Travel Gear Touchdowns: Road Trip Essentials for Game Days and Tailgates

Fall is here, and it’s game on for families across the nation committed to following their beloved NFL clubs as well as college, high school and peewee league football teams. And for many, “following” means literally hitting the road and heading to the big game or games. While getting to the stadium is a commitment in its own right, there are helpful gear, gadgets and goods sure to make a football weekend even more flavorful, fun … and safer for every fan on the go. The extra point over the goal post? This gear will come in handy for camping outings in the post season.

Case and Ombraz © Ombraz Sunglasses

Although summer is over, did you know sunlight actually becomes brighter as winter approaches? And with games and pre-game festivities happening in broad daylight, sunglasses are a necessity but also something prone to breakage and loss at inconvenient times. Ombraz ($100-150), a savvy Seattle startup, set out to solve various problems connected to traditional sunglasses (falling off, breakable arms, hurting the sides of one’s head). The company’s handcrafted frames, equipped with Zeiss lenses and styled in a classic unisex aviator shape, attach directly to an adjustable cord that keeps these shades securely and comfortably in place. The company, in conjunction with the Eden Reforestation Projects, plants 20 trees for each pair sold.

Bottled water and Tupperware containers helped generations of fans stay hydrated and powered up for the games. However, a new generation of eco-friendly glassware to go touched down from Australia, bringing extra style and a sense of purpose to mealtimes in the parking lot or stands. Both Jococup ($25 and up) and Keepcup

($15 and up) products are designed to protect and mitigate use of disposable plastic containers. Both companies’ lines are available in a myriad of accent colors (via lids and silicone sleeves) that can be coordinated to fit the family’s favorite team’s uniform, and feature customization options to highlight your athlete’s school or university. Better still, purchasing these handy dandy cups support several environmental causes.

© www.jococups.com

After a long car ride, nobody really wants to stand for hours on end. As folding portable chairs can be incredibly uncomfortable for grown-ups or too flimsy for small fans, Picnic Time provides everybody with the best seats in — or out of — the house with its portable recliner seats ($66.95 each). Each seat is built on a flexible but sturdy steel frame, and filled with high-density PU foam providing added support and comfort. Armrests can be inverted and tucked away to increase the width of the seat to 20 inches. After the game, simply fold the chairs into their cases and go. Add extra warmth and flair with the company’s blanket tote ($22.95).

The durable and waterproof Kicker Bullfrog Bluetooth BF speaker series ($199-399) makes for an enjoyable pre-game or half-time show thanks to a long battery life as well as IP66 certification that verifies it is also resistant to dirt, dust and sand. Other features include control from one’s smartphone via the Kicker Connect mobile app, a 100-foot Bluetooth range, 3.5mm AUX and USB output, and an FM Radio (which steps into play when weak signals can disrupt Bluetooth streaming).

While a grill is a welcome presence at every game outing, the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 TRU-Infrared Portable Gas Grill ($149) is road-ready with a high-impact frame, convenient handles and carry case, and an unprecedented 200 square inches of cooking space. With its proprietary cooking technology, its on-the-go grilling scores additional points with its anti-flare-up engineering for safety and cooking food thoroughly. The Instant-Read Digital Thermometer, $19.99, meanwhile, ensures an accurate read of different types of meat, taking the guesswork out of figuring out when your food is done. An LCD screen makes reading temperatures a snap, and the thermometer also folds up for easy storage.