5 Travel Gadgets You Can’t Resist

When you travel, you have a lot to think about including what to pack, where to stay, and how to get around. You might want to travel light, but you don’t want to forget anything that could make your adventure more comfortable or convenient.

There are many travel gadgets on the market that can help you get along throughout your journey even if you do forget your favorite book or that extra pair of underwear. Most of them are affordable, easy to use, and extremely handy. Here are five that you might not want to leave behind on your next trip.

VAGO Portable Compressor

You can fit more than you think inside of your suitcase when you use the VAGO portable compressor and an airtight plastic bag to contain soft items, such as clothing. The compressor works like a hand-held vacuum. When you use it in combination with a VAGO vacuum bag, the device sucks the air out of the bag, compressing your things and minimizing the amount of space that they take up.

The compressor doesn’t take up much space, either. It fits in the palm of your hand and gets its power from a USB cable and adapter. A sensor detects pressure and stops when the air has been fully removed from the bag.

The portable compressor comes with one medium-sized bag, which fits well into a carry-on suitcase. You can purchase additional bags separately.

This gadget is especially useful if you’re planning on shopping for clothing on your trip or if you’re packing bulky items for travel to a cold destination.

You can buy this product for about $60 on Amazon.

GoTenna

Many travelers worry about staying in touch with their fellow travelers while they’re seeing the world. If you go backpacking with a group, it’s helpful to be able to touch base in case you get separated. There’s not always a cellular signal wherever you go, though.

The GoTenna is a stick that’s not much larger than a flash drive. Keep it with you, download the free app, and pair it with your phone. Your phone will connect with the GoTenna Mesh network via Bluetooth when you’re within about 100 feet of the device. Then, you can send text or emergency messages to anyone else who is on the network.

If you’re traveling with friends, everyone needs a GoTenna device to be able to communicate with one another. Even if you’re traveling alone, you can use the device and the network to send messages to any GoTenna users in the area.

You can buy this product for about $179 at GoTenna.com.

Huzi Infinity Pillow

Traveling can be tiring, and it’s not always easy to get the rest that you need when you’re on the road. The Huzi Infinity Pillow is soft, snugly, and versatile. You can use it as a neck pillow on the plane and a regular pillow when you’re taking a nap in the park.

It looks like an infinity scarf, but it is luxurious and plush. It’s thick enough to support your neck when it’s wrapped around you. You can also take it off and use it as an eye mask, a desk pillow, and a noise-reducing pillow.

The pillow is made from bamboo and polyester, which are soft and machine-washable. The fabric is antibacterial and hypoallergenic, which is a benefit when you’re in tight spaces with many other people. This pillow is especially effective for keeping you warm when the temperature is cold.

You can buy this product for about $39.99 on Amazon.

Goal Zero Flip 30 Recharger

Because it’s always a good idea to expect the unexpected, you should always travel with a portable charger or power bank. You never know when you’re going to be stuck with a low cell phone battery and no power outlet. Plus, you don’t want your eReader to die on you in the middle of a juicy beach novel.

The Goal Zero Flip 30 Recharger is about the size of a deck of cards. It doesn’t weigh much, and you can tuck it into a pocket or purse. The 7800 mAh charger will give your phone a full charge up to three times. It should charge a tablet once.

The recharger has a flip USB so that you don’t have to mess with wires when you charge it. If you do need to use a wire, however, you can. It comes with a micro-USB cable.

It takes about five hours to charge the recharger fully. If you’re in a location with a power outlet, you can charge the recharger and your mobile phone at the same time.

You can buy this product for about $49.99 on Amazon.

CyonGear Flexible Tripod Stand

One of the best ways to memorialize your trip is to take great pictures. While a selfie stick can be useful, it’s not as versatile as this bendable, mini tripod.

It has a quick-release clasp with foam padding that holds a cell phone or any recording device that’s up to 3.5 inches wide. Three flexible legs can be positioned to stand on or wrap around most surfaces.

The tripod is lightweight and small enough to tuck in your travel bag. It’s ideal for taking selfies, group shots, and videos. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just want to snap some memories, you can use this to take pictures at unique angles.

You can buy this product for about $7 at Walmart.

Anutr Yossundara / Shutterstock

SHARE ON

Advertisement

Cultured Palate: Dishes from Iran

Iranian cuisine uses a myriad of spices, dried and fresh fruits, herbs, and nuts to flavor dishes. These ingredients turn even the simplest meal of rice and stewed meat into a sensory explosion.

Around the World in Holiday Baking

Every December, millions of pounds of butter, sugar, and flour contribute to the creation of spectacular treats for holiday celebrations. Even if you’re not ordinarily a baker, many people venture into the kitchen before the holidays to make sure that they’ve got plenty of treats to offer to family and friends.

The Most Unusual McDonald’s Menu Items from Around the World

If you’re a fast-food connoisseur, chances are you’re already familiar with the McDonald’s menu that’s typical in North America. They bring in new choices fairly frequently. However, most people stick with their usual order of Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, fries, McFlurries, and Apple Pies. It’s familiar food, and the bulk of the menu is essentially…