Getting ready for a trip can sometimes cause the needle on the stress meter to jump into the red zone. But having the right gear can make all the difference. Say goodbye to dashing around like a chicken without a head and say hello to easy packing. Simplify your trip with these handy items.
Weelee Car Seat Carrier by Clek
$129.99
Purchase from Clekinc.ca
Say goodbye to the big plastic bag and packing tape. Now taking your car seat with you is a breeze. With two rugged wheels, a telescoping handle, luggage ID tag, thick layers of padding for optimal protection, plus a little extra room to stow extra vacation essentials, this stylish carrier does the trick. Plus it folds flat for easy storage. Weelee fits most other car seat brands.
Sonicare DiamondClean Toothbrush
$229.99
Purchase from Shoppers Drug Mart; London Drugs; Bed, Bath & Beyond
There’s nothing worse that a dead electric toothbrush on the road. Charge this unit via a USB that connects to your laptop! Or simply plug it into the wall. No need to carry around a bulky charger. DiamondClean offers five cleaning modes and lasts three weeks between charges. While you’re at home, the stylish glass doubles as a charging station.
Kandoo Wipes
$1.99 for 42
Purchase from Sobeys, Target, Walmart
Never be without wipes! Whether it’s for a sticky snack clean-up or in place of toilet paper, these Kandoo wipes will always save the day. They clean 30 per cent better than toilet paper and are flushable and biodegradable. The 42-count travel size is compact and can easily be thrown into your purse or carry-on bag.
Blue Piston Bluetooth Speaker
$49.99
Purchase from Canadian Tire
Take the tunes with you! Listen to your music wirelessly with this great sounding compact speaker with bass response. Perfect for around the pool at your favourite hotel. For road trips, it fits in the cupholder of most cars and lets you take phone calls hands free, so you can keep your eyes on the road.
Eddie Bauer Pop-Up Light
$20
Purchase from EddieBauer.com
Add a touch of comfort to those unfamiliar hotel rooms with compact flashlight. Kids will love that it pops ups into a lantern too. Putting out an impressive 80 lumens, the flashlight is also a great addition to your basic kit for hikes, overnight treks and home emergencies. It comes in a variety of colours and runs for 18 hours on three AAA batteries (included).
Zuuks by HI-TEC
$64.99 for men/women, $35 for children
Purchase from Sears (men/women), MEC (children)
Extra shoes can quickly put your suitcase over the weight limit. ZUUKs are incredibly light and pack down to almost nothing in your suitcase. The men’s shoe weighs only 166g! Designed with comfort in mind, this versatile shoe goes from trail to town. Perfect for any warm travel plans or adventures! Available in several different colours.
Wildly Organized Cosmetic Bag by Avon
$24
Purchase from Avon.ca or your representative
Keep things tidy with three separate zippered compartments while you’re on the road. Be ultra stylish with the snake printed look. This bad is big enough to hold a good-sized makeup collection. It’s made from embossed faux patent leather. The shiny goldtone zippers add a touch of bling.
Shel writes about the outdoors, travel and food when she’s not playing outside, on the road or eating. Her recent adventures have included a trip to the tundra to serve as cook at a caribou hunting camp and making a long overdue journey to Ukraine with her dad Merv. She’s the founder of a group called the Manitoba Food Bloggers as well as an avid angler and hunter. She lives in Winnipeg with her husband Ivan and their son Clark. [email protected]