For a smoother passage
GEAR
Whether you bike, skateboard or rent e-scooters, a packable helmet may save your life. For your eyes, UV-deterring shades protect while looking super cool. And for chilly environments, we say pack a scarf.
Light up the night
I am not unbiased about the Lumos Kickstart Helmet. I was wearing one when I had an e-scooter accident in September, and it saved me from a concussion (although I broke my jaw, which wasn’t its fault).
Besides its cranium cushioning, it has lights to let people know you’re on the road. Whether you want illumination,(10 white LED lights on the front), turn signals (two sets of 11 yellow LED lights on the sides) or just to make sure you’re noticed (16 red LED lights in a triangle pattern on the rear), the Lumos Kickstart Helmet makes cyclists stand out. The lights on the front and back can be solid or flash slowly or rapidly.
The helmet comes with a rechargeable remote turn signal that you attach to handlebars. When you want to make a turn, you push the corresponding button on the remote. (Apple Watch wearers can signal turns using the free Lumos iOS app.) This helmet also passed the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and European 1078 safety standards. Cost, info: The Lumos Kickstart Helmet costs about $180; LumosHelmet.co
Portable protection
What if a helmet could transform into a hero like Optimus Prime or Bumblebee and save your brain?
Enter Morpher, a foldable helmet designed for portable protection. It folds to 2 1⁄2 inches thick, weighs less than a pound and fits most teens and adults. Snap together the side latches and you have a helmet that meets both the CPSC and European safety standards. Note that the helmet is for heads 20 1 ⁄2 to 22.8 inches in circumference. Cost, info: The Morpher helmet costs $149; MorpherHelmet.com
Maui-born shades
Maui Jim sunglasses offer eyes protection from harmful UV rays. A mirror coating on the top and bottom of the lenses blocks 99.9% of the sun’s glare, the company says, so eyes can relax rather than squint. Maui Jim sunglasses have earned the Skin Cancer Foundation recommendation for their UV protection. Research shows UV rays can cause skin cancer around the eyelids and contribute to macular degeneration, cataracts and corneal sunburn, according to Prevent Blindness.
The new Mongoose frames come in gloss or matte black, translucent gray or tortoise. Lens options include HCL Bronze and Neutral Grey along with two mirror-coated colors, Blue Hawaii and MauiGreen.
Cost, info: Most Maui Jim sunglasses start at $229. Mongoose nonprescription sunglasses cost about $249; MauiJim.com
Comfy companion
Jack and Mary Designs Cashmere Circle Scarf is a great plane pillow when it’s rolled up. It can also warm your head and neck on a chilly night.
When you have a window seat, “it’s the perfect multipurpose accessory for cushioning your head,” founder Marilyn Robertson said in an email. Even better, Jack and Mary Designs are eco-friendly because their products are made from repurposed cashmere sweaters.
Cost, info: Circle scarves cost $70. If you just need to keep your head warm, the beanie is about $30; JackAndMaryDesigns.com