The vacation has been booked for a long time. Flight, hotel, rental car – you might think it’s all sorted. All too often, however, this is not enough. You need more than that for a carefree vacation. For example, a functional suitcase, suitable clothing and – depending on the country – an adapter for the smartphone charging cable.
That’s why suppliers of such products are booming ahead of the peak summer travel season. Travelnews went to Digitec Galaxus, Switzerland’s largest online retailer, to find out which travel items have been particularly popular in recent weeks – divided into seven categories. The following items were sold the most:
Travel accessories
In the classic travel accessories category, the “LS 06” luggage scale from Beurer (pictured) comes out on top. No other product sold more in this category. The luggage scale costs 19 francs and the vast majority of buyers are very satisfied with it. 90 percent of them rated the luggage scale with four or the maximum of five stars (overall rating 4.5). Other popular travel accessory products include luggage tags, head and neck pillows and sleep masks.
Suitcases
When it comes to suitcases, a product from Samsonite comes out on top. The “S’Cure” model (pictured) for 140 francs is the top seller this summer. It has a volume of 102 liters. The suitcase received an overall rating of 4.7 from the community.
The “Soundbox” model from American Tourister performs even better – in both the large (110 liters) and small (41 liters) formats. It received two overall scores of 4.8. Cost: CHF 153 for the large and CHF 119 for the small version. In the sales ranking, these suitcases come in second and fourth place.
Only one model that is not from Samsonite or American Tourister makes it into the top ten best-selling suitcases: The 93-liter “Prymo” suitcase from Wenger takes tenth place. It costs 140 francs.
Tent
The “Pop up” model from Koor (photo) is the top seller among the tents. This is not a camping tent, but a beach shell. It offers space for two people and costs 29.90 francs. The “Pop up” received an overall rating of 4.6 from buyers.
The best-selling camping tent is the “Hubba Hubba NX” model from the Msr brand. Cost: 599.90 francs. The tent weighs around one and a half kilos and offers space for two people. 97 percent of the community gave it four or five stars. This results in an overall rating of 4.8.
Toiletry bag
In Germany it is called a toiletry bag, for us in Switzerland it is the Necessaire. No matter what the bag for your toiletries is called: It is indispensable on vacation. The bestseller is a practical, low-cost version for hand luggage. The “Wow Traveler” model from Leitz (pictured) is the winner. It costs 8.15 francs and has an overall rating of 4.7. The “Travelcosmetic” model from Reisenthel is the best-selling product in the slightly more expensive range. Cost: 19.10 francs. This toiletry bag also received an overall score of 4.7 from buyers.
Hiking boots
If you prefer the mountains to the sea, you need good hiking boots. In this category, the “Aequilibrium” model from La Sportiva (pictured) is the best-selling pair. It costs 379.90 francs. The overall rating is four, although hardly any reviews have yet been given for these hiking boots. Hikers looking for a cheaper trekking shoe will find what they are looking for in third place: The “TX4 Evo GTX” model, also from La Sportiva, is available for 179.10 francs. This pair has not yet been rated by anyone.
Functional shirt
The “Active Warm Eco” model from Swiss manufacturer Odlo (pictured) takes the top spot for functional shirts. The price: 64.90 francs. The ratings: very good. The shirt received an overall score of 4.8 from buyers.
Unlike in the other categories, products from very different manufacturers are represented in the top ten. For example, the “Base Layer Sleevless Shirt” from Gore Wear (price: 23.20 francs) or the “Invent 4.0 Run Speed Shirt” for 72.60 francs from X-Bionic.
Travel adapter
For many people, the cell phone is not only the most important gadget in everyday life, but also on vacation. This makes it all the more important to have a functioning charging cable with you – and, if necessary, an adapter for the socket abroad. The “US/Japan travel adapter” from Goobay (pictured) is currently the most popular product. It costs CHF 7.90 and gets an overall rating of 4.5. Of the more expensive products that work all over the world, the “Pro Light USB AC30PD World USB-C30W” model from Skross is the most popular. Cost: 47.95 Swiss francs.