Making Life Easier for Women on the Road

Women travelers have unique needs that manufacturers are hastening to fill. Following are some new items that fit the bill. Many items may be available at area stores. Prices do not include shipping.

Purse patrol: The last time my purse was snatched, it was dangling from the back of my chair in a fancy restaurant, and I never saw the thief who whisked it away as he went past. Zelco’s Purse Guard is a purse hanger with an alarm. All you do is hook the purse straps onto the Purse Guard arm and slide the Purse Guard onto the edge of the table. The weight of the purse causes a button on the bottom of the guard to be pressed into the alarm holder.

Once the alarm is turned on by flicking a switch, a shrill sound will be activated if either the purse or the Purse Guard is lifted (releasing the weight-sensitive button on the alarm’s underside). Be sure to turn the switch off when you want to lift the purse yourself. It operates on one replaceable LR44 alkaline watch battery (included).

Purse Guard (09005) is $15. For a nearby store, call the manufacturer, Zelco; tel. (800) 431-2486.

Gem of a jewelry case: Jewelry pouches are a convenient way to transport valuables, but they don’t protect fragile items from damage in transit. This zippered travel-size jewelry case is the best alternative I’ve seen. Covered in soft, padded, leather-like vinyl, the 7 1/2-inch by 4 1/2-inch, by 2 1/2-inch-deep zippered box is lined with soft felt and has snap-open cloth panels for rings and earrings, elastic bands on the base to keep chain bracelets and necklaces in place, and a snap-out zippered pouch for watches and other delicate items.

Jewelry Case in red (202031) or black (202030) is $25 from the Container Store; telephone (800) 733-3532.

Skirting the issue: Most women travelers require an occasional skirt--for a night out in Paris, a visit to a Hindu temple in Bali. Ex Officio, a manufacturer of lightweight outdoor wear for both sexes, has produced a stylish yet very lightweight travel skirt that takes up little space in luggage and resists wrinkles. The Ultimate Travel Skirt is made of quick-drying nylon twill that has the feel of soft cotton. The full-buttoning front provides knee room when a few bottom buttons are undone, and the elastic-back waistband makes for an easy fit. Two slash pockets in front, a tiny key pocket with Velcro closure, and a hidden passport pocket inside make plenty of storage space. The skirt measures 37 inches long--about calf-length on my 5-foot, 7-inch frame. The skirt pairs well with Ex-Officio’s long-sleeved Globetrotter Shirt, a cotton/polyester blend, with two patch pockets in front for a rustic-chic look.

Ex Officio Ultimate Travel Skirt in khaki, moss or ink (MD1433) is $45. Women’s Globetrotter Shirt in cigar color (MS5614) is $59, both from Magellan’s; tel. (800) 962-4943.

Jamming out intruders: Women traveling alone frequently worry about intrusions into their hotel room while they are inside. Locking the door doesn’t mean an unwanted visitor with a pick or key (including a maid who doesn’t knock first) can’t get in. The Ultimate Security Door Lock is a lightweight (7 ounces) portable deadbolt that slips between the door and the frame, hooking into the strike plate and blocking the door from opening. A quick-release trigger makes exiting easy. I found the lock an excellent security measure in hotels.

Ultimate Security Lock (6033) with travel pouch is $19.50 from TravelSmith; tel. (800) 950-1600.

Travel scents: I’ve finally found a refillable, leakproof travel atomizer that keeps a small supply of my favorite cologne at reach on the go. Protected by a lightweight aluminum and glass housing is a removable glass insert with spray cap. A small metal funnel is included for refilling. The atomizer measures just 3 1/2 inches by about 1 inch in diameter.

Travel Atomizer (428170) is $8.99 from the Container Store; tel. (800) 733-3532.

Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.