Holiday Gifts for Your Favorite Traveler

Looking for a holiday gift for your favorite traveler? This post offers all sorts of suggestions and includes a recent Gadget Guru segment from Great Day Washington as well.

Picture Keeper Connect 

It's happened again. You've taken so many darn pictures that you've run out of space on your phone. Back up those images so you can take new ones this holiday season. After purchasing the Picture Keeper Connect ($119.99 for 16 GB), download the app to facilitate the super-easy transfer of photos and videos from a smartphone or tablet to a computer or a portable compact USB drive.

Weego

How about a battery pack that not only charges your mobile devices, but your car as well? Weego is a pocket-size jump starter battery pack that can do it all. You can give juice to the main power pack at home or in your car (cables included), and then throw Weego in your glove compartment for those times when something in your car is in need of a charge. There's even a built-in flashlight. There are three Weego models, ranging in price from $99.99 to $289 (depending on type of engine you need to charge). Easy-to-follow-instruction are included, as are jumper cables.

HumanCharger

Sometimes, it's the traveler who needs the charge. Could it be that the quickest way to alleviate jet lag is... through the ear? That's the claim of HumanCharger's Finnish inventors, who say their device cuts typical jet lag recovery time in half by emitting light into the ear. The operating principle of the HumanCharger: The headset beams UV-free, blue-enriched white light through ear canal for 12 minutes at a time to the light sensitive regions of the brain that keep circadian rhythms in sync. The HumanCharger ($269.99) comes with a smartphone app that tells you when to take the needed 12-minute bursts of light (after you enter details of your trip). I haven’t tried it myself, but the HumanCharger has been certified to meet the EU Medical Device Directive.

Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand

Germs are everywhere when you travel. Airplanes and hotel rooms can be cesspools of microscopic bugs and bacteria. But the Verilux Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand ($69.99) can zap your these worries away. The wand uses powerful ultraviolet-C light to significantly reduce microscopic germs, mold and dust mites. Take the 10" battery-operated wand and wave it over doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures and the remote control in your hotel room. On the airplane, you might want to zap the tray table and the seat back pocket, two of the dirtiest places around. Frankly, I might be tempted to zap my seatmate as well, particularly if he's hogging the armrest. But the instructions do not sanction that usage.

Black Starry Night Arcopedico Boots

When a traveler is sightseeing, (almost) nothing is more important than footwear. Yet, for women, it can be difficult to find comfortable and good-looking shoes, particularly for winter weather. Well, these Arcopedico boots were made for walking. The knit upper, the soft textile lining, a twin arch support system and a cushioned insole provide all-day comfort. Just as important, the soles are non-slip.

Whimsical Travel Products for Your Summer Vacation

What a thrill to appear on Great Day Washington this morning with football great Darrell Green. Here's the segment.

If you don't want to watch, here's a recap of the products featured.

Smiley Cruizer Yippee Rolling Case $49.95

Tired of schlepping your kid’s luggage through the airport? Let ‘em ride it. This colorful Smiley Cruizer Yippee Rolling Case conveys both clothing and kids under 40 pounds.

www.luggagefactory.com

Along the same lines, the ZincFlyte suitcase scooter is perfect for kids on the go. Designed for ages two to eight, this hybrid is currently available only in the United Kingdom (for $78.00), but that's changing soon. Now, if only they made an adult version, we'd all be good to go.

Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera: $99.00

Remember Polaroid? If you do, you are likely not a millennial. But the younger crowd will certainly enjoy the instant gratification of instant photography. The Polaroid Snap is the perfect blend of an old-school Polaroid camera and modern, digital technology. Pictures can be stored on memory cards, or transferred to paper for 2 X 3 prints on the spot. While your 10-megapixel photographs won't be confused with those of Annie Leibowitz, the concept is instant fun.

www.polaroid.com

Walter + Ray Accessories

Arm Pillow $15.00

This airplane armrest cushion has a zippered compartment to store glasses, your phone, or other little odds and ends. Slip it over the arm rest, then rest your arm.

Bendy Flashlight and Tablet Stand: $10.00 Bendy may look like Gumby’s cousin, but he is actually a flexible device holder that flexes to cradle a tablet or cellphone. Flip the switch on the back of his head and he becomes a flashlight. Lay him flat and he’s a bookmark.   So versatile--our little Bendy Man.

SAFEGO

 $39.95

It’s the eternal question--what to do with your valuables when you want to take a dip in the ocean or the pool. Well, the SAFEGO is an answer. The lightweight, portable safe can attach to most secured fixtures, thanks to its flexible steel cable. The heavy-duty lock can be opened with a combination or a key.  Lock away your phone, keys, cash, shades, jewelry, and other belongings and then...go jump in the water.

More Holiday Gifts for Your Favorite Traveler

It's getting down to the wire. If you are still searching for that perfect gift for the jet setter on your shopping list, here are a few original ideas. For more information, here I am on WJLA-TV in Washington describing the goods.

The AquaVault

It's happened to all of us. You're at the beach and you want to take a dip. But you have your car keys, and your iPhone, and other valuables to boot. What's a flip flop-clad gal/guy to do? Well, if she/he has an AquaVault, stuff can be safely stored in a lockbox while you hit the waves.

The AquaVault is basically a safe that attaches to a beach chair, a beach umbrella or other fixed objects. If it sounds familiar,  that's because it guest-starred on Shark Tank earlier this year. Sharp Shark Daymond John invested. If you want to invest in one, it's available on Amazon.com for $49.99. 

MeCam

The MeCam is the mini-me of GoPro and its ilk. Weighing in at one ounce and two inches in diameter, the MeCam takes pictures while being pinned to clothing or a backpack. The device can even shoot in low light.  This very 007 item is priced at $69.99. 


Alphaheat Battery Powered Heated Mittens

Alphaheat Mittens keep your mitts warm on the ski slopes or in a dog sled! Powered by an AA battery pack, these one-size-fits-most hand warmers can heat up to 120 degrees and can hold the charge for up to eight hours. They are available from The Warming Store for $49.99.







Bombata Bags

There are hundreds of cases available for iPads and laptops. But if  the jet setter on your list is the stylish short, a Bombata Bag might be the bomb. The Italian-designed line features leather-like vinyl in colors ranging from hot pink and lime green to more muted hues of blue, yellow and red. The MicroTablet briefcase goes for $55, while the Maxi bags start at $75.

Doppio Maxi Bombata Bag for 17 inch laptop

NapAnywhere

NapAnywhere is a new twist on the old neck rest.  In fact, it was a winner of the 2014 Product Innovation Award at the International Travel Goods Show. If you literally feel like nodding off, this flexible wedge can be molded to fit between the side of your head and your shoulder. It's held in place while you nod off with a strap that adjusts across your body. 

NapAnywhere costs $59.99 and comes in a range of colors, including hot pink, lime, cobalt, crimson and basic black.

Cloudz On-Hand Pillow

Cloudz hands travelers yet another take on the travel pillow. The On-Hand Pillow actually has multiple uses. You can stick your paw inside and cradle your head comfortably while sitting in the window seat. Or you can stick it behind the back for lumbar support.  The outer shell is super-cozy, while the inside, filled with microbeads, blends support and softness. It's available on Amazon for $15.99. 

Weego

How about a battery pack that not only charges your mobile devices, but your car as well? Weego is a pocket-size jump starter battery pack that can do it all. You can give juice to the main power pack at home or in your car (cables included), and then throw Weego in your glove compartment for those times when something in your car is in need of a charge. There's even a built-in flashlight. There are three Weego models, ranging in price from $99.99 to $289 (depending on type of engine you need to charge). Easy-to-follow-instruction are included, as are jumper cables. For the holidays, Weego is including an extra compact rechargeable battery pack with all purchases, a $19.99 value. For a store locator, visit www.myweego.com.

The Travel Gadget Guru on TV

Interested in finding out about the most innovative travel accessories around? Check out my appearance on Great Day Washington this week.

http://www.wusa9.com/videos/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/2015/10/13/top-travel-gadgets-for-travel-tuesday/73860182/

For more, see this post and this one, too.

Holiday Gifts for Travelers

It's that time of year when the Travel Elves drop off all sorts of sample goodies upon my doorstep for me to test. Here are a few of the products which pass gift-giving muster in my book. For more, you can watch my show-and- tell on Let's Talk Live: 

 http://www.wjla.com/blogs/lets-talk-live/2014/12/last-minute-gifts-for-globetrotters-24023.html





A Heys Ecotex 5 Piece Packing Cube Set is like a Russian Matryoshka doll. Unzip the biggest one and a smaller one appears...and so on and so on. The colorful quintet costs about $44 and a three-pack runs around $27. Both come with nifty little stick-on labels to identify what's in the bag. Available at http://shop.heys.ca/










It's not a foot rest. It's not a computer case. It's both. This Leggage laptop case has a nifty design that allows you to safely stow your computer and then use the case as a foot rest on the airplane. While the company claims that the wedges on the hard side serve to massage the tootsies...well, that may be stretching it just a bit. But especially for those with shorter legs, having a on-board foot rest will definitely add to comfort and better posture.
It's $79.99 at www.leggage.com.



LiteGear's Hybrid Rolling Tote is the perfect alternative to being weighed down by a heavy purse or tote bag. The fashionable roller, is just the right size for a change of clothing, an iPad, and many other small odds and ends, including your purse..With dimensions of 13.5″ x 8.5″ x 14.5″, it can either replace your carry-on or supplement it.  The LiteGear Hybrid Rolling Tote is available at Travelsmith, Amazon and other on-line retailers. The price ranges from $79.00 to $99.00.




Finally, from Shoes on the Fly, we have washable cotton bags in which to pack footwear. Sure, one can always use a plastic bag to separate shoes from clothing...but that's exactly why this is the perfect gift. It's one of those things that your favorite travelers might not buy for themselves, but they'll absolutely be happy 'soles' when they receive it.  The bags are adorned with various slogans and an embroidered bug matching the theme, They cost between $27.00 and $29.00 at www.shoesonthefly.com.

Holiday Gifts for Travelers: Part II

Looking for a holiday list a frequent traveler?  Ho-ho-ho, here are some ideas!

For years, I've traveled with two tennis balls in my suitcase. No, I'm not looking for a pick-up game. Instead, I roll my back along the balls in the comfort of my hotel room. I place balls on either side of my spine and then press downward as I slide along pressure points and crack my tired bones. The choreography is a bit complicated--the challenge is keeping the balls parallel while rolling along. Well, now the RAD Roller is making my version of an everywhere massage tool easier. The company has developed a functional, lightweight and durable massage and release tool that looks like two fused balls. You can easily roll your back over it, and it's small enough to target other aching muscles and sore fascial tissue. $24.99

Worried you might bust a zipper thanks to all of those holiday gifts you are packing? Maybe you just want to distinguish your blah black or blue bags from all the others on the luggage carousel. ORB Luggage Straps come in a variety of snazzy designs, and they're only $9.95. Or you can buy a coordinated accessories pack containing a matching lock and luggage tag for $24.95 at various on-line retailers.

Speaking of straps, as I type this post, I am experimenting with the BackJoy Posture Band. While it took me a few minutes to figure out the way to set it up, I managed to tie it together and throw it around my arms. The comfortable elastic tension band gently pulls your shoulders back as you are sitting at a computer...or sitting on an airplane. Granted, if you walk around the airport wearing it, some people may think you are into S & M. Little do they know that your goal is solely to get your posture on the up and up. $19.99



Finally, for the uber-organized, Eagle Creek presents its Pack-It system. The smart, methodical and slightly OCD-prone traveler on your gift list will love it.  The PACK-IT line has everything from Folders, in which you can pack clothing to be wrinkle-free, to Cubes, perfect for compressing pants, Tees, or PJs.. You can buy them as stand-alones or as sets. For example, a starter set contains a mediim folder and a large and a small cube for $35.  Other pricing is available at http://shop.eaglecreek.com/.

Ideas for larger items can be found here.

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Holiday Gifts for Travelers: Treats for the Feet

Cold, sweaty and tired feet can leave many a traveler feeling defeeted.  Here are a few new products that claim to prime your paws for all travel conditions. I have not tested these products, and so will not rate them. If you've tried them, let me know what you think.

First off, we have Get Grounded Footwear Groundals for $49.99 (straps come in black, gold or silver).
The claim: Wearing these sandals will ground you to Mother Nature's magnetic field. The press materials call Groundals "the first footwear featuring a fully-grounded foot bed, made with a proprietary trade-secret material called TerraMater." Apparently, this material conducts negatively-charged free electrons "allowing for the absorption of  positive energy from the earth's natural surfaces." The process, called grounding, allows one's body to be in direct electrical contact with the earth, leading to an increase in energy. Amazing....just from wearing a pair of sandals. Now look, I am not a total skeptic. I lived across from the ocean in Santa Barbara for four years and found barefoot beach walks quite energizing (something to do with the negative ions, they say). But as the sample pair of Groundals sent to me were too big to wade in, I cannot replicate my Pacific experience here on the East Coast. For the New Age-types on your gift list, though, this might give them a charge.

Somewhat more down to earth are the superlatives offered by the makers of Heat Holders. The packaging calls Heat Holders the warmest thermal socks around.  The scientific proof, as claimed by the manufacturer, is in the Thermal Overall Grade (TOG). This measure of a textile's warming ability shows Heat Holders get a 2.34 score; ordinary thermal socks rate a .89; and your basic cotton socks score a .33.  At $15.99, it's worth a try. If they don't end up being the perfect stocking stuffer, next year, you can use them as your spare Christmas stocking.



The Nufoot sock is a good slip-on for those who prefer not to walk around the plane/hotel room/yoga studio barefoot.  Made with a breathable four-way stretch fabric,the Nufoot footie is water and skid resistant. Priced at $14.99, the footies come in a variety of pleasing patterns.

Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers: Part 1

The holiday shopping season officially kicks off in two weeks. If you are looking for unique items for the travelers on your ho-ho-holiday gift list, here are some DailySuitcase reviews.

Shavetech Rechargeable Travel Shaver: $29.99
Rating: 5 Suitcases
This lightweight, easy-to-use razor is the perfect stocking stuffer for the man on the road. For easy charging, just plug the USB plug into a port on your computer and you are good to go for at least six shaves.


The Traveler Cosmetic and Toiletry Totes: $30-45 
Rating: 2 Suitcases

Inspire Travel Luggage calls this a new concept for traveling with full-size toiletries. It features a removable plastic liner (that looks like a trash bin) designed to prevent leakage. The thing is, that plastic liner is big and unyielding, making the bag rather clunky. I think you are better off yielding to the 3-ounce liquid bottle rule, or going with a Travel Happens Sealed Wet Bag to protect from spills.


Stewart/Stand Stainless Steel Wallets: $69.50 (billfold); $119.50 (clutch wallet)
Rating: 4 Suitcases

We live in a paranoid world, my friends. And the fact is, credit cards, some driver's licenses, ATM cards--anything that has RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology can be skimmed by scammers. Stewart/Stand has designed a line of high-fashion accessories to block RFID skimming. Design materials include lightweight Italian leather, silver ballistic nylon, and woven stainless steel cloth. The stainless steel is made from 85% post consumer recycled material. The wallets look good; they are fairly flat; and they protect the goods. My only quibble is the price.

Hot New Travel Accessories for Summer Travel

I will be discussing these products and others this Thursday at 11:15 AM on Let's Talk Live on NewsChannel 8/WJLA in Washington, DC. Tune in.

Keeping dry is the name of the travel accessory game this summer. Wet bags, designed with thick waterproof lining and sealed seams for on-to-go storage of your soaked stuff, are all the rage these days. Colorful fabrics make them both functional and fashionable.

Wilma the Whale is just one of the Roll Down Wet Bag designs offered by Planet Wise. With a quick zip, roll and a snap, Wilma and her sisters securely store clammy gear, with no worries of moisture leaking through. Made in the USA, they come in medium ($18.50) and large ($22.50) sizes. www.planetwiseuinc.com

Travel Happens, by Itzy Ritzy, is another wet bag line with razzle-dazzle designs.The bags are machine washable and eco-friendly. They retail for $17.95 and $21.95, depending on the size. The company also makes Snack Happens Reusable Snack & Everything Bags, perfect for storing drippy sandwiches, juicy fruit, and even toiletries. The 7 x 7 inch pouches sells for $9.99. www.itzyritzy.com


New AirQuart bags are strictly designed to get your liquids through airport security in a stylish fashion. The 9 1/2 x 7 inch transparent case is lined with a trendy trim and topped with an integrated zipper and wrist strap. The gusseted bottom expands for even more space. www.Flanabags.com
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On the other hand, sometimes, you just need to let off a little steam when traveling, particularly if your clothing is wrinkled. The Joy Mangano 900-Watt My Little Steamer and Go Mini Set ($49.95) lets you pump out the steam needed to get creases out of linens and cottons. No more relying on old hotel irons, which might leave a black stain on your white duds. www.hsn.com

Doing downward dog is another great way to blow off steam. If the lotus position and the locust are part of your daily repertoire, Manduka has a yoga mat that is perfect for traveling. The eKO SuperLite Mat ($40) weighs in at two pounds and can easily be folded to fit into carry-on luggage.



If you are of the age where reading glasses are a must, how about the specs on tony eye wear that's also comfortable nose wear? Scojo's Gels Collection, made with a lightweight flexible plastic, has designs for both men and women ($42.00-$48.00). www.scojo.com

Laura Plays Christmas Elf...

...without the jaunty cap. Here are a few last-minute ideas for those shopping for the travelers in their lives.

Laura on TV: More Travel Gifts for the Holidays

For the procrastinators among us, here are some last-minute gift ideas I am profiling on NewsChannel 8 on Thursday. Be sure to check out this previous blog post for more inspiration.

Dress up your suitcase with a CoverLugg. Fashionable coverlets made of form-fitting, hand-washable neoprene allow you to secure your bag, while making it stand out on the luggage carousel. What's more, you can choose from a whole wardrobe of patterns; opt for a CoverLugg featuring the logos of your favorite NFL, MLB, or NCAA team; or showcase your own monogram. $24.99 www.coverlugg.com

They say that the Aussie-designed Arvo iPhone 5 Case is inspired by the Sydney Opera House. The inside lining supposedly replicates the tiles of the iconic landmark. It don't know about that, but the design feature that does sing to me is the itsy-bitsy kickstand for easy viewing. And there's more. Arvo's satin matte finish is made to repel fingerprints and scratches. Aria convinced to purchase this stocking stuffer? It's $29.99 or less on Amazon.  www.stmbags.com


Have a little snorer in the back seat? Kalencom's Seat Belt Snoozer easily attaches to a seat belt shoulder strap to provide a cozy and secure comfort spot. $20-$30  www.kalencom.com

For adults feeling in need of a little support themselves, the portable BackJoy Posture Seat will help you sit up straight as you commute by car or airplane. $40            
                                                      www.backjoy.com