An increasing number of smart, eco-conscious entrepreneurs are putting Earth first by utilizing unwanted materials that would otherwise end up as trash. From trendy tote bags and fanny packs made out of billboard vinyl to casual and recovery footwear made from leftover running shoe midsole scraps, the following four companies are doing their best to keep our planet鈥檚 landfills and oceans from overflowing with trash. In the process, they鈥檙e creating awesome gear.

Rareform Bags

caught my attention by infiltrating my Instagram account. Intrigued, I reached out to the company to learn that while traveling in El Salvador, Alec Avedissian saw locals utilizing the water-resistant, durable material that covers billboards for roofing. Alec and his brother, Aric, launched Rareform in 2013 with a surfboard bag made from discarded billboard material. They鈥檝e since expanded to tote bags, hip packs, and other bags out of brightly colored vinyl that isn鈥檛 traditionally recyclable.

鈥淭he lifespan of a billboard typically is around four to six weeks,鈥� says Alec Avedissian, who also serves as CEO of the company. 鈥淲hen the billboards come down, we then work with our partners to get them shipped to our warehouses in Thousand Oaks, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.鈥�

The company has since kept 700,000 billboards, which amounts to over 30 million pounds of material, out of the landfills by repurposing them as bags.

I鈥檝e been testing the ($80) and love its large capacity, multiple pockets, zippered closure, and waterproof exterior in a one-of-a-kind design for traveling. I can also see myself using this bag for summer adventures as a 鈥渢hrow everything in and figure out what I need on the way to the trailhead鈥� type of bag.

听Trash Gear Co.

Pete Grunwald started collecting discarded plastic 鈥渁s a fun side project鈥� in 2021 while he was working full time as an industrial designer creating protective eyewear for military applications. He鈥檇 break down plastic waste in a blender and use a panini press to mold the pieces into something new: bicycle fenders. He now collects and molds plastic full time with his company听., which continues to make fenders and is soon releasing sunglasses with frames made from repurposed plastic.

鈥淎 big source of my plastic waste is Pak-Techs (plastic can carriers) and I work with beer distributors, breweries, and various stores to collect used ones that customers bring back,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚 have a whole host of smaller sources of plastic as well, much of it coming from friends and community members who are excited by what I’m doing and set aside waste plastic for me.鈥�

After working in the outdoor industry for years, a vendor trip to China opened his eyes to the environmental impacts of traditional manufacturing and, coupled with his knowledge of the massive amount of waste plastic being produced domestically, pushed him toward the Trash Gear concept. 鈥淭hat trip sparked the idea: What if a company could collect local waste and turn it into high quality outdoor gear?鈥� Grunwald says.

While Grunwald says he鈥檚 loved using kitchen tools and figuring things out on the fly, he adds: 鈥淥ne day I hope Trash Gear Co will have a proper manufacturing space and truly be an example of a better way to produce great products.鈥�

I鈥檝e been testing a sample of Trash Gear Co. sunglasses and love their unique frame coloration鈥攖he swirled pattern of the plastic reminds me that they kept something out of the landfills.

Think Blue Surf Bag

Designed to keep your key, key fob, credit card, cash, or anything small completely dry while you surf, SUP, kayak, or play in the water, the听 is made out of aviation life vests that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Co-founders Marlene Smith and Cathy Chin used to fuel their surfing sessions with Ziploc bags full of cookies鈥攏ot very successfully. They tried making more functional waterproof bags out of various materials before finding a solution in aviation life vests. Smith, who is a private pilot, and her husband, who works in aircraft maintenance, knew that the life vests were discarded after some of their components expired, while the material of the vest itself, having been stored in an airtight bag in the dark, was still as good as new.

鈥淎pproximately 5,000 life vests have been diverted from the landfill into our inventory,鈥� says Smith. 鈥淥f those, so far 2,000 have been converted into The Surf Bag. Every time someone chooses to purchase The Surf Bag over a product made from new plastic, they are making a direct impact on the environment by participating in this diversion.

鈥淢y dream is to ultimately divert all the retired life vests from the landfill into a variety of high-quality waterproof products making it easy for consumers to choose a sustainable product over new plastic products and allowing them to directly contribute to sustainability.鈥�

The small bag lies flat in board shorts pockets and can be connected to a surfboard or SUP leash tie, or to kayak straps or a backpack with a carabiner.

Fleks Footwear

Fleks Footwear founder Leah Larson says the ocean has always been her happy place. 鈥淚 used to go jump in the ocean before high school if I was in a bad mood,鈥� she says. After years in the footwear industry, including a long stint as the VP of Product and Creative Director of Ugg, Larson wanted to find a way to reuse the discarded waste from footwear manufacturing while also solving the wastefulness of flip flops, which become toss-away rubber and plastic. Her love of the ocean inspired her to minimize footwear manufacturing leftovers and discarded beach shoes. She teamed up with a friend and past co-worker, Stuart Jenkins, founder of Blumaka insoles, to launch Fleks Footwear.

Fleks (and Blumaka) grind up footwear manufacturing waste鈥擡TPU scraps left over from the midsole manufacturing process鈥攁nd shape the conglomerate material into slides, clogs, and other casual and recovery footwear. Larson says there鈥檚 enough discarded manufacturing foam waste in the footwear industry to make two and a half billion pairs of midsoles for Fleks shoes. Plus, says Larson, 鈥淭his process uses no solvents and a lot less water than traditional manufacturing.鈥�

I鈥檝e been testing the听, and while they might not be as plush underfoot as my son鈥檚 Yeezy Slides that I occasionally steal, I love how my feet stay put on the footbed. Larson chalks that up to the tiny bits of repurposed foam that morph around the foot.

I also love the flecked rubber; it reminds me that my slides kept discarded waste out of the landfills and the ocean, which, like Larson, I鈥檇 like to keep healthy. (Larson and I graduated together from the same San Diego high school and used to jump into the same stretch of ocean before classes started.)

The post This Great Gear is Made Out of Trash appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When it comes to planning your next big adventure, buying luggage is probably not high on your priority list. But take it from us: a well-designed carry-on suitcase, adventure-ready duffel, or rugged roller bag can go a long way toward mitigating travel woes.

We鈥檙e always testing new duffels, suitcases, gear totes, and backpacks to see which bags are best suited to an adventurer鈥檚 needs. Whether you鈥檙e a frequent flyer, a weekend warrior, or a full-time vanlifer, there鈥檚 something on this list for you.

Updated March 2025: We’ve added three new picks. Prices and info have also been updated for 2025.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Most Rugged Roller:
• Best Value Duffel:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Weekend Duffel:
• Best Checked-Size Roller:
• Best Carry-On Roller Bag:
• Best Value Roller Bag:
• Best Travel Backpack:听
• Best for Parents:
• Best Gear Tote:
• Best for Camping:
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

Weight: 2.6 lbs
Dimensions: 22.8鈥� x 13.3鈥� x 9.5鈥�
Available Sizes: 40 L, 55 L, 70 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Large opening
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Stash pocket to separate shoes or laundry
鈯� Backpack carries well
鈯� Lacks internal organization

Patagonia鈥檚 Black Hole has been the gold standard for adventure travel luggage for a long time, and with this newest iteration featuring 100 percent recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, the brand continues to lead the way in sustainability.

One of the best features of this duffel is how comfortable it is to carry as a backpack thanks to cushy, removable pack straps. An innovative, recycled TPU-film laminate also makes the bag lightweight and exceptionally abrasion- and weather-resistant. It鈥檚 rugged enough for major expeditions, yet convenient for the casual traveler, which makes it our top choice for 2024.

鈥淚n the rain, water beaded right off the bag, and it proved durable for outdoor adventures,鈥� said one tester after taking the bag on a canoe camping trip in the Adirondacks and a camping trip to Moab, Utah.

The signature feature of the Black Hole, besides its pack straps, is its large main compartment that accommodates more gear than you鈥檇 think and makes finding said gear at a glance easy. The downside to this design is that the Black Hole doesn鈥檛 include a ton of internal organizational features found in other duffels, like zippered compartments to keep gear separated. The Black Hole has just one internal pocket on the zip-top lid to keep smaller items like toiletries organized.

However, it does include a surprisingly spacious external pocket for things you don鈥檛 want mingling with your other stuff (like wet or dirty items). That compartment also serves as the pocket you can stuff the entire bag into for compact storage when not in use.

Most Rugged Roller

Kuiu Waypoint 3000 Roller

Weight: 7 lb 11.8 oz
Dimensions: 22鈥� x 14鈥� x 11鈥�
Volume: 49 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Rugged
鈯� Solid internal organization
鈯� Big, all-terrain wheels
鈯� Reliable handle
鈯� Not as protective as a hardside case

Ready to be crammed in overhead bins and overlanding rigs alike, the Kuiu Waypoint 3000 is the most rugged roller we鈥檝e tested as of late. It鈥檚 a hybrid of soft- and hardside luggage, pairing a molded polycarbonate bottom frame with an expandable, hard-wearing, TPU-coated nylon upper. This hybrid design gives travelers the benefits of a protective hard case on wheels and the packability and versatility of a duffel.

One tester was especially impressed by the bag鈥檚 durability after a stint of testing that included a cross-country work trip and a weeklong overlanding trip in Colorado. He called the waterproof, 420-denier, TPU-coated nylon upper and 840-denier nylon-wrapped polycarbonate frame robust. On his trip, he forcibly crammed the Waypoint into the passenger footwell of his vehicle, accidentally left it outside in the rain one night (everything inside was dry come morning), and used it as a stool. Even after all of that, it showed no visible signs of wear.

While the Kuiu鈥檚 rugged fabric and frame are its best features, our tester was similarly pleased by the smooth-rolling XL 3.5-inch-diameter wheels, collapsible handle, and burly, built-in grab handles.

Internal organization features also earned the Kuiu kudos, particularly the clamshell zip, integrated dividers (what our tester called critical for 鈥渉is and hers鈥� adventures), and a slew of sleeves and pockets perfect for tools and toiletries. Factor in the price, and the Waypoint isn鈥檛 just rugged鈥攊t鈥檚 a good buy.

Best Value Duffel

Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 90L

听

Weight: 2.9 lbs
Dimensions: 13.5鈥� x 25.5鈥� x 12.25鈥� (90 L)
Available Sizes: 40 L, 60 L, 90 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide-mouth opening for easy access to gear
鈯� Uses 100% recycled fabric
鈯� Good value
鈯� Top zipper isn鈥檛 stiff enough

The Migrate duffel was a tester favorite for its holding capacity鈥攜ou can fit a lot in here. The 鈥渄octor bag鈥� style zip-top allows for easier access and full visibility of all your gear and an additional five liters of packing space.

Good news for those who tend to overpack and end up schlepping heavy duffels: Tuck-away backpack straps allow for multiple carry options. The added pockets鈥攊nternal and front zippered pocket鈥攕et it apart from many other duffels in this category.

But perhaps the biggest pro of this bag: it incorporates 100-percent recycled 900-denier Polyester TPU and fully recycled 1680-denier ballistic Polyester RPVB that reuses windshield plastics from landfills and makes the bag abrasion- and weather-resistant.

Testers had just one complaint: the top zipper isn鈥檛 very stiff, so testers found the opening closing in on itself while they were packing the bag.

Most Versatile

Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel & Tote

听

Weight: 3 lbs
Dimensions: 63.5鈥� x 86鈥� x 147鈥�
Available Sizes: 55 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide compartment opening
鈯� Many ways to carry and organize the bag
鈯� Folds up small into carrying case when not in use
鈯� Too bulky and uncomfortable to carry for long distances
鈯� On the heavier side

Out of all of the duffels and luggage we tested this season, the Nemo Double Haul proved to be the most ingenious. It鈥檚 a combination of a duffel bag and tote bag, with a huge opening designed to stay wide open while you pack thanks to the stiff trusses that give the bag structure.

Astonishingly, considering its size, the bag also folds down neatly into a carrying case, making it easy to travel with or keep in your car. The shell is made from urethane-coated, bluesign approved 100 percent recycled nylon, while the liner is made from bluesign approved, solution-dyed 100-percent recycled polyester with PFAS-free DWR.

This bag is meant for hauling. 鈥淚t鈥檚 best for car camping, when you have dozens of items that may not have a home,鈥� said tester Troy Tetreault after a climbing trip in Kentucky鈥檚 Red River Gorge. 鈥淚t also holds up well when tossed around amongst other gear.鈥�

However, our testers wouldn鈥檛 recommend this bag for extended airline travel. The bag itself weighs 3 pounds, and testers found it awkward to carry because of the multiple ways the straps are set up for carrying鈥攂ackpack carry, over the shoulder single arm carry, and suitcase carry.

Best Weekend Duffel

Finisterre Nautilus 45L Duffel Bag

Weight: 2.2 lbs
Dimensions: 21鈥� x 12鈥� x 10鈥�
Volume: 45 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Low-profile
鈯� Durable
鈯� Goldilocks organization
鈯� Backpack carry straps
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Laptop sleeve can鈥檛 fit bigger laptops

A British B Corp that鈥檚 been crafting gear for devotees of sea and surf for over two decades, Finisterre impressed our test team with the Nautilus 45. This dynamic duffel doubles as a backpack, meets most airline carry-on requirements, and has a simple, streamlined design.

One tester, a San Francisco-based surfer, called the Nautilus 45L the perfect weekend duffel. He loved that the velcro grip of the duffel-style handle unfurls to padded backpack straps. 鈥淭hey made carrying the bag a breeze, especially while also carrying a couple of surfboards,鈥� he reported. He also commended the waxed, DWR-treated exterior fabric that proved reliably water-resistant.

We took the Finisterre on trips to the mountains of Northern California and Nevada and appreciated the padded, TPU-coated bottom panel that protected the bag from moisture and grime. We also liked the black colorway, as it hides dirt well and is more subtle for travelers who want to fly under the radar.

All testers dug the cavernous main compartment, which features stretchy crisscrossing straps that helped lash clothes down, keeping contents organized on the road. They judged the array of pockets sufficient, not superfluous: The duffel features a pair of external zips, a single internal zip, and a padded laptop sleeve integrated into the opening flap.

We had just two dings: The laptop sleeve accommodated a 13.1-inch Macbook, but it doesn鈥檛 easily fit 15-plus-inch machines. The Nautilus is also relatively pricey compared to the Patagonia Black Hole 55L ($169), Nemo Double-Haul 55L ($180), and our top value pick, the Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 90L ($139).

But between the subtle style, simple yet efficient organization, and durability that suggests this duffel will last for eons of adventures to come, our testers still gave the nod to the Nautilus as a worthy weekender, despite the higher price tag.

Best Checked-Size Roller Bag

Evoc World Traveller 125

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 16鈥� x 34鈥� x 13鈥� (125L)
Available Sizes:听125 L

Pros and Cons

鈯� Excellent customizable and removable organization system
鈯� Heavy-duty, replaceable wheels
鈯� Well-built
鈯� Fabric can fray if you use the skateboard carry system

When category manager Drew Zieff lived out of the Evoc World Traveller 125 during a three-week road trip through New England this summer, it quickly stood out for its best-in-test combo of organization and durability.

鈥淭he wheels were on the larger side for a roller bag, and combined with that heavy-duty handle, the World Traveller cruises over uneven brick or packed dirt and gravel with ease,鈥� he reported. He also appreciated the taller, narrower profile of the World Traveller, which was easy to maneuver through tighter gaps at airport terminals and campgrounds alike.

The bag features two access points: an upper zipper reveals a small compartment, while a lower zip gives way to the main compartment. Both feature removable, adjustable dividers. One tester divided clothes between the two larger compartments and used the smaller ones for everything from socks and underwear to toiletries, a headlamp, and his derailleur and chain. He even left it packed once he got to his destination鈥攖he perfect portable dresser.

The bag sports two external pockets, too: a larger square one on the bottom, and a smaller semi-circle pocket on top. The two external straps can be used for carrying a skateboard, which Zieff did on one of his adventures. Testers were impressed by the overall durability, reporting no baggage handler-related damage (despite one loading the World Traveller with 62 pounds of mountain bike gear). However, Zieff did note that his skateboard鈥檚 gritty grip tape started to wear on the otherwise tough fabric. Still, we鈥檇 recommend the World Traveller as the perfect closet on wheels for all kinds of four-season adventures.

Best Carry-On Roller Bag

DB Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 21鈥� x 16鈥� x 9鈥�
Available Sizes:听Carry-On, Front-Access Carry On, Check-In M, Check-In L

Pros and Cons:听

鈯� Sleek, Scandinavian design
鈯� Front panel provides easy access
鈯� Durable build
鈯� Really expensive
鈯� Heavy

DB鈥檚 Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On is everything we love (and one thing we hate) about Scandinavian design. The Norwegian outfitter鈥檚 premium roller is clean, minimalistic, functional, and built to last鈥攁 masterful blend of elegant aesthetic and rugged utilitarianism. So what鈥檚 not to love? A price tag that鈥檒l have you cursing the kroner.

If the sky鈥檚 the limit for your carry-on budget, though, the Ramverk Pro is as good as it gets for frequent flyers. The roller features a tough, polycarbonate shell built around an aluminum frame.听 A stiff-yet-flexible, padded polyester front-access panel unzips to reveal a laptop sleeve, a few organizational pockets, and a spacious main compartment.

One tester, a Seattle doctor who moonlights as an ultra-discerning, multi-sport gear tester, loved the durability and construction. 鈥淭he frame is strong and this bag is quite durable鈥搃t feels like a lifetime piece,鈥� he reported after a summer of testing. He dug the 360-degree-spinning, 50-millimeter Hinomoto wheels and the telescoping handle, too. The resulting maneuverability was so impressive that he said he “felt like Lewis Hamilton whipping an F1 racecar while swerving through the crowds of SeaTac.”

Best Value Roller Bag

Osprey Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On

听

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 10鈥� x 14鈥� X 21.5鈥�
Available Sizes: 40 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Large wheels and high clearance
鈯� Seemed to hold less than other bags the same size
鈯� On the pricier side

The Ozone line from Osprey, featuring five pieces ranging from four-wheeled suitcases to smaller backpacks and boarding bags, was designed for frequent flyers and travelers who value ease of transport. Of those, the Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On is perhaps the most convenient on-board option.

Made from an ultralight yet durable aluminum frame and nanofly recycled nylon fabric, it offers just enough organizational capabilities to make packing for a trip a little easier. This suitcase (like all pieces in this line) features a buttonless trolley handle and a YKK reverse coil coated zipper for improved water resistance鈥攂oth industry firsts. The Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On also has a high clearance High Road LT frame, and oversized 90 millimeter wheels, making it rugged enough to handle terrain beyond concourse floors.

One tester takeaway: Despite this bag鈥檚 advertised 40-liter capacity, it didn鈥檛 seem to hold as much as softer duffel-style bags of the same size. That said, the sleek design combined with the function of this bag made it an obvious choice for our testers who needed a transport-friendly yet durable carry-on.

Best Travel Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

听

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 22鈥� x 13鈥� x 11鈥�
Available Sizes: 30L, 40L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Adjustable volume system
鈯� Clean aesthetic
鈯� Good durability
鈯� Great organizational features
鈯� Heavy for a backpack
鈯� Expensive

鈥淚f you hate talking to strangers in the airport, then this pack might not be for you,鈥� joked a Denver-based tester who took the Travel Backpack on both a mountain biking trip to North Carolina and a sightseeing sojourn to Scotland this year. 鈥淚’ve never received so many compliments from strangers.鈥� And while it’s true that the Travel Backpack鈥檚 aesthetic is undeniably sleek, this bag doesn鈥檛 just look dapper in transit: it also impressed with its user-friendly feature set and surprising ruggedness.

Features include a padded, 16-inch laptop sleeve and easy-access stash spots for passports, sunglasses, keys, and other odds and ends. Macleod鈥檚 favorite pockets, though, were the massive, stretchy water bottle sleeves that Peak Design engineered to double as tripod storage; each fit a Nalgene easily.

Testers also praised the comfy, stowable hip belt and shoulder straps, as well as multiple zippered access points. A set of snaps and expansion panels lets the Travel Backpack 45 slim down to a more manageable 35-liter or 30-liter pack. When compressed, it could fit under an airline seat.

We weren’t worried about shoving it under there, either: Peak Design used a polyurethane-coated, DWR-treated, 400-denier nylon that鈥檚 seriously durable and water-resistant, and the bottom of the pack is armored with an even beefier 900D waterproof nylon.

Demerits were few and far between, but if we鈥檝e got to nitpick, it鈥檚 on the heavy side for daily use. It’s also pretty pricey.

Best For Parents

No Reception Club Hideaway Carry-on Duffel 国产吃瓜黑料 Bundle

Weight: 3.3 lbs when empty, 5 lbs w/ shoulder straps, removable cubby, and included laundry sack
Dimensions: 22鈥� x 13鈥� x 9鈥�
Volume: 42L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Smart organization
鈯� Multiple carry options
鈯� Thoughtful features
鈯� Almost too many organizational options

Staying organized on the road is challenging enough when you鈥檙e traveling solo. Throw a kiddo (or more) into the mix, and difficulty skyrockets exponentially. No Reception Club鈥檚 Hideaway Duffel solves lots of problems for parents with its many thoughtful design features.

It includes a removable cubby (with adjustable dividers) that drops into the main compartment, a smattering of internal and external pockets, and an easy-to-clean, water and odor-resistant laundry compartment for quarantining dirty duds. It even has an insulated pocket purpose-built for safeguarding milk, formula, or other perishable baby food鈥攁 feature one tester traveling cross-country with his infant daughter especially appreciated.

The carry-on boasts a multitude of carry options, including removable backpack straps, grab handles, and a luggage pass-through sleeve. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very versatile,鈥� commented another tester, a frequent flyer and dad of two, who appreciated the ability to use the Hideaway as a backpack between airport gates or pop it on top of his roller bag for longer slogs. He dug the debonair styling and overall aesthetic, too. However, he did find the sheer abundance of pockets and organizational features a tad overwhelming, recommending Hideaway haulers adopt a systematic packing style so little odds and ends don鈥檛 get lost.

You can scoop the duffel solo for $295, but our testers recommend the adventure bundle ($320), which comes with a hangable toiletries case. The ($45) has a hook for hanging and transparent windows that make it easy to keep stock of items.

Best Gear Tote

Evo XL Utility Tote 95

Dimensions: 28鈥� x 19鈥� x 15鈥� (95L)
Available Sizes:听50 L, 95 L

Pros and Cons:

鈯� Durable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Internal and external pockets
鈯� Affordable
鈯� No shoulder strap
鈯� Bulky when fully loaded

The biggest thing Evo鈥檚 XL Utility Tote 95 has going for it? It鈥檚 big. Really big. With a volume of 95 liters鈥攁 size typically reserved for expedition duffels and checked baggage鈥攖he Utility Tote is a massive gear hauler our testers quickly fell for. 鈥淚 travel with bulky gear all the time, and this makes it so much easier to keep those items together,” reported one tester. “It fits my entire bike or snowboard kit.”

That said, the Utility Tote isn鈥檛 a one-trick pony. The exterior is a thick, water-resistant, polyurethane-coated PET ripstop that hasn鈥檛 yet shown any signs of wear, while the tarp lining is both easy to clean and difficult to damage.

Evo managed to add a few organization features without sacrificing the cavernous main compartment, too. Another tester, an Arizona-based cyclist, appreciated the tote鈥檚 padded interior pockets. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to have designated spots for bike tools, gloves and cycling caps, and an extra pair of sunglasses,鈥� he said. Testers also dug the exterior pockets, which were perfect for separating wet or smelly gear, and the burly exterior loops, which were ideal for lashing wet towels, bike helmets, and shoes to the outside.

We just wish Evo had included a shoulder strap; hefting the fully loaded bag by the grab handles proved cumbersome over longer distances.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 21
• Number of Products Tested: 35
• Number of Miles Traveled: 18,500

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 pieces of luggage designed for the adventurous traveler who hauls their gear through more rugged environments than airport concourses. Think rafting adventures, camping getaways, climbing trips, and cross-country roadtrips.

As such, we primarily considered soft shell luggage between 20 and 100 liters made with abrasion- and weather-resistant materials to withstand plenty of use and abuse. We then rounded up 21 individuals who travel extensively鈥攊ncluding a professional photographer, an outdoor educator, a professional skier and mountain biker, a forest ranger, and mapping technology specialist鈥攁nd tasked them with schlepping these bags around the country to assess the best picks for adventure travel.

We asked them to home in on overall performance, feature-set, ease of transport, and durability, among other qualities. The bags on this list rose to the top of the pile after impressing testers in all categories.

Meet our Testers

Drew Zieff

听is a Tahoe-based freelancer who writes for听Backcountry Magazine, REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. A regular听国产吃瓜黑料听contributor, he heads our听snowboard听gear coverage in the winter. A few years back, he and his partner turned a plumbing van into their听dream adventure mobile. After a couple years of vanlife, the highlight of which was surfing from Canada to Mexico, the couple put roots down in Tahoe, though they still take van trips to the coast when there鈥檚 swell. Familiar with the needs of both weekend warriors and full-time nomads, Zieff happily directs our camping accessories, travel luggage, and camping kitchen coverage each summer.

Caitlin Kelly

Originally from the Coast of Maine, Caitlin Kelly studied creative writing and environmental studies at St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York. She has called the Adirondack Mountains home since, building community through her work with Women of the Adirondacks and The Adirondack Community Avalanche Project. She currently resides in Lake Placid, NY, and is the social and digital media specialist for North Country Public Radio. She is an avid backcountry skier and a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain. Her writing has appeared in Powder Magazine, Adirondack Life Magazine, Freeskier, The Ski Journal, 国产吃瓜黑料 Magazine, and Ski Magazine, among other publications. If you sit too close to her on a chairlift, you may get some glitter on you.

The post The Best Backpacks, Duffels, and Roller Bags for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Bajio Toads ($209)

These shades were not only the most environmentally friendly pick from our 2024 Winter Gear Guide testing, but also cut the glare best, too. Despite their relatively large size, they fit most testers鈥� faces and stayed put, which was helpful when bending over to pick up luggage or balancing a passport in one hand and a toddler in the other.

Read the Full Review.

Minus33 Women鈥檚 Long-Sleeve Henley ($90)

Testers wore this 100 percent merino henley for days during the review period thanks to its odor-fighting properties, next-to-skin comfort, and good looks. We especially liked the flat seams for carrying heavy packs without chafing.

Read the Full Review.

Roark Layover Pants Women鈥檚 ($95)

These are some of the most versatile pants we tested this year. Not only are they durable, fighting off backcountry branches and beer with equal aplomb, but they offer incredible security, thanks to deep, zippered front pockets, and snap ones at the back. Plus, the mid-rise waist and straight leg fit looked good on a variety of body types.

Read the Full Review.

Xtratuf Ankle Deck Boot Ice Nylon Six Inch ($175)

If you have someone on your list that prizes comfort and warmth above all else, look no further. These might not be the most stylish boots鈥攄epending on one鈥檚 fashion sense, of course鈥攂ut they provide superior grip on wet, icy surfaces and will keep your feet warm in frigid temperatures.

Read the Full Review.

Backcountry All Around Duffel ($139)

Duffels are often a haphazard mess of gear with little to no organization. That鈥檚 not the case here鈥攏ot only are there numerous mesh pockets throughout for stashing smaller items, there鈥檚 even a dry pocket on the end to keep your sweaty and wet gear away from your dry stuff. Genius.

Read the Full Review.

Rux Waterproof Bag 25L ($150)

Any outdoors-person would be grateful to receive this smart waterproof bag for keeping dry gear dry, or wet gear separated from other items. It has enough structure to pack like a box, according to one of our testers, but carries and looks like a tote.

Read the Full Review.

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The least fun part of a snow-season getaway is dragging your two sets of skis or snowboards from the frozen tarmac to the resort, dodging black ice and kicking up road salt along the way. These travel tools will take the bite out of the winter schlep, whether it鈥檚 across town or across the globe.

Read more: The Best Winter Packs of 2023

How We Test

Number of testers: 65
Number of products tested: 47
Highest Elevation: 11,362 feet, Jungfrau, Switzerland
Lowest Elevation: -30 feet, Pacific Harbour, Fiji
Time Spent in Layover: 25 hours

We invited a small army of our loyal testers and veteran gearheads to help us put these travel essentials through their paces. That meant 65 powderhounds from varying backgrounds and ability levels, ranging in age from 23 to 53, drove hundreds of miles, transited through dozens of airports, summited mountains and skied back down them, hiked glaciers, and descended slot canyons. Then they packed up all their gear and headed back to the airport, train station, or snow-covered road to fill out feedback forms back at home. Only the very best travel gear survived the season of international, ice-crusted abuse and made it into this roundup.

Planning a ski road trip this winter? Here are some tips for camping in ski-area parking lots.听

Reviews: The Best Luggage for Winter 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel of 2023

Osprey Women’s Fairview/Farpoint 70L Travel Backpack ($230)

Hauling a week鈥檚 worth of gear on your back is no easy feat, but the Fairview (Farpoint is the men鈥檚-specific version) travel pack performed the best of all the packs we tried. As in Osprey鈥檚 banner backpacking rucksacks, the Fairview/Farpoint has a frame suspension that transfers weight from the harness to the hip belt. Testers noted that it didn鈥檛 feel heavy, even while running through airports or between train platforms loaded up with camera gear and electronics. The pack also makes light work of organizing gear with easy access and thoughtful features: A large main compartment panel zipper was key when trying to access goods without having to unpack the entire bag on a ferry dock, and a zippered rear flap stows the hip belt and shoulder straps for easy bag-checking. When you arrive at your destination, the backmost portion of the main body zips off to use as a day pack (it even has its own lockable laptop sleeve). Engineered with lightweight, recycled, bluesign-approved 210-denier nylon and 600-denier packcloth, the Fairview withstood shoving, slinging, tossing, and thrashing from backpacking and careless baggage handlers.

Bottom Line: A feature-laden pack for every possible outcome while adventure-traveling.

Dakine Fall Line Hardside Roller Bag ($300)

Whether you鈥檙e a touring purist or a resort regular, you鈥檝e likely spent a lot of money on your set-up鈥攕o protect it. Made with 100 percent recycled ABS and polycarbonate shell material, this hard-sided roller can hold two pairs of skis (up to 190 centimeters), two poles, one pair of boots, and a few pairs of puffies and ski pants. After years of seeing ski bags turn up damaged in baggage claim, we appreciated the extra protection that comes from the laminated foam interior and anchor straps to keep your gear from shifting inside. Testers also lauded the Fall Line鈥檚 oversized wheels and grab handles, which made for easy maneuvering. Thanks to a connecting handle, you can pair this bag with non-matching rolling luggage for easier, one-handed shuttling. It has a TSA-approved combo lock for added security, and tie-down passthrough points so you can attach it to your vehicle鈥檚 rooftop crossbars.

Bottom Line: Seriously secure armor for your precious ski or snowboard gear, with practical touches that make for easy hauling.

Thule Aion Carry On Spinner ($349)

鈥檚 Aion Carry-On Spinner is tailor-made for transitioning from ice-packed gravel parking lots to the airport. We rolled this 36-liter carry-on and its rugged oversized wheels through snow, mud, and sand, pushing the limits of its capacity without broken wheels, soiled fabric, or snagged zippers. The shell, fabric, lining, and mesh are made of water-resistant 100 percent recycled waxed polyester canvas fabric, with a polycarbonate back panel (50 percent recycled) that sheds snow and slush. For hurried exits, a removable compression packing cube with a TPU lining separates dirty gear from the rest of the bag. This came in particularly handy when contending with sweaty clothes after a big day in Idaho鈥檚 Sawtooths followed by heading straight to the airport, while others found its transparent material useful for finding toiletries. A large zip down the front offers easy access to a jacket in transitional moments, while a smaller front zip holds keys, phone, and wallet.

Bottom Line: A go-anywhere carry-on that transitions from the backcountry to the frontcountry and beyond.

Thule SnowPack M Ski/Snowboard Rack ($330)

This medium-sized ski and snowboard carrier is the best value for the money lightweight rack we tested thanks to its accessibility and gas-saving design. The SnowPack鈥檚 20-inch clamp securely carries up to four pairs of skis or two snowboards (or two skis and a snowboard). Extra soft rubber arms protect fragile surfaces, and a locking option keeps your high-ticket gear safe while you apr猫s. It fits with Thule鈥檚 crossbar sets, round bars, and most factory racks so you can attach it to almost any setup and it took two people about an hour to install. Beefy release buttons make it easy to open and close while wearing thick gloves. Thanks to its lightweight aluminum construction and low-profile aerodynamic design, we never felt (or heard) drag while driving up and down canyons or at high speeds on the freeway.

Bottom Line: Intuitive ski and snowboard carrier that won鈥檛 slow you down on the road.

Cotopaxi Allpa 60L Tote ($90)

This robust 60-liter tote is ideal for everything from ski and snowboard accessories to a week鈥檚 worth of groceries. Thanks to a zippered front pocket, gear loops, and interior organizational pockets, we hauled helmets, goggles, balaclavas, gloves, extra layers, snacks, and water bottles back and forth from the car to the ski lodge countless times. We also used it as a shopping bag around Vancouver, B.C.鈥檚 Whistler Village, and even carried bags of ice for our coolers at our end-of-season parking lot party at . The nylon and polyester tote is made from factory remnant scraps and folds down to the size of a Jetboil stove.

Bottom Line: A robust, good-looking replacement for that decaying Ikea tote you鈥檝e had in your trunk for a decade.

Mystery Ranch District 24 Backpack ($165)

The District 24 is a casual, lifestyle-oriented daypack with impressive carrying chops鈥攁nd without the overengineering characteristic of many other small hiking bags. It has two, padded sleeves large enough to hold a laptop and tablet, a large internal compartment for stashing bulky hard drives and headphone cases, and various smaller internal organizational pockets for dongles, cords, and a mouse. Interior water bottle pockets on either side of the pack and dual stretch woven external pockets that are big enough for a 16-ounce Hydroflask but not a standard Nalgene bottle. Despite this lifestyle focus, the District 24 has load-lifters that allowed our testers to haul heavy spellbooks and magic cloaks in Orlando鈥檚 Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Open-cell foam-padded breathable shoulder straps and body panels made the District 24 a comfortable carry while hustling between gates, but we would probably switch to a different pack for working up a sweat while hiking. Extremely durable Cordura Recor鈥攁 super yarn that鈥檚 made entirely of reclaimed pre-consumer waste鈥攕urvived tossing, shoving, and dragging without a scratch.

Bottom Line: A heavy hauler with everyday carry features.

Fj盲llr盲ven Tree-K氓nken Pocket ($45)

The Tree-K氓nken is perfect for those awkward moments when you don鈥檛 have quite enough pocket space but don鈥檛 want to strap a fanny to your waist. The five-by-eight-inch pouch has a zippered one-liter main compartment that鈥檚 big enough to hold keys, wallet, lip balm, and even an oversized iPhone. The smaller zippered front pocket can fit small, flat, easy-to-lose things like credit cards, room keys, and tickets. It works by itself as a shoulder sling and also pairs with the classic K氓nken backpack with a loop and snap button system. It鈥檚 made from 100 percent lyocell sourced entirely from pine trees in Sweden.

Bottom Line: A hyper-functional fanny pack replacement with eco-cred.

Pakmule Sway-Back with Porch Package ($1,280)

Deluxe winter tailgating demands a serious front-porch setup. This fully-welded hitch carrier weighs just 42 pounds but adds a whopping 12 feet of storage space and 500 pounds of cargo-carrying capacity to the back of your vehicle. One tester who attached it to his camper and took it to a remote area near Robbers Roost, Utah, was impressed by its handling and durability thanks to a locking, threaded anti-wobble mechanism for rough roads and rustproof, 70 percent-recycled aluminum construction. Bonus: An optional set of 鈥淪tirrup鈥� stairs ($125) offers easy access to your backcountry porch.

Bottom Line: Looking to out-tailgate all the other campers and trucks? Slap an off-road-friendly porch on the back of your mobile home.

Back to the Winter Gear Guide

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Finding a backpack to handle your on-the-go whims isn’t an easy feat. To keep your stuff organized, you need ample space with storage compartments. To ensure it stays secure, comfortable straps and reliable closure technology are a must. That said, your pack can’t be so bulky or heavy you’ll never use it. Here are the best travel backpacks of the year鈥攁ll engineered to get you from point A to point B, worry free.

4 Best Travel Backpacks for 国产吃瓜黑料rs

Best Crossover Potential

REI Co-op Flash 18L ($40)

Our minimalist testers were drawn to this year鈥檚 version of the Flash 18. The pack鈥檚 drawstring closure makes it easy to secure and get out the door in a jiff. Want to cut weight? Leave the chest strap and waist belt behind. Planning a multi-pitch climb? With its streamlined profile, you鈥檝e got an exceptional follow pack. It can also be flipped inside out to serve as a stuffsack in a pinch.

Best for Local 国产吃瓜黑料

Outdoor Research Field Explorer 20L ($99)

Equipped with reflective webbing and 600-denier polyester, this was our favorite for tough commutes. We loved the padded sleeve inside the roll-top main compartment, which kept our laptop secure, and a second, zippered opening allowed us to slip it out with no fuss. External flaps and a zip pocket kept sundries organized, while the weather resistant body and padded shoulder straps played nicely on trails and trains.

Best for Long Days

Mammut Lithium 15L ($100)

The Lithium (and the women鈥檚 Lithia Speed 15) squeezes a stunning array of features into a modestly sized pack. Four small pockets (three with zippers) accommodate all manner of essentials, a rain cover tucks into its own dedicated space, and the padded hipbelt includes a phone-size pocket for quick access. In the main body, dividers keep crumbly snacks separate from your favorite puffy.

Best for Fast-and-Light Missions

CamelBak Cloud Walker 18L ($80)

Following a recent redesign, the classic Cloud Walker now offers a sleeker profile while still boasting 18 liters of storage space. CamelBak tapered the body, added breathability courtesy of a vented mesh back panel, and used recycled materials for that panel and the shoulder straps. To trim ounces for long outings, you can remove the waist strap. Slide the pack under your airplane seat, then throw it on for hours of comfortable trekking.

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A small joy on the trail鈥攁ctually, no, make it a large one鈥攊s finding an item exactly where you thought it would be in your pack, tent, or stuffsack. (And yes, I am fun to hike with. Why do you ask?) On the flip side, going into a trip disorganized can ruin your sojourn in the woods. Staying organized on the trail has always involved varying degrees of gear Tetris, which requires lots of finagling and usually leaves dead space; the changes that. The PackStack is a zippered, half moon-shaped nylon pouch that expands to fit layers, accessories, or whatever else you choose to store in it. Using one PackStack even begets using another: one nests neatly on top of the first, so you can maximize every inch of pack space. 鈥淯sing two PackStacks鈥攁 larger one to hold my clothes and a smaller one for my odds and ends鈥攆elt like storing them in a dresser at home,鈥� one editor said after a gear-heavy, five-day excursion through Panama鈥檚 Parque Internacional La Amistad. 鈥淓verything inside stayed neatly stashed, and pulling the sacks out and putting them back was a breeze.鈥�

Hillsound offers the PackStack in a regular version ($17 and up) as well as a waterproof model ($29 and up) that鈥檚 seam-sealed and has a waterproof zipper. Both regular and waterproof versions are available in a size tailored for backpacks between 40 and 60 liters, as well as one for behemoths over 60 liters; both of those sizes come in short and tall varieties. The models range in capacity from 5.6 liters (40 liters, short) to 11.1 liters (60 liters, tall) and weigh from 3.3 to 4.3 ounces. All PackStacks are made with 210-denier Cordura Lite, which stood up to months of hard use with no rips or holes. That鈥檚 good, since we plan on taking the PackStack on every multi-day mission for years to come.

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There are two types of travelers in this world: those who need a specialized compartment for everything, and those who prefer to toss their belongings in a bag, zip it up, and go. Whichever you are, or if you鈥檙e somewhere in between, here are three of this year鈥檚 best outdoor luggage offerings to fit your travel style.

Norr酶na Trolley Bag ($329)

The problem with most giant rolling duffels is that the internal frame takes up almost as much room as the gear you鈥檙e packing. But Norr酶na鈥檚 Trolley duffel offers a cavernous 120 liters of storage space, thanks to a simple yet smart design feature that nixes the telescoping handle鈥攁nd therefore the internal frame鈥攊n favor of flat-lying handles sewn into the top. This keeps the bag鈥檚 weight low, making it easier to stay under an airline鈥檚 50-pound limit. Half-inch-thick, cushy trekking-style backpack straps make carrying this thick-skinned, 450-denier recycled nylon duffel over rough terrain more comfortable鈥攅ven when it鈥檚 fully loaded.

STM Goods Dux 30L Backpack ($250)

STM stands for 鈥渟marter than most,鈥� which sounds pretentious until you try the Australian brand鈥檚 Dux backpack. With 360 degrees of foam padding within the casing, our tester felt comfortable lugging around delicate cameras, lenses, and audio equipment. Flexible and adjustable polyethylene foam shelves form up to three protective compartments in the main body of the bag and are accessible through a zippered, butterfly-wing panel on each side. Plus, the laptop and tablet compartments are suspended above the bottom of the pack with a thick EVA foam cushion adding an extra buffer against dings and drops.

Gregory Quadro Pro Hardcase Carry-On ($230)

Many rolling carry-on bags now have a specific storage compartment for laundry or shoes. But Gregory ups the ante with a removable 22-inch sleeve that features an antimicrobial coating to prevent even the gnarliest items from permeating the luggage with their smell鈥攁 refinement that came in handy for our tester during a two-week trip without a way to do laundry. We also appreciated the external USB charging port (just zip your power bank into the interior pocket and plug it in) and compression straps with zippered storage for small items. The four wheels are buttery smooth rolling over all sorts of surfaces, from city streets to gravel.

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I like skiing as much as the next guy, but I admit that the logistics involved are ridiculous from start to finish. Jamming your feet into stiff boots and scouring the lot for a parking space at the resort are just the cost of a day on the slopes, and the nightmare only intensifies when dragging your gear across the country on an airplane. Packing everything up and lugging it through airports is a predicament I鈥檓 fortunate enough to find myself in often, and this winter, the ($300 for the 192-centimeter length, $280 for the 175-centimeter length) has made traveling to shred powder much less of a pain in the ass.

Before this season, I鈥檇 been using a standard ($99), but it only had room for one set of poles and skis, plus a few layers of clothes wrapped around the skis. I liked it fine but needed something large enough for two pairs of planks when my wife decided to join me on a couple excursions. The RoundTrip caught my eye because of the wheels and the promise of more storage. So far it has delivered on spaciousness while still being easier to handle than my smaller bag.

The RoundTrip also satisfies all of my weird organizational needs. It holds two sets of skis and poles, as well as a couple of brilliant stuffsacks that you can pack with clothes before sliding them over the skis to fill up unused volume at either end of the bag. I put my street clothes in one bag and my ski layers in the other. There鈥檚 also an interior zipper to keep your gloves, hats, and gaiters in one place. Interior straps wrap around each pair of skis to keep them from shifting inside the bag, and a dedicated sleeve keeps your poles separated.听Two exterior compression straps buckle down to create a nice, tight package. And, as mentioned, the RoundTrip has wheels, so you can drag it through the airport like a roller bag.

There鈥檚 so much room and it packs so well that the RoundTrip has become the only bag I use when I鈥檓 flying somewhere to ski. On a recent trip with my wife, I fit our skis, poles, and all of my clothing in this bag. Its padded exterior, with reinforced panels, compression straps, and extra rigidity from the stuffsacks, made me feel supremely confident that my gear would be safe, even as I watched baggage handlers sling it around.

A plastic pad to keep your skis separated is included, but I found it unnecessary; if the bag is packed fully and your skis are strapped down properly, there shouldn鈥檛 be any ski-on-ski rubbing.

I was suspicious about the S-curve zipper, which seemed like a听design quirk at first, but it does help the bag keep its tubelike shape. In my old straight-zippered bag, my stuff always slid to the bottom when I carried it. With the RoundTrip, everything from the zipper to the padding is designed to maintain its structure and keep my gear in place.

The only thing holding back the RoundTrip from being an ideal bag is its lack of a shoulder strap. Yes, it鈥檚 designed to be rolled, but occasionally I wanted to sling the thing over my shoulder to navigate crowded airports. The grab handles are useful, but their placement means you have to carry the bag like a suitcase, which can be cumbersome when it鈥檚 loaded. However, it鈥檚 a minor gripe for a bag that makes traveling with skis less sucky.

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On September 8, VF announced it had sold Eagle Creek to Travis Campbell, a long-time VF executive who was most recently the corporation’s president of emerging brands. Campbell plans to build the brand back from its new headquarters in his hometown of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Read more about the acquisition on our sister site, the .

The travel gear industry lost a heavy hitter yesterday, as听Eagle Creek that it will shut down operations by the end of this year. Its parent company, VF Corporation, the Colorado-based conglomerate that owns other big outdoor names like the North Face and Altra,听offered scant details about the factors that led to the brand鈥檚 demise, simply saying that keeping the label running 鈥渘o longer makes strategic or financial sense.鈥� As a frequent traveler and owner of many Eagle Creek-stamped bags, I鈥檓 left to mourn the 100-liter-sized gap in high-quality, rugged travel gear.

During its almost 50听years in business, Eagle Creek,听which was started by Steve and Nona Barker in San Jacinto, California, in听1975,听became renowned in the rough-riding adventure travel community for the durability and innovative design of its luggage, backpacks, and accessories. During my time as a travel editor and gear reviewer, I鈥檝e tested more than half a dozen Eagle Creek offerings, including the bombproof Cargo Hauler duffel, the versatile carry-on, and the smart backpack. I was always impressed by the thoughtful design details: unlike some other travel brands, whose products include bells and whistles that offer little practical value, it鈥檚 clear that the minds behind Eagle Creek鈥檚 creations are travelers themselves and that they thought hard about what would actually work听best on the road. For example, the Wayfinder鈥檚 hidden tech pocket has a cord pass-through between the shoulder strap and laptop compartment for charging your phone on the go from a powerbank. I鈥檝e edited plenty of writers who swear by the brand鈥檚 hardiness, including one whose luggage has held up for over a decade. The brand鈥檚 Caldera International Carry-On, an update of the Switchback, even nabbed one of 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚听coveted Gear of the Year awards.

Away from my desk and out on the road, I鈥檇 often find myself inventing items in my head that I wished existed (such as a wheeled carry-on with backpack straps and a zip-out personal item), only to find that Eagle Creek . My favorite example of this phenomenon is the packing cube. Long plagued by my two arch nemeses鈥攐verpacking and a lack of organization鈥擨 dreamt of a cube that didn鈥檛 take up precious bag space, could compress items down to half their size, and showed what was inside. Eagle Creek, of course, made this听too.

No other product in my years of testing and globetrotting has changed the way I traveled as much as this packing cube. At around two ounces each, the Pack-Its punch well above their weight when it comes to functionality鈥擨 wish I had them when I was living out of a backpack in Asia and Australia听for more than three years. The compression zippers allowed me to squeeze a week鈥檚 worth of clothes into a suitcase normally meant for a few days, saving me more than a few checked bag fees. Their stand-out feature, though, is so obvious I can鈥檛 believe it鈥檚 not standard everywhere: they鈥檙e translucent, so I can know what鈥檚 in the听cube without opening it. That, combined with the variety of sizes and styles that allows me to organize clothing by day or use, has saved me countless minutes of unpacking and repacking as I move from place to place. Practically speaking, this meant that while my mom rushed to squeeze everything back into her suitcase as we hopped hotels in Italy, I was enjoying my third espresso down in the caf茅. Hearing the news about Eagle Creek鈥檚 downfall had me wondering how many Pack-Its I could buy in bulk before they disappear forever.

Long before they perfected the packing cube, Eagle Creek started out making custom backpacks. In 2007, the company was acquired by VF Corporation,听with the goal of turning humble beginnings into a . It鈥檚 unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic鈥檚 decimation of the global travel industry had a hand in the brand鈥檚 sudden disintegration. While some jobs will be eliminated, VF Corporation says many Eagle Creek staffers will be shifted to sister brands like Jansport and Eastpak.

I, for one, will be sad to see Eagle Creek鈥檚 logo disappear from shelves; it鈥檚 one of the few luggage companies that virtually guaranteed a one-time purchase. The brand鈥檚 鈥淣o Matter What鈥� warranty鈥攚hich included replacement or repair of many products, regardless of the cause of failure鈥攚as one of the few left in the business after L.L. Bean and REI announced that they were ending similar return programs听in recent years. It鈥檚 not clear if or how VF Corporation will honor that warranty now (the company did not respond to a request for comment). Regardless, I hope that Eagle Creek鈥檚 staff will carry on the spirit of the brand鈥檚 simple-yet-significant innovations and buy-it-for-life quality at听other labels in the industry.

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After nearly eight years of covering gear for 国产吃瓜黑料, I have learned to be flexible when making recommendations. When someone comes at me with a hard line on the correct flex point of a ski boot, or on the superiority of backpacking with an ultralight kit, I respond with a diplomatic de gustibus non est disputandum鈥攂asically, there鈥檚 no accounting for taste. While it鈥檚 fair to take preferences, needs, and budget into account with most gear suggestions, there is one genre in which I will hold firm: you should really invest in a comfortable听camp pad.

I have come to this strict rule after sleeping听hundreds of nights out of doors since 2000, when听I showed up to my first summer听as a raft guide without a mattress to sleep on. The decision was one part necessity and one part bravado: I traveled on a Greyhound Bus to the gig听and wanted to pack light, and I thought that sleeping in a cheap sleeping bag in the dirt would听prove my mettle to the older guides (i.e. my heroes).

Both on the river and at our base camp, my spartan accommodations went unnoticed for weeks. No one cared how much I suffered amidst what turned out to be, surprisingly,听a culture of cozy sleeping arrangements. Two sets of entrenched guides went in on thrift store futons for base camp at the beginning of the season, which turned into a race to create the most comfortable beds听possible on $50-$75 a day wages.

Weeks into getting eaten by spiders and waking up with chalky hair every morning, Crazy Davy, a class-V guide three years my senior, noticed that I was sleeping in the dirt. 鈥淒ude, sleep on my bed, it鈥檚 a queen,鈥� he said. I was thrilled. Davy鈥檚 bed was an old air mattress his dad had discarded. It was rarely more than 75 percent inflated, and any movement was easily sensed on the other side of the mattress. Davy鈥檚 constant movement听served him well as a boater and guide, but it did not stop at night. I moved back to the dirt after a week.

I moved from the dirt to a cheap, self-inflating Therm-a-Rest听knock off on the river and flea-ridden Goodwill futon at base camp the next summer. The combo lasted me over a decade until I scored a 鈥攁 cartoonishly large, heavily cushioned piece of听foam encased in raft material so it鈥檚 waterproof and lasts forever, that鈥檚 a听staple of the veteran听river guide鈥檚 kit鈥攆or an 18-day Grand Canyon rafting trip. Fortunately, my now wife, Sarah, didn鈥檛 meet me until the early Paco Pad years. Unfortunately, we only had the one fancy mattress between the two of us, and chivalry compelled me to claim her old backpacking Therm-a-Rest, a solid inch and a half below her perch on the luxurious Paco Pad. I was basically back in the dirt.

Since then, we鈥檝e really stepped up our game.听Nine years later, Sarah and I now sleep on an , and sometimes our daughter Jojo crawls in with us as well. It is incredibly easy to set up thanks to an efficient pump, can be inflated to a rigid state that is kind to my 38-year-old back,听and holds air well enough that I don鈥檛 need to top it off even on a four-night camping trip. The integrated sheet and comforter mean we don鈥檛听even need to听stress about bringing sleeping bags or bedding鈥攖he whole thing comes in one tidy,听albeit large,听package to throw in the back of the truck. When coupled with our , the setup is just a hair less comfortable than our bed at home.

At $300, the Kingdom System is quite pricey, but our usage has made it a worthwhile investment. Since we got it in May of 2019, I conservatively estimate we鈥檝e spent 30 nights sleeping on it. That works out to about $5 a night per person, and that per-use price will drop even more this summer.

Every night of sleep on this mattress has been comfortable, and every good night of rest on it has made the next day鈥檚 activities better. I find it fascinating when friends scoff at a $300 price tag for a mattress that they will spend hundreds of hours sleeping on, but won鈥檛 flinch at thousands of dollars for a ski kit that will see dozens of hours of use in a good season. Don鈥檛 get me wrong: good skis are a solid investment. I just suggest also placing a high value on getting a good night鈥檚 rest. Unless you like to be miserable鈥攊n which case I will not dispute your taste.

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