If you’re not familiar with xShot… they have created a line of monopods with adjustable arms. This gives you the chance to take photos of yourself without having to extend your arm out and click the shutter all while attempting to hold the camera steady.

The latest from xShot is a case for your iPhone 4. This also includes a clip that you can easily screw on to a little tripod. So, not only can you use it with the monopod itself, but you can set it up farther away than a few feet to get the best angle.

And, while it is pretty easy to hold the monopod steady for a clear photo, having the tripod will give you an extra element of balance and clarity.

See all xShot products on Amazon.

One side note – if you put an xShot in your carry-on luggage, be sure to take it out for screening. I’ve been stopped several times at security as the TSA seems to think it looks like a bullet!

Travel Well,

Beth

Related Links:
Isabella Fiore Carry-on Tote
Ellington Annie Convertible Tote

Let me start by saying that I’m partial to Tom Bihn bags. And there are several reasons for this. One, they are based in the Seattle-area and I do like to support local companies. Second, the vast majority of their products are made in the U.S.A. That’s cool, isn’t it? (And they drive better than Chevys!).

But most importantly they make excellent well-thought out and tested products.

The Co-Pilot Personal Carry-on Travel Bag is just the right size for my netbook but has plenty of space for other items. In addition to the main compartment, there’s a zippered pocket that holds a small water bottle and another suede-lined pocket for my cell phone and digital camera. The suede prevents them from getting scratched up.

The zippers on the bag are waterproof, so even if I’m running around in the Seattle rain, I don’t have to worry about my electronics getting wet.

The overall dimensions of the Co-Pilot are just 12″ x 10″ x 5″ which makes this an easy bag to carry onto a plane or to meetings.

There are also easy accessible holders for pens AND it comes with a key clip  (always one of my favorite features!). The back of the bag has a flat pocket for paperwork.

It’s really a terrific bag for carrying a netbook (or even and iPad) and comes in a variety of colors. (Psst, great gift idea!)

Available from Tom Bihn for $110.

Travel Well,

Beth

Related Links
Travel Clothes Gift Guide
Stocking Stuffers for Travelers (2010)
Best Holiday Gifts for Travelers
Stocking Stuffers for Travelers (2009)

Isis Vendi Jacket – This jacket is great for cool, inclement weather. It’s got a thin waterproof/breathable membrane with a moisture-wicking microfleece interior. The stretch polyester has enough give so that you can do your outdoor sporty stuff without feeling restrained. Great for wet and windy conditions. Available on Amazon from $143.

**********

ExOfficio Convertible Pants – These lightweight pants from ExOfficio zip off into shorts and feature Buzz Off insect repellent. The real beauty, however, is that they wash up easily and dry quickly. You can literally rinse them in your hotel sink at night and they’ll be dry by morning. Available on Amazon for $42.

**********

Wallaroo Devon Hat – This 100% wool hat from Wallaroo will surely keep you warm this winter. It’s got 2″ pageboy brim and fabric-covered buckle that wraps around the cap. The inner lining is satin and it features an internal drawstring so you can easily adjust it for a custom fit. Available from Wallaroo for $40.

**********

Xubaz Scarf – This fun and functional scarf is made of soft lightweight cotton. Built into the scarf are 2 hidden pockets, one secured with a zipper, the other with a button. This allows you to have easy access to some money or ID for those times you don’t want to carry around a purse. Available from Xubaz for about $27.

**********

Nau Wide Merrino Barre Scarf – Perfect for your fall/winter closet is this scarf from Nau. Though it’s sold as a scarf, it’s large enough (15 feet of fabric!) that it actually makes a great shawl that’ll keep you nice and warm. It’s made of fine Italian wool making it classy enough to wear with a dress. Available from Nau for $98.

**********

Horny Toad Rookie Top – This top from Horny Toad has proven to be a versatile item in both my closet and my luggage. It’s made of organic cotton and is soft and lightweight (read: easy to pack). It looks great on its own AND by adding a short-sleeve tee underneath, you’ve got an extra layer to keep you warm. Available on Amazon for less than $50.

**********

Tilley Venture Trek Jacket – While other manufacturers’ adventure jackets tend to be more masculine, this one is tapered at the waist, providing a nice feminine touch. The two outer pockets are zippered to keep your items safe and one interior pocket has Velcro to make it easy to grab its contents. Bonus: the jacket converts into a vest when you zip off the sleeves. Available from Tilley for $199.

**********

Royal Robbins Sidney Convertible Pants – These pants make for a totally comfortable fit as they are made from a stretch canvas (great for when those buffets get the better of you!). The style is trendy, with flare bottoms and a low cut waist. The cool feature, however, is that you have the ability to roll them up into capris, for those times you might be wading through a stream or you just need to cool off a bit. Available from Amazon for about $32.

**********

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody – This lightweight, water-resistant softshell jacket packs up light and will give you some protection from wind and light rain. In Bhutan, I have found it perfect as an outer shell during the day to protect against light wind and cool air and layer it underneath a heavier jacket in the cooler Himalayan evenings. Available on Amazon starting at $80.

**********

Isis Bikini Underwear – These bikinis are perfect for travel as they are quick drying – giving you the ability to wash and dry in your hotel room or campsite. They’re made of a nylon/polyester blend and are perfectly comfortable for active travelers. Available on Amazon starting at $8.

**********

Related Links:
Stocking Stuffers for Travelers (2010)
Best Holiday Gifts for Travelers
Stocking Stuffers for Travelers (2009)

Smartwools Socks – If you are not already a fan of these amazing socks, you will be after your first pair. Warm and sturdy, Smartwools come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. You’ll be able to find winter sporty ones or thinner ones for hiking in the heat. No matter which ones you choose, they’ll make a great stocking stuffer. Available on Amazon starting at about $10.

**********

iPod Nano 8 GB – While this may be a bit more costly than you’d normally purchase as a stocking stuffer, you likely won’t find anything smaller than the iPod Nano. Available in a variety of colors, the 8 GB can hold about 2,000 songs. TWO THOUSAND SONGS! And this thing is tiny. Technology. Amazing. Available on Amazon for $140.

**********

Lypsyl Moisturizer – Made with pure Swedish beeswax, Lypsyl glides on super lightly which means it can penetrate your lips more deeply than many lip balms made from beeswax. Comes in original and Honey Berry (yum!). Great for sporty types spending lots of time outdoors this winter. Includes SPF 15 sunscreen. Available in a 6-pack on Amazon for $16.99.

**********

Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard – Mosquitoes love me but I despise DEET. So, I use Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard to ward them off. Worked great for me in Papua New Guinea. Avon SSS doesn’t stay greasy on the skin and acts more like a moisturizer. This also includes SPF 30 lotion. Available on Amazon for about $6.

**********

Naturopathica Starter Kit - This package of skin-care products from Naturopathica includes Chamomile Cleansing Milk, Oat Facial Polish, Rose Geranium Soothing Mist and the Beech Tree & Ginseng Daily Moisturizer. All in sizes for the traveler. Available on Amazon for about $30.

**********

Anne Taintor products – I know you’ve seen this line of hilarious products in the store. For the traveler, Anne Taintor’s got change purses, emery boards, cosmetic bags and totes – all with sayings a Wanderluster would be embarrassed to admit she thinks including: “Stop me before I volunteer,” “I love not camping,” and “Guess where I’m tattooed.” These are a hoot! Available on Amazon starting at about $6.

**********

Rest Easy Bed Bug Spray – Ack! Bedbugs. Everyone’s talking about them these days. Feel better about where you’re sleeping by carrying Rest Easy Bed Bug Spray. It’s all natural and comes in 2 oz bottles, so you can keep them in your carry-on bag. Give your bed (or luggage or clothes) a spritz and don’t worry about carrying little critters home with you! Available in a two-pack on Amazon for $17.

**********

CLEAN Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream – This handy all-in-one anti-bacterial and moisturizer kills 99.9% of germs for up to 4 hours! You no longer have to worry about your hands drying out because of your anti-bacterial gel. Comes in 1 oz tube. Available on Amazon for just $10.

**********

Yoga Paws – If you’re like me, you like to do a bit of exercise when you’re traveling. But it’s difficult to practice yoga in hotel rooms with wood or tiled floors. Yoga Paws make it easy! Super light to pack in your luggage, these just slip on over your hands and feet and become your yoga mat. Available on Amazon from $22.

**********

The Fit Traveler – This is a spiral bound book that comes with a rubber stretch band. The book includes a series of exercises that you can do while on the road and incorporates the stretch band so you’ve got a great workout for both upper and lower body. Easy to do in your hotel room and if you just carry the stretch band after you’ve mastered the exercises, this takes up little room. Available on Amazon for $14.

**********

Related Links:
Travel Clothes Gift Guide
Best Holiday Gifts for Travelers
Stocking Stuffers for Travelers (2009)

Amazon Kindle – You’re a traveler. And you’re a reader. You should not be hitting the road without a Kindle. The experience really isn’t so different than reading a book and it could easily save you from carrying several pounds in your luggage. At a time when airlines are strict about your luggage’s weight, this is a great way to cut down. And, it’s the perfect time to buy now that the price has dropped to $140. Available on Amazon

**********

SteriPEN – This is one of my very favorite travel items. This water purifier uses UV light to kill 99.9% of germs and parasites in water. Stop buying bottled water when you travel and switch to the SteriPEN. Over time you’ll save money and you’ll keep bottles out of landfills. I’ve used this during months-long trips to India and have had no problems, even drinking tap water after purifying it with the SteriPEN. Available on Amazon for $79.

**********

Explore 22″ Upright carry-on bag – This carry-on from Briggs & Riley is from their newly launched BRX Adventure line of luggage. This bag has lots of features that appeal to the hardier traveler. It’s lightweight (7.5 pounds), it has a very roomy interior as well as lots of pockets inside and out for organizing and tucking away important paperwork and goodies. Only slightly pricier than most bags of this type, it will likely last you a lot longer than others. Plus, it’s got a lifetime guarantee. Available on Amazon for $290.

**********

XShot Monopod – This nifty piece of gear is an extendable arm that makes taking photos of yourself easy. You mount your camera on the end, set the timer and hold out the XShot with your iconic destination in the background. Perfect for solo travelers and it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your daybag. It even comes with a case so you can mount your iPhone onto it. Monopod available on Amazon for about $22. iPhone case available for about $20.

**********

Tech4 o Accelerator watch – This watch is an item that I now always travel with. I’m generally less concerned with the time but it’s the pedometer with step counter and mileage tracker that I’m hooked on. Not only does this help me keep track of how much exercise I’m getting but it gives me the ability to keep detailed notes for my groups on how long certain hikes or treks are. Available on Amazon for just over $50.

**********

Asus eee – I only started traveling internationally with a laptop this year. It makes sense when you can buy a netbook at a reasonable price AND have wireless access pretty much anywhere you go (I was amazed at the number of hotels in SE Asia that offer FREE wifi!). The Asus eee is a tiny little laptop that has served me super well. While you can’t load it up with tons of programs, it IS great for word processing, email and some other programs. Available on Amazon from $290.

**********

Mountainsmith Carbonlite Pro – I became an advocate of hiking poles during my trek through Eastern Bhutan recently. Whether you’re traveling or hiking closer to home, the adjustable Mountainsmith Carbonlite Pro poles might be just the ticket. They weigh just over a pound and pack down to just 27 inches. I love the light weight of these poles as well as the ease of use when adjusting the size. The handles and straps are quite comfortable as well. Available on Amazon for less than $60.

**********

Flip Ultra HD camera – Sure, you can use your iPhone for taking video, but wouldn’t you rather be able to shoot some HD using a video camera that’s no bigger than your iPhone? The Flip Ultra HD camera can hold 8GB (2 hours) of video and is easier to use than your iPhone. Just plug it into the USB port of your computer and you’ve got access to download and work with video from that next bungee jumping adventure! Available on Amazon for $170.

**********

Annie Crossbody Purse from Ellington – This is a shoulder bag just slightly larger than my now-retired self-imported bags from India and is about a million times more sturdy. When I head out the door for a walk, whether traveling or at home, I don’t like to weigh down my pockets with the few items I take with me. Instead, I usually carry a small shoulder bag to hold my wallet, iPhone and keys. I’m hooked on this small bag and love that it packs easily into my luggage. Available on Amazon from $26.

**********

Cinzia Sport 5 sunglasses – These sporty glasses are just perfect for me. Unlike the large bug-eyed-fashion sunglasses that seem to be all the rage, these small, classy glasses are unassuming. The arms are long enough to fit behind my ears and then sit comfortably on my head without falling off when I’m indoors (a major feature to me). Available on the Cinzia site for $105.

**********

Klean Kanteen – To go along with my SteriPEN (above), I’ve now taken to carrying a water bottle when I travel. Klean Kanteens come in wide range of sizes, colors and mouth sizes allowing you to choose the right one for your needs whether it’s travel, home, work or sporting events. Most importantly, these are BPA-free AND will help you reduce the amount of waste you’re leaving behind when you stop buying bottles of water! Available on Amazon starting at $7.

Check out these other gear posts from fellow bloggers:

Travel Gift Ideas for Kids of All Ages from Ciao Bambino
History of Travel Gear from Sharing Travel Experiences
Gearing Up from Nerds Eye View
These are a Few of My Favorite (Travel Gear) Things from Traveling with MJ
Travel Backpack Review – The Smart Alec Backpack from Tom Bihn from The Vacation Gals
Best Travel Socks from Spot Cool Stuff

**********

Related Links:
Travel Clothes Gift Guide
Stocking Stuffers for Travelers (2010)
Stocking Stuffers for Travelers (2009)

]]> http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/2010/best-holiday-gifts-for-travelers-wandergear-wednesday/feed/ 16