All posts filed under: Things for Traveling

AllSwell Notebook

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The AllSwell Notebook is a slim, travel-friendly journal made in the U.S. from recycled materials. Launched by Laura Rubin, founder and creative director of Left Left Right (LLR) Consulting, the 8.5” x 6.5” notebook is essentially two journals in one, including a lined “WRITE” side and a unlined “DRAW” side perfect for sketching. A percentage of the proceeds will go to A Walk on Water, an organization that provides water therapy through guided surf instruction to specials needs children. The notebook has 96 blank pages: 48 lined and 48 unlined. The interior covers feature custom designs by illustrator Alessandra Olanow. $21.00. http://allswellcreative.com/pages/find-us All images courtesy of AllSwell Creative.

Petite Loop “Phone Leash”

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It’s a rare thing when you find a product that is equal parts simple and useful. The Petite Loop “phone leash” is an incredibly handy, lightweight accessory that sticks to the back of your phone under your case. First you peel back the adhesive backing on the ribbon of your choice and attach it to the back of your phone. You then pull the .5 millimeter thick ribbon through the charging hole on the bottom and snap your case back on (it is claimed to be compatible with all phones ). You now have a handy way to be hands-free with your phone if you are without pockets, want to hang it on the back of the bathroom door so it doesn’t fall in the toilet, or want to keep it from getting snatched as the subway doors close (happened to my friend). At only .8 grams, the ribbon adds no noticable weight to the phone. But how strong is it really? You know those wall hanging tabs from 3M that only come off if you pull them horizontally from the product but will not …

Nanuknano Rugged Case by Plasticase

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For 30 years, Plasticase has designed, manufactured, and sold millions of plastic cases worldwide. The company currently works mainly on a B2B (business-to-business) basis, tailoring its products to the specialized needs of fields such as medical equipment, electronics, tools, military, and law enforcement. In late 2012, Plasticase hired Météore Design to create an all-new consumer-oriented outdoor line of small handheld cases called Nanuknano. The impact- and water-resistant cases protect personal belongings like smartphones, wallets, and cameras, on hikes, boat rides, and anywhere else you need extra protection. The cases, which come in eight colors and three sizes, feature shock-resistant polycarbonate resin shells, a patented PowerClaw latch, a valve for pressure control, and an elastomer over-molding that provides both internal protection and exterior shock absorption. You can carry the case using an adjustable wrist strap or by attaching it securely to a boat, belt, or knapsack. The cases are available worldwide via Plasticase.com. $19.99 U.S. (small); $24.99 U.S. (medium); $29.99 U.S. (large).   ‘   Images courtesy of Plasticase Inc.

Stay-Brella by Nendo

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This clever “stay-brella”— created by the Japanese design firm Nendo exclusively for Seibu department stores in Japan — has a forked handle design that gives it a foot to stand on when not in use. This little feature also allows the umbrella to easily hang from tables and stay propped up on a wall when drying. The umbrella comes in eight different colors and has a strap to hang from the arm. A special surface coating reduces UV rays by 90%, a great feature in a country where folks use umbrellas for sun protection as much, if not more often, than rain protection. All photos by Akihiro Yoshida.

Zipbuds Earbuds

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There is an episode of the indie hit show Portlandia, where a couple is buying a housewarming present for a friend and ends up in a trendy “knot store” that literally sells different kinds of knots. The salesperson (played to quirky perfection by Jeffrey Goldblum) convinces them to buy some tangled earbuds in a glass vitrine as a piece of  home decor. Explains Goldblum, “an artist we work with makes these by jamming them into his pocket.” He then purrs inexplicably. The makers of Zipbuds have a new solution to avoid the inevitable pocket-stress on your earbud wires. Zipbuds are tangle-free earphones with a patented zipper technology that allow you to literally zip-up the wires together so that they can’t get tangled. This “vertebrae design” is lightweight and uses high-performance military grade cabling to reduce fraying or distorted cables. The earbuds are made to minimize ear pressure and fit comfortably, and include three custom-fitted ear tips. They are compatible with Apple, Android, Windows Phone, and other media devices that accept traditional 3.5mm headphone input and come in black, …

KeyDisk 2 Key Holder

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Why exactly do we have to have all of our keys dangling together in one messy jumble anyway? Designers Jacob Flores and Steven Elliot, the founders of KeyDisk Co. in San Francisco, have taken things completely off the chain with their new key storage solution. Constructed from sandblasted and anodized aluminum, KeyDisk 2 is a lightweight, innovative flat keyholder that can hold up to nine keys. Compatible with standard key rings and car remotes, KeyDisk 2 fits into any pocket due to its slim design. The second edition has a hollowed-out design, which makes it more ergonomic and makes finding and drawing out a key easier. With two different screw shapes, the key holder is much simpler for users to assemble. This hypnotizing gif shows how it works: With over a month to go, the designers have already met their Kickstarter goal to bring the product into production. Backers of the Kickstarter can receive a gunmetal gray or onyx black KeyDisk 2 for a pledge of just $19, a $10 savings from retail. Worrying about what you will do with all …