Lark Ellen Gould | (TNS) TravelPulse
The Travel Goods Show 2024 came back to Las Vegas with a bang in March after COVID, as industry leaders, innovators, and creators gathered to discuss travel gear and display the latest products for making travel more efficient.
With the presence of industry giants like Briggs & Riley, Eagle Creek, Herschel, Osprey, Naftali, Nomatic, and Db Journey, as well as DIY startups addressing their own travel problems, this year's show had a stronger focus on sustainability compared to previous years which focused on technology.
Josh Cross, board chair of the Travel Goods Association and founder of Elios, a portable “smartpower” company, noted a significant shift towards sustainability in the industry over the past five years.
“The materials, fabrics, plastics, sourcing, and manufacturing are all now centered around sustainability. This is because the travel industry is one of the largest in the world and supports about one in 10 jobs globally. Therefore, sustainability has become a critical aspect of travel goods.”
This year, the abundance of luggage trackers, clothing wraps, jet lag remedies, embedded luggage chargers, portable workstations, and airline seat converters was gone. Instead, the show reflected three years of lockdown but was geared towards a new type of traveler—the serious road warrior focused on efficient travel.
Here is an overview of the latest gear for traveling well and some items for leisure.
Briggs & Riley
This company transformed travel by introducing rolling luggage to the market. Established in 1993, it continues to uphold its “Simple as that” lifetime guarantee and is now known for its one-touch expansion-compression technology in the Baseline Essential 22-inch Carry-On Spinner, which also includes a built-in garment folder to keep clothes neat. The price is $699.
Cabeau
Cabeau, known for travel neck pillows and now lumbar pads, has introduced an inflatable cushion for the backside. The cushion can be easily inflated and deflated through a built-in button, relieving pressure on hard seats and ensuring proper alignment to prevent and alleviate back discomfort while traveling. It’s expected to be available in April and priced around $30.
Kytin QTR
Kytins, a San Francisco startup, has elevated socks to a new level by creating dual-layer compression socks with dynamic arch support and cushiony soles made of durable, eco-friendly materials. These socks are sturdy enough for airport navigation and wearing on a plane while keeping shoes packed. They come in multiple colors and designs for men and women, starting at $50.
Hillside Meridian
Do you need a bag or a backpack? These backpacks, or bagpacks, have different designs, but one special feature is that they can be worn on both shoulders and, with a quick movement, transform into a briefcase with a shoulder strap. The price of bags starts at $149.
Nomatic
This is the top company for smart and durable travel gear that looks good and can handle any task. Although the main product is black, sleek backpacks, they also offer computer bags, navigator slings, hardshell cases, and now, clothing. One popular item is The Outset Jacket, which is made of soft, strong, breathable, and resistant materials for lightweight comfort in cool weather. It can also be folded into a travel pillow for $200.
Top 5 travel products to buy just for the quirk of it:
Modobag
For the hectic airport dash, Modobag might be the solution. It is part vehicle, part luggage, and comes with a throttle, brakes, foot pegs, and a memory foam cushioned seat for navigating terminals at a speedy 8 mph. It has approval from the TSA and FAA but weighs 19 pounds before adding items — about three times heavier than regular bags. Most of the weight comes from the battery, which charges in 15 minutes. Prices start at $995.
Armbie
Feeling uncomfortable in the middle seat? Use Armbie, a dual-arm support sling made from a satin-link fabric tube that stretches around the torso from just below the ribcage, similar to a straitjacket. For those who prefer to keep their arms close, whether for comfort or because they’re squeezed between two big people, the stretch system allows you to relax on long flights without worrying about your body shifting or getting tired. It is available in four sizes and costs $23.
Flypod
Surround yourself on any flight with this Thermolite recycled-down alternative in the shape of a sleeping bag. Flypod aims to encase passengers in comfort as they fly through the sky or, at the very least, completely cover the seat to reduce contact with germs or allergens. It weighs about 1.5 pounds and fits into a convenient sling pack. The extra warmth and security costs $180 before shipping.
Lightload Tea and Towels
Keep tea in your wallet and a towel in your pocket… sounds good, right? The tea comes as compressed black tea that brews up to five gallons of tea from just an ounce — helpful when space is limited and you have a group of thirsty people with you. The towels, which can be used alongside the tea during a picnic, are compressed into small tabs no bigger than a donut hole and expand to 12 by 24 inches. They are made from wood and plant fabric that can be washed and reused. You can buy a three-pack for $8.99 while the tea costs $5.50.
RestAngles
Short people struggle even on airplanes. For those who fit into their seat but still have uncomfortably dangling feet, RestAngles offers a fold-flat plastic solution that weighs 12 ounces and fits into a purse. You can unfold it, prop it up, and use it as a leg rest made of single-use plastics, which comes with its own carry pouch. This Alaska-based start-up concept costs $46.
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