I love traveling! And although I may not be able to do much of it during this pandemic (although travel is opening up slowly), that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming about it or planning my next vacation in my head. My travel bucket list is brimming to the top with exotic holiday destinations. And, as any experienced traveler (not that I am one…YET) will tell you, having a set of handy and trusty travel accessories is essential! These are the nifty little products that can help you out in the most impromptu and sudden of situations, and you’ll never regret having packed them in your suitcase. So, we’ve curated a bunch of travel-friendly designs that we think you will absolutely need in your travel kit when you’re jet-setting across the globe next! From an ingenious suitcase that doubles up as a bedside table and lamp to a portable lamp that works perfectly everywhere – these handy products are sure to make your next vacation much more comfortable and easier.
1. Mitchell’s suitcase
A British designer came up with a concept suitcase that will make it easier for travelers to pack and unpack, especially if they have a tiny hotel room or Air BnB space. It’s carry-on luggage that can also function as a bedside table in case the room doesn’t have one.
Why is it noteworthy?
The product is designed so that you don’t have to unpack everything when you arrive and then repack them when it’s time to leave. It will be especially useful for cramped spaces and if you’re traveling from one place to another.
What we like
- The suitcase/bedside table can also serve as a lamp
- The storage is designed as drawers that will make it easier for you to access the items that you need at the moment
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
2. The Zendure Passport III
With a GaN semiconductor on the inside that gives the adapter a power output of 65W, the Zendure Passport III is compact, versatile, and can simultaneously charge 6 gadgets at the same time. Designed to work in 200 countries, the travel adapter can plug into virtually any socket across the globe, and comes with not 1, not 2, but 4 USB-C ports to fast-charge all your devices, along with a USB-A port as well as a traditional universal socket to plug gadgets and appliances in.
Why is it noteworthy?
Touted by Zendure as the most powerful travel adapter on the market today, the Passport III is possibly one of the only few travel adapters built on a Gallium Nitride internal architecture. Thanks to this very feature, the Passport III manages to have a power delivery capacity of a whopping 65W, and an ability to concurrently charge 6 gadgets together, while being about as compact as the adapter brick you get with most smartphones.
What we like
- Designed to work in 200 countries
- A GaN semiconductor on the inside
What we dislike
- 65W may still be low if you charge 5 devices simultaneously!
3. The Lexon Nomaday biometric lock
Imagine being able to use TouchID on stuff apart from your phone. The Lexon Nomaday biometric lock lets you secure your backpack, room, locker, or even bicycle just by using your fingerprint.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Nomaday is a tiny yet impressive padlock that ditches the keys for something much more secure – biometrics. Designed to be as easy to operate as unlocking your phone is, the Lexon Nomaday comes with a small fingerprint reader that has a response time of just 0.5 seconds, unlocking faster than the time it would ordinarily take to even find your keys. The Nomaday can store up to 10 different fingerprints and comes with an LED indicator, giving multiple people keyless access to whatever’s behind the lock.
What we like
- Tiny + compact form
- Designed for indoor and outdoor use
- Uses biometrics to secure your belongings
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. The Cue
Smart wristwatches are found dime a dozen. But to everyone’s surprise, smart pocket watches are a thing and the smart version of these timepieces for the pocket has gained a foothold in the niche market. A charm for collectors, these intricate devices have always left me fascinated. No wonder, when I came across the Cue – a concept for a smart pocket watch – I couldn’t help but share the idea.
Why is it noteworthy?
Indian designer Rahul has conceived the idea of a feature-rich pocket watch every adventurer would want to have handy when venturing into the wild. Designed with features to allow travelers to navigate better, track their daily activities, and keep tabs on their health, the minimalistic yet powerful Cue can send out emergency SOS alerts and even remind the user of medication time when traveling.
What we like
- Can be mounted to your bike or backpack or carried in your pocket for convenience
- Can send out emergency SOS alerts and even remind the user of medication time when traveling
What we dislike
- A seven-second long press opens the menu, while a long press of 15 seconds opens up the SOS slider
5. LEGO-inspired suitcase
Liam de la Bedoyere designed a suitcase that can be stacked like legos. It really looks like a lego brick, complete with a pair of tubes on one side and six studs. There is a handle on the right and another one on top.
Why is it noteworthy?
This concept luggage design is perfect for Lego fans and the child-at-heart. We won’t stop you from using it as storage for your lego brings, but it will be much cooler if used for travel. Imagine the stares you will be getting from the parents and the kids when you are at the airport.
What we like
- Takes you back to your childhood!
- Can be stacked like real LEGO bricks
What we dislike
- No complaints!
6. The Conic
Designed primarily for use in outdoor activities; the Conic is a helpful extension of a flashlight, which should come in handy to light up the entire camp or make those two-handed tasks easier to carry out. It will be a great help thus while cooking or maybe when playing board games at the camp.
Why is it noteworthy?
The gap between outdoor flashlights and lanterns is narrowing with transformation in design. This inventive approach has given birth to a new domain i.e., an outdoor lamp, which double duties and makes sure you’re never found wanting while camping or traveling. Conic is an embodiment of such a design, which is a nice transition from the traditional, boring light sources you’ve been accustomed to packing in your backpack.
What we like
- A far cry from the traditional flashlights
- Portable
- Multipurpose design – can be used indoors and outdoors
What we dislike
- No complaints!
7. ILMA
This portable device might be a literal lifesaver for those who stay at hotels and Airbnb frequently, exactly because it mashes three devices into one.
Why is it noteworthy?
At first glance, two of ILMA’s functions are immediately apparent. It’s a cylindrical lamp sitting on top of a tall circular base with what is obviously a camera right in the middle. Aside from the obvious signs of a recording device, ILMA’s shape and design are meant to be a calming presence in any environment. It runs on a battery that can be charged via a USB-C cable, so it’s actually a portable lamp that you can take with you on your journeys. In fact, ILMA doesn’t actually make sense unless you actually travel a lot and stay at unfamiliar lodging.
What we like
- The camera serves the purpose of a typical indoor home security camera, except it’s portable
- The box is made from 100% recyclable material
What we dislike
- No complaints!
8. The Lulley Luggage
How about getting a piece of luggage that converts into a trolley in the blink of an eye? A dual utility product that intends to serve all the avid travelers during their trips, and sits confidentially in the hallway as an attractive trolley.
Why is it noteworthy?
After having a vacation, it would be great if the luggage could be converted into an attractive trolley to keep mementos, desk clock, family frames, or even books. That’s exactly what the Lulley luggage is about. It doubles as trolley storage for modern homes in the most enticing manner possible. According to the brainchild of the concept, the imagined product fills the usability gap by combining the function of a trolley with luggage. The idea is to make judicious use of a suitcase that’ll otherwise be out of sight when not needed. The frequency of use of luggage is very less, and it ends takes up space unnecessarily in your home.
What we like
- Lulley takes advantage of the form factor similarity between luggage and trolley
- Both the halves of the luggage attach to each other in an open configuration to create a dual-sided trolley to store more than you would have bargained for
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
9. The GreaterGoods Digital Luggage Scale
The GreaterGoods Digital Luggage Scale is a nifty little gadget that lets you weigh luggage up to 110 lbs. It features a sturdy nylon strap which allows it to easily get hooked around your baggage. It then accurately displays the weight on the screen – pounds or kilogram (depending upon your preference).
Why is it noteworthy?
The digital scale ensures you don’t encounter any nasty surprises at the airport! It enables you to be prepared in advance and lets you pack smartly and efficiently. Not to mention, its sleek and compact form, allows you to slip it into your suitcase once you’re done weighing it!
What we like:
- Compact and portable form
- Perfectly placed scale grips to ensure your bag doesn’t fall down
What we dislike
- Only weighs up to 110lbs
10. The CLIPIT 2.0
The CLIPIT 2.0 is a simple clip-shaped device that functions as a uniquely versatile multitool. It works as a hands-free device, letting you magnetically or elastically suspend items to it, and at its very base, its clip-shaped design lets it mount itself anywhere.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed to be minimal in form yet maximal in function, the CLIPIT 2.0 is a clip-shaped device that can hold onto a range of objects. The clip itself can be attached anywhere, from your pocket lining to your backpack strap, and it comes with an elastic band that lets you tuck a range of devices into it, from sunglasses to stationery, and tech accessories to other EDC gadgets.
What we like
- The elastic band comes with a non-slip pattern for added friction, so items that are tucked in don’t slip out
- 2 CLIPITs give you the ability to carry more than one bag on your shoulders without having the straps rub against each other or slide off
What we dislike
- The add-on accessories have to be purchased separately