Travel fitness: Staying fit while away from home

by Gadling Staff on

So, you’ve been exercising regularly but now you have a trip coming up and you don’t want to lose your momentum. Obviously, you’re not going to be able to pack your bicycle, yoga mat, or weight set along but, while you may have to modify your exercise approach, there’s no reason to abandon your workouts entirely. Here is some great travel gear that helps me stay in shape while away from home.

1) Running/walking shoes: Just about anywhere you travel you can still find somewhere to pound the pavement. Walking or running is great exercise. Be sure to stay in safe, well-lit, populated places. If your plans include walking around town or hiking a trail you’ll get your exercise while enjoying the sights– and your feet will thank you if you bring decent footwear.

2) Swimsuit and goggles: If you like to swim for fitness, these are great to have. A suit and goggles take up hardly any packing space while keeping your exercise options open. Many hotels have swimming pools or you might be able to find a community pool to enjoy. 3) Cellphone armband: Chances are you’re going to have your cellphone with you anyway. Why not bring along an armband so you can have your hands free? Cellphone armbands low profile and take up hardly any room. If you’re running or walking in a new place, it’s very useful to be able to call someone just in case you get lost.

4) A List: Okay, so this isn’t gear, but when you plan the details of your travel, get online and scope out parks or community fitness centers near your destination. Some places grant day passes to visitors, sometimes at a small fee. Write down phone numbers and addresses so you can check things out when you get there.

5) Lightweight clothing: Traveling is all about conserving space- you may need to “travel size” with your workout wardrobe. For example, if you’re going to be gone for a week, don’t pack seven different workout outfits– instead, try to pack one or two base layers tops and shorts and one or two warmer tops. If you pack lightweight/breathable fabric you can easily wash it out by hand, hang it up to dry, and it will be ready to go again in the morning.

It is definitely possible to maintain your fitness while traveling– just remember a few pieces of gear and you will be set!

Amy Kemp is a Seed.com writer.

Daily Pampering: The Chanel J12 diving watch

by Melanie Nayer on

Don’t you just hate it when you’re planning your diving trip and you realize your watch doesn’t match your diving gear? Just because you’re under water doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fashion. Leave it to Chanel to create an accessory that is spectacular both on land and at sea.

Chanel recently unveiled a professional diving version of the popular J12 watch (named for the luxurious racing yachts of the 1930s), one of the designers’ most iconic pieces. We discovered this miraculous marine watch at FirstwaterNews.com, and now it’s been aptly placed at the top of our ‘must have’ list.

The new J12 Marine is a water resistant authentic diving watch that can submerge to almost 985 feet (300 meters). The second and minute hands are luminous, so they can be read even when you’re down in the darkest depths of the ocean. Complete with a high-tech matte rubber strap and a caseback in engraved with stylized waves, the J12 also comes with options. Choose from 38 mm or 42 mm, and pick your color: all-white, all black and black and blue. Regardless of your color choice, each watch features sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating (colorless for the white watch, and tinged blue for the black).

The price of his underwater beauty: A mere $5,000.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Five stylish items that save time in a security check

by Jason Heflin on

We’ve all been there. A security check procedure goes something like this – untie and remove shoes, unbuckle and remove belt, take out wallet, drop keys in the bowl, dig into your bag for your laptop, then step through the metal detector only to discover you had change in your pocket.

It’s an annoying process but one set in place to keep us all safe. So we deal with it. Seasoned travelers know there are shortcuts for the security hubbub and travel goods manufacturers are constantly innovating new products that help us get to our gates a little quicker. Here are five products that fit the bill.

Jimi Wallet
The beauty of the Jimi lies in it’s simplicity. The basic clamshell design and minimalist approach are ideal for those who know how to pare down to the essentials when traveling. With room for a few credit/debit cards, an ID, an insurance card, and a few bills the Jimi forces the user to keep it simple. Its translucent water resistant casing is versatile enough for a trip to the beach or a hike in the hills. The included money clip is also made of plastic and won’t set off the sirens as you breeze through security. All this coolness comes in under $15. The Jimi shows us that plastic wallets aren’t just for kids.

Kavu Burly Belt
Belts are often forgotten as a flier strolls into the metal detector. Then it’s back through the scanner or into the dreaded plastic booth for a pleasant wanding. Kavu has taken a similar approach to our friend the Jimi Wallet. The Kavu Burly Belt uses a plastic fastener for a buckle and doesn’t incorporate metal anywhere in the design. The trippy designs on the webbing that makes up the strap will make your more outdoorsy friends jealous.


Chaco Flip Pro “pictured above”
This uber-cool flop, available in men’s and women’s models, sports a webbing upper and a rubber lower. The sole is Vibram and is designed to grip all types of terrain. Unlike many flip flops the Flip Pro also keeps feet comfy for the long haul by including an arch. The advantage to flops in the security line are obvious; simply slip out and slide through.Kelty Platform
This day pack is a workhorse in disguise. The rugged exterior gives the Platform a casual appearance but hides some handy features. The ventilated back panel deters a sweaty back when traveling in hot or humid conditions. The strap-to-sling carry configuration allows two ways to carry the bag. But the feature that will help you get past security with lightning speed is the laptop side zipper. This long zipper runs down the side of the pack and accesses only the laptop compartment to allow for a quick grab as you enter the line.

Tech4o Traileader Pro
Who says a plastic watch can’t look professional? The Traileader Pro boasts not only the ability to slip through security without removal but is also packed with features that could prove useful if your destination includes outdoor activities. The Traileader Pro has a built-in compass, barometer, altimeter, and weather forecast for the more adventurous trips.

By upgrading a few items in your travel kit to non-metal accessories and items designed for quick action you will be through security quicker and on to the coffee shop on the other side to check your email. With that said, there are never any guarantees that the guy in front of you won’t have a pocket full of quarters.

Traveler’s Tool Chest: nylon stockings

by Jamie Rhein on

I have a drawer full of pantyhose I haven’t worn for years. As it turns out, there are uses for pantyhose and nylon stockings whether you’re male or female. Some are useful for traveling.

We’ve already covered duct tape and dental floss. Here’s what you can do with pantyhose. The first few tips I read in April’s issue of Outside Magazine. In most cases, you’ll cut the pantyhose to fit the use. I’ve culled from other sources plus thought some up on my own.

The possibilities for stretchy nylon are astounding. Who knew?

  • Use pantyhose to tie down items to a car rack, similar to how you would use a bungee cord or a rope.
  • If you hurt your arm, use a stocking as a sling.
  • You can also use a stocking as a tourniquet
  • Use pantyhose to carry items. Potatoes, for example.
  • Put a bar of soap in a nylon stocking to hang when camping. The stocking will keep soap from falling on the ground and getting dirty.
  • If the hood of your car won’t stay down, tie it down with pantyhose. (I was in a car once when the hood flew up. It smashed the windshield.)
  • A belt, either to keep your pants up, or
  • as a fan belt for your car in a pinch.
  • For tighter packing. After you roll your clothes, stretch the cut off legs of pantyhose over an item to create a tighter fit.
  • Tie items onto your backpack
  • Use a strip of stocking as a headband or hair tie if you’re feeling hot and bothered by hair getting in your eyes or on your neck.

Because nylons take up little space and weigh next to nothing, tucking a pair in your suitcase isn’t a bad idea. If the mood suits you, you can wear them on your head like the fellow in the photo at the Sasquatch Music Festival a couple years ago. Or not.

There are other uses for pantyhose that don’t have to do with traveling, but seem like handy hints to know. Here’s more. Gardening is a big one.

Daily deal – 50% off EVERYTHING at Protravelgear.com!

by Scott Carmichael on

Ladies and gentlemen, this deal is without a doubt the hottest I’ve posted so far here on Gadling.

Protravelgear.com is a large online travel products store, with everything from luggage to GPS units. They are also the official outlet for the Plane Quiet noise canceling headphones (reviewed here last week).

My deal isn’t for one product, it’s for the entire store! Anything you add to your cart is on sale. Simply enter promotional code save50, and you’ll get an instant 50% off everything, including those awesome headphones I just mentioned.

The store has name brand products from Eagle Creek, Leatherman, Patagonia and many, many more.

If you find something you like, do me a favor and leave a comment with what you purchased!