travel gear review - Pitstops for Kids

Travel Gear We Use: Five items I never travel without

June 10, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

On average, I travel twice a month, either by car or plane. I’m in airports at least once a month. This is not as much travel as some people, to be sure, but it’s enough that I’ve pared down my carry-on luggage to include only the essentials. Whether I’m traveling with my kids or solo for work, these five items are always with me.

Number 5: My S’well insulated water bottle

I own and love many insulated water bottles. You can read my most recent round-up of best water bottles here. But S’well wins for #1 travel water bottle, because of its shape. This narrow, thin bottle fits perfectly in every side pocket of every travel backpack or tote I use (and I use a wide variety). I save a lot of cash by not purchasing plastic water bottles everywhere I go, simply refilling at airport water stations. By the way, are these stations more abundant in the Pacific Northwest, or am I imagining things? Plus, S’well bottles are sleek and stylish, too. They have many sizes, but this is the one I own. Pick up your own for about $30.

Number 4: My RFID-blocking travel wallet

Becoming a victim of identity theft sounds like a real bummer. I highly recommend an RFID-blocking wallet, and I travel with this one from Dante Women, because it’s just substantial enough to double as a clutch for those fancier nights out. (Who the heck wants to travel with a full purse on top of a travel backpack or tote? Not me.) The one I use is about $30, but you can find them much cheaper, too. My wallet fits easily into whatever travel tote or backpack I’m using at the time, and if I’m doing something active, like mountain biking or hiking, I can use a much smaller wallet like this one, or leave it all in the safe at my hotel and use Apple Pay.

Read a review of my all-time favorite travel day pack.

Number 3: My Kavu Pretty Poncho

You know how you always wish you had a cozy blanket on the plane or in the car, but you don’t want to lug one around with you? Trust me when I tell you that Kavu makes a shawl-style number for women called the Pretty Poncho that solves this problem and more. This thin, lightweight woven poncho looks great…it drapes in a flattering way and looks elegant. Plus, it serves as that cozy blanket you need, and stuffs down small in your day pack when you don’t need it. I absolutely love mine, and always have it in my bag. It looks nice when you want to dress up a simple shirt and pants for dinner out, too. It costs around $50, and is well-worth it, considering how often you’ll use it.

Number 2: My Bose QuietComfort 35

This is a pricey one, but trust me…it’s worth it. A quality pair of earphones are crucial to a stress-free travel day. Airports are noisy, chaotic places, and isolating myself from the sounds of a terminal or airplane cabin provides me with a sense of personal space. Listening to my favorite classical music (I know, I’m a dork) instantly relaxes me. And since I hate dealing with a tangle of cords, wireless is the only way I’ll go, when I can help it. I can even get a bit of sleep wearing my Bose QuietComfort. They’ll set you back about $350, but are such high quality, they’ll last you a long time. For a more economical pick, I also like my Sol Republic MasterTracks, which are not noise-cancelling or wireless, but only cost about $90.

Read a review of our best electronic travel accessories for kids.

Number 1: My Sleep + Sound MINI

A lot of people have trouble sleeping in strange hotel rooms, and everyone has different ways to combat this problem. My solution has been my Sleep + Sound MINI. This sound machine adjusts automatically to muffle sounds that might disturb you (or your sleeping kids), such as an elevator door opening or people’s voices in the hallway. It has 12 audio programs, with additional settings for a total of 48 unique soundscapes. I’m boring and like the ‘industrial fan’, but you can also set it to play ocean sounds, birds chirping, and rain, just to name a few. Yes, I could use an app on my phone, but guess what? Phones next to your bed wake you up…I want mine charging on the other end of the room.

Do you have a travel item that always comes with you on trips? Let us know about it in the comments!

Travel Gear We Use: GlocalMe WiFi hotspot for travel

May 25, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Let’s get real about WiFi usage and fees while traveling internationally as a family. When we travel, we embrace being off-the-grid most of the time, but we absolutely need wifi at various times. Sometimes, this is due to necessity: we need turn-by-turn directions out of a foreign city, or we need to call the credit card company to check our damage (I mean, balance). Other times, someone needs to download an episode of Parks and Rec, or someone else really wants some quality Instagram time.

Staying connected in Iceland: using GlocalMe to work from locations like this.

We are a family of five, with older kids and teens who all have phones. Therefore, we have five phones to connect when we travel. Usually, we simply don’t connect them: the parents pay for WiFi, and the kids are basically SOOL. Why? Because our cell service plan charges us $10 per day for an international plan. Now, that’s not terrible, until you multiply it by five. $50 per day seems excessive, even for luxury travelers.

What to do? Invest in a WiFi hotspot for travel.

During our most recent trip, which took us through Iceland for ten days, we tried something new: a GlocalMe WiFi hotspot. For an initial investment of about $150-250, you get the hotspot, which you can then load with varying amounts for different destinations. Or, you can rent the device from Roaming Man.

I spent $20 for 3 GB of data in Iceland, which would ‘turn on’ (for lack of a better word) when I got to the country, and expire after 22 days. The hotspot can connect up to five devices (hey, perfect for us!) and you can add data at any time, either by ‘topping it off’ or buying a second package.

As I noted above, we use WiFi sparingly when we travel, preferring to enjoy the freedom from screen time (for the most part). We turned on our hot spot for about 30 minutes each day to check email, upload photos to Facebook and Instagram, and text, plus a few extra times to navigate when we needed directions, and our package of 3 GB easily lasted us 10 days. So instead of $50 per day for unlimited use we didn’t want, we paid $20 total for all of us to have a little bit of WiFi per day.

This is a perfect solution for us, and we plan to use the GlocalMe hotspot on many more trips.

Note: the hotspot is not intended for streaming video or downloading TV (it will, or at least will try, but it uses tons of data quickly).

How to load the hotspot with data:

Once you have a hot spot, go online to GlocalMe and register. It will ask you for your device’s registration number. Once you’re registered, you can add money by scanning the list of countries (I didn’t see any missing that were within the realm of visiting) and choosing a package or pay-as-you-go option. You can monitor your usage and add money with the free app or with the website. The device itself shows your data usage so you can monitor it there, too. The hot spot recharges with a standard USB cable (included) but during our 10 days, we never ran out of battery life.

How to buy:

The actual GlocalMe device is a one-time purchase of about $130-150, depending on where you buy. We recommend Amazon for the best deal.

Disclosure: We were given a GlocalMe hotspot device for the purpose of review. We paid to use it at our own expense.

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

Van life gear review: Thule Transporter Combi review

March 31, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Much like last summer, most Americans will opt to travel by car instead of air this year, with a big uptick in road trip travel once it’s safe to do so. To kick off the start of the summer travel season, with hopes that travel will soon be part of our plans again, I tested out Thule’s Transporter Combi hitch-mounted cargo box.

For me, this is the summer of #vanlife, during which I’ll be traveling and camping in a Westfalia camper van. While it’s possible to mount a roof-mounted cargo box on a Westy, it significantly increases the weight of the camper pop-top, so I opted for Thule’s hitch-mounted version.

The Transporter Combi comes with everything you need to get going, and I was able to install it on my hitch with my partner in a matter of about two hours. (I’m sure some can install it faster than that!) I love that the cargo box tilts down for partial access to the rear of the van; the tilt feature also makes it easier to get heavy items out of the cargo box. I also love that we don’t need any ladders or step stools to get gear out when we get to our campsite or destination!

The cargo box comes pre-wired with tail lights (4 pin) and a license plate adapter (with light). It installs into 2 inch and 1 1/4 inch receivers with no additional adapters or tools needed.

Like many Thule boxes, the lock system is designed for safety (and is idiot proof!): the key can only be removed if all the locking points are closed and secure, so there’s no chance of driving away and having the box lid fly open. You get two keys, so now we have one on the van key chain and the other stashed away just in case.

You get 13 cubic feet inside (dimensions are 50.5 x 23.5 x 24.5 in). It’s so roomy! We joked that we could put the teenaged kids inside. The weight of the box is 55 pounds and the capacity is 150 pounds. We use ours to store those bulky items that don’t pack well into the back of the van, such as firewood, the portable bathroom, and the material for our awning…nothing too heavy, but certainly bulky.

We had no trouble with weight or driving the Westy with this cargo box, though if you have a similar van, keep in mind that the engine is also in the back, which can mean you need to balance the weight be placing heavier items inside the van near the front.

During our close-to-home camping trip, we used the cargo box even once it was unloaded, storing dirty laundry, dishes, and garbage away in a secure location.

The Transporter Combi is $679 on the Thule site, and as of this posting, their operations are going so you shouldn’t have any delay in ordering and receiving. Enjoy the #vanlife!

Stitch Fix for fall travel: wardrobe planning tool or indulgence?

September 6, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

So I finally tried Stitch Fix. Yes, I know I’m behind the times. I decided to take the plunge because I needed some fall travel clothing, and wanted to expand my style range a bit, and try a few new options. I’m not much of a shopping fan, and I’m not terribly concerned with style, so I wasn’t sure if it would be for me. Here’s what I learned.

Stitch Fix for fall travel:

Everyone who signs up for Stitch Fix starts by filling out a style profile. The questions range from practical (what’s your height and weight) to personal preference (do you like casual clothing, business clothing, a mix, etc). Even though I’m not really a ‘clothes person’, I found it fun to fill out the style profile.

Afterward, you’re given a series of images of styles and clothing options that you can rate as thumbs up or thumbs down. This was fun, too, and it helps the stylist who will be assigned to you get a feel for your preferences. You can do more of these ‘slide shows’ later, and honestly, I still find them fun.

Once you’ve filled out the style profile, you can schedule your ‘Fix’ or you can ask for automatic shipments. I scheduled mine, for more control (though you can opt out any time either way).

Note: You’re never obligated to buy any of the clothes sent to you, but you do have to pay a small stylist fee if you opt to return all the items. If you buy, the fee is waived, and if you buy everything in your box, you get a significant discount.

My first box arrived, and it was a mixed bag (or box). I had a pair of skinny jeans, which I liked, but I already had a pair in my closet, a few tops that really weren’t my style, a boxy sweater I thought I’d hate when I unpacked it, but ended up loving, and a button-up tunic I liked, but didn’t feel was high enough quality to keep. In the end, I kept one item: the sweater. I sent the rest back in the pre-paid envelope (easy-breezy).

I enjoyed the experience but didn’t feel it met my goal of finding some new styles for my fall travels, but since you rate all the items in your box after it arrives, I decided to give it another chance. Now, my stylist would ‘know me’ better, right? Right! My second box was MUCH more ‘me’, while still giving me new options to try that I wouldn’t have picked out for myself. I got another pair of skinny pants that I liked but didn’t need, but then got a thin, fitted sweater that will be perfect for the plane, a great scarf, another tunic that was higher quality, and only one top that wasn’t really my thing. I kept everything except the pants and top.

I like that Stitch Fix sends you little cards that give you style ideas with your order (like below). And that they make it so easy to return things. You have three days to make decisions, so you can try the new items on with stuff you already have in your closet. You can list a budget in your profile, and I set mine at something around ‘medium’, since I wanted higher quality items but didn’t want to spend a lot. The items sent to me tended to be in the $40-80 per item range. The stylist fee is $20 (waived if you buy).

Overall, I did gain some new travel wear for fall travel, so I’m satisfied. And while I don’t need more items now, I can ‘pause’ Stitch Fix and come back to it, scheduling more ‘Fixes’ in the winter or spring for more flair to my travel wardrobe as needed. Every so often, I’ll continue to update my style profile in the meantime.

Have you used Stitch Fix? What are your thoughts?

Note: I tried Stitch Fix at the invitation of the company, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain my own.

Lowa hiking boots review: Best hiking and travel hybrid shoe

February 2, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

I give Lowa boots a shout-out in our round-up of best hiking boots for the family, but this brand deserves its own post. Why? I now own three pairs of Lowa shoes, and I never travel without at least one of them. The Lowas I love are not hard-core, heavy boots, nor are they sneakers. They’re perfect hybrids, allowing me to travel in comfort and then hit the trails, city walks and biking paths at my destination.

To me, the absolute best travel shoe is one you can adventure in, which is what Lowa provides. Here’s what to look for and what to buy:

Lowa hiking boots review:

On the Lowa website, head straight to their All Terrain Sport category, and take a look around. All of these shoe options will provide you with a travel shoe that’s adventure-ready. I’ve loved my Innox GTX shoe for several years now, so that’s a solid win, but I recently have been trying out the brand new Aerox GTX.

The Aerox is categorized as a trail shoe, and is a little bit more ‘sporty’ in looks than the more understated Innox (not that the Innox is a lifestyle shoe, because it’s not). The Aerox is 100 percent waterproof but still breathable, and has a more serious tread for traction on the outsole. That said, it’s still incredibly lightweight, and you get my favorite feature in a sport shoe: a quick lace system that allows you to tighten to the perfect fit.

You can read all kinds of other technical specs about the Aerox

on the website, but here’s what you need to remember: it’s a serious shoe that will deliver in the outdoors, but also has a low profile and lightweight design that will pack easily and can be worn on travel days. I wear mine on the plane, saving me space in my carry-on, and allowing me to be ready to find adventure the moment I arrive (even though probably, I’ll just kick off my shoes and collapse on a hotel bed).

My Lowas have come with me to city-outdoor-adventure hybrid locations like Tennesee, Peru, New York City, and all over Europe, serving me well both on city streets and while museum hopping or historic neighborhood touring as well as hiking and backpacking. In fact, my favorite Lowas traveled almost 100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail a few years ago, and will be along for the ride on my next long hike, too.

Here are some additional Lowas I really like:

amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit0”;
amzn_assoc_search_bar = “true”;
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “pitstoforkid-20”;
amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”;
amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”;
amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”;
amzn_assoc_region = “US”;
amzn_assoc_title = “My Amazon Picks”;
amzn_assoc_linkid = “4e140d910b692da720527fcbbf263c0e”;
amzn_assoc_asins = “B0042ANCQ8,B0133AY874,B005I0G53S,B0133B3M16”;

Travel Gear We Use: Top sleeping bags for backpacking families

April 28, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s time to think family camping! Get your family geared up for the summer camping season by snuggling up in a down or down-alternative sleeping bag! Today on Travel Gear We Use, we’re listing our favorite sleeping bags for backpacking and camping families, with lightweight and kids’ picks.

Best sleeping bag we use for kids:

We love our son’s The North Face Dolomite 20F Youth Sleeping Bag. No, it’s not the most compact bag on the market, but that’s ok with us. Kids’ bags, by definition, are smaller, so it’s possible to get away with a bulkier model and still fit it into smaller sleeping bag compartments in youth-sized backpacks. The Dolomite is rated to 20 degrees, plenty warm enough for us, and ours has lasted through three kids and counting! The price is right, too, at only $119.

Best sleeping bag with a larger toe box:

If you’re wondering what a ‘toe box’ is, you either haven’t used a ‘mummy’-style sleeping bag, or don’t mind its restricting nature. I fall in the latter category (I actually love the tight space that warms me up faster), but some members of our family hate it. They’ve been looking everywhere for a sleeping bag made for backpacking that offers a roomier toe box, and we finally found it. The Big Agnes Lulu 15 stuffs into a compression sack and is lightweight enough for carrying long distance (it weighs in at just over 3 pounds), but features a wider bottom half that most bags. It’s rated at 15 degrees, with a fill weight of 24 ounces. Pick one up for as low as $139.

Best sleeping bag for ultra-light backpackers:

Maybe you’re not trying to beat any ultra-light backpacking records, but you’d still like to carry one of the lightest sleeping bags on the market. Or maybe, you’d like your older kids or elderly parents to carry a lighter bag. We love the Kelty TrailLogic Kelty SB20 delivers, with a weight of two pounds. The best benefit of a lighter bag? It fits into a stuff sack roughly half the size of its counterparts, which means more room in your backpack. Hey wait a minute…that means I carry more gear, doesn’t it? The SB20 will set you back $299, but you’ll see why once you pick it up.

Best sleeping bags for those who prefer a quilt:

Did you know there was such thing as a sleeping quilt or backcountry quilt? These ‘sleeping bags’ don’t zip all the way around, which prevents that clammy, enclosed feeling some of us just can’t stand. If you’d rather sleep outdoors under a blanket or quilt than in a sleeping bag (but still need the warmth of a bag), Sierra Design’s Backcountry Quilt may be for you. You still get the 2-season warmth of 800-fill synthetic down, plus a hide-away hood and hand pockets to keep extremities warm at night. But the design remains open on the upper half, which allows you to feel like you’re under a blanket, not wrapped like a burrito.

The Backcountry Quilt is sold for as little as $150 for a 1.5 season weight, but you’ll want to spring for the $250 version to ensure you can use it in almost all conditions.

Our other favorite is the new Big Agnes Big Pine bag, which works with any pad size and is a great quilt option for road tripping, couch surfing, hotel stays where perhaps a child is on a rollaway bed, and the like. It can be used as a quilt or can be zipped to be a sleeping bag. It’s also great for summer season camping and backpacking. Our favorite feature is that it’s made with DownTek, which is sustainable down that’s water repellent. You can even zip two together for a double sleeping bag! This is by far the most versatile quilt option we’ve tried.

Best budget sleeping bag:

If you need a solid sleeping bag for a family member that is rated to 20 degrees for three-season comfort in the backcountry, you don’t have to break the bank. The Kelty Cosmic 20 gets our pick for the best bag for your buck. It’s only $149, and while a little heavier than most bags, you still get DriDown, Kelty’s down blend that resists moisture (so you don’t get that soggy, damp issue with your down sleeping bag after being dusted with morning dew). You also get a draft collar, a feature that used to be found only on more expensive models. It packs down into a stuff sack, though again, it won’t be as compressible as it’s more expensive cousin, the SB20.

Best luxury car camping sleeping bag:

The Sierra Design backcountry beds are so comfortable, you’ll think you’re sleeping in a bed…really. They’re not as lightweight as some, so we think they’re best for car camping and road tripping, but they’re ultra-plush and fit nicely on or over think pads and cots. They come in single or duo size, with two basic designs: front country (rectangular for comfort) or backcountry (mummy-style and more packable for backpacking). They all come with an extra blanket flap that makes the sleeping bag feel more like a made bed, as well as hand pockets and slips for your pad. We love them!

How to choose sleeping bags for your family:

Start by deciding whether to go with down or a down alternative. It’s hard to ethically harvest down for sleeping bags, and since the synthetic version is arguably just as good, it’s easy to go without. Not sure which is best for you? We like this down vs synthetic guide from Sierra Trading Post.

Next, access your temperature needs. Will a bag rated at 30 degrees be enough for your use? Will you need a zero degree-rated bag? Determine where you’ll be using it, and in which season.

Finally, make sure a ‘youth’ sized bag will fit your kids (tweens may fit better in adult bags). Go into your local outdoor store to try out bags, and while you’re at it, bring your backpacks so you can be sure the sleeping bag of your choice fits into the sleeping bag compartment (if you care about that).

Once you’ve bought your bags and brought them home, remember to store them in a space where they can remain free of their stuff sacks. This is better for the bags. We hang ours from pegs in our garage, with each bag’s stuff sack set inside.

Find more gear in the Travel Gear We Use series (click below):

Products for parents who work on the go

October 21, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

None of us want to, but sometimes as parents, we simply must work on the go. My job has me working on the fly on airplanes (pun intended), in cars, and in hotel rooms on just about every trip we take, and while I’m the exception, I know most parents have to check in with work at least a few times during most family vacations.

Below are my favorite products to help ease the pain of working while away, plus some tips for getting that proposal sent or that project done from the road.

Tip: Parents trying into balance work and family life can use Cloud Services such as Windows Desktops hosted with CloudDesktopOnline and online file storage with CloudAppsPortal .

Logitech Keys to Go:

Anyone who’s ever tried to get actual work done on an iPad knows how crucial it is to have a keyboard. We’ve tried many portable keyboards, but find the Logitech Keys to Go pad works the best for us. It works on both iPads or iPhones, which we love, and is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. The keys are still full-sized with iOS shortcuts, and the pad is spill-resistant (which we’ve put to the test). Pick one up in one of several colors for under $80 on Amazon…if you work from the road even a few times a year, it’s worth it.

Tip: Use an internet fax service if your hotel isn’t business friendly.

Yurbuds noise-isolating wireless ear buds:

Ear buds that don’t get tangled, stay in your ear, and don’t restrict your movements? Yes, please. I love Yurbuds Leap (for women) when I need to listen into a conference call or edit a video while traveling because I can move around in the car or on the plane and not feel tethered to my screen. These bluetooth enabled ear buds have three inline remote buttons that make it easy to pause or resume work, control volume, and skip tracks, and Yurbuds ‘twist and lock’ technology that keeps them from slipping out of your ear. This feature is nifty: by angling the buds when you place them in your ears, then twisting, they become very secure in your ear (read the instructions when you get them, or you’ll be confused!) You get two bonuses with Yurbuds, too: 1. they double as great workout ear buds, and 2. they’re easy to pack in their own carrying case (included). Pick up a pair for $99 on Amazon.

Cube light from Enevu:

I love this little (big!) light. Billed as a personal light by Enevu, the cube is a small but efficient LED light you can take anywhere. Great for emergencies, it also works wonders when you have to see while getting a bit of work done after the kids go to sleep in a hotel room, or as a nightlight for kids in unfamiliar places. Extremely lightweight and packable, I toss our cube into my day bag or carry-on to have for whatever comes up. Its especially useful when you don’t have a power outlet nearby on trains or when the overhead light in a plane cabin is just too bright or intrusive. The cube can be set to multiple settings, from dim to bright to colored light. Best of all, it’s under $30! (Beware of cheaper knock-offs online.)

Amplifyze TCL Pulse bluetooth alarm:

Let’s say you need to get up earlier than everyone else to get some work done, but don’t want to wake everyone else in your hotel room with your alarm. The TCL Pulse is a bluetooth enabled vibrating alarm you can set bedside, or even under your pillow. Controlled by your smartphone, the Pulse has adjustable vibration levels and snooze option. You can set it to wake you by sound if you prefer.

What I love about it: I used to set my iPhone alarm in hotels, never wanting to figure out different alarm clocks in each room. But sleeping next to my phone is not restful, as it wakes me throughout the night with various buzzes and updates if not in sleep mode. With the Pulse, I can set the alarm on my phone, then put it far from my bed. Pick it up for $39.

Put your newfound productivity to use with these tips:

1. Pick a work hour and stick to it. Having a schedule while on vacation may not always be possible, but if you need to carve out some work time, it simply won’t happen unless you schedule it in. Opt for a quiet time of day for your family. Maybe that’s nap time at mid-day, or maybe it’s the hour just before dinner or the hour after the kids go to bed.

2. Find a place to work. Maybe this is in your hotel room or vacation rental, but if you’re trying to work after the kids go to sleep or while it’s noisy in the room, it simply won’t work. Think outside the box that is your 300 square feet…head down to the lobby or a coffee shop in the immediate area. The change of scenery will motivate you to get to work.

3. Think strategically when looking for wifi: Always have an app ready to tell you where the closest free wifi is, but also be ready to think on your feet. If you’re camping or staying in an otherwise remote location, the local grocery store or postal center will likely have wifi. Ditto for laundry facilities. I once found excellent wifi sitting on a picnic table outside the public laundry area of a national park lodge. In less rural areas, opt for quiet corners of hotel lobbies, coffee shops, or libraries. Worst case scenario: just suck it up and pay for wifi in your hotel room or on the plane. Sometimes, it’s worth it. Check to see if joining a loyalty program (always free) will grant your free wifi first, however! This is true of Kimpton hotels, among others.

amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit0”;
amzn_assoc_search_bar = “true”;
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “pitstoforkid-20”;
amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”;
amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”;
amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”;
amzn_assoc_region = “US”;
amzn_assoc_title = “My Amazon Picks”;
amzn_assoc_linkid = “87cfb6f6de58c95d5111725a5c4ebbe0”;
amzn_assoc_asins = “B00MUTWLW4,B00NJ1M3J8,B00WVM0JAQ,B014WJTHTO”;

How do you tackle work while on vacation?

As we disclose whenever applicable, Pit Stops for Kids received the products above for the purpose of review. Not all products we looked at made the cut. All opinion is our own.

Travel Gear We Use: Eagle Creek USB Universal Travel Adaptor

February 26, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Twenty-five years ago, I went on my first international trip on my own. One of my first purchases for my journey through Europe was a travel adaptor. It came in a big bag with lots of various-sized plug adaptors. A few months ago, I finally upgraded. As it turns out, gone are the clunky, multi-piece travel adaptors. Instead, adaptors now come in one sleek unit, and include USB ports.

I chose to purchase my new travel adaptor from Eagle Creek, because apart from one item*, I’ve always found their travel products to be high quality, practical, and affordable. In fact, we love their wheeled luggage lines so much, we were all carrying Eagle Creek bags through France and Italy.

Eagle Creek offers three travel adaptors, ranging from a bare bones model for $25 to a pro model for $65. I chose the one in the middle, the USB Universal Travel Adaptor for $50. Like it’s ‘pro’ counterpart, this adaptor comes with a detachable USB section with two ports. It’s a two-prong design that works in 150 countries. We appreciated that you simply slide the appropriate prongs in or out as needed. This way, in France we could use one adaptor type and in Italy another, all on the same unit, without needing to remember which types to pack. Because it’s a two-prong design, it accommodates US plug-ins directly. In other words, I can plug my US appliance directly into the adaptor, then plug the adaptor into the wall, using the appropriate prong type.

The whole unit is smaller than my fist, and I had no trouble with its durability, stashing it in various places in my carry on and in my day pack. It comes with surge overload protection, which is good insurance just in case your US devices aren’t approved for use at higher voltage.

The USB port section slides right into the main unit; you can take it on or off. I found that we used the USB unit at night to recharge our phones, then I’d just slide that section off (with the USB cables still attached) and use the adaptor solo for items like my hair dryer or my laptop. I debated getting the cheaper model without the USB ports; after all, it’s possible to simply bring a US plug for the USB cables and charge the phones one at a time. However, I’m so glad I splurged. If anything, we could have used more USB ports, not less!

Pick up the USB Universal Travel Adaptor on Eagle Creek, or save a few bucks and buy on Amazon.

*The only Eagle Creek product I’d avoid: their $6 travel sacks (3-1-1 bags) are not durable. We bought five, and four ripped before we’d even left the US.

Travel gifts for kids: best hydration packs for all-season use

February 20, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

As an extension of our Travel Gear We Use series, we also feature some of our favorite travel-related gifts for kids. First up: best hydration packs for kids. I used to think that hydration packs were ‘overkill’ when it came to kids’ outdoor gear, but I’ve completely changed my mind! My kids love using hydration packs during outdoor-adventure travel, and I love that they stay hydrated.

Best hydration pack for kids 6-10:

The CamelBak Kicker is our favorite hydration pack for kids 10 and under. Why? It’s compact, has a nicely-sized gear compartment (not too big, not too small), and the hydration hose is fully insulated, making it perfect for winter ski and snowboard trips. The Kicker comes in two colors (boys and girls will dig it) and features a sternum strap for extra security and support while hiking, city touring, or skiing. The water bladder isn’t too big (1.5L), so kids are never carrying too much weight. Toby (pictured above with the Kicker at age 8) can effortlessly carry his water, a light jacket or other gear, and a snack. The Kicker goes everywhere with us, and it’s far less expensive than other hydration packs at $46.50 on Amazon.

Can’t find the Kicker? Look for the Mini MULE. This pack has been discontinued by Camelbak, but can still be found on Amazon for roughly the same price as the Kicker, and about the same amount of internal space (plus a nice outer pocket).

Best hydration pack for kids 11-17:

For kids who have outgrown the Kicker, graduate them to the Platypus Tokul X.C.. Here’s why: this adult-sized hydration pack is still sleek enough for kids to carry easily and teens to crave while snowboarding or skiing. Kids get a full-sized water bladder (2L-3L) that’s easy to fill without spilling, and plenty of space for a light jacket, snack, extra goggles, or a phone. Best of all, the bladder and tube/bite valve is full compatible with other Platypus products, so the same gear can come on the family backpacking trip or on that long-distance run. Pick between three sizes (we find the 8L to be roomy enough for day hikes) on Amazon.

Need a pack that can grow with your kid, from childhood through the teen years? Ideal for tweens, teens, and beyond, the Camelbak Arete 18 is still small enough to be sleek (kids won’t be encumbered) but large enough to pack day trip items into. Plus, for bike rides and ski days, the Arete can transform from backpack to hydration sleeve. This is a pack that will carry through into adulthood, if you let it. Find it on Amazon for as low as $65.

Bonus! Best hydration packs for adults:

For adults who are active, we love the Osprey Raven, which is small enough to join you on ski trips and bike rides, but substantial enough for a day hike. For a hydration pack that gets the job done without breaking the bank, try the High Sierra Quickshot. It’s not as flashy, but the price is awesome!

amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit0”;
amzn_assoc_search_bar = “true”;
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “pitstoforkid-20”;
amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”;
amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”;
amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”;
amzn_assoc_region = “US”;
amzn_assoc_title = “My Amazon Picks”;
amzn_assoc_linkid = “2b3ff3efebcf632ee007032e7c7a5424”;
amzn_assoc_asins = “B014EBJ1IC,B00BXRJ74E,B00F9OCFNC,B00HV8LDLE”;

Pit Stops for Kids has tested every one of these packs. We never recommend a product we haven’t tried.

Summer travel gear pick: Trunki PaddlePak review

June 20, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Now that’s summer’s underway, you’re getting a good feel for what travel gear is working for you…and what’s not. If you’ve been carting your pool and beach gear around in a standard backpack that A) your kids leave on the pool deck and B) allows wet swimsuits to leak through, leaving wet spots in your car, we have a solution.

We recently reviewed the PaddlePak backpack, the latest offering from Trunki, a travel company known for their innovative (and fun!) gear for kids. Trunki believes a good travel product appeals to both little ones and their parents. The PaddlePak is water resistant inside and out, so go ahead and spill a juice box or two, plus stash wet swimsuits and towels inside. Have a water bottle that religiously leaks when you pack it for day camp? Go ahead and put that in there, as well.

We tried out the PaddlePak Clown Fish pack, named Chuckles. Chuckles is a regular-sized PaddlePak (large is also available), and is big enough to fit a swimsuit (or change of clothes), a pair of shoes, and/or a snack and drink. It’s recommended for ages 2 and up, which we appreciate: my three-year-old loved that it fit her well. No more backpack shoulder straps slipping off! The top closes with a roll-top just like a grown-up dry bag, which is a fun (and practical) touch. See what I mean about Trunki products appealing to both parents and kids?

‘Chuckles’ is truly unisex: it appealed equally to my daughter and my five-year-old son. For older kids, I’d recommend one of the large packs, such as the gray shark or black killer whale. The straps are adjustable, and best of all, the regular size is only $25.

We’ve used the pack for short hikes in the woods, because it’s the bag my daughter is enthusiastic to wear, and for trips to the beach and pool. If your child is in swimming lessons or attends a day camp this summer, a PaddlePak would be ideal!

Disclosure: we were given one PaddlePak to try for the purpose of review. Without product review samples, Pit Stops for Kids would be unable to bring information on current travel products to our readers.