With the Holidays fast approaching now is the time to start getting into that giving spirit. From tech, to convenience, to comfort, here are some items that the globetrotters amongst us might appreciate.
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Bluetooth Item Trackers
An absolute must for any traveler. These types of items have been in the media several times over the last couple of years telling stories of passengers who were reunited with luggage that went missing in transit or, worse yet, were stolen. There are a variety of types out there on the market with each offering different benefits and different compatibility. Here are a few of the ones we recommend:
Apple AirTags
These are probably the most well known, at least in North America, and they are fantastic for hiding in luggage, backpacks, purses, vehicles and the like. With a replaceable battery they will protect your luggage for years to come. You can get them individually for around $27 or as a four pack for $85 as of the time of this writing but at this stage in the game it might be worth waiting a few days and see if Black Friday offers any better deals. They are likely to drop below $80 for a four pack is my prediction. They are only compatible with Apple products and will require nearby Apple devices with Bluetooth enabled for the location ability to work though, and they aren't designed to fit into smaller items like wallets or passports. They only pair with one phone at a time (no app required) so make sure you know whose phone is tracking which item. Once paired, however, you can share the Tag with someone. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, then tap Items. Tap the name of the Tag or item you want to share, then tap Add Person below Share This Item. Tap the name of the person you want to share with, then tap their Apple ID. You can name the item when you pair it so that makes it easier to identify which tag is for which item.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2
This would be the Samsung alternative to the AirTag so if you are rocking a Samsung smartphone then this will be the one you'll want. Similar to the AirTags you'll have a replaceable battery and will be able to track your items. These Tags are also a bit nicer if you want to be able to track keys or pets as the Tag has a hole that you can attach a key ring/collar to. You will need to download the SmartThings app for Samsung to enable tracking and, as with the AirTags, the tracking system will only work if there are Samsung phone nearby whose owner has Bluetooth enabled and has opted in to the Galaxy Find Network as a Find Node participant. Current sale pricing puts the Smart Tags at around $24. These are still a bit bulky for a men's wallet or a passport though so if you are looking for something like that, keep reading.
Tile Pro and Tile Slim
These two devices are compatible with both Apple iPhone and Google Android smartphones which is a nice plus but again as with the SmartTag the location capability only works if nearby users have installed the Tile App. The Tile Pro is basically the same as the SmartTag in such that it is sized to be used in luggage, purse, etc. and also has a hold that would work with keys. It has a replaceable battery as well. There is a cheaper version of the Pro called the Tile Mate but it does not have a replaceable battery and the range is limited so I would recommend the Pro over the Mate.
The Tile Slim, however, is designed so it can fit into a wallet (about 2 credit cards thickness) or a passport, and could be adhered somehow to a tablet perhaps. The Slim has a non-replaceable battery with a stated life expectancy of 3 years. Current pricing has the Tile Pro or the Tile Slim at $28.95 each or you can opt to get both as part the Tile Performance 4 pack with 2 slims and 2 pros for $92.95.
Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Transmitter
Have a pair of wireless headphones that you love and want to use them on the plane? Maybe you like watching the TV on that treadmill at the gym but hate having your arms yank your headphone wire out of the port when you are running. No problem. With the AirFly Pro you can use it to both transmit and receive using its built-in Bluetooth. If the output media has a standard 3.5mm jack then you can simply plug in the AirFly and, after making sure you've paired your headphones, you are all set.
They can also be used as a receiver so perhaps you find yourself on a boat or in a cabin that has an older stereo system. All you need to do is plug in the AirFly and switch to receiver mode and you'll be able to stream music from your phone to the sound system.
With 25 hours of play time available when fully charged you can keep the movies, music etc. playing for your entire flight. Recharge it using a portable power supply while you snooze and you'll be ready for round 2. A nice added bonus is that you can pair two devices to it in transmit mode and share the experience with a friend. These are going for about $55 and will probably see a reduced price periodically leading up to the holidays. Don't need to pair two sets of headphones and only need a transmitter? Consider the AirFly SE instead at only $35.
Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10,000 mAh Power Bank
Ever have that panic set in when you are using your phone to find a location on foot, your battery is rapidly dwindling, and there is nowhere to plug in? Avoid that sinking feeling by having one of these on hand.
With built in Lightning and USB-C cables this lightweight power bank will keep your device running. With 23W of total power you can use both cables and charge your phone and tablet at the same time. You'll be able to use the pass through feature as well to charge both your phone and the power bank simultaneously when it is time to power back up your bank (don't worry, it will give you an LED indicator that you need to do so).
Take note, this unit does not come with its own charging cable so if you do not already have one, you're going to need to buy a USB-C charging block like this $8 one as well to be able to recharge the power bank.
The cables fold into the unit cleanly and at just 2.9” x 6.1” x 0.7” it is easy to store in a pants or jacket pocket. Pick one up for around $70 and spare yourself the worry of always being dependent on an outlet to charge your device.
PortaPow 3rd Gen USB Data Blocker (Red 2 Pack)
Speaking of charging...
If you do need to charge a device using a public charging station and you are not plugging into an outlet directly to do so then you should always use one of these.
These simple devices will block data in and out so it will both protect your device from malware and prevent data from being stolen from it while it is charging at one of those public stations. Just attach between your USB cable and charger to physically block data transfer/syncing. Charge your devices without any pop-ups or risk of hacking or uploading viruses. These make a great stocking stuffer at only $9.
Pacsafe RFIDsafe V150 Anti-theft Blocking Passport Wallet
Continuing the topic of keeping your data and items secure, consider getting this to prevent hackers from skimming and collecting information about you from those RFID enabled items like your passport, hotel room keys, and credit cards.
With slots available for credit cards, boarding passes, passports and a handy pen holder this wallet will help keep everything organized in one place when you travel all while offering that protection from data hackers. The wallet zips up completely to ensure everything stays put. It's made of a durable and easy to clean nylon and is 6.7"H x 4.9"W and has a detachable strap that you can secure to a belt of your wrist. If you are looking for something smaller that would fit into a pocket easier (not large enough for a passport, mind you) then Pacsafe has a few other options. This model is currently on sale for just under $60.
NISHEL Travel Cord and Tech Organizer Case
Need somewhere to store all of the gadgets and charging cables you need for them? This compact zip up case will fit nearly everything you're going to need. Available in 5 different colors you can find one that matches your style.
The product dimensions are 10.5"L x 7.5"W x 1.5"H although when loaded up the thickness will be increased. A combination of elastic bands or mesh pockets will help to keep things organized. The materials are sturdy but still stylish and soft. Simplify your travel life and get one of these for just $13 to keep all your tech accessories together.
Survivorware Small First Aid Kit
This 100 piece kit will deliver piece of mind should an emergency arise. Weighing just a pound, the durable water resistant polyester bag is easy to pack with dimensions of 7.5" x 6" x 3.5".
The kit includes essentials such as:
6” Shears
Numerous Types of Adhesive Bandages: e.g. Butterfly Closures, H-Shape, Large, Mini
Cotton Gauze Swabs and Swabs
Crepe Bandage
Emergency Heat Blanket
Eye Pads
Nitrile Gloves
Safety Pins
Splinter Probes
Strip Wound Closures
First Aid Guide
Tweezer
Safety Whistle
and more
Labelled and organized inner compartments make it easy to find what you need in the case of an emergency. Definitely worth the $35 investment (45% off as of 1/28/2024) to have this on hand should the need ever arise. Probably best to pack it in checked bags as opposed to carry on just in case the small scissors cause security concerns, or just pack the scissors separately. Our recommendation would be to spend an added $15 and pick up a pair of one-handed emergency field tourniquets as well to improve on this kit's preparedness.
Eagle Creek Luggage Cubes
I go to The Container Store I always seem to be coming home with something from Eagle Creek. I love their products and have luggage cubes, tubes, and toiletry kits from them. These are a wonderful addition to any travelers repertoire. Made of a lightweight and sturdy nylon this set of three is a great start to keep your clothing organized and protected. every traveler should have two of these 3-packs IMHO as you can pack along empty ones to be used for keeping the dirty laundry separate.
The fine mesh window allows you to see the contents so you'll be able to find the socks and underwear bag pretty easily. They have a dual zipper and a handy carry strap. At $35 for the set of three they may be a touch more expensive than others you can find on Amazon, their quality is worth the bump in price.
Added bonus, you can wash them. Why is this important? Imagine you've stayed at a hotel where, Heaven forbid, there were bedbugs. Not only do the cubes keep your clothes protected from the bugs, you can also just throw the entire bag with clothing into the dryer so the heat will kill any bugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride. That allows you to leave the luggage outside and deal with that separately rather than risk bringing them into your home. Read about some other tips to avoid bringing home those nasties here.
The three sizes, all in inches, are as follows:
XS: 7.5 x 4.5 x 2.5
S: 10 x 7 x 3
M: 14 x 10 x 3
Need bigger? There are plenty of other options to look at on their Amazon Eagle Creek Store.
LL Bean Boat and Tote® with Zip Top
Who doesn't need a good canvas tote? It is such a versatile bag to have with you when traveling, or even just at home. Use it as a beach or pool bag, take it as a carry-on for your tablet and magazines, bring it grocery shopping, and so on.
This heavy weight canvas bag feels as sturdy as it is. The reinforced handles and bag have a manufacturer's claim to be able to withstand 500 pounds of weight. We're not about to test that theory but I personally know it can carry 4 very heavy Engineering textbooks and a laptop. There are four different sizes available and each have the zip top to make sure your belongings stay where they are supposed to. Our favorite is the Large with dimensions of 15"x 17" x 7" with the 14" handles (you can choose between 8" or 14" for those) which comes in at a price of just under $50.
Gifting it to someone, or maybe even yourself? You can even get their monogram on it for an added $8 if you are so inclined.
Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Tote
A couple of steps up from the previous tote this is a bit more elegant and classy. it has a zipper top as well as a snap button to secure it. Inside are two flat pockets. The material is Polyamide canvas with inside coating with leather handles. It is durable and easy to wipe down which makes it an ideal under the seat travel tote for the plane.
Able to accomodate a laptop, wallet, phone, passports, etc. and more, it is a great 'personal item' sized carry-on bag yet light enough (0.63 lb) that this is even well suited for daily use as a large purse. With 7 colors of canvas to choose from this $155 fashionable tote could quickly become someone's favorite travel accessory.
Longchamp Boxford S Briefcase
Also from Longchamp this beautifully crafted canvas and leather bag is ideal for laptops, files, and all your business travel. With a zipper top and one outer zipped slot there is plenty of space to keep your documents and items organized. Pair it with the previously mentioned NISHEL tech organizer travel case (it fits perfectly inside) and you've a match made in Heaven. Very classy look and solid workmanship are evident in this elegant briefcase.
With a price point of $275 this is a more significant purchase for travel but the recipient (which is maybe....yourself?) will absolutely love it. Available in two more colors (blue with brown trim, black with black trim) other than the green shown here this business, or otherwise, travel accessory is suitable for anyone.
Previous versions of this once had a slot on the rear of the bag that allowed it to fit over a carry-on extending handle but it seems the current models have dropped this feature unfortunately. You can use the next item in our list to ensure this briefcase, and the previous two totes, will not budge from atop your carry-on.
VGCUB Carry-on Backpack
This fantastic bag has been taking TikTok by storm with it functionality. It features numerous compartments to store shoes, laptops, phones, toiletry kits, and much more. There is a wet dry compartment too that makes this bag good for gym clothes as well. The dimensions put this backpack as a personal item on the majority of flights but it makes a great standalone carry-on if you don't want to bring a roller style. It will fit easily in the overhead and more importantly under the seat as personal items are expected to do. That means no charges for a carry-on in most cases!
It would be ideal for weekender style trips as it has enough space to fit clothes et al for about 3-4 days, depending on weather of course. It will easily accommodate the carry-on essentials we've detailed in our post about avoiding lost luggage and being prepared in case it happens to you. Pick one up for as little as $36.99 today and see why this bag has gone viral.
Luggage straps
For anyone who's struggle to make it through the airport juggling totes, purses, briefcases, or duty free bags on top of rolling suitcases, these are just the ticket. The straps will wrap around your tote and the extended suitcase/carry-on handle giving you a secure set up so you can dash through the airport to make the gate. You may have seen the Cincha version of these on the reality show The Shark Tank. Those go for $40 but I've found a couple of alternatives that work just as well. I mean come on, it's just a strap.
I've featured two different styles here that we like. One is a heavier feel that has a strong buckle with a dual release clip and an adjustable length of nylon strap to secure the bag based on the Cincha model. The other has a more simple latch and hook style and, while adjustable a little bit, relies more on elasticity to hold the bag. Both have a dedicated slot that slides over the extendable handle of your rolling luggage.
I like the bungee style more for my daughter's use as it is easier for her to secure and doesn't need as much tweaking to fit her smaller items. The heavier duty one I use for myself as I prefer the sturdier buckle and the more secure nylon strap. The only downside is that you need to adjust the belt manually so it might take a few seconds more to get it secured. If you already know what you are going to be securing atop the bag then you can just preset the length before to save time. If you are looking to secure a heavier item I'd recommend the heavy duty one over the bungee style.
The heavier style strap is called a Travel belt sold by SDLYLSL and currently the black version sells for a remarkably low price of $5.99. There are other colors and patterns available that all go for under $10.
The elastic strap (pink strap) is the Toovren 2 in 1 ( I have no idea why it is called 2 in 1 TBH, it has one function) and sells for $15.99. You can choose between 7 different colors with prices varying slightly between models. One clever user did note that the bungee style works great to secure a towel over the back of a beach lounger. Good idea!
Hydroflask Thermal Food Container and Cutlery Set
One of our first posts here was about the Hydroflask container and the positive impact it has on traveling with kids. What we wrote then remains true today in such that they are a fantastic way to take someone's favorite (solid) foods along with you on the airplane, train, car, etc. so that they can have a hot meal of their liking whenever they want.
This time we've included a nice little cutlery set that would make a great stocking stuffer. The full kit isn't necessarily ideal for an airplane as I am unsure if TSA would possibly give grief over the slightly serrated butter knife but it would certainly be very handy in a hotel room. Perhaps pack the knife away and keep the other two on hand if you are flying. These are a stainless steel construction and are handily kept in the small velcro sealing pouch.
While the prices may seem a bit higher compared to other products the quality of Hydroflask really warrants the extra expenditure. The current prices for the 20 oz (Blue above) and then12 oz (pink kids above) are listed below.
Ostrichpillow Contoured Sleep Mask
Say goodbye to awkward fitting sleep masks that let light filter in, or that press uncomfortably on your eyelids. The modal foam mask is adjustable and has a solid 3 dimensional design that fits the contours of your face beautifully. There is even an eyecup built it to alleviate any pressure on the eyelids. Blink in bliss!
The mask secures via a velcro strap at the back allowing you to adjust the tightness of the fit on your face and the nose bridge to be properly positioned. Lightweight and breathable this comfortable mask offers a 100% guarantee that it will black out any light. it is machine washable and comes with a carrying pouch. A $45 price tag comes with this but really, isn't a good sleep on that plane trip worth it?
BCOZZY Wraparound Neck Pillow
If you are lucky enough to be flying long haul in a lie flat bed, you can get a good sleep with the pillows the airline provides. For the rest who have to try and arrange their body in a barely reclined position you need to up your pillow game. Personally speaking the thing that makes my sleep nightmarish on a plane is the head bob forward always wakes me. I need a wraparound that will prevent my head from dipping forward too much when I sleep. This BCOZZY pillow does just that. I've even worn it when I am on the computer for long stretches of time (like now) to give my neck a rest.
The pillow can be adjusted to position your head in a comfortable manner no matter that seat you are located in. Aisle, window, middle, you'll be able to find something that works. It is fully machine washable and comes in a variety of colors as well as two adult sizes and two children's depending on age and/or neck girth. The grey color style is currently priced at $47 with the price range for other colors all around 47 - 55. Pair this pillow with the previous Ostrichpillow mask and you'll finally get the sleep you deserve when traveling.
Sorel Women's Nakiska Slipper
Any Canadian worth their salt knows the Sorel brand name as they are famous for producing high quality winter footwear. The same is true for their line of slippers. Take some comfort along with you to the hotel, or on the plane. Who wants to use those cheap thin pairs that they offer at select hotel chains, or on some flights. These faux fur slippers are designed for both indoor/outdoor use and will keep your toes toasty. They have a 1/2 inch heel and a rubber sole for improved non-slip navigation.
Ideal for a chilly hotel room or even a quick walk out to the mailbox in winter, they offer a range of colors and sizes and the prices tend to reflect the popularity of some colors over others. Currently the "Quarry" color as shown above is sale priced 40% off at $51 while the bulk of the other colors come in closer to $85.
Don't worry gents, Sorel also has a line of men's slippers that will give you the same level of comfort for around the $85 price point although as with the women's some of the colors may be cheaper on sale.
UNIQLO Ultra Stretch AIRism Sleeveless Dress
This simple and classy dress is perfect for travel. Pairing comfort with Japanese minimalism it is a wonderul addition to a travelers wardrobe. Available in Navy, Off-White, Grey, Black and Yellow this dress is often out of stock due to its sheer popularity.
On sale now at UNIQLO for a ridiculous $19.90 you can't go wrong with this purchase. While best for warmer weather travel it can easily be complemented with a pair of warm tights and a cozy cardigan to keep you comfortable and snug on that long international flight. Need some ideas on a cardigan? Jump down to the next item.
Ugg Franca Travel Cardigan
Ugg is another very well known name associated with comfort. This loose fitting cardigan with oversize hood and welt pockets is sure to please. Ideal for traveling on a plane it will keep the wearer very comfortable during the trip. Also perfect for lounging around the hotel room or sitting by the fireplace at the ski resort.
Machine washable and and available in 6 colors these 70% Recycled Polyester / 30% Polyester sweaters are highly popular gifts this time of year. Current prices for the various colors put them in the range of $99.97 - $123.98.
That's it for now. I'll continue to add if I come across other items that we like. If you are looking for something simple and practical for a traveler you can always check out our post on some items IKEA offers for travel.
Happy Holidays and even Happier Travels!
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