The wonderful thing about hitting the road is the sense of freedom, independence, and limitless possibilities that can come with travel. However, travel safety is an important consideration, especially if you’re traveling solo. We’ve put together a list of the top safety gear for travelers, ensuring to include items that are legal in most countries and useful for a variety of destinations and travel styles, even if you’re packing light.
These pieces of gear will leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs, and help you keep track of valuables from your passport to your credit card number.
Surviveware First Aid Kit
Throw the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit in your suitcase every trip. It is packed with 100 items but still weighs only 1 lb. It won’t take up much volume in your suitcase, either, measuring just 5.5 in x 7.5 in x 3.5 in. Inside, you’ll find scissors that can cut through seatbelts, CPR tools, an emergency blanket, medical gloves, splinter probes, bandages, antiseptic and alcohol wipes, and more. Everything is organized and labeled so you’ll be able to retrieve what you need quickly during an emergency.
Thuraya SatSleeve
The SatSleeve, created by Thuraya, is a mobile solution that allows travelers to use satellite connectivity to text, call, use apps, or email. Thuraya’s satellite network covers 161 countries, ensuring travelers are connected at all times to family, friends, the internet, and emergency services across over two-thirds of the globe. With SatSleeve’s Emergency Call button, female travelers can rely on access to assistance at all times.
Travelon Anti-Theft Backpack
Protect your belongings effectively by purchasing the Anti-Theft Tailored Backpack. As a backpack, you can keep your hands free without worry of being pickpocketed, since it’s designed with a top zipper that both locks and is covered by a flap. Additionally, it features slash-resistant straps, a main compartment with RFID-equipped slots for your passport and cards, plus ample space to fit a tablet. This is the safest, most practical bag for leisure travel.
SABRE Door Stop Alarm
With the SABRE door stop alarm, travelers won’t have to worry about attackers or burglars bypassing the locks on hotel rooms or rental apartments. This portable security device is wedged under the bottom of the door and when pressure is applied against it, a loud 120 dB alarm will alert the traveler of an intruder. The alarm can be heard up to 1000 ft away, serving not only to wake you from a deep sleep but possibly prompting neighbors to call the authorities.
XPlore Paracord Bracelet
With a long-range whistle, compass, and built-in flint fire starter, the XPlore Paracord bracelet is excellent for outdoor survival. The braided paracord, a lightweight and strong type of nylon rope, might be the most effective item on the bracelet. Paracords can be utilized as fishing lines or in traps, or as a tourniquet or sling in emergencies. It’s good to know that the paracord can break through zip ties with enough friction, creating a versatile survival tool.
Garmin Watches
Garmin’s wearable technology has top-of-the-line safety features for travelers visiting remote or dangerous places. The fenix 6S watch is impressive thanks to an incident detection feature that shares a wearer’s real-time location with emergency contacts, while also providing topographical maps, trip routing, GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo navigation. All of that is powered by a battery mode that allows for GPS use over multiple weeks.
invisaWear
Travelers may want to consider invisaWear, an emergency call button cleverly disguised as a charm on jewelry. During an emergency, the wearer presses the charm button twice to send immediate texts via a Bluetooth-connected smartphone to five friends or family members, along with their GPS location. It connects emergency contacts with 911 dispatchers near the invisaWearer’s location—an invaluable feature during critical situations.
SipChip
Female travelers are often mindful of the possibility of drink spiking, and SipChip can alleviate those concerns. This coin-sized chip fits into small pockets and can detect the safety of a drink in 30 seconds with just one drop of liquid. SipChip boasts a 99.3% accuracy rate and has been tested on over 100 drinks. However, it is single-use, so purchasing in batches is necessary to ensure coverage throughout your travels.
SABRE Personal Alarm
The best personal alarm for travelers is the SABRE Personal Alarm with Motion Detector, Magnet, and Key Ring. It sounds a warning that can be heard from a distance when the user pulls a pin from the device. Additionally, it has a motion detection feature that will sound an alarm if movement is detected within a specific range, enhancing its effectiveness in keeping individuals safe.
PacSafe Clothes
PacSafe offers travel-safe clothing, and the Women’s Travel Hoodie is a good pick as it features strategically-placed interior and exterior pockets that are RFID safe, making it nearly impossible for criminals to pickpocket your passport, wallet, or cellphone. Furthermore, the hoodie is made from antibacterial Polygiene odor-control fabric, allowing for extended wear without frequent washing.
Divine Eagle Spy Camera
Keeping an eye on your surroundings and belongings around the clock may seem challenging, but the Divine Eagle spy camera could do the trick. Hidden in a functional USB charger, this camera records Full HD video at a 90-degree angle on micro SD cards of up to 32GB. Plug it into the wall to start recording when it detects movement, making it an excellent tool for monitoring your hotel room.
