17 must-have products and 3 trends to make the most of your 2021 travel adventures. The year ahead will be shaped by how we redefine personal space, making the most of it, and simplicity.
PERSONAL SPACE REDEFINED
The classic close talker episode of Seinfeld perfectly captures the cringe-worthy discomfort of personal space violations. COVID, obviously, is re-defining some of our unwritten personal space rules. But there is more to the story – the sharing economy, co-location spaces, tighter spaces, social media, and more continue to influence how we think about personal space.
Seatuary
Alleviate the misery of cramped airline seating and “armrest hogs” with this unique, compact, inexpensive seat divider. Protect your personal space and upgrade your travel experience with Seatuary.
Bose Audio Sunglasses
Oversized noise-cancelling headphones undoubtedly send the message “do not disturb.” For those times, though, when you want to be situationally available while preserving a degree of mental personal space, Bose Audio Sunglasses provide a nice option.
Microclimate AIR
Although a number of studies suggest a mask virtually eliminates the risk of COVID exposure while flying, enough unknowns remain – not to mention intentional or unintentional human actions, to consider a higher level of personal protection. The Microclimate AIR offers a novel solution in the form of a full-coverage mask and self-contained HEPA filtration system. It actually looks pretty good in a 2001 Space Odyssey sort of way.
PhoneFresh
Sanitizers are now standard issue travel accessories for those inevitable situations of unavoidable contact. The usual squeeze tubes or spray bottles have their place, but for those seeking a more convenient alternative, check out the PhoneFresh single-use wipes for keeping your smartphones, tablets, and touchscreens clean and fresh.
MAKING THE MOST OF IT REDEFINED
Shorter getaways (micro-cations?) and the notion of “authentic spontaneity” are trends that have been gaining momentum for some time now. We will likely see the pendulum swing even further in this direction in the year ahead. A further embracing of the “it’s about the journey, not the destination” mindset is a fitting approach to travel in these uncertain times.
Timbuktu Impulse Travel Backpack Duffel
The classic Timbuktu messenger bag is a mainstay for many travelers. Coupled with their Travel Backpack Duffel and you are all set for a no-fuss multi-day getaway.
One’s Single Use Toiletries
When a ‘make the most of it’ opportunity presents itself, be ready to jump with the One’s personal hygiene travel kit. Super convenient single-use packets of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, makeup remover, shaving cream, and more.
Smartwool Snowline Scarf
Style and versatility make this a handy travel accessory. A merino wool blend that provides warmth without the bulky scarf feel.
Outdoor Research Pub Cap
You may be thinking, am I cool enough to pull off the vintage newsboy cap look? Granted, it is a high bar to reach Peaky Blinders level of coolness, but the Outdoor Research Pub Cap makes it pretty easy to upgrade your travel headwear (and leave the baseball hat at home).
VSSL Flask
While the Zoom happy hour seems to have had its moment (thankfully!), there remains no shortage of reasons to have that extra glass of wine or opportune cocktail – and that’s ok. For travelers on-the-go, VSSL makes clever use of space in its multi-function flask, compass, and flashlight utility tool. Love the simplicity of form and function.
UBreeze Mini Travel Tripod
The UBreeze Mini Travel Tripod is a surprisingly useful accessory for the quick video call back home, long-range selfies, or entertainment purposes.
SIMPLICITY REDEFINED
One of the interesting side effects of the pandemic has been a sort of forced-simplicity in many facets of our lives. With mandatory or self-imposed restrictions, there has been renewed interest in cooking, gardening, board games, all things maker culture, and more. Thinking about the travel space, a few simplicity redefined products come to mind.
Train Travel
Trains are back baby! (here, here, and here for example). Wait, did they ever really fade? For some of us, of course not. For others, train travel is getting a second look due to the pandemic, the environmental concerns of air travel, or to reconnect with the “simpler times feeling” that trains elicit. So possible recommendations to make here; for now, we think many parts of Canada are under-visited and offer amazing opportunities for train travel.
Fujifilm ‘Retro’ Digital Camera
Pursuing the perfect “Insta-worthy” moment is and will continue to be a pillar of social travel. That’s all well and good, but for those looking for a throwback approach to photography, check out the Fujifilm line of ‘retro’ digital cameras. Not that this isn’t a highly sophisticated camera with an incredible range of capabilities, but it does force a slower pace in taking and sharing photos.
Mixbook Travel Photo Books
With the convenience and immediacy of online photo sharing, why spend the time and effort to create a printed photo book? Well, it’s one of those things that become self-evident once you give it a try. There are lots of options for printed photo books, but we think the offerings from Mixbook check the boxes for the creative process, output, and price.
Neso Camp Chair
A reliable chair is an under-appreciated luxury. The lightweight ultra-portable Neso Camp Chair stands at the ready for an impromptu kick-back to take in the scenario, read a book, or just relax.
Yeti LoudOut 5-Gallon Bucket
This may seem an odd selection for a travel gear list. However, with more travelers embracing the simple joys of a road trip, a solid bucket is a versatile item to toss in the back of your vehicle for random storage, carrying, or sitting needs. Yeti products are not the cheapest, but they are incredibly well made and built to last.
Timex-Todd Snyder Mod Watch
Analog watches just work. Dependability, simplicity, and a chic design aesthetic combine to make this Timex-Todd Snyder watch an appealing option for any traveler.
Paravel's Shoe Cube Duo
Depending on the time of year and your travel itinerary, it’s not uncommon to pack 3-4 pairs of shoes for a trip. Shoe cubes are not only an efficient way to pack, they also keep dirty shoe bottoms from touching the other items in your suitcase or travel bag.