Zip It Passport Socks
Perfect for: Globetrotters, cowboys/girls, skiers/snowboarders
Why they’ll love it: Each calf-high sock, which comes in white or black, has a pocket on it with a zipper big enough to hold a passport, cash or other folded-up documents you want to keep secure and hidden. Keys slosh around a bit and can be uncomfortable, especially in boots, but everything else is snug and things can be positioned so they don’t move.
Cost: $15
Find it here:
Rick Steves travel clothesline
Perfect for: Thrifty travelers, car campers and RVers, college kids
Why they’ll love it: The braiding on this 3-foot line (which stretches to about 5 feet) is unique — clothes can be held up by the tension between the rubber cords, so no need for clothespins. Be sure to secure the Velcro ends tightly.
Cost: $8
Find it here:
Belle Hop door alarm
Perfect for: Fans of “vacation rentals by owner,” solo travelers.
Why they’ll love it: Sometimes the neighborhood around a VRBO winds up sketchier than it looked online, or a hotel just feels bigger and less safe than you’d like. With this simple alarm, no one’s coming in without your knowing it — not to mention that the high-pitched sound is a great deterrent. One end is inserted between the door and the frame, while the other hangs on the door knob. If there’s a gap between door and frame, you’ll need a matchbook or something to wedge it better, but otherwise this thing works like a charm (uses two AG13 cell batteries).
Cost: $12
Find it here:
Dryel on the Go Instant Stain Remover
Perfect for: Anyone
Why they’ll love it: We tested it on red lipstick on a white rayon blouse, green marker on white gym socks and the gunk from the sidewalk after it snowed on a pair of jeans — it all came off completely using this new liquid-filled pen from Dryel. It comes in a 0.7-ounce size, which means you can put it in your carry- on baggie, and it has a little scrubbie at the end, which means even ground-in stuff can be worked out. It’s impressive.
Cost: $3
Find it here: Wal-Mart
Camera dry pouch
Perfect for: River rafters, hikers
Why they’ll love it: Having trashed more point-and-shoot cameras during outdoor activities than we’d care to admit, we applaud anything that allows a camera to stay dry, hangs around the neck and actually still lets you take photos while your camera is safely sealed inside the see- through bag. If it falls in the water, it will float — it’s probably still a goner in the Royal Gorge, but you might have a chance of nabbing it elsewhere.
Cost: $18.95
Find it here:
