Haiku Hobo 2 Bag
This review of Haiku’s Hobo 2 bag finds me mid-quest in my pursuit of the best travel tote. A few weeks ago, Overland Equipment’s Radcliffe Bag came close, but failed to meet three of my criteria to graduate from around-town tote to travel tote: a cross-body strap, exterior cell phone pocket, and laptop sleeve.
How does the Hobo 2 score? A solid two out of three (more on that below). First, some general impressions: I love the Hobo’s shape and look. It’s roomy without being bulky, and stylish without being cutesy (if you’ve been reading my reviews for long, you know I have no use for cuteness in my travel gear). It measures at 10″h x 14″w x 4″d and has just enough pockets and sections without having too many. It’s also extremely durable (and fully lined). I’ve used it daily for over two months, and it shows virtually no sign of wear. Best of all, unlike the Hobo bag Kara reviewed last year, the Hobo 2 is made from renewable cyclePET fabric, recycled poly from 100% post consumer beverage bottles. Put more simply: each Hobo 2 saves 18.9 plastic bottles from the landfill. So you can look good and feel good, too!
The Hobo 2 uses a comfortable shoulder strap, and does have that detachable cross-body strap I covet (score one point of three!). I love the two exterior (zippered) cell phone pockets on either end (point two!) and the additional side pocket. The Hobo zips completely closed, which is a huge plus, and all zippers have nice pulls to make it easier to reach for things and be on the go at the same time. Inside, the Hobo has two water bottle pockets, but I can’t use them for their intended purpose because while wide, they’re not deep enough to fit my standard-sized Kleen Kanteen bottles. This is a bummer, as I carry a water bottle everywhere. Instead, I use the water bottle pouches to store my detachable strap when not in use, my phone charger, and the like. In addition, the Hobo 2 does have another interior zippered pocket, perfect for chap stick, hand wipes, or business cards.
While the Hobo 2 is not quite big enough to tote my 13″ Macbook (another bummer), it is sized to fit an iPad, which tempts me to grant it half credit toward that third point as a travel tote.
Bottom line: for $84, you get a high-quality, multi-purpose, day-to-day bag that will last for the long haul (and is great for the planet). Will it travel with me? On weekend trips during which I’ll do doing a lot of city walking and touring, yes. For air travel during which I need to bring my laptop, no. If you travel with an iPad however, the Hobo 2 could absolutely see you from gate to hotel and back again. Pick one up (in your choice of four colors/patterns) at Haiku, or spend a tad less at either Amazon, Zappos, or Backcountry.
Posted by Amy in General Gear on April 24th, 2012
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Packable Duffle Bag
Here at Practical Travel Gear we’re suckers for anything that packs up small but carries a big punch. This strong but lightweight duffle bag from Sea to Summit packs down into a little pouch that’s about the size of a two golf balls. As you can see in the photo here, it’s not exactly a space hog.
When you need it though, it pops out to be a 23.6-inch long piece of luggage that can hold up to 40 liters of your stuff (2420 cubic inches). Now granted it’s not going to compete with a suitcase you’d buy to use as real luggage, but you probably wouldn’t expect that out of something that weighs a mere 2.82 ounces (80 grams), right?
The main use for this is the vacation phenomenon whereby you almost always come back with more than you left with. Souvenirs, gifts, booze, and trade show swag have a way of forcing some tough decisions. You either toss something you brought to make room, or you buy and fill up another bag.
With this expanding duffle, you can take that extra bag along just in case. I’ve now used it for two trade shows where I needed to pack light to avoid baggage fees but had a sneaky feeling I’d need to bring some extras back. Both times I’ve gotten away with carrying it on as an extra “personal item” that will fit under my seat.
Technically though, if you packed this to the gills it would be over the regulation size for a carry-on. It is 23.6 + 11.8 + 11 inches, which is a tad over the limit. You probably don’t want to jam this full anyway though since there’s no shoulder strap and you’ll need to carry it like a suitcase. Leave some room so you can smash it into those “your bag must fit in this bin” displays that American Airlines is so fond of making you submit to before even getting to the security line.
The Sea to Summit packable tough Duffle Bag with zipper comes in three color combinations and lists for around 40 bucks. You can order it from Summit Hut or Amazon.
See more reviews of Sea to Summit products.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Travel Light on April 18th, 2012
Speck and Otterbox iPad Covers for Family Travel
The summer road trip and air travel season will soon be upon us! Forget about gas prices, packing, and plane tickets…is your iPad ready for all the abuse? We don’t travel long-distance without ours, and while our boys (ages 12, 10, and 7) are old enough to pay the device proper respect, accidents still occur. We’ve tried half a dozen cases over the course of the last few years, dragging them along on countless road trips, weekend getaways, and flights. Below, you’ll find our top picks for traveling with kids.
Speck SmartShell:
Right out of the box, we encased our new iPad2 with the Apple SmartCover, only to realize that ‘hey wait a minute…this thing offers next to no protection!’. We liked the simplicity of the SmartCover, however, and the fact that it saved our battery life with its sleep/wake feature, so we paired it with Speck’s SmartShell. The SmartShell is a very simple case that fits around the back of the iPad to protect it where the SmartCover does not, and since it’s designed exclusively with the SmartCover in mind, the two work perfectly together. The SmartShell is made of semi-opaque plastic that takes scratches and dings in stride, and even has a magnetic strip at the back to which the SmartCover connects when the iPad is propped up. If you like the sleek, minimalist features of the SmartCover but need the back protected, the SmartShell is for you. The only downside: the kids complain that the thin design makes it hard for them to get a good grip on the iPad while gaming.
The SmartShell matches the colors of the SmartCover perfectly, so you can either coordinate or mix-and-match. Pick one up at the Speck site for $34.95, or Amazon.
Otterbox Defender:
I’ve long been an Otterbox fan because it protects like no other cover. (I’ve used the Commuter and Reflex cases for my iPhone for as long as I’ve owned my phones.) Like most Otterbox designs, the Defender for iPad2 is heavy and a bit cumbersome, but if you want absolute full protection, in my experience, this is it. Its design is three-fold: first you have the hard plastic shell (with foam interior), then the silicone membrane. Over all that, you have the plastic shield. We really are talking full armor here.
The upside: I love-love-love the Defender’s shield design, which works as a detachable stand for viewing and typing. Unlike other stand designs, which can be awkward or even useless, the Defender’s is sturdy and well-constructed. I can type easily on the iPad’s screen while using it, and that’s saying something. The downside: because of all the pieces to the cover, it can be difficult to take on and off, and dirt specks and debris easily get into the cracks between the case and the iPad screen. (Or at least this occurs in our house.) Pick up an Otterbox Defender case on their site for $89.95 or at Amazon for considerably less.
Speck Wanderfolio:
Despite my Otterbox loyalty, the Speck Wanderfolio may be my new favorite iPad cover. It’s not too big and bulky, but not too thin and flimsy. It is, if you’ll pardon the cliche, just right. Made of a plastic shell and either faux or real leather, depending on the version you opt for, the front cover folds over portfolio-style, and opens with a magnetic clasp which also activates the sleep/wake function. Inside the padded cover, you get a secret (or not so secret) panel that opens to sleek passport and document pockets. If you don’t use that section (as we usually don’t) just snap it closed, and you’ll barely know it’s there. The back of the iPad is fully covered by the Wanderfolio, and the case adjusts for pretty decent display/viewing options. (Not as awesome as the Otterbox stand feature, mind you, but still quite respectable.)
The Wanderfolio is slightly more bulky than the SmartShell, but not half as much so as the Otterbox, making it solidly protective without going overboard. Pick one up in one of four colors at Speck for $69.95, or on Amazon. And if you have a Kindle or Kindle Fire, Speck makes a Wanderfolio for those as well.
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, check out Ramsey’s review of the G-Form Extreme. They say that while covered in the G-Form, you can drop a bowling ball (or hefty toddler) on your iPad. I’m not sure I’ll try it, though!
Note: All the above were tested using our iPad2. If you’re sporting the new iPad, double-check that the cover will fit before buying. Speck has an entire page devoted to the new iPad.
Posted by Amy in Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on April 17th, 2012
Waterpik Traveler Water Flosser
This is a great device for those with a penchant for keeping fit and healthy. It is designed to be a more comprehensive alternative to traditional wax floss. While it weighs more than a plastic box of floss, it is still small and compact enough to fit into a carry-on bag or even a briefcase if paperwork and electronic gadgetry is kept to a minimum. It also takes up minimal space in a constricted hotel bathroom although hotel housekeepers seem to wonder what this device is (based on personal experience)!
World travelers will appreciate the voltage compatibility that will keep it from blowing a fuse in a foreign hotel. I really enjoyed using this device after a long-haul flight during an airport layover. Yes, brushing your teeth in an airplane lavatory is always a possible, if gross, option, but using this device was a completely refreshing and invigorating experience. It seems cliché, but it almost woke me up despite my jetlag since my gums were massaged. I did get a few strange looks from people in the airline lounge restroom, but clearly this would not happen in the privacy of one’s hotel room.
Waterpik notes that this is clinically proven to be more effective than traditional floss in reducing plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease. While I cannot personally vouch for this claim since floss can also remove food debris that is lodged in between teeth, I can truly say that the power of the water spray in this device is impressive making me believe the manufacturer’s claim.
To pack the device, you can simply invert the water container to make the device small enough to fit easily into your bag. It comes with its own travel case that features four types of water spray tips and a pressure control system with a variety of settings. In addition to cleaning your teeth, it can improve sometimes troublesome travel breath by removing bacteria around your teeth and below the gumline where brushing and traditional flossing are not always able to access especially when in a hurry.
This is a great travel accessory for business travelers with meetings upon landing. It may not be easy or practical enough to squeeze into a briefcase, but it is valuable for those who eat and drink on the plane and want to feel fresh upon landing. It is available for $70 at Waterpik’s website or on Amazon.com.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on April 16th, 2012
Teva Fuse-ion Shoes
Water-friendly shoes often come in two forms: big clunky sandals and neoprene booties. Usually, that means you’re changing your shoes to something that looks a little nicer when you do anything other than hit a beach bar after your outdoor adventure. But with the Teva Fuse-ion, you can keep your water shoes on for your urban adventures as well.
Designed in a cool sneaker style, the Fuse-ion uses ion-mask, a liquid-repellant technology that keeps the shoes lightweight (at 11 ounces), breathable and stain resistant. The perforated upper lets water drain out, so you’re not sloshing around when you’re on dry land. Even if you’re not jumping around in the water, that same perforation allows for maximum ventilation for your feet.
The Spider Rubber + JStep sole has good traction, whether you’re walking around on the deck of a boat, or hopping rocks in a river. The hundreds of small pods independently move and flex, offering a more grippy sole than many other water-friendly shoes.
The footbed and the tongue are padded, to make your adventures a little more comfortable. The collapsible heel lets you slip the shoes on and off easily (aided by the heel pull loop), but equally important for travelers, it makes the shoes collapse flat so they’re easy to pack. And speaking of packing, since the Fuse-ion can cover outdoor and urban adventures equally, you can lighten your load and bring fewer shoes on your travels.
Teva Fuse-ion shoes list for $90.00 on the Teva website. A men’s version is available for the same price. They’re also available at Amazon and Zappos.
See more reviews of travel shoes on Practical Travel Gear.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, General Gear on April 13th, 2012
