Resources
Suppliers (of recommended products)
If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light.
Note that all product recommendations stem solely from personal experiences; this is not a commercial venture, and I have no financial interest in any aspects of the travel industry. The popularity of this site has led to suppliers sending me products for review, and while I am happy to learn of (and try out) new items, I will only recommend those that I (or my wife) have personally used, and found both praiseworthy and deserving of the valuable space in a single small bag.
I strongly encourage you to inform manufacturers that you heard about their products on this Web site. No, I don't get any commissions, but it helps send the message that their market includes enlightened buyers ... people who care about the issues explored here.
And yes, I'm aware that there is a preponderance of U.S.-based suppliers on this page. Being a Canadian, I am perhaps more sensitive to this topic than you might otherwise think. As noted above, though, I report on what I know, and the products mentioned on this site (some of which aren't U.S.-sourced) are the best that I have found to date. Many of the products I recommend were first brought to my attention by others, but despite OneBag.com's large international audience (almost 40% of its readership comes from outside the U.S.), the majority of such suggestions have been U.S.-based products. Whether this reflects a tendency for American suppliers to more proactively market their goods, I cannot say, but if you (be you a manufacturer or an individual) have a favourite item that you think I should know about, don't hesitate to suggest it. To the extent reasonable, I will use and evaluate it. And if it meets my admittedly demanding criteria, I'll be happy to so inform OneBag.com's more than 3500 daily visitors.
The mail-order travel product source that I most enthusiastically recommend is Magellan's, with headquarters (and a very nice retail store) in Santa Barbara, California. If you're not already receiving their catalogs, contact them right away to get on their mailing list. They've been in business for more than twenty years, and their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Of the items on my packing list that you don't already have, most can be obtained from Magellan's extensive (1000+) product stock.
That said, remember that all travel product stores stay in business by selling you stuff. As such, and given their broad offerings of tempting gadgets, they can be the bane of the traveller wishing to go light!
Another good mail-order travel product supplier, with an emphasis on clothing rather than gear, is TravelSmith. Their Web site's "outlet" section offers special prices on discontinued products.
Adventure clothing specialist Tilley Endurables makes superb — if not inexpensive — travel wear; many of their products come with lifetime guarantees, pretty unusual in the clothing business! They have a great eye for classic styles, their "AdventureCloth" stands up to the rigours of travel better than most anything, and their travel socks are unbeatable. Truth is, you could pretty much do all your travel clothing shopping at Tilley, and not have to fret about making unwise choices.
Ex Officio and Columbia Sportswear are both notable makers of quality travel clothing that can be found at many retail shops. You could travel around the world in an Ex Officio Air Strip™ shirt (as others have).
The crew at ScotteVest has designed an impressive array of travel clothing featuring more built-in pockets than you'll likely ever need ... sort of less-goofy-looking alternatives to the iconic photographer's vest; they pay particular attention to the needs of those disposed to carrying cellphones, MP3 players, digital cameras, memory cards, e-book readers, and other technological accoutrements. If you're a do-it-yourself type (and have some decent sewing skills), owner/designer Marsha McClintock at Saf-T-Pockets Patterns offers an interesting variety of patterns for well-pocketed women's travel clothing.
Active women will find Title Nine of particular interest, as they make a good sports bra that also serves well as a regular one.
It is surprisingly difficult to find high quality, well designed travel packs; many once-excellent brands have disappeared over the years. Product lines that used to include excellent offerings are now more directed to what an ill-informed market seems to demand: ever larger bags, attached wheels, and the like. But the MEI (originally Mountain Equipment Inc.) brand, once threatened with extinction, is now capably manufactured in California by Genuine Gear, operated by a long-time veteran of the original company (and also one of the few manufacturers that produces all its products locally, a pleasant departure from the offshore approach favoured by most). You can — and should — buy MEI bags directly from Genuine Gear; their Internet presence is a modest one, and should not be confused with a reseller site for the Voyageur bag that is operated by a customer of theirs. Eagle Creek and Patagonia continue to thrive, with good quality products, though none that I currently believe to be "best in class".
In 2008 (when U.S. airlines began charging for checked bags), the deluge of interest in carry-on luggage overwhelmed the tiny Genuine Gear company, and caused serious delays in their order fulfillment rate. They now seem to have recovered, and able to ship bags in a reasonable period of time (three weeks or less). If you're in a particular hurry for a bag, though, I suggest contacting the company first to see if they can accommodate your schedule. I have always found them to be completely honest — if occasionally beleaguered — in their dealings.
Montana's Red Oxx Manufacturing makes the best general-purpose business bag. Red Oxx, New York's Tough Traveler, and Washington's Tom Bihn all have appealing dual-purpose offerings; the specific models that I recommend are designed for optimal packing.
Kiva Designs and Barefoot Enterprises both make excellent lightweight daypacks that are well-suited for being packed inside your regular bag.
Both Tom Bihn and Red Oxx sell Quake Industries' superb high-tech shoulder strap, and the former sells the "Absolute Shoulder Strap" as well. You can find Domke's U.S. Post Office-style shoulder pads at large photographic suppliers, but B&H Photo is a reliable (if not the cheapest) online source.
Kart-A-Bag makes a line of well-engineered, rugged collapsible luggage carts, head and shoulders above the usual stuff you see at the airport gift shops. And American Reliable Products produces the Travelite model that I recommend for lightweight travel.
An additional "must have" catalog is that of Campmor. Their business is ostensibly camping equipment, but they carry plenty of travel-related products, always have lots of sale/bargain offers, and their regular prices are typically the best to be found anywhere.
Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) operates both a mail-order business and a large chain of stores. They sell high quality products, including several under their own brand. They're also a successful co-operative, which means that if you become a member (a $15 one-time fee), they'll pay you an annual dividend that generally runs about 10% of what you spent with them the previous year (on non-sale items). You don't need to be a member, however, to shop there. REI also operates an "outlet" Web site (separate from their main Web site), selling discontinued and overstock merchandise, and well worth frequent visits if you're looking for bargains.
The Sierra Trading Post produces frequent and interesting catalogs featuring overstock/closeout/seconds merchandise, mostly outdoor clothing and equipment. They also have stores in Cheyenne and Cody, Wyoming, and Reno, Nevada. Their Web site lists all their offerings as well, and sometimes has short-term specials that don't make it into the catalogs.
Walkabout Travel Gear is an online supplier with a modest but well-considered product catalog, and refreshingly competitive prices. They're a great source of viscose Packtowls®, with an extensive (and clearly described) selection of electrical adapters and plug converters as well.
Don't be put off by the amateurish Cartom Products Web site; they make good quality organizer pouches, as does the more polished On Sight Equipment. Both Eagle Creek and Tom Bihn sell various sizes of packing cubes.
Mountain Safety Research (MSR) makes the very handy Packtowl®, the high-tech MIOX® (water) Purifier, and a variety of other excellent products for the backpacking crowd.
Travel Medicine offers an extensive assortment of water filters, medical kits, and other health-related products. They also publish the annually updated International Travel Health Guide, covering over 190 countries.
The Leatherman Tool Group manufacturers a line of extremely high quality (25-year warranty!) multifunctional tools, invented by Tim Leatherman after a frustrating European trip during which his Swiss Army knife proved inadequate.
Uncle Bill's Tweezers are widely available in camping and hardware stores; most Internet retailers charge more than the price of the tweezers in "shipping and handling" fees. The cheapest on-line source I know of for a single (or perhaps two) pair is Paul Winchell, who also ships internationally.
For good prices, and an amazing selection of Swiss Army (and many other kinds of) knives, Leatherman tools, Sure-Fire flashlights, and related items, request a catalog from Cutlery Shoppe.
Britain's Design Go offers a variety of travel paraphernalia, including "The Snoozer", a thoughtfully-designed around-the-neck inflatable travel pillow.
The folks at Easy Traveler not only have a broad line of robust, leakproof, refillable squeeze tubes, but they've figured out a way for you to get stuff into them as well.
The recommended International Translator card is not the only product from Kwikpoint; their offerings include several other useful formats and topics.
Chums carries an astounding assortment of eyewear retainers. They also have (hard to find) hat clips, badge holders (for the inveterate convention-goer), and even some clothing.
Venerable Maine retailer L.L.Bean sells what I believe to be the best travel alarm clock.
For full-length portable mosquito nets, check with the folks at Long Road Travel Supplies.
The Easy TravelAir Web site illustrates and sells the airport document pouch that I mention.
The best child carriers are made (and have been for over 20 years) by Tough Traveler.
If you're seriously into international travelling, you'll want a subscription to the International Travel News. Written by those who actually do it, it's published monthly, on newsprint, and runs to some 160–200 pages; you'd be hard pressed to actually read it cover to cover before the next issue arrives! At only $24 a year (a bit more outside the US), and even cheaper over longer periods, it's a true bargain. Call or e-mail them for a sample copy.
As discussed in the packing list, animals and other toys fashioned from twisted balloons make good gifts for the children of those you visit. It's an easily learned skill, and clown supplier T. Myers Magic will teach you how to do it (I recommend their "Balloon Sculpture 101" video), and sell you the balloons. They also sell stickers and other giveaway items, and offer a free catalog.