20 travel accessories too cool to resist
These aren’t exactly travel essentials but they sure are nifty. Trust us, you won’t be going on holiday without them when you find out what they do.
- November 2018
Scrubba Wash Bag SGD $75
Weighing in at only 142g, the Scrubba opens in new window is touted as the world’s smallest washing machine, though it functions more as a portable washing board since manual effort is required on your part. Simply add your dirty laundry, water and detergent into the bag, close and rub for up to three minutes, then rinse and hang. Voila, clean clothes!
S’well x Liberty London Fabrics bottle SGD $58
If you’re a fan of the dainty floral prints that Liberty is known and loved for, you might like these recently launched bottles opens in new window, which come in a selection of archival wallpaper prints that feature traditional Japanese motifs.
The Champagne Cocktail Kit SGD $33
Want to celebrate the minute you touch down but beer won’t cut it? Now you can be your very own mixologist with The Champagne Cocktail kit opens in new window, which contains everything you need — including small-batch elderflower syrup — to make two cocktails. Just add champagne and you’re ready to roll.
Tile Mate SGD $28
Want to track your suitcase on the carousel? Or maybe you have a bad history of losing things on your travels? This tiny Bluetooth tracker opens in new window attaches to almost anything and you can call it if it’s nearby. Beyond a range of about 30 metres, you can check its last known location on the app.
Speakeasy Travel Scarf SGD $89
Here’s a less uncool way of hiding your valuables than using a money belt. These scarves have a double-stitched pocket large enough to stash your passport and mobile phone, among other things. The Rue Cremieux model opens in new window pictured here is made of soft, antibacterial bamboo, which keeps you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold.
Yuni Shower Sheets SGD $20
A long flight or a strenuous outdoor hike can leave you feeling less than fresh. Cleanse on the go with these oversized biodegradable sheets opens in new window, which are perfect for all skin types and do not contain any nasty parabens, sulphates or phthalates. Each box contains 12 sheets – but it’s no excuse to skip 12 showers in a row.
Matador NanoDry Shower Towel Large SGD $52
This ultra-absorbent, quick-drying, antimicrobial towel opens in new window comes in a silicone carrying case that fits in the palm of your hand (if you have a big hand). It’s nice to have at hand for a spontaneous swim, or for an impromptu nap in the middle of the park. Comes with a nifty carabiner.
The Power Packer SGD $59
The Power Packer opens in new window functions like a packing cube for all your tech accessories. There are three compartments: one for larger adaptors, one with slots for smaller items like USB sticks and loose items, and a last one for various cables and a power bank or mouse.
Victorinox Forester Wood Walnut 111mm SGD $93
This beautifully crafted Swiss army knife opens in new window has 10 fully integrated functions including a screwdriver, a large locking blade, and a wood saw. Because those other Swiss army knives that cut paper and file your nails are so basic.
Brave Era Silk Travel Sheet SGD $110
Bed bugs can be a real health and safety risk, especially in places like sleeper cabins, dodgy hotels, and tourist lodges. This Brave Era travel sheet opens in new window is hypoallergenic and is critter resistant after you treat it with insect repellent. Made of 100% silk, it adds a touch of luxury wherever you lay your head.
Beeswax Wrap From SGD $5.90
A great alternative to cling film, these beeswax wraps opens in new window are self-adhesive, waterproof and antibacterial. They can be moulded into any shape and are handy for packing things like soap bars, sandwiches or dirty cutlery. Small and medium are the most versatile sizes for travel; each wrap can be used for up to 12 months.
Anothersole Scarlett White Leather Shoes From SGD $96
These shoes opens in new window have been designed to take travellers from running through airports to traversing cobblestoned paths. They boast ergonomic footbeds, which absorb impact, are lightweight at only 280g per pair, and pack flat for convenience.
Alife Bangle Language SGD $13
This nifty bracelet opens in new window eliminates the need for locals to speak English, or for you to do a crash course in the language of your destination country. Whether you’re looking for the bathroom or the lockers in a train station, all you need to do is stop a passerby and point at the corresponding icon on your wrist.
DJI Mavic Air SGD $1283
The Mavic Air opens in new window is DJI’s most portable drone. When folded up, it’s as tall and wide as your average smartphone. This one takes panoramic wraparound images, videos, slo-mo videos, selfies — you name it, it probably does it. Everything can be uploaded to social media on the fly, naturally. Why else would you bother hiking on a glacier?
Knirps Travel Umbrella with UV Protection SGD $79
Being caught in an unexpected rainstorm can really put a dampener on your travels. Don’t let wet weather curtail your fun by carrying a lightweight brolly in your bag. You’ll barely notice the weight of this compact umbrella opens in new window, which is made of quick-drying fabric and even offers UV protection in extra-hot climes.
Vago Pump SGD $89
Trying to squeeze a weeks’ worth of bulky winterwear into a small suitcase can be a real challenge, so if doing laundry on the go is out of the question, consider investing in a vacuum pump. The Vago opens in new window helps you save space, and is conveniently charged via USB. Comes with a medium-sized vacuum bag.
QuietOn Active Noise Cancelling Earplugs SGD $287
Drown out the din of the aircraft by slipping on a pair of these Finnish-made wireless earplugs opens in new window. They work by sampling the noise level inside your ear canal, and producing anti-noise to cancel it out. A single charge can last 50 hours. Each set includes two pairs of standard silicone eartips and one pair of memory foam eartips.
Pacsafe Vibe 25 backpack SGD $173
With this anti-theft backpack opens in new window, you’ll never have to live in fear that someone behind you is going to slit the base of your bag. It’s designed to work like a lightweight lockable stainless steel cage so you’re safe from cut-and-run theft. It also uses RFID (radio-frequency identification) blocking material to protect against RFID scanning of personal details like credit cards.
goTenna Mesh SGD $299
Stay connected to your fellow travellers while you’re out and about as a group with this sleek Bluetooth device opens in new window. Simply download the goTenna app, pair it to your phone and you’ll be able to message each other without cellular service or Wi-Fi at ranges of around 800 metres in dense locations and 6.4 kilometres in open areas. You can also download free offline maps, share GPS locations and call for help. Sold as a set of two.
Ostrich Pillow Mini SGD $49
The ubiquitous squid-shaped Ostrich pillow has a less attention-seeking cousin: the Mini opens in new window. Tabletop napping on board a cramped flight or train ride just got a whole lot more comfy and whole lot less embarrassing. Unless you snore, that is.
