Travel Tips
Black Friday Travel Gear Deals
Black Friday is just a day away, and millions will be stuck in traffic jams at malls across America. But it may also be a great time to save on some must-have travel gear. We’ve done some of the work for you, and found the best deals on gear, luggage, and clothing from REI, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and ExOfficio. Yes, some of the deals allow you to shop at home!
REI
Available November 28:
Garmin vivofit Wireless Activity Tracker & Heart Rate Monitor Bundle
The Garmin vivofit can tell you how many steps you’ve taken throughout the day, detect your heart rate, tell you how many calories you’ve burned, and also tell you the time. On Black Friday, this little device will be marked down $50 from the normal ticket price, coming in at $119.
REI Flash 22 Pack
Save over $20 on this outdoorsy backpack on Black Friday. For $28.99, you can treat yourself to a new bag with padded mesh straps, a hipbelt and sternum strap (which also doubles as a safety whistle), and a pocket for a hydration reservoir that can route the sip tube close to your face for easy access.
NiteRider Lumina 700 Front Bike Light
REI is offering the NiteRider Lumina Bike Light for $69.99, nearly $50 off the normal price. This light will run for an hour and a half straight on high, so it’s great for a late night spin. The NiteRider Lumina 700 can attach to either your handlebars or your helmet.
Target
Available November 27 to November 29:
Skyline Spinner Luggage Set
You can pick up a five-piece luggage set at Target for only $49. This is the kind of luggage I like if you have extra stuff to schlep. Is it stylish? Not particularly. Durable? Not really. But at this price, the bags only have to survive one flight! This set includes a 28-inch upright suitcase, a 25-inch wheeled duffel, one 18-inch upright suitcase, one travel tote, and a toiletry kit. In case you’re interested, this set includes a five-year “limited”warranty (and I mean limited) and can be purchased online and in select stores. Remember, at this price the bags don’t have to look good or hold up for years. If they survive one long haul flight, it’s well worth it!
Walmart
Available November 27 to 28:
OtterBox Defender Case
This black OtterBox Defender Case for the iPhone 5 will be on sale for $25.99 at Walmart. OtterBox cases are known for being practically indestructible, and you will also be able to find discounts on cases for other models of the iPhone, as well as Android phones.
iPhone
Grab a free iPhone 5s 16 GB if you are an AT&T Next or Verizon Edge customer—or you can sign up for a two-year contract for $79. You can also trade in your old phone and get up to $200 while you’re at it.
If you want the newest iPhone, pick up the iPhone 16 GB for $0 for well-qualified buyers of AT&T Next and Verizon Edge, or for only $179 with a two-year contract.
Nikon Coolpix L29 Point-and-Shoot Camera
Want a new camera for all of your travels? Walmart will be selling this 16.1 megapixel Nikon for $47. This camera has 5x optical zoom, 720p video, and a 2.7-inch LCD screen to boot.
20-inch Hardside Luggage
These colorful carry-on size suitcases will cost $25 on Black Friday. The suitcases have 360 degree, foot-wheeled spinners for easy maneuverability and come in bright green, neon orange, polka dots, and stripe prints.
PNY® Portable Charger for Smartphone and Tablet
You won’t need to worry about a dead battery with this handy portable tablet and cellphone charger that will run for $18. This device can accommodate USB and micro-USB chargers and will charge your devices up to five times.
Best Buy
Available November 28:
Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera
This 18-55mm VR Lens Nikon normally costs $449.99, but will only cost you $299.99 on Black Friday. The Nikon D3300 is 24.2 megapixel, shoots HD video, and comes in black, gray, and red.
Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Duo Rechargeable External Battery
Worried about keeping for cell phone charged before flying to the U.S.? This Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation will be on sale for $59.99 at Best Buy. With a 6000 mAh capacity, dual USB charging ports, and built-in short-circuit and overcharge protection, the Mophie Juice Pack is a good choice for a portable charger.
Garmin Nüvi 52LM Essential Series 5’’ Portable GPS
Going on a road trip soon? Check out this portable GPS from Garmin. This GPS has a 5-inch color touchscreen, turn-by-turn voice prompts, lifetime map updates, an emergency locator system for gas stations, hospitals, and police stations, as well as customizable routes.
ExOfficio
Available November 28 through December 14:
Give-N-Go Underwear
Buy two or more pairs of Give-N-Go underwear and get 25 percent off all of your Give-N-Go purchases (including the underwear as well as t-shirts, camis, and more). The Give-N-Go collection is ultra-light, quick to dry, and odor resistant. These are great for the outdoorsy traveler or the budget traveler.
For more must-have travel gear, check out:
- Worried About the Winter Forecast? Keep Warm With Travel Gear
- What to Consider Before Buying Soft Sided or Hard Shell Luggage
- 11 Best Travel Pillows: Traveler Tested & Approved
By Brittany Malooly for PeterGreenberg.com