"Indespensible Travel Gadgets" That Mostly Are

I always get skeptical when I see an article about "indespensible" travel gadgets. Too many times I've opened one of these up and seen references to designer laptop bags, the latest Blackberry model, or a portable speaker system. All things that have everything to do with taking home with you, rather than leaving the home life at home and going exploring.

Thankfully, this travel gadgets article from SmarterLiving is a different story. We could argue about whether you really need an alarm clock that figures out the local time for you--if you're making enough money to afford that clock, you're probably staying in a hotel that has a clock don't you think? But I'll admit I'd probably find the laziness quotient useful if someone gave me one of these for Christmas (hint hint to any relatives reading this...)

Same for the backpack with wheels. It seems that if you are fit enough to carry a backpack, the wheels are superfluous. But if you're dead tired and have a long airport terminal to get through, they could be handy. Best of both worlds if the pack still manages to be comfortable.

As for something that allows you to carry money under your clothes, that is indeed indisputably indespensible. Don't leave home without it.

Gearing Up for a Long Trip

As I hope to continually get through on this blog, things that work are worth paying for. Things that just look cool are not. Unless you're really vain. Then you won't be reading this anyway.

An article of mine, Gearing Up for a Long Trip is out now on the cool site InsideOut Travel. If you are going away for a period of time that's longer than a vacation, check it out. Here are the key points:

1) Buy what's truly useful.
2) Buy good quality for high-use items.
3) Make your items work hard for you.
4) Don't get enamored with electronics. (Can't stress this one enough. If you want to connect with the place you're in, don't be connected so much with what you've left behind.)
5) You can buy and trade books as you go.

You can find lots of very detailed articles and books about how to roll your t-shirts and how many pairs of pants to bring. This isn't one of those. But hopefully it helps.

True Money Belts - Real Belts That Hold Money

In all my travels around the world, I've always had the comfort of knowing that if my pack were stolen and my room was robbed, I'd still have some cash. That's because I've always worn a belt that has a secret zipper compartment in the back. (I know, I know--if you see me on the streets of Quito now, it's no secret is it?)

These things will literally hold hundreds of dollars without anyone being the wiser. You keep a few ready bills in the local currency at the ready for shopping, keep the rest under your clothes, and then some big bills in this thing. If you manage to get all three ripped off, you've got the worst luck on earth.

The ones I have (I bought a spare) are brown canvas with leather where it buckles. Apparently they don't make those anymore, so you have to settle for one of these. The first one pictured is business class: black leather and looking fine. With some nice clothes, you'll be rich around the waist. Unfortunately, this version seems hard to find. I've only spotted it at a place called Le Travel Store.

The other version is easier to find. It's made by the always-reliable Eagle Creek and is canvas with the kind of buckle I used to have when I was in cub scouts. It doesn't look all that sturdy, but I haven't tested it out, so who knows. More in line with the backpacker aesthetic and with a little dirt on it, definitely a good place to hide a few Ben Franklins. You can get it at REI and a few other places, in several colors.

Vendor Report - ExOfficio

I've ordered gadgets and travel clothing from a good half-dozen web retailers and decided to give Ex Officio a try after a friend went on and on about how cool her Buzz Off baseball cap was. It has chemicals that repel bugs built right into the hat and somehow you can wash it without it losing its effectiveness. I'm off to Africa in a few weeks, in the heart of the malaria zone, so I decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to get one of those (will review that after I return) and pick up a few other items while I was at it.

Things didn't start off well when one item of four I ordered got cancelled. They didn't actually have it in stock. Then when my package arrived, one pair of shorts was the wrong color and the wrong size--way too big. When I wrote to complain, they sent a form to return it, but said I'd have to wait two weeks to send it because they were moving. What?!

When I wrote to say that worried me because it was going to cut it close on my trip, the person on the other end came through. She sent me a note back saying, "I grabbed you a pair of shorts before they packed everything up. Send yours in and I'll get the correct ones out to you."

In the end, the diving catch from somebody who actually cares about customer service turned everything around. I'll definitely use them again. Surf over to Ex Officio to be both stylin' and practical when you're on the move.