Remember when you could toss any old thing into your carry on bag at the last minute? Do I want the round hair brush or the flat one - oh what the hey, take both.
Today, you need to take travel space savers seriously because, between new weight and size restrictions for carry-ons, airline charges for checked bags and the security rules - which seem to change every few months - packing for a trip has become an advanced science.
Small, light, dual-purpose travel accessories like these are essential.
These five travel space savers make packing a carry on bag to comply with today's travel conditions much easier.
MagellansLeave all your chargers at home when you travel. This pocket-sized device charges mobile phones, iPods, Blackberryes, MP3 players, Bluetooth headsets, PDAs. Power Monkey is a clever, powerful new device that can charge a mobile phone with 96 hours of standby in 30 minutes, charge an iPod with 40 minutes of play time, run a digital camera for up to 1,600 extra pictures. It comes with a 110-240 voltage adaptor, plus four adaptor plugs to recharge it from mains power in 150 countries. It also comes with 11 connectors for most mobile phones, USB devices and digital cameras. And, at last, it even works with an iPhone.
eBagsThis is one of the best seatback organizers I've seen. It's a flight organizer and it's a travel tote.
When it's folded in half and attached to its carrying strap, you can wear it as a handbag. Pack passport, currency, specs, phone, travel cosmetics, electronic book, netbook, pens, pencils, keys - whatever you'd put into a well edited travel handbag.
Once you're on board, it attaches to the seat back table in front of you - a neat and handy organizer with everything you need in easy reach. Then, when meals come around, you can slip it off, fold it in half and stow under your seat like the handbag it becomes in its other life.
magellansColorful, squeezable, easy-fill bottles are modern and attractive enough to sit on a bathroom shelf or a contemporary dressing table. Yet these lightweight travel bottles are just the right size to comply with international air travel regulations for carry on gels and liquids. Fill them with your favorite products to use at home and then pop them into a handbag or carry on bag for your flight.
MagellansI love these leak-proof, security-compliant travel bottles. There are six air-tight, easy-fill bottles, two jars and two flip top dispensing caps. Nothing fancy but very useful and reliable. They can be tucked neatly around your luggage.
MagellansThis 5 1/2" compact umbrella, opens to a really useful 42" arc, yet once it's folded it will fit into a handbag -- or a man's back pocket. It's hard to believe that an aluminum shaft, ribs and a canopy all fit into such a small package. A great space saver for any travelers - especially if they are heading for the unpredictable weather of the UK.
