Gadgets & Gear – Family Travel 411

Review of the S-Zone DSLR camera insert for purses

Shelly Rivoli — Wed, 15 May 2019 20:28:36 +0000

Review of the S-Zone DSLR Camera Insert – No, the S-Zone DSLR camera insert was not created solely for use in a purse. But for me, this is specifically why I bought it. As many of you know, I often prefer packing my DSLR in a plain-looking cross-body purse.

Often, it’s when I’m using the local public transportation (BART, subways, crowded buses) or walking through unfamiliar neighborhoods. Or when I’m flying on an overcrowded airplane and under no circumstances want to be separated from my camera. (Nobody’s gate-checking your purse, thankfully).

Unfortunately, too many protective padded camera inserts are simply too boxy or too bulky to use effectively inside a purse. But fear not. I’ve found a solution that’s working great for me and may be just the solution for you, too.

If you find yourself in places where a camera bag or camera-branded backpack that screams “I’m toting expensive camera gear!” is not desirable, you may also like my post on The Best Travel Purse(s) for a DSLR Camera I’ve Found, as well as this post on the new insert I’m frequently using in it. Read on, my friend…

Note: I purchased my S-Zone on my own dime and this independent review contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting this site with your click-throughs!

Which S-Zone DSLR camera insert do I use in my purse(s)?

After trying myriad configurations of thin sweaters, scarves, padded lens covers and searching for a just-right sized camera insert that would actually FIT in my favorite travel purse (and its cousins) without looking too much like a big padded box, I found it. The 7″ x 9″ x 4″ is ideal for fitting in my Baggallini Cargo Bagg.

It’s providing an extra measure of shock-proof, bump-proof protection (reassuring when you squeeze through turnstiles while lugging a suitcase). And it also provides protection from moisture and rain, which is great when you find yourself out in the elements on city streets or in queue for a monument far longer than expected.

Better still, the S-Zone camera insert also provides extra help with much-needed organization in my bag.

How I use the S-Zone DSLR camera insert in my purse:

When your purse doubles as a camera bag–but still has to serve as a purse–a little help with organization goes a long way. Sure, this camera insert comes close to filling my purse from end to end. Yet I found there is just enough room to slip my travel wallet and keys between its exterior and one end of my purse. This is helpful because my wallet feels securely out of the way as I get my camera in and out, yet my wallet and keys are exactly where I expect them when needed. (That’s the strap of my travel wallet I’d just accessed showing on the left end in the photo below.)

On the other end, there’s just enough room to slip a narrow notepad and pen or pack of travel tissues.

Here’s a sneak peek at it in my purse as I stood in an airport security line. I can quickly retrieve my camera and place in the security bin beside the purse.

The slim side pocket of this camera insert doesn’t seem too noteworthy. Yet it’s great for slipping in your press badge, a map, or other paperwork you might need to quickly access.

This model of S-Zone DSLR camera insert comes with movable or removable padded dividers. It’s cover for the top is also fully removable (with Velcro). However, I’ve mostly used it in my purse without any of these.

In my typical travel or photojournalism scenario, I head out with a single lens of choice on the camera ready for action — often a good-size Nikkor 28-200 on my D750. Using it without the lid helps the top of the case take the shape of your purse, helping to conceal it.

My camera body and larger lens pretty much fills it along with my Peak Design camera strap (Love it! See it here.). Though I have slipped a 50 mm in below the lens barrel and still managed to get it zipped. I still use the outer pockets of the purse to keep a lens cloth, brush, cards and backup battery handy. The inner pocket of the purse is reserved for personal items.

What’s more…

S-Zone also offers a slightly larger padded camera insert at 12″ x 5″ x 9″, and also the same size I am using with carrying straps. You can see ALL of these options at Amazon.

Six Great Travel Toys & Games for Tots to Teens

Shelly Rivoli — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:24:13 +0000

The next time you roam, put away the tablet and phone, and break out these screen-free travel toys and games instead. Artists, puzzle-masters, gamesters, and more will find something here to enjoy, and better still? No batteries are required. Thanks for supporting this site with your click-throughs to these products!

Travel toys and games.

1. My Brick Case

Take the fear out of traveling with Legos (and similar building “brick” brands) with this handy travel-size case complete with building surfaces inside. Includes 50 pieces packed in the case and ready for play. Recommended for ages 4 years +. Find it at: Amazon

2. Travel Stencils Art Kit

Give wings to your child’s creativity–or dinosaurs, or boats, or princesses, or animals–with this travel stencil art kit ready to pack along on your next adventure. Includes 14 large stencil sheets with almost 300 different shapes in all, plus colored pencils, sharpener, and 22 sheets. Recommended for ages 3 years +. Find it at: Amazon

3. Vertical Vortex Traveling Interactive Spring Toy

The Vertical Vortex packs perfectly flat for travel–but pops up instantly to “full vortex.” But your child (and you) will likely have the most fun playing with all variations in between. Recommended for ages 6 years +. Find it at: Amazon

4. TukTek Travel 6 Games in 1 Family Fun Play Set

Dominoes, chess, checkers, backgammon, cribbage, and a deck of cards–all these possibilities pack into a mere 10.5″ x 5″ x 1.5″ travel case. For kids 3 years +. Find it at: Amazon

5. SmartGames IQ Focus

From the makers of IQ Twist, comes this new challenge that takes on a 3rd dimension. Work your way through the 120 challenges presented from “(supposedly) easy” to “expert.” For kids and adults 8 years +. Find it at: Amazon

6. Magnetic Travel Toy for Kids 50 Mini Magnet Tiles

Make 2-dimensional pictures or start building up to see the tallest structure you can make before your flight boards. Includes 50 magnetic pieces packed in a lunch pail-sized travel case. For ages 3 years +. Find it online: Amazon

The Best Travel Purse for a DSLR Camera I’ve Found

Shelly Rivoli — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 12:37:45 +0000

Independent Review of the Baggallini Cargo Bagg – For years, I’ve tried to find ways to travel less conspicuously with a DSLR camera and a healthy-sized lens. Of course, when the camera is out and working, the jig is up. But for all the times between point A and B—sitting in restaurants, walking through unfamiliar neighborhoods, or taking city subways—you don’t always want a bag that screams, “Check out my big old padded treasure box of camera gear!”

As you might imagine, this has led me to buy more purses than I will admit, always hoping to find that just-right combination of functional travel purse and under-the-radar DSLR camera bag in one. Happily, there are a few purses retiring to the Goodwill this week as I believe I have finally found it—and I had the chance to test it out on my recent solo trip to Beijing.

Meet the Baggallini Cargo Bagg, my new favorite travel purse for travel with a DSLR camera. Here’s why:

Fits my Nikon D750 easily, even with the 28-300 mm lens on—even with the lens hood on, yet it doesn’t look like it’s loaded with anything unusual.
The Cargo is not so big that it looks even suspiciously like a non-purse bag that some museums, for example, might ask you to check during your visit.

The Baggallini Cargo Bagg is the best travel purse for toting a DSLR I’ve found.

With lens hood reversed, I can also fit another medium-to-large lens inside to one end, such as the Nikon 17-35 mm, in its padded neoprene sleeve, though this makes the purse start to look a bit stuffed when fully loaded (and I prefer to avoid changing lenses on the fly).
I can wear it cross-body to keep my hands free while shooting photos and also to look like a much less easy target for a purse and/or camera snatcher, especially as I get completely distracted by a subject (you can also shorten the strap to wear it on one side—not as short as most hobo straps, however).
The purse itself is very lightweight, which is important when your camera is not and you will be wearing both for many hours.
The light-colored lining makes it easy to find what you need inside, and a couple of small open-top pockets on one side work well to keep cell phone and/or a small notepad inside for extra security.

I can stuff a lot of extras inside and still stay organized thanks to two reasonably sized pockets.

One zipped interior pocket where I kept my travel wallet most of the time for extra security.
Two zipped exterior pockets (one on back, two on front) are great for keeping cleaning cloth/pen brush, lens cap, subway pass, map, and a little local currency handy for frequent access—a good idea when you don’t want to risk showing off your camera when you just need enough cash for Coke or a souvenir for your kid.
One wide snap-top pocket on back (the full width of the purse) is a useful option for longer items like airplane boarding passes or maps.
Open-top pockets on both ends of the purse are big enough to fit a water bottle, a good friend’s sippy cup, compact umbrella, or small guidebook (or map).

Here are all the things I loaded up into my Baggallini Cargo Bagg travel purse for a day of solo sightseeing in Beijing. There was still room to spare!

I think what ultimately makes this the great secret camera travel purse is the extra wide bottom at 5.5″ and narrow top, so the fabric drapes giving it an un-stuffed and not padded look (unlike camera bags). Overall the Cargo Bagg measures 11″ x 9.5″ (center point) x 5.5″.

Tip: For just a little extra cushion, I lay the 4″W un-Velcroed beer cozy (shown in purple to the left of photo above) flat in the bottom of the purse and it adds no detectable bulk or weight–a great trick for any purse-turned-camera bag. UPDATE: See my review of this padded camera insert for my favorite travel purses.

To Buy the Baggallini Cargo Bagg travel purse:

While Baggallini has discontinued this exact style, the Cargo Bagg can still be purchased here in black and also in brown (and at discounted prices). Your clicks help support this site–thank you!

Other crossbody travel purses you might also want to consider:

Baggallini Everywhere Bag

The most comparable to the Cargo and (dare I say?) likely my next acquisition?! The Everywhere Bag is comparably sized at 12″ x 9″ x 5″ and offers added bonuses of a back pocket that converts to a luggage sleeve to slide over your suitcase handle, one flap and two zippered pockets on the front, and a secret side-zip compartment that opens to reveal a water bottle holder, and the same open-top water bottle/umbrella pocket as the Cargo on the opposite side. Can be worn cross-body. Shop for it at eBags Shop for it at Amazon

Baggallini Hobo Tote

Big Daddy – The Hobo Tote is slightly larger than the Cargo Bagg at 14″ x 10″ x 5.5″. While it lacks any zipped or secured outside pockets (it has four with open tops), it has the travel-friendly feature of an optional sleeve on the back so you can slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase. It can also be worn cross-body.

Shop for it at eBags Shop for it at Amazon

Baggallini Harmony Large Hobo

Caveat emptor – At first glance you might easily mistake the Harmony Large Hobo for the Cargo Bagg, but it is actually a smaller purse at 11″ x 9″ x 3″ and does not have the end pockets for water bottles/umbrella. If your camera is smaller, this may not be a problem, but for my Nikons D90 and D750 I’ve found 3″ is not wide enough to be useful. For a mirrorless camera/lens ensemble, this travel purse may be ideal. Shop for it at eBags Shop for it at Amazon

Tips for Buying Sunglasses for Kids

Shelly Rivoli — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 20:25:12 +0000

Buying Guide: Sunglasses for Kids – Children’s eyes are even more vulnerable to UV damage than are their adult counterparts’. That’s why it’s especially important to protect them with quality sunglasses during outdoor adventures. But simply buying sun glasses for kids does not mean they’ll be worn–or will provide the protection for which they’re most needed.

When shopping for kids sunglasses, from babyhood through the early teen years, consider these fine points:

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Babyproofed?

Comfort and stay-put-ivity are the hallmarks of these Baby Banz infant sunglasses.

For infants, buy sunglasses fitted with an adjustable headband to help keep them in place and slow the removal process until they’re accustomed to wearing them. Getting them used to sunglasses early can be very helpful through the toddler and preschool years!

These Baby Banz Adventure sunglasses have an adjustable neoprene head band to help keep them put, plus an added silicone pieces at the nose and forehead for extra comfort. Click here to see more colors and styles of infant sunglasses.

Tough enough?

Composite frames are strong yet flexible (just like you hope your kids will be during travel).

Look for a pair with a flexible (AKA shatterproof) rubber frame for maximum comfort and durability. For example, these boys Under Armour Youth Nitro sunglass frames are a composite of titanium and Grilamid for superior strength & flexibility. Click here to see more flexible kids sunglasses.

Protective enough?

These rubber RIVBOS are flexible and stop 100% of harmful UV rays.

If there’s one thing kids sunglasses often skimp on, it’s the actual protection they provide. Make sure your child’s sunglasses block 100% of UVA and UVB for protection.

These RIVBOS sunglasses for kids are flexible (Dupont rubber frames) and block 100% of UVA and UVB. Plus, the lenses are also polarized, making them especially well suited to long hours on or near the water or snow. They’re also available in more than 20 color combinations!

Stylish enough?

Polarized, flexible, 100% UV-protective sunglasses for kids–with style.

Of course the kids’ sunglasses you buy many have all of this going for them, but if your kid doesn’t want to be seen in them…she probably won’t be for long. Show your young traveler a variety of styles to see which speak to her.

Click here to browse infinite styles of kids sun glasses at Amazon, and remember these pointers as you do. Happy shopping!

Screen-Free, Battery-Free Travel Games and Toys

Shelly Rivoli — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 01:06:55 +0000

Has battery fail ever derailed your plans for in-flight entertainment? Or do the kids’ cries for tablet and phone during travel drive you up a tree? Next time, plug a few of these screen-free, battery free travel games and toys into their travel programming. The recommendations here are great for car, plane, train, hotel room, and even the family tent!

Thanks for supporting this site when you click through to shop Amazon!

Tangrams Mini Tin Magnetic Set

Take-along tangrams in travel tin.

It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s a… pineapple? Tangrams work both sides of the brain as kids envision and create animals, shapes, and entire scenes out of colorful geometric blocks. This set is built for travel with magnetic pieces that stay put when arranged on the lid of their travel tin. Recommended for kids 3 years and older. Available at Amazon.

Melissa & Doug Favorite Things Scratch Art Pad

On-the-go travel scratch art pad.

When the kids are just “itching to get there,” let them scratch away at the On-the-Go Scratch Art Pad from Melissa & Doug. The spiral-bound kit comes with 12 different clues and corresponding scratch-and-reveal answer pictures. The stylus stores in the cover. Recommended for ages 5 to 10 years. Available at Amazon.

4-Pack of Animal Sticker Activity Books

Save on a set of FOUR sticker activity books.

Each letter-size sticker activity books give kids more than 70 stickers to create scenes of their own design. Included in the set: Insects & Bugs, In the Wild, Animal Friends, and Ocean Creatures. For best results pack one for the outbound and another for the return drive or flight. Stickers are reusable so books are sibling-friendly and swappable. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years. Available at Amazon.

Felt Animal Activity Kit

Felt animal activity kit.

This travel-friendly crafting kit has everything you need to create 12 cute felt creatures from feet to whiskers and eyeballs, complete with instructions and idea book, and backgrounds for crafters to create their own background scenery. Recommended for ages 5 to 8 years. Available at Amazon.

Spot It! On the Road

This travel tin comes packed with 55 road trip-themed cards for 2 to 8 players at a time. There are actually 5 different travel games you can play with the set, in addition to Travel Bingo. Recommended for ages 7 to 15 years. Available at Amazon.

Deluxe Wooden Pattern Blocks Set

Melissa & Doug’s magnetic pattern blocks.

Great travel toy for the preschool-through-second grade set, these magnetic pattern blocks can be used to fill-in-the-blanks with six double-sided “starter” cards or used however kids like on the blank surface. It all travels neatly in the clear acrylic carrying case as shown. Recommended for ages 3 years+. Available at Amazon.

Travel Scavenger Card Game

Travel Scavenger Hunt for Kids

This screen-free, road-trip ready travel game was built for miles of backseat entertainment. Two or more players look–and listen, and feel, and even smell–for matches to their 5 starter cards. Recommended for ages 7 years+, but definitely doable for younger kids with a little help reading the cards. The deck of 54 cards is also an easy keep in the glove box. Available at Amazon.

Sleeping Queens

A game of Sleeping Queens is no snooze.

Invented by an imaginative 6-year-old and her family, Sleeping Queens is a totally new card game for kids that works the memory and basic math skills. Games go quickly between 2 to 5 players once you get the hang of using the Sleeping Potion and Dragon cards, and remember the Cat Queen and Dog Queen can’t coexist! We’ve had a lot of fun with this one. Recommended for ages 8 years+, but my 6-year-old was a master of it in no time–and taught me. Available at Amazon.

UNO

Uno, you know, the family travel classic.

Uno in the tent, Uno on the lanai, Uno by the pool, Uno even when you fly. We usually travel with a double deck, which makes playing with 5 players all the more fun. Although it’s officially recommended for ages 7 years+, younger kids and siblings can join in earlier–as soon as they know their numbers and colors. This newest edition includes “Swap Hands cards” cards and customizable Wild cards–knock yourselves out! Available at Amazon.

Anatomy of a Great Sun Hat for Kids

Shelly Rivoli — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:21:00 +0000

Many are the sun hats with good intentions, yet precious are the few truly built for travel. When it comes to sun hats for traveling kids it’s especially important to note the differences between the two.

Here are some quick points to consider when shopping for a great travel hat for your child that will serve well on several types of adventures and, if you choose well, also through years of growth.

Adjustable Lanyard

“Hat overboard!” is just not good news ever. Especially not on Day 1 of your rafting trip. An adjustable lanyard (under-chin strap) can do more than just help keep hat on head, however. It will also help keep hat with kid even when he decides to take it off mid-activity.

Wide Brim–On All Sides

Creative kids play at every angle on the beach. So instead of caps with a bill, or even camel-jockey-style hats with a neck flap added to the back, go with a wide brim that encircles the head sombrero-style. It stops sun from sneaking down the back collar as well as from scorching the nose, cheeks, and delicate ears.

The Outdoor Research women’s Rambler Sombrero has a generous brim, runs small, and fits my 10-year-old great using its adjustable crown bungee.

Moisture-Wicking Headband

You’d notice the difference in your own travel hat, so don’t overlook this important feature in the one you choose for your child. The headband that keeps your kid ‘comfortablest’ in hot climates or on a hilly hike is sure to stay put longer than one that beleaguers a sweaty brow.

Adjustable Bungee Drawstring in the Crown

An adjustable drawcord in the crowd for years of adventure and growth.

This is where you will get the greatest longevity and, therefore, best value from your child’s travel hat investment. It’s a beautiful thing when, for several years in a row, you get the hat out to find, “It still fits!” Case in point: That happy orange hat in the lead photo (Florida Everglades) made its inaugural trip when my son had just turned 2 years (Costa Rica!).

This is him wearing it two years later at Dinosaur National Monument. He is still wearing the same hat on our adventures at just-turned-7 years (Baja!), and it’s still available and highly rated by customers at Amazon–click here for size details and customer reviews).

Added Bonus: Built-In Insect Repellent

Kids Outdoor Research Sentinel Hat with lanyard and built-in insect repellent.

When I found my eldest daughter’s travel hat (the same shown here), I loved that it had built-in insect repellent (Insect Shield) to help fend off mosquitoes and deter troublesome ticks. The insect protection lasts up to 70 washings.

Outdoor Research offers several hats with the same built-in insect repellent for grownups and kids alike. Or you can treat a hat without it by applying permethrin spray for clothing (just always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions to use it safely).

Once again, I bought the hat in child’s size Large and took advantage of the adjustable bungee drawstring in the crown. She’s worn it on virtually every trip for 5 years now and has not outgrown it yet.

Click here for more recommendations of great gadgets and gear for family travel. And for travel with kids 5 years and younger, don’t miss the Travel Toys and Pack This! recommendations at our sister site Travels with Baby.

You might also like:

This Mom’s Picks: Three Great Gifts for Traveling Moms

The best travel purse for a DSLR camera I’ve found

Screen-Free, Battery-Free Travel Games & Toys for Kids

Review of the Lumix DMC-TS25 Waterproof Digital Camera

Take Two: A Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants Review

Tips for Buying Sunglasses for Kids

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