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Finally! A video showing items that are a "waste". Soooo many other vloggers seem to just push unnecessary Amazon items because they want you to buy from their commission based store, whether the items are crap or not. Most of them are not even useful (like seriously, who needs a travel toiletry bag that has 4 folding compartments). I've stopped watching all those videos. Thank you for not reviewing a bunch of stuff just to help convince us we need to buy more stuff. I appreciate your videos sooo much. And I'm glad to see you both back to making videos. Thanks for another truthful video that has actual useful info.
I couldn’t agree more! I always get lots of Emails from brands trying to sponsor a video, and it’s always interesting to see who is suddenly presenting these products afterwards… 😅
Yes! Would love to hear more about clothing fabrics for travel! I’ve been trying to research quality clothing that doesn’t hold smell, breathable, wicks sweat, easy to hand wash and dries quickly so that I can car camp around the US or travel for weeks with a small capsule.
I love merino, and I’m WILLING to pay the price (I agree that it costs more than it should), but I 100% agree that finding merino blend that is also durable, is quite difficult. They are out there, though!
It is so funny how different people travel, because I love my Hero Clips. I use them to hang my luggage on the back of doors, or clip multiple bags together when I need a hand free (like a shopping bag to my big bag). I also use them to carry multiple shopping bags with one hand from the grocery store. A carabineer and hooks would not be strong enough, or take up as little space with how I use them. I also just clip the Clip to the handle of bag, so it never is inside a pocket unless I need to check my luggage at an airport.
My hero clips are useful, but I am disappointed they are not as useful as I hoped. For example, the hook outside the carabeener portion is too shallow to hold my personal bag on the top of my bathroom door stall or the edge of the table or rolling bag. So I end up only using it as an expensive, well-made carabeener. I would love your advice on how to make it work better for me.
@@lindachristopher4 I gave some of the Heroclip Mini size away as gifts one year and then found that same issue, the weight capacity was enough, but the throat of the hook just would not go over a lot of tables, so it was of no use to hang a bag/purse where one could keep an eye on it.
The Hero clip is something I use daily. It’s fantastic to hang my bags to a table . Sometimes my other bag hangers slip or are too small. The small Hero clip works better.
I have used carabiners for decades then tried a hero clip about 4 years ago, After one year and travelling to 15 counties , I lost one and realized I had only used them (had 2) 2 times.
OK, the neck pillow is supposed to have the opening at the back. I know! Who knew? But try it, it keeps your chin from falling to your chest and is much more comfortable. My friend, who is a flight attendant, explained this to me. I have one which has a snap closure and is memory foam so I can compact it. Bon voyage!
I'm sooooo glad you highlighted that unconventional use of the s-shaped hooks for hanging something underneath a table/desk. I bought a 10-pack of them recently for non-travel purposes, but now will definitely bring some with me on my next trip!
This is such an underrated topic. Thank you for talking about it and I completely agree with your take on these products. I admit to being caught up myself in all the hype (influencing?) over gadgets, bags, pouches, and other random stuff that's supposed to make travel easier and better. IMHO, it seems like things seem to be for/by ultralight types or a type of traveller who will be in remote villages or towns etc. where personal water filtration is necessary or needing to travel really light is a must. Once I accepted that, at my age, I am just a casual traveller who enjoys primarily city travelling and whatever toiletry or item I didn't bring I am likely to find where I am going. One exception I make to this are chargers, cables, adapters, etc. It doesn't make sense to try to buy these (possibly at a higher cost) at the destination when I could have brought them with me -they don't take up much space anyways. Also, like you, I just went with little USB-A/micro-usb adapters like the ones you showed. Yes, please share a video about clothes sourcing and materials. That would be very interesting.
Some good points but there are some items I love. Merino from Wool& is my favorite. Love my Hero Clip and I always carry a refillable water bottle. Thank you!
I'd love to see something about alternatives to merino. I do wear Merino socks and sweaters but not shirts. Thank you for your insights, especially about the Hero Clip.
New subscriber here. I knew I had found the right channel and a kindred soul when I saw I had tried the first three items you mentioned (the Heroclip, the 6 in 1 charging cable, and the neck pillow) and later the Marino wool. As you mentioned, the Heroclip is overpriced and awkward. The 6 in 1 is unreliable and the micro USB/Lightning plug is a nightmare. I first used some non-inflatable pillows trying to find the best one. Then I tried a few inflatable pillows that were compact when deflated but just as uncomfortable. I also ended up with a camping pillow like you did. I can’t wear Merino wool touching my skin because I am allergic to wool. I do have one light duty merino wool zippered sweater that has worked fine for 15 years but the new ones are so expensive. I am looking forward to viewing all your videos.
Those s-hooks will leave a dent or scratch the surface of whatever you're hanging stuff on. Heroclips are the best bag hooks if you have a bag over 5 pounds (I'm a teacher and carry a lot) because they don't damage the surface and can bear larger weight purses. I've gotten cheaper Daiso alternatives and they broke. The ones you show would either start slipping off the surface with bags at the weight I carry, or would leave marks on the surface top. Once you get use the motion of deploying the hook, and tucking it in, it's not a big deal. You can try the cheap hooks, but if you found like I did that they don't work, you'll need a Hero clip.
Great video! I like to use my Hero Clip when I'm in a bathroom that doesn't have a clip to hang my backpack or purse, but the hanging hooks seem like they would also do the job.
It's great to hear someone who travels more than I do thinking the way I do. I try hard not to be seduced by the bombardment of ads and you have convinced me to be more vigilant. I have a collection of useless stuff too. Love your videos.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video! I've bought a few of these and thought about buying a few of these so thank you for saving me the hassle and money. I also appreciated you sharing what you like as an alternative. I would love a video about clothing materials too!
FYI: I‘m already working on my video about materials and how I pick my clothes. I will try to get it published in the beginning of May. 💪 Maybe you would want to subscribe to my channel so you don‘t miss it?! 🤔😂🤗
IMO cotton/polyester mixes and cotton work well. I live in the Deep South US, which is hot and humid, so these are easy care, breathe, and don’t wrinkle as much. But I’m interested to hear about materials for other climates as well. I can’t do much wool as I’m allergic 😬 so it’s a good thing I don’t live in cold climates.
@@barbarafriedel5172 I am VERY delayed on that video… 🙈I am literally writing and rewriting the script since May (aka overthinking it). 😅 But it’s in the making!
Great list! I came to the same conclusions about the Hero Clip, Scrubba, and merino wool over time. Replacing the clear phone protection bag makes sense and I will do that, too.
The reason you don't find the neck pillow comfortable is that you wear it backwards. You don't bring it around your head, you stick it right on, the opening is in the back and that's where the fastener is. Now you rest your chin on the pillow, and your head isn't pushed forward to where there's no support.
While I understand wearing it the other way than "normal" can works, if you google pics of travel pillows 90% or more are pictures with the opening in front.
it doesnt matter if its used wrong or not. the fact remains its still a bulky item that is only used twice per trip 😂 so its better to find more useful alternatives
@@PotatoSpudRucking Agreed, to a point. But if you do need to sleep you can get an inflatable one. Beats resting your head on the bulkhead or someone's shoulder.
I bought a merino wool gaiter and was surprised at how thin the material was. I liked the warmth on my neck and I expect it will work well as a sleep mask and as a cap. On the basis of this item I bought a pair of merino wool socks, but found they were too thick and too rough for my feet, so I sent them back. I was thinking about the Hero carabiner, but the price was giving me pause. Good to hear your experience with it and the alternatives you recommend. Going back to the neck pillow, back in the day I used to camp a lot and also hitchhike. I never saw the point of packing a pillow when I could stuff a t-shirt with clothes and use that. I'll be flying across country tonight and I will be wearing a fleece jacket and a long cotton scarf onto the plane. My intention is to fold up the jacket and wrap it with the scarf, making a 'flight pillow' that should work just fine. Sometimes the best 'gadgets' are the ones that necessity and low income lead you to innovate. I had bought a 3-part toiletry bag with one section that zips off as the Liquids Bag, but it was bulky and heavy and...I just sent it back. I use so few toiletries that I don't need anything more than a snack-size ziplock. I have a 1-qt ziplock for my Liquids Bag, but the only liquids I'm carrying is a contact lens case with antifungal cream in one lens holder and antibacterial ointment in the other. I have a zippered silicone makeup brush case I bought to hold all my first aid supplies. It takes very little space, is waterproof, and fits pretty much anywhere. The one splurge I decided on, given that I am elderly and flying Basic Economy (so only allowed a 'personal item) is a collapsible trolly. I can bungee my heavy backet to the trolley, but compact and slip the trolley into the backpack at boarding. The one I bought is rated to 77lbs and weighs about 2lbs. Fingers crossed, that it does the job.
🙂Great video!! I always have bad luck with airport bathroom stalls not having bag hooks. I wish I could get away with not bringing my Hero Clip. But it has saved my bag from a few nasty floor situations. Maybe I will have to pick up some of those standard hooks!
Maggi I loved this!! I’ve seen many creators hawking these items and thought maybe they’re actually useful so I appreciate your genuine feedback. I’ve looked at neck pillows but just couldn’t justify the hassle and cost. I’m going to investigate the Sea to Summit inflatable pillow for a red eye to the UK in June 😊
Don’t blow an inflatable neck pillow up all the way, only fill it ‘till it’s comfortable. Get one whose sides are longer, wear it at the front, (or the side) so you use the sides to sleep, also it prevents the head from falling forward. Some have some sort of connection that allows for hooking the pillow onto a backpack.
Thanks for that tip! Maybe ones with longer sides would work better. And I usually dont blow it up all the way. Regarding the connector - I would not want to have the pillow dangling from my bag for several weeks, so for me, it always needs to go inside the bag. :)
I just recently learned that simple, dryer proof cotton shirts (mine are from C&A) and a merino wool pullover (I got mine from uniqlo) are my best combination for traveling. No need to wash the pullover and the cotton tees can be worn either for a few not to sweaty days, rinsed in the sink or put into coin laundry without worries as they won't shrink in the dryer. Combined with a simple fleece jacket I felt like it was the perfect combination for a city & nature adventure. However, the Pullover starts to look loved, especially the areas where backpackstraps sit. Uniqlo is quite cheap tho and no mulesing at least.
We are all guilty of buying travel items that turn out to be not reused . My thoughts. 1. Like you I decant my liquid products only into TSA size flat pouches that can be re- used and or cleaned easily. 2 . I love the Matador refillable toothpaste tubes because I am picky about my toothpaste. 3 . I need a neck / head pillow on the flight but found one that allows you to fill with clothes and is washable. Serves two purposes. 3. I hate cold feet but find that Merino Wool socks - only keep my feet warm enough in winter travel. Worth the price, wash well and last several years. Won’t spend the money on the Merino tops. 4. Water Bottle yes which I decant into but take a sponge cleaner on a handle with water bottle cleaning tabs ( break in half) just enough for trip and don’t count as liquids- to disinfect after each day use. They really clean the bottle inside well. Also fill up at airport water stations rather than pay ridiculous amounts on bottled water after getting thru TSA lines. There are flat ones that don’t leak but the rigid ones clean well. 4. For winter or fall travel a pair of silk leggings and top to layer under clothes is invaluable and wick moisture. The ones at LLBean in the USA are excellent . Hanro undergarments in Europe are similar in top quality and worth the cost. Wool in Silk. You can sleep in them or layer them under day clothes and they wash and dry quickly in room yet add no weight in luggage and last easily several years of use for me.Part of my layering strategy if needed. They are well worth the price . 5 . Agree there are less expensive clips that serve many purposes like adding a hook over a door, dry clothes on that are less expensive options and come in packs of 5-10 . Ive left Hero hooks behind by accident. I also carry 2 foldable travel hangers that serve as hangers and for drying hand washed clothes. Invaluable.
Good video! Vielen Dank! 1) Merino wool: I have various merino items from Decathlon, Massimo Dutti and Stoic for long time and am so happy! Alternative is mixed cotton with polyester or Tencel. Merino wool is just wool from the sheeps, not sure where the problem is, better fir the sheeps to have sometimes a hair (wool) cut than to be grilled on a bbq. 2) Perfume bottles: I have the small ones but in glass, all quite durable, zero leaking 3) Pillow: I bought the inflatable pillow from Decathlon and I put inside the cover my down vest, it is comfortable and save me space in my backpack when checking in flights.
If you go to colder countries, putting the down jacket into the cover is a great idea! Love that. And regarding the sheeps, if during the mulesing they would just cut the wool, it would be no problem…
Such a great video!!! The comment about the shoes in Brazil made me laugh out loud!!! Great job and I'd love to hear about your clothing choices/sourcing/etc.
Thank you for this very honest video. I just wanted to mention that I have just found an inflatable travel pillow that when you blow it up, it has a flatish area where your head goes, so your head does not get pushed forward and sides support your head really well (I bought it yesterday and tried it out in my sitting room). I was really impressed.
Vielen Dank, Maggi, für ein weiteres sehr nützliches Video. Ich habe in der Vergangenheit zu viele Gimmick-Käufe getätigt. Influencer bewerben viele Produkte nur, um Verkäufe zu generieren. Dies sollte den Menschen wirklich helfen, zweimal darüber nachzudenken, was sie kaufen.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I would add selfie sticks to the list. And also grab a cheap old phone as a back up when wandering through sneaky places… see you in the next video 😀
Great great video! We love to watch edc/tech/travel gadgets videos - and end up wanting to buy them all! I still use the hero clip (actually it’s a Chinese version of it, and cheaper) but the neck pillows and the mini in charge cable were in fact a waste of money for me. The mini perfume spray bottle I got still working great and so far, no spills. 😊
I travel in my Van conversion with no shower. My Hero carabiner is permanently attached to my shower sac. Works brilliantly as you can hang the bag anywhere. Love it for that & only that. Otherwise I use the typical carabiner. I had one of the wash bags - left it behind at a room & never replaced it - nuf said... I have used Goo Tube refillable containers for years without a blowout - even with elevation changes on the road I use Merino socks exclusively (I just started testing out Buffalo socks), some underwear, a few beanies & a few pair of merino shorts & insulating long bottoms. I can't use merino on my skin on my top - so that is out... When I travel lighter i will carry a light water bladder instead of a water bottle
I love my Heroclip, so many bathrooms don’t have anywhere to hang my purse, it stays on my purse, never catches on anything, I can hang it from the door, on a table. I don’t want to travel without it. Especially when I discovered the the hook twists to the side!! And why do you take it off the bag?
… I just had an epiphany… 😂 Maybe that’s part of the reason why I never found a good use for it. Our bathrooms in Europe are usually not stalls but real rooms, with no gaps big enough for a Heroclip… 🤔😊
great video and I agree with many points but I was very surprised about the InCharge X cable. I use it all the time and it has saved my ass. it’s so small, it’s just one thing you have to keep track of instead of a cable plus different dongles, it also may come in handy if for some reason you need to charge from a USB-A port instead of USB-C, I’d never travel without it and I carry it daily at home hero clips, eh, I use mine, I like hanging my bag from a table for easier access or keeping things off of dirty floors, and it’s so convenient because it attaches to your bag and can be used for other things too merino shirts can definitely be hit or miss, my proof 72 hour merino tees have held up pretty well. and as for underwear and socks, I use darn toughs and some merino blend boxers from allbirds and both are awesome, as well as my icebreaker merino hoodie. I think the trick is to go for a blend rather than 100% so it’s more durable thanks for the video even if I don’t agree with everything I appreciate the critical thinking you have done. lots of travel brands are just trendy crap
Excellent video! I hadn't considered the dry-bag washing solution before but I'll try that. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with your Tropicfeel shoes. I wonder if it was a bad production. I've had mine for four or five years now and I love them. They also don't smell weird. I use them for lighter hikes, everyday wear and sometimes kayaking. In cold weather I combine them with Sealskin socks. i also like the Vivaia ballet flats. Greetings from Hamburg.
Great video ❤ I stopped using water reservoirs with the drinking tube connectors just because of the pain and effort of cleaning them. Now I just carry my collapsible water bottles and sterilise them using denture cleaning tablets. I prolong their use between cleaning by popping them into a fridge (if there is one available) to stop mould forming. 😊
Good to know that I am not the only one who has a box full of items that I "thought" would be useful, but aren't. Yes, there are often cheaper alternatives. Keep making interesting videos!
Love your video and you just saved me from buying a hero-clip! But a quick tip, the other way! If it's for the flight, train and so on, turn the neck pillow around, and place it around the front instead 😊 Won't push you away from the seat, and will support your head in whatever direction you head falls 😊
Thank you for this video, you have saved me some money. A few of those items are on my list. I love your camping pillow idea. I can't live without my memory foam pillow, so that's going with me. I found a compression bag that makes it 1/4 the size.
Hi Maggi, I just wanted to drop a line to say hello! Thank you for your videos - this video came across my feed yesterday and I've been watching all your older videos. So many great tips for traveling, packing and budgeting etc. I also use YNAB and it's been such a great tool. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Outstanding video! I always take "S" hooks with me. Third world toilets in bus and rail stations can leave a lot to be desired! The hook on the door is usually broken off, the lock is often missing and they are often squat style and the floor is wet with God know what! The hook allows me to hang my coat and bag without putting them on the floor. I also carry a portable door lock and some toilet paper, all in a small Ziploc bag. I also take with me a neck pillow cover, which I stuff with clothes so I can take just that little bit more on board, but seldom use it as a pillow. Water bottles, yes, why buy them when you will acquire them anyway! I do find that a small USB adaptor from one size to another to be useful. They are cheap from amazon, and take up almost no space.
Great video, not following the usual trends and giving a real opinion. Also thank you so much for letting people know about the merino wool cruelty. I wouldn't have known this!
Have to say I love my Hero clip - I carry a back pack everyday and it's just so handy to clip to tables or add something extra to the bag - that and my knipex pliers are the best things I've bought. I get pains in my hands and the pliers make it so easy to open bottles and tiny things. great videos!
Omg a great and honest vlog!! Thank you. Tencel is great. So is bamboo and silk as natural fibres. Or eucalyptus fibres like they use in Allbirds shoes. Lots of options beyond magic merino. Love it for socks but not much else. And I haved owned and used it for eons from big and small brands across most conditions. 😬
Hi Maggie, thanks for your honesty (as usual - especially regarding the tropicfeel shoes). I really liked that you didn't just cover the products you don't use but also suggested alternatives. However, I bought a (more) expensive metal perfume miniature bottle on Amazon bcos the cheap plastic 1s I bought all leaked and the metal 1 didn't 🤷♀️ I too have found merino clothing often wears out rapidly but I'm looking more at hemp, bamboo, silk and alpaca as alternatives; although I am open to tencel as well, for certain items. Regarding that multi-charging tool, I bought a little sd card reader called a "budi" to extend the storage of my s23 ultra but found it to have so many uses including having multiple usb charging options that work well. And for $15AUD it was definitely a value buy
Hi, Maggi I agree with most especially the Scrubba but I always travel with a backpack and have a heroclip permanently on the hanging loop of the backpack as I hang my pack off the ground where it's less likely to get infested by bedbugs if you have ever been unfortunate enough to get bedbugs on your travels you know never to place your baggage on the bed, but I always carry an S hook as well mostly for hanging my clothes and valuables when showering in hostels as they never seem to have hooks. If you use clingfilm on the aircraft-approved liquid bottles where the spray nozzle screws on it will seal them and stop them from leaking. I only really wear Merino or Alpaca as a base layer when travelling as I can wear it for weeks without washing it, I was thru-hiking in daytime temperatures of over 30°and wore the same merino sun hoodie for 6 days with it only getting aired when I made camp each night and changed clothes and before I washed it after the 6 days independent sniffers verified that it didn't smell that bad, I have yet to find a synthetic or cotton that will do the same, I also find merino is far better at regulating my body temperature than synthetic and I need to carry fewer clothes. Also, merino when it gets wet will still keep you warm & comfortable and will dry on you, cotton stays wet and uncomfortable and makes you cold.
I’d be interested in hearing if Maggi has encountered bed bugs and what she does to avoid that problem. I haven’t yet, and I don’t take care of my backpack to avoid an infestation. (Maybe my days are numbered!) I agree with you about the merino wool products. I buy merino underwear from Australia, holds up much longer than cotton so it’s actually a better price than American cotton underwear. I like Wooland (for women) or Wool & Prince (for men) products because they are high-quality, last a long time and look dressier than technical clothing. I also really appreciate that the products are non-stink and fast drying-they reduce my laundry when traveling and also at home. For hotter climates I prefer linen to cotton. Everything is expensive! but I don’t need a lot of variety in my clothes and don’t mind wearing the same things for years.
@@catoks1 Apparently bedbugs don't like lavender oil and ever since I managed to pick them up I think from a couple of days in a good Paris hotel I use a mix of almond oil and concentrated lavender oil in one of them spray clear bottle you can take on the aircraft and that why I know using cling film around where the screw cap goes on seals then. And I spray myself with the oil before going to bed. You can also spray your gear with permithrin but I don't like using that as it will kill any insect that lands in it such as bees and butterflies. If you are unfortunate to get bedbugs they can get into your luggage and clothes but washing everything and putting it into a hot dryer for an hour kills the bugs and eggs but you can't really do that with your expensive merino gear or down sleeping bags & jackets alternatively 5 days in a freezer does the same job but you can't really do that when your traveling.
This was helpful! Several of the things you mention have been on my "wish list," and I do have a small hero clip lol. I've used it a bit, mostly to hang up my toiletry bag when there's no hook. I would really enjoy a clothing video. Thank you!
I mostly agree about the water bottles but I have a collapsible bottle that will go flat when out of water. If I know I will have consistent access to drinkable water, or won't be exerting too much, I may not bring it, but it has come in handy a couple of times. And it does have a basic filter integrated. I found myself 1/2 inflating a neck pillow and then moving it around so the gap was between neck and seatback. A minor improvement. I tried the Turtl and it caused my neck to get a "crick" in it and it will usually take several minutes to loosen it up. I have tried it in several positions. No good in any. I like the inflatable camp pillow approach. I may try that for my next Interntional flight.
I have to agree with everything 100%! except the perfume bottles. maybe I got very lucky but my bottle never leaked in 3 years of fulltime travel 😇 Great video! Definitely subscribed. Finally someone who actually says the truth 🙏🏻
Great video, the matador pouch for me has been great (3 years), never had an issue and to clean I would use an ear tip to wipe any shower gel away. But it was very expensive for what it is.
Thank you for sharing your review of the various items you mentioned in the video, they were very informative. A lot of the items mentioned is being offered by specialty shop where I live (Malaysia) and they're definitely not cheap. I can afford them but they're definitely an investment and not something I can buy nilly-willy. So hearing a real life reviews on these items are greatly appreciated.
I think platypus style water bags are way more practical than bottles. When they are empty they almost literally use 0 space, but you can fill them with 1-2-3 liters of water (depending on the size), and always just take up as much space as their water content.
Good list! I disagree about water bottles though! (The way to keep your water bottle clean is with Milton sterilizing fluid - as used for babies bottles).
Thanks for the suggestion. I agree that there are many great solutions available for sterilizing the bottles but most are not practical for traveling with carry on only. There is no way I would be able to bring enough fluid to sterilize my bottles for three months in my clear bag. 😅 So unfortunately those things do not work for my style of travel. :)
The neck pillow is supposed to be worn with the opening towards the back. That way you catch your head when it falls forward. The inflatable version is invaluable for me. Grüsse aus Nashville!
I had 3 things you mentioned in my Amazon cart. Thanks for saving me money! I’m on my 6th travel pillow. So frustrating because I also don’t have a long neck. And yes would love to hear your opinion on materials. I used a highly rated clear waterproof waist pouch on a 2 week Maui snorkeling trip. They do work! Only bought one because there was nothing else that would serve the particulars of that trip.
My favorite neck pillow: Jack Daniels (whiskey brand) had a Christmas sale. It was a large bottle of whiskey in an oblong zippered cotton bag. I don't particularly like that whiskey, but I used oblong packing cubes to pack socks and underwear, and stuff them into the Jack Daniels bag. I save space in my suitcase, and use my hero clip to hang it outside my suitcase as my pillow. It's such a comfortable pillow, I use it in my hotel instead of those weird lumpy hotel pillows.
I have a heroclip attached to my sling bag and my carry on backpack and I use them constantly. Other than that, I agree with you on most of the stuff, although there are a number of things that I think are unneeded at all - no replacement needed.
I had very good experiences with the Tropicfeel shoes on several vacations in Thailand, but only with the Sunset model. I also had another model, I think the Monsoon, which I wasn't really happy with.
I love my inCharge cables I've had them for a couple years, but i agree with you, they do not last, i have 5 and 3 of them don't work anymore. I'd still repurchase them though, they are my daily drivers especially the mini ones.
I agree with you here completely! Thanks for the great video. My favourite bit of tech travel gear is the Portapow data blocker. Just cheap and flawless. Regards Rob.
I use the Hero Clip all the time. Here in Asia lots of time the hooks at the public toilet door are broken. When you have a backpack it really comes in handy.
Some years back I tried merino wool t-shirts for everyday wear. They were great for comfort and stink resistance, but always fell apart too quickly. Developed holes so holding it up in front of a lamp was like having my own little planetarium. Didn't matter hand wash, machine wash, hang up and don't use at all... Also the brand didn't matter. Holes! My guess is some combination of moths, backpack or seat belt friction, and wet wringing. Whatever the cause, even the cheapest cotton or polyester tees outlasted them many times over. I still have several long sleeve merino shirts from Costco. They developed holes too! Some had never even been worn yet, with no obvious bugs in the closet. But they were about $10 each on sale and still work fine for cool weather hiking in Colorado. So I machine washed them all (in case of invisible moth eggs) and started keeping them rolled up in a sealed dry bag. At some point one brand (I think it was Ibex?) made shirts from threads of merino wrapped in a nylon helix in a 7:1 ratio. Got one on clearance from Sierra Trading Post and then never saw any more. Still not sure how sturdy it was, because I gained weight and lost track of it in my wrong-size clothes. But I like the idea of nylon reinforced wool. Wool socks and pullovers/sweaters seem to last longer than tees. Possibly because the wool is usually blended with materials that are stronger and more forgiving. Definitely a correlation between fabric thickness and longevity though.
Hero clips are great when you go into a restroom and there's not a hook on the back of the door for your bags. I use the hero clip to hang my bags on the door. I also use a hero clip to attach my purse to a chair, while eating in a restaurant, so it doesn't get stollen.
I had seen videos recommending the Scrubba bag and originally thought it was a good idea - then I saw the price and then - I thought, how is that any different than using the dry bags that I already have??? So thanks for confirming that!
Thank you SO SO SO much! I just came back from a long/far trip with many gadgets I came up on my own and now delving into these fun gadget tips. BOY was I surprised to see people recommending merino wool when I've been packing ultra-cheap, quick-drying polyester which was so light in my travel bags, some of which have UV protection? I'm like... merino wool? You mean all the stuff I bought from J. Crew back in the day and had to dry clean??
Totally not that merino wool. Super wash merino is machine washable, very yin, wicks moisture away so you don’t feel clammy and still keeps you warm while wet. Polyester might dry quickly but it gets cold when wet, and clammy. Wool doesn’t.
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Yes, please share a video about clothing materials! That would be so helpful. Thanks for your hard work on these videos!
Agreed!
Yes that would be great!!
Yes to clothes!
Ditto
Yes please to a video about the best travel clothing!
Finally! A video showing items that are a "waste". Soooo many other vloggers seem to just push unnecessary Amazon items because they want you to buy from their commission based store, whether the items are crap or not. Most of them are not even useful (like seriously, who needs a travel toiletry bag that has 4 folding compartments). I've stopped watching all those videos. Thank you for not reviewing a bunch of stuff just to help convince us we need to buy more stuff. I appreciate your videos sooo much. And I'm glad to see you both back to making videos. Thanks for another truthful video that has actual useful info.
I couldn’t agree more! I always get lots of Emails from brands trying to sponsor a video, and it’s always interesting to see who is suddenly presenting these products afterwards… 😅
Yes! Would love to hear more about clothing fabrics for travel!
I’ve been trying to research quality clothing that doesn’t hold smell, breathable, wicks sweat, easy to hand wash and dries quickly so that I can car camp around the US or travel for weeks with a small capsule.
I love merino, and I’m WILLING to pay the price (I agree that it costs more than it should), but I 100% agree that finding merino blend that is also durable, is quite difficult. They are out there, though!
I love how genuine and original you are. I’m tired of all the TH-camrs all just rushing to the trends all all doing the same things.
It is so funny how different people travel, because I love my Hero Clips. I use them to hang my luggage on the back of doors, or clip multiple bags together when I need a hand free (like a shopping bag to my big bag). I also use them to carry multiple shopping bags with one hand from the grocery store. A carabineer and hooks would not be strong enough, or take up as little space with how I use them. I also just clip the Clip to the handle of bag, so it never is inside a pocket unless I need to check my luggage at an airport.
My hero clips are useful, but I am disappointed they are not as useful as I hoped. For example, the hook outside the carabeener portion is too shallow to hold my personal bag on the top of my bathroom door stall or the edge of the table or rolling bag. So I end up only using it as an expensive, well-made carabeener. I would love your advice on how to make it work better for me.
@@lindachristopher4 I gave some of the Heroclip Mini size away as gifts one year and then found that same issue, the weight capacity was enough, but the throat of the hook just would not go over a lot of tables, so it was of no use to hang a bag/purse where one could keep an eye on it.
I'm glad she told us about the rest of this stuff though. 😂
The Hero clip is something I use daily. It’s fantastic to hang my bags to a table . Sometimes my other bag hangers slip or are too small. The small Hero clip works better.
I have used carabiners for decades then tried a hero clip about 4 years ago, After one year and travelling to 15 counties , I lost one and realized I had only used them (had 2) 2 times.
Yes, would love to see an in depth video on sourcing clothing and what works best!!
OK, the neck pillow is supposed to have the opening at the back. I know! Who knew? But try it, it keeps your chin from falling to your chest and is much more comfortable. My friend, who is a flight attendant, explained this to me. I have one which has a snap closure and is memory foam so I can compact it.
Bon voyage!
I'm sooooo glad you highlighted that unconventional use of the s-shaped hooks for hanging something underneath a table/desk. I bought a 10-pack of them recently for non-travel purposes, but now will definitely bring some with me on my next trip!
You hit everything I regretted purchasing for travel. Great video, thank you.
This is such an underrated topic. Thank you for talking about it and I completely agree with your take on these products. I admit to being caught up myself in all the hype (influencing?) over gadgets, bags, pouches, and other random stuff that's supposed to make travel easier and better. IMHO, it seems like things seem to be for/by ultralight types or a type of traveller who will be in remote villages or towns etc. where personal water filtration is necessary or needing to travel really light is a must. Once I accepted that, at my age, I am just a casual traveller who enjoys primarily city travelling and whatever toiletry or item I didn't bring I am likely to find where I am going.
One exception I make to this are chargers, cables, adapters, etc. It doesn't make sense to try to buy these (possibly at a higher cost) at the destination when I could have brought them with me -they don't take up much space anyways. Also, like you, I just went with little USB-A/micro-usb adapters like the ones you showed.
Yes, please share a video about clothes sourcing and materials. That would be very interesting.
Some good points but there are some items I love. Merino from Wool& is my favorite. Love my Hero Clip and I always carry a refillable water bottle. Thank you!
Thank you for the information. It's useful to hear someone talking a out the cons and not just the pros.
I'd love to see something about alternatives to merino. I do wear Merino socks and sweaters but not shirts.
Thank you for your insights, especially about the Hero Clip.
Alpaca
New subscriber here. I knew I had found the right channel and a kindred soul when I saw I had tried the first three items you mentioned (the Heroclip, the 6 in 1 charging cable, and the neck pillow) and later the Marino wool. As you mentioned, the Heroclip is overpriced and awkward. The 6 in 1 is unreliable and the micro USB/Lightning plug is a nightmare. I first used some non-inflatable pillows trying to find the best one. Then I tried a few inflatable pillows that were compact when deflated but just as uncomfortable. I also ended up with a camping pillow like you did. I can’t wear Merino wool touching my skin because I am allergic to wool. I do have one light duty merino wool zippered sweater that has worked fine for 15 years but the new ones are so expensive. I am looking forward to viewing all your videos.
I am glad to have you here! Always good to know there are others like me out there. 🤗
Those s-hooks will leave a dent or scratch the surface of whatever you're hanging stuff on. Heroclips are the best bag hooks if you have a bag over 5 pounds (I'm a teacher and carry a lot) because they don't damage the surface and can bear larger weight purses. I've gotten cheaper Daiso alternatives and they broke. The ones you show would either start slipping off the surface with bags at the weight I carry, or would leave marks on the surface top. Once you get use the motion of deploying the hook, and tucking it in, it's not a big deal. You can try the cheap hooks, but if you found like I did that they don't work, you'll need a Hero clip.
Great video! I like to use my Hero Clip when I'm in a bathroom that doesn't have a clip to hang my backpack or purse, but the hanging hooks seem like they would also do the job.
It's great to hear someone who travels more than I do thinking the way I do. I try hard not to be seduced by the bombardment of ads and you have convinced me to be more vigilant. I have a collection of useless stuff too. Love your videos.
So glad I am not the only one who has a collection like this 😂
I thoroughly enjoyed this video! I've bought a few of these and thought about buying a few of these so thank you for saving me the hassle and money. I also appreciated you sharing what you like as an alternative. I would love a video about clothing materials too!
Great video! I would also like recommendations on waterproof shoes. Thanks!
I would love that too… did not find great waterproof shoes either! 😅
FYI: I‘m already working on my video about materials and how I pick my clothes. I will try to get it published in the beginning of May. 💪
Maybe you would want to subscribe to my channel so you don‘t miss it?! 🤔😂🤗
Yes! I would love to hear about fabrics and performance! It would not bore me at all :)
IMO cotton/polyester mixes and cotton work well. I live in the Deep South US, which is hot and humid, so these are easy care, breathe, and don’t wrinkle as much. But I’m interested to hear about materials for other climates as well. I can’t do much wool as I’m allergic 😬 so it’s a good thing I don’t live in cold climates.
same here! I really want to try merino wool but as you said, it’s so frustrating to know which will work and last, especially with such heavy use.
I would enjoy a video on your favorite Travel clothes!
@@barbarafriedel5172 I am VERY delayed on that video… 🙈I am literally writing and rewriting the script since May (aka overthinking it). 😅 But it’s in the making!
Great list! I came to the same conclusions about the Hero Clip, Scrubba, and merino wool over time.
Replacing the clear phone protection bag makes sense and I will do that, too.
I find the clear protection useful when I want to use my phone and it is raining (normally when trekking and navigating) 😊
The reason you don't find the neck pillow comfortable is that you wear it backwards. You don't bring it around your head, you stick it right on, the opening is in the back and that's where the fastener is. Now you rest your chin on the pillow, and your head isn't pushed forward to where there's no support.
While I understand wearing it the other way than "normal" can works, if you google pics of travel pillows 90% or more are pictures with the opening in front.
@@dillogdall1 And none of them show the pillow actually being used.
@@dodatroda what do you mean? It is pictures of people wearing them in a seat.
it doesnt matter if its used wrong or not. the fact remains its still a bulky item that is only used twice per trip 😂 so its better to find more useful alternatives
@@PotatoSpudRucking Agreed, to a point. But if you do need to sleep you can get an inflatable one. Beats resting your head on the bulkhead or someone's shoulder.
I pack my neck pillow with soft clothes. It allows me to take more and to have clothes if my check in luggage gets delayed or lost.
I bought a merino wool gaiter and was surprised at how thin the material was. I liked the warmth on my neck and I expect it will work well as a sleep mask and as a cap. On the basis of this item I bought a pair of merino wool socks, but found they were too thick and too rough for my feet, so I sent them back.
I was thinking about the Hero carabiner, but the price was giving me pause. Good to hear your experience with it and the alternatives you recommend.
Going back to the neck pillow, back in the day I used to camp a lot and also hitchhike. I never saw the point of packing a pillow when I could stuff a t-shirt with clothes and use that. I'll be flying across country tonight and I will be wearing a fleece jacket and a long cotton scarf onto the plane. My intention is to fold up the jacket and wrap it with the scarf, making a 'flight pillow' that should work just fine. Sometimes the best 'gadgets' are the ones that necessity and low income lead you to innovate.
I had bought a 3-part toiletry bag with one section that zips off as the Liquids Bag, but it was bulky and heavy and...I just sent it back. I use so few toiletries that I don't need anything more than a snack-size ziplock. I have a 1-qt ziplock for my Liquids Bag, but the only liquids I'm carrying is a contact lens case with antifungal cream in one lens holder and antibacterial ointment in the other. I have a zippered silicone makeup brush case I bought to hold all my first aid supplies. It takes very little space, is waterproof, and fits pretty much anywhere.
The one splurge I decided on, given that I am elderly and flying Basic Economy (so only allowed a 'personal item) is a collapsible trolly. I can bungee my heavy backet to the trolley, but compact and slip the trolley into the backpack at boarding. The one I bought is rated to 77lbs and weighs about 2lbs. Fingers crossed, that it does the job.
🙂Great video!! I always have bad luck with airport bathroom stalls not having bag hooks. I wish I could get away with not bringing my Hero Clip. But it has saved my bag from a few nasty floor situations.
Maybe I will have to pick up some of those standard hooks!
Maggi I loved this!! I’ve seen many creators hawking these items and thought maybe they’re actually useful so I appreciate your genuine feedback. I’ve looked at neck pillows but just couldn’t justify the hassle and cost. I’m going to investigate the Sea to Summit inflatable pillow for a red eye to the UK in June 😊
Don’t blow an inflatable neck pillow up all the way, only fill it ‘till it’s comfortable. Get one whose sides are longer, wear it at the front, (or the side) so you use the sides to sleep, also it prevents the head from falling forward. Some have some sort of connection that allows for hooking the pillow onto a backpack.
Thanks for that tip! Maybe ones with longer sides would work better. And I usually dont blow it up all the way. Regarding the connector - I would not want to have the pillow dangling from my bag for several weeks, so for me, it always needs to go inside the bag. :)
Great video! I’d love to see you do a video on clothing materials!
So nice to hear you offer alternatives to merino wool as I’m allergic to wool. Always enjoy your videos…thanks for the great content!
I just recently learned that simple, dryer proof cotton shirts (mine are from C&A) and a merino wool pullover (I got mine from uniqlo) are my best combination for traveling. No need to wash the pullover and the cotton tees can be worn either for a few not to sweaty days, rinsed in the sink or put into coin laundry without worries as they won't shrink in the dryer. Combined with a simple fleece jacket I felt like it was the perfect combination for a city & nature adventure. However, the Pullover starts to look loved, especially the areas where backpackstraps sit. Uniqlo is quite cheap tho and no mulesing at least.
We are all guilty of buying travel items that turn out to be not reused . My thoughts. 1. Like you I decant my liquid products only into TSA size flat pouches that can be re- used and or cleaned easily. 2 . I love the Matador refillable toothpaste tubes because I am picky about my toothpaste. 3 . I need a neck / head pillow on the flight but found one that allows you to fill with clothes and is washable. Serves two purposes. 3. I hate cold feet but find that Merino Wool socks - only keep my feet warm enough in winter travel. Worth the price, wash well and last several years. Won’t spend the money on the Merino tops. 4. Water Bottle yes which I decant into but take a sponge cleaner on a handle with water bottle cleaning tabs ( break in half) just enough for trip and don’t count as liquids- to disinfect after each day use. They really clean the bottle inside well. Also fill up at airport water stations rather than pay ridiculous amounts on bottled water after getting thru TSA lines. There are flat ones that don’t leak but the rigid ones clean well. 4. For winter or fall travel a pair of silk leggings and top to layer under clothes is invaluable and wick moisture. The ones at LLBean in the USA are excellent . Hanro undergarments in Europe are similar in top quality and worth the cost. Wool in Silk. You can sleep in them or layer them under day clothes and they wash and dry quickly in room yet add no weight in luggage and last easily several years of use for me.Part of my layering strategy if needed. They are well worth the price . 5 . Agree there are less expensive clips that serve many purposes like adding a hook over a door, dry clothes on that are less expensive options and come in packs of 5-10 . Ive left Hero hooks behind by accident. I also carry 2 foldable travel hangers that serve as hangers and for drying hand washed clothes. Invaluable.
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Good video! Vielen Dank!
1) Merino wool: I have various merino items from Decathlon, Massimo Dutti and Stoic for long time and am so happy! Alternative is mixed cotton with polyester or Tencel. Merino wool is just wool from the sheeps, not sure where the problem is, better fir the sheeps to have sometimes a hair (wool) cut than to be grilled on a bbq.
2) Perfume bottles: I have the small ones but in glass, all quite durable, zero leaking
3) Pillow: I bought the inflatable pillow from Decathlon and I put inside the cover my down vest, it is comfortable and save me space in my backpack when checking in flights.
If you go to colder countries, putting the down jacket into the cover is a great idea! Love that. And regarding the sheeps, if during the mulesing they would just cut the wool, it would be no problem…
Such a great video!!! The comment about the shoes in Brazil made me laugh out loud!!! Great job and I'd love to hear about your clothing choices/sourcing/etc.
The neck pillow is supposed to be worn the other way. Not behind you, the opening should be in the back.
Yeah everyone thinks neck pillows are uncomfortable until they use them the right way.
Thanks for a great video Maggie! I hate carrying around that neck pillow when flying. 😄
Once again, love your honesty and candor! Lots of gimmicky items and brands out there. Thank you for this refreshing video :)
Thank you for this very honest video. I just wanted to mention that I have just found an inflatable travel pillow that when you blow it up, it has a flatish area where your head goes, so your head does not get pushed forward and sides support your head really well (I bought it yesterday and tried it out in my sitting room). I was really impressed.
Great video! I too struggle with neck pillows. I’ll have to give a regular camping pillow a try. Thanks!
Vielen Dank, Maggi, für ein weiteres sehr nützliches Video. Ich habe in der Vergangenheit zu viele Gimmick-Käufe getätigt. Influencer bewerben viele Produkte nur, um Verkäufe zu generieren. Dies sollte den Menschen wirklich helfen, zweimal darüber nachzudenken, was sie kaufen.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I would add selfie sticks to the list. And also grab a cheap old phone as a back up when wandering through sneaky places… see you in the next video 😀
Great great video! We love to watch edc/tech/travel gadgets videos - and end up wanting to buy them all! I still use the hero clip (actually it’s a Chinese version of it, and cheaper) but the neck pillows and the mini in charge cable were in fact a waste of money for me. The mini perfume spray bottle I got still working great and so far, no spills. 😊
I travel in my Van conversion with no shower. My Hero carabiner is permanently attached to my shower sac. Works brilliantly as you can hang the bag anywhere. Love it for that & only that. Otherwise I use the typical carabiner.
I had one of the wash bags - left it behind at a room & never replaced it - nuf said...
I have used Goo Tube refillable containers for years without a blowout - even with elevation changes on the road
I use Merino socks exclusively (I just started testing out Buffalo socks), some underwear, a few beanies & a few pair of merino shorts & insulating long bottoms. I can't use merino on my skin on my top - so that is out...
When I travel lighter i will carry a light water bladder instead of a water bottle
Totally agree with you about travel water bottles and travel pillows, too much bother.
You talk a lot of sense, Maggi, and very persuasively and eloquently. I think you just saved me a lot of money and weight in my luggage. Thank you!
yess please make a video about fabrics!!
I learned recently that you should put the neck pillow in front. Game changer.
I love my Heroclip, so many bathrooms don’t have anywhere to hang my purse, it stays on my purse, never catches on anything, I can hang it from the door, on a table. I don’t want to travel without it. Especially when I discovered the the hook twists to the side!! And why do you take it off the bag?
… I just had an epiphany… 😂 Maybe that’s part of the reason why I never found a good use for it. Our bathrooms in Europe are usually not stalls but real rooms, with no gaps big enough for a Heroclip… 🤔😊
great video and I agree with many points but I was very surprised about the InCharge X cable. I use it all the time and it has saved my ass. it’s so small, it’s just one thing you have to keep track of instead of a cable plus different dongles, it also may come in handy if for some reason you need to charge from a USB-A port instead of USB-C, I’d never travel without it and I carry it daily at home
hero clips, eh, I use mine, I like hanging my bag from a table for easier access or keeping things off of dirty floors, and it’s so convenient because it attaches to your bag and can be used for other things too
merino shirts can definitely be hit or miss, my proof 72 hour merino tees have held up pretty well. and as for underwear and socks, I use darn toughs and some merino blend boxers from allbirds and both are awesome, as well as my icebreaker merino hoodie. I think the trick is to go for a blend rather than 100% so it’s more durable
thanks for the video even if I don’t agree with everything I appreciate the critical thinking you have done. lots of travel brands are just trendy crap
Thanks for sharing! Since we all travel differently, it is so intersting to hear what works for you. :)
Excellent video! I hadn't considered the dry-bag washing solution before but I'll try that. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with your Tropicfeel shoes. I wonder if it was a bad production. I've had mine for four or five years now and I love them. They also don't smell weird. I use them for lighter hikes, everyday wear and sometimes kayaking. In cold weather I combine them with Sealskin socks. i also like the Vivaia ballet flats. Greetings from Hamburg.
Great video ❤ I stopped using water reservoirs with the drinking tube connectors just because of the pain and effort of cleaning them. Now I just carry my collapsible water bottles and sterilise them using denture cleaning tablets. I prolong their use between cleaning by popping them into a fridge (if there is one available) to stop mould forming. 😊
Thanks for the tip with the denture cleaning tablets. :)
Good to know that I am not the only one who has a box full of items that I "thought" would be useful, but aren't. Yes, there are often cheaper alternatives. Keep making interesting videos!
Love your video and you just saved me from buying a hero-clip! But a quick tip, the other way! If it's for the flight, train and so on, turn the neck pillow around, and place it around the front instead 😊 Won't push you away from the seat, and will support your head in whatever direction you head falls 😊
I use the heroclip mini to hang my waterbottle on the seat infront of me and its great! I also hook my water bottle to my roller bag thru the airport.
Thank you for this video, you have saved me some money. A few of those items are on my list. I love your camping pillow idea. I can't live without my memory foam pillow, so that's going with me. I found a compression bag that makes it 1/4 the size.
Hi Maggi, I just wanted to drop a line to say hello! Thank you for your videos - this video came across my feed yesterday and I've been watching all your older videos. So many great tips for traveling, packing and budgeting etc. I also use YNAB and it's been such a great tool. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Glad to have you here! 🤗
Outstanding video! I always take "S" hooks with me. Third world toilets in bus and rail stations can leave a lot to be desired! The hook on the door is usually broken off, the lock is often missing and they are often squat style and the floor is wet with God know what! The hook allows me to hang my coat and bag without putting them on the floor. I also carry a portable door lock and some toilet paper, all in a small Ziploc bag. I also take with me a neck pillow cover, which I stuff with clothes so I can take just that little bit more on board, but seldom use it as a pillow. Water bottles, yes, why buy them when you will acquire them anyway! I do find that a small USB adaptor from one size to another to be useful. They are cheap from amazon, and take up almost no space.
Great video, not following the usual trends and giving a real opinion. Also thank you so much for letting people know about the merino wool cruelty. I wouldn't have known this!
thanks for all the tips! i love my nuyarn merino pieces, which have proven very robust
Excellent tips from an experienced traveler...thank you for saving me money!
Great tips based on your experience! Luv the pillow suggestion!
Have to say I love my Hero clip - I carry a back pack everyday and it's just so handy to clip to tables or add something extra to the bag - that and my knipex pliers are the best things I've bought. I get pains in my hands and the pliers make it so easy to open bottles and tiny things. great videos!
Yes, please! I would love a video on clothing materials.
Omg a great and honest vlog!! Thank you. Tencel is great. So is bamboo and silk as natural fibres. Or eucalyptus fibres like they use in Allbirds shoes. Lots of options beyond magic merino. Love it for socks but not much else. And I haved owned and used it for eons from big and small brands across most conditions. 😬
Hi Maggie, thanks for your honesty (as usual - especially regarding the tropicfeel shoes). I really liked that you didn't just cover the products you don't use but also suggested alternatives.
However, I bought a (more) expensive metal perfume miniature bottle on Amazon bcos the cheap plastic 1s I bought all leaked and the metal 1 didn't 🤷♀️
I too have found merino clothing often wears out rapidly but I'm looking more at hemp, bamboo, silk and alpaca as alternatives; although I am open to tencel as well, for certain items.
Regarding that multi-charging tool, I bought a little sd card reader called a "budi" to extend the storage of my s23 ultra but found it to have so many uses including having multiple usb charging options that work well. And for $15AUD it was definitely a value buy
Hi, Maggi I agree with most especially the Scrubba but I always travel with a backpack and have a heroclip permanently on the hanging loop of the backpack as I hang my pack off the ground where it's less likely to get infested by bedbugs if you have ever been unfortunate enough to get bedbugs on your travels you know never to place your baggage on the bed, but I always carry an S hook as well mostly for hanging my clothes and valuables when showering in hostels as they never seem to have hooks. If you use clingfilm on the aircraft-approved liquid bottles where the spray nozzle screws on it will seal them and stop them from leaking. I only really wear Merino or Alpaca as a base layer when travelling as I can wear it for weeks without washing it, I was thru-hiking in daytime temperatures of over 30°and wore the same merino sun hoodie for 6 days with it only getting aired when I made camp each night and changed clothes and before I washed it after the 6 days independent sniffers verified that it didn't smell that bad, I have yet to find a synthetic or cotton that will do the same, I also find merino is far better at regulating my body temperature than synthetic and I need to carry fewer clothes. Also, merino when it gets wet will still keep you warm & comfortable and will dry on you, cotton stays wet and uncomfortable and makes you cold.
I’d be interested in hearing if Maggi has encountered bed bugs and what she does to avoid that problem. I haven’t yet, and I don’t take care of my backpack to avoid an infestation. (Maybe my days are numbered!) I agree with you about the merino wool products. I buy merino underwear from Australia, holds up much longer than cotton so it’s actually a better price than American cotton underwear. I like Wooland (for women) or Wool & Prince (for men) products because they are high-quality, last a long time and look dressier than technical clothing. I also really appreciate that the products are non-stink and fast drying-they reduce my laundry when traveling and also at home. For hotter climates I prefer linen to cotton. Everything is expensive! but I don’t need a lot of variety in my clothes and don’t mind wearing the same things for years.
@@catoks1 Apparently bedbugs don't like lavender oil and ever since I managed to pick them up I think from a couple of days in a good Paris hotel I use a mix of almond oil and concentrated lavender oil in one of them spray clear bottle you can take on the aircraft and that why I know using cling film around where the screw cap goes on seals then. And I spray myself with the oil before going to bed. You can also spray your gear with permithrin but I don't like using that as it will kill any insect that lands in it such as bees and butterflies. If you are unfortunate to get bedbugs they can get into your luggage and clothes but washing everything and putting it into a hot dryer for an hour kills the bugs and eggs but you can't really do that with your expensive merino gear or down sleeping bags & jackets alternatively 5 days in a freezer does the same job but you can't really do that when your traveling.
This was helpful! Several of the things you mention have been on my "wish list," and I do have a small hero clip lol. I've used it a bit, mostly to hang up my toiletry bag when there's no hook. I would really enjoy a clothing video. Thank you!
Thank you! Best travel video I've watched in ages.
Simply the best travel stuff video ever. Thank you for sharing your valuable experience!
I am interested in travel clothing options. I'm in the process of building a travel wardrobe of great material
Love the video. Simple items are usually the best to take around.
I like your gentle, fun style… thank you
Enjoyed your video, very informative. Completely agree about neck pillows and merino wool.
I mostly agree about the water bottles but I have a collapsible bottle that will go flat when out of water. If I know I will have consistent access to drinkable water, or won't be exerting too much, I may not bring it, but it has come in handy a couple of times. And it does have a basic filter integrated.
I found myself 1/2 inflating a neck pillow and then moving it around so the gap was between neck and seatback. A minor improvement. I tried the Turtl and it caused my neck to get a "crick" in it and it will usually take several minutes to loosen it up. I have tried it in several positions. No good in any.
I like the inflatable camp pillow approach. I may try that for my next Interntional flight.
I have to agree with everything 100%! except the perfume bottles. maybe I got very lucky but my bottle never leaked in 3 years of fulltime travel 😇
Great video! Definitely subscribed. Finally someone who actually says the truth 🙏🏻
Thanks for subscribing - glad to have you here! :) Which brand of perfume bottles do you use?
Enjoyed your video. Well thought out.
Great video, the matador pouch for me has been great (3 years), never had an issue and to clean I would use an ear tip to wipe any shower gel away. But it was very expensive for what it is.
Thank you for sharing your review of the various items you mentioned in the video, they were very informative. A lot of the items mentioned is being offered by specialty shop where I live (Malaysia) and they're definitely not cheap. I can afford them but they're definitely an investment and not something I can buy nilly-willy. So hearing a real life reviews on these items are greatly appreciated.
I think platypus style water bags are way more practical than bottles. When they are empty they almost literally use 0 space, but you can fill them with 1-2-3 liters of water (depending on the size), and always just take up as much space as their water content.
too difficult to clean 😂 you're supposed to use bleach you wont find that at the hotel 😂
Good list! I disagree about water bottles though! (The way to keep your water bottle clean is with Milton sterilizing fluid - as used for babies bottles).
Thanks for the suggestion. I agree that there are many great solutions available for sterilizing the bottles but most are not practical for traveling with carry on only. There is no way I would be able to bring enough fluid to sterilize my bottles for three months in my clear bag. 😅 So unfortunately those things do not work for my style of travel. :)
The neck pillow is supposed to be worn with the opening towards the back. That way you catch your head when it falls forward. The inflatable version is invaluable for me. Grüsse aus Nashville!
I need to try another one now 😅
I had 3 things you mentioned in my Amazon cart. Thanks for saving me money! I’m on my 6th travel pillow. So frustrating because I also don’t have a long neck. And yes would love to hear your opinion on materials. I used a highly rated clear waterproof waist pouch on a 2 week Maui snorkeling trip. They do work! Only bought one because there was nothing else that would serve the particulars of that trip.
Yes a good review of clothes is needed because nowadays everything is either too expensive or too cheap travel friendly clothes is a must
Thanks for your honest opinions!
My favorite neck pillow: Jack Daniels (whiskey brand) had a Christmas sale. It was a large bottle of whiskey in an oblong zippered cotton bag. I don't particularly like that whiskey, but I used oblong packing cubes to pack socks and underwear, and stuff them into the Jack Daniels bag. I save space in my suitcase, and use my hero clip to hang it outside my suitcase as my pillow. It's such a comfortable pillow, I use it in my hotel instead of those weird lumpy hotel pillows.
INSTANTLY subscribed because the first two items I completely agree with and have had the same experience!!!
I have a heroclip attached to my sling bag and my carry on backpack and I use them constantly. Other than that, I agree with you on most of the stuff, although there are a number of things that I think are unneeded at all - no replacement needed.
Excellent video Maggi, I totally agree, except for the hero clips I kinda like those. But everything else is spot on specially the wool
I had very good experiences with the Tropicfeel shoes on several vacations in Thailand, but only with the Sunset model. I also had another model, I think the Monsoon, which I wasn't really happy with.
Thanks for sharing!
I love my inCharge cables I've had them for a couple years, but i agree with you, they do not last, i have 5 and 3 of them don't work anymore. I'd still repurchase them though, they are my daily drivers especially the mini ones.
I agree with you here completely! Thanks for the great video. My favourite bit of tech travel gear is the Portapow data blocker. Just cheap and flawless. Regards Rob.
I use the Hero Clip all the time. Here in Asia lots of time the hooks at the public toilet door are broken. When you have a backpack it really comes in handy.
Some years back I tried merino wool t-shirts for everyday wear. They were great for comfort and stink resistance, but always fell apart too quickly. Developed holes so holding it up in front of a lamp was like having my own little planetarium. Didn't matter hand wash, machine wash, hang up and don't use at all... Also the brand didn't matter. Holes! My guess is some combination of moths, backpack or seat belt friction, and wet wringing. Whatever the cause, even the cheapest cotton or polyester tees outlasted them many times over.
I still have several long sleeve merino shirts from Costco. They developed holes too! Some had never even been worn yet, with no obvious bugs in the closet. But they were about $10 each on sale and still work fine for cool weather hiking in Colorado. So I machine washed them all (in case of invisible moth eggs) and started keeping them rolled up in a sealed dry bag.
At some point one brand (I think it was Ibex?) made shirts from threads of merino wrapped in a nylon helix in a 7:1 ratio. Got one on clearance from Sierra Trading Post and then never saw any more. Still not sure how sturdy it was, because I gained weight and lost track of it in my wrong-size clothes. But I like the idea of nylon reinforced wool.
Wool socks and pullovers/sweaters seem to last longer than tees. Possibly because the wool is usually blended with materials that are stronger and more forgiving. Definitely a correlation between fabric thickness and longevity though.
For the cocoon neck pillow, you can try to pump less air in it and see if it's better.
Hero clips are great when you go into a restroom and there's not a hook on the back of the door for your bags. I use the hero clip to hang my bags on the door.
I also use a hero clip to attach my purse to a chair, while eating in a restaurant, so it doesn't get stollen.
I had seen videos recommending the Scrubba bag and originally thought it was a good idea - then I saw the price and then - I thought, how is that any different than using the dry bags that I already have??? So thanks for confirming that!
I bought a high quality neck pillow that is not u-shaped. It's great, I love it. One like the NAPFUN Travel Pillow
Thank you SO SO SO much! I just came back from a long/far trip with many gadgets I came up on my own and now delving into these fun gadget tips. BOY was I surprised to see people recommending merino wool when I've been packing ultra-cheap, quick-drying polyester which was so light in my travel bags, some of which have UV protection? I'm like... merino wool? You mean all the stuff I bought from J. Crew back in the day and had to dry clean??
Totally not that merino wool. Super wash merino is machine washable, very yin, wicks moisture away so you don’t feel clammy and still keeps you warm while wet. Polyester might dry quickly but it gets cold when wet, and clammy. Wool doesn’t.
Great video. Few things off my shopping list😁😂