By Neil Wolkodoff

When traveling, two things come to mind when you pack. Does it save space, and is it useful and essential? The National Outdoor Retailer show showcases new products, and while many are aimed at the outdoor enthusiast, most have significant applications to the traveler.

Rip Torn. When you travel, jackets with a nylon or polyester outer skin are the norm. However, sharp objects can rip the outer fabric. Don’t ditch the jacket, just carry a few Noso Patches. These handy, self-adhesive patches don’t weigh anything, yet they can be easily applied on the go to a torn garment. Because they are stylin’, they look more like an artistic embellishment versus the old-school patch. When hiking skiing, or trekking, the variety of these rip stoppers is artistically endless.

Snack Attack Given airport delays and travel fluctuations, packing something to eat quickly is prudent. Protein and energy bars have been the mainstay for many travelers, yet they can melt in the heat and take up space. Quick, compact, and power-packed is the new grass-fed beef stick from BoboLinks. The little sticks are packed with protein, and average 70 kcal per stick. Made with hormone-free, non-anti biotics meat, and cured by natural fermentation, they can get you to your next real meal in tasty style and meet the clean test.

Charge! You are on the road, maybe on a long hike, maybe at the beach, maybe on a trek in wine country. You depend upon your cell phone and tablet for connection and directions. No plug on the beach is no problem with the FlexSolar charger. Just open, point it at the sun, and plug in your device. The 15-watt charger, the size of an iPad, unfolds to reveal the three solar charging panels. Solar does not mean slow. It can fully charge an average iPhone in one hour. And it weighs less than a pound, so it can be easily taken in carry on as it contains no batteries.

First Aid Amped Up. A small first aid kit does not seem essential until you try and fix a serious scrape or cut on the road. I had a recent experience at a high-end resort, where we could find a basic bandage only after numerous requests. Enter MyMedic, the most comprehensive first aid kit that runs from a minor cut to tools needed for a severe trauma. The Prevention First Aid Kit covers supplies for cuts, burns, airway issues and more in a small package. You can dial up to full re-con type kits and down to wallet-sized bandages. Each kit’s components are in self-enclosed pouches and color-coded for easy identification in an emergency. For two-wheel treks, their Cycle Medic easily straps on the bike frame and handles everything from blisters to serious scrapes.

Neil Wolkodoff, PhD, is a Sports Scientist in Denver, Colorado who has worked with golfers over the last 15 years. During the rare free times, he travels to exotic golf destinations to see how golf, culture and local geography mix in different locales. He has penned articles for Colorado Avid Golfer, Golf Digest, and Golf Magazine. In his travels, he has golfed with royalty, tour professionals, the local duffer, and the occasional goat.