Travelon Colorful Gifts for Travelers

Need stocking stuffers for your favorite traveler?  Check out these colorful new Zig Zag bag tags from Travelon.  Aren't they fun?  Wouldn't it be cool to get these along with some plane tickets?  A girl can dream.  Something like this can help you find your black bag, even if it's a carry-on, you'll spot it faster in the overhead bin, and make it less likey someone else will grab it by mistake. 

On a more serious note, Travelon's Safe ID Colorblock RFID Wallet will keep your identity and credit card information secure.  Since your passport, id, credit cards, etc, are chipped with RFID (radio frequency identification that are broadcast), the bad guys can use a scanner to get your personal info and get into accounts, steal your identification, etc.  So now we need RFID blocking wallets to keep our info safe.  Ridiculous, right?  But if you don't do this, someone walking past you with a scanner can cause some serious mayhem for you, better to play it safe. 

Travelon's leather Colorblock Wallet is black and unassuming on the outside, and cheery green, yellow and blue on the inside, it's a great looking wallet and would make a substantial gift for the traveler.  Thirteen slots hold your license, and credit cards, and there's a space for your passport.  There's a zippered coin compartment that would be great for separating currencies, and has all the features you want in your everyday wallet, with the added bonus of peace of mind. 

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Back to School with KLEAN KANTEEN

Need some water bottles for back-to-school?  Klean Kanteen insulated mugs come in some gorgeous new colors for fall and they are a must have for the lunchbox and for anyone who likes to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.  They work like a charm, and are also great for soups, hot cereals, coffee, and tea.   These are ideal for kids and adults--who doesn't need a healthy vessel for portable drinks and food?  This allows you to control the contents and be sure you are getting organic and gmo free beverages and foods which can be tricky on the go. 

They are so gorgeous and inspiring, it's just what we need to ease into Autumn.  They come in different sizes too, 12, 16, and 20oz.  I love the bright Wild Raspberry and the stately basic Black, but the Gray is nice and the White...so many lovely choices.  If you have multiple children, you can color code.  Two different lids are available to fit your needs, a cafe lid for sipping (perfect for the car) and a stainless wide loop cap to keep your bottle sealed tight in your bag.  Everything is BPA, lead, and phalate free.  Find them HERE.

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Patagonia Reflip Chip Flip Flops

I'm the pickiest person in the world when it comes to flip flops and only started wearing them when I discovered Reefs.  They're the only ones that were comfortable to me--until now.  Patagonia's Reflip Chips are at least as comfortable and even better, they are made from soft recycled materials and are totally recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads recycle program.  The fabric that fits between your toes (what can make flip flops so uncomfortable) is sewn perfectly and is soft and thin and barely noticeable. Perfect for travel, they are super light weight and comfy enough to support some extended walking. 

They're vegan too.  And did I mention they're cute?  They come in three colors, all bright and cheery and perfect for summer.  Find them HERE.

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Grand Trunk Parasheet: Beach Bag Must Have

Headed to the beach this summer?  If you're traveling and don't want to bring along bulky towels, Grand Trunk's Parasheet is a great solution.  They are super light weight at 20oz (less for the single), come in a handy attached stuff sack, and easily fit right in your beach bag.  They come in a rainbow of colors and single and double sizes.  I'd opt for double as I think bigger is better in this case, though the single is more compact and would be perfect for kids or those who want to minimize bulk even more. 

The blue is gorgeous and soothing, like your own portable oasis.  Sand shakes off with ease, so you don't have an accumulation at the bottom of your bag the way you do with towels that have been on the beach.  It also dries very quickly.  Pockets are sewn in the corners and sides to fill with sand and weigh it down so it will stay flat and won't blow away, and there are stake loops too.  It's perfect for picnics and no worries if you spill food on it, you can just throw it in the wash when you get home.

Grand Trunk has a lot of innovative gear, and they're an eco minded company.  Find the Parasheet and other travel necessities HERE. 

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3 Gifts for Travelers

For the sentimental traveler:  This Compass Necklace from Uncommon Goods is meaningful and really cute.  The detailing makes it feminine and your choice of "Find Your Way" or "Follow Your Heart" makes it personal.  What a cool talisman for the traveler!  Much much cooler looking in person, hand made and sterling silver, this would be a great surprise in the stocking. 

For the practical traveler:  Eagle Creek's new Specter Packing Cubes are fabulous.  They are paper thin, but strong and they hold way more than what it might seem.  They come in white, a bright green (strobe) and orange and they are all opaque so you can see contents.  These will be in our stockings this year, and I will be color coding as well--green for me, orange for my son and maybe some clear for the inflight tote.  For backpacking or camping they would work great because they are so light and the fabric would slip in and out of backpacks with ease.  They come in sets of three and are also sold individually.

These are the type of thing that you didn't realize you needed until you have it, then you can't live without it.  I like them much better than the older style packing cubes because they are lighter, the fabric is very easy to slide in and out and they work kind of like space bags.  Must have for the organizational types and if you happen to be stressed out by holiday travel, pick some of these up and it will likely ease your mind just to have it all so together.

For those who need a way to keep all those gadget cords organized for travel, check out G.U.S's new Cord Roll.  It's made from recycled cotton and has a space for your computer cords, tablet cord and charger, and phone paraphernalia.  I almost wish it didn't have labels--maybe you don't have a tablet for instance--but it works and the lettering does look good.  I'm a little bit obsessed with organization, so stuff like this thrills me and I think it's also useful at home, not just for travel.  

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REVO Eco Friendly Sunglasses: Must Have for Winter Escape

Going on a winter holiday to the tropics?  Then you need these awesome sunglasses that are designed specifically for the water.  REVO's eco friendly HEADWAY sunglasses will protect your eyes, stay with you during play, and won't sink should they come off.  Polarized lenses are great for water, but REVO went a step further and made a lens specific for water, pulling out a brilliant contrast and enhancing blues and greens.  What you get is a lens that helps block out glare, and a high definition view.  Included is a detachable lanyard with a float so that if they fall of your face they're attached, and if they get knocked off and fall into the water, you'll be able to find them.  On top of all this, they are gorgeous.

For a lighter weight water friendly option, REVO's  DESCEND sunglasses have the same features but are so light you forget you are wearing them. 

Both styles are unisex and come with cases and microfiber pouches for protection.  It's a nice presentation that would be fantastic for the stocking or under the tree.  A pair of these and some plane tickets to Bora Bora would be my dream gift, come to think of it.

REVO's lens technology is derived from NASA, and are geared for performance.  Their Eco line uses earth friendly materials and Revo is the official eye wear sponsor for Oceana, the largest international ocean conservation organization.  The water specific sunglasses are perfect for water sports like paddle boarding, kayaking, or even lounging around on the beach and maximizing your views.  Choose from many new eco friendly styles HERE.

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CAMELBAK ALL CLEAR: Fabulous Holiday Gift

CamelBak's All Clear water purification bottle would make a killer holiday gift for the traveler or camper in your life.  It's a great thing for all of us to have for emergency reasons, but travelers will really appreciate the simplicity of this water filter system.  You just fill with water from the tap, shake it for a minute, and voila!  Clean water to drink.

Think of how many plastic bottles this will save, not to mention the sheer convenience of being able to use hotel tap water.  It's BPA free and you also don't have to worry about leaching from water just sitting in commercial bottles.  I can't wait for the day that bottled water is obsolete and here is something that will really help the cause. 

For backpackers and campers, there's a pre-filter (sold separately) that you can use to filter out debris.  Beyond that, you can filter your stream water and be safe from microbes.

Everyone should ideally have some sort of water filtraion device,  Hurricane Sandy is a great reminder of this.  The handier and easier to use, the better.

The magic is right under the cap where the UV bulb is housed, you just push the button and it zaps your water and an LED screen let's you know it worked.  You recharge the cap with a USB charger--plug it right into your laptop or use a wall charger--and you get 80 treatment cycles per charge.  There's a regular cap to replace the UV cap when not in use, and you can also use other CamelBak caps if you prefer the kind with the spout.  Find it HERE.

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Gear Up for Holiday Travel with Eagle Creek

Got travel plans for the holidays?  The right luggage can make a trip so much better and easier.  Check out Eagle Creek's new Adventure Upright 22.  This is a great carry on bag to meet your holiday travel needs.  With baggage feees, not to mention what a pain it is to check bags, the lines, the waiting, the hassle and the risk of losing your things.  You've heard the saying there are two kinds of luggage:  carry on and lost?  If you carry on, you save money and are guaranteed to have your stuff with you when you arrive. 

A great carry on piece glides along with you and offers some good organization.  Eagle Creek is famous for their organizational offerings and while they do offer travel cubes, their luggage has some built in features that are a huge help.  The Adventure Upright is easy to maneuver, comfortable to grip and features several compartments to help you organize like the two pouches on the inside of the lid great for socks and undergarments,  and behind those is a large sort of secret compartment (not evident at first glance).  Compression straps are there to cinch everything down tight and maximize space. There's a big pouch on the outside that fits a laptop or iPad--though I would put it in a padded sleeve first--it's right there within easy reach to take out for security. 

Another awesome feature is the piggyback clip.  This lets you attach your purse, backpack, or other piece to the wheelie for ease of transport and to free up your hands.  Even my straw beach bag clips right on perfectly and it's just really nice to have this extra capability.  Zippers are lockable and have reflective material on the pulls.   There are grab handles all over this bag that help you during transport in and out of overheads, taxis, and whatnot.  An attached luggage tag ensures your name stays with the bag, though I still recommend attaching one of those airline tags you can pick up for free the counter as well.  The wheels are beefy and capable of going over rough terrain.  If you've ever had a wheel go out on you while trekking through cobblestone streets on your way to the train, you'll know how important this is.  This bag is not just for home to airport to hotel, it will go wherever you need it to go. 

My favorite thing about this bag is its ability to expand.  I love this feature and always use it at the end of a trip.  Even if you don't buy stuff on your travels, this affords you the luxury of just tossing everything in a rush if need be--stuff never goes back in as neatly as when you first pack it, at least not for me.  There's a zipper that when unzipped allows you 15% more packing space, all bags should have this ability and after getting used to this, I really wouldn't want to travel with one that didn't.

Eagle Creek backs up their product 100%.  If anything ever goes wrong with your luggage, no matter where you are, they will fix it or replace it.  This is awesome and makes their products an investment.  You can pick up cheap bags but they don't last and they tend to fail you at really inconvenient moments.  The Adventure Upright is a quality bag that is perfect for holiday travel and way beyond.  It comes in black, sienna, and olive.  Find it HERE. 

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CAMELBAK Groove Portable Filtration System

If you filter your tap water at home, you know that it's not something you think about until you are out and about and have a taste of restaurant tap water.  Then you realize how good the water tastes at home.  Check out the Camelbak GROOVE water bottle that filters your water on the go.

This is fantastic for air travel.  Since you can't take your water through security anymore, this bottle saves you from having to buy expensive bottled water (that's likely no cleaner or better than tap water anyway) on the other side.  It's more eco friendly, and you have the benefit of using the bottle throughout your trip. You just refill it anywhere there's a fountain or tap.  They don't filter out harmful microbes, it's just for taste, so you don't want to be using it in a stream or in a country where you would normally filter your water to avoid bacterias, viruses and microbes you're not accustomed to. For domestic travel, or even for taking to work where they may have yukky tap water, it's perfect.

The water gets filtered as you drink, with a plant based carbon filter integrated into the straw.  It's very straight forward, just fill it up bite down, and sip away.  The spout folds down to stay clean when not in use.

The insulated version is taller and a little bulkier, but I love having the option of keeping my drink colder longer.  The double wall also reduces condensation and the tritan copolyester is BPA free and durable.

Both bottles fit in backpack pockets and most bottle holders.  Replacement filters are less than five bucks each and last for up to 48 gallons, which is a good bit of water. Find both bottles HERE.

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SteriPEN Freedom, the Latest Edition

Did you know that city municipalities use UV light to treat our drinking water?  How cool is it that SteriPen has figured out a way to make a hand held version for travel and outdoor use?  They make several models of the SteriPen, and the Freedom is the latest, a rechargeable version, featuring a new option to charge via USB port or AC adapter.  Since most people travel with devices now, and those charge with USB connectors, this new recharging method is a great option. It's also smaller than the other SteriPens, making it more convenient and better for travel.

In just a few seconds, the SteriPen gets rid of bacteria and viruses that can make us sick and ruin a trip.  You may need to filter the water first, depending on where you are.  SteriPen makes a pre-filter that fits right on a standard Nalgene bottle, or you can use a different method of pre-filtering.   If you are just in a hotel room in Mexico for instance, you can get water right out of the tap and treat it.

All you do is take off the lid, immerse in water, stir, and when the green light comes on, you're done.
You get up to 40 treatments per charge.  There's an LED light option on the end of the SteriPen, which you can activate by rotating it three times--will I remember this on travels, I don't know.  It will stay on for three minutes, or you can turn it off the same way.

While I think this is ideal for traveling, it might also work for backpacking trips, it only weighs 2.6 oz, with the included case, cord, and adapter, it's 6.4 oz.  Some solar chargers have USB ports, I'm thinking of the ones that you can just clip to your backpack.  One of those and this SteriPen would make a nice pair for the back country.  I hesitate a little here because I have personally never been able to find an effective solar charger, but I have hope in that direction.  I also question the practicality of carrying a solar charger when two AAA batteries are lighter and more universal.   But in the end, I think the SteriPen Freedom takes the best of the previous models and condenses that technology into a very practical and necessary device.  It's appropriate for a wide audience from the business traveler, world trekker and the back country folks.  Find it HERE.

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Gourmet on the Go with GSI's Kitchen 23

GSI's Kitchen 23 was designed with camping in mind, but I think it's great for travel too.  With pretty much everything you need to create healthy gourmet dishes, this 23 piece portable kit is fabulous for car camping and for car travel.  It comes in a sleek carry case with a semi-hard shell to keep your supplies organized and protected.  You can remove certain items and add your own preferences, and there's room inside for more stuff if you'd like to include extras.  I added some Dr. Bronners biodegradable soap and some utensils and additional spices and there is still room for more.

A hearty well prepared meal is such a treat on camping trips.  Food tastes so much better outdoors and after a day of adventure, it's even more pleasurable.  Figuring out all the stuff you need for food prep can be tedious, as well as trying to keep it all organized.  The Kitchen 23 does it for you.  You got your silverware, your salt and pepper shaker, condiment containers, grater, whisk (for those blueberry pancakes), cutting board, and more.

I love it for travel because when you are on the road, it can be hard to find healthy food.  With this and a knowledge of where the organic foods stores are, and maybe a few other things like a hot plate, you can create healthy meals right in your hotel room.  Hint:  The holidays are coming and his would make a fabulous gift for the outdoorsy gourmet type.  Find it on the GSI Outdoors Website.

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Mountainsmith Modular Hauler 3 System

Need a great way to stay organized while car camping or traveling?  Check out this cool Hauler system from Mountainsmith.  These are color coded storage cubes that fit into a larger open case.  This has so many uses--car travel, home storage, kid toys and supplies, pretty much anything you can think of.

The individual cases are well made and will hold some weight.  The color coding is so smart, you can give one to each child and have them pack their stuff, or you can code your gear.  The Haulers come in two, three, and four cube systems to fit your needs.   Cube tops are see through laminated mesh with zipper access.  The hauler portion is made from heavy duty ballistic nylon while the cubes are constructed of durable rip stop nylon.

A big part of making camping fun and keeping things running smoothly, is staying organized.  Things can get stressful if you can't find what you're looking for, especially if you're camping and it's dark.  How wonderful to have a place for everything and everything in its place for easy access.  Find this fabulous system HERE.

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Ellington's Amelia IN-FLIGHT TOTE: Carry On Perfection

For years I have been on the lookout for the ideal carry on for the plane.  Not the luggage carry on, but the "personal item" carry on.  Ellington's Amelia In Flight Tote more than fits the bill, I'm so excited to have discovered it!

There's a million pockets, for one thing.  Places to put your phone, your ipod, your sunglasses, snacks, wallet and travel documents, umbrella, magazines, pretty much whatever you want.  Four of the compartments have magnetic closures (I love those) making it easy to open and close and keeping your stuff secure.  There is a hook for your keys and an optional shoulder strap so you can wear it two ways.  The hardware is silver which adds to the bag's good looks. 

The main compartment zips and there is another zipped compartment inside.  I love the bottle holder on the inside--usually you find those on the outside.  Moms will appreciate the washable nylon and abundant space for kid stuff.  It has the optional opening in the back so you can slide it right over the handle on your wheelie bag. 

It makes a perfect in flight tote indeed, but I think it would also be wonderful for other purposes.  Commuting to work, for instance, or a train or car trip.   Any time you want to take a minimalist approach to what you have with you travel-wise, this is a great way to maximize your minimalism.   This tote and a carry on wheelie bag is all you need for a trip lasting two days to two weeks.  The classic design and high quality construction will make this a lasting staple.  It comes in different colors, but I always opt for black, particularly for air travel.

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Summer Travel Part 2: Tech Necessities

Headphones are a necessity for travel, you need them for your iPod, iPad, computer, etc.  For a long time I used ear buds but then I discovered how wonderful noise canceling head phones can be. For a little more bulk, you can basically drown out much of the unpleasant sounds of travel.  You can also hear the audio on movies so much clearer, music is more crisp--they really make a huge difference. 

Able Planet's True Fidelity Foldable Active Noise Canceling Headphones allow you to escape into a movie or music with a full lush sound you would think comes only with very expensive headphones.  I was so grateful to have them on a recent crowded train ride where there was a ton of chaos and noise.  I just put them on and off I went into my own peaceful little world.

They fold up compactly and come with their own little bag.  They take up very little space and if space is an issue for you (and when is it not when you're traveling?), they are well worth it.

There is a volume control knob on the cord and the texture of the headphones themselves is very pleasing.  They come with different jacks to make them compatible with various devices and airplane outlets.  Many people find engine noise to be very draining and to cancel that out finds them with less fatigue at the end of the flight. 

Noise canceling headphones are not meant to put you in a black hole of silence, you will still be able to hear extraneous sound, but they do buffer out a ton of noise.  You'll still hear annoying passengers and sounds, but it will all be buffered out significantly.  I've used these when I had a migraine and was subjected to a lot of loud noise that I couldn't get away from.  They helped considerably and their value went way up after that.  These will forever be in my bag and I highly recommend you try them out too.  Find them HERE.

Kids like their entertainment every bit as much as we do, and as long as they are engaged, travel is infinitely easier for adults.  I find headphones work much better for children than ear buds and I particularly like these KIDZ GEAR HEADPHONES.  My son was using regular adult headphones but they didn't stay on so great.  These are a perfect fit, they're well made and comfortable.

I also don't have t o worry about him blasting out his ear drums because they are set for the volume to only go so high. But they also have their own external independent volume control so your child does have some leeway. These are awesome for use at home too.  We take them to the doctor's office or anywhere I know we will have a wait time.  Kidz Gear also makes a wireless headphone for wireless systems.  Total must have for kids, find them HERE.

If you have an iPad, you probably feel protective about it.  If you have and iPad and kids, even more so.  OtterBox has the solution to traveling with an iPad, or even just staying at home with it and feeling comfortable letting the kids use it.  I love letting my son use my iPad because there are so many educational "games" he can play.  Math Bingo, reading apps, vocabulary apps, there are plenty of wonderful ways to occupy his time without rotting his mind.  Balance that with some appropriate frivolous games and you're good.  The iPad has made it possible--even enjoyable to sit in waiting rooms, and any other time I need to focus my son's energy it's there like a pocket nanny (I suggest using it wisely and moderately to keep these magical powers intact).  

None of this would be possible without the protection of the OTTERBOX DEFENDER.  Even though we got a first generation refurbished iPad, it's still a very expensive toy.  I would be reluctant to let my son, an active six year old, use it without this heavy duty cover.  But with the OtterBox, I feel safe.  There are three layers of protection, this thing is hard core.  It's got a silicone skin, then a hard polycarbonate shell and a protective film for the screen.

The case does not interfere with any of the iPad's functions and it has a handy stand to prop up your screen for viewing movies.  The silicone keeps it steady in your hands (great for kids) and the shell makes it less vulnerable to drops and dings.  I had no problem at all installing the case, even the protective screen film was easy because OtterBox includes a cardboard tool to help you apply it evenly.  It comes with a microfiber cloth and the packaging is recyclable. The Defender does create a tiny amount of extra weight to carry, but it's well worth it.  Fabulous for travel, camping, and the rigors of daily life.  Find it HERE. 

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Gear Up for Summer Travel Part 1: Luggage

Did you know there is an eco friendly luggage option that is made from 100% recycled fabrics?  Eagle Creek has come out with the perfect green wheelie bag suitcase for Summer travel, the TARMAC.  It comes in different sizes, but for flying, I like the 22" so you can carry it on and avoid fees and inconveniences.  This suitcase holds so much stuff, you won't believe it's a carry on, and if you are bringing treasures back from your trip (and who doesn't), the main compartment expands to hold your new loot.

Eagle Creek is known for organization, and they are masters.  Organization abounds in this bag and it really helps to simplify packing which can be somewhat stressful at times.  I'd use this bag for a two week or a two month trip. 

The Tarmac comes in different colors, I always prefer black for my gear but I was pleasantly surprised to find a sienna orange interior which I thought was a very pleasing design touch.  It's a great looking piece of luggage.

There are two mesh zipper pockets inside, and behind those, a large zippered pocket.  There are compression straps with panels to help keep stuff down while avoiding wrinkles straps can cause.  The carry handle is comfortable and heavy duty and I love the beefy zipper pulls--they're over sized and coated with rubber to make access a breeze. 

There are two outer pockets for easy access.  The smaller one would be appropriate for your zip lock baggie of 3oz liquids which you have to remove for TSA inspection, and the larger pocket would work great for magazines, electronics, a shawl or sweater for the plane, etc.  The bag has a handy toggle to attach another bag or purse.  There are multiple grab handles and reinforcement at the critical spots to help decrease wear and protect your bag.

Eagle Creek offers a No Matter What guarantee and will fix or replace your bag anytime anywhere. I appreciate their commitment to quality products eliminating the need continually repurchase luggage thus adding to landfills.  The Tarmac is a practical, good looking, organized and eco friendly to boot.  I highly recommend it for Summer (or any season) travel.  Find it HERE.

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ENO Hammock System: Portable Summer Fun

I haven't enjoyed a hammock in long time, not since I brought one back from Mexico years ago.  That was a great hammock, made from woven string.  I took it camping, enjoyed it at home, and had a lot of fun with it.  But after a couple of years, the rope deteriorated and it fell apart and that was the end of it.

When I saw Eagles Nest Outfitters Hammocks, I got very excited because they reminded me of my old Mexican one.  Eno's hammocks are way better however, and address all the issues I had with the other one.  This is a hammock you buy one time.  It's made of quality nylon that feels like a parachute.  It's easy to clean, super durable and will last.

With the stuff sack, it's quite small and appropriate for backpacking. You could keep it with you for everyday use in your day pack, messenger bag, or purse to pull out at opportune moments.  Keep it in your lunchbox to rejuvenate on your lunch break at school or work, it's something that can easily go anywhere.  The carabiners on either end combined with straps make set up and removal take less than a minute.

For camping and hiking, the Onelink System comes with everything you could possibly need such as the pro straps, a rain tarp, stakes, a bug net and the nest of your choice.  I recommend the double nest for its versatility.  There are many color combinations to choose from and you can get the Onelink System or purchase each component as needed.  If you do buy ala carte, I strongly suggest the Pro Straps which make set up incredibly easy allowing you to be very flexible in choosing the two objects you will use for mounting the hammock.  

If you have children, know that they are going to be all over this.  My six year old had to be dragged out of it after at least two hours on the porch and flew out of bed the next morning to get back to the hammock and has been quite obsessed with it ever since.  The two of us can fit perfectly in the hammock, and it's very cozy and comfortable.  There is something so soothing about floating in the air and swaying back and forth.  The built in stuff sack doubles as a bottle holder so your beverage is in reach (or flashlight, book, etc).

We haven't tried it camping yet, but it's awesome at the park and on the porch at home.  I've heard that people enjoy this hammock so much that they rig them up in their bedrooms in lieu of a bed.  These are good for any season, people use them in the snow.  If you are going to be sleeping in colder climates, it's recommended that you put a sleep mat in your hammock, and use an appropriate sleeping bag, otherwise you'll get cold.

For me, it's a Summertime luxury, and an attainable one at that.  The ENO facilitates one of the key hallmarks of Summer--the idea that at some point we will get to relax.  Find ENO Here and consider buying extra for your friends and family, they're going to want one too.

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Gearing Up for Spring Break Part 1: Luggage

With Spring Break coming up and Summer just over the horizon, I've been feeling the effects of wanderlust.  It's been a while since I've traveled and I'm so excited about all the cool new travel gear that's emerged.  Things that organize and make it easier to travel, things to make the journey more comfortable, and many eco friendly options.   Stay tuned for the next few posts highlighting my exciting finds that will help make your travels more convenient and planet friendly.  Let's start with an essential--luggage.

Never have I experienced a suitcase that glides like this OSPREY SLIPSTREAM wheelie bag. I've done some serious traveling in my life and I can't believe I'm only now discovering Osprey.  This is nothing like all the schlepping of awkward gear I've done in the past (in fact I didn't even realize how awkward it was until trying this).   I love the comfortable ergonomic handle and the big wheels that glide like they're on ice.  It's effortless.

I also appreciate the well planned organization capacity.  The 18" size is perfect for a long weekend or week of travel, longer depending on how light you pack.  For me, it's perfect to take on the train for weekends in a different city.  Because of the built in laptop compartment, it would be wonderful for the business traveler.  Since it's small and extremely maneuverable, I think it would also work great for kids.

If you are flying, there is a smart liquids pocket on the top, so when you are making your way through TSA, you just pull out your baggie of little bottles (1 quart baggie with bottles 3oz or less) rather than trying to rummage through your bag.  The grab handle on the feet makes it easy for getting in and out of overhead bins, and there are compression straps in the main compartment.

The laptop sleeve is easily accessible and lockable with additional storage.  All zippers are easy to grab on to (some with rubber grips) and there's a handy dirty clothes compartment.   

Osprey is an environmentally friendly company whose packs are so exceptionally made that they have the All Mighty Guarantee repairing or replacing any product any time anywhere.  You can't beat that.  Find them HERE. 

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