Travel Essentials: Kobo Forma eReader

I don’t know about you guys, but I find travel to be quite hectic and fast-paced. One of the ways I sloowww things down when abroad is by reading a good book. Preferably with coffee, cocktail or wine in hand. Problem is, I always face the space/weight dilemma most of us encounter when packing. You know… when you compile everything you want to take and have to make cuts to meet the increasingly strict airline restrictions. So, inevitably, my pile of books gets reduced to one (if that) and my hopes of relaxing poolside with a good read are shattered. BUT WAIT — not anymore!! Guys, I finally got my paws on an eReader and it’s not just any e-reader, it’s the crème de la crème of eReader: the NEW Kobo Forma…

Isn’t she a beaut?! I’ve been eyeing Kobo eReaders for a long time and am so impressed by what the scientists, designers and developers have created. This is the thinnest, most durable and ergonomic Kobo eReader on the market. It’s really a dream for anyone who travels as much as I do. Here’s why:

Why Kobo Forma Is The Best eReader For Travel

1. It’s Super Light & Thin

The Kobo Forma is the lightest eReader I’ve ever held and one of the lightest on the market at 197 g. Equally impressive is how THIN this device is, just take a look at a side-by-side comparison with my passport holder below — I couldn’t believe it…

2. Splashy, Splashy – It’s Waterproof

One of my pet peeves is accidentally getting a book wet. The pages curl, the spine gets brittle and the cover gets warped. So when I heard that the Kobo Forma is FULLY waterproof from inside and out I knew it was going to be my favourite feature. Safe for the beach, pool, bathtub etc. you can technically dunk the eReader in 2 metres of water for up to 60 mins thanks to the patented HZO Protection™. My dreams of reading poolside with cocktail in hand have been revived again…

3. Thousands Of Books On One Device

With a storage capacity of 8GB, you can store up to 6,000 eBooks on the Kobo Forma!! That means you don’t have to worry about weight restrictions when packing, having to carry your books around during your travels OR getting stuck with the one/two book selections you brought along. I’ve already started browsing eBook Bestsellers lists so I can add some hot titles to my device. Oh, and did I mention the Kobo Forma has integrated eBook borrowing?! Yup, you can borrow eBooks from public libraries right from your device with built in OverDrive. Yeay!!

4. It’s Durable

Kobo Forma is one of the most durable eReaders available on the market. The Mobius® technology allows the device to handle all of the pressures of daily use. In fact, the team at Kobo found it could withstand more bends, twists, full handbags and overloaded backpacks than any previous eReader. Oh and it can withstand drops of more than 2 meters! I’m pretty careful with my electronics, but when you throw a toddler into the mix anything is possible so I appreciate this feature.

5. It Has A Huge Screen

I’m getting older, can you tell? LOL. I like big screens because they allow more text on each page. If you’re into comics/other books that have small font you’ll appreciate the 8″ HD screen even more.

6. It’s Easy On The Eyes

Yes, the Kobo Forma is pretty. But I’m talking about the ComfortLightPRO technology that allows you to adjust the front-light. You can set the brightness by swiping up or down on your screen and the device will gradually reduce blue-light exposure that keeps you alert during the day so you can transition to bed time in the evenings. This feature is also great for travel because you can adjust brightness to read on dark planes/trains without disturbing the passengers beside you.

7. It’s Ergonomic & Comfortable To Hold

The new and ergonomic curved design is on point. I love that there’s a raised grip on the side — the slight elevation makes Kobo Forma really comfortable to hold. Oh and the new page-turn buttons are much appreciated since it means I can free up my other hand to hold a drink…

Kobo Forma, with 8GB of storage, is available in black and retails for $299.99 CAD at select retailers and on www.kobo.com.

A huge thanks to Kobo for sending over a Kobo Forma for me to test out and for sponsoring this post. I am certain the eReader will be a travel essential for years to come! Comment below with your favourite eBooks so I can start building my eLibrary.