Travel in itself is magic, with the joy and excitement of seeing new places and meeting new people, but what you take with you can make a huge difference in those experiences. Whether it’s being able to count on having the correct time so you catch that train to Paris or having enough backup power to check your iPad for the train timetables, you need good, reliable gear. Following are some that we have tested throughout the year and deserve a mention on a gift list.
Citizen World Time A-T watch
This super-accurate travel watch (I tested Model AT9010-52E) is capable of monitoring any of 26 time zones, including a primary and a secondary zone that are continuously shown on the watch face. Light powers the watch, so there is no need for battery replacement, and radio control keeps this atomic watch accurate to the second. To change time zones on the primary dial, you simply turn the second hand to a city in the desired time zone (they’re listed around the dial), and presto, the watch does the rest. The case and crystal stand up to a lot of punishment; this has held up better than any watch I’ve ever worn, and the fact that there is no maintenance and no doubt about accuracy is huge. To be able to switch the secondary time zone to the primary by just hitting two buttons simultaneously is fantastic. One caveat: Find the setting instructions for this model on YouTube, because reading instructions is like trying to decode nuclear secrets. $595 at www.citizenwatch.com (or Google around).
Ventev Powercell 6000+
The combination 6,000 mAh lithium polymer battery and wall charger has dual outputs of 5 watts and 10 watts to charge two devices simultaneously. It will charge a device to its maximum, which is great for tablets as well as many smartphones, such as the iPhone 5s, which charges at 1.5A. This combination charger features short-circuit and temperature protection and weighs only about 9 ounces, so it’s easy to tote in a jacket pocket. This device’s built-in wall charger means you don’t have to pack any extra components to recharge it. On a full charge of battery power, it can usually recharge an iPhone from 15 percent to full at least three times, maybe more if you don’t run a lot of apps in the background. It gives an iPad about a 33 percent power boost. $69.99 at www.ventev.com
TCL Pulse from Amplifyze
Even though the maker suggests putting this in a pillowcase as a vibrating alarm, which you can do if you don’t want to disturb people who might be nearby (in a hostel or dorm, for example), we think it’s better as a simple beeping alarm for travelers. The Bluetooth alarm clock/timer is paired with Apple products (Android is in the works). You can program various alarm settings via your phone or pad, either beeping, vibrating or both. You also program the wake-up times via your Apple device. Once it’s programmed, your pad or phone can be turned off. Easily packable at a mere 3-by-3 inches square and less than an inch thick, it runs on three AAA batteries. Battery strength is indicated on the device screen during programming. You also can use it as a simple alert when you need to make a call back home or get ready to catch a train. On vibrate, you won’t bother anybody else in a public setting. Keep in mind, it’s just an alarm; there is no digital time display. $39.95 at www.tclpulse.com
Cambridge Audio G2
The mini portable Bluetooth speaker is about the length of a 12-ounce beer bottle that likely will blow you away with its hefty output. At home, this thing is all the speaker needed for casual listening, say with Pandora. On the road, it’s a monster in a tiny box. Packing this won’t rob you of essential space, but there is no sound sacrifice for its size. This has surprising bass, not the least bit tinny like so many travel speakers. As a bonus, you can charge your phone off this speaker, whose rechargeable lithium-ion battery can last 10 hours. The speaker also functions as a speaker phone and can be daisy-chained so two G2s can play at one time. At a little less than a pound and a half, it shouldn’t put you over any weight limits. $149.99 at www.cambridgeaudio.com
EC Lync System 22
This light rolling carry-on doubles as a backpack. The EC Lync System uses Eagle Creek’s Connect-It technology so it can be taken apart for easy storage or reassembled quickly. Numbered Velcro straps make reassembly a snap. The frame has two rugged wheels, bumper guards, a hinged foot and a telescoping handle, all of which detach for the bag’s use as a backpack. Made with a durable, nylon-blended fabric, the bag has a roomy zippered main compartment with two zippered interior pockets, a spacious exterior pocket that can hold a 15-inch laptop, a front stash pocket and a top easy-access pocket with a key fob. Available colors are blue, orange and gray with a matching storage sack. The bag measures 14-by-22-by-9 inches and weighs only 4 pounds 9 ounces. It’s ideal for small cruise cabins and shared rooms because you can deconstruct it to maximize space. $259.95 at www.shop.eaglecreek.com
REI Flex Lite Chair
This little camp chair in a bag provides far more comfort than it has a right to. At about a pound and a half, you can tote it with one finger. It’s light and compact enough to take backpacking and luxuriously comfortable enough to take car camping or tailgating, even when you’re not pinched for space. The frame’s high-grade aluminum, shock-corded poles are inserted into super-strong plastic terminals. Once the poles are all connected, you attach the seat, which is a combination of ripstop nylon material and mesh. The slick design is similar to high-end Scandinavian recliners that use the same concept of material hanging from poles, except this is a camp stool. The comfort is far beyond typical backpackable furniture. This would be a bonus to older backpackers who still love the life but would prefer something more comfy than a log to sit on by the campfire at the end of the day. The maximum capacity is listed at 250 pounds. $72.50 at www.rei.com
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
This tough hybrid 16MP camera shoots full HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second. The dustproof TG-860 is waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof to 7 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and crushproof to 220 pounds of force. It has a wide-angle lens, image stabilization and a 180-degree adjustable LCD monitor that is helpful for selfies. GPS and Wi-Fi are built in. A free iOS and Android app helps you share images with your smartphone. Available colors are orange, black and white. The TG-860 weighs only 7.7 ounces. This camera can make you a selfie shooter, because they are so easy to snap. $229.99 at www.getolympus.com
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0
Luxurious, durable and lightweight, these Bluetooth 4.0 headphones have a leather-covered, stainless-steel band and soft, comfy over-ear cups. Delivering crystal-clear audio, these phones are so light and comfortable that you can wear them for hours. Noise cancellation is automatic when the headphones are powered on. Unlike most noise-cancellation systems, Sennheiser’s NoiseGard technology blocks ambient noise without diminishing the music. A dual omni-directional microphone is built in for great sound on phone calls. A volume control can be pressed to pause the music, switch tracks or make a call. The 600 mAh lithium battery supplies 22 hours of continuous play. A micro-USB charging cable is included. Momentum is available in black or ivory. $499.95 at www.sennheiser.com
Terry Gardner is a freelance reporter.
