November 03, 2010

Got an inveterate traveler on your holiday gift giving list one whose packing expertise grows exponentially with each successive adventure? A first time explorer who needs to gear up but isn't sure where or how to begin? A culinary, oenophile, Earth-friendly or other niche adventurer who needs specially travel goods? Give these wanderlust types the gift of travel goods and one that suits their travel IQ.

Travelers expect products to be as smart as they are and the trend in travel goods has been problem-solving, multitasking, super lightweight products sized for carrying on and tricked out with lots of organizing pockets and panels for electronics, power cords, business accessories and yes, even clothing.

For travel vets and newbies

- Travel goods manufacturers are creating products that anticipate, meet and exceed the needs (and expectations) of today's traveler and sure to elicit oohs and ahs from the gift recipient like Outdoor Product's Power Pack backpack ($90), lightweight and loaded with specialized compartments and able to keep up with serious globetrotters without slowing them down. A retractable Check-In Slider lets travelers flash boarding pass and ID. Side pockets, fleece-lined Sunglass Pocket, padded laptop compartment and Digital Gear Panel keeps gadgets, including USB cords and chargers, sorted, organized and protected.

- At the other end of the travel spectrum, traveling newbies and will appreciate Ricardo Beverly Hills' Pasadena Collection, particularly the perfectly sized 21-inch Expandable 4-Wheel WheelAboard ($260) in polycarbonate that's hard side in layman-speak. Superlight and expandable, it offers versatility with a removable tie bar in the suiter section and an uber organizing two-compartment packing system.

"The two-compartment packing features does more than just divide the case," says Lynn Johnson, Ricardo Beverly Hills' vice president of design and development. "Each compartment is set up for a different kind of packing, but at the same time each is flexible enough to allow you to organize for many different kinds of trips." Read more at www.ricardobeverlyhills.com

- In between pricewise but working on both levels is Briggs & Riley's Exchange 26 Duffle Bag ($160). The trendy two-bags-in-one piece converts from duffle to backpack with a quick zip that reveals padded backpack harness with sternum strap. With another zip, you can expand the bag three additional inches...meaning, it's time to shop because you've got plenty of room to bring home souvenirs.

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