Home & leisure
Travel gadgets
Introduction
You could almost fill a second bag with travel gadgets and gizmos. Which ones are really useful?
Inflatable coat hangers, ear plugs, noise-cancelling headphones, compression stockings, currency converters ... there are all manner of products designed to make travelling more comfortable. Well-travelled Consumer members give their opinions on what's really handy and what's unnecessary.
Note: except where stated, all the prices in this report are from online stores, not including postage.
Packing your bags
First a tip. If you're travelling with someone else, pack a few spare items in each other's suitcase. Or in your carry-on luggage.
This way, if your suitcase gets lost in transit, you're left with more than just the clothes you stand up in.
Several readers sang the praises of elastic clothes lines. They're useful for socks and underwear, but wet t-shirts can hang around for a long time before they're dry.
Korjo inflatable coat hangers ($10.95 for two) claims to speed drying and minimise the need for ironing.
We tested them and found they definitely got clothes to dry faster than the clothes line did.
They're also useful for hanging tailored jackets on your trip, or as a standby hanger.
Plastic snap-lock bags are useful for organising your suitcase and for transporting washing that hasn't dried yet.
Cabin baggage
Ear plugs topped the list of suggestions. Q-Zone ear plugs were recommended by several readers - they come with two sets of filters that you can insert in each plug. One set reduces high-frequency noise and the other cuts down low-frequency noise such as snoring.
A Consumer staff member found the Q-Zones ($33.99) more comfortable and effective than the mould-to-your-ear plugs he also tried ($10.95 for a set of three, from a pharmacy) ... so much so that he slept part of the flight to Sydney. The Q-Zones were a bit mysterious to use at first, and can be fiddly. But they'd be worthwhile on longer flights - and useful if your hotel room turns out to be noisy.
You can buy noise-cancelling headphones to suppress background noise. They're expensive ($100 or more) and they take up room in your luggage, but if you want to listen to the in-flight entertainment they do improve your listening experience.
We tested them and found that, while they didn't get rid of background noise completely, they made a significant difference. See our report on Noise cancelling headphones for the full story.
It's not much fun getting sick on a plane. One reader recommended taking a small emergency kit in your carry-on luggage. Anti-diarrhoea tablets, pain relievers, nasal spray, and cough lozenges can all help.
Compression stockings minimise the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT can occur during long periods of immobility - on long bus trips as well as flights. Risk factors include varicose veins, cancer, recent surgery, pregnancy, hormone therapy, age (over 40), obesity, or a family history of DVT.
If you're exposed to any of these risk factors, get medical advice. Your GP or a travel doctor can advise on wearing compression stockings or taking other precautions.
Even if you're not at risk, it's recommended that you exercise your legs frequently - and also that you drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol (which makes you sleep).
An airplane cabin is a very dry environment - cabin air typically has a humidity of just 10 to 20 percent, compared with the 40 to 70 percent level at which we feel most comfortable. A facial mist, moisturising cream and chapstick could make your trip more comfortable.
A sleeping mask was also highly recommended for long flights.
One-star travel
If you're staying in budget accommodation, pack the following items before you leave. You may not be able to buy them when you get there.
A sleeping bag liner covers doubtful bed linen. A length of fabric does the same job - and it can also be used as a sarong, to cover your head when visiting mosques, or rolled up to make a pillow.
A universal bath plug, wet wipes and a lightweight super-absorbent travel towel need no explanation.
In countries where there is a risk of insect-borne disease, DEET insect repellent is essential. Choose one with a concentration of 30 to 50 percent but make sure you wash the repellent off at the end of each day. See our report on Personal insect repellents for more information.
For maximum protection you can treat mosquito nets, tents, or clothing with a permethrin spray or soak (available from some tramping and outdoor suppliers and travel clinics).
Do you really need ...
A currency converter? These are easy to use, but are they worth it? They're essentially a simple calculator that won't even add. An $8 calculator will do the job just as well - and it can multi-task! Mobile phones often have a currency converter function as well as a calculator.
Inflatable neck pillows? The verdict was mixed. Some readers found they provided no comfort, and they can be difficult to inflate. One pillow developed a slow leak during a trip. If you do buy an inflatable pillow, try it out before you leave. Many airline seats now have "wings" that may negate the need for a neck pillow.
A travel iron? They're "expensive, heavy and won't iron well", a member told us.
Useful links
Other reports from Consumer
Useful websites
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel information: www.mfat.govt.nz/travel/index.html
- Travel advice and products: www.travel-essentials.co.nz, www.travelcomfortable.com
- Travel health advice: www.traveldoctor.co.nz