The best travel gadgets for your next adventure

If you spend a lot of time travelling, firstly, you’ve come to the right place.

And secondly, you will be well aware of the advantages travel gadgets can bring to any adventure you embark on.

If you’re headed for a getaway, no trip is complete without a couple of digital accessories. Here are 10 of our favourite sidekicks to help make your journey as stress-free as possible.

1. Beats By Dr Dre headphones – to help you drown out the noise

It’s hard to think of a recent journey from A to B, in which we haven’t encountered a pair of Beats by Dr Dre headphones. These iconic accessories have become the moniker for music lovers around the world.

To refresh your memory, Beats by Dr Dre are the masters of sound. Their range of headphones and speakers help you to drown out the noise, and bring you closer to the music.

The Studio 3 Wireless pair are our pick for travelling. They feature noise-cancelling functionality (perfect for long hauls), and over 40 hours of battery life.

Sleek, minimal design

2. Victorinox Connex Collection – the luggage with a brain

As a company that works in travel, you better believe we have tried and tested our fair share of suitcases. And we know better than anyone, a good one can make all the difference.

Enter, Victorinox.

If you aren’t familiar with the innovative styling of this luggage brand, you’re probably aware of some of their other incredible successful inventions – like, say, the Swiss army knife?

Sleek suitcase style for every adventure

Like the knife, their range of Connex luggage is designed with the same level of finesse, utilising on high quality materials with a striking, linear design.

As the name Connex suggests, the hard and soft side cases are perfectly connected, allowing for customers to mix and match across the collection.

They are also available in 100% pure polycarbonate or polyester, both lightweight yet extremely strong.

And as far as state-of-the art components go, their extra-quiet wheels and integrated multi-tool for on-the-go charging of electronic devices is top of the range.

Imagine that, never running out of battery during your travels again!

3. Ili – to stop you getting lost in translation

According to research conducted by Booking.com, two thirds of Aussies believe they’re wasting their holidays, citing language barriers as their biggest obstacle.

To help travellers overcome this, the website partnered with ili, a device that will make you think you’re living in an episode of Black Mirror.

ili is a hand-held translator that lets you speak English directly into its microphone and have your words translated into Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish. Not only is ili super-fast, giving you answers in as little as 0.2 seconds, but – and here’s the beauty of this device – it also requires zero internet connection.

Need directions in a foreign country? Unable to order food at a restaurant? Need to communicate with locals in lesser-known towns? ili can help you with that.

4. Super Straps – to take the weight off your back

For most travellers, carrying a heavy backpack all day is just an unfortunate reality – and so are the trips to the chiropractor that come as a result. That’s why Super Straps are the new necessity. The ergonomic design that retrofits to your backpack can lighten your load by up to 47 per cent, instantly relieving shoulder, back and neck tension when your bag gets heavy.

For those keen on facts and science, we got you. Super Straps work by creating an arc that helps distribute the weight of your backpack across five times its surface area. After attaching them, you pull on the cords to shift the entire weight closer to your spine. Your posture will thank you later.

5. Slick Gadget glass screen protector

Is there anything worse than a cracked phone screen? We think not. Investing in a glass screen protector is a basic necessity for all tech-savvy travellers.

This titanium armour and liquid glass screen protector from Slick Gadget creates a durable coating for your number one travel accessory. The device repels oil and water, plus it is antimicrobial, heat tolerant, flexible and breathable. It is also 500 times thinner than a human hair… Weird? Yes. Cool? Also yes.

Considering how much we rely on our phones these days, the assurance that comes with guaranteed screen protection basically pays for itself.

6. Scrubba – the pocket-size washing machine

When you’re a traveller, the key to looking like you have it all together (and haven’t spent the last two weeks running for planes and trains), is clean clothes. Enter Scrubba, the pocket-size washing machine.

Scrubba portable washing machine

The key to Scrubba is its unique design. The flexible internal washboard provides a machine quality wash in just minutes, making it the perfect accessory for busy travellers, outdoor adventurers and campers.

Described as a modern take on those old-fashioned washboards, it only takes Scrubba six steps to send your clothes from zero to hero. Simply fill, roll and clip, deflate, rub, rinse and dry. And you won’t throw your back out while doing it.

7. PakMaster – keeps your clothes crease free

Another key to looking like you have it all figured out, is when your clean clothes are also ironed.

The Pakmaster, created by Victorinox Travel Gear, is a clever and practical accessory designed for crease-resistant packing, and will save the day in any sartorial emergency.

Pakmaster helps keep your clothes crease free

The device ensures shirts, blouses, trousers, jackets and everything in between, arrives at your destination with almost no wrinkles. A board eases the task of folding, as the accessory opens flat for effortless positioning of garments.

8. FixnZip – an instant zipper fixer

This little tip is for all those times you’ve broken a zip, taken it to get fixed and thought ‘there’s got to be a better way!?’

The FixnZip is a replacement zipper slider that you can install sans tools or sewing. It works on a wide range of travel and outdoor recreation items including luggage, tents, duffle bags, dresses, pants, skirts, handbags and sleeping bags.

The device comes in three sizes: small, medium and large, and like a metal chameleon, each FixnZip has the ability to fit an array of different zippers.

9. LOFO – the world’s first lost and found app

When any app creates a solution to an old-world problem, you know it’s going to be a game-changer. Enter, LOFO: the first global centralised market place for people to find their lost items or pets.

In short, LOFO is a lost and found app, helping the 78,000 Australians that lose an item every day.

The intelligent active matching algorithm will match lost items with found ones based on the information provided: such as location, colour etc. With both the loser and the finder receiving an instant notification of the match.

Forgetful humans, rejoice!

10. Quicksand Mat – for sand-free beach time

While there is an array of things that can go right at the beach, there’s also an array of things that can go very wrong. And getting sand everywhere is definitely one of them.

By investing in a sand-free mat, like the Quicksand Mat, travellers can watch sand, dirt and dust disappear before their very eyes.

The double layer weave is made from 100 per cent PE fabric, making it perfect for both camping and the beach. It also comes complete with four schmick D-rings around the outer, allowing it to be firmly affixed to the ground.

And should you have a little too much fun on your mat, rest assured. They can be easily cleaned and dried.

11. LuminAID solar-powered inflatable light

When an item’s popularity stems from an appearance (and subsequent investment) on Shark Tank, you know it’s good.

For those who have better things to do than watch a business-themed reality TV show, allow me to introduce you to the LuminAID. Basically, this handy contraption exists as a solar-rechargeable light that inflates to diffuse light like a lantern. It’s perfect for camping, hiking, and all other times light is required.

When fully powered, the highly efficient battery can last for up to 16 hours on the low setting, and eight to 10 hours on high. It’s also waterproof, lightweight and extremely entertaining to look at.

12. The Trtl Travel Pillow – for sweet dreams inflight

If you’re reading this article, chances are you love to travel. But with an affinity for travel can come a lot of time attempting to sleep on planes. If you’re like us, and the idea of using inflatable and bean-filled pillows sends a shiver down your spine, you best keep reading.

The Trtl Pillow is the answer to all of your plane-sleeping-woes. Upon initial inspection, it looks like a neck brace, which features an H-shaped wire support system that can support your head during rest.

Not only is the Trtl a scientifically proven long-haul neck support pillow, but it is half the size of a traditional travel pillow, machine washable and can be easily attached to luggage.

13. SteriPEN – a magic (water purifying) wand

There are already plenty of food-related camping hacks that can come in very handy on the camping trail, but when it comes to water, it’s best not to take shortcuts.

The SteriPEN is the world’s leading manufacturer of ultraviolet, handheld water purifiers – and if you’re into H20 health – an extremely necessary investment.

The device charges by USB and when on a full battery, will treat up to 50 litres of water.

It’s also extremely simple to use: just put one end into the water you’re attempting to treat, swirl it around a few times and voilà. Safe drinking water for travel, outdoor recreation and home emergencies.

14.  JBL LIVE Headphones – to drown out the rest of the world

Whether you’re on a long haul plane ride, wandering around a bustling city, or on a bus to go sightseeing – JBL’s new LIVE Wireless Headphone Series is set to be every adventurer’s dream gadget.

With a sleek aluminium design, they’re also packed with a myriad of sophisticated features, including touch-control, voice assistants, and JBL’s leading signature sound.

Imagine drowning out the craziness of the world with the touch of a button? With its new Ambient Aware technology, prepare to have full control over how much background noise you let in. Paired with a TalkThru feature that allows the volume to be lowered immediately using an easy touch-control – It’s the perfect travel companion fit for every situation.

Plus with it’s lightweight feel, they can easily be tucked away in your carry on, without taking up too much space. So for the travellers that are forever on the go, these wireless headphones will become a necessity in your life. We guarantee it.