Commuting this time of year can be tough — you have to haul stuff, stay warm and dry, be entertained, and keep your sanity. Over the last eight years I've tried all modes of transportation to my 14-mile-away office, and whether it's walking, biking, or riding the bus or train, I've picked up on a few key elements for making the trip a little more enjoyable. Here are my gifting tips for those commuters in your life.
Clockwise from top left:
1. Noise Silencing Earbuds: Not only to keep yourself entertained, but to drown out the unavoidable noises around you. These are great because the ear buds work like ear plugs, and they even come with an app to use with your smart phone that further silences noises. Etymotic hf5 earphones, $149.
2. Thermos: Coffee is key to being awake by the time I get to work. I've tried several travel mugs, and this one is hands down the best at keeping beverages piping hot for the winter and icy cold in the summer. Klean Kanteen Insulated, $25.95-29.95.
3. A Durable Bag: Because a canvas bag just isn't going to cut it on the floor of a wet train or bus, or outside in nasty weather. Look for a leather, nylon, or waxed canvas bag with a reinforced bottom, or even one with little feet to keep it elevated off the floor. 2Unfold Laptop Bag / Heritage by hard graft, £400.
4. Reusable Bags: I use these all the time for toting stuff back and forth from work. They stash away so easily in my desk drawer or bag, and actually expand to a fairly large capacity. Envirosax, $39.95/set of 5.
5. iPhone/iPad (or other mobile device): If I had to pick one thing that has made my commute more tolerable, it is the invention of mobile devices. I can talk to my mom, browse the web, check email, listen to a podcast, etc. And last year I was gifted an iPad, which even further improved my commute by providing an abundance of reading material without all the weight. iPhone & iPad, prices vary.
6. Touch Gloves: So that you can still use your mobile device without your hands freezing while you're waiting for the train or walking to work! Agloves, $19.99-29.99.
7. Bike Handle: Genius. This handle makes carrying a bike up and down stairs and onto a train so much easier. Bicycle Frame Handle, $38.
8. Boots: Because trudging through the rain and snow is one of the worst parts of commuting. I have a few different boots to wear depending on the weather, but if you're going to pick just one, Hunters are classic, and you can get boot socks to keep your feet warm in the winter. Hunter Boots, $135-225.
9. Lunchbox: This is the one thing I don't actually have, but should. I usually use one of my reusable bags, but they don't do anything to protect from spills, and they definitely don't keep food warm or cold. Something insulated and lightweight that folds up seems ideal. Lunch Tote by BUILT, $24.99.
(Images: as linked above)
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A $650 laptop bag? Really?
135$ for rubber boots!!!!!!!???? you must be kidding.
I've got a great pair for 12.95$. My feet are always dry and they are quite chic.
The laptop bag is gorgeous but not really that practical for real commuters. I like carrying a nice bag, especially to protect my electronics, but I wouldn't want to carry something that expensive on the train. I'd be concerned it would get rained on and muddy.
I've had the same Built lunch tote for a long time and I love it. I highly recommend it.
@HCI & @tigre -- this is just guide with a wide range of price points, there are definitely less expensive options out there. Actually I do have the Hunter boots and think they're well worth the price because they keep my feet dry and last years, but great if you've found something else that works for you. And the bag, well, I just think that company makes really awesome bags, and might be more in the 'dream' gift category. :)
I don't think $135 is unreasonable for really durable rain/winter boots, but I prefer Sperry. They're a lot cheaper ($70ish) and lined with fleece.
I'd love a new bag for commuting that's actually waterproof. It doesn't matter how big your umbrella is sometimes with the wind blowing in Chicago! Small umbrellas that fit in your commute bag and Land's End commuter boots are fantastic. I wouldn't mind a battery booster for my iphone either because I'd hate for my "book" to run out of batteries because of an hour long train delay.
at these prices, who exactly is your audience for this post? Those who commute by limo?
Ha! I was thinking something similar. Good grief!
This site is so Apple-centric. Just say smartphone or tablet, seriously.
Those Built bags are awesome. I received one from a student (excellent teacher gift, by the way), and it became my go-to snack bag when I was schlepping my son to the park every day that summer. When it's empty, it folds pretty flat, which is a big plus for traveling!
I didn't even see the inclusion of the Apple products. Why not offer links to all the tablets and smartphones on the market? The list isn't that long.
Regarding the price of Hunter boots - depending on your lifestyle they can either be a huge waste of money, or worth every penny. If you drive pretty much everywhere, then you will probably be fine with a less expensive pair. I walk almost 2 miles to work (and have for the past 5 years) and I've had the same pair of Hunter boots the entire time They are extremely durable, have great tread unlike a lot of other rain boots, they're comfortable, the solid colors are professional enough that I don't get any strange looks when I walk into my office, they come unlined so they can be worn on warm spring days but they are easily lined with a boot sock (theirs or your own) for colder months, and they come up high enough that if you have to trudge through snowbanks just to cross the street your legs will stay dry.
Tough crowd today. I think the intent of this post was to give us gift ideas - we don't have to buy the actual product suggested, but maybe something similar would be a good solution. Please don't be so literal/so ready to take offense!
L.L. Bean's Wellies rain boots share most (if not all) of the merits of the Hunter boots, but at a cost of around $60. They're durable (I've had the same pair since before college) but have a lifetime guarantee, they come in solid colors, and I wear the pair that I have all year long. I'd consider them a comparative alternative.
I have the Hunter boots and the lunch bag (in exactly that print). I don't commute in a limo, but I do walk a mile to and from the train station every day. My feet stay dry in the worst puddles and they are comfortable to walk in. I'm sure Sperry and LL Bean make nice boots too, but Hunter is the only brand that fit around my athletic calves. So, there you have an explanation for my "extravagent" spending.
Having noise canceling ear buds while commuting is a very bad idea! Not only will you not hear the car that is about to run you over while you're crossing the street, you're not going to hear the thief sneaking up behind you to steal you awesome $650 bag. Maybe if you live in the suburbs you're safer, but in the city, you need to be able to hear what's going on around you.
For the most part, I agree. Rule 1 of commuting in a city means you should keep things close to you. If you have stuff stolen because you're not watching your surroundings, the headphones aren't to blame. Personally, I'd be more concerned with the traffic. People should look both ways, but they often stop looking both ways as they cross. That's where you need to hear for horns.
tigre you are going to have replaced those $12.95 boots many times over before the Hunter boots even show a sign of serious wear.
I have several bags by Built NY and they are great, durable products.
Hunter Regent boots are on my wish list at Zappos. One day. One day!
I love my Envirosax. Roll up small and snap closed with an attached band (instead of going in a separate bag that I'd lose), I can just keep one in my purse for those times when I make a quick stop somewhere on my way home or find myself needing to take something extra to/from work. I haven't seen similar ones for much cheaper.
bether, sorry I have to disagree. I've been commuting (walking, train, bus, etc) in the city for years and have always used some type of ear phones every single day without problem. I would go nuts without ear phones. I've had these particular noise canceling ear buds for a year and love them. They don't literally cancel out all noise, so maybe that means they're not the best out there, but they're great for my needs and highly recommend them.
On Hunters: Don't believe the hype. I bought some a couple years ago, used them as needed for commuting and they developed holes in the soles about a year ago. They were nice while they lasted but not at all worth the price. Thanks to the commenters who suggested Sperry and LL Bean as alternatives. I will check them out.
I walk/bike/bus to work every day. I would be happy to get any one of these gifts! Of course, the exact brand is not what matters- just the idea behind them.
I've noticed pros and cons to noise cancelling earbuds. When I walk, I feel less safe because hearing really does help you sense your surroundings. It's important to be extra cautious while wearing them. They are nice for muffling the noise, and even more important can be a deterrent for pesky strangers who want to talk to you. At times I even pretend my music is too loud to hear the rude people trying to get my attention. It helps!
When you don't have a car, your shoes are your tires, and your bag is your trunk. Spending a couple hundred dollars more on good quality items that will last long and function well is hardly unreasonable, especially considering the tens of thousands of dollars that go into owning a car.
I'm a big fan of music while commuting. My statement is specifically about the noise canceling ear buds. I'm glad you're enjoying the ones that you have. Perhaps years of commuting experience has heightened your other 4 senses so you have less of a need for hearing :) (although, for your sake I hope taste isn't being used as a method of identifying your surroundings)
For the record, you can find Hunter boots for about $50 at Nordstrom Rack and Off Fifth. You may not get exactly the color you want, but considering that I've had cheapo $20 rain boots split apart in the middle of a muddy dog park, it's worth the sacrifice.
That said, I just bought a pair of Kamiks for $30 and I have high hopes...
The Legendary Hunters boots are no longer made in the UK. They're made in China now. Once upon a time they were worth the price. Now? Not so much. Are they better than $20 pay less rubbers? Yup. But probably not REALLY worth more than the $50-70 price point. Google is your friend and there is a brand of wellies, still european made, that I believe pick up where Hunters sadly left off.
@equalityjones - Hunter boots have been made in China since late 2007, it's true.
But the company uses a proprietary rubber process that actually originated in China, not Edinburgh, like the Hunter company did originally.
Also, the shank is still made in a factory in Scotland, to this day. The shanks are shipped to China for final assembly. Lots of things are made in China. Doesn't mean they are automatically not worth purchasing.