Gear Junkie: Rick Steves Adventure Travel Gear

Travel writer Rick Steves claims to have spent one-third of his adult life living out of a suitcase. As such, he should know what makes for good travel gear.

Last update: November 13, 2007 - 2:46 PM

Travel writer Rick Steves claims to have spent one-third of his adult life living out of a suitcase. As such, he should know what makes for good travel gear.

Working with the California-based KIVA Designs, Steves' namesake company (www.ricksteves.com) sells a line of travel accessories, including the new 21-inch Roll-Aboard, a $139.95 suitcase made to pass most airlines' carry-on size limits yet still magically hold enough clothing for a week's stay.

The polyester package is plain and simple, essentially a nice suitcase at a fair price, with little touches such as a Lexan frame to provide some protection for your belongings inside.

More interesting is Steves' Lambskin Travel Wallet, an $8.95 billfold made to hold just a day's worth of spending money; in the rare case you're held up or pickpocketed, you'll lose only a small bit of cash.

Plus, there's a multilingual card inside the wallet made to perturb the proverbial thief, as it reads: "Sorry this contains so little money. Consider changing your profession."

I like that-- an idea born of experience on the road, laced with humor and optimism.

STEPHEN REGENOLD

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