Recently updated on January 20th, 2020 at 06:58 pm
If there’s one thing we all dread when we go away it’s the experience of packing – am I taking too much or too little, what if the sun cream leaks all over my bag, and am I going to get charged for going over the weight limit? From avoiding overweight charges and sleeping soundly on the plane, to safely bringing home fragile souvenirs, these essential travel gadgets are going to help transform your packing experience.
1. Choose the right suitcase
For ease of packing and to avoid lugging your heavy bags further than you need to, make sure to choose a suitcase with all the mod-cons. Try the incredibly organised Samsonite Lite-Cube DLX; it has an ordered interior system, including laundry bag and shoe pockets, and a stylish design that almost makes packing a pleasure. The suitcase is also made from Curv material by Propex, making it extra lightweight and durable.
2. Avoid overweight luggage
Turning up at the airport with an overweight suitcase is a nightmare – what do you leave behind, throw away, try to wear or give to the charming lady at the check-in desk? If you’re a heavy packer or a souvenir hoarder then invest in the TekBox 50kg Portable Handheld Luggage Scales to make sure you’re going to come in under those weight restrictions. Otherwise, be prepared to hand over that rather good bottle of local wine at the airport.
3. Get some sleep on the plane
Anyone who struggles to fall asleep on a plane, or perpetually seems to find themselves next to a hyperactive three year old, should invest in a SleepPhone headband. The comfortable headband is fitted with thin speakers enabling travellers to fall asleep listening to music or an audiobook. A Bluetooth wireless version is also available.
4. And if that doesn’t work…
For travellers who need more help getting to sleep, there’s the Sleep Bracelet by Philip Stein. Available in classic and slim, the sleep bracelet is embedded with technology that regulates the person’s natural frequency for a deep and natural sleep.
5. Stop cosmetics from leaking
We have all been thought it at one point or another. Somehow, halfway though the flight your toothpaste has managed to unscrew its top and smear itself all over your favourite top. Pick up some leak-proof travel bottles, such as the iNeibo Silicone Travel bottles, which are also STA Airline carry-on approved.
6. Keep electronics in check
It’s always the way, when you arrive at your hotel and discover that you’ve left your phone/camera charger or memory cards behind and have to beg, borrow or steal for the rest of the trip, or search out the glamour of an electrical store. This is where an electronics and cables travel organiser comes in handy; the waterproof and padded ButterFox Universal Electronics Travel Organiser enables travellers to keep cables, memory cards, adaptors and batteries together in one organised and compact space.
7. Take better travel photos
Camera bags are so bulky, all those lenses, adaptors and memory cards. Instead of investing in a new camera, take better travel photos on your smartphone with an Olloclip attachable lens. The collection includes a four-in-one lens, an active lens, a macro pro lens and ollocase, in which the lens is built into the phone’s case.
8. Take lightweight reading material
Keep luggage weight down by eliminating heavy paperback novels and travel guides, and taking an E-reader instead. The Kindle Paperwhite has an in-built light that makes it ideal for reading on the plane, or in the dark when your partner is snoring and you’re still firmly stuck in jetlag mode.
9. Keep shoes separate
Before leaving most people wouldn’t think twice about packing holiday shoes in with the main luggage, but after hiking across mountains or walking along a sandy beach, chances are these shoes won’t be quite so pristine. The shoe bags by Shoes on the Fly are designed specifically for transporting your well-worn shoes, with attractive designs like the striped Boy Voyage line.
10. Bring souvenirs home safely
Finally, we all want a cherished memory of our trip, whether it’s a bottle of local liquor or some handcrafted ceramics – but it can be difficult to transport some of these items in checked luggage. This is where the Ellessco VinniBag comes in. This watertight inflatable travel bag is made for easy transportation of liquids and fragile items when packing them in a suitcase.
Image credits: cover photo © iStock / Lumina Stock. Samsonite Lite-Cube DLX suitcases © Samsonite. SleepPhone Breeze © SleepPhones. Philip Stein Sleep Bracelet © Philip Stein. An Olloclip lens in Rose and Gold © Olloclip. Ellessco VinniBags © Ellessco.