Shoes

I cannot stress the importance of proper footwear enough when it comes to travel. The wrong pair of shoes can create disastrous consequences, while the right pair will probably go unnotice. If traveling with the right pair you probably won't recall how comfortable you were, but with the wrong pair all you will remember about your trip was how long the walks and lines were and how many steps you had to climb.

For my own trips I tend to bring two pairs. the first pair is a dressier shoe that I can comfortably walk in, wear with shorts, or pair with khakis for more formal dining. The second is a sportier casual shoe, sneaker, or even sandal (closed toe), that provides greater comfort for those days when my feet are really hurting. I tend to pack the casual shoe since it is lighter and therefore slightly easier on my back at the airport.

For my upcoming trip I've purchased a pair of Columbia Andrew casual dress shoes (in the stout color), which is "a stylish loafer with slipper-like comfort" (Columbia Sportswear, 2010, Product Description). According to Columbia. Sportswear (2010), "the versatile Andrew specializes in seamless transitions from the office ot the great outdoors" (Product Description).




The second pair of footwear I  will be bringing is a combination sneaker/sandal from Sports Authority that offers the support and traction of a sneaker with the air circulation of sandals in a very lightweight package.

I recommend a sufficient break in period for your shoes before using them for travel. I find two months to be a good duration. That way you don't take a pair of untested footwear out without knowing how they feel or if they rub your feet (a properly fitted pair of shoes/sneakers should not rub). I like to alternate between my two pairs while I go on neighborhood walks with my family.

No Need for a Netbook

,I've been an avid supporter of netbooks, starting with the Asus EEE 700. I believe they are truly remarkable and portable devices, yet for my own 14 day trip to the UK I've decided to leave mine at home. Instead, I will be bringing my iPod Touch, which incidently I am using to write this post. I've preordered a device from Zoomit that, when coupled with an app, allows a user to transfer movies, pictures, and other files from an SD card to their iPod Touch/iPhone. Between this and some other iPod apps (i.e., DocsToGo), I will be able to read/edit/update my travel budget, read maps, listen to music, and upload files from my camera for posting.

For improved power storage I've purchased a portable battery that can be charged via USB and is able to charge most other USB devices (i.e., iPod, camera, etc.). This battery should buy me a day or two between charges if the need arises for my camcorder and iPod.

Selecting the Appropriate Travel Bag

The selection of the proper bag can make or break a trip. Over the years I've tried hard-sided suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, roll-behind, and over-the-shoulder garment bags. Recently, I've discovered "Convertible" bags that can transition from over-the-shoulder to a backpack configuration. This type of bag supports the "one bag carryon only" philosophy used by many travelers (see http://www.ricksteves.com/ or http://www.onebag.com/). A size of 9" x 21" x 14" (45 linear inches) is crucial in order for these bags to meet in most airlines carry on restrictions.The following are examples of convertible bags available online:

Rick Steve's Convertible Carry-On 
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/

Rick Steve's Classic Back Door Bag
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/

High Sierra Railpass Convertible Travel Pack
http://www.ebags.com/high_sierra/railpass_convertible_travel_pack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=63377

eBags Weekender Convertible Bag
http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender_etech_convertible/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15026








I have personally used the eBags Convertible Weekender bag and can highly recommend it. I do find that replacing the stock over the shoulder strap with this one helps to evenly distribute the weight, increasing the comfort for long durations:

Skooba Designs Laptop Netbook Shoulder Strap
http://www.skoobadesign.com/product/skooba-superbungee-strap-30/








Finally, you cannot forget basic security. While a good thief will not be deterred from opening your bag using a knife or a ballpoint pen (can be used to unseat the zipper), a basic lock will prevent the casual thief or pickpocket from gaining access when you are not paying attention. I find that a TSA approved combination lock is preferable to a keyed lock, where the key may be lost:



TSA-Accepted Combination Lock
http://www.masterlocktsa.com/

Importance of User/ Community Forums

One of the most important resources available to today's travelers is the experience and knowledge of those who have already been. I find the following sites provide valuable user/community forums that are often grouped by either geographic location or specific tasks (i.e., transportation):

http://www.ricksteves.com (Plan your trip-> Helpline or Grafitti Wall)

http://www.fodors.com (Forums)

http://www.frommers.com (Forums)

Inaugural Post

So here it is, my first entry into the social medium of blogging. My intended purpose for this blog is two fold. First, to share my personal travel plans and experiences with friends and family. Secondly, to share my own knowledge and obsessive travel planning techniques with those who are interested. As an engineer and consumate student I always enjoy learning more about how things work and how they can be improved. In the coming weeks I shall be sharing my own planing methods that I have been using to plan my own 14 day trip to Great Britain in June 2010 with my wife and 10 year old daughter.