Gadling

Gadling Gear Review: OverLand Equipment's Ellis Bag

Pam Mandel — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

I see more and more iPads in transit these days - on airplanes, on the bus, and one of my in-laws drags hers around and uses it as her camera. I remain a netbook user; I never really fell for my iPad as a travel computer. The fragility of it makes me nervous. I don't like carrying it around with me; it's too slippery and shiny. Bag makers are tapping into that anxiety by designing carry cases for your iPad (that are, handy for me, often exactly the right size for a netbook, too).

OverLand Equipment makes a nice little bag to keep your iPad stowed and safe while you're schlepping it through security or on the express bus to work. It's the Ellis Large, a shoulder bag with a lightly padded pocket that's just the right size to protect your hardware.

The back pocket has two sections: one for your iPad or netbook and the other for your power supply. The front section is divided up into a series of pockets and easily accommodates your wallet, phone, keys, lip balm, boarding passes; the kind of stuff a traveler drags around with them.

There's an adjustable shoulder strap, long enough so you can wear it messenger-style, across your body. The hardware is plastic; it feels heavy duty enough to handle some wear and tear, but I've come to have a preference for metal hardware because it lasts longer. The one thing I really wanted was a key hook; it seems I'm always digging around in the bottom of my bag for my keys.

Here's my dilemma. There is nothing wrong with the Ellis; it's a perfectly nice bag for the price. But I've also tried the Ristretto from Tom Bihn. At $125, it costs nearly three times what the Ellis costs but it spoiled me for the Ellis. I kept mentally comparing the Ellis to the Bihn bag, and it didn't stack up.

I'm sensible; you should be too. If you don't want to drop a C-note and change on a bag, the Ellis Large will serve you nicely. It's a good little bag and stows your gear nicely. It comes in two colors, Poppy (red) and black. The bag retails for $45 directly from OverLand Equipment.

Gadling Gear Review: OverLand Equipment's Ellis Bag originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cellphone Accessories For Our Mobile Overlords

Pam Mandel — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

There's no device I love to hate as much as I hate to love my iPhone. (You read that right.) Your mileage may vary; you may not feel like both a chump and a devotee while caressing your mobile whatever. Until I attain your Zen-like state, I feel annoyed whenever I find myself buying presents for my phone, even if they are practical and make using my phone a better experience. Here's the drill on three extras I've been using lately.

G-Form Extreme Grid iPhone Case: Drop your phone one time ONLY on the bus and you'll wish you'd shelled out for a case. It's like Apple is intentionally propping up the case market by using that slippery exterior. I used an Otter Box on my iPhone 3, but I've come to prefer the weird grippy exterior of the G-Form on my iPhone 4. People keep making fun of the almost tire tread like bumpy black box I wrap my phone in, but the fact is, it stays put in my hand and has enough padding and bounce that my phone didn't shatter into tiny expensive bits when I dropped it on the 54. There was an audible gasp from the people around me, but I just picked up my phone and went back to listening to vintage sci-fi radio theater and posting pictures to Instagram.

The case comes in black or black and yellow. I kind of wish I'd got the yellow just because it would make the phone easier to find when it's lost in my backpack. Cost: about $40. That might seem expensive, but it's going to cost you more than that to buy a new phone.

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Cellphone Accessories For Our Mobile Overlords originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Museum Month: Spark Museum Of Electrical Invention

Pam Mandel — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST

I was enchanted from the moment I hit the start button on the "Ben Franklin discovers electricity" display. A nerd at heart, I love history and gadgets and complicated objects that look like they could be steam punk sculptures but actually, changed the course of history, of modern life. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Enrico Marconi and that cultish nerd of all nerds, Nikola Tesla, all have a place at the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham, Washington.

I've made the pilgrimage to this oddball temple of electricity two, or three times. Something crazy always happens. A docent played Queen's "We Are the Champions" on the theremin. (Sorry, we asked, that guy doesn't work there anymore. You'll have to settle for this YouTube video.) A tall skinny guy with an encyclopedic knowledge of the dangers of current sparked off the Tesla coil. A gray-haired veteran wound up the gramophones and played the songs of another era, dragging us backwards through time. I swooned over the Bakelite radios, the brass and oak telephones and a TV with a round display. I took off my hat and my hair stood up, full of static from playing with the hands-on experiments that are targeted at kids - but who's not a kid when there's the blue snap of sparks and the chance to stick a balloon on the side of your mate's head?

The museum has been around in various incarnations since 1985. They moved in to their expansive space in downtown Bellingham in 2001. If you're even the tiniest bit geeky, you'll need more time than you'd expect to knock around the old brick warehouse. If a docent offers to show you how something works, say yes, you won't regret it.

And a tip, hardly a secret one, but worth knowing all the same: when your blood sugar drops from all that dorking it up over Leyden jars and radio tubes, head across the street to Rocket Donuts. They've got bacon maple bars, vintage sci-fi on the TV in the seating area, and a life-size replica of Gort from "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Nerd heaven.

[Photo: Vacuum Tube Displays, American Museum of Radio & Electricity by Lumachrome via Flickr (Creative Commons)]

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Museum Month: Spark Museum Of Electrical Invention originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Scratcher' Travel Map For Visual Boasting

Pam Mandel — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

"A map of the world begins with all the land masses having a brassy sheen, but that metallic surface scratches off like a lottery ticket to keep track of your travel destinations."

Like you don't want one. I want one and I'm neither a compulsive list maker nor one of those "I've been everywhere, man" people.

The "Where I've Been" Scratch Map Travel Edition is $25.00 on Fredflare.

'Scratcher' Travel Map For Visual Boasting originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's That Time Of Year: Neova Sunscreen

Pam Mandel — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

We had a run of spectacular weather recently, and some of it even fell on the weekend. I hung the hammock in the backyard for the first time in over a year and then, fell asleep in the blazing sunshine. My face wasn't completely tomato red, but I was pinked up. I had forgotten the sunscreen.

I'm much better about sun protection than I was when I was a younger, California based, tan pursuing lass. Some of it's a byproduct of moving north to Seattle, other parts of it are just that I'm considerably more aware of the damage sun can do to my skin. I got a brutal sunburn on the tops of my ears last year while on safari in Tanzania due to neglect - at least I'd been wearing a cap and didn't burn the top of my melon or my nose.

On day two of the best weekend since last summer, I remembered to cover my face, neck and the tops of my ears with SPF 45 with some sunscreen that's been kicking around waiting for a reason to exist. It worked, and though I fell asleep in the hammock again, I woke up half an hour later no more reddened for the, uh, effort.

NEOVA's DNA SPF 45 damage control sunscreen is expensive stuff. It's about $46 for a TSA approved serving (that's three ounces). The main ingredient is zinc, but it's transparent so you don't get that white smeary look when you're wearing it. It feels just a little sticky when it goes on, but that doesn't last, and it has almost no scent, so it's easy to forget you've got it on. It's waterproof, though it never hurts to reapply every few hours if you've been swimming or especially active.

There's a lot of marketing language with this product around anti-aging and DNA repair and the kind of stuff that makes us think we can reverse the effects of 20-plus years of forgetting to apply sunscreen when we go to the beach. I'd like to tell you that it made me look like I was 20 again, but no dice. I will tell you that it's not rocket science that you should wear sunscreen and that if you spend a little more money, you get sunscreen that feels a bit nicer and doesn't smell like plastic.

It's That Time Of Year: Neova Sunscreen originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spring Capri Pants For Women From Aventura

Pam Mandel — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

Capri length cargo pants are a must pack for every trip I take in the shoulder seasons - spring and fall. I like lots of pockets. I like having something that's lighter than a pair of jeans but is not a pair of shorts. I like being comfortable and casual without looking like I'm in my jammies. And I like the length, as my travel wardrobe leans towards the modest side for most destinations.

Aventura's Arden Organic Cotton Capris almost fit the bill. I wanted those cargo pockets on the side - that's where I like to put my phone. That's the ONLY thing I want. Beyond the additional pockets, I really like these pants.

I won't wear the zip off convertible trousers that some travelers favor. They're just too dorky for me, and that's saying something given my level of dorkiness. But I do like roll ups with tabs or ties to hold the cuffs in place. They're great for beach combing or sunny days. Aventura's capris have roll up cuffs and button-in-place tabs. The buttons are sewn on to ribbon detailing that runs down the leg. I like both the look and the fact that they're reinforced.

The fit on these is just about perfect, and that's a thrill for someone who's short but hardly skinny. They're low rise and there's a wide flat waist that sits just right. The pants are a good cut - flat front, straight in the leg but not too narrow for a person who like cookies. There are button-flap pockets in back and flat pockets in front. On me, they're a little long, but again, they roll up so they can be adjusted to the right length.

Fashion mavens are not going to make any bold trendsetting statements in these pants, but my travel wardrobe tends towards practical and comfortable. The pants come in six colors including white (is it after Labor Day yet?) and they feel soft and wearable right out of the box. They hold their size after washing, too.

I don't know about you, ladies, but I have a terrible time finding pants that fit. Because the cut is so great, I'm tempted to throw a bunch of their other styles into my virtual shopping cart. Your mileage may vary, of course, as fit is purely subjective (plus, I tried on one of their dresses and oh, it did not work at all on me). That said, the Arden Capris totally fill my need for casual, lightweight, and versatile clothing for spring travel and I'll likely be packing them well into fall. They're $72 directly from Aventura.

Spring Capri Pants For Women From Aventura originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Sardine Can Camera from Lomography

Pam Mandel — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

When I first started taking photos, I used this stuff called "film." You loaded it into your camera, fiddled with a bunch of settings and then pressed the shutter and prayed. You didn't get to look at your pictures right away or tweet them to your friends or post them to your blog - oh ho ho no, you first had to take the film to a place that knew what to do with it. In the '90s, you could get your pictures on a CD, making them a zillion times more portable, but before that, you got prints and negatives or maybe slides. Hey, I still have a box full of yellow envelopes stuffed with fading memories of trips past.

Now I shoot primarily with my iPhone 4s, a device to which I am enslaved for all kinds of reasons, though I also shoot a Pansonic Lumix, which is a tiny pocketful of awesome, and sometimes, a Nikon D200 if I'm feeling like I want a lot of control. I LOVE my digital kit, I think digital photography is nothing short of voodoo magic and if you're addicted to over-processing and HDR, well, I'm not that into you but I get where you're coming from.

La Sardina (The Sardine Can) Camera from Lomography takes all that away from you and puts you right back to 1979 when you weren't at all sure what you were going to end up with, when you had a film safe bag for the X-ray machine and every now and then you posted those little black plastic canisters back home. Godspeed, little memories, I'll see you when my Eurail pass expires.

I absolutely love the look of this little camera. It's nothing short of adorable. It comes in a bunch of different patterns, there's one that's kind of steam punky and another with reptile scales and it's cute as a bug. Everything that comes with it is designed to make your eyeballs happy - the big fold out instructions and the book that teaches (or re-teaches) you "lomography," aka lo-fi photography. The packaging is gorgeous and the design work is inspired. I loved unpacking the camera; it was a joy.

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The Sardine Can Camera from Lomography originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling Gear Review: Cushe Wildrun Shoes For Women

Pam Mandel — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

Aching dogs are my biggest complaint after a long day out exploring. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have the right pair of shoes when you're traveling. I will not (I don't care what anyone says) sacrifice comfort for fashion when it comes to footwear -- though really, with my personal, uh, style, that is not an issue.

Good shoes for travel matter a LOT and you should pick yours carefully and err on the side of comfort if you must choose. I've been wandering about in a pair of Wildrun shoes by Cushe and my dogs, they're liking it. They've also passed the airport test and are cute enough that I wore them with nice trousers for an office appearance without getting the stink eye. (Caveat: It helps that I'm from Seattle. Everyone expects us to always look like we just got back from the summit of Mount Rainier.)

What do I mean by "the airport test?" I mean they're easy to get in and out of at the security checkpoint. They're lace-ups, but they're a hybrid of a lace-up and a slip-on, meaning you don't have to untie them to get in and out of them. There's a quick release gripper on the ties so if you need to cinch them down you can. But the shoes are also stretchy so you can slip them on and off quite easily.

I spent a 24-hour trip to LA in these shoes and they stayed comfortable for the entire trip -- which included a shocking amount of walking for LA. It's because they've got a memory foam insole. It's really spongy and soft. My feet felt great after roaming the sidewalks of Westwood (and I've been walking downtown Seattle in them, too).

The uppers are a combination of Neoprene (Cushe says it's EVA) and leather. I can't speak for their breathability; I've not been in hot places with them on my feet, but they're great in foul weather. They'd make a good beachcombing shoe if you're not worried about getting a little damp around the edges, and you can use them in a pinch as a hiker or a runner -- the sturdy Vibram sole means they're grippy and supportive.

And hey, bonus: I like them. They're kinda cute. They come in a nice weathered brown; I got the black. They fall under what I call "good enough" for casual, cleaned-up wear, meaning I'd wear them with a skirt or a nice pair of pants and could probably get away with it -- they don't look like running shoes or sneakers.

Sorry, guys. I looked; Cushe has some other styles but I don't see a direct analogy to this in the men's line. Ladies, get a pair directly from Cushe, they're $105. These plus a dressier pair of something strappy, and you are set for almost anything.

Gadling Gear Review: Cushe Wildrun Shoes For Women originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New PR Push from TSA: Checkpoint Hotties

Pam Mandel — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: April Fools Posts

This winter, you'll find something new between the super cute kitties and inspiring nature photos that fill the calendar racks at your local bookstore. Sources say the TSA is hard at work on "Checkpoint Hotties: 12 Reasons to Opt Out in 2013," a calendar featuring their most attractive screeners.

There's no gender discrimination here. Two versions of the calendar will be released, one featuring men, the other featuring woman. Participants were recruited during a vigorous screening process that included a backscatter image. "We wanted to make sure that those bulges were all original equipment," said Lorenzo Hermosilla-Schmidt, the stylist for both editions of the calendar.

A TSA PR representative (who asked not to be named) revealed the thinking behind this new project. "We're constantly accused of invasive procedures at screening checkpoints. Since the TSA has no intention of altering the process, we thought, why not do something fun? Why not make the pat-down something to look forward to?"

The TSA was overwhelmed with internal support for the project. "I was just a part-time office temp in Odessa before I got my checkpoint screening gig at Houston International," said one pin-up. "Now I'm Mr. November!"

"My night shift schedule is hard on my family," said Miss July. "I'm also hoping that the additional recognition will earn me a position where every person I meet doesn't hate me. And a day shift would help."

Hermosilla-Schmidt says the calendar promises to be racy but not X-rated. The example he was willing to share? Mr. August. He's wearing boots, a highly abbreviated TSA uniform, and those signature blue latex gloves. Along with the suggestive wink, there's a caption that says, "I'm just going to use the backs of my hands, okay?"

With that kind of incentive, who wouldn't want to opt out? The calendar is projected to be in bookstores in November, just in time for pre-Christmas sales.

New PR Push from TSA: Checkpoint Hotties originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Travel Smarter 2012: The best gear for your 2012 travels

Pam Mandel — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

Bad gear is dead weight, you might as well toss it right into that bin with the stuff that the TSA says you can't take on the plane. A bag that has cheap zippers, clothing that doesn't dry quickly when you've washed it in the hotel room sink, refillable bottles that don't stay shut and ooze shampoo all over the shirt you packed especially for that client meeting... Packing smart is just, well, it's smart. After a year of gear, I've got some ideas about what works well for me, but also, I polled friends and readers for the smartest in new gear. And some of it? Wow, smart stuff.

Bits and Pieces

TSA sized squeeze bottles: Essential and clever, good qualities in a travel companion. You can get the last of your favorite shampoo out because they're squeezable. And refillable.

Solid shampoo: Lush Cosmetics makes a whole line of shampoos that you'll be able to take on the plane without grief. There's a solid conditioner too. Admittedly not new, but smart, indeed.

Gadgets

Kindle Fire: Readers love these things, and now that Amazon has updated the Kindle to include wifi, it's a whole lot more than just a portable library. Browse the web, send email, watch movies, it's a complete entertainment system that weighs about the same as a single paperback book.

Continue reading Travel Smarter 2012: The best gear for your 2012 travels

Travel Smarter 2012: The best gear for your 2012 travels originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hipster Hats that Make Me Happy

Pam Mandel — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

We're no Portland or Brooklyn, but dude, you can't swing a cat in Seattle without hitting a 20 something in something tweedy, a vest, maybe, and a flat cap. The thing is, you need a good hat in this town, it's not totally impractical to protect your melon from the relentless drizzle that dampens our spirits and waters down our Americanos. As much as I try to mock the bearded skinny jeans what on earth is your day job and did you think about how that tattoo is going to look when you are 50 plus all that bacon is bad for you set, I can't argue with a good hat. I just can't.

Which is why I left the house in a Tilley Endurable Ivy Cap. I joined the hipster masses and you know what people said? "Nice headwear!" The other style I tried, the Tec-Wool, got the same response. What did I say? I said you can't argue with a good hat. No one even tried.

Here's what I like about the Tilley winter caps. They have quilted lining and tuck away low profile ear flaps, so they're really warm and get warmer when you pull the ear flaps out. There's a secret pocket in the top where you can keep your bus pass or your marching orders or that love letter that really appeals to your brain. They're made of a very water resistant wool and they keep their shape when you smash them in your backpack with your laptop and your refillable coffee canister and all the other stuff you carry around. There's a little cinch strap inside so you can adjust the fit -- a nice touch. Both caps come in a tweedy brown or a textured black that's really a very dark charcoal gray. And I think I mentioned, they look great.

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Hipster Hats that Make Me Happy originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling Gear Review: Heat Holders Socks

Pam Mandel — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

I suffer terribly from cold feet; it's why I don't cheap out on socks. It's also why I have one of those electric heater mats on the floor under my desk (a gift from my mate who sometimes just nails the gift giving with weird yet supremely likeable prezzies). Socks are way low on the scale of glam gear down with quick-dry underwear and refillable three ounce bottles, but they're essential, and having warm feet can really make the difference between a lousy day or a good one.

Because of my terminally chilly paws, I was keen to see if Heat Holders are any better than the merino brands that stuff my sock drawer (SmartWool, IceBreaker, Dahlgren, and Darn Tough Vermont) at keeping my feet warm. (I am a fan of good socks, you may have guessed.) The short answer? Well, sort of.

I have a strong preference for natural fibers, it's a "less plastic stuff" thing. I'm not totally naive; I do know that sometimes, the synthetics are the way to go. I'm just not that keen to spend a couple of hours waxing a canvas raincoat because I want to go with heavy cotton over far superior modern materials like GoreTex or PolarTech. Heat Holders are an acrylic poly blend; there's nothing particularly natural about them.

They feel fine, though. They have a deep pile fleecy inside, they're kind of cuddly, furry, even, a little bit like the inside or your lambswool slippers. (No, I don't have those. The husband does and they're sweet.) Outside, they're, uh, a little plastic-y. I've been spoiled by merino, which I tend to prefer. But it's the outside of the sock, who cares?

Here's my issue with these socks. They're really bulky. All that fluffy really does work to keep your feet warmer, and they're great for sleeping in. But I couldn't get them in most of my shoes. I'm not totally sold on the idea that adding bulk is the best way to stay warm. I get it -- loft is how you hold heat and the loft that these socks somehow manage to provide, even after a full day's wear, works. They worked great in my wellies, which are a little big, but I couldn't wear them with many of my other winter boots. I'm wearing mine around the house and with my rain boots out in the wet, but for travel? Nope, too bulky.

The marketing text on the elaborate packaging says that these socks are "seven times warmer than your basic cotton sock." That's probably true. But I'm not sure they're seven times warmer than some of the wool or alpaca fiber socks I've got, and that's a more useful comparison.
Heat Holders socks come in a few styles: stripey, long, and in a slipper sock. Their original sock goes for just just under $20.00.

Gadling Gear Review: Heat Holders Socks originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snow Angel Dynamix Flare Leg Pants

Pam Mandel — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

I've posted before about my search for clothes that I can wear on the plane without looking like I've just fallen out of bed or come from yoga class. Don't get me wrong, I don't care what you wear on the plane, and I will not give you crap if you show up in seat 17F in your flannels with the penguins on them.

I'm trying to dress like the kind of human who might get an upgrade if she asks, nicely. I still believe in that fiction. Also, I feel slightly more human when I'm dressed like I actually bothered rather than put on whatever what was lying next to the bed. Still, I want clothes that are soft, don't bind, and feel fine after six eight ten hours in flight.

Snow Angel is a sport line -- base layers, long underwear, that kind of thing. But they've got heavier pieces that work well for travel. The shirts are nice, if a little shiny for my style, but I really like the Dynamix Flare Leg Pants. They're cut like a pair of jeans, with patch pockets on the pack and two shallower front pockets, but they're all stretch and give, easy to move around in.

Because they're made of a heavier weight fabric, they don't immediately read as yoga pants. They have a nice wide, flat waist band, stretchy and comfortable. There are no zippers or buttons or ties, they're just pull on and everything fits flat and smooth.

The fabric is all artificial stuff -- supplex and spandex. That's why you get that great stretchy feel. I have really sensitive skin and I had some doubts about whether these were going to work for me, but after two washings, whatever was making me itchy was gone, they're nice and soft now.

The pants come in two colors, a royal blue and a black. I prefer the black, you really can wear them with a nice blouse or sweater and look perfectly acceptable in most casual environments.The cut is quite flattering, too, ladies, you'll look good loading that bag into the overhead bin. They run true to size, though you could go up one size if you want a little more room.

The Dynamix pants aren't great for hot places, their made out of a not particularly breathable fabric, I found. But I was very comfortable wearing them on my last round of flights. They're wearing well and surviving the wash, plus, as I mentioned, I don't look like I just came from the gym while I'm standing at the coffee counter in SJC, IAH, or whatever airport I find myself in at 6am.

Snow Angel's Dynamix pants are 70.00 directly from their website.

Snow Angel Dynamix Flare Leg Pants originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eagle Creek Traverse Pro Roller Bag

Pam Mandel — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

I'm not ashamed to admit that I've made the full jump to the roller bag. It's what I pack now, unless I'm traveling super light, and then I just take a little day pack. The perfect bag remains just out of reach, though I've noticed some real improvements since I got my Costco standard sized carry on a few years back. Luggage is lighter and more versatile these days, and generally more thoughtfully designed.

The Traverse Pro is a combination bag -- a day pack and suitcase in one. There's a TSA friendly zip-off backpack and a standard roller bag. The bag is overhead bin sized even with the day pack on it, though if you've really stuffed it tight and you're on a smaller plane, you may find you can't stow the whole thing in the bin. To test the bag, I packed for a short weekend away, I flew to my destination --that's how I know about the overhead bin issue.

I wasn't thrilled with packing the Traverse, though it's easier to manage with the auxiliary backpack zipped off. The bag zips most of the way open with a large flap; I wanted it it to open all the way and to lay flat and it doesn't quite do that. It's not a dealbreaker, it's just a minor detail that could be improved.

The bag has your standard "keep your stuff in place" straps and the inside of the lid is a full zippered pocket for your lose items. There are two outside pockets on the front, one big sleeve, one smaller. You have to keep in mind that they're not easy to get to if you've got the day pack zipped on, so don't put your boarding pass in there.

The bag was easy to wheel around -- I liked the locking handle and the maneuverability of the wheels -- those things can be clunky sometimes, the handle sticks or the wheels just aren't smooth. This bag has nice base hardware and is easy to move around. Plus, it's light compared to anything else I've tested in this category. The zipper pulls are nice -- they have those round, finger tip shaped things that make the bag easy to open and close, but the zippers themselves were a little resistant when going around the corners on the bag.

Continue reading Eagle Creek Traverse Pro Roller Bag

Eagle Creek Traverse Pro Roller Bag originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling Gear Review: Quiksilver Shutter Speed Camera Pack

Pam Mandel — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

In 2011, I had the spectacular good fortune to go on two trips that fit the "once in a lifetime" category. One was to Antarctica, the other to Tanzania. Both were the kind of trips where you want to take your best photo gear, weight be damned, because, dude, how likely are you to be twice in Penguinistan or Elephantlandia? So schlep my gear I did, my heavy Nikon, the big telephoto, a video camera, a pocket camera, a zillion miles of cable, pockets full of camera memory and spare batters and oh, yeah the laptop for additional storage and backup.

Hauling that much electronica across the planet and back has its challenges -- before I had a decent camera pack, I used a standard day pack which plunged, before my very eyes, from a hook on the back of a door in Bangkok to a hard tile floor. The result? An irreparable 200 lens and a somewhat depressed traveler. Thankfully, it was the end of the trip.

I now use a pack especially designed for camera gear. I'm partial to my Kata Digital Backpack. I tried the Timbuk2 messenger bag -- it's nice but it doesn't really fit my geometry. Quiksilver -- yeah, that surf brand -- now makes the Shutter Speed pack, a bag designed to get your gear from the top to the the bottom of the planet in safety. The short wrap? This is a great bag for transit, but I'm not sure it makes the cut for regular use.

To find out if this is the bag for me, I gathered my usual kit and stowed it in the Shutter Speed. There are loads of pockets, internal, external, zippered, mesh, I had no trouble getting my complete kit, flash included, into the bag. And it was all very well organized. I moved the Velcro secured pads around so they held my gear in place and zipped the bag shut. Nice. My stuff didn't rattle around, it was very secure. I didn't drop test it, I'm just too traumatized by the last time that happened, but I feel like the camera would survive the fall.

I also put in a binder, a laptop, a water bottle, and a few other odds and ends. Everything was beautifully organized. There's a security pocket at the small of the back for your stealables (I mean beyond your equipment stealables) -- you're not going to have your wallet or passport lifted if you stow them there. There's a stowable rain cover, some lashing straps on the outside for your coat, and did I mention the zillions of pockets? All good.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Quiksilver Shutter Speed Camera Pack

Gadling Gear Review: Quiksilver Shutter Speed Camera Pack originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling Gear Review: Mobius Solar iPhone Battery/Charger

Pam Mandel — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

I kind of hate how much I love my iPhone. It's not right and yes, I'm addicted to it and shut up, don't you have something else to give me a hard time about? Like my social media addiction, which also, you could leave me alone about because it's a critical part of how I make a living, so back off already.

Plus, it was super cool when, thanks to the wonders of my phone, a roaming data plan, and the fact that Tanzania is dotted with cell phone towers even though there seemed to be a scarcity of power outlet, I could shoot video of the landscape in the Serengeti or the road to Arusha and then, whoa, upload it so my pals on Twitter could see it, like, right away. That's just freaking magical.

The thing is, that social media/cell phone addiction keeps me tethered to a power source and that can be kind of limiting. Hey, even when you're in a highly developed place, sometimes the rental car doesn't have an outlet and you forgot your car charger and you've burned up your battery trying to find directions to the B&B. What I'm saying is this: It's easy to chew through the juice you've got on your phone and not always easy to re-juice it.

I actively disliked the last solar charger I tried, it didn't work well as a case and it took too long to grab what limited power we get from the sun in the winter at home. I was keen to try out something new, that's how I ended up with the solar iPhone charger/case/battery from Mobius. I like this one considerably better, but it's still got some flaws.

First, the good stuff. It works well as a case. It's got a fairly efficient solar panel compared to the other model I tried. It charges over a standard mini to USB connector so you can use your laptop or that little USB plug thingy that comes with your iPhone to charge it. It's a little bulky, but because you can use it to hold your phone, it's not just some random extra gadget kicking around. It doubles the usage you get out of your phone -- nice if you're shooting video, uploading fat files, playing lots of music and podcasts, the "beyond phone calls" stuff that keeps junkies like me handcuffed to our cell phone overlords.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Mobius Solar iPhone Battery/Charger

Gadling Gear Review: Mobius Solar iPhone Battery/Charger originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling Gear Review: Winter hat and gloves

Pam Mandel — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

Seattle was recently choked by the kind of snowstorm that we're not supposed to get. It was followed by an ice storm, something I've never had the joy and/or terror to experience. It was also great gear testing weather. I unpacked my snow gear and the big parka, the long underwear, and wrapped my hands and head in SmartWool's "Snowflake Pop" knits.

I like hats with earflaps because well, they keep your ears warm. Even though I've rabbited on much too much about how I love SmartWool, I didn't believe that the hat would not be itchy and that it would not keep the wind off. I was wrong, it's super soft and my ears did not itch. It totally gave me hat hair, but whatever, pretty much every one in my city has hat hair right now. As for warmth, it was a frigid 28 degrees F and I was pelted with freezing rain and I was certainly warm enough. Caveat -- I was wearing the hood to my parka to keep from getting too wet. I've been wearing this littlle hat regularly since the temperatures dropped. I only have one wish for it -- the braids on the ends of the earflaps are a little short. Sometimes, you want to tie those things up so your ears aren't covered. When I turn the earflaps up, they stick out and I look like Yoda. Not a good look.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Winter hat and gloves

Gadling Gear Review: Winter hat and gloves originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling Gear Review: Insulated fleece jacket from LL Bean

Pam Mandel — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

Let's set aside the jokes around polar fleece as the uniform for us Pacific North-Westerners. First of all, I can take it and secondly, dude, polar fleece works. And really, it's getting better, the fabrics are getting softer and hold up longer and wash better. Even while I'm developing a preference for natural fibers, I'm finding myself pawing the new polar fleece performance clothing and thinking, "Hey, not bad, actually."

LL Bean has a new line of jackets out that are lightweight and weather resistant and really warm. Bonus, they're cut with quite a nice mind for style and have some details that make them worth packing.

Heads up -- they're not water proof, they're water resistant, that's a different animal. You'll be fine running for the car or the bus, or in transitional weather, but you'll want to add a rain jacket if it's really coming down.

LL Bean's insulated fleece jacket has all the basics that I look for in this kind of gear. There are zippered side pockets and a zippered upper pocket for your phone or wallet. And yes, there's a pull through for your headphones. The waist has an elastic pull so you can cinch it in place to keep the wind out. There's soft stuff where you want it -- the neck is lined with a fluffier material and the collar with a slightly smoother fabric that won't scratch your face when you're all zipped in against the cold.

Some additional nice details... the sleeves have a narrower cuff, great for keeping the wind out. Also on the sleeves, a heavier, wind-stop fabric. The jacket feels well constructed with double stitching and flat seams. The fit seems true to size, I got a medium, and it fits as I'd expect. It looks nice, too; I've had compliments when I'm wearing it. And it comes in a couple of different colors, a cranberry and a teal for women, and a gray, a dark blue and a burgundy for guys.

I'd have liked the black/gray to come in women's sizes too, I have a personal preference for neutral colors for the travel wardrobe. I'd also have liked to have a two way zip in the front, again a personal preference that helps with fit.

LL Bean rates this jacket as good down to 35 degrees/ -15F. I've been wearing it out in 40 degree temps and really liking it -- I'm warm without being weighed down. I stayed dry in damp, not quite pouring conditions, and I haven't felt constricted, it's great for running around in. A little bit of insulation combined with the Polartec wind-stop fleece seems to be doing its job.

Right now,the jacket is $124.00 directly from LL Bean, down from the original $149.00. Want one? Get it directly from LL Bean.

Gadling Gear Review: Insulated fleece jacket from LL Bean originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adventure Vacation Guide 2012: Ushuaia, Argentina

Pam Mandel — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Paddling, South America, Argentina

Just a few miles out of Ushuaia you can stand at the end of the Panamerican Highway and imagine the long line that connects you to Alaska. Wild nature surrounds you, face one direction and you'll see sharp granite peaks. Turn the other direction and you'll see the Beagle Channel, that relatively placid waterway that leads to the Drake Passage, and then, Antarctica.

Antarctica exploration hit a milestone last year, Roald Amundsen was the first man to reach the South Pole in December 1911. With 100 years of exploration behind us, it's now surprisingly easy to board a ship from Ushuaia and head out to that last place.

You can book an Antarctic trip from the comfort of home, but if you've got time to spare, head to Ushuaia during cruise season (typically January to March) and visit the travel agents that line San Martin. A last minute bookings can save you up to fifty percent.

Ushuaia vibrates with anticipation and exhilaration. The combination of Antarctica travelers both outbound and returning, cyclists (motor and pedal) who have completed the Panamerican Highway, and back country adventurers surfacing from the wilds of Patagonia make for a city where nearly everyone you meet is on an epic, once in a life time adventure.

[flickr image via 23am.com]

Adventure Vacation Guide 2012: Ushuaia, Argentina originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling Gear Review: Bamboo Bottle Company Water Bottle

Pam Mandel — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

I'm always losing water bottles. I'm grateful that they're swag at so many events, because I'm continually leaving them behind somewhere -- on airplanes, in hotel rooms, in the back seat of the rental car. Carrying a water bottle is The Right Thing to Do, not just because throwing away plastic bottle after plastic water bottle is bad. It's the right thing to do because you're on the move, man, you need to stay hydrated, and if you have a water bottle, you'll do a better job of that. So, yeah, a water bottle, you should have one.

I'm partial to stainless screw top water bottles, they fit in the site pockets on my day pack and if I've remembered to grab a carabiner, they clip in to place. I know lots of folks who like the non-BPA wide mouth plastic bottles too, they're easy to deal with and you can keep more than water in them -- I've used them to stow the cables for all my electronic stuff, for example.

Both of those options are lightweight, good for when you have to haul your stuff around, which I do, often. I mention this right away because the bottle I got from the Bamboo Water Bottle Company is heavy. It looks cool. It's well designed. It's made out of snappy materials. It's heavy. And that's before there's water in it.

The bottle pretty, it's really pretty. It's got a blond bamboo sleeve that protects the glass bottle inside from breaking. The sleeve also provides some insulation. The lid has a built in straw so it's easy to drink from while you're driving or riding your bike. There's a version with a flip top -- it snaps shut so your drink won't spill when you knock it over. The bottle comes apart so you can wash it; you can put everything but the bamboo sleeve in the dishwasher.

Here's the truth: I'm probably not going to use it much for travel. When the weather improves around here, it will be great for drinking ice tea out of while I swing in the hammock in the backyard. If I'm packing a picnic, I can see filling it with gin and tonic for one, or some other summer cocktail. It's a nice bottle for leaving on your desk at work, a good water bottle really does go a long way towards helping you ease up on the office coffee.

But given my tendencies to leave a trail of water bottles across the planet? There's no easy way for me to clip it to my bag. And the weight alone is enough to make me reconsider packing it. I like this thing, it's an attractive piece of gear. I'm just not convinced it's something I need for travel.

Gadling Gear Review: Bamboo Bottle Company Water Bottle originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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