At the airport
Safety: A good combination lock should do three things: Secure your belongings, provide access to TSA inspectors and feature a code you can actually remember. That’s the idea behind the Wordlock ($12), a letter-based version of Travel Sentry’s familiar TSA-approved locks. With 10,000 possible combinations, you should be able to find a four-letter word you won’t forget. Available through Magellan’s.

Convenience: Many containers that comply with TSA’s restrictions on liquids are hard to empty completely and a pain to refill. PKOH NYC offers an innovative alternative: Their light-bulb-shaped bottles ($20 for two) are made of squeezable silicone, hold two fluid ounces and sit upright on a flat base that also serves as a wide-mouth cap for easy filling and dispensing.

Portability: Taking a different approach to TSA’s liquid restrictions, Travelon offers a variety of toiletries in tablet form. Simply drop a tab in a cup of water and you’ve got mouthwash, tooth gel or shaving cream ($7-$9). The company also sells a one-quart, zip-top, clear-PVC bag with four TSA-compliant plastic bottles ($7).

Out and about
Safety: The farther you roam, the harder it can be to find both potable water and reliable power. Hydro-Photon, makers of the SteriPEN line of UV-based water purifiers, tackles both problems with a new solar charging case ($50) for their Traveler and Adventurer units. Depending on solar conditions, it will recharge two batteries in two to four days. (It can also charge off traditional 110V/240 sources.)

Convenience: Sometimes, recharging isn’t an option — say, when your PDA or iPod dies mid-flight — and you need an immediate boost. That’s the idea behind the newest iGo powerXtender ($16) from Mobility Electronics. Using 2 AA batteries and a system of interchangeable tips (sold separately), the pocket-sized unit provides up to four hours of additional runtime for thousands of mobile devices.

Portability: Part iPod docking station, part carrying case, the SoundMate ($30) features a hidden, flat-panel speaker that lets you listen to your music without headphones. Made of synthetic leather, it runs on two AAA batteries (included) and provides protection from bumps, dust and sand. It’ll even float if it falls off your boat. Available through The Gadget Locker and MacFriends.

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