ARTICLE – I don’t consider myself a frequent traveller, but we do typically go on at least two trips a year. One of those trips usually requires air travel, while the other is a road trip. Road trips are easier when it comes to packing because your vehicle can hold a lot of stuff compared to the luggage that you either check in or carry on a plane. Our first trip this year was to Sanibel Island, Florida.
I told myself after my last vacation that I wouldn’t try using my iPad Pro as my main computer for the next trip, but what did I do this year? I took my iPad Pro again. Why? Because I have an obsession with packing light. This might be dumb because I happen to cohabitate with someone who is my opposite when it comes to packing. But that’s another story, so this article will focus on me, because it’s really all about me anyway. 😉
My vacation gadget requirements
People always comment that a vacation means you should not do or think about work. I can’t do that, and I don’t want to do that. I do prepare before going away by editing and scheduling all the posts for the time I’ll be away. That way, I don’t have to do any of that when I’m supposed to be relaxing. However, I still keep on top of emails, and if inspired, I might work on a review or news post. Here’s my must-have list of the tech that I absolutely need when I travel.
- Laptop or tablet with a physical keyboard
- Mouse (optional, but preferred)
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- AirPods Pro earbuds
- Charger for computer, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
- Backup battery
- My journal
- Favorite pen
- Wallet
- Carry-on bag to hold my tech gear
- Everyday Carry bag
The gear I actually took with me on this trip
- A generic bag that has pockets and slots for all my gear – can’t remember where I got this bag, but I continue to use it trip after trip
- 2022 iPad Pro 11-inch with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Apple Watch Series 9
- AirTag
- Logitech mouse
- Moft MagSafe folding stand
- Hobonichi Techo 2025 journal
- Uniball One pen
- Long HDMI cable
- Satechi USB-C dock
- Lip balm
- Small plastic container (for any cool tiny shells that I find)
- aKeeni XSTO wallet (not shown)
I added the Satechi dock and long HDMI cable because I thought I might want to connect my iPhone or iPad Pro to the TV in the condo to play Netflix and other streaming services as an alternative to the Apple TV I use at home. However, I didn’t end up using them. Instead, we put Everybody Loves Raymond on in the background while we were in the condo at night. After watching almost a dozen episodes during the week we were in Sanibel, I now want to re-watch the entire series from start to finish.
The age-old dilemma of what to pack and what not to pack
Last fall, we vacationed at Mansota Key, Florida, when I took my iPad Pro. Although it worked just fine, it wasn’t as easy to use as my MacBook Pro for my day-to-day Gadgeteer tasks. What takes me one step on the Mac can take 2-3 steps on the iPad. I remember telling myself to take my MacBook for the next trip, but I didn’t listen to myself and decided to leave the slightly larger and heavier MacBook at home in favor of the less bulky iPad Pro in the Magic Keyboard case.
Again, the iPad Pro was fine for responding to emails, but using my favorite text expansion plugin (TypeIt4Me) for responding to emails is a little wonky on the iPad vs. a MacBook. It works, but it takes an extra couple of steps. Then there’s reading my favorite RSS feeds with Feedly. I don’t know why it is also wonky on an iPad either using the app or using the web version. I also had to manually create the Gadgeteer newsletter 3 times while on vacation instead of being able to use my Python and Applescript programs, which I trigger with a button on an Elgato Stream Deck at home. First world problems? Of course, but little things annoy me. My fault for not listening to the little voice in my head while packing. At least I didn’t just take a OnePlus Open phone as my primary device! Nothing against the Open, because I love it. But I would have probably been even more annoyed – maybe. Ok, now I want to just take the Open with me on my next trip to find out how painful it might be 😉 See how I am? Insane! If Apple would just come out with new version of the 11 inch MacBook Air, I’d seriously consider buying one just for travel.
4 brand new travel gadgets that I tested while on vacation
The week before our trip to Florida, I was offered some items I thought would be perfect to test while traveling, so they came with me too.
- Allett Mini Daily Sling Bag
- Statik Snap-n-Charge Backup battery
- Statik SmartCharger
- KeySmart Finder card
Allett Mini Daily Sling Bag
My favorite style of EDC bag is a small crossbody bag, so the offer to review the Allett Mini Daily Sling bag came at the best possible time. This little guy was the perfect daily companion that held my wallet, lip balm, small notebook, pen, Kleenex, iPhone, charging cable, and the Statik Snap-n-Charge backup battery. I enjoyed using this bag so much that it’s become my new daily bag for around-town errands. You can read my review here: Allett Mini Daily Sling bag review
Price: $89.00
Where to buy: Allett
Statik Snap-n-Charge backup battery
While most newer vehicles have USB ports, not all airports and airplanes have charging ports. And even if they do, I’ve found that a lot of times, the ports are broken. For this reason, I like to have a small backup battery/charger that I can use if I need to top up my iPhone before I get to my final destination. The small 3200mAh Statik Snap-n-Charge was a great little charger to stow in my Allett bag because it barely takes up more room than a lip balm, but it offers enough juice to recharge my phone and AirPods in a pinch.
What I really like about this little charger is that you don’t need any cables. It has small magnetic plugs that you insert into the charging port of your device. Then the charger snaps to it to charge… Snap-n-Charge 🙂
Price: $29.99
Where to buy: Statik and Amazon
Statik SmartCharger
I used the Statik SmartCharger to replace all the individual AC adapters and cables I used to charge my iPhone, Jeanne’s iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods Pro earbuds, and iPad Pro while at the condo. With a built-in USB-C and Lightning cable, a Qi charger on top, a USB-C and USB-A port, I could charge up to 5 gadgets at the same time using this one adapter. It even has a built-in display that shows how much power its built-in battery has. That’s right, the SmartCharger is a 10,000mAh backup battery. The only “bad” thing about it was the built-in display because it’s bright. I had to put a Band-Aid over it to cut the light since I had it on my nightstand. This one is a keeper and will be part of my vacation loadouts going forward.
Price: $55.99
Where to buy: Statik and Amazon
KeySmart Smartcard
I’m always a bit paranoid that I’ll leave something important behind when I’m traveling, so I usually use AirTags in my luggage, EDC bag, etc. I like the KeySmart Smartcard finder card because it fits in my wallet and is compatible with Apple Find My. But what I love about the KeySmart Smartcard is that it’s rechargeable! That means not having to stock coin cell batteries. You don’t even have to plug it in; it charges via a wireless Qi charger (not included).
Price: $31.99
Where to buy: Keysmart and Amazon
Final thoughts
Our vacation on Sanibel Island was relaxing and enjoyable. Yes, the iPad Pro wasn’t my perfect travel companion, but it was able to do everything I needed with a few extra steps. Will I take it again next time, even though I say I won’t? Knowing me, it’s hard to say 😉 But I do know what I will for sure bring with me next time: the Allett Mini Sling bag, the Statik SmartCharge, Statik Snap-n-Charge, and the KeySmart Smartcard. These four new travel items worked out well for me and I will be happy to pack them again next time.
Check out these other travel-related reviews!
- The Foldie travel bag review – I tried this social media favorite
- Coolife Luggage Set review – A compelling case – or three
- Waterfield Designs X-Air Travel Duffel bag review – leave airline baggage fees behind with this perfected carry on
Gerber Gear Suspension 12-in-1 EDC Multi-Plier Multitool with Pocket Knife, Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters and More, Gifts for Men, Camping and Survival, Grey
20% Off
