They say travelers should take only photos and leave only footprints, but it may just be our footprints that are doing the most harm to our planet.
Most of us are now aware of our carbon footprint, which is the total amount of greenhouse gases each of us generates. Sadly, our carbon footprints tend to be more damaging when we travel.
While most of us put a lot of time and effort into carefully packing for our vacations in terms of saving on weight and space and only carrying things we’ll actually need, few of us are conscious of how environmentally friendly our travel gear is.
One of the best ways to become a sustainable traveler is to start thinking about what products you take with you traveling. There are now countless eco-friendly travel products on the market made by companies that use organic or recycled materials and in some cases even donate a percentage of their profits to earth-saving initiatives.
After researching sustainable products, you’ll soon discover that items like sunglasses, hats, and suitcases are now being made from recycled materials, and can result in a huge reduction in waste. Here are some great sustainable travel gear items you should think about.
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Today we’re going to talk about Tropicfeel, a travel gear brand making versatile, high quality and sustainable gear to accompany people’s lives while leaving a positive impact on the planet.
And more specifically, their new all terrain sneaker called Jungle which is the perfect shoe for every modern traveler who wants to be ready to jump into new adventures anytime, anywhere.
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It’s one thing we all crave; a passionate love affair that will still make us smile even when we’re 90; that electric attraction where you can’t keep your hands off one another when together, and every minute spent apart is an unbearable state of intense longing.
As travelers, we fall head over heels quite often; swept up by the romance of intrepid adventure, and easily addicted to the high of new discovery.
But in terms of an affair to change your life completely, and a relationship where you fit together so naturally it feels like it was always meant to be, today I’d like to introduce you to Standard Luggage.
A durable carry-on backpack designed to fit the maximum dimensions of most airlines (that’s right – it’s big, but not so big that it doesn’t fit), expandable from 35-45 liters, Standard Luggage have created a travel bag so stylish and practical that you’ll remember this bag when you’re 90! (here’s the link).
It’s convertible to be used as three different bag styles, made from ballistic nylon to be both durable and water resistant, and includes a huge range of add-ons which enhance the travel experience without charging extra.
And if you fantasize about plenty of well organized, practical pockets (because which traveler doesn’t), you’ll never crave unzipping another piece of luggage.
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Choosing a water filter for your backpacking adventures can be daunting, and here are multiple factors to take into consideration before making your choice.
You’ll need to decide, for instance, whether to buy a plain water filter or a water purifier (there is a difference). You’ll also need to understand how the different water filter types work, in order to be able to pick the one that suits your specific needs.
Last but not least, you’ll need to ensure the water filter you choose for traveling and backpacking is the right fit for your situation (most people want them compact, durable and lightweight).
There are many different types of water filters you can buy for backpacking and traveling, so this is an overview of what they are, when you would use them, and in which situations they’re best suited.
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Regular readers will know by now that I never leave home without my power station. Whether I’m camping, road-tripping, or on a city-break with my laptop and phone, a reliable source of power comes with me everywhere I go.
And it’s not just because I can’t go a day without my phone (though that’s also true!). It’s also the comfort of camping with a running fridge for keeping food; for air-con when you’re road-tripping through the desert, and for being able to power lights for safety.
It’s also necessity when you have to face severe energy shortages, which many countries around the world, especially developing nations, constantly do.
So I’m not willing to sacrifice electricity when I travel – yes, because of the safety and convenience, but also because you simply don’t have to.
My favorite portable power station to date has been the Bluetti AC200 (I wrote this review), which has now been made even more powerful with its latest product update: now the AC200P.
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We’re forced to forgo many comforts when we travel, from familiar food to leisurely hot showers (not every country enjoys a seemingly endless supply of hot water!), and sleeping on a comfortable pillow.
But for all the comforts you sacrifice to hit the road, access to power shouldn’t be one of them. After-all, electricity is one of the most important blessings science has given us!
Power is everything when you travel; keeping your phone charged means communication in an emergency; keeping a fridge going means food for off grid trips, or during a natural disaster / power outage.
Keeping a TV in your van means you won’t kill the family you committed to share a confined space with, and keeping lights charged could save your life during night-time adventures.
But how do you guarentee you have constant access to a reliable source of power? The EB240 is a portable solar power station from MAXOAK which has a huge capacity and load, and is super long lasting for travel in the outdoors, an RV, or even for use as emergency backup power at home.
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It only occurred to me recently that I could travel with a portable massage gun. I had always worked the cost of a spa treatment into my budget, knowing I would definitely be in need after adventures like Machu Picchu and Kilimanjaro.
Though I’m starting to crave massage treatments more and more nowadays, even during fairly chilled out styles of travel; whether it’s from exhausted feet after walking a city all day, or pain and soreness during road-trips from driving long distances.
Maybe I’ve finally gotten soft, or maybe it’s the effects of old age (I swear I’m 32 going on 60!), but either way, I’m starting to really value the physical benefits of massage for making the most of my travels.
To date, I’ve just sucked up the high cost and been paying. Though it’s always a tough internal battle when you look at a spa menu and compare that cost to a flight, or a train!
And while there might not be anything which can completely replace a trained professional, why I didn’t realize I could spend the cost of one treatment to buy my own hand-held massage device is beyond me!
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I’m often asked what makes a good travel shoe and my number one response is usually versatility. While it would be nice to pack a dozen different pairs of shoes, this is totally impractical when traveling, and in trying to adhere to luggage size and weight restrictions the goal is pack just one or two pairs of lightweight shoes that you can use for a wide range of activities.
Most versatile shoes are lacking in one particular area though, and that’s in being waterproof. Which is important because, trust me, it rains in pretty much every country! Enter Loom.
Loom Footwear has not only created a highly-versatile sneaker, they’ve gone a step further and made them waterproof. Stylish enough for city walking, they’re also great hiking shoes that can stand up to a number of elements.
Both lightweight and comfortable, they’re easy to pack and can worn all day without suffering from sore feet. All of this adds up to Loom waterproof sneakers being an ideal choice for travel footwear.
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Of all the addictions of modern society, I never fell into any seriously bad vices. Though I am addicted to power. Not the type that ‘goes to your head’, but the type that powers your devices, keeps your light on, and your fridge active!
I’m talking about electricity. I cannot go without it! I want it when I’m camping, when living the RV life, and I want it during a power outage, like when you’re visiting a region with recurrent blackouts, or caught in a natural disaster.
Portable power stations have become my best friend – especially those with clean solar recharge. And my favorite brand MAXOAK has just announced their highest capacity portable power station yet.
Eco-friendly, reliable, cost-effective, and with a continuous 2000W AC Output / 1700Wh capacity, this portable solar powered generator can power 17 devices simultaneously, and is powerful enough to charge a Tesla!
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These days, there’s absolutely no reason you should ever find yourself without power, electricity, or battery charge. Not even when the power goes out!
Not when you’re camping in the wilderness, not when you’re driving through remote places, and not even in a natural disaster. Why? Because today we have portable power stations and solar generators that allow us to charge our electronics regardless of whether you’re outdoors, far away from a wall outlet, or caught in a power outage.
One of the highest capacity and longest lasting portable power stations with a solar recharge is the MAXOAK Bluetti AC100; a 1,000 watt hour battery with a load capacity of 600 watts, and a built in Sine Wave converter which means you can use AC power.
If you want a high capacity portable solar generator, this is the one you want! It means you’ll never be without power or battery charge.
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We buy a lot of things out of the box these days. But what about your home?!
We’ve all been so conditioned to believe that home ownership means a 30 year mortgage, and 2,600 square feet to call our own, but this way of thinking has seen home ownership become largely unattainable, and for those who do jump in, you waste years of your life figuring out how to afford your home.
The internal struggle is real – do I save money for a house deposit, or do I invest my money in life experiences, and travel before I settle down? … But if I travel, it’s going to put me behind on being able to afford a home.
The solution is the tiny home movement; a lifestyle choice to downsize and simplify, with the huge financial advantage of more time and freedom to enjoy life.
A new name on the scene is Boxabl – a company selling ultra modern folding houses built in a precision factory environment, from cutting edge materials, packed with the latest technology.
These box homes are delivered right to your backyard, and unfold in under 2 hours. But better yet? It’s less than $50,000 for a fully furnished home!
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There’s nothing worse than finding yourself without power when traveling. Whether you’re camping, trekking, or in a country where the power goes out every afternoon (3pm on the dot in the Solomon Islands!), these days we need battery life for most things we do.
And that’s where a portable power station comes in, and why it’s so essential to have one for travel; a power source, and way of charging your electronics regardless of whether you’re outdoors, far away from a wall outlet, or caught in a power outage.
The brand we’re reviewing today is the US based MAXOAK Bluetti AC20 Portable Power Station – it’s a lightweight but durable portable generator that is excellent for travel, as well as use as a backup power source at home.
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Sunglasses are often a holiday must-have, but what you might not realize when picking up any old pair off the rack, is that the quality of your eye-wear is absolutely essential.
Of course a good pair of sunglasses will have sex appeal, but what’s even more attractive are the health benefits they bring. Sunburn of the eyes is a real thing, and it’s PAINFUL!
We rely on our vision more than any other sense so it’s essential that we protect ourselves. Travel has a way of putting us in environments that can be harsh on the eyes, so sunglasses are vital for making sure you can continue to see the world with clarity.
So yes, buy based of fashion trends (the top fashion trend at the moment are aviators – we recommend Eye Buy Direct, who have a great range of aviator sunglasses), but when you do, make sure the glasses also tick these boxes.
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Over decades spent hiking in snake country, our experience has taught us that the majority of common snakes are generally non-aggressive and won’t cause you any problems. Avoid them, treat them with respect, and it’s actually pretty easy not to get bitten!
That said, you may run into trouble if you disturb a snake while hiking, and this can definitely happen without intention or realizing! So for those instances, it’s essential to make sure you have proper protection from snake bites: Your clothing.
Beyond having a first aid kit and the knowledge of how to treat snakebite, your clothing is your first layer of protection against an encounter; long pants, boots, and gaitors. Fortunately, WildProof Gear has put together a list of everything you should be wearing!
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Whether it’s dealing with tummy troubles, annoying bug bites, nasty sunburns from too much fun in the sun, or simply loads of stress brought on by travelling (it happens!), there are many ailments that afflict travelers.
But what if I told you that there’s a natural remedy that could replace the need to visit a chemist, and mean you don’t have to load up on medications?!
Chamomile is one of the world’s most widely used medicinal plants, once used by the ancient Romans to soothe all kinds of ailments.
While you may be familiar with the calming effects of Chamomile tea, you may not be aware that diffusing undiluted Roman Chamomile Essential Oil can be an even more effective treatment for a wide variety of travel troubles.
An immune system boosting plant that can soothe the gastrointestinal system, make those bug bites stop itching, make that sunburn feel less blistering, and help you relax when seated in that middle seat between two obnoxious airline passengers; ‘Roman Chamomile Essential Oil’ are four words every traveler should know!
There are some impressive research findings to back up these claims, so today I want to share how you can benefit from using chamomile essential oil too, and how to use it effectively and safely.
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When it comes to the world of beach towels, no two are created equal. And, if you’re planning on hitting the beach this summer, a good quality beach towel is definitely worth the investment.
There are a wide range of great beach towels on the market these days, but one in particular has stood out to us this summer as a cut above the rest.
A sand-free beach towel with thoughtful features like corner sand pockets, and water-resistant hidden pockets to protect your belongings against water damage and beach theft, the following are 10 reasons you need a Sumoii Beach Towel this summer.
It ranks highly in terms of quality, form, function, and appearance, and is a smarter and easier way to spend time at the beach!
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Tactical pants – you don’t have to be going on a tactical mission to wear them, and you don’t have to be Bear Grylls or a US Navy Seal for them to have their use.
In fact, built to withstand the elements, and the abuse of wear, tear, tactical pants are a solid choice for adventurous travelers, whether you’re mountain climbing, trekking in the jungle, or just heading out on a short hike.
Tactical pants look like cargo pants, but they’ve been technically modified to be lightweight, fast drying, and have more concealed pockets than any other pair of pants in your closet.
They’ll also outlast anything else in your closet.
Tactical pants are commonly worn by law enforcement; men and women in the military, SWAT teams, and, yes, Bear Grylls! These aren’t just your average trousers. But the following is a guide should you, the average person, want to add them to your everyday armor!
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The VARIDESK Laptop 30 is a height-adjustable workstation that turns any desk into a standing desk, meaning your work can be comfortable, productive and energizing again.
When you need to sit, you sit, when you need to stand, you stand. There are a range of different height settings, but best of all, it’s super easy; with the pull of a lever you go from sitting to standing, and vice versa, in three seconds flat.
It requires no assembly, is easy to adjust in height, and is portable and light enough to travel with. It’s essentially a desk converter, perfect for mobile minimalists like digital nomads!
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Traveling is a fun and exhilarating activity, however if you’re not prepared for the weather, you might find that you’ve effectively ruined your trip.
The weather is the single factor most likely to positively or negatively affect your travels, though it’s also one of the things most travelers take for granted, and people quite often find themselves caught off guard.
Checking the weather forecast for your destination before you leave is essential to ensuring you are packing appropriate clothes, and you shouldn’t make assumptions as to what you believe the weather is going to be.
I mean it’s always going to be warm in Australia right?
Always check.
If you’re traveling during winter, or to destinations that experience extremely cold weather conditions, make sure you have the following items of clothing with you.
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I recently spent two weeks in Asia with my aunt, and I wouldn’t be surprised if, by the end of it, she was sick of hearing about how incredible my new shoes are … it may have been a daily conversation point!
They had arrived the day I was leaving; one of those times where you find out about an epic product 3 days before you board the plane, and pray to God that you haven’t left your order too late.
Stylish, comfortable ballet flats, made from super soft manmade rubber, they promised to be stylish for every occasion, easy to wash, and comfortable from the very minute you put them on.
Think crocs that people would actually compliment you on; a jelly shoe that you can walk in all day, that’s crazy light for traveling, and one you can wear to the beach, throw under a tap, and then wear to a 5 star restaurant. I came home from overseas and instantly bought 2 new colors!
If you’re looking for the perfect shoe for both home and abroad, the name you need to know is Mox. Read on to find out why I’ve been raving about them so much!
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Finding a great gift for someone who seemingly has everything can become a bit of a headache. How do you find the right present that they will use and don’t already have?
For travelers in particular, who spend so much time visiting foreign and exotic countries, you don’t want to gift them something average – you want to find something that really makes an impact!
It’s always nice to know the gift you have chosen is gratefully received, though these days it’s important to think outside the box if you’re trying to gift the traveler in your family.
If you’re struggling for ideas you’ll find the following are definitely out of the box and truly unique!
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There were definitely those who thought my logic was flawed – to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time in the middle of Tasmanian winter, when the water was well below 0, and no idea if I could balance.
But what better incentive to stay on the board?!
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is always something I’ve wanted to try, but there are very few opportunities when traveling to find an available board. And I never wanted the hassle of a big, bulky, rigid thing that wouldn’t fit in the car when roadtripping.
But then came Goosehill SUP; a company who make inflatable boards.
An inflatable stand-up paddle board that packs down in to a compact backpack, comes with all the accessories, is light enough to travel with, and doesn’t cost a fortune?! Yes please!
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For many people, travel blogging is the ultimate dream; working online as you travel, your office ranging from a cruise ship in Antarctica, to a hammock in the Caribbean.
And with a constantly changing environment, improvising with your work-space is a guarentee. You work from bar stools, futons, and cramped economy seats. You hike 30 minutes with a picnic blanket, in minus 2 degrees, because it’s the only place the WiFi will reach.
Travel blogging means that my office view is constantly changing; it’s exciting, it’s inspiring, and I’m passionate about waking up every day. But, after 5 years of working on the floor in airports, and editing photos on the plane, it’s messed with my posture something shocking.
Without intentionally trying to sound like my mother, I’ve discovered first hand that bad posture leads to spinal problems, including neck and back pain.
The solution?
I now use the VARIDESK Pro Plus 36 and it has saved me; it’s a standing desk solution that converts any regular desk to an adjustable sit to stand desk. And it’s amazing.
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We’ve come a long way from classifying eyeglasses as bulky medical equipment intended purely for optic aid.
These days, glasses have become less about vision correction and more of a fashion statement, saturating the eyewear market with thousands of different shapes and styles.
While fashion has always blurred the lines between the classic and the avant-garde with perennial collections by the likes of Gucci, Ray-Ban and Tom Ford – it’s often the underdogs who rewrite the rules of the game.
With e-tailers like SmartBuyGlasses carrying more than 80,000 products across over 200 brands, it may seem impossible to find that diamond in a sea of glass(es). So we’ve created a list which celebrates ingenious functionality from eyewear brands you may not have heard of!
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Camping can mean an incredible adventure, but the one thing that can easily ruin your experience is a bad camping mattress. Not only does a bad mattress have the potential to compromise your health, it’s usually even worse than if you were to just sleep on the ground!
There are many things you’ll need to consider when buying a quality camping mattress, but the biggest thing to remember is that not one size fits all; you should be buying a mattress that’s suitable for you.
From the size to the practicality of traveling with it, the following are essential factors to consider when buying a camping mattress.
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