A portable bidet, a suitcase scooter and the pillow hat for snoozing at airports: Are these the most bizarre travel accessories ever?
Planning a holiday can be stressful. There's always the question of what to pack and what to leave behind, and how to stave off boredom during long and tedious layovers.
There are a plethora of gadgets on the market which all claim to make life on the road easier.
And then there are ones which are just too weird to contemplate. Here, MailOnline Travel rounds up 10 of the strangest travel gadgets.
Scroll down for video
Nap on the go: The Ostrich Pillow, £63 can be used on the plane, train or even in the office
1. UpRight Sleeper
This gadget claims to help users sleep without lying down. The contraption was designed by New Mexico's Worldwide Comfort Solutions and works like an adjustable neck brace.
Travellers who are tired of inflatable pillows and stiff necks might want to splash £27 on the device, which can sit under the chin or up on the forehead.
Not convinced? It did win SkyMall's Innovation Award.
2. Suitcase scooter
Inventor He Liangcai, from the Hunan Province in China was inspired to create his contraption after once forgetting his luggage when when travelling to pick up an award for a car safety system.
The suitcase, which works like a glorified tricycle, has a throttle, brakes and lights to ensure safe travels, and can reach speeds of up to 12mph.
The luggage, which is not currently on sale, includes a GPS, horn and theft alarm, and has enough power to travel between 31 to 37 miles.
The suitcase scooter works like a tricycle and has a throttle, brakes and lights to ensure safe travels
The 100% collapsible Lems Boulder Boot, £69, can be stuffed into a bag pack and is useful on hiking or camping trips
The 'b-tourist' was created by designers Idan Noyberg and Gal Bulka and is designed to be stretched between two headrests. Users can seal themselves off from their surroundings
3. Collapsible boot
If there isn't enough room to in the suitcase for shoes, invest in the collapsible boot.
Claiming to be the lightest boot in the world, the entirely collapsible shoe is made from nylon and leather and can be stuffed into a bag pack.
Weighing only 10oz and costing £69 Lems Boulder Boots come with removable sole insoles. They may not be the most fashionable accessory around but there's a lot to be said for comfort.
4. b-tourist
Those wanting to avoid small talk on long-haul flights will love the 'b-tourist.'
It is the travel accessory that claims to give travellers privacy on a plane, store valuables and act as a pillow.
The giant loop of elastic fabric is designed to be stretched between two seat headrests, allowing the user to seal themselves off from their surroundings.
The bizarre contraption was created by designers Idan Noyberg and Gal Bulka, who aim to get it on the market this year for £40.
And relax? The Ostrich Pillow, left, and the UpRight Sleeper help travellers to get 40 winks, allegedly
5. Ostrich Pillow
Neither pillow nor cushion, this strange spherical invention has a soothing cave-like interior and isolates both head and hands.
The Ostrich Pillow (£63) shuts off all surrounding noise, making it a perfect solution for those waiting for flights at the airport, or commuters travelling home after a long day's work.
Designed by Key Portilla-Kawamura and Ali Ganjavian of Studio KG, the pillow has a mouth hole for breathing and two side holes for on-the-go nappers to slide their hands in.
6. Portable Bidet
Could this be the only bidet in a bottle in the world?
The Giraf Portable Bidet, £6, is small and lightweight, has a strong water flow and an adjustable neck for those hard-to-reach places.
Expect better hygiene all round with this 'superior alternative to wiping' - or so the manufacturers say.
Small and lightweight, the Giraf portable bidet, £5.70, (left) generates strong water flow and requires no batteries. The tugo cup holder, £7, keeps drinks suspended between upright handles of rolling bags
Always be cool with the Kufukucho Air-Conditioned Cooling jacket, £95, complete with two small built-in fans
7. Mobile cup holder
Who hasn't had to deal with their cup of tea sloshing all over the place when running to catch a flight or jump on a train?
There will be no more accidental spillage with this next gem: the tugo mobile cup holder.
Designed to keep drinks suspended between upright handles of rolling bags, the pliable holder, which costs £7, is the invention of American mother and emergency room nurse, Karen Porte.
Simply thread each side of the contraption between luggage handles, slide in takeaway coffee cups in between and get rolling.
8. Jacket with built-in fan
The Kufukucho Air-Conditioned Cooling jackets, £95, were designed by by Hiroshi Ichigaya of Japan and feature two small battery-powered fans which waft refreshing cool air around the body.
The four-inch fans are built into the pockets of the jacket and can be charged with a USB cable or two AA batteries.
Hands-free convenience: Keep your valuables with you at all times with the Quivvers Active Pack, £27
9. Body pack
Remember the fanny pack? This works on a similar premise but instead of being strapped around the waist, it's strapped around the upper body, almost like a mini messenger bag.
Made from vinyl-coated water-resistant nylon, the Quivvers Active Packs, £27, are the brainchild of Amy Barner who created it out of her need to keep her hands-free when running around.
10. All in One Carrier
Never leave four-legged friends behind with the All in One Carrier, £78, which transforms the back seat of four-door vehicles into a sturdy surface for pets.
The carrier can only be used as a flat surface for shopping, so they won't tumble onto the floor when sudden stops are made.
The £78 All-In-One-Carrier fits in the backseat of a four-door vehicle and is designed to carry pets or groceries.
0 comments: