Planning a weekend getaway in a town nearby might not require much preparation, but if you’re embarking on a safari for a month things could get trickier.

The simple solution: get a notebook and start writing. The fancy solution: get a Travel Organizer.

You don’t need it, but it’s got pretty colors and checkboxes… It’s more restrictive than a regular notepad though – the “pack this” and “before the trip” lists look comprehensive, but there’s definitely something you want that isn’t listed there, so you’ll need to write it down anyway.

But if you’re a stationery lover, you’ll go crazy about it: hardcover 3-ring binder, pen and pad, booklet, adhesive tab labels, 9 tabbed dividers with storage pockets… heaven!

How much under $29.99?
A little: $26.99 on Amazon.com.

Via Outblush

Hiking plans should always involve some kind of light source. Plans can change (accidentally or not) and the last thing you want is being in the forest in the dark.

If you don’t want a heavy backpack, a flashlight can be cumbersome, but the Cord Lock Light can provide that tiny bit of light. It’s got a LED with three settings, it can clip onto anything with its stainless steel spring lock and, best of all, it only weighs 1/4 oz (40 grams).

For one LED it’s not exactly cheap, but for frequent hikers it’s worth the investment. Being able to read a map at night can be literally life-saving.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $10 on Sahalie.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

If you are afraid your bottle of wine will break on the way to the picnic, I say you shouldn’t be taking it with you in the first place.

But if you insist… the Klean Kanteen Wine Carafe is what you need. This stainless steel container can hold a regular 750 ml bottle without leaking and it promises not to alter the taste of wine.

Pour it in and you’re all set, you can even go hiking with it in the backpack if you want (though why anyone would do that is beyond me).

The one thing I do appreciate about the idea is the lid: no more need to carry around a corkscrew and an extra cap.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $23 on Amazon.com.

Via bookofjoe

Paper soap is by no means a new product. When I was young, my grandma still had a couple of sheets from back when she was young.

But the TSA regulations have given it a new life: because it doesn’t contain liquid, it can be safely transported on a plane. While actual soap is also a solid, other similar hygiene products like shampoo or shaving cream aren’t and frequent fliers might find it a pain to keep looking for appropriate containers.

The Dissolving Paper Shaving Sheets might not get the job done as well as the real thing, but they can be a suitable replacement on short term and they’re extremely easy to use. The only necessary “ingredient” is water: once in contact with it, they melt down and can be used for a decent shave.

The pack is the size of a matchbox and carries 50 sheets, so it will make travelers more than happy. No added weight, no spills, no security issues… as long as you don’t have super-sensitive skin, what’s not to like?

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $4.95 on Amazon.com.

Flying low-cost or economy is fine as long as it gets the job done. If you’re not swimming in money, you’d rather spend it at the destination rather than pay that extra for a business class seat. But at one point your back will start protesting… hey, were you expecting extra-comfortable seats on a cheap flight?

So, for the money you’re saving, you can make yourself comfortable for all the trips to come. The First Class Sleeper Pillow is more than the usual travel pillow: it supports your lower back, shoulders, neck and head. And if you’re familiar with back pain… I’m sure you’ll agree $30 is worth it for frequent travelers.

The pillow is easy to inflate with just a few breaths, it rolls up into a small package that weighs about a pound… what’s not to love about it?

How much under $29.99?
A little: $27.95 on Amazon.com.

Via OhGizmo!

The Moonbag is an interesting idea, even though if it has a fairly limited use.

This bag/changing mat can be a real life-saver if you’re discarding wet clothes, because you can just step on it to keep your feet clean, then just draw the strings and carry the wet laudry. It’s waterproof, naturally, otherwise it would defeat the point.

As far as regular bags go, you can get better for the same money. If you’re not a frequent swimmer or diver, don’t bother; however, if you usually find yourself with a lot of wet clothes on your back, this could make your life easier.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $22.50 on GoFrostFire.com.

What does a coffee drinker do when stranded in a place with no electricity and no means to grind real coffee? Judging by some people’s reactions to this scenario, the answer is probably “die from lack of caffeine”.

Those people would order the Traveler Handheld Coffee Mill in a flash. It’s well designed for travel: the handle detaches for easy storage, it’s 9″ tall and weighs 10 ounces and can make a respectable 6 to 9 cups of coffee.

But it’s completely useless. No, you won’t die without the perfect brew. Two words: instant coffee. Blasphemy? No, just convenience.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $27.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

Doesn’t it feel good to huddle around a fire when you’re camping? Banishing the cold and dark… having your face melt while your back is freezing…

Can you spot the problem there? Unlike indoor heating, fire only warms the parts of the body closer to it, so the result usually is a frozen backside. This is not anyone’s dream, so frequent campers cold do themselves a favor and invest in a Campfire Back Warmer. It’s nothing complicated, just a reflective sheet which clips onto a chair and directs the warmth towards the person sitting against it, but it can do wonders on a cold night.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.95 on LeeValley.com.

Via Core77

A family trip can quickly turn into a small nightmare if the children suffer from short attention span and get bored easily. Poor parents need all the help they can get to keep the young ‘uns in check.

Are We There Yet? is a dreaded question (think Donkey in Shrek), but also the name of an activity game which might give kids an extra thing to focus on instead of bugging the driver. Every 50 miles, the brat in the back can open one of the compartments and get a plastic toy. It’s the Kinder egg of road trips.

Of course, in this age of entertainment such an old-fashioned thing is hit and miss. Don’t leave the gaming console at home, but try all options, you never know.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $4.95 on McPhee.com.

I can’t count the times I’ve tried to use a makeshift tripod. Balancing the camera on a friend’s shoulder or the back of a chair works sometimes and fails miserably at others.

There’s lots of people in the same situation, so the Bottle Cap Tripod is one of those “why didn’t they think of it earlier?!” products. It turns any regular water bottle into an instant tripod, so you’ll have a quick solution virtually anywhere. Even if you’re in the middle of a desert with no store in sight, you need to have some water with you.

Unless you’re planning to drink from springs and sleep under the stars, in which case a camera wouldn’t be the number one object on the “to take” list.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $10 on CharlesandMarie.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets