2007 Holiday Gift Guide :: The Traveler
For frequent travelers, stress is a constant. Being way from friends and family, long hours on dry airplanes, not having a normal routine, sleeping in unfamiliar beds... it all adds up to a lot of stress, pain, and longing for home. If you’ve got someone on your list who does a lot of traveling, EDGE Style & Travel Editor Jason Salzenstein has some suggestions for fabulous gifts that are sure to please. Check ’em out!
TITAN X-2 4-Wheel Flash
As someone who calls airplanes and airports second homes, I’ve had my share of experience with luggage of all shapes, sizes and styles. I’ve also tested a bazillion pieces- from bargain basement to high end- and can say without a doubt that when it comes to luggage, you definitely get what you pay for. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune on a tiny bag (unless it’s Louis Vuitton!), but you should definitely look at your luggage as an investment.
I’ve loved TITAN luggage since the first time I saw it, and it’s what I’m still using some time later. Everything TITAN makes is lightweight, extremely strong, durable, and not least of all, stylish. For frequent travelers who need to check a bag, it’s best to get everything in one suitcase, and still make sure there’s a bit of room left for unexpected purchases, gifts, etc. My choice for trips of about a week (or long weekends with lots of shopping!) is the TITAN X2 4-Wheel Flash 29. This large-size trolley is a traveler’s dream, not only because of its light weight, maneuverability and incredibly convenient interior packing system, but because it comes in yellow (which is actually orange, but who’s counting) which makes it extremely easy to spot on the luggage carousel.
Like all TITAN pieces, the X2 4-Wheel Flash series is hard-sided; it’s made of polycarbonate, which is much more durable than ballistic nylon and also happens to be recyclable. It’s water resistant, the wheels move in any direction, and it features a protected exterior zipper, low-profile recessed handles, and an ergonomic telescoping handle. Inside you’ll find a removable garment and toiletry bag; outside you’ve got a TSA approved combination lock. Best of all, it’s protected by TITAN’s "No Matter What" lifetime guarantee.
The X2 4-Wheel Flash series- and all TITAN luggage- can be found at better luggage stores nationwide. For stores near you go to www.TITANluggageUSA.com
Just the essentials
If you’re shopping for a lesbian, a non metrosexual heterosexual man, or a gay man who somehow didn’t inherit the "I need to pack every piece of clothing I own just in case I change my mind" gene, you can opt for a smaller, cabin-approved size piece of luggage from TITAN, and help your gift recipient get in and out of airports more quickly by foregoing baggage claim and carrying-on their luggage. Of course some of us will never be able to go two days without 14 outfits and dozens of accessories, but if you can manage to rough it for a long weekend, it can easily save you half an hour or more at the airport.
Due to the ridiculous and illogical rules put in place during the reign of our idiot King George (you know, the ones that do absolutely nothing for safety, but manage to piss everyone off while diverting valuable resources away from effective security measures- score one for the terrorists), the biggest challenge when taking only carry-on luggage has always been grooming products. How in god’s name can you possibly fit everything you need to look good and keep your skin healthy into a tiny Zip-Loc bag? Simple: just bring The Essentials.
High quality needn’t always mean high price, which is why we love Anthony Logistics For Men. Their Give Him The Essentials starter set for all skin types from Undergear includes everything you need for a smooth shave and clean, beautiful skin from head to toe. And while grooming goods may not be the first thing you think of when you think of Undergear (frankly our thoughts run a bit racier...), when they’ve got The Essentials for just $40, your mind might go from "down below" to all around mighty quickly.
Crack open the sleek canister and you’ll find a facial cleanser, shave cream, moisturizer, lip balm, body cleansing gel, and hand and body lotion, all in TSA-friendly (that’s an oxy-moron if I ever wrote one!) sizes that will still leave room in your Zip-Loc for fragrance and lube. Brilliant!
Available at www.Undergear.com for $40.
