IN THE COMFORT ZONE

You spend so much time on the road, you might as well be comfortable. Fortunately, cab comfort has come a long way since the early days of trucking, and there's now enough gear and gadgets available to turn your rig into a true home away from home. On the following pages, we highlight some of the essentials to make your job as enjoyable as possible. From what you wear, to what you sit on, to gadgets that help you pass your downtime, we offer some suggestions on cool tools that will make your tough job just a bit easier.

We'd love to hear what gear or gadget you find essential to life on the road. If we haven't included it here, write to us at Road King, 28 White Bridge Road, Suite 209, Nashville, Tenn., 37205, or drop us an e-mail at editor@roadking.com.

Max Burton Stove-To-Go (above, right) Heat things up right in your cab. Locate goods: TravelCenters of America; $32.99

12-Volt Coffee Maker (above, right) This 10-cup coffee maker can help you get through the longest haul. Locate goods: TravelCenters of America; $39.99

Ombre Woven Blanket (above, right) Beyond warmth, provides some color and a personal touch. Locate goods: TravelCenters of America; $10.99

Supersonic 13" Color TV (above, right) With built-in DVD player, to keep things compact. Locate goods: TravelCenters of America; $199.99

XM Satellite Radio (above, right) Roady 2 is made for trucks. Locate goods: TravelCenters of America; $99.99

More Items

Western Denim Shirt Snaps down the front and at two front pockets in this 100 percent cotton shirt. Locate goods: www.pendleton-usa.com; $50

Flannel Lined Denim Shirt Roomy, relaxed fit allows for layering; 6.75-ounce cotton denim with cotton flannel lining. Locate goods: www.wrangler.com; $29.99 and up

Expedition Shirt Open rear cape gives ventilation on warm days. Locate Goods: www.cabelas.com; $24.95-$29.95

Carhartt Duck Work Dungarees Quilt-lining keeps you warm; includes buttons for suspenders. Locate Goods: www.supercasuals.com; $63

Carhartt Denim Logger Jeans Double knees, double tool pocket, hammer loop and ruler pocket. Locate Goods: www.supercasuals.com; $42.50

Wrangler Cowboy Cut Jeans Official Pro-rodeo competition jeans in 15-ounce heavyweight denim. Locate Goods: www.gemplers.com; $34.99

George Strait Cowboy Cut Relaxed Jeans Heavyweight denim and looser fit makes these a must for the road. Locate Goods: www.sheplers.com; $34.99

Redwing Boots Waterproof nubuck leather. Locate Goods: www.redwing.com; $169

Georgia Boot Romeo Slip-on comfort with steel shank and oil-resistant outer. Locate Goods: www.nashvilleboots.com; $69

Air Trail Exposure II Waterproof shoe with reinforced toe and heel. Locate Goods: niketown.nike.com; $65

Ipath Reed Shoe Comfort and style will make your feet happy. Locate Goods: www.ipath.com; $69.95

Durango Frontier Western Boot Tan distressed leather already looks worn-in. Locate Goods: www.nashvilleboots.com; $109

Rocky Ranch Wellington Features Gore-Tex fabric and fullgrain leather. Locate Goods: www.cabelas.com; $115.99

Dan Post Teju Lizard Boot Comfort and style in basic black. Locate Goods: www.nashvilleboots.com; $320

Rocky 12" Traditional Western Work Boot Waterproof chocolate brown leather. Locate Goods: www.rockyboots.com; $178.99

Red Wing Pull-On Boot Waterproof leather and removable footbed. Locate Goods: www.redwingshoes.com; $164

Coleman Sunglasses PolyCarbonate lenses are ten times more impact-resistant than plastic. Locate Goods: www.coleman.com; $19.95

Gargoyles Sunglasses GXP Metals Lightweight glasses with distortion-free polarizing film. Locate Goods: www.technical-gear.com; $69.99

Oakley Sunglasses Driving glasses protect from wind, UV rays and projectiles. Locate Goods: www.oakley.com; $105-$170

Pendleton Varsity Bag Go colorful with this blanket cloth bag with a nylon lining. Locate Goods: www.crazycrow.com; $84

Kodiak Island Duffel This extra large bag is of heavy-duty construction. Locate Goods: www.amazon.com; $30

Samsonite 32" Rolling Duffel Skate wheels ease your back when lugging your gear. Locate Goods: www.samsonite.com; $120

Coronado Shaving Kit Waterproof with self-repairing zippers. Locate Goods: TravelCenters of America; $9.99 Coleman Carryall Durable nylon stands up to stuffing and hauling. Locate Goods: TravelCenters of America; $12.99

Massaging Lumbar Pillow From HoMedics, battery operated pillow. Locate Goods: www.amazon.com; $19.99

Tranquility Zone Relaxation System Has a back massager, storage pockets and reading light. Locate Goods: www.amazon.com; $100

Contour Memory Pillow The space-age foam molds to fit your shape, with head and neck support. Locate Goods: www.amazon.com; $39.95 and up

Alpaca Wool Pillows Supportive and comfortable. Locate Goods: www.allergybuyersclub.com; $94.94-$109.95

Goose Down Travel Pillow Comes with cover to be rolled up and tied. Locate Goods: www.thecompanystore.com; $44

Anti-Allergy Pillows Made of Amicor fiber. Locate Goods: www.bedbathandbeyond.com; $19.99

10 Million Candlepower Spotlight Rechargeable, with swivel stand and carrying belt. Locate Goods: www.amazon.com; $69.99

Bluetooth Headset Motorola unit weights 20 grams. Locate Goods: ; $79.99

Plantronic Bluetooth Headset Wireless freedom and noise-cancelling microphone. Locate Goods: www.headsetexperts.com; $169.99

Jabra Earwave Boom Headset Weighs 1 oz. Locate Goods: www.amazon.com; $29.99

12-Volt Thermo-Electric Cooler/Warmer Can hold a six pack; has shoulder strap. Locate Goods: www.familyonboard.com; $49.95

Coleman Powerchill 40-quart cooler. Correction to March/April Issue: Note that the Coleman Powerchill cooler featured in the March/April 2005 issue of Road King had an incorrect price. The correct retail price is $89.95, with the 12-volt adapter being an additional $39.95. Locate Goods: www.rei.com; $89.95

Black & Decker Dustbuster Crevice tool to get between the seats; 12-volt adapter. Locate Goods: www.tooled-up.com; $19.95

Ionic Breeze Air Purifier Freshen and sanitize the air. Locate Goods: www.sharperimage.com; $99.95

12-Volt Air Purifier and Ionizer Eliminates odors, dust, pollen and smoke. Locate Goods: TravelCenters of America; $24.99

iTrip For iPod FM transmitter plays music through your radio. Locate Goods: www.griffintechnology.com; (iPod at www.apple.com) iPod-$299 and up; iTrip-$35

Sirius Streamer Made specifically for trucks, to bring satellite radio to the cab. Locate Goods: TravelCenters of America; $129.99

Cobra Nav One Plug-n-go mobile navigation until system helps you find your way. Locate Goods: www.amazon.com; $1,199.99

Delphi XM Roady Satellite Radio Features ultra-thin antenna. Locate Goods: TravelCenters of America; $99.99

Casio Pathfinder Triple Tool Sports Watch Has a digital compass, barometer, thermometer. Locate Goods: www.casio.com; $116

Victorinox Swiss Army Watch Bezel flips up to reveal solar compass. Locate Goods: www.swissarmy.com; $395

Vertech II Alpin Has altimeter, barometer, thermometer. Locate Goods: www.avocet.com; $170