Travel Shoe Bags
Designed to use in conjunction with their luggage cube line, Great Useful Stuff’s shoe bags are such a simple concept, I’m kind of kicking myself for not thinking of it myself. Made from a washable, durable polyester with a wide zipper opening, these packing cubes for shoes keep dirty soles away from your clean clothes (while protecting the shoes themselves).
Admittedly, the first time I tried these out, I didn’t use them to store shoes of any kind: I used them as additional packing cubes for a short family getaway. They’re the perfect size for storing kids’ socks, underwear, and swimsuits (especially useful if two children share a larger suitcase). After spending a lovely holiday not digging around in luggage looking for tiny undergarments, I was sold.
Of course, with Oregon’s mud season (I mean, winter) in full swing, I know I’ll use the shoe bags for actual shoes soon as well. They’re large enough to store even a pair of my husband’s size 12 sneakers, and water-resistant enough to keep my child’s mud, snow, or sand-caked boots from ruining everything else in the bag. I’m thinking they’ll be essential for camping and road trips.
Great Useful Stuff’s shoe bags can be purchased alone ($14.99 for a set of two), or as part of the complete, four-piece packing cube set ($40).
See other Practical Travel Gear reviews of packing aids in general or other types of packing cubes.
Posted by Amy in General Gear, Kids and Family on February 7th, 2012
Kelty Journey 2.0 Child Carrier
Full disclosure: I’m pretty hard to please when it comes to baby or child carriers, so I was excited to see what Kelty had in store in their new Kelty Journey 2.0. Like most traveling parents, we look to for products that are versatile—meaning ones that can be used by kids of varying ages and by both parents. To give the Kelty Journey a test drive, I asked my 5’2″ family travel blog editor, her 6’5″ husband, and their kids (ages three and one) to put it through its paces on a long hike. The Kelty worked well for all of them: it was safe, comfortable on the shoulders and back, and a great fit given its generous torso range of 15 to 19 inches.
Not only did the Journey 2.0 comfortably accommodate both Mom and Dad, but it adjusted easily to fit both children as well (it can accommodate a weight load of up to 50 pounds). We used it on both a one-year-old and three-year-old (ranging in weight from 25 pound to 40 pounds). With its user-friendly straps and clips, it takes less than a minute for parents to raise or lower the carrier seat, switch kids, and be on their way. Plus, the torso adjustment is at the hips, not the shoulders, which keeps kids’ center of gravity lower and less weight off the parents’ shoulders.
I was impressed with the amount of storage space the Journey 2.0 provides: significantly more than I’ve seen on other carriers. It also features an auto-deploy kickstand (especially handy when parents are trying to get the pack off by themselves), toy loops, a water bottle pocket, a five-point harness for the child, removable sunshade, and lots of safeguards on the hinges and clamps to avoid pinched fingers. All the straps (including the hip and shoulder straps) are double-lined and padded, and all material is water resistant (in a downpour, it will get damp).
I’d venture to say the Kelty Journey 2.0 is the best quality backpack carrier to hit the market in some time. If you spend significant time hiking, backpacking, camping, or traveling with kids in tow, it’s well worth the investment. What sets it apart? The ease of adjustment between wearers, the low seat to keep kids secure (and their center of gravity low), and the aple storage space. It weighs in at only seven pounds, and comes in four colors (I’m partial to the bright red). It’s available at eBags or find it as low as $200 on Amazon.
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Posted by Amy in Kids and Family on January 31st, 2012
Fun, Funny and Downright Useful New Travel Gear
What’s on the way in travel gear? I just got back from the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market held each year in Salt Lake City. It’s a place where retail buyers come to see what’s new and different for the upcoming fall season and place their orders. For us media types, it’s a chance to get a sneak peak at what’s going to be hitting stores later.
Over on our sister Cheapest Destinations Blog I already posted a rundown on new trends in travel gear that you should go check out before or after reading this post. It’s all about light gear getting lighter, but basic materials costs driving up prices. Plus some buying advice and a rant about retro bags.
When covering this show, most gear and outdoor publications get all serious and dive into the technical specs for all the new wonder jackets and slightly changed backpacks. I’d rather cover those items here in detail later—the ones fit for normal travelers—after they hit the market. I saw three developments that might be true game-changers though.
1) Lightweight shoes that are not just for runners. We’ve had ultra-light running shoes for quite a while now, thanks to the barefoot running style craze. But now the technology is making it to the mainstream. The post I mentioned before has some very packable winter boots from Teva. The picture above has some ultra-light Nike running shoes on a scale—and a pair of comfy Rockport shoes that weigh less.
2) Treated down that repels water. I saw two companies talking about this process, where down is subjected to a microscopic polymer that repels water, before it goes into a sleeping bag or jacket. Sierra Designs is the one that’s leading the way on this and is putting the most marketing muscle into it. From what I saw at the demos, it really works.
3) More and better rechargeable devices. I’ve tried some solar chargers over the years with mixed results, but now I’m seeing some solar panel/battery combos that pack some serious juice, like enough to charge a laptop once or an iPad multiple times—after a few hours of sunlight. Plus there are more items hitting the market that can be charged via USB instead of having to deal with AA batteries. The SteriPEN Freedom is a hit already and as this year goes on you’ll see more flashlights, lanterns, and purifiers that plug and charge. I’m especially excited about a Camelbak bottle coming in March that has its own UV purifier lamp built in.
Bring on the fun!
Enough serious stuff. Here are some of the items that I found more interesting to take shots of than yet another waterproof ski shell.
First up, two new face warmers to give you a cozy beard while on the slope. The left photo is me with a sample from 5 O’Clock Shadows. On the right are sample styles from Bearded Apparel.
I’m a sucker for silly winter hats for kids. The ones at the top of this post are from Knitwits. The ones pictured here are from Nirvanna Designs—made in Nepal.
Actually most of the gear that makes you smile is geared to kids, which means I think we all need to lighten up a bit. I mean how can you not smile when you see this backpack from MadPax? Or these fun mittens that look like bear paws (and have an opening where you can get your hand out to pull up a zipper) from Bear Hands & Buddies?
Okay, okay—I’ll put some photos of some serious gear to watch for on our Facebook page if you really want to know what’s coming to a store near you in six months. So go like us there and watch for pics the next few days.
Meanwhile, stay tuned the rest of 2012 as we review the best travel gear for your money.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on January 25th, 2012
eBags Packing Cubes Set
Packing for a long trip can be frustrating for a number of reasons. First, if you are traveling to destinations with different climates, it feels like you are double packing. Second, it is hard to keep things organized in your bag so that you can easily reach the things you need at each destination. It often seems that the thing you need most is always at the bottom of the bag and you end up wrinkling or shifting everything else to get to it.
These packing cubes from eBags are the perfect way to keep your luggage contents organized and your clothing neatly pressed and organized. It is also perfect for separating electronic devices and shoes from delicate clothes or for storing a sweater or charging cable that you might need to access in a jiffy on the plane.
Each durable, nylon pouch has a zippered top with mesh covers to keep the contents visible and well-ventilated. There is also a handle on each pouch making them easy to carry individually. A variety of colors are perfect for families who share a bag and want to color code their packing cubes. They are lightweight and add virtually no additional poundage to your suitcase.
The packing cubes keep clothing from wrinkling and moving around in your bag during transit. They are sold in sets with small, medium, and large cases making them great for both smaller, carryon bags or larger suitcases.
If packing for more than one person in the same bag, these cubes also help to separate things without splitting the bag into two sides. This allows for the most efficient use of space in your suitcase. It also serves a dual purpose because they can be used for laundry to keep your dirty clothes separated from clean clothes.
These make a great gift for busy travelers and are available on the eBags website or on Amazon. They run from $20 to $28 for a set of three, depending on size. They are always in my suitcase now making me feel more organized and keeping my clothes looking spiffy no matter how long my trip.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on January 23rd, 2012
Polarmax Technical Base Layers
I received Polarmax’s line of women and youth’s base layers just in time for the temperature to plummet and the snow to fall. My 12-year-old son and I wasted no time taking the various styles on test drives at our local ski resort, where conditions can vary faster than you can say ‘crazy Oregon weather’.
Right out of the (eco-friendly) packaging, I knew I was going to like Polarmax’s Technical Base Layer line (separated into Warm, Warmer, and Warmest categories), primarily because I’m shallow at heart: I loved the athletic and stylish fit and the soft feel of the fabric. My son loved the MaxRide line’s understated (but fun) graphics and colors. He’s even deemed the Team Shirt warm enough to wear under his ski jacket yet cool enough to wear to school (which is great news for parents who are tired of sinking money into the tween fashion industry).
I tried both the Double Base Layer crew shirt and pant (in the Warmer category) and the Comp 4 Tech Fleece crew shirt and tight (in the Warmest category). While both sets are similar, the hint of fleece liner on the Comp 4 line really sets it apart in terms of warmth and comfort. Still thin enough to fit comfortably under waterproof ski pants and a thicker fleece or jacket, the Comp 4 base layer has you totally covered (and toasty warm). In contrast, the Double Base layer set is light enough for warmer ski days or vigorous Nordic skiing or snowshoe treks; I’ve even taken to wearing it on my early morning runs. (Both come in men’s sizes and style as well.)
As mentioned, kids are covered too: in addition to the MaxRide Team Shirt, the MaxRide line of a youth crew and pant deliver the same performance as the adult versions, with the addition of bright piping on the seams.
For year round base layer options, check out Polarmax’s AYG (All Year Gear), which includes TransDry cotton and stretch silk undershirts, camisoles, and underwear. All Polarmax fabrics include Acclimate Dry, designed to stretch for comfort, wick away moisture, breathe, and best of all, prevent smell with Scent Prevent anti-microbial treatment. (See Tim’s earlier review of the AYG underwear.)
Last but not least, I love that it’s still possible to get quality tech clothing without breaking the bank. Snag deals on Double Base Layer, Comp 4, and MaxRide lines and see for yourself!
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Posted by Amy in Adventure Gear, Kids and Family on January 17th, 2012
