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 KODAK travel cases 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
- There is no option to remove the partition/drawer if needed
2. The Ringo Bottle
Combining the practicality of a water bottle with the convenience of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone stand, the Ringo Bottle quenches your thirst while turning your smartphone into a tripod on-the-fly.
Why is it noteworthy?
No more shaky videos or propping your phone against precarious objects—now you can FaceTime, create TikTok videos, and shoot IG Reels like a pro, along with the benefit of having glowing skin because you’re constantly hydrated!
What we like
- Works rather intuitively without any adjustable clamps or grips
- Is a handy little instrument to keep your phone propped up while you watch videos, take calls, or film viral content
What we dislike
- Not sure if we can use the bottle cover/lid as a standalone tripod
3. The Taco Device
This concept started out with the metaphor or pun “Let’s taco ’bout it” and it evolved into something that actually uses the idea of the taco, or at least the shape of it.
Why is it noteworthy?
The translation device is shaped like a taco and will be used by both the speaker and the listener. It’s actually like one of those two-way cup devices that you may have used when you were young (or at least those of a certain age) but now using digital technology.
What we like
- Makes communicating more fun and functional
What we dislike
- The shape, while good for holding, is not designed to catch sound correctly
4. Kodak Luggage
Designed as a set of three bags ranging from a small carry-on to a medium cabin/check-in case and a large check-in case, the Kodak luggage is a clever reinterpretation of the ‘Kodak Moment’ – the company’s famous slogan.
Why is it noteworthy?
Instead of photographs, however, the luggage focuses on travel, helping you create memorable experiences that are worthy of photographs. In doing so, Kodak still manages to be an integral part of the memory-making experience, but in an absolutely new way.
What we like
- Available in 5 colors, they’re distinctly different from other travel cases we’ve seen just given their color palette
What we dislike
- The luggage does not include any means of personalising them, which could be a missed Kodak moment as there is no way to include our photographs on the luggage
5. 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
- The safety/strength of the stroller is currently undetermined
