just obtained an iPhone and it’s already clear the compass in it is going to be handy coming out of the Tube or the Warsaw Metro!
Re shoes, I only travel with one pair – they’re black Caterpillar walking boots, solid-looking but presentable enough for restaurants (or at least I like to think so). I’ve had them almost 4 years and they’re still in good shape. But I suspect Annie’s right to say it’s easier for men to pull off the multi-use shoe trick.
We just bought the iphone too. I will be using that compass. And I have to admit, we have added a lot of language apps. Have never used the translators before, but going to give them a try this time around. At least they are in the Iphone, so they are not taking up extra space.
With all the the electronics that we have started carrying, a small power chord is super. Now we can charge everything at once using just one adapter.
The compass is a nice practical thing (how many times do I search in vain for the trace of a shadow on overcast days!) but on the tube exit thing – I wrote to London Underground years ago suggesting they embed a compass rose in the floor at all their exits. No response.
Swiss army knife? Mine has all sorts of useful instruments, including corkscrew.