The luggage tag I didn’t think I needed — until I tried it

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I’ll be honest: I didn’t think I needed another luggage tracker. For years, I’ve successfully traveled with a couple of AirTags tucked into luggage, backpacks, and even ski bags, so I wasn’t actively looking for a new gadget. But when the Knog Scout Travel luggage tag landed on my doorstep, I was intrigued.

I hooked it to my suitcase for my next trip, wondering whether I’d like it better than an AirTag or if it would end up in my top drawer never to see light again.

Spoiler: It's a must-have. (Sorry AirTags, I still love you too.)

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Right out of the box, I was impressed. The Scout Travel tracker can be secured to your luggage with the supplied anti-tamper bolt and braided steel cable. Unlike with an AirTag, you don’t need any extra mount or accessory, and in fact, there are two different cable lengths included.

Pairing it with my iPhone took only seconds through the Find My app (which is also used by an AirTag), and I loved that it integrated seamlessly into the network I already use.

It's worth noting that the Scout Travel only works with iOS devices — which is also the case with AirTags.

I've used the Scout Travel tag on multiple flights, and a few things really stood out:

For fun, I tested the built-in motion alarm while in the airport. With its 85dB alert, it proved to me how loud the alarm is while armed — even in a crowded and noisy space.

You can toggle the alarm on or off in the Knog app, with many additional customization options available as well.

One of my favorite aspects of the Scout Travel compared to an AirTag is the rechargeable USB-C battery. Not only do I never have to worry about replacing a lithium coin battery, but the battery life also lasted much longer than I expected. I only had to charge it after several months of travel.

On the Scout Travel tag, there's a customizable QR code which can be set up within the Knog app. While it serves the same purpose as a standard luggage tag with your name and contact info, the benefit here is that you can change your message on a whim, if needed.

And after multiple uses — with the tag hanging off the exterior of my luggage — there's been no damage. This includes being thrown around by baggage handlers, riding a conveyor belt, being shoved in the overhead bin inside the aircraft, and even sitting in the snow in the bitter-cold New England weather.

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Although the Scout Travel was overall great, there are of course some downsides.

Once the tag is secured to a bag handle, it’s not as easy to move between luggage pieces as you might hope. You need to use the included key tool to remove the wire cord, which can be a nuisance. And if you were to lose the tool, that could be an issue in itself.

If your goal is to keep the Scout Travel tracker dedicated to one piece of luggage, then this isn't an issue at all. And in fact, this inconvenience is what helps ensure that the tag can't be tampered with if lost or stolen.

But, if you believe your usage will include moving it to a different piece of luggage or backpack for every trip, you might find it to be a slight annoyance. While removing the tag is easy enough, it's an extra step when it comes to the packing process — and you'll need to keep the key in a well-known place.

A single Scout Travel tracker is over $60 ($65.99 on Amazon as of publish time, to be exact). That's about three times the price of an Apple AirTag.

Multiply that by the number of suitcases and backpacks you want tracked, and this can get quite pricey.

But of course, it all boils down to the features you're looking for.

After several months with the Scout Travel, it has a permanent spot on my luggage. It's truly designed with travel in mind, offering a few more smart features than most other trackers.

If you want a smart luggage tag with a little more to offer — something that doesn’t just track, but also protects — the Scout Travel is absolutely worth adding to your travel lineup.

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