Judi Dash reports regularly on new travel products that she tests. Dash has no business relationship with any manufacturers. Availability and price of the products were accurate at the time of publication. Prices and availability may change seasonally.
Dash explains her camera gear outside a Sikh temple in Pushkar, India
Product reviews on packing, camping, travel gear and gadgets:
Personal protection system to screech at the bad guys
Makeup sets with small compacts for travel
Light weight fabric duffle from CindaB
A purse hook that is also a bangled bracelet
Long travel Wally Bags for gowns and dresses
Multi-task pen with a light from Zelco
Screw in a sand grabber (at right) to hold beach umbrellas in the wind
Zibra Open It multi-tool for slicing through those awful plastic wraps
Hand-held digital luggage scale from Balanzza
Label Buddy, for making labels while you travel
Waterproof Storm Sacks for packing dry
Outdoor portable, folding metal firepit (left)
Long Garment Bagg folds into a 1-pound pouch
The Walkin' Bag ZipCart holds a retractable seat
The tiny portable PrintStik printer
Luggage tags with pizzazz (right)
Soft socks for flip-flips and sandals
A Doublewide sleeping bag for cuddling comfortably
Waterproof MP3 player works like a hearing aid
A toothbrush sanitizer for two
Pocket organizers for cars hold cell phones, credit cards
Let there be light. flashlight becomes a headlamp, reading lamp/Radio with crank to recharge battery, a UV Monitor, battery operated air bed pump with flashlight, battery powered book light/ bookmark.
Packing to hold everything. Efficient ways to transport belongings are Baggallini feather- weight Downtown Bagg, Rick Steves' Convertible Carry-on, left, Quick Pass Luggage Tag, tiny Pack-Flat Back-Up Bag, wheeled duffle backpack.
Peace of mind in the go. Travel can come fraught with worries. Peace of mind may come from a simple luggage scale, a multi-colored luggage sack, a portable power strip, clean sheets or a soother for newborns.
Take care of yourself. Products worth packing in your suitcase include creams and other botanical skin care products, a small scale, a rubber bath brush, a Swiss Army Knife for your nails and a silk blanket.
Weathering the trip. In the cold, the challenges of traveling can be eased by mountain booties, right, silk long underwear for men and women, a long down jacket for women, a public alert weather radio or an EvoGrip knife from the world of Swiss Army Knives.
High tech gear to go. Ingenious new high tech gizmos make life easier. A USB mouse with built-in GPS, a camcorder-sized device to identify constellations and stars, an autofocus webcam, a watch that measures barometric pressure and altitude, a gadget that detects wireless hot spots.
Staying mellow and fit. New products to make travel less stressful, more healthful. An alarm clock with tranquil sounds, portable exercise kit, wristwatch to keep track of walking or running, small device that sends out pulsating light and sounds, lightweight bathrobe and slippers.
New portable electronic gadgets and equipment. Reviewed December 2008.
Cameras and camcorders. In a digital world, shooting, organizing and sharing high-quality photos and videos keeps getting easier and more affordable. Whatever your budget, a slew of cool bells and whistles makes the newest cameras, camcorders, multifunction photo printers, photo editing software and portable photo-storage devices great gifts for fellow travelers or you. Reviewed December 2007.
