Like all other industries, travel-gear companies have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. But听a few are choosing to give back with campaigns that provide relief to health care professionals, hospitality workers, and rural communities most affected by the virus. Here are some products you can buy for a future trip to help the world weather the crisis now.
Peak Design
From April 7 to 10, Peak Design will donate 100 percent of profits听from the launch of its new travel tripod to the and .听
Our Choice: Travel Tripod (from $350)
Peak Design鈥檚 tripod fits听together like a puzzle, cutting down its volume to about half that of a normal one. Both the 3.4-pound aluminum frame ($350) and the 2.8-pound carbon-fiber frame ($600) can support听up to 20 pounds, effortlessly听holding steady听a heavy camera body and professional zoom lenses. Bonus: the system can be set up in less than ten听seconds, thanks to smart features like smooth-deploying legs and an easy quick-snap camera mount.听
Pakt
Through the rest of the crisis, this听 will donate $10 from every purchase of one of its travel bags听to the emergency-assistance nonprofit , which provides protective equipment and essential medical items to health care workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.听
Our Choice: Travel Backpack ($200)
This 30-liter, carry-on-friendly bag is styled like a听suitcase, with a zip-around design听that allows it to open up into two compartments, but it carries like a trekking backpack. Twenty features听include a waterproof exterior pocket, a hidden zippered stash pocket on the back for valuables, and鈥攐ur favorite鈥攁听removable hipbelt that converts into a fanny pack or sling.听
Chrome Industries听
Through April 15, the 听is running a Give 20 or Get 20听fundraiser: choose to give an extra 20 percent to the , which provides cash assistance to unemployed hospitality workers, or receive 20 percent off your purchase.听Even if you opt not to donate, a small fraction of your purchase will go toward听supporting听Chrome鈥檚 other COVID-19 support听efforts, including sewn听masks for medical workers.听
Our Choice: Summoner 2.0 ($220)
If your top travel priorities听are听organization and quick access to essentials, this 30-liter pack is for you. A series of well-designed external zippers open to the main, side, and top compartments, while several small exterior pockets make it easy to reach items听like your phone or passport. With its 500-denier nylon weatherproof fabric and ripstop liner, this bag is guaranteed to last for life.听
Adventurist Backpack Co.
In addition to the company鈥檚 existing program of donating 25 meals to families in need for every pack purchased,听 will now give an additional 25 meals per bag to .听
Our Choice: The Weekender ($85)
Perfect for the minimalist traveler, this classically styled pack has ample space for days鈥櫶齱orth of essentials. Its interior padding and water-resistant, 1,000-denier polyester shell also keeps your belongings protected from rough handling.听
Welly听
Five percent of the sales of this first-aid product company鈥檚 will benefit .听
Prepared Kit with Hand Sanitizer ($45)
Since it鈥檚 now almost impossible to find on the shelves, stock up on sanitizer and other emergency essentials like antibiotic ointment and bandages from听Welly. The brand鈥檚 organized, packable tins are easily refilled.
Toad&Co
This听sustainable听 will donate 30 percent of all online purchases made by new customers to a brick-and-mortar retailer located in the听customer鈥檚 home region. The idea is to provide retail shops with some profit at a time when most have been forced to shut their doors.
Our Choice: Swifty Short Sleeve Dress ($80)
This stretchy Tencel, elastane, and polyester dress wicks听away moisture and resists wrinkles and odor, making it perfect for future camping or road trips. Plus, it fits all body types and can be dressed up or down for almost any occasion.听
Our Choice: Boundless Pant ($85)
A classic pair of pants, the Boundless will take you seamlessly from the airport to the trail, with features like听a partial elastic waistband, a hidden adjustable cinch at the cuffs, and lightweight cotton-polyester fabric made from recycled water bottles.
Phoozy
On top of $25,000 worth of cases that the smartphone-protection company donated to personnel at the 听and the North Carolina鈥揵ased , will donate one phone protector to health care workers for every one sold听so their phones stay safe while they鈥檙e on听the move.听
Our Choice: XP3 ($50)
Using material adapted from NASA to keep astronauts safe on space walks, this case is guaranteed to protect your phone in virtually any environment. In addition to preventing听the battery from dying in frigid temperatures听and overheating in hot weather, the case floats in water and provides military-grade shock protection. The updated XP3 model is ideal for travel and features听a stash pocket for cards and cash.听
Cotopaxi听
The Utah-based company will be giving $10,000 in cash to support the COVID-19 crisis response, as well as matching the first $1,000 in customer donations made on its . This week听it also launched a #OneUtah听T-shirt, with all proceeds benefiting organizations that are providing relief to rural and outdoor communities in its home state that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, such as , the听, and the听.
Our Choice: #OneUtah T-Shirt and Bataan 3L Pack Bundle ($50)
Consider the #OneUtah shirt a replacement for that cheesy souvenir tee听you were bound to buy on your next trip to the Beehive State. Combine it with the , which is lightweight yet spacious enough to hold a camera, keys, and passport.
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