Words by Carlie Tucker
How many times have you found yourself longing for an air conditioned work shirt to keep you cool in hotter climates? Or remote controlled shoe inserts that keep your tootsies toasty on the plane?
While it’s difficult to completely replicate all the comforts of home, there are several companies designing gizmos and doodads that do their best to ensure you want for nothing when travelling for work. These gadgets might not be at the top of your must-pack list, but if you have a little extra space in your carry-on, you may just want to consider one or two of these bizarre travel accessories.
Royce Freedom Wallet
This handy device does much more than hold your money. Rigged with Blue Tooth technology, it syncs with your smartphone to provide tracking capability. So, if you misplace your wallet, simply track it using your phone. It also comes with state-of-the-art RFID blocking material to keep your personal information safe. The handmade leather construction is just icing on the cake!
Image courtesy of RoyceLeatherGifts.com
Air Conditioned Shirts
This ingenious item of clothing by Kuchofuku takes 'puffy shirt' to the next level, ensuring you'll never have to worry about unsightly sweat stains again! With a light-weight fan sewn right into the shirt, it creates a layer of cool air between your shirt and your body. It was designed to make minimal noise and conveniently runs off four AA batteries. Pants, vests and jackets are also available in case you need an entire air conditioned ensemble.
Jet Lag Glasses
Have we finally found the cure to jet lag? The Re-Timer glasses are designed to reset your internal body clock, otherwise known as your circadian rhythm, in an effort to avoid the effects of jet lag on long haul flights. Using a UV-free green light source, it helps your body recognise when to sleep. What's better is that use isn't necessarily limited to flights.
Hand Crank Phone Charger
All the phone chargers in the world can't save you from rolling blackouts or those times when you simply can't find an outlet ... except this one. The hand crank phone charger is a perfect combination of old and new technology, providing a source of power by using a hand powered generator. As an added benefit, most designs are quite compact and easy to pack. Plus, you'll be one step closer to going green.
Image courtesy of K-tor.com
Scrubba Washing Bag
For those on the road for extended periods of time hotel laundry services can be a god send, but they can also be pretty tough on the pocket. What if you could pack your very own washing machine? The Scrubba Washing Bag promises a machine quality wash in just minutes. Simply fill with water and washing liquid, scrub for three minutes and rinse. Drying kits are sold separately.
Luggage Scooter
The last minute gate rush could be a thing of the past thanks to the Micro Scooter. The travel practicality is there – carry-on luggage size with ample space to pack for a quick business trip – and it also features a fold out scooter to assist in getting to your gate that much quicker. Just be mindful of foot traffic as fellow airport pedestrians may not appreciate being scooted down.
Travel Humidifiers
It's no secret that air travel can dry you out, but now you can rehydrate with your very own travelling humidification system. Small enough to pack in your bag, all you have to do is plug it in at your hotel room, attach a bottle of water and the ultrasonic technology will generate a micro-fine mist to cleanse and hydrate the air all around you.
Image courtesy of Amazon.com
Collapsable Lunch Box
If you're on the road for a long time, eating out every day can be a real drain on the expenses. This is where the collapsible lunch box comes in. Made of silicone, it can easily collapse for storage in your suitcase while you travel. Once you've arrived, pop it back into shape, fill it up and save money by bringing your lunch to work with you. Most designs are microwavable and dishwasher safe and come with a utensil that stores in the lid.
Image courtesy of Smartplanethome.com
Minimalist Shoes
One of the biggest packing conundrums is shoes. Especially if you want to pack light and don't necessarily have room to throw in dress and athletic shoes. Designers such as Merrell have come up with a solution, offering minimalist athletic shoes. This light and durable footwear is suitable for morning jogs, but they can roll up to take up minimal space in your baggage. Now you don't have to sacrifice your health routine just because you couldn't pack your shoes!
