10 Best-Reviewed Travel Products of 2012

Travelrest Pillow

Unlike regular unsupportive neck pillows, the Travelrest Pillow features a unique design that will fully support your head, even in a cramped coach seat. Sling the pillow over your shoulder or attach it to your seatbelt and you'll be able to sleep without the endless nodding head and jerking awake that happens without a pillow to lean on. Plus, the pillow is inflatable, meaning it won't take up precious space when it's not in use. As our reviewer put it, "I paid $25.95 for what amounts to an everlasting seat upgrade. If the pillow works for you, it's a steal."

Helium II Waterproof Jacket

"This is literally the lightest rain jacket I've ever tried on, weighing in at just 5.8 oz.," writes our reviewer. "The Helium II folds down extremely small—into a tiny square—that I could toss in a day-pack and not notice it's there until it starts raining and I need to put it on. The zippers and elastic cuffs are designed to keep water out, as is the adjustable hood, and the Helium II will definitely keep you dry." Stash this waterproof layer and never again be caught unprepared for a storm! At $150, the price tag is heftier than the jacket, but comparable waterproof shells can cost as much as $300, so this is a bargain.

Lipault Paris 0% Foldable Luggage

Tight on storage space? The Lipault Paris line of foldable luggage holds the answer to your organization problem. Our tester says, "It's soft-sided and folds up flat into its own protective four-inch plastic cover. It slides right under the bed or in the back of a cabinet. The best part of the carry-on is all the little extras that you don't think about until you need them—the handle expands to the perfect height, the wheels are smooth, there's soft padded handles for when you want to carry the bag instead of roll it, and there's outside pockets perfect for storing shoes or dirty clothing and inside pockets for toiletries or small items." The one con: "The price. At more than $150, this bag is an investment, but at least it has a three-year guarantee."

Vasque Talus UltraDry Hiking Boots

Waterproof boots that don't need to be broken in? We're sold on the Vasque Talus UltraDry Hiking Boots (starting at $108). These shoes earned an 8/10 rating for portability, as they're "light for hiking boots (they only weigh 2 lbs., 2 oz.)," and a perfect 10 for durability: "The Vibram-made outsole is tough and gives great grip on the trail. The UltraDry membrane definitely kept me dry and seems like it will hold up to the elements for a long time. The entire boot seems made of great materials and will likely have a long lifespan."

Brincatti Refillable Travel Bottles

No more spilling half your shampoo as you struggle to decant it into a TSA-friendly 3-1-1 travel bottle for flying. The Brincatti Easy-Fill Travel Bottles are spill-proof and durable. And, at $9.99 for a pack of four (three bottles and one sprayer), they're budget-friendly as well. Our writer loved these: "They're not joking about these bottles being wide-mouth and easy to fill—the opening of these containers are as big as the bottles themselves. That wide mouth makes the bottles easy to clean and easy to wash out, which is tough with traditional travel bottles. The design is fairly spill-proof, and the hard plastic will stand up to lots of travel. We also like that the set comes inside its own clear quart bag so you can breeze through security, as well as removable labels so you know which bottle is conditioner and which is sunscreen."

Briggs&Riley Expandable Carry-on Suitcase

Our reviewer raves, "Ever packed all your stuff to fit perfectly in a carry-on, only to realize you left no room for souvenirs on the return trip? Enter the Baseline CX bag from Briggs& Riley. This upright wheeled suitcase has a special system that lets you pull two levers to expand the bag by 25 percent when you need more space, and compress it again with the push of a hand when you don't. Even when it's expanded to full capacity, the 8" x 14" x 21" bag fits within most airlines' carry-on limits. The four-wheeled bag glides easily and stays upright no matter how unevenly you pack it, and the retractable handle easily slides to three different heights. Inside the suitcase, find a seemingly unending number of pockets and compartments to keep everything organized. Plus, there are a number of features to keep everything wrinkle-free, including a built-in garment folder with a foam roll bar to keep suits crisp, a mesh panel to compress clothing and stop it from moving around, and a specially designed flat-bottom surface (the handle retracts into its own compartment)." The big downside: its $449 price tag. But it still earns a place on our favorites list because that eye-popping price comes with a lifetime guarantee, and Briggs&Riley will repair the bag forever—even if it was damaged by an airline.

Knomo Slim Laptop Sleeve

Trendy travelers will rejoice at finding the Knomo Slim laptop sleeve, which keeps your laptop safe without sacrificing fashion. As our writer says, "[The] Knomo Slim laptop sleeve spares no expense. Not only does this bag look smart, it works smart, too! I'm referring to the product as a 'bag' because laptop sleeves don't typically come with this many features. The Slim is equipped with retractable handles, detachable over-the-shoulder straps, an oversized secondary pocket in the rear and two smaller pockets on the front (the smallest with a zipper), and leather trimmings. The bag's plush laptop compartment is well cushioned and, externally, features cross-stitching for extra padding. Its quality materials keep your laptop safe when it's in your possession, but when it no longer is, use the tracking system to help guide it home." The Knomo Slim is often discounted, so be sure to watch the website for sales.

Propet Travel Walker II

Our reviewer gave the $54.99 Propet Travel Walker II shoes our first perfect-10 product review, saying, "Forget tossing a pair of flimsy foldable flats or flip-flops in your bag—these miracle sneakers are built for walking, and yet fold down to take up barely any space in your suitcase … and the Propet is so durable that it comes with a 1,000-mile/six-month guarantee. The shoe's stylish look is another pro—I hate walking around cities (or even rural areas) in athletic sneakers, but these are low-profile enough not to be a fashion faux pas. Yet they offer enough support for the hours and hours of walking that usually come with travel."

Clever Travel Companion

We loved this product line so much that we featured it in multiple giveaways this year. What is the Clever Travel Companion? The line features clothing with built-in zippered pockets to keep your valuables safe. Rather than deal with a traditional bulky money belt, the Clever Travel Companion's underwear, shirt, long johns, or other clothing items are actually comfortable. Says our tester, "With the Clever Travel Companion, pockets are sewn into your underwear or tank top, giving you (but not thieves) easy hands-free storage for your valuables. The pockets on both garments (there are two on the underwear and one on the tank) are the perfect size to hold a passport, credit cards, and some cash. The best part: There's no way a mugger is getting anything out of these pockets unless they're really determined. And you definitely won't get pickpocketed in these." (Prices start at $24.90.)

VaultPro Convertible Backpack

This anti-theft bag ($78) does double duty—it quickly converts from a backpack to a shoulder purse or a handbag. Our favorite part: the "anti-theft features, like a cut-proof, steel-cable-reinforced shoulder strap (which is surprisingly comfortable), slash-proof fabric, and a locking zipper. Plus, the many different compartments are great for organizing."

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