From posture-correcting clothing to smart rings: These are 12 great wearables for travelers
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Are you the type to dive headfirst into vacation mode the moment you set foot on your destination, even during business trips? Fitness routines forgotten, diets abandoned and sleep schedules tossed aside in favor of spontaneity? If this sounds all too familiar, it might be time to consider adding a wearable to your travel tech packing list.
Wearables aren’t just limited to fitness trackers or smartwatches; they encompass a diverse array of tech devices designed to be worn on the body, each serving unique purposes.
From watches to rings, shorts to shoes, these gadgets come equipped with sensors capable of tracking movement, biometrics, location and more, offering valuable insights to enhance your travel experience. While travel can be incredibly rewarding, it can also throw our physical well-being off balance.
In this roundup, we’ve handpicked a selection of cutting-edge wearable travel gear that goes beyond the traditional fitness and timekeeping functions. These devices not only promise to elevate your travel adventures but also provide invaluable insights into your overall health and lifestyle.
Fitness and health trackers
Hyperice Venom Go
At about hour four on a 12-hour flight, your body might be going into panic mode – unable to move as much as it needs and in too small a space to rub the parts that need some attention. With The Venom Go by Hyperice and its HyperHeat technology, you’ve got a revolutionary heat and vibration wearable that can be placed on any part of the body with near-instant relief for soreness and stiffness. There are nine combinations of heat and vibration for spot treatments to loosen and relax muscle stress and tension. The Venom Go comes with three pads that are reusable up to 20 times each and is TSA-approved for carry-on.
Elastique MicroPerle Workout Gear
What if you could work out and get a massage at the same time? Elastique’s MicroPerle workout collection is a wearable lymphatic massage that blends fashion and function. The stylish spandex leggings, shorts, bras and shirts have small beads on the inside of the material that contribute to health benefits for your lymphatic and circulatory system and optimize your body’s ability to recover. And when you’re traveling, it’s extra important to make sure your body is in optimal performance mode to make sure you can hit every museum and restaurant on your itinerary. Wearing Elastique’s L’Original Leggings manages swelling (which most of us get on long flights), reduces bloating and improves energy and immunity. The science behind what this workout gear can do is pretty interesting.
Oura Ring
Smartwatches are nice, but have you tried a smart ring?! While most wearables focus on activity and fitness, the Oura Ring is the first low-profile smart jewelry to focus on sleep. And we all know how important sleep is while traveling. It’s the daily — or rather, nightly — habit that we bring with us everywhere we go, and is probably the most impactful practice on our overall health.
The Oura Ring is perfect for people on the go because of its portable nature, its long battery life (and low energy use) and super-fast charging capabilities. It seamlessly blends into your life, whether you’re home, abroad, on a business trip or on a multi-generational family vacation. While there aren’t specific travel features to the Oura Ring just yet, you can tag “jet lag” or “travel” to understand the impact of those activities on your Readiness, Sleep and Activity scores and then make adjustments based on the data. Plus, if it’s good enough for Jennifer Aniston and Prince Harry (among many other celebrities), then it’s good enough for us.
Forme Radiance Bra
Okay, it’s not like we’re Swifties or anything, but if Taylor Swift, one of the busiest and most active women out there traveling all over the world all the time, is donning the Radiance Bra by Forme, let’s at least admit it’s worth looking into. The Radiance Bra is an FDA-registered posture-correcting bra that helps improve your upper body alignment. Embedded with posture-correcting wearable technology, it has a dozen different tension fabrics and ten panels that keep both fashion and function in mind. Instead of your grandma constantly telling you to “stand up straight!” now you have a much quieter and more passive reminder.
Protalus T-100 Elite Shoe Inserts
Not all shoe inserts are made equal, and it can be hard to find a pair that truly improves the feel of a shoe and the pep in your step. The Protalus T-100 Elite shoe inserts manage to tick all the boxes, though. For everyday travel wear, the insole technology molds to just about anyone, even if you’ve got flat feet or high arches. Constructed with Protalus’ patented rebound foam and alignment technology, they help distribute pressure properly throughout your feet so you can explore all day long.
Entertainment and comfort
Viture One XR Glasses
Viture One XR Glasses are your first-class ticket to immersive entertainment on the go. Forget propping your phone up on the airplane tray table or in-flight movies on tiny screens with terrible pixelation, and instead opt for a 120-inch virtual cinema and Harman surround-sound technology to create a captivating audio-visual escape.
The lightweight, sleek and portable design makes it so no one is the wiser, whether you’re in a plane, train or bus. They also connect to any gaming console, phone or laptop and come with their own sturdy carrier box so you can toss them in any bag or carry-on without worry.
HigherDose Red Light Face Mask
Red light therapy has been proven to stimulate mitochondrial health, eliminate free radicals, enhance glowing skin, even out pigmentation and balance the circadian rhythm. So, when you're jet-setting around the world, HigherDose’s Red Light Face Mask should be at the top of your packing list. The medical-grade silicone mask is pliable and foldable, lays flat and fits in any small bag or suitcase.
It doesn’t need to be plugged in while in use and its power bank has long-lasting charges. The face mask also comes with outlet adapters, so whether you’re traveling in the US or Europe, you can recharge on the go. Mimicking the sun’s rejuvenating rays, the red-light LED and near-infrared technology give the same feel-good effect you get from laying in the sun, without the harmful UV rays.
Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly Shorts
If you like to work out while traveling, it’s imperative to have workout clothing that is easy to wash and dries fast. But do one better, and your workout gear can be worn multiple times before you have to do either of those things. Rabbit’s Fuel n’ Fly running shorts stay dry thanks to a brief lining made out of Polartec Power Dry with Fresh Face technology. The fabric is moisture-wicking with a peppermint-based anti-odor component. While effective, many odor-wicking fabrics use metallic elements, but Polartec’s Fresh Face is derived from naturally sourced mint oil that results in powerful, long-lasting and sustainable odor control without any lingering mint smell on your body.
Kane Footwear Revive
Kane Footwear is both stylish and functional for travelers. The Revive shoes are so lightweight you can always afford to pack them, and the wide toe box helps to accommodate swollen feet after flying without constricting the foot, so circulation can be improved and swelling reduced.
The Revive shoes come in dozens of different color combos, and their durability is thanks to RestoreFoam, made from renewable sugarcane that helps reduce greenhouse gases by capturing CO2 as it grows. They’re so easy to slip on and off and provide excellent arch support, which is invaluable when spending long hours on your feet.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5
If you’re an Android user, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 is the smartwatch answer to your travel dreams. With all the bells and whistles you expect of a high-end smartwatch, the TicWatch charges super fast and keeps it for a few days — perfect for travelers who like to go on long hikes, bike rides or camping trips.
The watch has an integrated ultra-low-power display that allows for days without charge as well as a power-saving mode during sleep that turns off all its non-sleep-related functions until morning, giving the battery a little overnight boost. And you’re even in for some extra treats over your iOS frenemies: the TicWatch has a longer battery life and better health tracking than the Apple Watch.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
With Ray-Ban's smart glasses, you can truly enjoy hands-free exploration of distant locales. These smart glasses, developed by Meta in collaboration with Ray-Ban, sport the iconic Wayfarer and Headliner designs while packing a plethora of features. Acting as a versatile communication and creativity hub, these glasses perch comfortably on the bridge of your nose. Equipped with an ultra-wide 12 MP camera and a five-microphone system, they capture high-quality video and photos, which can be live-streamed directly to Facebook and Instagram. The open-ear speakers utilize directional audio technology, ensuring clear audio even in windy or noisy environments. Plus, they come with a portable battery case that easily fits into any explorer's bag of the day.
From $329 at Ray-Ban
$329 at Amazon
Parenting and convenience
Elvie Stride Portable Breast Pump
For moms on the move, having tools that streamline both their and their baby's lives is paramount. The Elvie Stride Portable Breast Pump emerges as a game changer in this regard. This hands-free, hospital-grade electric breast pump offers unparalleled discretion, enabling pumping practically anywhere you find yourself. Whether navigating through an airport, dining out, cruising down the highway or lounging by the pool, the Elvie Stride ensures convenience at every turn.
It liberates breastfeeding mothers from the confines of private rooms or the discomfort of bathroom stalls, presenting a revolutionary solution. With its quiet operation and lightweight design, it seamlessly integrates under clothing, providing minimal visibility. Furthermore, its compact nature makes it easy to pack for travel. While the original Elvie remains a viable option, with just two components to manage, the Stride surpasses it with its superior suction power, making it an ideal companion for moms on the move.
Looking for a new travel credit card? Check out CNN Underscored’s list of the best credit cards currently available.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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