best travel gear for business travelers

1© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

LinkedIn asked 10 travel-industry CEOs, executives and writers:

From must-have gadgets to versatile accessories, consider these top 10 travel essentials for business travelers.

“What do you never leave home without?”

2

Compression bags

Photo credit: Flight 001

“I will do whatever I can avoid to checking a bag. I’ve fallen in love with nylon compression bags from Flight 001, which condense my clothing and somehow allow me to pack twice the amount. A Spacepak ($46) has both a clean-clothes side and a need-to-be-laundered side. I travel with two all the time — one for my wardrobe and one for workout clothes.”

Ave BradleyVice president of designKimpton Hotels & Restaurants

The percentage of Jet members who say they pack the night before, compared to 18% who confess to being “last-minute packers” and 8% who “never really unpack”

Source: Jet poll

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Expert Pick #1

62%

3

Boxed shirts from the dry cleaners

Photo credit: Hugo Burge

“This is a simple but transformative travel strategy that makes packing efficient and keeps you looking smart. Best of all, it is part of my travel-light strategy to keep to a carry-on bag only.”

Hugo BurgeCEO of Momondo Group, which operates Cheapflights.com and Momondo.com

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Expert Pick #2

4

Smartphone battery extender

“If my iPhone 4s battery is used up by 1 p.m., it's almost like my world stops. I've actually left conferences because my battery died. (Sad but true.) I saw someone with the Mophie Juice Pack Plus ($99.95) and immediately bought one. It essentially allows me an extra full charge per day.”

Photo credit: Mophie

Dennis OwenVice President Marketing Americas for Cathay Pacific

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Expert Pick #3

5

Noise-canceling headphones

The percentage of Jet members who say they prefer Bose headphones, compared to 10% who say they love Beats by Dr. Dre

Source: Jet poll

“The younger generation of business travelers will gobble up these noise-canceling Executive headphones by Beats by Dr. Dre ($299.95). They are designed for cruising at 35,000 feet — and they are lightweight and comfortable.”

Photo credits: Bose (left), Beats by Dr. Dre

John DiScala (aka Johnny Jet)Founder of JohnnyJet.com

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Expert Pick #4

53%

6

Black pashmina

“I get really cold on long flights so I use this John Lewis cashmere-and-silk pashmina (£89) as an extra blanket, as a wrap over evening wear if a venue is air-conditioned, and as a scarf with a coat. Pashminas are really versatile.”

Carolyn PearsonCEO of Maiden-Voyage.com &head of commercial systems at easyJet

Photo credit: John Lewis

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Expert Pick #5

7

Fleece pulloverWithin three years of hanging up his Wall Street suit to become a full-time travel writer, Lee Abbamonte crossed a milestone: At age 32, he is believed to have become the youngest American to visit every country in the world.

Abbamonte, now 34, typically wears this Oakley Shelf Life fleece ($60) on the plane.

“The fleece fits a business or leisure trip equally. It can be worn over a dress shirt or a T-shirt… I no longer travel with a garment bag and the extra clothes and accessories to wear with suits for multiple days. In fact, I never check a bag nowadays.” Photo credit: Oakley

Lee AbbamonteFinancial adviser-turned-travel writerwww.leeabbamonte.com

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Expert Pick #6

8

Power adapter

“The outlet adapter from Brookstone ($35.99) rocks because it powers a laptop and two USB devices right out of one hub. I recently field-tested it in Hong Kong and Shanghai. It’s an all-star for size and function.”

Christopher BaerDirector, Marriott Insight Strategy + Innovation

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Photo credit: Brookstone

Expert Pick #7

9

Slip-on shoes“These classic canvas Toms ($44) are perfect for travel. They are comfortable, minimalist, and easy to slip on and off for airport security. They also compress when packing. I wear Toms on the plane almost all the time now — but not with a suit. (It can look like you’re wearing slippers.) I also have a pair in Hotwire red for special occasions.”

Clem BasonPresident of the Hotwire Group

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Photo credit: terren.rae/Flickr

Expert Pick #8

10

Sunscreen

“I have super sun-sensitive skin so no matter where I’m traveling, I always make sure I have sunscreen with me. Neutrogena is travel-friendly and affordable. I do put my sunscreen in a plastic baggie inside the bigger plastic bag you have to use for all carry-on items – just in case.”

Karen SchalerEmmy Award-winning TV correspondent & host of the Travel Therapy series

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Photo credit: Drew Dirschell/Flickr

Expert Pick #9

11

Hand sanitizerExpert Pick #10

Caryn Seidman BeckerChairman & CEO of CLEAR

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Photo credit: Purell

"I never leave home without Purell, especially during flu season. The 1-ounce bottle fits in any bag and ensures that I don't bring germs home to my kids and colleagues."

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Meanwhile, LinkedIn members also weighed in on

Here are our members’ top picks for luggage brands and type of laptop bags.

Plus, find out what your fellow business travelers voted as the most frivolous travel gear. After all, savvy travelers know what to take – and what to leave behind.

© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Photo credits: thinkpanama/Flickr, Amy Chen

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK

The Best Travel Gear

13

What’s your favorite luggage brand?

18% 18% 18%

30%

13%

Source: Jet poll*

Travelpro’s Crew 9 21-inch Expandable Spinner + Suiter ($460)

Samsonite’s 7-pound 21-inch LIFT Spinner Upright ($320)

Tumi’s hardside Tegra-Lite International Carry-on ($595)

asked:

You answered:

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Photo credits (from left): Briggs & Riley, Samsonite,

Briggs & Riley’s 20-inch Transcend International Carry-on ($359)

*Poll results as of Jan. 30, 2013

Travelpro, Tumi

14

How do you carry your laptop?

9%

29%36%

16%9%

Source: Jet poll*

asked:

You answered:

© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Briggs & Riley’s @Work Large Executive Clamshell Backpack ($289) holds up to 17-inch laptops.

Timbuk2’s Custom Envelope Sleeve (from $49)

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK

Photo credits: Timbuk2 (top), Briggs & Riley

*Poll results as of Jan. 30, 2013

15

What travel gear is most unnecessary?

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK

Source: Jet poll*

asked:

You answered:

23% 20%33%

16%5%

Photo credit: Toni Hartley/Flickr

© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Disagree? Vote in our poll!

*Poll results as of Jan. 30, 2013

16© 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Jet: The Business Traveler Network, Powered by Capital One is the ultimate resource for business travelers, with current news, emerging trends, and strategies for staying productive on the road.

For more travel tips, check out these great discussions:

Join the conversation

What describes your packing style the best?

How to stuff everything into a carry-on

Packing tips for international trips

What’s your favorite luggage brand?

How do you carry your laptop?

What travel gear is most unnecessary?

JOIN USwww.linkedin.com/jetbiztravel Follow us @LinkedInTravel

Photo credits (including cover): Amy Chen

JET: THE BUSINESS TRAVELER NETWORK

Vote for your favorite travel gear in these Jet polls:

*Poll results as of Jan. 30, 2013