Theft-proof Bag from Pacsafe

You've probably read about or heard about some hapless tourist who was just walking along a sidewalk or in a market and got relieved of their valuables before they knew what happened. One common ploy is to slash open the bottom of a daypack, removing contents from the bottom. Another is the old purse-snatch move, where someone running or on a motor scooter simply grabs the shoulder strap and takes off. Fanny packs are even easier to snag - no arms get in the way after the strap is sliced.

A company called Pacsafe produces a line of travel packs, purses, and messenger bags that are designed to make grab-and-go thefts much more difficult.

My wife helped me test out the Metrosafe 200 version by carrying it everywhere on a recent two-week trip to Guatemala. I don't think Guatemala is any more dangerous than where we live when we're not traveling, but since the most common crime in developing countries is petty theft, this bag provides an extra level of protection.

Several levels of protection actually. Here's a rundown on the various deterrents:

1. eXomesh Slashguard in front and bottom panels
2. Slashproof adjustable shoulder strap
3. Snatchproof shoulder strap allows the bag to anchor to a secure fixture and tamperproof zippers on main compartment (as in it can hook to your pants belt loop)
4. Tamperproof zippers on front organizer pocket

All that aside, it's a really useful daypack for walking around as a tourist. Pacsafe makes bigger ones, but this option is just the right size to hold a guidebook, a camera, a water bottle, some pens, a notebook, and a music player. You're set for a day of sightseeing. As you would expect, there are pockets within pockets and hidden zippers to stash your money behind.

The bag I tested is obviously very well made, with strong stitching and solid construction. So it will not only deter potential thieves, it will hold up to years of solid travel as well. This size retails for $60 at REI, where they stock the whole Pacsafe line. You can also get the MetroSafe from Magellan's.

Video iPod is a Parent's Dream

OK, I've raved before on this travel gear blog about the benefits of a cheap MP3 player and talked about how carrying around something worth hundreds of dollars in a third world country isn't always the brightest thing to do. Having just come back from a two-week vacation with my kid along though, that's a different story. I've got to say that while the video iPod may be small, it's like a suitcase full of sanity saver.

When I first saw this thing, I said, "Who wants to watch a movie or TV show on that tiny little screen?" Screen size schmeen size: my 6-year-old couldn't care less. I went on iTunes and loaded the thing up with a bunch of Disney cartoons, added an Arthur show, and even threw in an episode of The Pink Panther to kick it old school. At $1.99 each, I could be Mr. Generous, especially since I got an episode of a the new Tigger & Poo for free. Then I ripped a few of her favorite CDs for good measure. (And lots of my tunes too, of course for when I was ready to wrest it away from her. "Because Daddy said so!")

I've never been on such an easy set of plane rides - six legs of them before the vacation was through. The screen resolution is unbelievable, especially for colorful cartoons. It's dead simple enough to use that a tyke can figure it out in a few minutes. And of course it's a fraction of the size of a portable DVD player and has a lot more uses--including storing loads of photos.

Yeah, okay, we made her read some books and do some activities too, so don't turn your full force Waldorf School indignation on me. Travel is trying though, especially when it has anything to do with airlines and airport security, so for the sake of family bliss, this travel gadget is hard to beat.

The 30 GB video iPod version sells for around $250, the 80GB one for around $350. Not cheap, but an amazing piece of machinery. Check prices at the following:
Amazon
Buy.com
J and R

SteriPEN is Brilliant!

Sometimes an item comes along that elegantly and completely solves a traveler's problem, rendering everything else a clumsy alternative. The problem? Local water that you can't drink without getting sick, but plastic water bottle alternatives that are expensive, wasteful, and an environmental nightmare.

Enter the Steripen. Yeah, you can buy some kind of pump with filters you need to replace or a water bottle where you suck through a charcoal mechanism, but overall they're a pain and they take up too much room. This travel SteriPEN, in contrast, is compact and is a technological wonder. You just turn it on, stick it in water, and a minute later the possibly scary liquid in front of you is water you can drink without worry.

I just used one for the past two weeks in Guatemala and not only did this keep me from buying and wasting a big pile of plastic that would spoil the countryside, but it kept me and my family healthy too. Not even the slightest case of the runs. The batteries I had in there didn't run out, but if you are on some kind of backwoods expedition or on extended travels, you can buy a cool solar charger accessory that will (slowly) recharge standard re-useable batteries.

The drawbacks? Well, this breakthrough doesn't come cheap. I could easily argue that it will pay for itself financially over a year and the psychic baggage you drop is worth something, but the upfront investment is around $130 without the charger, which is another $50. Plus the travel SteriPEN water purifier won't fit into the nozzle of a regular commercial bottled water container or a the cool Sigg bottles, so if you are carrying one of those you'll have to borrow a pitcher or a Nalgene wide-mouth bottle for the purifying stage.

Small prices to pay for saving the world if you ask me, so follow this link and do a search at REI.com or buy it here directly from Amazon.

Great Travel Backpack for Kids - Itfitz

It’s hard to get a kid excited about something as utilitarian as a backpack, but when I handed my daughter this pink Itfitz backpack, she literally squealed with delight. For days she wore it around the house, thrilled with the idea of having a place to stuff all her girly-girl dolls, treasures and jewelry.

Fortunately, it’s not just a novelty; this kids’ backpack really delivers when it’s time to hit the road. Its unique design allows it to be worn like a vest, with the weight distributed more evenly. Those handy little pockets in the front are great for storing toys, lollipops, and gum for the plane ride. There’s even a detachable lumbar support in the back that you can use for extra support on a plane or bus ride. Lots of adjustments and straps allow you to customize the fit without turning your tyke into a cyborg. Mine trudged through three airports in two countries with this last week and didn't whine once about her load.

The construction is solid and if my kid is any indication, the novelty doesn’t wear off quickly like it will with the Spiderman 3 cheapos cramming the aisles now. Speaking of such, this would double as a good school backpack as well. With childred often loaded down with twenty pounds of books in an ill-fitting backpack, the Itfitz pack is a welcome change. Yes, it fits!

For more information or to order yours, go to the Itfitz web site.