I love travel gadgets. I could browse endlessly on travel websites for travel accessories that I do not need, I have no use for, but I desperately want. Sadly, since SkyMall can no longer be found in your seat-back pocket, I have to rely on the internet to show me unique travel gadgets.
Well! First and foremost, your phone is the most important gadget that you may require. Aside from that, you may require a dependable Internet connection on your phone to check your resort victoria bookings or elsewhere, as well as flight bookings. Because these hotels and other amenities are pre-booked, you may need to check the status of your flight and hotel on a regular basis.
Other than these essentials, while browsing, however, I keep finding items that are the weirdest, most unusual travel items that I feel like I must share. And yes, I pretty much still want (most of) these travel items.
1. Flopeeze Footwear
If you’re backpacking or showering in public spaces, you definitely need something to protect your feet. If you’re packing light and don’t have room for shower flip flops, you could consider Flopeezes. According to reviews, Flopeezes feel like you’re walking barefoot, but are strong enough to protect your feet from gross elements.
2. Portable Footrest Flight Carry-on Foot Rest
This portable footrest weighs only three ounces and folds up to fit perfectly in your bag and comes in four colors to match your travel gear. To use on a plane, hang it from the tray table. The downside is the person sitting in front of you may get annoyed if you’re moving your feet around a lot, making the seat bounce.
3. Panasonic Portable Bidet Handy Toilette
I am a fan of a good bidet; who doesn’t want to feel extra clean? But traveling with a portable bidet seems excessive… or is it? This bidet from Panasonic has a four-star rating on Amazon and can attach to a water bottle, in case you have a real messy job that needs extra water. One downfall is that it seems to lack English directions so you’ll have to figure out how it works on your own.
4. The Original Authentic Ostrich Pillow
If you don’t mind looking absolutely ridiculous, the Original Ostrich Pillow may be the respite (and head support) you need. Just slip it over your head, put your nose and mouth through the main opening. Your hands fit in the side openings, which is more for when you’re laying on a flat surface (like your desk at work). It is dry-clean only, which could get expensive after awhile.
5. Light Sleepy Ostrich Pillow
From the same company that makes the Original Ostrich Pillow comes the Light Sleepy Ostrich Pillow, so you can look just slightly less ridiculous. This pillow is a bit more portable and versatile as you can wear it around your neck, your head, and eyes, etc.
6. BugOff Bed Bug Seat Cover / Protector
This seat cover is for the major germaphobe. It is designed to work for many different types of seats including plane, bus, or even a movie theater seats. Yeah, planes are dirty, but I’m not sure how well this cover will actually protect you as you still need to worry about the other dirty places on the plane. And from the reviews, it seems like the covers do not fit well and cover the seat behind it, which would block the video screen of the person behind you.
$5 for a pack of 12 ar Amazon.com
7. GasBGon Flatulence Absorbing Cushion
You ever sit next to someone on the plane that just can’t stop passing gas? It happens far too often (like here, and here). While there is actually a scientific reason for it, it’s still awful if you’re sitting next to someone that can’t stop tooting. GasBGon has created a cushion to help mask the smell of in-flight flatulence. It looks like normal travel cushion but has the added benefit of muffling sounds and carbon filters to mask the scent.
8. Steve Aoki Micro Scooter Luggage
Sometimes your flight lands in one end of the airport, and your connector is on the other end, in a different terminal and you only have 30 minutes to connect. Now, you hope the airline holds the plane for you, but that isn’t always the case (as happened to me on an Alaska flight through Chicago – and I made it with 10 minutes to spare!). If I only had luggage that doubled as a scooter, maybe I would have made that flight. This particular bag by Steve Aoki features speakers on the side of your suitcase, so you can blast your music (or maybe siren sounds?) as you’re scooting through the airport.
$650 at Amazon.com
9. ThermaCell Rechargeable Heated Insole
How many times have you been on a plane and wished you had worn thicker socks? Or you’re walking around New York, Boston, or Philly in the winter and can’t feel your toes? Well, heated shoe insoles are your savior. These insoles can be recharged 500 times, and are controlled via wireless remote control (no heat, medium heat, high heat).
10. Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron
This one sort of confuses me, because one, I am a person that never uses an iron and two, doesn’t every hotel have an iron and ironing board? But, after reading the reviews (and they are good reviews), I suppose that many people have a need for this tiny iron and steamer. But if you’re backpacking, or staying at an Airbnb, maybe this would work well for you (it does pack very small after all).
11. The Scrubba Wash Bag
OK, this weird travel item is actually really cool and could be quite useful. Weighing only five ounces, this portable washing machine is the smallest in the world. You just add soap and water (and your clothing) to the bag and massage the bag. The rubbing activates the scrubbers and your clothing gets cleaned in no time. The bag can also double as a dry bag.
12. Homestar Travel Planetarium
When I was in China, I saw people on the train platform carrying a fold-able stools and had no idea why – until I got on the train and realized how practical they were in the standing room only cars!