As more of us adopt an active lifestyle, brands that once catered only to backpackers and extreme athletes are rolling out high-performance products for everyday use. That they’re designed with portability, weight, style and functionality makes them ideal for travel, too. Here’s a look at seven items to surprise and delight the travelers in your life.
Safety First Means Helmet: 174Hudson Stack
Chances are you’ve used micro-mobility services while traveling: perhaps a destination’s shared bikes, E-bike system, electric vehicles or scooters to get around. The problem is that it’s risky because there’s never a helmet available. Priority Bicycles of New York, makers of the low maintenance Embark E-bike, has developed a packable, collapsible helmet called the Stack to solve that problem. If you, like me, have a child who has tried everything from Bird to Citibike to Lyme in his travels, you’ll realize why this is the ideal gift for mobile loved ones (or yourself). All ages love Stack because its collapsible dome sinks down to reduce the helmet’s height by 40 percent so it fits into a backpack or briefcase. The 174Hudson Stack comes in four colors (love the teal blue and coral) and retails for $79.99. These are not designed for small children but come in two sizes: Medium (most common size) and Large; order them from Priority Bicycles.
Every Traveler’s Wish: Comfortable Shoes like Lowa’s
If you’re searching for comfortable shoes that are style forward, extremely practical, useful and lightweight for travel — the Lowa San Francisco GTX Surround fits the bill. A hipster sneaker with a Keds profile and the soul of Tevas, these Lowa shoes are special because they’re both breathable and waterproof. The discreetly perforated full-grain leather or Nubuck upper is paired with an innovative honeycomb sole that allows air to circulate, cool and refresh your feet. Gore-Tex Surround technology makes sure no outside water gets in. I know they work — I was caught in a blizzard hiking in Red Rock State Park in Gallup, New Mexico and, while I could feel frigid air enveloping my feet, my socks never got wet. A very cool investment for active travel — and hip enough for nightlife — they come in black or white in Men’s and Women’s sizes and sell for $225 at stores carrying Lowa footwear.
Play for Real: Outside Inside Travel Games
Road trippers and backyard campers will love Outside Inside, the adventure company that takes playtime seriously. Their series of travel games includes classics like Tangrams, table tennis and magnetic Chess, plus a fresh spin on old and new ones. Choose between the travel-friendly Backpack Series of games which are lightweight yet full featured. The Freestyle Series is somewhat larger because the focus is on ease of set-up and take downs. If you’re into staycations or are road tripping, you may prefer the heavy-duty Basecamp Series — well designed and full-size. Because they’ve been created by real adventurers, all series are quality crafted, have tough-to-lose magnetic pieces and a carry bag, and are portable enough to use outdoors or in. We tried the Basecamp All-Terrain Bocce (model 99963; $41.95) on an Astroturf backyard and were impressed with the shiny, durable balls, measuring stick and easy to follow instructions. The Backpack Cornhole (model 99975; $30.95) is surprisingly tiny; we pulled it out of a backpack and set it up in the park, amazed that it contained two game boards and eight small bean bags that were fun to toss. If you’re unsure which games your fellow travelers will enjoy, we suggest packing Freestyle Table Tennis (model 99959; $31.95) because it weighs only 1.5 lbs, the carry bag is only 12.25” x 6” x 4” and you’ll have two paddles, three balls and a 6-foot net to latch onto your car hood. You’ll have fun searching Outside Inside for the perfect gift.
Bad Hair Day? Moroccan Gold Argan Oil
Weighing in at just 100ml, Argan Oil hair care from Moroccan Gold is a light, non-greasy way to smooth fly-away frizz, funky whisps, dry split ends and other bad hair day madness. We are long-time fans of argan oil, derived from a plant that grows in the Moroccan desert near Sous and is harvested by goats. (Visiting a women’s cooperative to watch the hand-pressing of argan nuts is a fascinating experience.) The Moroccan Gold products (including shampoo and hair treatments that don’t come in travel sizes) blend 100 percent pure argan oil with keratin, vitamins and antioxidants that add shine and moisture for smoother looking hair – whether you’re braiding the kids’ hair or doing your own. The small size Argan Oil retails for US$49 from Moroccan Gold.
Portable Foodie Fix: The Hydroflask Unbound Cooler
If you’ve heard Frederic the Great’s observation that an army marches on its stomach, you know why we love Hydroflask’s high-performing insulated bottles which keep beverages cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. When we heard they had just launched their new line of Unbound Coolers, we were excited to learn more. Think way beyond that Styrofoam chest to a soft-sided, leakproof, well insulated container that comes as a 22-liter size backpack or a 24-liter size tote bag. Both work well because their Ultralon buoyancy foam insulation is on the bottom, which loses cold the fastest. Hyrdoflask claims their cooler will keep things cold for 48 hours, giving you plenty of time to practice making that perfect campsite or backseat meal. Unbound Coolers in the backpack or tote version retail for US$274.95 at REI and other outdoor retailers.
Looking for a Winter Wonderland? Give the Gift of Boots (that Delight Kids)
If you’ve got kids who complain about the cold, rain, or anything resembling heavy, bulky boots that they can’t quite put on themselves; you’ll know that finding the right outdoor wear is a challenge. Bogs rises to the challenge with a variety of super cute, stylish boots that stand-up against the weather and a good beating.
Bogs footwear includes boots for rain or snow, as well as outdoor shoes and sandals. I chose Classic Pansies Bogs boots in purple for my 1st-grade daughter and Classic Plane Bogs boots in gray for my preschool son. I was a little worried the boots would prove too cumbersome for them to deal with during recess and tromping through the last of the Fall leaves here in Atlanta. My worries quickly disappeared when we opened up the boots and found them wonderfully insulated and warm, as well as lightweight and ready to slide on to wear.
The kids promptly lost their minds, pulling on their colorful new boots and immediately launching into what will forever be known as “The Boot Show” while my parents watched on FaceTime. We’ve had a few bitterly cold days in Atlanta since the boots arrived, but the kids have wanted to wear them every day for a week straight regardless of the weather. They report the boots are, “Super warm!” and show them off for all to see. From my own inspection, the Bogs boots are durable, warm, and feel comfortable inside. Bonus points that the boots come in a variety of designs and colors from Superhero to space themed, as well as “big kid” designs in beautiful patterns that even a discerning first grader would love to war. Both pairs retail for $80 — a good investment that’s worth passing down to others.
Thanks to Susan Finch, Kyle McCarthy, Ron Bozman and Keith John for their reviews.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
Amazing Post! about Amsterdam
There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
Helpful, unique and bif it works, Great.
2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
I really like your post!
This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
What a timely bit now! Thank you so much for this good
post. I saw your publications previously, however this one I believe
the very best. How did you find numerous facts?
I enjoy the way that you organize everything, as it is actually simple to read.
In general, I can recommend this guide to everybody who’s
interested in that topic.
As North America’s fastest multi-launch coaster, it’s expected to draw in adrenaline enthusiasts, including those from the group Busch Gardens Williamsburg Fans, which has been updating their Twitter and website with information on the ride.
Good day! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs
up for the great info you have right here on this post.
I’ll be coming back to your blog for more
soon.
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for providing these details.
Can you tell us more about this? I’d care to find out more
details.
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired!
Very helpful info particularly the last phase
🙂 I deal with such info much. I used to be looking for this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
The blog shared is interesting to read. Got some useful information of Chicago which will be really helpful before planning a trip to this place. Thanks for sharing this!
Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
Amazing post! We are currently linking to this article on our site.
Keep up the terrific writing.
Best regards,
Boswell Dencker
Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
The Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article is one of the best I have ever read!
You are doing a great job with https://myfamilytravels.com site.
🙂 Congrat!
Awesome post!
Thanks for sharing..
I really like your post!
this is a really good stuff
Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
Thanks for such a beautiful post, very informative and useful article
Thank you for publishing this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve
never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed
to your blog and shared this on my Twitter. Thanks again for a great
article!
Chicago is a famous place that has many impressive landscapes.
Most visitors like traveling there.
I am always looking online for tips that can facilitate me. Thx!
helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
Thank you so much for your beautiful article!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
Awesome Post!
Thanks for sharing..
Thanks for sharing a great post!
Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.