We always look forward to traveling, but it can be just as exhausting and frustrating as it is fun. Airport security? Lost luggage? Traffic delays? The list of things that can mess up your carefully planned trip goes on and on. But travel and tech companies are coming together to create products that help alleviate those wanderlust woes. These are items that decrease stress and even prevent problems from happening in the first place. And maybe — just maybe — they'll help make your gray-hair-inducing travel situations almost fun.
Click through for the tech that will let you enjoy the sights and sounds of another city (or your own), without the worry. Whether you're flying international or just making a weekend trip to the lake, you'll leave charged up and ready to go.
This luggage doesn't come cheap, but it's loaded with features that could save you plenty of headaches down the line. Raden's new suitcases make keeping track of your luggage and passing through security a breeze. Just enter your travel details in the accompanying app, and it will tell you TSA wait times, traffic alerts, flight details, and even calculate how much your case weighs. Plus, you can track your bag with Bluetooth-enabled tech so you'll know exactly where it is if the airline loses it. (Honolulu? Really?)
Raden, $295 for the carry-on, available at Raden.
The less you can carry on your travels, the better. Speck's Candyshell Card iPhone case lets you ditch your wallet, thanks to three handy card slots — and room for some cash. Now you can literally grab your phone and go. Bonus: You won't have to worry about accidentally spilling the contents of your bag on the subway.
Speck Candyshell Card iPhone 6S & iPhone 6 Cases, $40, available at Speck.
Amazon Tap is a version of the brand's popular Echo device that's way more portable. You talk to Alexa, so you can easily get up-to-date weather reports before going hiking. And the gadget is also a Spotify and Pandora-playing stereo speaker, making it the perfect accessory for bonfires on the beach. Since Tap weighs just over a pound, it won't hold you back. You can also stash it in a colorful sling (which you can buy separately) to protect the device and hook it to a backpack.
Amazon Tap, $130, available at Amazon.
Amazon Tap Sling, $20, available at Amazon.
Printing photos might seem old-school, but this wireless real-time printer makes it cool again. The Selphy weighs under two pounds and is small enough to fit in a beach bag or carry-on. You can print your passport picture with it (no more horrible convenience-store photos) as well as postcard-size photos, so you can share snaps from your travels with family members who don't follow your Snapchat.
SELPHY CP1200 Wireless Photo Printer, $110, available at Canon.
You have your suitcase in one hand, your carry-on in another, your boarding pass wedged somewhere, and zero hands to deal with your headphones. LG's bluetooth wireless headset solves that problem by sitting comfortably on your neck, with ear buds that retract from each end. It's a sleek way to stay tuned in on the go.
LG Tone Infinim Wireless Stereo Headset, $139, available at Amazon.
Charger cables can get tangled in your bag and add extra weight to a carry-on. Imagine replacing all of those cables (and the wall circuit) with a business card. That's what the LithiumCard offers. It's super small and light, and it has enough battery capacity to fully charge an iPhone 6. Plus, LithiumCard's got all the cables you need — minus those tangled wires.
LithiumCard Pro Portable Fast Charge All-In-One Battery Charger with Built in Apple Lightning Cable, $60, available on Amazon Launchpad.
You don't need to break out a selfie stick or expensive professional camera to take better photos. This kit, which comes with two lenses, a kickstand, and a mount, syncs with an app that will help you take better shots with sharper focus. Your Instagram game will instantly get an upgrade.
Creative Mobile Kit, $90, available at Lensbaby.
If you're planning a road trip or backpacking adventure, a well-equipped pack is a must. The North Face comes through with the Inductor Charged Backpack, which has a removable battery pack, a flat laptop pocket that's TSA-friendly, and places to stow your charging cords.
Inductor Charged Backpack, $229, available at The North Face.
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