Posts Tagged gift ideas
G-Form Extreme Portfolio for iPad
Traveling with an iPad is amazing. Checking email or accessing the Internet on a large screen is instantaneous versus having to lug out a laptop, wait for it to boot up, and locate a wifi signal. But, the danger always exists that it will be dropped, crushed, or destroyed in transit somehow.
While the iPad does come with a cover, it barely keeps the iPad from getting the screen crushed or struck with a sharp object such as a key or even a pen.
The G-Form Extreme Portfolio is the GI Joe of iPad cases. Its thick cushioning gives the immediate impression that the sleeve is top dog in protecting your iPad. But, there is science behind that armor. It uses “reactive protection technology,” which contains a composite blend of materials designed to protect devices inside by being water-resistant, flexible, and, well, reactive.
G-Form says that the material changes its molecular structure on impact to protect the device inside. While I cannot visibly notice that happening, I believe it. The company even tested it by dropping a bowling ball on an iPad encased in this sleeve. If that is not a guarantee for how solid this case is, then I don’t know what is!
As a rather clumsy traveler who often drops things at security while juggling multiple things or leaves them behind altogether, I welcome the added protection and unique shape of this case that makes it stand out while at security or in the seat pocket in front of me. It even comes in yellow, which is perfect for the forgetful traveler!
The Extreme Portfolio is more than a regular iPad sleeve. It fits both the iPad and iPad 2 plus other tablets that measure roughly ten inches. Inside, there is a layer of polycarbonate to protect the device plus an internal pocket for documents or other small items. The portfolio is not just for zipping up everything for protection. It can also be opened and reverse zipped so that it can stand upright in an easel form so that you can watch movies on an iPad while keeping an exterior pocket in the back protected.
It is available at G-Form’s website and makes a great gift for the frequent traveler or the most extreme techie. It’s tough to find elsewhere for now, but Amazon has it for sale from a few third-party sellers.
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Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Travel Light on November 28th, 2011
Travel Gear Sales for the Holidays
[Updated 12/4 to strip out expired sales, but links may take you to a different sale page as these change often.]
If you’re getting some new travel gear for yourself or someone else, this week is a good time to do your virtual shopping–or at least start it.
I’m never quite sure what drives the idiots you see on TV to line up in front of stores the day after Thanksgiving to supposedly get a better deal. For at least a decade I’ve managed to do quite well while clicking away at a laptop, having gotten plenty of sleep and not braving any crowds.
Pretty much every gear retailer is running some kind of promotion over the next few days. They can’t be in the game if they don’t. So take advantage of these discounts and free shipping deals. No gas, no stress.
Get an Extra 20% off at Sierra Trading Post. Use code ALSNOW1. Valid Nov 3 to Dec 7.
Get Free Shipping No Minimum at Columbia.com with promo code F11FREESHIP! The same code works at sister brand Sorel.
At Teva.com, Get 10% OFF your order with code Teva10Off now through 12/31. With free shipping on orders over $45. The same deal is available at Ahnu with code Ahnu10Off.
BACKCOUNTRY Holiday Sales Page + Free 2-Day Shipping On Orders Over $50!
Save $3 each when you buy 2 or more of these travel gear at Magellan’s. Also Free Shipping on orders over $50 with coupon code FSDEC
$10 off all items at Beltoutlet.com with purchase of $50 or more. Use coupon code CJ-FRI10 at checkout.
Great Holiday Gifts For Kids under $20 at Campmor
Eddie Bauer Clearance: Save Up To 75%. Canada Shipping Available.
Extra 20% Off + Free Shipping on All Orders at eBags.com
Doorbusters Holiday sale at Altrec.com with free shipping on $45+.
Go to Rockcreek.com to see a line of gear gifts from $25-$50 and get free shipping from $49 up.
Get Free Shipping on Orders of $50 or More at REI and remember that you can get it shipped to a store for pickup (as in where you’re flying to instead of where you live).
Luggage Guru sale: 15% off Luggage, Totes, and Bags except Briggs & Riley and Rimowa. Valid 11/24/11 – 11/30/11 – Code: blkfriday2011
Of course Amazon will be cutting prices bigtime to maintain their dominant position and their Kindle readers/tablets range from under $100 to $199 now. Visit Amazon’s Consumer Electronics Deals Page.
Or follow these sale links if you’re a regular shopper at Summit Hut, Moosejaw, or Eastern Mountain Sports.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Kids and Family on November 24th, 2011
Fold-up Travel Hanger from Grand Trunk
Sure, if you’re staying in swanky hotels all the time, you may have a selection of hangers and a nice closet to hang them in. If you’re backpacking through Central America though or staying in tents as you climb over mountains, you can forget all that. So if you want to hang up something so it will dry out or get a bit less wrinkled, you might be out of luck.
If you’ve got a little wedge of space in your bag though, you can still carry your own hanger along, thanks to this folding travel design from Grand Trunk. We like this brand because they make a lot of cool little gadgets that are simple but brilliant, like the travel chopsticks and travel towels we reviewed earlier, plus nice packable hammocks.
This hanger weighs only 2.5 ounces and it folds up into its own little pouch you can easily jam into a suitcase or backpack that already seems full. Check out this helpful diagram for the dimensions.
It took me a few tries before I could open and close this hanger without looking like a fumbling idiot and I still don’t appear to have the agility of a ninja, so I’m not doing a demo video. But the basic idea is that this is five hollow metal tubes connected by thin chains. The largest red tube sits on the bottom and two of the smaller ones go into that, making up the longer bottom part. The other two tubes stay where they are and then you’ve got a hook mechanism at the top.
Something like this is only going to be as strong as its weakest links—the wire loops at the top—so it’s not meant for holding a giant layered parka in Antarctica. But for normal use with clothing and lightweight travel jackets, it’s fine.
Under normal travel circumstances, this item may not be at the top of your need list. But on some journeys, like a multi-night river kayaking trip I’m taking in the spring, having this along would make the trip more civilized and comfortable. Those hardy British jungle explorers of the 19th century would surely put this right up there with a flask on their priorities list.
Get the collapsible travel hanger direct from Grand Trunk for $15 including the travel case, or check prices at Amazon.
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Posted by Tim L. in General Gear on November 23rd, 2011
Nau Merino Wool M3 Hoody
Do you keep giving wool garments another try each winter, only to yank the itchy clothing items off and forget about them for another year? Don’t give up on wool just yet—try the Nau M3 Hoody.
Made of 100 percent Zque-certified merino wool, the sleek hoody is far from those itchy specimens in your closet. To top it off, the sustainable merino wool sourcer and animal welfare accreditation program is a responsible alternative that, paired with the recycled polyester trim, gives you a reason to walk a little taller down the street when you’re wearing the M3 Hoody.
The merino wool body has a brushed back, which gives the inside of the jacket a fleecy, soft feeling. I’ve been wearing it for days for pretty much every occasion: at work in my home office, at work on the beach at my kayak shop, out to dinner at the local brewing company, hiking on the California Coastal Trail near my home and running errands.
Considering how much I’ve been wearing it, you’d think by now it might have a slight whiff of, well, me. But the merino wool is naturally odor-resistant, so there’s no funk.
The front zip has a wind flap behind it, so the wind doesn’t blow right through the zipper, and when zipped up all the way, provides enough coverage for my neck as well. Both zip hand pockets are deep enough to shove your hands in, or carry around your favorite cell phone (times two!).
The fully shaped hood includes an adjustable cord (which cinches the entire hood from one side) and is roomy enough that it doesn’t slide back on your head when you’re active. The seams lie flat, making what could be a bulky jacket slim enough to fit in on city streets as well as more remote and outdoorsy destinations.
The one thing I’d put on my wish list for the hoody is a sneaky inside pocket, so I could stash my cell and my cash, and still have the two zip hand pockets for my hands. Aside from missing that, this is my new favorite mid-weight jacket.
The Nau M3 Hoody lists for $225 on the Nau website, which is pretty much the same price as you’ll see on outdoor clothing sites, like Backcountry.com. Just think again about the itchy wool that you never wear, and it just may be a bargain.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, General Gear on November 18th, 2011
RumbaTime Fun VanDam Watches
My colleague Kara reviewed some original RumbaTime watches a while back and liked the choice of styles and the fact that they’re cheap enough to buy several of them. (Kind of like the original Swatch watches, before they went all upscale on us.)
I’ve been wearing around one of their VanDam watches—the black one pictured here to the right—and keep gravitating toward it when deciding what to wear when going out. It’s fun and cool looking plus I don’t have to care if it gets wet. It’s water-resistant to 99 meters. Good for the pool, the beach, or adventure travel trips.
These are minimalist watches that are sleek and simple. They tell the time and they look good. With only two buttons, it doesn’t take a manual and a pair of reading glasses to change the time on the fly, like when you’re crossing time zones.
Plus you can’t beat the price: a mere $16 for any of them in this line. Despite the price, they even come in a reusable round case. They’re made of stretchy durable silicone, but with grooves on the bag to keep them from getting sweaty within five minutes of putting them on. They come in three sizes so you can get the right fit.
These VanDam ones come in a whole range of colors and patterns, from multiple solids to funky designs like the second one pictured here. Is 37 styles enough for you to pick from?
This is just one of several styles they have, some with an analog face if you’re not into the digital look. These cost a bit more, but are still very reasonable, topping out at $35 except for their serious adventure Mercer line.
The original Rumba Time watches, which are like a thin bracelet, are a great choice for kids. My daughter has never been too into wearing a watch, but with one of these she loves it because it’s more like funky jewelry. Those list for $14-$16 but can go for as little as $6 for some colors at the RumbaTime shop.
Order more than one RumbaTime watch at Amazon and you’ll get free shipping too.
Posted by Tim L. in Travel Light on October 19th, 2011
