What's New, What's Hot: December 2012

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Gigi Hill Marie Rolling SuitcaseWhat's New What's Hot is Travel Weekly's look at useful and fun travel gadgets, edited by Joe Rosen. Click on the image to open a slideshow of all of the featured products for December.

LED Lenser H7. This headlamp from the reliable Leatherman outfit could be a life-saver in the event of a nighttime power failure, especially if you are in an unfamiliar hotel room in which every piece of furniture is an obstacle. You could grab a flashlight if you had one within easy reach, but that would leave you only one hand free to negotiate your surroundings. But with the hands-free, easy-to-wear LED Lenser on your head you are good to go. Powered up to 155 lumens by three AAA batteries, the headlamp has a bezel that swivels down (handy for reading in the dark), adjusts for either long-distance light or a circular low beam and has a stageless dimming function. $60; www.leatherman.com.  

Gigi Hill Marie Rolling Suitcase. If you want to sport the most attractive suitcase on the baggage carrousel, this is the bag for you. The Marie's poly canvas exterior features a black-and-white paisley macro design, one of four patterns Gigi Hill of Los Angeles is offering in its rolling suitcase line. A four-wheel spinner, the bag measures 17 by 24 by 8.5 inches and is expandable by two inches. Front and inside zippered pockets, top and side handles for easy handling and a two-stage telescoping handle complete this picture-perfect travel accessory. $225; www.gigihill.com.  

Rise & Hang Weekend Duffel Bag. Promoted as "a closet in a bag," this innovative duffel opens into a portable three-shelf organizing system on hangers that provides easy access to your neatly folded articles of clothing. In short, you don't have to unpack when you get where you are going. Here's how it works: Before leaving on a trip, you open the bag, pull out the shelves and suspend the works in a closet, a door or a chair. Then you pack the shelves with your things, fold the shelves back into the duffel and zip it up. When you reach your destination, simply unfurl the shelves again, fully and neatly packed. The duffle, which weighs four pounds and measures 13.5 by 19 by 10 inches, comes with shoulder straps and is available in blue or gray. Also available is a luggage organizer insert for suitcases. Duffle, $99; organizer, $54; www.riseandhang.com.  

Fatcat Power Bars. Fatcat, a company that specializes in portable power devices, offers three chargers that boast greater battery capacity than the devices they are meant to charge. For example, the most powerful of the power bars, the 9600 mAH, is capable of charging a smartphone four times. In addition, it can charge a device while being charged itself, which makes it ideal for powering up overnight. The smallest and least powerful device, the 2000 mAH ChargeCard, weighs only 2 ounces yet has twice the battery capacity of a typical cellphone. It comes with a mini USB output socket, while the larger device and the intermediate, the 4200 mAH, both are equipped with standard USB ports. All units are pre-charged to 65% to 75% of capacity out of the box. All three come with a travel pouch, a user guide, master cord and multiple tips. $49.95, $79.95 and $129.95; www.fatcatgear.com.  

Contour Twist Neck Pillow. This soft poly-foam, articulated pillow is flexible enough to provide neck and head comfort while you are traveling or at home. The pillow's internal plastic spine conforms to any position you desire and holds that shape as long as you like. Just the thing for travelers who suffer from neck discomfort and/or arthritis, the Twist Pillow has a removable velour cover that is washable for easy cleaning. $19.99; www.contourliving.com.  

Got something for What's New, What's Hot? Email Joe Rosen at [email protected].

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