Emergen-C Vitamin Supplement Fizzy Drink Mix
The joy of constant travel is being exposed to hacking seatmates, sniffling hotel clerks, and germ-factory immigration or TSA officers (imagine how many peoples’ travel documents these people touch in a day without washing their hands and then touch yours!). That’s why any experienced traveler should always have backup. Vitamins, fresh fruit, hand sanitizer, and green tea are all favorites.
A fairly recent newcomer to the marketplace is Emergen-C, which is a powdered fizzy drink mix that comes in individual travel packets and packs a mean punch of antioxidants and illness-fighting vitamins to protect your immune system when added to a glass (or bottle) of water.
It contains 24 different nutrients including 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C, electrolytes, and seven different B vitamins. Another benefit is that there is no caffeine meaning it won’t keep you up on that long-haul flight where you need to catch some Zs. I also liked that there was no after taste, which is often the case with some vitamins in pill form.
While it is perfect for daily use, the individual packets are very convenient to being on the road. Unlike Airborne, which features hefty-sized pills that come in a slightly heavy tube, these thin packets are almost weightless and perfect for slipping into your pants or coat pocket (or purse). An Airborne tablet would need to be wrapped into a tissue for quick use later.
It was a bit annoying to have all the individual packets swim all over my suitcase during a long trip (Airborne tablets would be in one tube), but nothing is perfect. They do come in boxes for those going on long trips.
There are different formulas for a variety of uses like one for children whose immune system would not need the same high level of certain ingredients as an adult’s. Other special versions include one fortified with extra calcium for bone health, one with Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint health, and another with lycopene and plant sterols for heart protection.
The company even sends out free samples on request by visiting http://www.emergenc.com/free-samples.
Priced less than $1 per packet and often sold in bulk boxes, this is a great travel accessory especially since it can be tailored to your individual health needs. Its fun array of fizzy flavors from pomegranate to dragon fruit mean that taking Emergen-C will never get boring. It is available at Emergen-C’s website, local drugstores, grocery stores, or on Amazon.com.
Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on May 21st, 2012
Ebags 22″ EXO Hardside Spinner Carry-On Bag
Always searching for the perfect rollaboard, my quest continues to come up empty. The Brookstone bag is sturdy but not durable in the long-haul. This new EXO hard-shell spinner from eBags fulfills both qualifications as its exterior shell protects the contents from shock, and the four wheels are much larger than Brookstone’s version making them stronger and less likely to break.
The shell of the bag is composed of polycarbonate and comes in a variety of sleek colors, but it is the wheels that make this bag so perfect. They spin 360 degrees with ease allowing you to push this bag (even fully stuffed) with the slightest of ease. No need to drag it behind you when you can push it with the flick of a wrist. The handle retracts at two levels making it easy to use no matter what your height.
Inside, there are two compartments with a zip-around mesh cover to keep items separated from each other while still allowing visibility to what is inside. It is great for keeping laundry away from clean clothes or storing shoes or electronic gear cords. There are also straps that can be used to secure clothing like suits or bulky items in place. The moveable shelf system inside keeps items wrinkle-free.
Nosy TSA agents can still access the bag’s contents if needed thanks to a TSA-approved lock while sticky-fingered baggage handlers are kept at bay.
This bag was put through the wringer as I travel frequently within Europe dragging bags across cobblestoned streets, bumpy sidewalks, and through messy airport terminals. It performed flawlessly. The zipper was sturdy even when I overstuffed the bag. While I am not a fan of the largeeBags logo that appears on the side of the bag, it is subtle and not overbearing. The bag is available from Ebags for a bargain price of just over $100. It pairs well with its larger, equally affordable model for those who want to check bags.
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Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, General Gear on May 14th, 2012
Two Polo Shirts Worth Packing for Your Travels
A polo shirt is a versatile piece of clothing to be packing when you travel. It’s nicer than a t-shirt, hits the “collared shirts only” requirement, can be used for a game of golf or tennis, yet doesn’t take up much extra room in your bag. Most polo shirts are made to be wrinkle-resistant as well, so they’ll look better coming straight out of your bag than a dress shirt.
I’ve been testing two that take it a step further though for travelers, building in odor protection, temperature control, sun blocking, and moisture wicking. They’re the kind of super-polos you won’t find on the clearance rack at Marshall’s.
Woolrich MNS Territory Polo
The Woolrich MNS Territory Polo has been in my wardrobe for a couple months now, on several trips, and has performed well. It’s made of a merino wool blend (half synthetic) that is odor resistant, wicking, and wrinkle-free. It dries quickly after a sink washing on the road. The Agion Active treatment adds another layer of stink-proofing and it worked surprisingly well: I wore it three days between washings in Bulgaria, one of those a day of heavy hiking in the mountains.
There’s a hidden zipper security pocket on the side, giving you another pickpocket-proof place to store some cash. It’s cut well to fit on the shoulders in a flattering way and keep seams out of the way of your pack or shoulder bag.
On the downside, I did notice a slight itchiness each time when I first put it on, something that happens with a lot of merino wool products that aren’t priced like luxury goods. After I had it on a while, I didn’t notice. It also suffers from the other merino problem of the fibers bunching up all around, so it doesn’t look as smooth anymore as when it was new. Not a biggie for me, but it could be for some people. (This is probably partly because I ignored the instructions that said to hand-wash it. Nothing I own is getting that kind of pampering when I’m home and it’s not practical for people who will use hotel/guesthouse laundry services.)
Overall though, this is a good quick-drying workhorse piece of clothing to pack for a vacation or extended jaunt. It comes in four colors, fits to size, and lists for $69. Check your local store that stocks Woolrich products or get it at Amazon. Or you can order direct. A message popped up my laptop saying they would ship direct to Bulgaria when I did a search from there to grab the link, so you can probably get it where you are…
Mountain Khakis M’s Approach Shirt
When I got the info about this M’s Approach polo shirt from Mountain Khakis that incorporated recycled coffee grounds, I was more than a little skeptical. It sounded like a silly gimmick, Bluesign certified or not.
This is a shirt I would have picked up off the rack at a store though, it looks so good, so I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. I took it with me on the same three-week trip to Europe as the one above and have been thrilled with it.
As with the Woolrich one, after trying it out at home for a wash cycle first, I wore it on the road for three days without washing, one of them doing some hiking. Since I was with other people in a van, I wouldn’t do this if it was getting at all smelly. No worries though: it did a great job holding out until I could wash it. When I did, it dried by the next morning, despite being half cotton.
It has a YKK zipper instead of buttons, which I like, a breast pocket, and is cut to look good without being too clingy. I’m not as skinny as the guy pictured here, but it fits true to size with room to move. It comes in three colors and lists for $69.
Like other Mountain Khakis products, it’s well-made and comfortable, so this one has fast become one of my favorite shirts for warm weather. Get it from Mountain Khakis via Amazon or check prices at Altrec.com.
Posted by Tim L. in Business Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on May 10th, 2012
Briggs & Riley BRX Explore 20 Wide Body Upright Rollaboard Travel Bag
Known for its high-quality travel bags that can stand up to even the most rigorous of crazed airline baggage handlers, Briggs & Riley has developed a more casual line of bags with a more rugged look. The BRX collection is meant for high, active performance while still keeping a sleek, durable look.
I tested the 20″ wide bag. It is wider than other carryon bags by a couple of inches, but it is also shorter giving it the edge for a variety of airline overhead compartment sizes. The bag weighs about 7 pounds when empty, which makes it light although not as light as others out there. What this bag packs in an extra pound or two though is more than worth it.
Inside there is a unique type of compression panel that keeps clothes wrinkle-free and separated from other things inside the bag. A series of pockets keep things organized including an easily accessible laptop sleeve pouch that is padded for extra protection. There is also a wet and dry pocket that keeps damp clothes like bathing suits or even umbrellas separated from the rest of your items. An exterior zippered pocket is great for quick stowage of all kinds of things from jackets and sweaters to newspapers and magazines.
These days, I am a fan of the rolling four wheel bags because they can pivot and swirl at the flick of a wrist reducing the effort it takes to pull a heavy bag. This bag has two wheels (although Briggs & Riley has its own series of four-wheeled bags on its website) that are both very sturdy and encased in a solid shell that prevents them from breaking or fusing together like the Brookstone Dash bag tends to do with frequent use (on one occasion, the wheel on the Dash bag jammed within 24 hours of removing it from its box).
The soft exterior gives this bag a classic, cozy look that differentiates it from the standard black bags many people use. It comes in a variety of colors including slate, ocean, amber, and lava and has handles on the top and side. In addition, the retracting vertical handle is very sturdy (some bags’ handles jiggle to the point that I think they are going to break at the worst possible moment). An external buckle also allows travelers to snap a small briefcase or duffel bag to roll alongside this larger bag. There is a tapered expansion that zips off allowing more space or less weight as needed.
Priced at $240-300 available at Briggs & Riley’s website, Zappos, or Amazon, it is a great option for a high-quality bag that can be used everyday making it a competitive choice against equivalents from Tumi or Hartmann.
Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Travel Light on May 7th, 2012
Cushe Evo Mocc Casual Men’s Shoes
My travels keep me on my feet quite often as I have to hit the ground running when I land and am often walking long distances from place to place. I typically wear loafers or casual business shoes, and even the best brands like Johnston & Murphy’s have developed holes or peeled-back soles quicker than expected for such expensive shoes. Quite the disappointment.
When I had the opportunity to try the Cushe Evo Mocc comfortable shoes, I was excited yet concerned that they may appear too casual. On the contrary, they were perfect for not-too-dressy cities and were well-paired with both jeans and even dress khakis. I even received a few compliments on my shoes and comments that they looked very comfortable.
The shoes are crafted from leather with a neoprene sock and mesh interior that make them comfortable and ventilated for high energy use (whether its athletic hikes or long business walks). I appreciated that the look of the shoe is not too earthy (I don’t travel with a bandana to wear to business meetings!) and the rubber sole is not as noticeable as you might expect. That sole, by the way, is like an air cushion making you feel like you are wearing tennis shoes without the intensely casual look of a pair.
One day while walking in the rain, they got a bit damp on the outside, but the moisture did not permeate the shoe and it dried very quickly.
Various colors are available, and the ease to slip it on and off at security checkpoints or on board an airplane make it a frequent traveler’s friends. Cushe has a host of other rugged, soft-footed shoes, but this is one of the best options for travelers. While not ideal for business travelers who must don a suit and tie daily, this is a great gift for many whether vacationing through the streets of Europe or careening through crowded airport terminals in a hurry, heavy bags in tow.
Available for about $100 at Zappos or REI, this is not the kind of cheap shoe you want to drag through the mud although it cleans easily with the wipe of a damp towel.
See more reviews of Cushe footwear and other good travel shoes.
Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Travel Light on April 30th, 2012
