New travel gear for here, there, everywhere

By Robin Rauzi, Times Staff Writer
12:00 AM PST, January 22, 2006

Whoever said there's nothing new under the sun wasn't hawking travel gear.

Pocketknives, toothbrush covers, even long johns get retooled each year to tempt the gear hound with a full wallet. Among the items rolled out in recent months or coming soon:

Victorinox Voyager Lite

It's just a matter of time before Victorinox builds an MP3 player into one of its trademark Swiss Army pocketknives. But until that happens, we'll settle for the new Voyager Lite. Besides the nearly two-dozen gadgets you've come to expect — screwdrivers, can openers, corkscrews, blades and bottle openers — this one has a built-in LED flashlight and digital alarm clock. $96. (800) 442-2706, http://www.swissarmy.com

Icebreaker woolens

The humble sheep is making a noble stand against the seemingly unstoppable advance of synthetics. In the U.S., Ibex and Smartwool have been making high-end outdoor wear out of merino wool. A recent addition to the marketplace is New Zealand's Icebreaker. The 10-year-old company has doubled its sales in the U.S. in recent years. Its wool leggings and tops come in three weights — cool enough for summer and warm enough for ski season. Best of all, wool is odor-resistant. $59.95 each, top or leggings. Available at Adventure 16 stores (2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; 5425 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana; 11161 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A.) and Distant Lands, 56 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Information at http://www.icebreaker.com

Pentax OptioWPi

A digital point-and-shoot for adventures below the surface. The 6-megapixel camera, with a 3X optical zoom, is watertight to about 5 feet, perfect for snorkeling — or for hosing off when you've dropped it on the beach. It also shoots short video and, should you hear a whale sing, up to 20 seconds of audio. Of course, it works out of the water as well. $350. (800) 877-0155, http://www.h2ocamera.com

Covert harness bags

The most macho purse ever. Pasadena-based Civilian Labs has come up with a system of small packs that you can don like a shoulder holster or sling Western-style around your waist. Or you can strap them to your chest. Or around your thigh. Anyway, each "module" is designed to hold the things that make your life mobile — your iPod, cellular phone and PDA — plus wallet, keys and glasses. Available at Distant Lands (see Icebreaker listing above ). $50-$100. (626) 744-0662, http://www.civilianlab.com

Toothbrush travel cap

You don't have to be a germophobe to wonder what's growing inside that toothbrush cover that you've schlepped from Cairo to Copenhagen. Walkabout's new cap has an antibacterial agent in the plastic that surrounds the bristles. $2. (800) 852-7085, http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com

Water purifier

Sure, it looks like a medical device from a late-model "Star Trek" series. But the SteriPEN solves one very old-fashioned problem: bugs in the water. The SteriPEN uses UV light to kill bacteria, viruses and protozoans that might otherwise lay a traveler low for days. The glowing blue wand, powered by four AA batteries, purifies a pint in less than a minute. $150. Information, (888) 826-6234. Available at outdoors and travel shops and http://www.magellans.com

SealPak and See Pouch

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