It makes sense that Frommer’s, the guidebook folks, would step into the world of travel gear. They’ve partnered with Lug, a bag and travel accessory company that manufactures a variety of products aimed at the travel market: daybags, luggage tags, travel pillows and blankets, travel wallets, money belts and more.
I’ve got two of their products to review for you today.
The first is their Foxtrot Travel Wallet. Bigger than a “wallet”, it’s not quite as big as a breadbox. But it is appropriately large enough that it will hold your passport, travel docs (such as boarding passes), credit cards, coins and bills, a pen and other miscellaneous paperwork that you could fold into thirds and tuck inside.
In addition to the numerous open pockets in which you can slide your cards, etc. there are a couple of internal zip pockets. One is the perfect size for coins and the other for papers – perhaps receipts or business cards that you collect along the way.
There’s a strap along the spine that snaps into place. This allows you to hold the strap in your hand or snap it into place around your luggage. While this is a unique feature, I wouldn’t recommend simply snapping this to the outside of your bag, especially if you’ve got your passport and money inside.
The Foxtrot Travel Wallet works well in terms of having one place to put your important travel docs and then just keeping it in your daybag, not having to worry about where you’ve put what.
Available on the Lug website for $28.
The second item is the Travel Blanket + Pillow Set. This includes a small plush lap blanket (35″ x 46″), inflatable pillow and carrying case that can hold both the blanket (all folded up) and the pillow (when inflated). When you’re ready to nap, you just inflate the pillow (which folds into a little pocket on the blanket) and tuck it into the carrying case.
Even though I nearly passed out trying to inflate the little pillow, it seems to hold air well. Inflatable pillows are notorious for sprouting leaks around the seams and I generally don’t get more than one or two uses from them. This one seems OK.
While the blanket is made of coral fleece and is comfy soft, it tends to shed rather easily and I have found myself pulling off small clumps of it from my clothing.
Available on the Lug website for $28.
These two products seem to be priced to appeal to the young or first-time traveler. (The Lug site features lots of young people – perhaps representative of first-time travelers?) Both of these items are not bad for the price but I think that overall the quality could be a bit better. But then, of course, they’d have to increase the price.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Lilypond Meadowlark Rolling Duffel
Win a Briggs & Riley BRX Explore 19″ Upright
MountainSmith Clear Creek 20
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