Some travellers are minimalist packers, while others can’t leave the house without packing the kitchen sink. Whatever category you fall under, there’s no denying that recent travel tech gear has made travel a little more fun and convenient. Whether it’s for your own safety, or simply to make your trip a more comfortable one, here are some recent inventions you may want to consider for your next trip into the unknown.
FOR SAFETY
Water purifier: Whenever you travel in developing countries or remote areas, it can be tough to find a safe source of water. These days, the only worry you have is choosing which type of purifier fits your needs. There are those that filter all manner of particles, there are dissolvable tablets you use to kill pathogens in the water, and then there are high-tech purifiers in the form of UV light. CamelBack All Clear, for instance, is a 0.75-liter water purifier bottle that uses UV light to neutralise viruses and bacteria in 60 seconds. The bottle is equipped with a rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Communication device: If you’re travelling into unknown snow country, or somewhere that is prone to natural disasters, getting information on your whereabouts is essential if you want to get rescued. The goTenna uses Bluetooth to pair with both Android and iOS smartphones, and keeps them connected even when there is not cellular service. This pocket-sized two-way radio and antenna is made of rugged materials, and allows those with the device to share messages and location info instantly within a range of up to 50 miles in ideal conditions.
FOR CONVENIENCE
Camp light: Camp lighting can now be bright and sustainable – the LuminAID is an inflatable lamp that produces up to 16 hours of LED light with just 6-7 hours of charging in the sun. At only 56g, it’s also waterproof.
Portable knife: Whether you need a cooking knife, or a survival tool when camping in the woods, the Cardsharp2 is a folding knife shaped like a credit card so it’s easy carry with you. The sleek design uses surgical blade technology constructed from ultralight polypropylene to create a 65mm cutting edge. Water bottle: While no one should go exploring in the woods without hydration, it doesn’t mean you have to stick to regular water bottles. The VSSL Flask is part liquid container, part flashlight, and it’s a multifunctional tool on the road for glamping enthusiasts. It holds 10 ounces of liquid, plus 2 collapsible stainless steel cups, a bottle opener, a compass, and a powerful LED flood-beam flashlight. Foot warmers: Those who don’t travel well in cold weather can now add heattech to their footwear. ThermaCELL Heated Insoles are equipped with stateof-the-art thermal technology that actually heats up the insoles, which are easily controlled via a remote control equipped with a thermostat-driven system. The fabric liner is water resistant to protect them from moisture. Universal translator: The last couple of years has seen a number of translation apps and devices take off. Most people know about Google Translate and Microsoft Translator apps – both of which are free for both iOS and Android, and support a wide range of languages, allowing you to not only
translate signboards, but also support real-time conversation translations. While many of them are available as apps, there have been some handheld devices developed. Two standouts that don’t require any internet connection include the ili and Travis the Translator. The ili is a wearable device that hangs around your neck and translates speech in real-time in three languages (Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese) although it’s expanding its vocabulary. Travis the Translator can currently translate conversations in 80 languages, 20 of them offline.
FOR CLEANING
Clothes washer: Anyone who has to wash their own clothes on a backpacking trip will know that doing laundry is a tedious business. The pocket-sized Scrubba Wash Bag is a portable washing kit equipped with a flexible washboard and hundreds of internal nodules – it requires only 2-4 litres of water and a bit of washing liquid to have your clothes cleaned in under 3 minutes. When not in use, it doubles as a dry-bag. Anti-odour sanitiser: Ever wondered if there was a way to save your stinky shoes or backpack after a long trip in the woods? Bacteria, mold, and fungus are the main culprits. The UV Pro Shoe Sanitizer works on the same premise as a medical device sanitation in that it uses UV-C radiation to kill microorganisms that cause odour. Simply drop the device in your shoes or bag for 10-20 minutes – batteries are rechargeable from any USB port.