Unique

Novelty and unique travel accessories and gadgets are cute and fun. Some kits and gears may look unusual or bizarre, but they all have one thing in common… these accessories are a novelty and obviously useful. Many unique accessories are also useful as gifts such as dual-time watch, ticket stub diary and travel mug. These novelty items make unique gifts and here are more unique travel gears, kits and accessories for that great travel gifts ideas.

Dual-time watch. Very useful if you need to keep track of time back home or elsewhere. A unique accessory and great as gift or present. Cool, trendy and practical accessory to wear. Though the two clocks can be pretty small as they have to fit the wrist.

Shopping is part of travel and we surely want to bring back a souvenir or two. The good thing is there are expandable luggage for that extra space. Whether they are two wheels duffel bag with back strap or four wheels suitcases. Many luggage are also made from light-weight but sturdy material.

Luggage tag. Nothing new except they now come in many unique shapes, colors and prints so that we can easily identify our luggage from the baggage carousel. Some travelers are innovative and tie ribbons on the luggage handles. Sometimes luggage can look alike so ribbons and unique tags can stand out from the crowd and we can easily recognise our luggage.

Travel mug, tumbler or thermos flask. The mug can weigh a bit due to its stainless steel inner lining construction but the mug is suitable for both hot and cold beverages especially great for those who need hot coffee on the go. There are however the smaller and lighter weight mugs or thermos flask available which are suitable for travel. There are also the fanciful or high-tech looking mug that looks like a DSLR camera lens! Great as gift.

Fold-up travel stand for tablets, iPads and readers. It is a small, compact and a very portable kit that you can easily carry and place on the airplane seat tray to enjoy watching movies or listening to music or to read. Ideal too for net surfing in hotel or hostels. Easily fits in any bag or pocket. However most people would cover their expensive tablets or iPads with folio cases that can also act as a stand. The cover is useful in case we drop the fragile electronic devices.

Carry some plastic zip-lock bags. They come in various sizes. Neat way to carry toiletries and other stuffs, such as passport, money, camera and clothes. And you can see through the clear re-closeable bag. You can also compress clothes with plastic ziplock bags and save your luggage space. For clothes compression preferably get the sturdier plastic ziplock bag or purpose made roll-up compression bag.

A flexible clothesline could be useful gadget for some laundry washing on the go. Well, provided you have space to hang them. Useful for camping trips or when you are staying in the desert or coast area. At some hotels you may be able to hang them above the long bath tub. If you bring along a clothesline you may want to bring a couple of clothes peg too. These pegs are not only useful to hold together your clothes so that they will not fly away (especially for small items like socks), but the pegs can be useful as food bag lids.

Bring along a compact foldable or collapsible clothes hanger. There is also the inflatable variant. Yes, inflatable clothes hanger. This kit will come in handy for hanging clothes, wet or dry.

A laundry bag with drawstring is a convenient way for putting your clothes in to be sent to the laundry. You can always re-use it. Of course you can also use any large plastic bag. Laundry bag is usually provided if you use the expensive hotel laundry service and we can find them somewhere in the hotel room wardrobe. Though at some hotels we can find the coin-operated washer and dryer.

If you are traveling as a family, on business travel or simply want to separate out your clothes, packing cubes may come in handy to separate clothes so that you can easily unpack and repack and keep clothes at one place. Though this may be of less use for backpackers with space constraints.

Tube, bottled or disposable sachet liquid or gel laundry wash detergent will be handy for washing clothes on the go. Though finding space to hang your washed stuffs to dry up may not be easy in cramped shared accommodation and even hotels.

Travel alarm clock. They come in many unique shapes and sizes. Some complete with flashlight, so it can serve as a dual purpose. However you can also use your smartphone alarm clock. You can also use your smartphone as flashlight. There are many flashlight apps out there that you can download. Though it is never is a good idea to use your smartphone as flashlight as the battery will run out very fast.

Bring a pillow case or liner. NOT the actual pillow. Along your travel you may sleep onto smelly or dirty looking pillows especially if you stay in hostels or budget hotels. Bring a worn-out pillow case that you can afford to leave behind. In any case it is a light piece of cloth. If you want to bring along a pillow you can get an inflatable pillow that is foldable and light. Similar to inflatable neck pillow you can blow and deflate it.

For water enthusiasts. A cheap multipurpose clear or transparent plastic waterproof pouch that you can put your compact camera or smartphone in and take some underwater photos. You no longer need to buy a water camera. Great for water activities such as snorkeling, rafting or amusement park water rides. The plastic pouch can also be used to store cash, passport and credit cards. It comes in various sizes. There are also the hard case versions. But the plastic pouch is flat, light and easier to carry. The hard case pouch is more sturdy though.

But if you want to look like a pro and have more budget you can get a waterproof camera housing or case for your DSLR or compact cameras. And you may want to get the floating wrist strap for your camera too.

Disposable single use water-proof camera. Each camera can take up to 27 pictures. But if you plan to do lots of underwater activities get a proper water-proof camera.A waterproof camera housing can cost similar to a compact waterproof camera! Nikon, Panasonic, Kodak and Canon sell compact waterproof cameras. You will not need to get a casing or housing.

Snorkeling kit. You can rent one if you go to specialized snorkeling area, but I have seen fellow travelers snorkeled in swimming pool! They must have love snorkelling so much. Not sure how they managed to squeeze the bulky kit in their luggage.

A compact folding fan for hot climate travels that you can easily hold or hang around your neck. It folds so you can also put it on a table or nightstand for that stuffy hotel or hostel room. The gadget can also be used to blow your hair, an alternative to hair dryer. There are also the mini travel fans with mist spray for that added cool air. Cool gadget to have around so that we can feel cool during those warm sunny days.

Walkie-talkie. You will need to bring at least two or a pair for the gadget to work. There are travelers who bring these along to communicate with each other and can be useful during treking. I supposed it is cheaper than using mobile or cell phones. However walkie-talkie usually have distance limitation. The more expensive ones tend to cover longer distance.

A hair dryer and straightener. I never carry one but have seen few travelers brought it along. Hair dryers now come in travel mini sizes. However be aware that you may need to bring along a voltage converter if the place you a going to use a different voltage, if not you may see smoke coming out! It is usually not a problem for a higher voltage appliance to plug into lower voltage plug but not the other way round. Some hotels, usually the higher end ones provide hair dryers (but not straighteners).

Back or seat support cushion. If you really need one you will figure out how to bring one. A fellow traveler brought one along. And squeezed it in her luggage!

Titanium energy bracelet. This is light and small and supposedly good for your well-being by giving positive energy. Noticed fellow traveler wearing one. Exercise, walking and hiking will give you lots more of physical energy and is definitely good for you!

Colorful halloween party masks. Pack a couple if your trip coincide during Halloween or New Year’s eve and you want to have some fun.

And halloween party wig. To add more zest to your party.

Form-fit toe slip-on shoes. For water and multipurpose use. Some may swear by its comfort but walking around town wearing it may be a bit odd, though it can be quite fashionable.

For those who must workout where-ever they are. We have to keep fit to travel. A jogger heart-rate monitor that you can strap to your arm. Read the label. Usually you will have to wet the contact for the gadget to work properly. You can use your saliva to wet the contact.

And while you jog, you may want to listen to your MP3 player at the same time. A strapped arm band gadget holder can carry your smartphone, MP3 player or other gadgets.

Chewable toothpaste tablets. Less weight and more convenient to carry that the conventional toothpaste. The plastic bottle is recyclable so its more environmentally friendly than the conventional toothpaste tubes. Great for hiking, camping and in the airplane. Great for general travel use too such as in the hostels/hotels.

Toiletry paper sheets hand soap. Small, light and you can easily put them in your pocket. Come in 20 to 50 sheets pack. Use one to two sheets at a time (and the sheet needs water for it to work). Handy while on the road, camping, hostels and general traveling where soap in public toilet is not available. Alternatively you can save slivers of soap from home and break them up into pieces. Leave them behind or throw them away after use. There are also shampoo and conditioner sheets, body wash sheets, shaving sheets and laundry sheets soap! These are certainly handy, very light and unique travel accessories.

Ultra-light travel towel. Very light and quick drying handy for hiking, camping and beach. The lightweight towel, usually made from microfibre’ is perfect for daily showering and light traveling. Normal cotton towels are bulky and occupy luggage space.

We are always worried about our precious belongings while traveling. Losing cash or credit cards can be a nightmare to our journey. We have to hold on tight to our bags at all times. There are sturdy slash-proof anti-theft sling or shoulder bags made with chain link construction to prevent pick-pockets or thieves from cutting your bag. A unique travel accessory with safety in mind. Though we have heard reports of thieves pulling or snatching handbags of people so hard that caused injuries to victims. Safety-wise it is advisable to store money and credits cards at different places just in case. Perhaps put some in money-belt.

Passport is best left in the hotel safe if there is one. We have heard the term never put all the eggs in one basket! Though staying in some cheap hostels can be a problem stashing our belonging securely even if we lock them up in the equally cheap looking lockers in the shared dorm room. Don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you leave home. And never leave your bag hanging from the chair while you are enjoying meals at restaurants. Another unique safety gadget is ultra-violet pen light that can detect fake money. There are fake money in circulation in some countries and they can be difficult to differentiate from the real ones. Though with the sophistication of fake money looking like the real McCoy the ultra violet pen may not be of much use. Feeling the money and knowing the features are still the best way to detect if we have been given some fake monies.

Bring a couple of ear plugs if you are worried about sharing a dorm with some snoring fellas or staying in party hostel unless you are one of the party persons yourself! Useful for that long plane ride too. Sometimes airline may issue you a pair together with the eye mask but in today’s cost cutting measure with many airlines bleeding you may not get one. You certainly will not get one if you are traveling in budget or low cost carrier.

Crocs clog shoes. While they are light but the plastic clogs are bulky. And while it is alright to wear them at home even to the suburban malls walking around town wearing them may not look so fashionable. We bought a pair while in Belize for the awesome watery ATM caving but left them behind after that. Just too bulky to lug them around. Plus their uses are limited during travel. Flip-flops or walking sandals are more practical and have more uses compared to croc shoes. You will have to walk on some water streams before getting to the entrance of the ATM cave. The croc shoes are not really the most suitable footwear for walking on water streams as they are quite slippery but will do if properly strapped walking sandals are not available. And shoes will just get soaked walking in water unless they are water shoes, which of course is the most appropriate footwear in this situation.

Mobile or cell phone charger wall holder for mobile/ cell phone charging. Many hostels and hotels tend to have power outlets very near to the floor and you will end up putting your phone on the floor to charge up your phone and other small electronic gadgets. The bright colored holder will act as a reminder that you have something on the floor and it will leave your phone clean at the same time. Get the foldable type that can fit easily in your luggage.

Hand warmer. Pretty useful to keep your hand toasted in the freezing mountain or hostel, or just about anywhere. Made of natural odorless materials which produces heat. You can easily fit them in your gloves and jacket pockets. And in your boots too. Light and easy to carry and the hand warmer can last up to ten hours.

Travel digital luggage scale. The gadget is small, neat and pretty accurate and can weigh up to 110 lb or 50 kg. Compact and lightweight enough to bring along in your travel if you are worried about excess baggage fees.

For the serious hiker there is a combo stylish wrist watch complete with altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer functions that can tell you not only the time but the altitude, temperature and cardinal directions among others. A useful multi-purpose 5-in-1 kit.

A light and easy to carry foldable thermal blanket may be useful for hikers planning to sleep high up in the freezing mountain. In case their sleeping bags or tents are not capable to keep the cold air out. Thermal blanket can be also used as a rescue blanket or just about anywhere where you have to huddle in the cold. Great survival kit.

Keeping track of travel details, itineraries, this colorful I Was Here journal give tips and prompts about the places and suggestions what to look out for and encourages us to explore. Could be fun and unique diary to accompany us on our journey.

Tickets stub diary or organizer. We love to keep momento from our travels and keep track of our travels. Ticket stubs are great souvenir or keepsake. The tickets will remind us of the places we have been to. There are also concert and sports tickets stubs organizer and travel stub diary where you can also put in maps, postcards, name cards and photos. This is certainly a unique travel accessory. Great as gift too. Similar to scrapbook where we can put photos or memorabilia.

Sometimes we do want to look smart wearing wrinkle free clothes especially when we have to hit town for dinners at some posh restaurants. There are clothes that are made from wrinkle-less materials. A compact travel iron may come in handy in case hostels do not have them. Cheap hostels usually will not have one, or even if they do its always a broken one. If not you have to send your clothes to the laundry, and that will cost. But the iron, with the metal base will add about 1.2 pounds to your luggage, so most travellers will not carry one as it is not too practical, though I have seen a few who brought it along. If you decide to bring an iron (hair dryer or straightener), bring one with dual power voltage as voltage is not uniform world-wide. If not you may see smoke coming out!

Apart from money, we certainly need a passport to travel. A valid one of course, usually one that has at least six months validity. Visas may be required depending on your nationalities and where you are heading to. You can put your passport in a eco-friendly passport holder made from recycled material such as recycled rice bags, denim material, or recycled polyester yarn. The passport holder will normally come with a shoulder strap. The recycled rice bag holder is made in Cambodia from women and children survivors of trauma and abuse. The denim passport holder is made in Nepal and each one is unique. A unique way indeed to support under-developed communities.

Some may prefer the hydration water tube complete with water reservoir to the conventional water bottle. You can easily suck the water on the go. Great for a long hike. The kit is soft and flexible so may save some bag space. Odd but unique, and certainly useful.

A plastic flexible water container. The flattened water bottle saves your luggage space than using the conventional water bottle. It comes in various sizes and colors. And you can easily hook the water bottle onto your bag as it comes with a carabiner.

There are insect repellent spray, wipes and patches, and there are also insect repellent bracelets. Bracelet can be disposable type and usually last up to 7 days or it can be the refillable type. Bracelet and patches are alternatives to those who do not like repellent chemical sprayed or wiped all over their skin where the liquid have to be washed off at the end of the day. You can easily put on the bracelet and they look just like any other funky bracelet. Bracelets are especially suitable for children as they usually contain natural ingredients and there are many colorful and cheery types now available in the market.

If you planning lots of time on a bumpy boat, ferry or cruises, there are travel wristband to alleviate motion sickness. It can fit for both adults and children. The wristband is washable and reusable. There is no drug, so no side-effect. It works by gentle pressure point. It can be useful for the long bus and plane ride too.

If you are into animal or bird watching bring a pair of binocular. Our eyes can’t see that far enough especially if you want to see all the details.

Camera is a must-have basic kit that most travelers will carry. If you do not like the idea of carrying heavy and bulky full-frame DSLR camera there is a small and pocket size mirrorless digital camera with DSLR control and comes with interchangeable lens capability (kit sold separately) for the added zoom power. This camera even have a Wi-Fi sharing and downloadable in-camera apps functions. A camera will not be complete without memory card and it is also good to bring along a spare battery. The compact DSLR grade mirrorless Wi-Fi camera is probably the travel gadget for 2013. As it is less intrusive this pocket camera is more ideal for taking city shots where carrying expensive bulky looking full-frame DSLR may invite unwanted attention from thieves. This innovative and handy mirrorless digital camera can also be considered a luxury travel kit. Small comes at a price. It costs as much as a full-frame DSLR camera. An example of mirrorless camera is Sony Nex camera.

Card games. Small and handy enough to carry to keep us entertained along our travel. We can also use our downloadable smartphone games but playing card games is more interactive and several people can play at the same time. Especially great for groups or family traveling together.

Traveling is fun. And we do want to have more fun. Batteryless light sticks can be used as party light. They glow in the dark by shaking it and it is quite bright. The light sticks can be used as an emergency light too. And they can last between 8 to 12 hrs. The light stick is light and pretty cheap and they come in various colors.

Bed bugs patch. Very useful if we are worried the hotel or hostel bed may be infested with bugs. It is good idea to read hotel or hostel reviews which we can easily gathered from the internet so we could avoid staying in one with nasty crawlies.

Hanging meshed toiletries bag. So we can keep and see all the stuffs in one place. Toiletries add weight. Do not over carry shampoos or bath gels, unless we really have to use the brands we are used to. We can usually find these items in many towns if indeed we run out of these. If we are fortunate enough to stay in mid to high end hotels, we need not have to bother carrying too much toiletries except toothbrush and toothpaste.

A retractable charger cable is a neat kit to charge your mobile devices. The wire can be easily pulled and retracted. No more messy wires in your bag or lying around somewhere.

Hat with neck flap. For more protection against the sun. Also known as Japanese hat.