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10 Outdated Travel Items It's Time to Toss—and What to Replace Them With, From $13
f you've been traveling for years now, there's a good chance you've built up a collection of tried-and-true gear that's become your go-to for every trip. But if you haven't given your travel accessory selection an upgrade recently, there may be some outdated pieces hiding in plain sight that could be in need of a refresh.
With a summer of adventure still on the horizon, we've rounded up the 10 dated travel items that you'll want to trade in this season, along with the elevated counterparts that will take your comfort, preparedness, and overall travel experience to the next level. Everything is available at Amazon for under $50, and most importantly, they will become mainstays in your gear collection for years to come.
Listen, no shame if your neck wallet is the first thing you add to your personal item when packing for a big trip. But, if you're hoping to blend in with the locals instead of standing out as a tourist, now is the time to trade in your old pouch for a more secure anti-theft crossbody. Neck wallets undoubtedly make it more difficult for pickpockets to steal your cards, cash, and important travel documents, but the Travelon Anti-theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag is an even more foolproof selection with five points of security from its slash-proof straps to its locking zippers. It's still slim and easy to carry around so you don't have to concede to a bulky bag after swapping out your neck wallet, and it also offers more storage space to hold your sightseeing essentials.
It's always a good idea to have a portable charger on-hand while traveling, but if you're ready for an upgrade, you'll do well to trade in your older model for an option that comes with built-in cords. The Charmast Portable Charger is an obvious step up from traditional power banks since it's equipped with four high-speed charging cables that will keep your phone, tablet, and headphones on the grid during long travel days. The front of this portable charger features a screen that lets you know exactly how much battery power the device has left, and you can even charge up to six devices at once.
A portable fan is an obvious essential while traveling this summer (especially as temperatures continue to rise), but a handheld fan is so last year. This season, we're replacing them with hands-free neck fans, and they're far more convenient to travel with since they're unobtrusive, create a more immersive cooling experience, and regulate your temperature even when you're lugging suitcases through the airport. This wearable device is currently on sale for just $28, and it offers 360-degree cooling without blades so you don't have to worry about your hair or jewelry getting tangled. It can run up to 16 hours on a single charge and boasts five different speeds—and best of all, it barely makes a sound.
Your old, bulky toiletry kit is probably taking up far more precious packing space than you have to spare—and it's also likely difficult to sort through in order to find exactly what you're looking for without taking everything out first. Your solution is not only a slim dopp kit that'll easily slot into your suitcase, but also a bag that unfurls to expose a multitude of pockets inside. The Baggallini Toiletry Kit is designed with a convenient hook that allows you to keep it off the hotel bathroom sink while providing easy access to your belongings, plus the water-resistant fabric is easy to wipe down after every trip. Its wide array of pockets will keep you organized throughout your vacation, and the sleek design takes up minimal space even when stuffed to the brim with products.
If you struggle to get good sleep in an unfamiliar environment (or have trouble getting shut-eye while flying), then you know how important a good sleep mask can be. However, if the feeling of fabric against your lids is uncomfortable or you're tired of excess light leaking in from the gaps between the material and your skin, it's time to make the switch to a contoured eye mask. This cushy 3D mask is designed to entirely block out light while putting no additional pressure against your eyelids so you can finally get some good rest while traveling. It's made from memory foam so it'll be soft and cushy against your skin, and it's even contoured to sit comfortably over your nose without letting light in.
Scattered travelers may rely on a passport holder to keep their vital documents all in one place, but the old-school iteration is officially on the outs in favor of a case equipped with a handy AirTag slot. We've long touted AirTags as a saving grace for traveling with checked luggage, but they're also great for keeping track of your passport since they slot directly into the pouch of this faux-leather carrying case. It's still compact and easy to pack and locate in your bag, now just with a techy upgrade—and it's a safe place to store your boarding pass, cards, and SIM card, as well.
Bare feet are possibly the greatest universal 'ick' of travel, so since you should already be wearing a pair of socks in-flight, you may as well make the upgrade from ankle socks to a snug compressive pair. This pack of three from Charmking is a top-rated pick at Amazon, and even flight attendants have raved that they offer 'very comfortable support' and are 'perfect for flight.' Compression socks help reduce leg discomfort and swelling while you're traveling, and in fact, they can even help cut down on fatigue following a long flight while promoting blood flow. Move aside, ankle socks.
If you're dedicated to your old wired headphones, there's nothing wrong with that. However, if you're looking for an easy way to make your travel experience run a little more smoothly, switching over to cordless headphones and a bluetooth audio adapter will certainly do the trick. The Avantree Relay Airplane Bluetooth Adapter plugs directly into the seatback screen and connects to your cushy noise-cancelling headphones, allowing you to do away with the cord blocking your seatmates from the aisle as well cutting out another tangling hazard in your personal item. As an added bonus, it can even connect to two pairs of headphones at once, so if you're traveling with a partner or friend you can enjoy the same in-flight program together.
Backpacks will always be one of the best personal item options since they keep your hands free and they're generally pretty spacious. However, there is a hierarchy of backpacks, and it's time to trade in your laptop bag for a carry-on backpack if you're truly dedicated to becoming a carry-on-only traveler. This best-selling bag unzips like a clamshell suitcase so you can pack it to the brim, and it's even fitted with a mesh organizational pocket and built-in straps to keep your belongings neatly in place throughout your journey. The exterior is water-resistant so you can still safely store electronics inside, and it's on sale for just $30 right now.
Whether you've been known to pack your own blanket for the airplane or rely on the airline-issued option, rest assured your travel experience will hit a new high with the addition of a pillow and blanket duo to your packing list. When they're not in use, each piece folds into each other and slides over the handle of your rolling suitcase so as not to take up extra space in your personal item. Plus, they're made of a far softer, cozier fabric than the threadbare fleece blankets airlines typically provide. The duo is lightweight, packable, and even flight attendant-approved.
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The Schlatter family has, in the past, walked an unconventional path, as when they took over Merryvale in the early '90s Napa was still young and the consensus among many other producers was to make big, bold wines. But Schlatter believed in Napa's elegant beauty and stayed true to their values, and they were willing to invest more time and resources into seeking and preserving those graceful qualities. Profile Estate Vineyard Merryvale Vineyards Perhaps they saw that passion in Jeff, not only a passion for drinking wine, but also for going beyond what is expected to achieve finding an ideal balance. This balance should have plenty of concentration yet harmony and nuanced complexity and texture, bringing an overall refined quality to the wines. Perhaps they saw someone who loved the details so much that he would be meticulous at every step of the way and thrived from such conscientious work that it filled him with enthusiasm. As Jeff explained perfectly, "There is a reason I have been here so long," as he beamed with a genuine smile that showed a man who was right where he wanted to be. It is interesting to think back to Jeff's early life, the beginning of his journey into the world, and how afraid he was to lose his passion for wine if he made it his career. While he noted that U.C. Davis has a great economics program, there are many other universities he could have attended, and he chose the one with the prestigious winemaking program as well. But he could have never guessed that his own tendency to want to delve into every facet would significantly increase his love for wine as a winemaker rather than destroy it. Sometimes, looking beyond the resume and getting to know the person can be extremely beneficial to a business, especially one that is near and dear to family owners, such as the Schlatters. And sometimes, it is the right step to take that leap when one is young so there are no regrets down the line. What destroyed others' love for wine once they became a winemaker might be the very things that intensify that love for others. Merryvale, Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Cathrine Todd 2022 Merryvale, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California: A multifaceted Chardonnay with wet river stones and lemon curd with a hint of spice that has lots of finesse on the palate with pristine nectarine fruit and lots of vitality with marked acidity that has a long, expressive mineral finish. 2022 Merryvale, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California: A strong sense of place from this Pinot Noir with broken earth and dry bark mingled with a juicy core of wild blackberries that is framed by fine tannins and finishes with delightful notes of grated nutmeg and sandalwood along the long length of flavor. Merryvale, Sauvignon Blanc Cathrine Todd 2023 Merryvale, Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, California: Blended from different Napa Valley sub-regions that are harvested at different times to give a lot of layers and an overall harmonious quality to this Sauvignon Blanc, such as mouthwatering acidity with lots of fleshy fruit of peach cobbler flavors and honeycomb with a floral lift and exotic note of lychee syrup that brings another dimension. Merryvale, Cabernet Sauvignon Cathrine Todd 2018 Merryvale, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Sourced from different sub-regions within Napa Valley to achieve a seamless balance, a truly class act with this meticulous, expressive Cab with blackcurrant fruit infused with tobacco and violets that becomes expansive on the palate with manicured tannins. 2018 Merryvale, Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California: Sourced from Merryvale's renowned hillside Profile Estate Vineyard, located at 800 feet in elevation, which solely sources their flagship wine 'Profile.' The grapes from this prestigious plot that make wine for long-term aging go into their top wine 'Profile' while the grapes that are more accessible in their youth will go into this St. Helena Napa Cab. Intriguing aromas of smoldering earth, cassis and graphite with a muscular, broad-shouldered structure balanced by mouthfilling fleshy fruit layered with olive leaves and slate with a prolonged length of flavor on the finish. Starmont wines are single-varietal wines made in a fresh, classic style from cool climate regions in the North and Central Coast regions of California. Starmont, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay Cathrine Todd 2023 Starmont, Sauvignon Blanc: Even though this wine retails around only $20, it is impressive and shows Jeff's attention to detail when blending as it has the brightness and zesty lift, the ideal amount of fruit and a touch of structure, giving it drive with lemon confit, apricot skin and kaffir lime leaf flavors, and it is simply just really delicious. 2022 Starmont Chardonnay: Priced similarly to the Sauvignon Blanc - another impressive bottling for the price point as it has a touch of complexity with chalky minerality, almonds and mandarin oil aromas merging with a hint of spice and lemon confit.
