Travel Gear

The Waterfield Outback Duffel Bag Is Ready to Go

Our friends at Waterfield have been on a roll lately and have announced a slew of new products. Now they are getting into the duffel bag business with their brand new Outback Duffel Bag; available in nylon or waxed canvas, it looks fantastic. The Waterfield Outback Duffel Bag offers enough customization to meet everyone’s needs with prices starting at $219.


Dual SIM VeryKool s470 Black Pearl Android Phone – Great for Travel

Do you occasionally travel overseas? Is your mobile phone US carrier locked? Do you want to save money while you travel by using a local SIM, but you also need to stay connected with your local number? What if you just want to buy an unlocked smartphone for under $250? These are all good reasons to get the verykool s470.


Music to Go with Waterfield Designs CitySlicker for Jawbone Mini Jambox

Small speakers like the Jawbone mini Jambox are designed to be taken along on your daily journeys. Protecting the speaker and carrying a few key accessories is important and our friends at Waterfield designs have a stylish new way for you to do just that. The Waterfield Designs CitySlicker for Jawbone Mini Jambox comes in two colors for just $49.


VinGarde Valise Wine Suitcase Gets Bottles There Intact

A press release recently came across the Gear Diary email transom announcing a new wine suitcase from Wineline that they call the VinGarde Valise. This prompted a discussion among our editors about who would possibly ever need a suitcase for their beverages. As usual, I had a real-life anecdote about something I did while traveling that proved the case for the case.


Poldera X4000 Portable Power Bank & Wall Charger is a Powerful Accessory

The Poldera X4000 is a portable power bank and wall charger that packs an impressive 4000 mAh battery capacity.  It’s key features include foldable AC prongs for wall charging, dual 2.1a and 1.0a USB output, and a 1.0a Micro USB-in port for charging when a wall outlet is not available.  The Poldera X4000 can be purchased for $59.99.


Wireless Traveling Convenience Comes with the XCOM Global Hot Spot

When traveling internationally, you won’t always have the luxury of a secure and speedy WiFi connection at your destination. One of the most reliable ways I’ve found to make sure that I’ll be able to get online with all of my devices — including my laptop — is by traveling with a hot spot rental from XCom Global.




SHHHH… ATH-ANC70 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The rumble of the train as it rolls down the track or the roar of the plane’s engine is enough to give anyone a headache. The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC70 QuietPoint Active Noise-cancelling Headphones are designed to give you an island of quiet no matter where you are. Read on to see if they should they be your new traveling partner.


Gate 8 Luggage Should Be Your New Travel Buddy

Beginning in mid-December, I spent four weeks traveling non-stop. It began with a trip to Israel and ended with two days in Detroit. I wish I had the Gate 8 Trifold Cabin Bag at the time. The $200 garment bag keeps clothes and toiletries organized and your laptop and tablet safe; it will make your next trip far less stressful.


Here’s Why You Always Ski with a Buddy in Avalanche Country

This December 2013 YouTube video of skiers at Utah’s Alta ski resort shows the importance of skiing with a buddy within avalanche prone areas – and proceeding downhill separately.  This GoPro footage  shows a skier spotting his brother becoming engulfed in an avalanche leaving him buried to the very top of his ski helmet. All caught on video.


Gate 8 Luggage Takes (Some of) the Hassle Out of Travel

I just finished a month of travel where I logged over 22,000 miles of flying time. It made clear that having the right gear makes all the difference. Gate 8 Luggage hopes to be that kind of gear. Their “flight-ready” and their $200 Trifold Cabin Bag holds two suits, shoes and other accessories as well as your laptop or tablet.



Israeli Beer That Tastes … Heavenly

There was a time when the only Israeli beer you could get in Israel might best be described as a poor excuse for beer. (I’m looking at you Macabee and GoldStar!) Seven years ago all that began to change as Israelis developed a taste for quality microbrews. Among them is an IPA from the very first brewery in Jerusalem.


T-Rex Runner Launches Ramblen, Resource for Traveling Runners

With the huge number of sites like RunKeeper and Yelp to give opinions and options for eating and finding routes, you might think it is easier than ever for a traveling runner to hit a new city. Sadly this is not the case, as recommendations of routes often lack context, and definitions of ‘healthy dining’ vary wildly. In this light the new site Ramblen has launched to provide curated recommendations for eating and exercise for travelers. One of my favorite running blogs is the T-Rex Runner – I appreciate the humor and randomness, but also the way she immerses herself…



Just Mobile Mobile-Charging Roundup Review

It is easy to think all cables are the same, but that simply isn’t the case. Not only do high-quality cables last longer and perform better, but they can also enhance the experience of using your devices. Just Mobile’s Highway Max, AluCable Twist and AluCable Mini do just that. We got one of each for review!


Charge It All On the Go with the Anker 5V / 5A 5-Port Wall Charger

The Anker 5-Port Wall Charger will be coming in quite handy during my upcoming travels. Instead of needing to carry multiple wall adapters this small rectangle of electronics will let me take just one adapter but still charge up to five different devices at a time. Best of all the $45.99 accessory is currently just $19.99 in our Amazon Store.


Ultimate Ears UE BOOM Gets an Alarming New Update

The $199 Ultimate Ears UE BOOM is one of the best Bluetooth speakers available. (Read our review.) The UE MIMI BOOM also impresses and when used as a stereo pair… wow. (Read the review.) A new firmware update teaching the UE BOOM an alarming new trick by improving audio and letting the UE BOOM become your alarm clock.


New Trent PowerPak Xtreme External Battery Pack Review

It’s hard to beat the 20,000mAh external battery Judie just reviewed, so I’m not even going to try. Still, while the $59.99 Trent PowerPak Xtreme External Battery Pack offers “just” 12,000 mAh of battery power (“JUST”!! lol), it comes in a rugged shell that built to withstand pretty much anything you can throw at it. And it is under $60.