Going somewhere? Gear to make it easier
A lightweight eye shade, thermal packing blanket and a rough and ready pack
Rest easy on the plane with 40 Winks Ultralight Sleep Mask. The contoured foam eye mask fits snugly in place without applying pressure around the temples. It blocks out light better than flimsy fabric versions and comes with adjustable straps and a range of colourful designs. $12.95 (U.S.); bucky.com
Invest in Mission Workshop’s R6 Arkiv Field Pack. The weatherproof rucksack can be loaded up with different sized pockets, sleeves and organizers to store your gear (each is an add-on purchase to the basic bag). For shorter trips, remove any unused pouches to lighten your load. From $209 (U.S.); missionworkshop.com
The Poler Wunder Bundler can keep a six-pack cold, a warm meal toasty and your gadgets safe from bumps and bruises. The soft-sided insulated wrap is designed to be a portable cooler, but it also comes with a strap that can turn it into a carrier for firewood or a padded case for cameras and mobile phones. Roll it out on the ground for a dry place to sit or to change a diaper. $25 (U.S.); polerstuff.com
The Poler Wunder Bundler. $25 (U.S.); polerstuff.com