TSA-friendly, No-metal Belt from Beep Free

With as much travel gear as I review on here, you'd think more gear would be the last thing I'd request as a birthday present, but I needed a new TSA-friendly belt. So when I told my mom that, she tracked down this model from a company that specializes in these things and scored me the Beep Free Belt.

See, the only no-metal travel belt I have is the Eagle Creek All Terrain belt with a hidden money pocket. That's all well and good when I'm going on a long vacation or a hiking trip, but it doesn't look so hot if I'm going to meet someone at the other end or I don't want to pack a separate belt for going out to a nice restaurant now and then.

With the Beep Free Croco Finish model pictured above, I can look respectable and be respectable too on a business trip: I don't have to do a strip tease for the airport security agents every time I take a flight. I just pop off my loafers, put all the metal into my checkpoint-friendly laptop bag, and I waltz right through the metal detector.

When you check Magellan's or similar sites, you don't find many choices when it comes to metal-free belts like this. Usually there is just one style in either brown or black. On the Beep Free site, there are a variety of styles and colors and you can even choose the belt buckle finish.

Now I won't tell you that this is some elegant, finely crafted belt you would want to wear with an Armani suit. It is around 25 bucks after all. When you get within a couple feet you can tell the buckle is faux-metal and really plastic, but if it really bothers you they sell a real nickel buckle that you can switch out in your hotel room. That way you can still avoid packing another belt for meetings or presentations.

Which Noise-canceling Headphones Really Rock?

"How do you like those headphones?" I will ask the biz travel road warrior beside me on the plane. "Aww man, they're the Bose ones. So they're awesome." This exchange has become a private joke for my own amusement. If you paid $300 for something that others have bought for $100, it simply has to be awesome, right? Otherwise you were duped.

But of course when I probe further, none of these travelers I have sat beside has ever tried another alternative. They've got no comparison. So I was happy to see a scientific review of noise-canceling headphones in Consumer Reports a couple months ago. Do the Bose headphones really rock? Are they three times better than the alternatives?

Well, yes and no. Out of five models, the Bose ones came in second, above the Sony ones ($90), a PXC-250 sister model to the Sennheiser ones I use regularly ($60 at Amazon), and the Koss QZ77 model ($38 at Amazon). But the top pick was the Panasonic RP-HC55, which has small in-ear buds and retails for $60. For those who are good at doing math in their head, the #1 choice was 1/5 the price of the #2 choice. (Hey, all that Bose marketing is expensive!)

The beauty of the Consumer Reports study is that they did what none of us reviewers and bloggers can manage: scientific analysis. They actually went into a lab and measured which ones did the best job of canceling noise and which ones reproduced sound most accurately. Ten headphones entered, but five were sent home.

The remaining five were all recommended, which means you can do okay for $50 or great for $60 to $300. The Panasonic RP-HC55 model tied with the Koss QZ77 for tops in noise reduction. The Panasonic, Sennheiser, and Bose ones tied for Sound Quality.

I can't link to results because the Consumer Reports website is subscription only. (They don't run ads, so it's only fair.) But here's the lesson: don't believe the hype. Something expensive may be good, but just because it's the most expensive doesn't mean it's the best.


Get the Sennheiser model
Get the Koss earbuds
Bose QuietComfort 2
Panasonic

Gear Advice from Around the Web

I'm going to step back from the mic today and point to a few worthy travel gear posts I've come across lately from elsewhere.

First, Beth Whitman discusses the thorny issues involved in picking out a travel adapter. For some good specific choices, check out this travel adapter round-up I did for Tibesti.com. I especially like the Travelon one with a built-in converter. I've used it successfully on a few trips now.

One of the Traveling Mamas has a great post on how to avoid those pesky travel illnesses. I especially like the Earplanes. Besides the catchy name, they solve a common problem and they're only $6.95 at Amazon.

Here's another reminder why you should never put anything valuable into your checked luggage. (Well, unless it's a bottle of duty free liquor since you've got no choice.) Gadling notes that two thieves employed at Portland's airport made off with more than 200 items stolen from passenger bags, including laptops. Who checks a laptop?

Fresh off my recent complaining about cell phone charger non-standardization, Dan Tynan looks at how the cell phone companies are waking up to their environmentally unconscious ways, sorta.

Handy Travel Scale from Travelon

Most of the travel gear reviews on this blog are for travel items you take with you on a trip. But here's one that could relieve some frustration before you step out the door: a travel scale that tells you whether you are over the weight limit or not.

I actually received this Travelon luggage scale as a holiday present back in December and have used it a couple times since. My old method was to stand on the bathroom scale holding my luggage and see where it came out. Close enough when I'm well below the limit, but this is a far more accurate method if it's close.

You pop the hook out of the recessed holder on the back and put it around your suitcase handle. Turn on the unit, lift, and check out the verdict on the display. It needs AAA batteries, but they were included and I can't imagine they will run out of juice anytime soon.

On most commercial flights you can get away with 50 pounds for your bag, but on an African safari or Alaska puddle jumper you may be limited to 25 pounds. On a cheapo flight in Europe, the limit could be less than 20 pounds, or 8 kilos. If you have a rolling bag with wheels, you may be at 10 pounds before you even put anything in it, so this scale could tell you whether that fourth pair of shoes makes the cut or not.

There's another cool feature to this that also helps you determine whether you bag qualifies as a carry-on. There's a tape measure you can pull out of the side to measure the bag dimensions. Some of those rolling suitcases advertised as carry-on compliant are really pushing the envelope when it comes to total linear inches, so using this you can see if you are definitely in the clear or not.

I think my gifter got this for me from Target, but it's also available at Amazon for 20 bucks.

Carry-on Bliss with the Flybag

I noticed that it has been quite a while since I reviewed something fitting into the "cheap and light" category, so I present to you the Flybag.

The company sent me one of these to try out for my last trip and as soon as I got back I ordered one for my Mom. How's that for an endorsement?

Plenty of companies now make some kind of carry-on cosmetic kit that helps you cope with the shakedown at airport security. I've reviewed a few here on this travel gear blog. This version adds a bit of fun and novelty to the mix though, which made me smile.

Sure, there is the clear case that will keep most TSA agents from messing with your 3-ounce or less containers and three refillable bottles for special goop you need to take with you. But in an attempt to make your flight more comfortable after you have cleared security, there is a cool eye mask to enable you to catch some sleep and some earplugs for plane noise or crying babies.

The mask and earplugs can also come in handy if the hotel that looked so lovely on Orbitz turns out to have badly-fitted windows and is right on the busiest street in the city.

And I like their sense of humor. The Flybag carry-on kits come in "blue bomb," "pink scissors," and "grey dagger" colors.

You can order direct from the Flybags.com site or get it for under 20 bucks from Amazon.

Checkpoint-friendly Laptop Cases Out Now

If you travel with a laptop, getting through the security gauntlet at the airport is almost as much fun as when you travel with a toddler. You normally have to remove it from the case, lay it flat with nothing on top of it, with a TSA agent barking at you for still not doing it right as you fill up bin #4 with your belt and shoes. Get to the end and put it all back together again.

Things took a big step forward recently with the approval of laptop bags that will fly through security with ease. They are now hitting the market, including office stores like Staples where you can get different versions from Samsomite and Targus. With these cases, your laptop stays in place and all you have to do is unzip the bag and lay it flat on the belt. At the other end you just zip it back up and you're on your way in a flash (well, after you put your shoes and belt back on.)

I've been trying out the Samsonite Checkmate laptop case, which will make my life easier next time out. It fits a 15.4-inch computer snugly or a netbook-sized one with room to spare (see pics). For that see-through compartment, it's laptop-only. But then the rest of the bag is like any other one you've used for travel or going back and forth to the office: lots of pockets and compartments, comfortable handle, and a shoulder strap. There is plenty of room for chargers, gadgets, and reading material, plus a front pocket with spaces for pens, business cards, a phone, and the like.

It uses lots of pleather around the nylon at the stress points, but the Samsonite Checkmate bag retails for $80 and comes with a 3-year warranty. It's rugged and looks like it will take any abuse you throw at it, while the cushioning inside keeps your equipment intact.

Staples also carries a few other computer bag options, including a rolling version. These models are just now getting into stores and taking longer to trickle out online, but should be easy to find as we get closer to the holidays. If you've got a business traveling road warrior on your list, this would be an appreciated gift.

Comfy TravelRest Travel Pillow

I always carried an inflatable travel pillow with me when I was backpacking around the world and there are times I still use one on a stingy airline with no pillows. There are basic flaws in the two main types though: the basic pillow-shaped ones and the C-shaped ones that go around your neck. Neither is all that flexible in terms of how you can use it and where it will fit when you're in a cramped coach seat.

I've been testing this new TravelRest inflatable pillow from HiGear Design and as is often the case, a slight change in outlook has made a huge difference. By reimagining the shape and design of a travel pillow, this company has turned out something that looks strange but works really well.

Deflated, it rolls up into a small and light package about the size of a pair of tube socks. A snap keeps it from unraveling. You can even snap it to the outside of your carry-on bag for easy removal on the plane.

Once you're ready to use it, a few puffs into the valve gets it ready. What you're holding looks like an oversized quotation mark, one that can be used in several ways. The attached cinch line allows the TravelRest pillow to attach to the back of your seat and stay in place when your head starts lolling around. You can snap the bottom of it to your seatbelt to keep it more secure. If you're stuck in the airport, you can just sling it over your shoulder, hug it like a Teddy bear, and snooze for a while during your delay. (Don't be surprised if you start dreaming of your childhood bedroom...)

This pillow is also handy in the car. It can attach to the headrest and seatbelt for a nice nap during a long car ride---especially good for kids who have to be stuck in a car seat for hours on end. It's easy to wash after someone drools on it too.

The TravelRest pillow lists for $27 and you can buy it direct from their site or in some luggage stores.

Travel Gear Rewind

On this travel gear blog I usually review an item after a few days or a week of use and move on. But sometimes the positive impression is reinforced after I use something on several subsequent trips and give it more of a workout. In the past I've done some capsule mentions of things I use regularly, but here's a rewind look at some other items that have stood up well after the original review.

Targus Convertible Laptop Bag and Backpack
I still prefer a regular backpack style of laptop bag over this style because you can stuff a lot more in it and it's easier to get the laptop in and out at security without unhitching a clasp and moving a flap. When you're going into business meetings though, a backpack doesn't give a great impression. So I'll switch to this convertible Targus bag when I've got to go gladhanding for some reason. I can wear it over my shoulder like a messenger bag or carry it with the handle on top. But then when I'm strolling around the city, I can unzip the back panel, pull out another set of straps, and use it as a backpack. This thing is very well constructed, with some of the strongest-feeling hardware and zippers I've encountered.

Sennheiser Noise Canceling Headphones
I just flew across the Atlantic and back this past week and it was nice to hear Sigur Ros in full symphonic glory on my way to Iceland---without all the airplane engine noise as an intrusive extra instrument. I don't take these if the flight is short or space really tight in the carry-on; I usually take the Comply passive noise cancellation ones then instead. But when I'm in the air for four hours at a time or more, these can put me in my own little world (even in a cramped coach seat.) On my flight home the guy beside me was carrying the big Bose versions. His took up twice as much space and didn't sound any better---we did a swap, tried each others', and called it a wash.

Merrell Hiking Boots
I bought a version similar to these Merrell Outland Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots back before I even started reviewing gear for this blog, which is kind of the point of bringing them up. Years later they still do the job and have not popped a seam anywhere. On a rainy hike I noticed that they've lost some of their original waterproof tendencies, but that's easy enough to remedy with a little Nikwax waterproofing solution. Two other people in my group--both travel writers---were also raving about their Merrill boots, so that's three for three with active travelers who don't just leave them sitting in a closet. I also like these because they are sized wider than many competing models, so there is room for some thick socks. When these hiking boots finally go to their graveyard, I'm getting another pair of Merrells to take their place.

Tati Yes Watch
This quality watch has the ability to set "home" and "away" time zones, which is cool, but the main differentiator (besides the look) is the sun and moon cycles displayed constantly around the rim. If I want to go out and shoot photos in optimal light, this allows me to plan ahead, always knowing when sunset and sunset are. This can also be useful for everything from scheduling golf or tennis game around your work schedule to figuring out how late you can party in the Arctic daylight in August.

Nap26 Wants to Help You Power Nap

A lot of the things I review on this travel gear blog I'm very enthusiastic about and I use them in my travels. Sometimes I try out an item that's a total bust and I don't mention it. The Nap26 sleep inducer CD falls somewhere in between.

The idea is that you listen to this audio recording with headphones or earplugs and a little later you wake up refreshed: "Feel like you slept 3 hours after 26 minutes."

If that sounds to you like the kind of outrageous claim you'd hear on an infomercial, I'm with you. But I do highly value a good afternoon nap now and then (especially when I can swing in a hammock in Mexico). The claim that the almost inaudible pulses in this sync up with your brain waves probably has some grounding in good scientific principles. So I gave it a shot on three different lazy afternoons.

The verdict? For me anyway, a 33% success rate. And for that time, I fell asleep halfway through it, which means I only got a 13 minute nap. Good enough for Thomas Edison maybe, but not for me.

The success of the Nap26 probably depends on how well you sleep normally. My significant other has all kinds of sleep problems and wears earplugs and a mask at night. But then put her in front of a TV and pop in a movie---out like a light. She's going to try this out soon and will probably have better success than me. I normally don't need any help dropping off to sleep and the white noise in this distracted me more than it helped me.

The Nap26 website is full of testimonials from happy customers though, from all walks of life, and there's a money back guarantee if you don't see results. So if you could use more plane naps when you travel, for 20 bucks it's worth a shot.

You can download the CD to iTunes or as a MP3, but be advised it's not as simple as that. You have to tweak the settings so it is downloaded in full data-hogging mode, not as a compressed file.

Get it at the PowrNaps store.

Get it at Amazon.

Do You Know Anyone Actually Using a Kindle?

It finally happened last week. I spotted someone using the Sony version of an electronic book reader. I average two or three days a month in airports, but this is the first time I've ever seen an e-book reader in someone's hand instead of a real book or magazine. And I've been looking hard for that every time I travel.

Twice some PR person has sent me a pitch e-mail about the Sony Reader then has balked when I asked to see one and use it. Three times different PR people have approached me to write about the Amazon Kindle, then have found some excuse when I said, "Send one and I'll check it out." In both cases I offered to return it in a few weeks after putting it through its paces, but I got the e-mail equivalent of inaudible mumbling.

So I've never used a Kindle or a Sony Reader. But then again, I don't know anyone else who has either.

I find this story from Yahoo News (via Reuters) to be quite odd: a Citigroup investment analyst says he thinks Amazon will sell double the predicted number of expected units this year, as in 380,000 Kindles. Really?

He says the Kindle is turning out to be "the iPod of the book world." Really?! Even in the first few months it was out, when the inferior first generation was thicker and had extra buttons, I randomly saw people using an iPod and personally knew people who owned one. This thing's hype-launch lasted as long as the Democratic primaries yet even avid readers go "huh?" when I ask if they've heard of it. The only people who seem to know what it is are publishers, tech geeks, and authors, but even the people who would benefit are not sold on it. It's way too expensive, the books aren't cheap enough, it's still harder on your eyes than real paper, it's no fun to read in bed, and on and on.

Here's the quote at the top of Amazon's Kindle page: "'This is the future of book reading. It will be everywhere.' Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball and Liar's Poker."

Everywhere? I'd just like to see it somewhere. So I ask you dear readers, have you used one? Has anyone you know used one? What did you/they think?

[UPDATE 8/25/08 - Amazon is giving $100 off if you sign up for their Chase credit card. That looks like a sly way to give a rebate without calling it a rebate, but now we're talking! Sign up here.]

Solutions to Airplane Pillow Woes

In the latest sign that nearly every U.S. airline has given up on making its customers remotely happy, JetBlue is now going to charge $7 for a blanket and pillow. I've got a better idea: either fly on Continental (where they're still free) or buy your own much nicer kit and keep it.

In the past I reviewed the great Pacn'Nap flight kit pictured here and it does a great job of solving both issues at once. It contains an inflatable pillow and a fleece blanket and it feels much nicer than what you're going to get on any plane in coach. You can get a very similar double-duty item from eBags from a different manufacturer: Foldable Blanket Pillow/Lumbar Cushion


If you don't care about the blanket and just want a pillow, you sure aren't hurting for choices. At REI.com for example there are 25 to choose from and at Backcountry.com there are even more.

Judging by what you see in airports and luggage stores, a lot of people go for the horseshoe-shaped pillows that conform to the neck, but they turn into useless baggage once you deplane. I prefer the idea of a regular-shaped pillow like this Comfort Plus pillow from Magellans because that can also be used in other circumstances, including when you need something under your butt for hard train/bus seats, watching a ball game, a hostel stay, whatever.

Sennheiser PXC 300 Noise Canceling Headphones

I have posted reviews of a few different earphone or earbud options on this travel gear blog. For most travelers, earbuds are the best option because they pack up so small and the right ones can passively block out a lot of noise over a wide frequency range. Some people are a lot more comfortable with regular headphones though, so these Sennheiser PXC 300 noise-cancellation ones manage to kick out a fantastic sonic experience but are not as bulky as the more popular Bose models.

These are good for travelers like the person who commented on my Koss earphones review -- people who find that earbuds get uncomfortable after a while. (I'd say though if you can wear squishy earplugs to bed and they don't bother you, you might have better luck with the Comply Noise Reducing Earplugs.)

The Sennheiser PXC300 headphones are wonders of technology, so they'll probably cost you at least $150. These use active noise cancellation, which means when you hit the button to turn on the battery pack, you not only pump up the volume but a lot of the extraneous noise around you gets cancelled out. Long explanation short, there's a little mic on the outside that picks up the noise around you and emits the opposite sound wave in your ear to neutralize it. Thus the "noise cancellation." It works best on long continuous hums though: airplane engine roars and the hiss of cabin ventilation systems---not that crying baby in the seat behind you.

Considering what they deliver, these are super-light and they only require two AAA batteries. They crank out incredible sound whether you've got the very best iPod or the very cheapest MP3 player. A little jamming and cord wrapping is required to get both the headphones and the battery pack into the too-simple soft carrying case, but once that's done it's a little larger than a portable hard drive or a bit smaller than a mass-market paperback. Also included are adapters for a regular stereo jack and the two-pronged audio outlets on many airplanes. Plus they come with a 2-year warranty.

The technical specs on these Sennheiser headphones are comparable to rival models costing far more and unlike models from some competitors, these will still work passively when the batteries run out of power. You just won't get the incredible bass response you do with the juice flowing. If you spend a lot of time shuttling around on airplanes and are willing to make a little extra room in your bag, these headphones will deliver a great listening experience and help shut out some of the ambient noise around you.

Get the Sennheiser PXC 300 headphones from Amazon

Review of the Periscope Book Light in a Bookcover

I have run reviews of a few book lights before, including the Light Wedge, the Spike Light, and the Flex Neck. This Periscope Book Light provides a different approach. A leather cover wraps around your book and then, true to its name, the light is housed in a telescoping periscope that comes out of the top.

You can adjust the periscope light to go as far over your book as you want and the head swivels back and forth. (Want to know what that head looks like? See a poster for the new Pixar movie WALL-E.) It's a bright, two-bulb LED that definitely does the trick in complete darkness. The light is powered by three AA bulbs---please promise you will use rechargeables after the included ones run their course of 40 hours. You can buy an A/C adapter for it, but who wants to mess with a cord when they're reading a book?

There are a couple advantages of this design. First, you never have to worry about misplacing your light because it's attached to the book you're reading. Hey, it even comes with a cloth bookmark. Also, it "protects your privacy" if you don't want everyone to see that you're reading a trashy romance novel. Or if you are, as I once was, reading The Satanic Verses while traveling through a country full of Muslims.

The downside of this approach is that, last time I checked, book sizes weren't very standard. The paperback size one will only hold mass market paperbacks, so if your tastes commonly run to Danielle Steele and the like, you'll be fine. Otherwise, you need the larger one that holds hardback books and trade paperbacks. Those books come in all kinds of sizes though, so sometimes the cover is going to barely fit and other times you will have lots of slack space.

Still, kudos for finding a new solution and trying something different. After all, it really does feel nice to have a leather cover in your hand while reading a $14 paperback. See the whole line here.

The Periscope Book Light in a Bookcover is available for $35 to $40 at Barnes & Noble stores or their website.

Want to check out others?
Book lights and magnifiers – a huge selection of stylish and smart designs! Shipping just $6.95, everyday

Targus Grove Convertible Messenger/Backpack Laptop Case

I've been using a simple laptop backpack from eBags for over two years now and it has been with me to nine countries on three continents. While I like the way a messenger bag looks, when I carry one I feel like I have a big sign on my back that says "Please steal my laptop!"

This convertible bag from Targus is a different story. It's built to be carried vertically instead of horizontally, which in itself is a radical leap away from the standard groupthink. Plus it's versatile: you can carry it with the handle, with the shoulder strap, or as a backpack by pulling out the hidden straps. With the third option, it just looks like a daypack that's a little different, not an obvious laptop carrier.

The "ecosmart" claims touted in the packaging tags seem like a stretch though. Okay, it's PVC-free, nickel-free (why does that matter?) and the plastic parts are supposedly recyclable--but who is going to take apart their bag 10 years from now and figure out who has the right bins to accept some random plastic buckles? Better for the landfill I suppose, but all the fossil fuel used to get the bag from a factory in China to your store or door negates any of the other efforts it seems.

Nevertheless, this is a rugged, multi-functional bag with plenty of room for gadgets and cords. It has an expandable pocket for a water bottle. This Grove Convertible bag won't hold a 17-inch laptop though--that would make it too wide to look good if you ask me. For now it only comes in one color combo: inoffensive brown and black, with an orange interior. It lists for $80 at the Targus site. As I write this though, it's going for $60 at Amazon.

So far I've just used this around town, but I'm taking it on a two-week trip this summer to put it through a real workout. More on that later.

Not quite your style? Search Briefcases and Laptop Bags at eBags.com

Comply Noise Reducing Earplugs

I understand the appeal of active noise reduction headphones, especially when I've got a crying baby beside me and whiny toddler behind me on a flight. But devoting that much space in my bag to a bulky single-use item doesn't fit into my packing light plans. While those headphones are certainly nice, I feel like I've jumped back into the 1970s when I wear them, like I should be listening to the new Foghat album.

I've been trying out some earbuds that come close to duplicating that noise reduction headphone experience though---but at a tenth of the size. The Comply NR-10 Noise Reducing Earphones look much like normal earbuds, but have the kind of foam used in expanding earplugs that light sleepers and people who work around a lot of noise (like machinists and rock bands) often use. You just pop them in your ears like you would normal earbuds, but they block out 48 decibels of outside noise, so you hear very little besides your music.

According to the company who puts these out, Hearing Components, these Comply earphones use the same patented technology adopted by U.S. army helicopter crews and special forces. The earphones produce a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, so you're going to hear much more of the music at the high and low end than with plain vanilla earbuds.

In my tests on two recent long flights the Comply NR-10 Earphones performed very well. As soon as they went in my ear the airplane engine noise was cut down dramatically and the whoosh of the airplane cabin ventilation system was almost imperceptible. I forgot about the crying baby two rows away and just soaked in the tunes.

They retail for $80 at the Comply Foam site or at Magellan's (link below), which includes one additional pair of smaller foam tips and a nice handy travel pouch that's smaller than the Altoids box you've been using to carry your earbuds around. There's a volume control on the cord itself too, which is a nice touch, but no batteries required.

Comply Earphones at Magellan's

(P.S. - I've been a traveling parent with both a crying baby and a whiny toddler, so no flaming comments about how I'm insensitive and just don't understand how hard it is to travel with a child, okay? I'd just rather not listen if I can help it.)

Pen-sized Hand Sanitizer

I'm as game as the next guy for making fun of those travelers who load up on hand sanitizer for a trip, as if there are somehow 10 times more germs abroad than at home. (The germophobe gets a starring role in the new Nim's Island movie, with an ongoing Purell product placement via Jodie Foster.)

As a parent though, I know there are times when your kid is carrying a whole petri dish of stuff on his/her hands. But then it's time to eat the airplane or food stall snack, with no sink and soap in sight.

This cool little hand sanitizing spray device from CVS lets you kill all the germs without loading up your bag or worrying about the 3-ounce carry on rules. It's the size of a large ink pen and has all of 0.17 ounces (5ml) in it. The protective top even has a clip for hooking it to a pocket. Pull the top off and there's a little spray nozzle. No mess before or after.

This mini hand sanitizing spray fits into a purse or pocket easily so you can keep it handy in flight or while on the move. It retails for a mere $1.79 at their stores, so this is one gadget impulse buy that you won't regret later.

The Rugged but Feminine Hybrid Bag from Keen

Sorry the reviews on this travel gear blog haven't been so frequent lately but I've been, well, traveling. I took a week of vacation recently where my other half brought along this very cool Keen Hybrid Transport bag.

Keen is known for its hiking boots and stylish active footwear, but the company is also putting out some innovative and eco-friendly bags. This one is built to be a laptop bag that doesn't look like a laptop bag, but it also works well as your carry-on and sightseeing daypack if you're not traveling on business. The section where your laptop would go is padded on the bottom and side, plus there's a mostly hidden rubber part on the bottom of the bag to protect it more and offer some shock absorption.

According to my tester, this fantastic bag looks great and performs like a champ. She shoved everything short of the kitchen sink into it and walked around airports without any strain on her shoulder from the nicely padded strap. A series of zippered pockets and flaps are set up to keep your pens, phone, music player, camera, and loose change all separate, while the spacious main compartment holds plenty of books or other items. There's a waterproofed pocket on the inside that would also provide insulation and a hidden zipper pocket on the outside for whatever you need to keep handy.

As a bonus, it's made from recycled polyester, plastic, and aluminum. I've never seen garbage look so good.

Apart from regular solo biz trips, this could also be a good bag for a working mother, with the laptop in its flap and all the sippy cup/snack gear at the ready.

It's made in China, but in this case that doesn't mean it's cheaply made. The design, construction, and stitching all say, "This bag will last." The Keen Hybrid Twenty-Six bag comes in four color combinations and lists for $80.


Search for Keen Twenty-Six at Shopzilla

Big Surprise: Airborne is a Scam

At least twice a month I get some pitch from a company promoting something guaranteed to keep me healthy while I travel on a plane. No doubt this rash of products has been inspired by the success of Airborne, something I always felt was a big placebo scam, one step up from a Flintstones chewable.

Surprise surprise, if you bought this stuff you got duped. But you can have the last laugh. The company just settled a lawsuit and will have to pony up $23 million. Turns out there was no scientific basis for any of their claims. They just said, "Hey, it works for us!"

"Consumers are still likely to be misled by the product," says David Schardt, a senior nutritionist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "He and his teams searched for anyone who had studied Airborne's combination of herbs and vitamins. The company had pointed to one research effort, but that was later revealed to be a two-person project paid for by Airborne. 'It was so bad,' Schardt says. 'The company wouldn't let anyone see it.'

"Schardt hopes the lessons of Airborne will discourage companies from making claims 'until they have evidence that the product works.'"

And as World Hum notes, that green scum around the glass was kind of scary anyway. Nice packaging on the box, but snake oil usually had nice drawings on it too...

I Use the Gear I Cover, Part 2

About a year ago I did a posting on how I really use the travel gear I review on this blog instead of just regurgitating press releases or gushing "Isn't this cool!" about something that looks great but doesn't actually work very well. While I'll occasionally point to what others have said about some quirky item that sounds fun, I try to put everything I write up through its proper paces. Often that means taking it with me as I travel.

As a travel writer, I am out and about quite a bit, like the 9 days I just spent in Panama. Here's what worked, and worked well.

Altec Lansing iPod speaker
There are some wierd quirks to the design of this thing (pictured above), but it delivers where it really matters: in the sound. A great bang for the buck.

Energizer battery charger
Speakers need batteries, but this small charger allows me to keep them primed without sending acid to the landfill (or in developing countries, the side of the road.)

Eagle Creek Wallaby hanging cosmetic case
I've used one of these things on every trip I've taken longer than a weekend for the past 16 years. A great item for when counter space is limited and it allows you to find what you need in a hurry.

Eagle Creek Meridian backpack
This is one of those convertible backpacks that zips up into a suitcase. So whether I'm going first class or low class, I'm ready. Works as a carry-on too, so no lost luggage when making connections.

Western Digital portable hard drive
I've got most of my desktop and all my photos on this thing as a backup, yet it weighs hardly anything and doesn't take up much room. Even has a little travel carrying case. I back up my photos to this every day or two and keep it in a separate place so if my camera and/or laptop disappear, I've still got my pics.

Buzz Off shirt from Ex-Officio
An extra layer of bug protection is a good thing in the tropics. This long-sleeve shirt with thumb holes helps keep them away from my skin. Right now there's a clearance sale too at the official site: BUZZ OFF Clothing at ExOfficio.com

Laptop backpack from eBags
I've been putting this thing through hard paces for two years now, using it every week and taking it to eight different countries.

Packing Light Cosmetics Solution: Minimus Carry-on Caddy

This is my fourth review in a month of a solution for putting cosmetics in carry-on baggage, so it's safe to say that the market is finding a way to make this work. (See links to the other reviews below.) This one is from the folks who specialize in miniature sizes of everything: Minimus.

They have found a nice way to combine their inventory of travel-sized products with something to put it in: the Carry-on Caddy. You can order the caddy itself for $5, but what's cool about this though is you can order it all stocked up with 6 items for a male or a female ($14.25). Or if you're the type that buys cosmetics at Wild Oats, you can get it stocked with 9 organic items in citrus or lavender. (around $21).

My male version came with five useful name-brand items and one dud: Gillette shaving cream, Right Guard deodorant, Nivea lotion, Colgate toothpaste, Scope mouthwash, and...Tresemme hair spray. Hair spray? Maybe there needs to be a male, female, and tres femme metrosexual version.

It was all packed in a Ziploc bag and then put inside the heavy-duty black canvas bag with velcro. A carbiner fastener goes through a loop on the back, enabling you to just hook it to your carry-on for easy TSA inspection. After security, you can unhook it and put it inside your bag or just leave it hanging. (Don't worry, nobody can see that hair spray you're carrying inside.)

If this doesn't come with exactly what you want and the selection at your local Rite-aid is lacking, browse the 1,000 or so items at Minimus to pack the case with just what you need.

Other carry-on baggage cosmetic solution reviews:
Nivea travel kit
Travelon sheets
3-1-1 Bag