16 Best Hiking Socks 2022: Top Merino Wool for Men & Women
As a former REI employee with three-and-a-half years of experience in the footwear department, customers have approached me countless times to ask which socks to buy for their next adventure. I’m a sock nerd and know that small details make all the difference in creating the best experience outdoors. These are my recommendations for […]
How to Become a House Sitter (& Find Long-Term Sitting Jobs)
Once you’ve learned how to become a house sitter and landed your first long-term job, it might all seem too good to be true. You may just feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret travel cheat code or struck the cash-strapped traveler lottery. Feelings like these are bound to bubble up from time to […]
11 Best Backpacking Tents 2022 [Budget, Ultralight & More]
Picking out one of 2022’s best backpacking tents for your gear list is no small task. Because, in the wild and unforgiving backcountry, your tent is the only thing protecting you from the wind, rain, and critters that await outside. That’s why we’ve carefully chosen the 11 best backpacking tents on the market and […]
15 Best Minimalist Backpacks for Modern One Bag Travel 2022
As a nomad who lives with less, few things get me fired up like simple one bag travel while donning my minimalist backpack. The feeling that overcomes me knowing everything I need is gently resting on my shoulders as I get to know a new place is simply exhilarating. But fitting my travel essentials […]
Hostel vs Hotel: Differences, Safety & What’s Right for You
If you’re a worn-out traveler, you’ll need a place to rest your weary bones at the end of the day. This biological necessity comes with a price tag and a slew of options, chief amongst which lies the decision between picking a hostel vs hotel. It seems like an easy decision, right? Not so […]
Van Life: 13 Good, Bad & Strange Realities of Living in a Van
During my six years of on-again-off-again van life in my 2005 Chevy Astro, I’ve ventured down countless roads in search of riveting and unconventional experiences. I’ve bumped down rutted-out backcountry trails, cruised across barren deserts, navigated congested city streets, flown through miles of endless plains, and hopped aboard ferries to remote islands. I’ve slept […]
Polyester vs Cotton: Which Material is Best for Traveling?
Each day we’re faced with the choice of what to wear to best suit our needs, and this decision becomes even more magnified when we’re traveling. Catching trains, navigating airports, exploring crowded city streets – the movement of life on the go requires comfort, functionality, and confidence. If you’re reading this article, then you […]
Patagonia R1 Review: Regulator Fleece Pullover Hoody
Price: $159 MSRP – Check Price on REI | Backcountry | Patagonia Connor’s Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars Pros: Comfortable, versatile, easy to layer with Cons: Not very weather-resistant, not super packable Weight: 11 oz | 312 grams Women’s Model: R1 Pullover Lighter Option: Patagonia R1 Air Crew – 9.7 oz | 275 grams […]
Essential Backpacking Gear: 15 Items I Can’t Hike Without
If you’re on a quest for essential backpacking gear — the top-notch items that’ll enrich your life on the trail — you’ve come to the right place. Why? Because I’m a hopeless ultralight backpacking junkie, and I’m itching to nerd out over my 15 all-time favorite pieces of gear. Health, happiness, and comfort in […]
Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket Review
Price: $199 MSRP – Check Price on Montbell Noel’s Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars Pros: Lightweight, packable, full-featured, great fit, breathable Cons: Wets out after long rain exposure, pricey Weight: 6.4 oz | 182 grams Women’s Model: Versalite Jacket Lighter Option: Enlightened Equipment Visp – 4.9 oz | 140 grams Budget Alternative: Outdoor Research Helium […]