Summer Gear Guide

View Travel Channel's picks for hot summer gear and gadgets.
Planning a trip this summer? Check out Travel Channel's picks for summer gear and gadgets, including gear to protect your mp3 player from getting waterlogged and the perfect all-in-one safety gadget for your next outdoor excursion. Watch Travel Channel's Gear Guide web series, and take a closer look at our top picks for this summer.
Breeze through the airport on wheels! The Kick is a hard shell travel bag that’s also a scooter. It has a running board, handlebar and third wheel. The Kick fits in the overhead compartment of most jetliners and is security-checkpoint compliant.
Ruffwear Catalog Shoot
July 2009 - SS10

Ruffwear Catalog Shoot July 2009 - SS10

Photo by: Simone Paddock

Simone Paddock

The Ruff Wear Singletrak Hydration Dog Pack is ideal to keep your dusty, thirsty dog going on those outdoor trails. The adjustable pack has 2 removable water reservoirs for you and your pet, and the breathable material keeps your dog cool.

Photo by: Photographer:Scott Hepler, Hepler Photography Inc.

Photographer:Scott Hepler, Hepler Photography Inc.

Garmin’s GTU 10 is a waterproof tracking box, fitted with a GPS chip, that triggers an email or text message alert when the tracker moves outside a virtual boundary. Use it to keep up with your children, pet, car or anything else that might wander away.
Tired of taking shaking vacation video shots? The GorillaPod is an on-the-go tripod that allows you to follow the action seamlessly with smooth pan and tilt. It’s perfect for pocket-sized video cameras and flip cams.
The TikTok fits seamlessly with iPod Nano, making it look like a watch first and media player second. It’s durable with a thick, flexible hard plastic mount to hold your iPod in place. Just snap it in and you’re ready to go.
Get a tricked-out road trip grill created by Paul Jr. Designs. He normally designs motorcycles, but this unique grill includes 285 square inches of cooking space, dual 10,000 BTU burners and detachable side tables. Check out this grill, and get cookin’ this summer!
This backpack is designed to carry any pet under that weighs below 15 pounds. It’s super durable, waterproof and its easy-to-clean fabric-backed tarpaulin holds up against claws and drool. The mesh side panels keep your pet well-ventilated.
The Minox Suntimer UV Radiation Monitor Watch provides outdoor enthusiasts with an estimate of the maximum amount of time you should be exposed to sunlight. So go hiking or lay out on the beach without over doing it with this compact gadget.
This waterproof and shockproof camera shoots HD video and high-resolution photos. It only weighs 3 ounces, making it great for outdoor enthusiasts to mount it to their surf board or helmet to capture those perfect point-of-view moments.
This portable shower allows you to heat more than 60 gallons of water, and you can adjust its temperature. It also comes with accessories, including the privacy shelter so you can enjoy a hot shower without all eyes on you.
This gadget meets Military Standards 810G for altitude, rain, extreme temps, solar radiation, humidity and even salt fog. The Commando comes equipped with an Earth compass, walking counter, GPS, camera/camcorder with LED flash and more!
This solar-powered, waterproof gadget includes almost everything you need for your next outdoor excursion, including a compass, USB cell phone charger, AM/FM digital radio tuner, NOAA Weather Alerts and digital alarm clock.
Solio is the perfect charger. It stores power from the sun or a socket, allowing you the freedom to recharge your mobile phone or other the handheld devices anywhere, anytime. Fully charged, you can keep your mp3 player powered for 15 hours.
This waterproof case is built to keep your tunes safe in the sand, sun and water. The Eco Extreme has a 3-inch, full-range speaker and works with various Smartphones. The casing also has room for your keys, credit cards and cash.
Forget about bringing a book to a beach. Go hi-tech! Pick up the Nook Color with a 7-inch color touchscreen and 2 million titles at your fingertips. Play games, listen to music and surf the web before you ride the waves.
Make sure you pick up these sweat-resistant sunglasses with hidden controls and removable speakers. These shades have a built-in mp3 player that stores up to 500 songs, and the lenses filter out harmful sunrays.
Enjoy your time in the sun by putting your health first. The silver color on the outside reflects harmful UV rays, and the green on the underside absorb UV rays. Fully extended, this water-repellent umbrella is 7-feet tall.
Chill out on the beach and listen to your favorite tunes. This retro-speaker cooler comes equipped with removable speakers and a detachable jack for your mp3 or CD player. The cooler holds 20 cans, and it’s easy to clean.
Protect yourself from harmful sun rays with this beach gadget. This Oregon Scientific gadget monitors the current UV index and temperature, and calculates your recommended exposure time based on UV, SPF and your personal skin type.
This mini camera/DVR combo is housed in a rugged, shockproof and waterproof case. The camera, inside the case, records 640 x 480 hi-res video and still images. It can capture up to 5 hours of your best beach moments.
Pick your spot on the beach, and keep it free of grit with these light and easily-stored rugs. Due to the rug’s multi-layer weave, sand and debris falls through and stays beneath the rug, creating a clean area to sunbathe and more.
This colorful sun hat has a 4-inch brim and UPF 50+ protection allows you to relax in the sun without worrying about overexposure to UV rays. Coolibar’s hats come in a variety of styles and colors – unwind this summer in style.
This unique travel kit is an all-inclusive set designed to help women survive beauty, fashion and personal care emergencies. The Minimergency Kit has it all, including double-sided tape to mend a hem and a small bottle of hairspary to fix flyaways.
Take this versatile sarong is generously sized for maximum skin coverage. It’s ideal for travel and easy to machine wash and line dry. The saltwater- and chlorine-resistant sarong allows you to look your best on the beach and at a casual summer affair.

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