Traveling has now become a full-fledged affair, since the terror of the pandemic has waned away a little, and we’re able to jet-set about more freely. My travel bucket is currently brimming with places I need to visit and make up for the pandemic-inflicted hiatus I had to take from traveling. But as any experienced traveler will definitely tell you, before you set off on your next adventure, you need to put together a collection of handy, reliable, and well-designed travel accessories. Great travel accessories are essential, they have your back in the most sudden and spontaneous of situations, providing you with aid and relief when you least expect it. And, we’ve put together a bunch of innovative and functional travel-friendly products that you need to pack in your suitcase for your next trip! From luggage that can move around on all terrains and a plane to an ingenious suitcase that doubles up as a bedside table – these products are the must-haves you need for your next holiday.
1. Mitchell’s Suitcase
This concept suitcase is really an intriguing one! It makes packing and unpacking a super simple and efficient process for travelers, especially if they’re staying in a tiny hotel room or Air BnB space. It is carry-on luggage that doubles up as a bedside table. It’s extremely helpful in case your room doesn’t have a bedside table.
Why is it noteworthy?
The product is designed so you don’t have to unpack everything when you arrive and repack them when it’s time to leave. It will be beneficial 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 Allover
This conceptual carry-on bag is called the Allover, and it’s supposed to be the first bag that can be utilized on all kinds of terrains and carried on planes as well. You can use the Allover on sand, mountains, gravel, and other terrains owing to its large wheel which allow it to move through them.
Why is it noteworthy?
You should be able to use it on various daily, tourism activities including going on and off planes with your carry-on luggage. It has been designed to meet the requirements of most air carriers so you can bring it on the plane.
What we like
- Eco-friendly design
- Uses a spiral mechanism so that it won’t use up so much inner space and also be hidden
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
3. Uphold
Called Uphold, this compact and super smart travel cutlery kit is the size of a cardholder. It measures a thin 10mm in thickness but manages to accommodate a spoon, fork, and knife within its form. It has been created using food-grade titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a flexible TPU/TPE snap-fit mechanism. The cutlery is flat when required, and ergonomically curved when you need to have some food!
Why is it noteworthy?
Uphold combines great design with technically-driven problem-solving abilities. The cutlery is incredibly portable, with a flat-packed design that slides into pockets, wallets, bags, etc.
What we like
- Flat-packed and ergonomic form
- Doesn’t compromise on the eating experience even though it is small and compact
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. Easy Journey
Easy Journey is a great product for traveling parents with young toddlers who need to be moved around in a stroller! The designers at Taizhou University integrated a stroller into a hard-shell travel case, resulting in Easy Journey. It has sufficient space to store your luggage and features 3 pairs of 360° wheels. When used as a travel case, it stands vertically, resting on 4 wheels on the bottom. However, when you want to use it in stroller mode, Easy Journey flips onto its back, with an extra pair of wheels popping out of the hardshell case’s interiors.
Why is it noteworthy?
The front (now the top) of the case opens up to reveal a rather comfortable baby seat, taking under a minute to use and set up. Easy Journey is perfect for parents with young kids, although one can make the case that the product has a relatively short lifespan once the kid outgrows the stroller.
What we like
- Doubles up as a stroller and a travel case
- Ideal for parents with young kids
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
- Not sure how well the product would work in reality
5. The Safer Automobile Pet Crate
The Safer Automobile Pet Crate is a dog crate that functions as a safe space for your pet while they are traveling with you. It doesn’t look like an actual crate but resembles an enclosed baby seat, that you can use for your doggo. You are supposed to place it behind the front passenger seat and secure it with a harness to the headrest, and a seatbelt for the back part.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is made from lightweight polyester and has a breathable mesh on both sides so your dog will not feel suffocated as it can still breathe and feel the breeze if your windows are down. That way, they can also still see the outside world but they’re kept in place if they become too excitable with all the passing vehicles and the kids waving from other cars.
What we like
- The crate has two storage pockets for things like food and water and hook-and-loop fasteners to hold their toys and treats
- Features a fleece-covered pad
What we dislike
- Not all dogs like to be placed in a crate, so it may not work well for your doggo
6. The Trunk Car
The Trunk Car is a suitcase with a detachable hoverboard built into it, as a replacement for those boring old tiny 360° wheels. The product is designed to make transport super easy and efficient, and be used to either transport your luggage or you!
Why is it noteworthy?
The hard-shell travel case detaches from its wheel-and-handle platform to reveal what’s basically a hoverboard with handlebars. You can use this, for the most part, to ride around from one part of a neighborhood or campus to another, or when you’re traveling with luggage, just attach the hard shell onto the hoverboard and you now have a motorized travel case that automatically moves in the direction you’re pulling it in, reducing the effort and allowing you to carry heavy items with relative ease.
What we like
- You can use it to move your luggage or you
What we dislike
- Doesn’t seem like the most practical product in reality
7. The Blackbriar Allround Duffle Backpack
When traveling with sports equipment or clothes for a few days, duffle bags and backpacks are the go-to solutions. The Blackbriar Allround Duffle Backpack offers both in the same bag, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of the flexibility that this travel essential has to offer.
Why is it noteworthy?
For example, many travel-oriented bags have a dedicated pocket for shoes or dirty clothes. More often than not, however, you can’t use the same pocket for both purposes. Blackbriar’s solution is so genius in its simplicity that you’re left wondering why it isn’t more common. This duffel backpack has two such compartments on opposite ends of the bag, allowing you to store two pairs of shoes, shoes and dirty clothes, or just dirty clothes. That way, you don’t have to compromise on storage because your bag doesn’t offer you that flexibility.
What we like
- The shoe pockets can become dividers to create sections inside the bag, thanks to a patented S-Partition design
- The three-tiered structure of its fabric not only protects it from water and scratches but also helps preserve its shape
What we dislike
- No complaints!
8. The Plover
The Plover is a tiny travel-friendly toothbrush named after the fearless bird that cleans the teeth of crocodiles by plucking away the food waste from their mouths! The toothbrush features two parts – a stick with bristles at one end, and a hollow container that holds the stick, creating an outer case to store the toothbrush.
Why is it noteworthy?
Although this format is rather popular for foldable brush styles, the Plover has another trick up its sleeve. The hollow cavity of the handle also has built-in UV lights that sterilize the brush after you’re done and before you brush again, killing all the germs on the bristles and keeping your oral hygiene at a high standard.
What we like
- Easy to carry around
- Compact size
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. The Lexon Nomaday Biometric Lock
Imagine being able to use TouchID on stuff apart from your phone! And The Lexon Nomaday biometric lock does exactly that. It lets you secure your backpack, room, locker, or even bicycle by simply 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!
10. The Terrein Ascent
The German start-up called Terrein has developed a high-ankle Ascent boot that will provide advanced freedom to hikers while actively protecting their ankles against potential twisting injuries.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Terrein Ascent is made primarily with the idea to reduce the risk of ankle injuries in adventurers. The adaptive ankle support – touted to be three times more responsive than a human reflex – can reduce the risk of injuries and provide constant support to the ankle. Moreover, the Ascent is made to increase stability with its immaculate construction (we’ll talk about it a bit later).
What we like
- The hydraulic ankle protection system is fastened to the outside of the ankle and wrapped around with a Velcro-enabled strap
What we dislike
- No complaints!
