backpack posts
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 26th, 2012 at 10:00AM: Backpacking. We call traveling from city to city for a long period of time "backpacking" because we usually carry very few possessions with us in – wait for it – a backpack. But, what about the travelers who are doing the same exact thing, staying in hostels, eating street food, wearing the same clothes everyday and trying desperately to get off the beaten path, but with a suitcase? ...
by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 9th, 2012 at 8:00AM: I'm one of those people who almost exclusively uses a backpack when traveling. I simply prefer carrying my gear on my back rather than dragging it behind me in a piece of luggage, particularly when navigating through a busy airport. Over the years I've managed to collect a number of packs in a variety of sizes, which makes each of them useful depending on the length of the trip. Whether it's a ...
by Pam Mandel (RSS feed) (2 months ago)
Mar 19th, 2012 at 9:00AM:
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, ...
by Jessica Marati (RSS feed) (3 months ago)
Feb 4th, 2012 at 10:00AM: Last year, recent college graduates Kelsey Ogden and Kristen Refermat set off on the adventure of their lives -- a four-month, 12-country backpacking trip -- armed with two packs, four cameras, and a desire to document the ups and downs of traveling on $30 per day.
The result is Sixpenny Globe, a Kickstarter-crowdfunded travel documentary series following Kelsey and Kristen on their budget ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (4 months ago)
Dec 31st, 2011 at 1:00PM:
The Holiday season may be over, but that shouldn't stop you from paying attention to gift ideas (for yourself). If one of your New Years resolutions is to travel without landing at your destination with an empty iPad or phone, then we recommend checking out the assortment of bags from Powerbag. Their lineup covers everything from a basic sling, to a complete mobile office on wheels.
Now, a ...
by Pam Mandel (RSS feed) (5 months ago)
Dec 26th, 2011 at 9:00AM:
Man, do I see a lot of luggage. Roll-aboards. Day packs. Laptop/iPad/digital whatever storage solutions. And honestly, most of them don't quite make the cut. Part of the reason I have so many of these things is that I continue to quest for The Perfect Bag. Light, versatile, the right pocket for that one thing that always gets loose and floats around inside my luggage.
I'm impressed when a ...
by Mike Barish (RSS feed) (5 months ago)
Nov 29th, 2011 at 9:00AM: While most campers take the winter off to pursue other outdoor adventures, the holidays are still a great time to spoil the camper in your family with some fresh new gear. And, some of the heartier folks out there camp all year long, so they'll appreciate gifts that they can play with immediately. Here at Gadling, we're geeks for camping gear and love to get outside. With the holidays approaching ...
by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) (5 months ago)
Nov 29th, 2011 at 8:00AM: As December approaches and the holiday season draws near, those warm summer days that we enjoyed just a few months back are already a distant memory. But no matter what the calendar says, I guarantee the adventurer on your shopping list is already plotting his or her next warm weather escape. Considering summer really is just a short plane ride away, here are some suggestions for what to buy them ...
by Pam Mandel (RSS feed) (6 months ago)
Nov 7th, 2011 at 9:00AM: I have what's fast becoming a stupid amount of luggage. It seems a little ridiculous that I haven't discovered the one bag to rule them, what with the tide of carry-on sized backpacks, roll-aboards, and duffels that come through the house. The problem is that each bag has its own idea use scenario, they've all got a different mash of features, and some are better for certain types of trips than ...
by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) (7 months ago)
Oct 24th, 2011 at 8:00AM: One of the things I enjoy most about my job is that I get the opportunity to test a lot of outdoor gear. I've been fortunate enough to put sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothing and much more through their paces, and in the process I've learned a lot about how those products differ and what distinguishes the good from the bad. After awhile, some of the gear starts to look the same, as one ...
by Mike Barish (RSS feed) (8 months ago)
Sep 8th, 2011 at 2:00PM:
I have a bit of a fetish for daypacks and, as such, I've become quite particular about what I like and what annoys the heck out of me. That's why I was so excited to try out my new Osprey Raptor 14 on a recent trip to Zion National Park. With temperatures pushing 100°F, hikes lasting hours and the air as dry as a bone, it's incredibly important that you have the right supplies and that ...
by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) (11 months ago)
Jun 17th, 2011 at 8:00AM: As an active traveler, I have grown to have a certain affinity for backpacks. In fact, I have one for just about every occasion, ranging from small daypacks for short hikes on local trails to full-on expedition level packs designed for weeks, or even months, in the field. Over the years, I've come to appreciate a well designed, versatile pack that not only fits well, but also offers you plenty of ...
by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
May 1st, 2011 at 8:00AM: In what has become an annual rite of spring, National Geographic Adventure has released their list of picks for their Gear of the Year for the 2011 spring/summer seasons. The list arrives just ahead of the warmer months, when outdoor enthusiasts are looking for durable, dependable, yet lightweight, gear to accompany them on their summertime adventures.
The Gear of the Year list is a diverse ...
by Dana Murph (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Jan 5th, 2011 at 10:00AM:
Selecting a camera bag can be a daunting process. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of options, and even bags that aren't specifically designed with cameras in mind can be altered and repurposed for use with your setup. Kata is a respected name in the bag industry, offering quite a few travel packs and a handful of dedicated camera packs. Where they stand out is their rigidity and ...
by Sean McLachlan (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Dec 26th, 2010 at 10:30AM:
Happy Boxing Day everybody! As I sit here stuffed with my mother-in-law's cooking after a traditional Spanish Christmas, I'm thinking back on all my travels in 2010 and looking forward to 2011. One of the best parts about my travel year has been sharing it all with you. I love the comments you've sent suggesting sites to see and trails to take, and was especially amazed by the outpouring of ...
by Meg Nesterov (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:30PM:
After three months living in Istanbul, I've gained a stable of a few dozen Turkish words to string into awkward sentences; learned some local intel on what soccer teams to root for, where to get the best mantı, and the best Turkish insults (maganda is the local equivalent of guido); and have come to avoid Sultanahmet with the same disdain I used to reserve for Times Square when I lived in New ...
by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Jun 29th, 2010 at 8:00AM: In my last post on my recent trek to Everest Base Camp I wrote about ways to prepare for the trek, physically getting yourself ready to handle the demands of the hike. It is my opinion that anyone who makes this trip will have a far better experience, and can save themselves quite a bit of grief, if they are well prepared for the trail. That same philosophy carries over to the gear that you choose ...
by Curtis Hanna (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:04PM: If you want to keep your bag smaller, and more travel-ready, walk with it for 30 minutes... on a hilly blacktop... on a sunny day.
I admit, this exercise may not directly trim your bags. However, this should make you more able to prioritize what you need for your trip.
[Photo: Flickr | .Luc.] ...
by Jason Heflin (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Jun 11th, 2010 at 3:30PM: We've all been there. A security check procedure goes something like this - untie and remove shoes, unbuckle and remove belt, take out wallet, drop keys in the bowl, dig into your bag for your laptop, then step through the metal detector only to discover you had change in your pocket.
It's an annoying process but one set in place to keep us all safe. So we deal with it. Seasoned travelers know ...
by Bridgid Gallagher (RSS feed) (2 years ago)
Feb 16th, 2010 at 8:35AM: I spent three months living out of a small, ratty backpack in Costa Rica, and it was the best travel decision I made.
When two of my travel buddies had their brand new packs stolen, mine was safe because it was old-looking and ugly. The size of my backpack forced me to pack light, and every time I used public transportation I was grateful.
My friends would drag their huge packs onto crowded ...
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