File under: Luggage & Travel

For me, travel is only a means to an end — getting to the place where I’ll have fun; the journey itself is not the adventure, and I applaud those for whom it is. But not me.

If you are of a like mind, and want a few tips on getting there with minimum hassle, read on about travel accessories.

The bulk of my long distance travel these days is by air. I’m not afraid to fly, but I am afraid of airports.Getting to the park and ride, hopping the bus, mucking about with my dive bag and backpack, standing in the inevitable lines — security and otherwise — waiting at the gate; all such a pain. And, I’m not alone, of course.

Fortunately, I know of some travel accessories that make a trip more pleasurable –

If you like keeping your travel documents — passport, tickets, et al — conveniently at hand, check out this Eagle Creek Undercover Neck Pouch; all silk, three pockets, adjustable neck cord, and washable. At the right.

Or, if you’re moving about in less than secure areas of the world, this ETA Safety Belt. It’s nylon construction with a wicking rear panel, and will accommodate varying sizes of foreign currency plus your necessary boarding passes, passport and travel docs, credit and ID cards. Belt shown left.

I like to sleep on the airplane, so I like this Victorinox Travel Neck Ring — microbead construction, lightweight, collapsible, and washable. Pictured right.

Pillows and blankets are becoming increasingly scarce (or prohibitively expensive) on board the aircraft, but you can beat the system with this Cocoon Travel Pillow. At a weight of 3 ounces, it’s filled with premium goose down, collapses to the size of a soda can, and has its own stuff sack. I use it when backpacking. At the left.

One of the best ways I have found to maximize my sojourn through security is with a travel vest; I have a couple of them, but I like those similar to this vest, by Filson — their Travel Vest. You can stuff this thing with your travel docs and such — the whole nine yards — and just put it in the plastic bucket for the ride through the x-ray. It has an incredible 20 (!) pockets — some inside the vest for security, and 7 of them zippered — padded collar, and is washable to boot.

One last item of travel clothing — convertible pants — good stuff. These North Face Paramount Peak’s are abrasion-resistant, will shrug off water, are UPF 30, and sport 10″ zip off shorts and cargo pockets with, um, lots of storage capacity.

OK; these are the items I like to use when traveling; if you have some that you have found good use for, leave me a comment, please.

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By Bill Volk