My Three Travel Essentials
Go wireless for travel in 2020, you will thank me later.
I have noticed over time how my wariness for wireless and frequently-need-to-be-charged technology has waned. Some of these choices were not intentional - my Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II wireless headphones were offered as part of purchasing a new car. I chose them from three available Bose products. Even now, six months later, it still feels strange to not be tethered to your device. So far I have worn these as a passenger in a car for a few thousand kilometers, on a long-weekend trip to Chicago and a five-day business trip to Vancouver. If you aren't going to sweat like crazy, these are fun to use while urban biking. There may be an element of self-consciousness with this style of headphone - as my brain-bucket is not the smallest in the world and these are not exactly low-profile. All said, the sound quality is substantially better than the Apple earbuds that have been my friend for the past six to seven years as a iPhone user. You will have to be prepared for how much ambient noise is cut out in your surroundings. Your partner, kids or work team will not get through to you speaking at normal volume - you will see their lips moving but you will hear nothing. The Bose Connect app makes easy work of connecting the headphones to your mobile device, tablet or desktop. Currently I have QuietComfort's connected to three devices - and they will play sound from two at the same time. Product: Bose QuietComfort 35 Series IIPrice: $430
The LeatherMan Skeletool, Garmin Fenix 3-HR, and Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones are GabesImages travel essentials.
Let me start by saying that any multi-tool is a moot point if you are into the carry-on only travel life. That being said, my Leatherman Skeletool is never far from reach or use at home or on the road. This 7-in-1 tool is not an accessory - accessories you can do without. This has seen almost six years of use on downhill skis, bike emergencies, Ikea furniture setups and live permanently in my LowePro Whistler 450W camera bag. Two interchangeable screw bits have lasted a surprisingly long time without threading. The blade has been sharpened a few times, and that depends entirely upon use. The carabiner clip makes it accessible and secure when hiking, on a job site, in your PFD on paddling trips and climbers swear by it. Well, good enough for me and I guarantee it will be for you too. Product: Leatherman SkeletoolPrice: $74.94
The Garmin Fenix 3-HR, when used as a watch has one of the best battery-times in the re-chargables market.
If you looked at the price for this smart watch first, you probably thought "fuck that." Well I did too once I started creeping around the internet looking at various options. I am a big fan of product integration - it's why I own three Apple devices. But the Apple watch never really took my full attention. I used to own a basic Suunto - I have owned numerous Timex and Casio versions of beefy timepieces that I figured would stand up to the abuse that I put wearables through.
My suggestion if you are looking for a smart watch that costs as much as two car payments, or two months worth of food? Check out the certified refurbished watch sales on Amazon. I got mine on a 33% off for $290. Steep yes, but for what you get packed in, I have zero regrets. Features: 1. Glass Face - my folks dog has been it numerous times already - and nothing2. The face can be customized with the Garmin Connect app to feature any photo you want on it - the downside you will read about and I can confirm is that the brightness level leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully Garmin listens to the feedback and fixes it.3. Apps - there are a ton of apps and trackable options - I now regular push myself to complete weekly step challenges, floors climbed and descended, hours slept and my daily heart rate check.4. GPS - note that when tracking an activity (they offer track ability for a whack-load) the battery life can decrease from two weeks to a day-and-a-half. That said, you can use the watch in tandem with your smartphone or by itself. When you reconnect with your mobile device, you pair it up and all your stats appear on the Garmin Connect app.5. Mobile connectivity - You can receive all notifications that you have turned on, on your phone. You can answer calls (you can't speak through the watch though), read texts, emails, Slack messages etc. It's pretty cool I must say. When you are asleep, the watch knows. Along with tracking your sleep cycles and movement during the night, it will turn off notifications to the watch during the night. Creepy, yes. Cool, yes. Product: Garmin Fenix 3-HRPrice: $749.99
