Packing for adventure travel is never easy. Every trip is different, which means each time you break out the suitcase or duffel bag, you need to start from scratch when deciding what to bring. The clothes and gear will change, that鈥檚 a given. But if you want to streamline the packing process for flights, the best advice I can give鈥�based on two decades as a travel writer鈥攊s to figure out a carry-on setup that will get you through 90 percent of trips. For most people, the key to that setup is finding the best personal item bag.

Yes, the 鈥減ersonal item,鈥� that ill-defined and rarely size-enforced additional bag that can range from a purse or daypack to a garment sack and even a guitar, depending on the airline and flight attendants on duty. The confusion over what counts as a personal item stems from the fact that most airlines don鈥檛 specify exact dimensions, other than it needs to fit under the seat in front of you. That directive comes directly from the Federal Aviation Administration, which is why most airlines follow its lead. But the under-seat space varies from airline to airline, so what鈥檚 an adventure traveler who鈥檚 trying to avoid aggressive baggage fees (or anxiously waiting at the carousel like a date that鈥檚 been stood up) supposed to do?

Here鈥檚 a basic tip before we get into the specifics: Traveling is hard enough, so don鈥檛 complicate things by trying to sneak a giant duffel and a roller bag on the plane. A large duffel or backpack, no matter how lax the gate agent is, will likely get flagged by flight attendants onboard the plane, and you鈥檒l be forced to check it or your larger carry-on item. Essentially, anything bigger than a day pack will be hard to pass off as a personal item. (Although I once watched, admirably, as a father tried to claim that a giant stuffed giraffe was his kids鈥� personal item.) For the sake of everyone onboard, get with the program and use a backpack or similar bag as your personal item. It鈥檒l make airline travel, if not headache free, more tolerable.

Here鈥檚 what to consider when deciding what personal item-sized bag is best for you.

What Counts As a Personal Item?

Many airlines don鈥檛 specify exact size restrictions for personal items, but the that all carry-on items fit under the seat in front of you, if it鈥檚 not in an enclosed storage compartment.

This leaves a lot of wiggle room as to what size bag counts as a personal item. A small backpack with a change of clothes and your toiletry bag? Definitely. A messenger bag for your laptop? Sure. A large backpack crammed full of a week’s worth of clothes? Well鈥� it depends. The room under each seat varies from airline to airline, but there鈥檚 a general size limit you can go by: if your bag comes in around 18 x 14 x 8 inches, it should fit just fine.

If it鈥檚 a soft-side bag with gear inside that can compress, you can probably go slightly larger than those dimensions. In my experience, most flight attendants don鈥檛 police the size of personal items as you鈥檙e boarding the plane, so all you need to do is make sure you can cram it under the seat when you sit down. This is why a medium-sized backpack works well as something of a cheat code: paired with a suitcase or duffel bag, you can stuff it full of an impressive amount of clothes and gear and still get it to fit under the seat.

This guidance comes with a caveat, though. If you鈥檙e going to be tossing your bag on the floor of a plane and kicking it underneath the seat in front, it needs to be durable. It鈥檚 going to get a lot of wear and tear, not to mention shoe grime and pretzel dust.

With durability, size, and smart design in mind, here are the best bags to consider in a few different categories.

听Backpacks

Best All-Around: Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L

Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 7 inches

Cost: from $199

It鈥檚 hard to find a better pack designed for the rigors of frequent airplane travel than this soft-sided daypack, made from a recycled ripstop polyester fabric, meaning it鈥檚 more than durable enough to serve as a personal item. It鈥檚 designed with a long list of smart features that make organizing gear easy, like a padded laptop pocket, a large main compartment with two interior pockets (great for passports and/or electric cords), and an exterior stretch-mesh pocket for a water bottle. The padded hip belt can double as a shoulder strap, converting the bag from a backpack to a messenger bag, and all the straps can be tucked away when not being used, turning it into ad hoc duffel bag, which is perfect when you’re fitting it underneath the seat in front of you, so no extra straps get caught on your feet. It even has a wide loop on the back panel that slips over the handle of a rolling suitcase, so you can cruise through the terminal without the weight of the pack on your back.

Also Great: Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L

Dimensions: 21 x 13 x 7 inches

Cost: from $240

This rugged backpack, with a recycled, weatherproof nylon shell, is stuffed with so many travel-specific features that it may take three or four trips to discover them all. A large top pocket with three sleeves makes organizing your keys, wallet, sunglasses, or passport a cinch. There鈥檚 the requisite padded laptop sleeve and tuck-away shoulder straps to hide all the backpack accoutrements when cramming it under an airplane seat. The other great thing about this bag, which also separates it from many others, is that it鈥檚 expandable, with a zipper that unzips to transform the bag from 27 liters to 33 liters. Either size should fit just fine underneath the seat, making it an excellent overall choice for those looking to maximize packing space in their personal item.

Most Durable: Yeti Crossroads 22L

Dimensions: 18.5 x 12 x 7.1 inches

Cost: from $200

With 22 liters of space, this pack is perfect for stashing an impressive amount of clothes and gear while still fitting under the seat in front of you. An inside sleeve fits a laptop; a zippered compartment up top delivers easy access to sunglasses, keys, and a passport; and a luggage pass-through panel allows you to slip it over the handle of your roller suitcase while cruising through airports. And because it鈥檚 made from Yeti鈥檚 proprietary Tuffskin nylon, it鈥檚 nearly bombproof, meaning it鈥檚 great for stashing on the plane and touring around in the wilds once you arrive at your destination.

Best for a Laptop: Cotopaxi Allpa Mini 20L Travel Pack

Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 8 inches

Cost: from $140

If all you need is a pack that can haul your laptop through the airport, along with a few other essentials and a toiletries bag, then this is the daypack for you. With a sleek design that weighs just 18 ounces, this pack is perfect for those types of trips where versatility is key and you鈥檙e on the go most days. It has an internal sleeve to secure a tablet or small laptop, a water bottle pocket, and two large internal main pockets for organizing other gear.

Duffel and Weekender Bags

Best All-Around Duffel: The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 32L

Dimensions: 22.7 x 13.8 x 8.7

Cost: from $125

This is the smaller, backpack-hybrid version of The North Face鈥檚 ubiquitous workhorse, the Base Camp Duffel, and it works exceptionally well for traveling, with an adjustable interior divider to help with organization, padded shoulder straps that can be stowed behind the back panel, and even a laptop compartment. Made from ballistic nylon and polyester tarpaulin, it鈥檚 designed for the long haul, along with a few backcountry beat-ups along the way. This duffel pick comes with a slight caveat, however: its maximum dimension comes in at slightly larger than recommended for an under-seat bag. I鈥檝e gotten mine to fit on all but one occasion, when I had it packed to the gills and was flying on a smaller plane on a regional airline. Unless you find yourself in similar situations often, you should be fine with this bag, particularly because it鈥檚 soft-sided and compresses when getting it to fit.

Best Non-Nylon Weekender Bag:听 Tom Beckbe Canvas Weekender Duffel Bag

Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 11.5 inches

Cost: from $595

Sometimes you just need a bag with even more durability and class than the usual ripstop nylon offering. Waxed canvas is the material you want, with its superior abrasion resistance and good looks, and the bag you want is this one, from Southern outdoor brand Tom Beckbe (named loosely after a river in Alabama). With leather trims and a large clamshell opening, this weekend bag is perfect for a trip to a genteel lodge鈥攁long with any other use you can throw at it.

Best Packable Duffel: Waterfield Packable Duffel

Dimensions: 18 x 8 x 10 inches (18 x 8 x 13 inches expanded)

Cost: from $129

Sometimes you need an extra bag with a lot of space but only for one way on your travels鈥攎aybe for taking some gifts to friends overseas, for example. This lightweight, water-resistant bag is that perfect extra bag for just such an occasion. The ripstop nylon lining offers lightweight durability and it packs down into its own 9-inch by 8-inch pocket.

Camera Bags

Best Bombproof Camera Bag: Wandrd Prvke 21L

Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 6.5 inches

Cost: from $219

For serious photographers, a durable, weatherproof bag that allows you to keep your expensive gear by your side at all times, including on the plane, is essential. Camera equipment is personal, and thus everyone has a preference on what camera bag offers the best combination of protection and easy access. For most people, this one should hit the sweet spot. With an exterior made from a waterproof tarpaulin and ripstop nylon fabrics, it sloughs off rain and snow and stands up to repeated scuffs and abrasions. Inside, it has padded space dividers with compartments designed to perfectly fit Wandrd鈥檚 Essential Camera Cube ($64) and a protective case for lenses and DSLR bodies that you can configure to whatever interior size you need. The Prvke also has a clamshell opening that鈥檚 designed to make grabbing your camera on the go easy and quick while maintaining protection when closed. The bag鈥檚 padded straps make it comfortable to wear for long periods, and there鈥檚 even a hidden passport pocket for overseas travel. It鈥檚 also backed by a lifetime warranty, so you don鈥檛 need to worry about the bag itself, just what鈥檚 inside, when tramping around in the forest or on city streets.

Wheeled Bags

Best Underseat Luggage: Briggs & Riley Baseline Cabin Spinner

Dimensions: 16.5 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches

Cost: from $499

It鈥檚 rare that an adventure traveler will require a wheeled under-seat suitcase on the regular; it鈥檚 more for business travelers setting out for one-night jaunts. But if you do find yourself in need of one, it鈥檚 hard to do better than this compact suitcase from one of the best names in luggage: Briggs & Riley. Made from ballistic nylon fabric, it offers exceptional durability, both on and off the plane, plus its telescoping handle and spinning wheels make it a cinch to pull through terminals and city streets. If you need a diminutive wheeled bag for heavy, expensive items (like camera lenses and equipment), this is a great option, and with Briggs and Riley鈥檚 best-in-class lifetime guarantee, the steep price is more than worth the cost.

Packable Bags/Totes

Best All-Around: Patagonia Terravia Tote Pack 24L

Dimensions: 16″ x 10″ x 8″

Cost: from $99

One of the hacks I鈥檝e developed over years of traveling is carrying a version of this extremely lightweight (just 14 ounces) bag on pretty much every trip. It packs into its own pocket and, unfurled, you can carry it as a backpack or a tote. On the road, it serves as a perfect pack for grabbing groceries or bringing a bathing suit and a towel to a backcountry hot spring. (Usually, though, I simply use it as a laundry bag for dirty clothes.) When it comes time to pack for home, you also have an extra bag to carry on any souvenirs or other purchases you鈥檝e made along the way. I usually check my main suitcase (it doesn鈥檛 matter if it gets delayed on the way home) and carry on the most important things in a backpack and this tote bag.

Best Low-Cost Option: Peak Design Packable Tote

Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.25 x 8 inches

Cost: from $30

If you鈥檙e looking for an ultra-packable sack for those just-in-case moments while traveling鈥攕ay you bought an extra sweater or two in Norway that won鈥檛 fit in your carry-on鈥攖his 12-liter nylon tote, which weighs just 2.8 ounces, is an excellent option. It packs down to roughly the size of a deck of cards, meaning it can fit just about anywhere in your luggage and, at just $30, it鈥檚 a cheap investment to help you easily expand your luggage space when traveling home, if you decide to check your primary bag.

Ryan Krogh is a freelance writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. In the last decade, he鈥檚 traveled to 27 countries and every U.S. state, nearly all with just a carry-on suitcase and a personal item鈥攗sually a backpack stuffed with clothes or fishing gear but also the occasional dog food bag when traveling with his yellow labrador, Magnolia.听

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It鈥檚 fun to imagine an apocalyptic scenario, and purchase the kind of neon green tomahawk you think will help you defeat zombie hoards. (Spoiler alert: it won鈥檛.) But when it comes to preparing for more likely situations鈥攕ay, an emergency while traveling鈥攎any of us are guilty of being caught flat-footed.

I get it. With severely limited space in carry-on luggage, plus the very real possibility of never seeing anything you check ever again, it鈥檚 easy to focus on the destinations on the other side. But travel often involves as much frustration as it does excitement. Based on over three decades of regular air travel both here in the United States and abroad, here are some simple changes I鈥檝e made to what I pack that help eliminate or address common problems.

Make the Most of Multiple-Use Clothing

Clothing is absolutely ket. For example, when packing for a backpacking trip, the key to saving weight is to only bring items that serve multiple purposes. A puffy jacket can keep you warm and be your pillow. Duct tape can fix torn clothing and prevent blisters. With space so limited inside a carry-on, adopting that same approach works just as well while traveling. Clothing will take up the most space in your luggage by far, so getting the most out of your clothes is key to travel preparedness.

Wool is a super-fabric that helps keep you cool when it鈥檚 hot, and warm when it鈥檚 cold. Versus cotton, it dries much faster and compared to synthetics, it can last through many more unwashed wears before getting stinky. Merino is softer next to the skin than other varieties.

Switching cotton socks and t-shirts to merino items is an obvious trick. Less so is the button down dress shirt. By packing one of those made from lightweight wool, not only do you get a single item that will better resist wrinkles and smells versus your standard cotton items, but also something that when paired with that merino t-shirt, quickly becomes a performance mid-layer, adding insulation and moisture wicking to your layering system. Last summer, I wore a ($168) to walk around Paris sightseeing all day, then headed to Frenchie for the five-course tasting menu. I was comfortable and looked good throughout.

Another versatile item is the shacket. Heavier than a button down and lighter than most jackets, a good shaket (or jac-shirt) can be left unbuttoned to dress up a tee, or snapped closed with the collar听turned up to serve as a warm mid-layer. Depending on the time of year and destination, I choose from items made from polyester fleece, wool, or down, and am rewarded with a layer that transitions easily from mountain to city, or outdoor activity to indoor environment. For more casual environments, I practically live in a black ($129).

The final piece in any layering system is the shell. These seal out wind and precipitation, and trap warm air in your other layers, keeping you toasty and dry. And while really hard, persistent rain demands the reliability of a waterproof-breathable membrane, high levels of activity, and changing conditions work better without one. Because waxed-cotton canvas can be adapted to increasing needs for waterproofness with the application of more wax, because it breathes better than any membrane, and because it can be dressed up or down to suit scenarios ranging from airport terminals to fancy restaurants, I鈥檝e transitioned to wax cotton shells for travel. ($250) features a classic style that looks good in pretty much any environment while providing ample weather protection.

On the upper half of your body, there are very few conditions that layering a merino t-shirt, a wool button down, a jac-shirt, and a waxed cotton shell will not be able to handle.

Carry Cords Compatible with Common Outlets, Plus Extra Power

Traveling between countries with different plug designs can be a nightmare. Because of that, many planes, hotel rooms, and offices have added USB-A compatibility to their power outlets. But few devices still use that design. Before you fly, purchasing cables that start with USB-A, and end in whatever style of port your devices require will simplify your packing and guarantee you鈥檒l be able to plug in no matter where you find yourself.

Pro Tip: Even if you find yourself in a hotel or office without USB-A wall outlets, televisions, monitors, and many other devices will include one. Look behind those before declaring defeat.

But as devices have moved away from USB-A, so have power bricks. To solve that problem, I recently upgraded to . That packs a wall charger, two USB-C outlets, one USB-A outlet, and a 10,000mAh battery all into one $70, cigarette pack-sized, multiple use device.

Dose Your Liquids and Don’t Forget the First-Aid Kit

Grab this assortment of travel-sized, color-coded, , and take the time to measure out the amount of potions and medications you need for the duration of your trip. Write out the contents on the bottle using a Sharpie.

In addition to everyday necessities ( and toothpaste), I like to bring some ibuprofen, Pepto Bismol, peppermint Dr. Bronners, a prescription antibiotic (ask your doctor), and a travel-size pack of skin-friendly wet wipes. For a first-aid kit, I carry a small role of duct tape, a tube of 0.5-ounce tube of Neosporin, and a pack of 0.17-ounce .

Properly Light Your Way at Night

Phone flashlights are all well and good鈥攗ntil it鈥檚 dark out and you need to see something further away than right in front of you. Plus, phone flashlights aren’t hands-free by nature and they suck battery when you鈥檙e trying to conserve the last few bars of precious juice. This is going to be a radical suggestion, I know, but carry a dedicated flashlight.

In my carry-on, I keep an 听($32). That gives me the easy ability to switch from a 130-yard spot beam to a very bright 500-lumen flood, to a night vision-preserving red light that鈥檚 capable of flashing for visibility, all with an intuitive, rotating, physical knob. The tiny 2.25-inch package can then be clipped to a backpack strap, shirt pocket, or hat should you need to go hands free, or inside a tent or to a curtain should you need area illumination.

I鈥檝e used mine to add extra evening visibility to a crappy rental bike and to hike nighttime trails. With a battery life that lasts 144 hours on its lowest brightness and an hour and 21 minutes on full blast, I just charge it before I fly somewhere.

Save Your Documents

My wife had her passport stolen out of her purse during our last visit to London, while her purse was hanging on the back of my chair at a pub so I could guard it. Because we snapped a picture of that way back when it was renewed, then emailed a copy of that image to both of our email accounts (complete with an easily searchable subject line), it didn鈥檛 cause us more than an hour of inconvenience, since we had proof of ID ready to go when we swung by the embassy for a replacement. Do the same with your driver鈥檚 license, and any visas or other travel documents. Should the worst happen, and your phone be lost, stolen, or disabled, you can log into your email from another person鈥檚 phone, or at an Internet cafe, and print out what you need to cross a border, rent a car, check into a hotel, or deal with the police. Though, it’s also important to know that many officials will not accept a digital I.D., this is a good starting point to have your details handy.

Bring Gear to Fix Problems

Tim Leatherman came up with the idea for the original multitool while on vacation in Italy way back in 1975. But the perfect solution for a toolkit you can fit in your pocket isn鈥檛 much use if you can鈥檛 bring it through security. Enter the : a keychain-sized tool designed for TSA compliance, but which the company 鈥渞etired鈥� in 2023. You can still find them and brick and mortar retailers.

I鈥檝e had one on my keychain for over a decade now, and have used it to fix everything from cars and motorcycles, to opening up a foreign power outlet to rig a connection with a plug from another country. It sails through security here in the U.S., but I have had them confiscated in European airports.

There are a variety of other TSA-compliant multitools out there, but I鈥檝e yet to find anything else that combines Leatherman鈥檚 quality with the practicality of having both pliers and scissors onboard. The is one such option, and at just $20, it’s cheap enough you won’t miss it if you do have to leave it behind at security.

In addition to the multitool, I like to bring along a few feet of paracord, one or two safety pins, and a Bic lighter. None of that takes up any noticeable space, and all three can be used to repair luggage, hang a clothesline (the Dr. Bronner鈥檚 in your toiletries means you can do laundry in a sink), drain a blister, or light a fire.

What About Your Feet?

Everyone has a different style, different needs, and different feet. Finding a boot that鈥檚 all-day comfortable, looks nice with a pair of jeans, and that provides the traction and weather resistance necessary for your destination and plans is both the solution, and the challenge.

For more casual travel to more outdoorsy destinations, I like to find a high quality leather hiking boot, then wear those for pretty much everything. Since I鈥檓 of German descent, it鈥檚 no surprise that brands like 听and 听fit me best. Your results will differ.

For dressier cities and countries, I鈥檝e found that , an Italian brand imported by Huckberry, is just the ticket for walking all over during the day, then looking nice at night.

Whatever you buy, replacing the the insoles with higher-quality items made by a brand like 听will offer dramatically improved comfort and support.

Putting in the effort to find the right footwear will give you the ability to move through airports and cities in comfort, hike trails safely, and run away from anything that threatens you.

The Bottom Line

Travel already costs a ton of money, flight delays and cancellations already cause enough headaches. There’s not a lot you can do about either, but some basic preparedness can prevent other variables like weather or walking distances from becoming major problems.

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I鈥檝e been roller bag carry-on curious for years. But until now, I just couldn鈥檛 find a piece robust or convenient enough to justify switching away from my tried-and-true backpack. Then I saw , and it鈥檚 already saved my bacon.

Going into this review, I was planning to try and demonstrate just how tough this new luggage is. I thought about dragging it behind a moving truck off-road, or throwing it off my roof, or driving over it in my wife鈥檚 6,000 pound Land Cruiser, or cutting it in half with a chainsaw.

But all of that just seemed superfluous. Anyone who鈥檚 ever traveled with camera gear, or shipped sensitive electronics, or flown to hunt knows and trusts Pelican cases already. What鈥檚 new here, versus existing Pelican cases, are four wheels rather than two, a multi-position trolley handle, soft-close grab handles, and interior organization features oriented more toward clothing and toiletries than lenses and camera bodies.

So my question is less about how tough this thing is, and more: Why would anyone need such an indestructible spinner bag?

I found out the first time I flew with it.

The Pelican ATX Carry-On in Action

Last weekend, my wife and I flew to Cincinnati for the annual . Despite the fact that we attend every year, we didn鈥檛 get around to booking the flights until the last minute and ended up traveling on separate planes as a result. After dropping her off for her flight, taking the dogs to the kennel, showering, jamming a bunch of clothes into the Pelican, then driving myself back to the airport, I was running pretty late. But I had to pee. So I rushed through the crowded airport here in Bozeman and ran straight to the wall of urinals. That鈥檚 when I noticed the smell, and looked at the floor.

One of the toilets was overflowing, spreading a pool of raw sewage across the bathroom floor. And I鈥檇 just dragged my brand new $499 roller bag right through it.

鈥淪hit,” I thought. Literally.

I grabbed a wad of paper towels from the dispenser, wiped the worst off it and my boots, and ran to catch my flight. I gate checked the Pelican to avoid dripping sewage all over the plane鈥檚 passenger compartment, and relaxed in the knowledge there was no way the airline would manage to damage my luggage.

My flight landed about 11 P.M., and it was an hour ride in an Uber to the Marriott Courtyard in Blue Ash. I needed to be in my running clothes and at the race by 10 A.M. the next morning. There was no time find a laundromat, nor to run out and buy new gear. Over a tiny bag of savory snack mix and a can of warm beer, I formulated a plan. If ever there was an argument for a fully-submersible carry-on, this is it.

The Specs and What’s Cool About the ATX 22

Like every other Pelican case, the features two injection molded polypropylene half shells that pivot around metal rods to seal onto each other via a rubber gasket. Strong metal clamps replicate the design of the polymer hinges on regular Pelican cases, squeezing the case shut on the gasket to create an impermeable seal. A little disc of Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable membrane material let鈥檚 a little air travel both ways, in and out of the case to equalize pressure at altitude or under the sea, helping to keep the case firmly sealed against all dust and water.

Because you can fully submerge a Pelican case to a minimum depth of one meter for at least 30 minutes, I figured you could also wash one off with the provided all-in-one body wash and shampoo in a hot hotel shower, all without exposing any of the contents to poop, or soapy water.

It must have worked, because I鈥檓 writing this on the laptop that was sealed inside the Pelican right now, and no one turned their nose up at any lingering stench throughout the rest of the weekend.

Would I have had to deal with raw sewage if I鈥檇 just stuck with one of the backpacks I鈥檝e carried since I started flying a bunch when I was a kid, three decades or more ago? (My dad was a diplomat.) I used some of those free sanitizing wipes the flight attendants hand out to clean off my boots, and I guess with a shouldered pack that would have been the end of the ordeal. But I wanted to switch to a roller bag partially out of convenience, and because I鈥檇 grown jealous of my wife鈥檚 .

Why the Pelican ATX 22 Is Carry-On Worthy, To Me

I should add that this is hardly the first time I鈥檝e flown with a Pelican case. Working in media for 23 years now, I鈥檝e dragged them all over the world for photo shoots, and have a pile of them stacked up in the back of my garage, sized for different rifles, handguns, car parts, and power tools. And having learned to rely on them across deserts, jungles, oceans, mountains, and the arctic tundra, it鈥檚 hard to look at other hard-sided suitcases and not find them lacking. That titanium Tumi, with its textured waves and leather handles sure looks nice, but it鈥檚 never going to protect its contents as well as a Pelican, even at six times the price. And while traveling, even articles as humble as a nicely-fitting pair of jeans can prove mission critical.

I鈥檇 actually thought about buying one of last year. But with interior options consisting of pick-and-pluck foam, or nothing at all, and with only two wheels dictating a single direction of pull, I wasn鈥檛 sold. To justify the upgrade from a backpack, I wanted the ability to organize and compress folded clothing, manage small items like cables, passports, toiletries and flashlights, and access all that without dumping my things all over the floor.

That鈥檚 what Pelican鈥檚 new ATX-range of luggage delivers: all the robust protection of a Pelican case, combined with all the convenience and organization features of high-end travel luggage.

The case boasts Hinimoto wheels鈥攁 Japanese maker of the highest quality luggage rollers鈥攃arry handles that fold themselves back to flush on dampers, a four-position trolley handle mounted to the exterior of the case to maintain waterproofness, TSA locks, and a ripstop-nylon interior organization system that includes zip-pockets on one side and a clothing compressor on the other.

This 22-inch version is sized to comply with international carry-on size restrictions. But if you鈥檙e one of those travelers who thinks every inch of the overhead bin belongs to you, you could probably get onboard with the ATX 25 without too much hassle. The 30-inch should wheel its way off the checked baggage carousel for decades.

Worth the upgrade? For this frequent flier? Absolutely. Even though I hope to avoid raw sewage on my next trip, I鈥檒l still feel safe in the knowledge that everything I bring along will be as protected as possible, no matter what, all in a carry-on it鈥檚 easy and comfortable to move through an airport.

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I could spend a lifetime exploring Mexico and probably still not scratch the surface of all the country has to offer. It鈥檚 long been one of my favorite getaways when I need a quick surf and sun fix or a dose of culture. A few years ago, my friend Val and I plotted a road trip around Baja California Sur. We flew into San Jos茅 del Cabo and drove a big loop stopping to surf in Todos Santos, swim with whale sharks in La Paz, and hike to waterfalls and ATV around Santiago. When friends and family learned of our plans they immediately raised concerns: Two single women driving around Baja alone? Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

Not once did we feel unsafe. We made a point not to drive at night. We stayed at hotels staffed with security and located in main tourists hubs rather than remote Airbnbs. The most alarming incident of the week was a run in with a rowdy seal pup that wouldn鈥檛 stop tugging on my flipper while we were snorkeling.

If you are a news junky, I understand why travel to Mexico might raise flags. Drinking the water is no longer the biggest worry. Headlines of kidnappings, shootings, and gang violence are common. Last summer, I was chilled to learn two Australians and their American friend were while on a surf trip in Ensenada. But incidents like the one in Ensenada are rare.

One hotel owner in Cabo, who asked to remain anonymous, pointed out that the drug cartels realize that the tourist towns fuel local economies and tend to leave them be.

鈥淢exico is not that much different from many other places in the world,鈥� says Jack Ezon, founder of New York City-based travel agency . 鈥淚 cannot believe how many people from New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles ask if Mexico is safe, as bullets fly on corners from those cities every day.”

The country is also massive鈥攖hree times the size of Texas鈥攁nd can’t or shouldn’t be generalized. When you look at the (Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Level 4: Do Not Travel), read the fine print of which areas have risks and restrictions. And here is a from Journey Mexico to help you plan your visit to certain areas.

Spring Break and other holiday periods typically see a rise of American tourists. If you鈥檙e considering a south of the border holiday, these are seven of the most popular getaways. We鈥檝e dug into what鈥檚 to love about each, where to stay, and safety precautions to ease your mind.

How Safe Is It to Visit These Top Mexico Tourist Destinations?

Puerto Vallarta

Why It’s a Popular Destination: Tucked between the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains and beautiful Banderas Bay on Mexico鈥檚 Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is a perennial favorite getaway for American travelers thanks to its year-round warm weather and easy access from major U.S. cities. Look past the manicured gated communities and luxury all-inclusive resorts and you鈥檒l discover the destination has a wild side. Humpbacks migrate here from December through March, and from July through December Puerto Vallarta鈥檚 beaches turn into hatching grounds for sea turtles. 国产吃瓜黑料rs can explore the mountains by ATV, bike, or horseback.

Safety Precautions: Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, which the U.S. government deems a security due to crime and kidnapping and cautions Americans to reconsider travel. Major tourist hotspots, like Puerto Vallarta, however, are subject to more petty crimes such as theft and vacation-home break ins. The Puerto Vallarta Citizen Security Police Station ramps up efforts during peak tourist seasons, dispatching daytime patrols across the city鈥檚 main avenues and near ATMS and banks.

Where to Stay: Spread across 85 acres of jungle and beach, includes dozens of activities within the price of a stay, such as kayak tours to Los Arcos and tequila tastings. (Rooms start at $430, all-inclusive)

San Miguel de Allende

Why It’s a Popular Destination: The first time I visited this UNESCO World Heritage City in the state of Guanajuato I was charmed, as most travelers are, by its impressive Spanish colonial architecture, pink neo-Gothic cathedral, mariachi bands, art galleries, and vibrant food scene. I devoted an entire day to wandering its cobbled stone streets and alleyways, and was rewarded with serendipitous finds like the insanely addictive churros at Chocolates y Churros San Agust铆n.

Just beyond the city, you can horseback ride through scenic countryside, sip wines at Cava Garambullo 鈥� one of 30-some wineries along the Ruta del Vino听鈥� and soak in .

Safety Precautions: The State Department lists Guanajuato as and recommends Americans reconsider travel due to crime. However, most of the gang violence in the area occurs in the south and central areas of the state and the guidance is to avoid the area south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. San Miguel de Allende experienced some last year, but none of the incidents were directed at tourists. Amanda Keidan, the American expat owner of Casa Delphine, cautions that you need to be aware while walking at night, as petty crimes can occur, but the biggest risk for visitors is eating street meat.

Where to Stay: Tucked down a cobbled stone street, Keidan鈥檚 five-suite feels like a stylish homestay. She arranges immersive experiences such as cooking classes and tarot card dinners. (Rooms start at $285)

Riviera Maya

Why It’s a Popular Destination: This 100-mile slice of Caribbean coast on Mexico鈥檚 northeastern Yucat谩n Peninsula is home to some of the prettiest white sand beaches I鈥檝e ever stuck my toes in. Colorful coral reefs glow electric in the crystal clear waters鈥攖he visibility is so good it鈥檚 possible to dive here year round.

Spectacular archeological sites, such as Chichen Itza and Ek鈥� Balam, lie inland in Indiana Jones-worthy jungles. And you can swim in many of the area鈥檚 dazzling blue cenotes鈥攏atural sinkholes of freshwater carved into limestone rocks. The area鈥檚 two main tourist towns, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, have some seriously great restaurants. The former is known for its all-inclusive resorts and laid back vibes. The latter has become a destination for yogis and the Burning Man crowd.

Safety Precautions: When I last visited Riviera Maya in 2022, the region had experienced a in which tourists were killed or injured. The police and government have cracked down on the violence, but tourist zones still occasionally see shootings. Last February, an American tourist in Tulum was killed in the between rival drug dealers. Alcohol and drugs fuel the parties and music festivals in Tulum and crimes are almost always related to drug consumption or sales, says Alexis Sch盲rer, a hotelier in Playa del Carmen. In other words, stay away from drugs and you鈥檙e likely to stay clear of trouble. The U.S. State Department ranks the areas in the state of Quintana Roo a and advises travelers to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Tulum and Playa del Carmen, remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones, and use authorized taxis instead of ride share apps.

Where to Stay: Just two blocks from Calle 38, a public beach in Playa del Carmen, adult-only is a nine-room oasis in a sea of mega resorts. Each of the nine rooms is decorated with vintage flea-market finds and I loved all of the complimentary amenities, including cruiser bikes, beach bags, and cold beers that can be enjoyed in the garden or rooftop terrace. (Rooms start at $173)

Mexico City

Why It’s a Popular Destination: One of the planet鈥檚 greatest cities, this sprawling megalopolis is a wild mishmash of historic and modern neighborhoods, public parks and verdant boulevards, and grand museums and intimate galleries. It鈥檚 also, in my opinion, the world鈥檚 most exciting food city, home to incredible markets, like Mercado de Coyoac谩n, cheap and tasty hole-in-the-wall taco and tostada joints, and pilgrimage-worthy gastronomic temples such as Pujol and Contramar.

Safety Precautions: The U.S. State Department ranks Mexico City , warning travelers to exercise increased caution due to both violent and non-violent crime. As with any large city, petty crime, like pickpocketing, occurs frequently, so be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded markets and on public transportation. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has ranked Mexico City among the for several years in a row and noted that sticking to neighborhoods closer to the city center and in the north, such as Centro Historico, Roma Sur, and Noche Buena, tend to be safer for visitors. The team at Journey Mexico recommends being extra vigilant in the neighborhoods of Tepito and Guerrero at night. Rafael Micha, managing partner in boutique Mexican hotel brand Grupo Habita, advises to avoid wearing flashy jewelry or watches and waving around expensive cameras.

Where to Stay: Located in the city鈥檚 historic center, is a 17th-century manor turned boutique hotel with a rare rooftop pool. (Rooms start at $230)

Cancun

Why It’s a Popular Destination: I鈥檒l admit, my first passport stamp from Mexico was en route to a cliche high school spring break that included the water slide experience at Se帽or Frogs. This classic spring break destination lives up to the hype for its wild nightlife, but it also boasts some of the Caribbean鈥檚 finest beaches as well as unique attractions like the , which can be experienced by scuba divers or snorkelers. Cancun is also a convenient base for exploring Mayan archeological sites, like the step-pyramid Temple of Kukulcan, and the underground world of , a mind blowing cave system.

Safety Precautions: Cancun is considered the gateway to Riviera Maya. Located in the state of Quintana Roo, it is deemed by the U.S. State Department and has the following safety precautions: be alert after dark in downtown areas and remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones. Transportation is the biggest cause for concern. Taxi drivers are notorious for being aggressive and overcharging tourists, but using a ride share also comes with risks. Last December, just south of Cancun for threatening a tourist for using a ride share app. Try to have your hotel arrange transportation in advance to avoid harassment and scams.

Where to Stay: If you want a grown-up experience away from the party scene, splurge on . The secluded, 274-room oceanfront resort has two dreamy beaches, three massive infinity pools, and six restaurants. (Rooms start at $600)

Oaxaca City

Why It’s a Popular Destination: Culture abounds in every corner of Oaxaca, a city where pre-Columbian culture and Spanish colonial and contemporary Mexican influences coexist. The city鈥檚 UNESCO-listed historic center is surrounded by spectacular mountains and important Zapotec archeological sites, such as Monte Alb谩n. And some will argue that its food scene, which includes a thrilling mix of tortilla artisans, mole masters, and small-batch mezcal distillers, rivals CDMX.

Safety Precautions: The U.S. government ranks Oaxaca a travel risk and has no restrictions on visiting Oaxaca City. Like most major cities, travelers are warned to be aware of pickpocketing and other petty crimes. The most recent reported occurred in 2023 in the surf town of Puerto Escondido, located over three hour鈥檚 drive south. Micha, of Grupo Habita hotels, says it鈥檚 not polite to negotiate prices down at markets and to keep in mind that small vendors only take cash.

Where to Stay:听 Set in the heart of the historic center, has spacious, high-ceiling rooms adorned with textiles and art from local artisans and a seriously delicious in-house restaurant that sources almost exclusively from Oaxaca markets and its own gardens. (Rooms start at $472)

Baja California Sur

Why It’s a Popular Destination: I have been making two to three trips a year to this region for more than a decade and still can鈥檛 get enough of its surf-swept beaches, desert oases, exceptional dining options, ranging from humble ceviche stands to multi-course meals prepared by star chefs, and out-of-this-world marine experiences. Between November and April you can watch Humpbacks breach straight from shore and swim with whale sharks. Hundreds of Olive Ridley turtles hatch during the summer. And the sea lions are always out near Land鈥檚 End and Pelican Rock. Of all my travels throughout Mexico, I鈥檝e never met more hospitable locals.

Safety Precautions: Don鈥檛 confuse Baja California, which includes the border town of Tijuana and has a Level 3 risk, with Baja California Sur, which is a and has no travel restrictions. Matt Lindsay, founder of LUXSurf Travel, a San Jos茅 del Cabo鈥揵ased surf guiding company, cautions that local police are known for pulling over tourists for small infractions, like using a cell phone, and threatening them with big fines. 鈥淭hey may threaten to take you to the station, but you stay calm and say, 鈥業鈥檇 like to pay the ticket now,鈥� and hand them $30 to $50,鈥� he says. 鈥淏e insistent.鈥� He also warns if you鈥檙e out partying and decide to skip the bathroom line and whizz in an alleyway, the cops won鈥檛 hesitate to throw you in jail.

Where to Stay: has an unbeatable location on Monuments Beach, with views of the famous Arch across the bay, plus a restaurant from star Mexican chef Enrique Olvera. (Rooms start at $685)听

Know Before You Go: Five Tips to Staying Safe as a Tourist in Mexico

• No matter where I鈥檓 traveling, I download and use safety apps such as , which sends first responders your exact location, and , which gives safety scores to neighborhoods.
• Zach Rabinor, founder of Journey Mexico, recommends only withdrawing money from bank ATMs. 鈥淜eep your eyes out for anyone that may be watching or targeting you while you make a transaction,鈥� he says.
• Only use official taxis that are ordered through your hotel, restaurant, or other trusted source, says Rabinor. Typically they should have taxi-meters and negotiating a price before getting in is alternately customary, he notes. Ride share apps are unreliable and face some restrictions in airports and other places.
• Don鈥檛 buy drugs. 鈥淢arijuana is still illegal in Mexico,鈥� says Rabinor. 鈥淭his seems like a no-brainer, but many people still don鈥檛 follow and getting involved with drug dealers, at any level, in any capacity is never a good idea.鈥�
• Don鈥檛 drive at night. 鈥淩isks include animals in the road, poorly lit and signed roads, and more,鈥� says Rabinor.

Jen Murphy is a frequent 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor. She鈥檚 visited Mexico nearly 50 times, more often than not, solo. Her biggest concerns have been rogue donkeys on the roads around Baja California Sur and getting a bad sunburn. She’s also recently written about her favorite beaches in Costa Rica, why more hikers are getting rescued in Hawaii, and the coolest cave Airbnb you’ll ever stay at.听听

The post Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico? I Think: Yes. Here鈥檚 What to Know. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

As a seasoned traveler, I consider myself a good packer. I suspect you do, too. Most people do.

It鈥檚 human nature, I think, to presume our organizational skills are better than everyone else鈥檚鈥攁 sort of Dunning-Kruger effect for human鈥檚 ability to cram a carry-on with a week鈥檚 worth of clothes. But unless you鈥檙e using packing and/or compression cubes, you鈥檙e doing it wrong. Trust me, that鈥檚 just the fact.

For years, I avoided compression cubes, mostly because I assumed they were more hassle than they were worth. I was also, to put it generously, an inveterate tightwad. Throwing down $50 dollars on a nylon bag to pack something inside it, which was then packed inside something else, felt ridiculous. Why waste the money, and the extra effort?

I was wrong. Once I started traveling every other week for work, I quickly realized I needed a better system than 鈥渁lways roll, never fold.鈥� That wasn鈥檛 getting me there. And neither was jamming whatever didn鈥檛 fit in my suitcase into the bottom of my carry-on backpack like a chipmuck stockpiling nuts for winter. So I bought a couple of cheap packing cubes to help organize everything. I then made the full transition to packing-cube evangelist once it became clear how much easier compression cubes made everything.

Not only do they create more space, but they allow you to be more organized while on the go. No need to constantly unpack and repack every item each time you want a pair of socks from the bottom of your bag. They also allow you to cordon off certain items from others. For example, you can keep dirty and clean clothes in separate cubes or even stash hiking shoes next to your pants without worrying about mud stains.

Those benefits may seem basic, but over the course of a weeklong trip, one with multiple destinations, those little cubes can save valuable minutes and reduce re-packing headaches. Here鈥檚 a primer on how to deploy compression and packing cubes effectively, as well as our guide to the best ones on the market.

Basic Packing Cube Guidelines

Decide Between Compression vs. Packing Cubes

It may seem obvious, but too many people confuse general packing sacks with compression cubes. The latter actually compresses items inside them to make all your听items fit in a smaller space. They do this through zippers that get progressively tighter, straps that cinch down, or even vacuum sealing. Having both a couple compression cubes and packing sacks is ideal. Compression cubes are particularly helpful for clothes, especially loose items like socks and underwear, which can be condensed into a much tighter space. General packing bags are good for keeping organized and, if they鈥檙e large enough, offering a place to stash items like shoes.

Invest in at Least Three Different Sized Cubes

Like Goldilocks, having a few bags will allow you to find an option that鈥檚 just right for whatever you鈥檙e packing, whether it鈥檚 a down jacket or four pairs of boardshorts for a surf trip. I often bring four or five cubes: a large compression cube for large clothing items; a large packing bag for a pair of shoes; one for socks and underwear; one for the bottom of my backpack to hold a complete outfit, just in case (pants, a long-sleeve shirt, socks, and underwear); and a toiletries bag, which is basically its own form of a packing cube. When I鈥檓 traveling overseas, I also have a little pouch for cords to keep my power adapter and other electronic necessities in one spot. As the trip unfolds, I eventually transition my large compression cube into a bag for dirty clothes, to keep them separate from clean ones (which has the added benefit of making unpacking easier once I get home).

A Dedicated Shoe Bag Is Highly Underrated听听听听

I鈥檓 a fanatic about traveling with just carry-on luggage, which means I limit myself to two pairs of shoes: the ones I wear on the plane and another pair packed in my roller bag. But if the trip involves basically any activity, especially hiking鈥攐r even strolling through a foreign city鈥攃hances are I鈥檓 going to get my boots or sneakers wet or muddy. Until I bought a shoe bag, I鈥檇 have to pack those soggy sneakers next to my pants or shirts and risk getting them dirty, too. But with the bag, I can pack them in my roller bag wherever it fits best and not worry about cross-contamination.

Get a Well-Designed Toiletry Bag听

I like to keep my toiletries organized, too, and most dopp kits are simply fancied-up stash bags with a single pocket and a zipper. That means that everything, from a hairbrush to a deodorant to sunscreen, goes into the same large compartment. If anything leaks, it gets over everything. And even if it doesn鈥檛 leak, you鈥檙e basically forcing your toothbrush to intermingle with your toenail clipper. Get one that has multiple, dedicated compartments to keep things separate and organized. If you鈥檙e bringing sunscreen, make sure it has a screw top, or put it in a different container so it doesn鈥檛 leak.

Use a Small Bag for Cords

I almost always travel with my laptop, and because I travel frequently, I have everything ready to go in a small bag. It holds my charging cord, an extra cord for my phone, and two small wall chargers, just in case. By always keeping them in the same small ditty bag, it鈥檚 an easy grab and go scenario when I鈥檓 packing for a trip.

The Best Compression Cubes, Pouches, and Sacks

Best All-Around: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Cubes听

Cost: From $25

Eagle Creek has long offered some of the best compression and packing cubes on the market, and these ones are the latest, greatest version. They come in multiple sizes and even as a set of two (starting at $50). The cubes help shrink clothes stashed inside via a zipper that, as you close it, pulls the bag and its contents together. These compressions pouches are made from 100-percent ocean-recycled fabric that鈥檚 water resistant, which means it鈥檚 great for packing bathing suits or wet towels while shuttling between stops on a multi-destination trip. As an all-around packing cube, these ones are hard to beat.

Also Great: Yeti Crossroads Packing Cubes

Cost: From $25

Like all things from Yeti, these packing cubes are over-engineered鈥攊n a good way. They are, without doubt, the burliest compression cubes on the market and will stand up to years of abuse (with a three-year warranty). They come in three sizes, too: small, medium, and large. The small one is very small, basically good for cords and cables and other small items. But the large is great, big enough to keep pants and shirts organized. The zippers are particularly durable, which means you can overload these bags and get them to close (and compress as it does). If the cubes get dirty, say from muddy shoes or wet clothes, simply turn them inside out and toss them in the washer.

Best Large Cube: Patagonia Black Hole Cube

Cost: $45

If you want one large packing cube to store most of your clothes on a trip, this is the one to get. At 14 liters, it鈥檚 the size of a daypack (i.e. it has plenty of storage), but it鈥檚 in the shape of a rectangle, so it fits snugly in a roller bag or duffel. It opens like a clamshell to reveal a zippered compartment on each side, both of which are big enough for multiple pairs of pants and long-sleeve shirts, or even a down jacket. One side is mesh, to see your items, and the other is covered with taffeta fabric to keep dirty items separate from the other compartment. The cube doesn鈥檛 compress items but, in a pinch, it will work as an extra, separate bag if you pick up too many souvenirs.

Best Multi-Cube Bundle On a Budget: Cotopoxi Cubo Packing Travel Bundle – Del D铆a

Cost: $50

If you鈥檙e looking for a quick, simple purchase to complete your organizational quiver, this three-cube travel set is perfect. The cubes come in three sizes鈥攖wo liters, three liters, and ten liters鈥攁nd each has mesh sides for breathability and a way to see what鈥檚 inside. Each also has a wrap-around zipper that makes packing and compressing a cinch. In short, this is a great starter set if you have any doubts about the efficiency of packing cubes.

Best for Clothes Organization: Thule Clean/Dirty Packing Cube

Cost: $34

These days, plenty of companies offer packing cubes designed with 鈥渃lean鈥� and 鈥渄irty鈥� compartments to keep your clothes organized and fresh while traveling. But this one from Thule is excellent, with a thermoplastic polyurethane divider between its two compartments that prevents dirt, moisture, and odor from transferring from one side to the other. At 13 liters, it鈥檚 huge, too, so you can pack a week鈥檚 worth of clothes inside. Made primarily from ripstop nylon, it鈥檚 both water repellant and durable, and because the exterior fabric is semi-transparent, you can even see the colors of the clothes inside to know which items are where. With a webbing handle, you can also use it as a separate bag, if needed.

Best for Shoes: Peak Design Shoe Pouch

Cost:$25

This durable nylon bag is perfect for holding a pair of shoes and sandals for a long weekend trip. It鈥檚 also big enough to fit mid- and high-cut hiking boots if you need to bring along some serious ankle support for trekking. The burly zipper will withstand years of abuse, and when you鈥檙e not using it, the bag packs down into its own storage pouch that鈥檚 just three inches long.

Best Compression Sack: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack听

Cost: From $35

Sometimes when traveling you need some serious compression capability鈥攕ay if you鈥檙e traveling with a down parka or multiple fleece jackets or sweaters. This is when you need a compression sack like these from Sea to Summit. Essentially, they鈥檙e sleeping bag sacks, with buckle straps that you can crank down on to really shrink whatever is inside. These ones come in multiple sizes, from five to 35 liters. The diameter of each one is different, from 6 inches to 11.3, but they all fit inside a wheeled roller bag or most backpacks. It鈥檚 rare that you would need one when flying, but if you do need to compress something soft and bulky, this is the best way to do it.

Best Toiletries Gag: Gravel Toiletry Bag

Cost: From $40

This toiletry bag comes in four sizes, but the slim, at 9 x 5 x 2 inches and with six individual pockets, will work for most people. The multiple interior pockets keep everything organized. For example, a dedicated toothbrush compartment means your comb or toenail clipper won鈥檛 rub up against the tool you鈥檒l be putting in your mouth.

Ryan Krogh is a freelance writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. In the last decade, he鈥檚 traveled to 27 countries and every U.S. state, nearly all with just a carry-on suitcase, thanks to packing light and using compression cubes. He has recently written a guide to carry-on luggage, the best vacation spots abroad in 2025, and airports with amazing outdoor spaces.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Packing Cubes for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travelers appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Hawaii is blessed with some of the most cinematic hiking trails on the planet. I live part-time on Maui and still find myself spellbound by vistas of plunging waterfalls cleaving to jungle blanketed mountainsides and rugged coastal cliffs spilling down to the sapphire sea. I also know how the technicolor scenery, combined with the heady, plumeria-scented air and the islands鈥� laidback aloha vibes can lull hikers into a false sense of security. What could possibly go wrong on a hike in this incredibly beautiful paradise free of threats like bears, snakes, or poison ivy?

I consider myself a seasoned hiker. My other home is in Boulder, Colorado, and over the years, I鈥檝e bagged a handful of the state鈥檚 iconic fourteeners (14,000-foot peaks). The monotone, high-alpine terrain always feels daunting and motivates me to prepare meticulously ahead of a hike.

I鈥檝e come to learn, Hawaii鈥檚 trails demand the same respect and precautions. Would I ever tackle Mount Sanitas, my go-to local Boulder hike, in a flimsy pair of Havainas? Never. But I was foolish enough to leave my trail shoes in the car and embark on Maui鈥檚 , a 5.5-mile route on ancient lava flows, in flip-flops, because everyone wears flip flops in Hawaii, I rationalized. The straps snapped just after mile four and I was forced to slog back to the parking lot barefoot along jagged, sun-scorched black rock. I鈥檝e never made that mistake again.

国产吃瓜黑料 editor Mary Turner has hiked all over the West but was humbled by some of the treks on Kauai. 鈥淎 friend called one trail spicy, but I wasn鈥檛 worried,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淏ut it was hot and humid and sticky and the vegetation was so thick you could have easily walked right through it and off the side of a cliff. And at the end of the trail, you had to scale a rock face with a very frayed rope. The guy in front of us said it wasn鈥檛 safe and turned around. We did the same, and I thought, geez, hiking in Hawaii is for real.鈥�

You might be an experienced hiker on mainland America, but Hawaii鈥檚 humidity, knife-edge ridges, dense jungle, and muddy rainforests present unique perils, says Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz, president of . It only takes a wrong step or two to become disoriented and lost, injured, or worse, dead.

Hawaii doesn鈥檛 have a state-level search and rescue (SAR) coordinator. Wilderness SAR is handled at a county level, falls under the responsibility of the fire department, and they are only mandated to search for 72 hours when someone is reported missing. O鈥檃hu, Kauai, and Maui all have volunteer SAR teams as well. The lack of an overarching umbrella organization makes it difficult to accurately track the exact number of rescues per year, but government officials have estimated that about 1,000 hikers are rescued across the state annually.

Cautionary Tales

Ocean rescues are more prevalent in Hawaii, but hiking mishaps have generated a glut of coverage in both and over the years.

Last month, a 49-year-old man while hiking up a 60-foot waterfall on Maui, and one day later a California couple in their sixties听 after sustaining multiple injuries attempting to hike Oahu鈥檚 off-limits Sacred Falls Trail. The month prior, an unidentified hiker rang in 2025 while . He needed to be airlifted by a rescue team around sunrise.

In December 2024, 32-year-old Alaskan visitor Lauren Cameron on Kauai鈥檚 North Shore while hiking the , which has called one of the most dangerous hikes in America. Officials believe she was swept out to sea. A 30-year-old California man needed to be airlifted to safety last September after suffering from injuries in a . On Hawaii Island, two hikers got lost without food and water during a last January on Mauna Loa鈥攖he largest active volcano in the world. They had to stay overnight in a shelter and were extracted by a rescue helicopter the following day. The hikers were fined for not having a permit and ignoring the summit closure posted by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. These accounts are just from 2024.

Despite the steady stream of headlines about dead hikers, fatal falls, and accidents on Hawaii鈥檚 trails, visitors are still ignoring rules and safety precautions.

One of the most of late hit national news in January 2023, when Ian Snyder, a 34-year-old travel blogger and hiking enthusiast from California, was stranded for three days at the base of a waterfall after surviving a 1,000-foot fall while illegally hiking . Snyder, who suffered a broken arm and other injuries, admitted to reporters that he wasn’t as prepared as he should have been for the hike and shouldn’t have gone it alone. He also shared that he followed an online map which took him to a closed trail. A few weeks after his recovery, he at the request of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, as a cautionary tale to other visitors.

Hawaii鈥檚 Terrain and Climate Pose Distinct Challenges

On the mainland, a 22-mile out-and-back hike with 1,600 feet of elevation gain, typically wouldn鈥檛 daunt me. But the Kalalau Trail, a bucket-list trek with zero cell service that hugs Kauai鈥檚 storied Na Pali coastline, isn鈥檛 just another hike. CNN has called it one of the , with hazards including falling rocks, flash floods, shore breaks, and cliffs on the trail. I鈥檝e attempted it five times without success and have no regrets about turning around due to raging water crossings, treacherously slippery conditions, and in another case, simply fatigue. Others haven鈥檛 been as lucky. In 2022, 46 people needed to be rescued from the harrowing route and in 2014, 121 people needed rescue over the course of a few days.

鈥淧eople drastically underestimate and underprepare for the challenges of a trail like Kalalau,鈥� says Sarah Laouxz, of . 鈥淭hey see the pretty photos and want to be there, but they don鈥檛 take into account the physicality of getting there and back.鈥�

They also underestimate easier trails. Take the , an iconic 1.6-mile roundtrip hike located minutes from Waikiki in O鈥檃hu. Pearson-Pomerantz estimates the Honolulu Fire Department makes more rescues a year on that trail simply because hikers aren鈥檛 prepared. 鈥淗iking Diamond Head is a classic thing for tourists to do,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou get spam musubi, hike Diamond Head, get a shave ice, and that鈥檚 your day. Maybe because of its proximity to the city, people attempt it in high heels, without water or sun protection.鈥� The trail is steep and uneven and climbs 560 feet. People often become dehydrated or roll an ankle, he says. When vacation brain sets in, visitors start looking through their camera lens instead of at the path in front of them. At least once a month his team has volunteer 鈥渢rail angels鈥� patrol the route with water, snacks, and sunblock. 鈥淗eat is the biggest threat to hikers and a bad sunburn is probably our most common injury,鈥� he says.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park chief ranger Jack Corrao says its search and rescue incidents consistently increase when there are active volcano eruptions. In 2023, the park had in the summit of Kilauea volcano and 13 search and rescues. Five of those were lost hikers near the eruption viewing site at Keanakakoi off old Crater Rim Drive. 鈥淭he park is open 24 hours a day, and the best eruption viewing is usually after dark,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen people become separated after dark, the odds of them getting lost increase. We urge visitors to plan ahead, bring head lamps or flashlights, to stay on trail and out of closed areas.鈥�

Dense vegetation can also throw hikers off track. 鈥淭he trees and the trails have a way of enveloping hikers and blocking the horizon, so that seeing the ocean or other points of reference become impossible, disorienting people,鈥� says Amanda Hess, the director of public education at O’ahu Search and Rescue. Thick foliage can also conceal potential dangers. Chalsie Honu Quel, a volunteer with Kauai Search and Rescue, notes that the terrain of Waimea Canyon has been vastly altered since Hurricane Iniki toppled many native trees in 1992. 鈥淣ow the trails are overgrown with invasive species that make it easy to slip into a gulch or ravine.鈥�

Chris Berquist, founder of Maui-based Search Tech Advisory Team, cautions that thick ginger patches hang off ledges, acting like false edges on many trails. 鈥淧eople step on them and it鈥檚 like a trap door,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he bottom gives out, they start to slip, and often their footing is irrecoverable.鈥�

Social media posts of people cliff jumping into the ocean or diving off waterfalls have created the illusion that the islands are a controlled amusement park. Injuries frequently occur when people leap with no knowledge of the water depth or without considering how they鈥檒l get back to land. 鈥淎 lot of hikes lead to what look like beautiful jumping places, such as Queen鈥檚 Bath, an ocean pool in Kauai,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淏ut due to the steepness of the cliffs or looseness of rocks, a lot of adventurers can鈥檛 scramble back up.鈥�

Weather Can Change on a Dime

Island weather is rarely uniform and frequently changes throughout the day. If it鈥檚 rainy on Maui鈥檚 north shore, it鈥檚 almost guaranteed to be dry and sunny on the south shore. And a calm, clear morning can turn into a windy, sprinkly afternoon. The resorts tend to be in areas that see 350 days of sun a year, says Chris Stankis, the public information officer for the . Yet, many hikes are in areas that see a fair quantity of rain on an almost daily basis,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd as you go further inland and upslope, the chance you might encounter rain, muddy, slippery terrain, and flash flooding increases.鈥�

It may seem like summer at your hotel, but you should still pack layers, especially if you鈥檙e planning to hike the 13,000-plus foot summit of Mauna Loa in Hawai鈥檌 Volcanoes National Park or the 10,000-plus foot summit Haleakala National Park on Maui, where conditions can bring weather ranging from hail to snow. Nick Clemons, chief of interpretation, education, and volunteers at Haleakala National Park, says the park averages two rescues a week and they often involve medical issues arising from altitude, dehydration, over-exertion, and hypo and hyperthermia.

Flash floods pose one of the biggest dangers to hikers. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e our avalanche,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淥nce you鈥檙e in one, there鈥檚 little chance of escaping. There鈥檚 a lot of debris. I鈥檝e seen victims stripped naked. The water gets violent.鈥� Heavy rains and flooding bring precarious conditions to the islands鈥� beloved waterfalls. Berquist notes that many falls border the coast or drain into a slot canyon. If you鈥檙e standing near a slippery edge and a gush of water comes rushing at you, you鈥檙e likely going to be shot into the ocean or canyon, he warns.

Many of Hawaii鈥檚 Most Popular Trails Are Actually Illegal to Hike

The SAR volunteers I spoke with agreed, the majority of rescues take place on illegal-to-hike trails. Many of the most Instagrammed hiking areas, such as Narnia, a collection of waterfalls within the Hilo Forest Reserve on the Big Island, are . But the pull of social media often blinds visitors to closure and trespassing signs. 鈥溾�楧o it for the gram,鈥� is a real thing,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淚 think Instagram kills more people than coconuts in Hawaii. A lot of times when a tourist falls off a cliff or slips we find them with their phone next to them, the camera app still open.鈥�

It doesn鈥檛 help that many guidebooks, travel blogs, and social media posts provide detailed instructions on how to access these illegal trails. And, as was the case with Snyder, hikers often follow GPS tools that direct them to non-sanctioned trails, which aren鈥檛 inspected or repaired and most likely, won鈥檛 have signs warning hikers of dangerous conditions.

In 2006, two women fell some 300 feet to their deaths while trekking to Opaekaa Falls in Kauai. They had followed an unmarked trail featured in some Hawaii guidebooks. In most states, if you injure yourself on public lands, the onus is on you. But in Hawaii, the state can be held liable for injuries occurring on public lands if it fails to maintain a reasonable level of safety. In this case, the state was ordered to pay $15.4 million to the victims鈥� families. The trail remains closed.

In 1999, eight people were killed and nearly three dozen were injured from a rockslide at Sacred Falls State Park on O鈥檃hu, where the recent rescue took place. There were signs, but a judge ruled they did not warn with the intensity of urgency of the falling rock hazard the state paid $8.6 million to the families of the deceased hikers. The park has remained closed since the incident, but that seeking the ultimate social media post. In 2022, someone hung an illegal swing at the base of the falls, which has since been removed.

Off-limits signs have been in place at the Stairway to Heaven, an infamous hike on O鈥檃hu also known as the Haiku Stairs, since 1987. Yet posting a photo from the hike鈥檚 Edenic summit, which is reached by climbing 3,922 slick steel steps, has become a social media badge of honor. Fines of up to $1,000 and the threat of arrest haven鈥檛 discouraged hikers. Between 2010 and 2022, 118 people had to be rescued, according to the Honolulu Fire Department. The city is now in the process of to prevent illegal use once and for all.

In an effort to further dissuade reckless hikers, state legislators in Hawaii are currently that would authorize the state to seek reimbursement from hikers who need rescue after venturing onto closed trails. Considering a helicopter rescue costs between $1,000 to $2,500, I鈥檇 say it鈥檚 a good incentive to follow the rules.

8 Ways to Stay Safe When Hiking in Hawaii

I asked members of the islands鈥� search and rescue teams to share their tips for staying safe on the trails. Here鈥檚 their advice:

• No matter the length of the hike, pack plenty of water, food, sunscreen, a flashlight, and a cellphone battery.
• Do not hike in flip flops. Wear proper footwear and sun-protective attire.
• Don鈥檛 hike alone.
• Create a hiking plan that includes your intended route and estimated return time. Leave one copy with a friend, family member, or neighbor, and another in your car.
• Do not hike closed or unmarked trails. Check the latest trail conditions and closures via a trusted source like , the State of Hawai鈥榠 Trail and Access Program.
• Check the weather with multiple sources like the Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and Weather Underground.
• Get an early start. Hess recommends getting on the trail no later than 9 A.M.
• Don鈥檛 do it for the ‘gram. When you鈥檙e looking through your phone rather than paying attention to your footing, you can easily end up in harms way.

What to Do If You Become Lost

Berquist played an instrumental role in finding , a hiker who got lost for 17 days in Maui鈥檚 Makawao Forest Reserve in 2019. He joined the search as a volunteer and within days was heading up the efforts. After she was found, Eller鈥檚 father helped Berquist fund the Search Tech Advisory Team, his 100-plus volunteer organization that works throughout the islands using the latest technology, like drone satellite photography. Here are his tips for getting found:

1. Don鈥檛 panic. Pause and take some deep breaths. O鈥檃hu Search and Rescue created a demonstrating how to do the 4-7-8 breathing method to calm yourself.
2. Keep moving. 鈥淓veryone says stay where you are if you are lost, but I only recommend people do that when they know they are 15 or fewer steps off the trail,鈥� he says. 鈥淧eople that participate in their own rescue are more likely to be found.鈥� If you are medically injured, it may be pertinent to stay in place, but try to make yourself noticeable and make noise.
3. Make yourself visible. If you think you are more than 15 steps off trail, move to an openly visible area, like a high elevation clearing or stream-bed that can be seen from the sky. Make a massive ‘SOS’ or light a fire to create smoke.
4. Shelter in smart places. Don鈥檛 hunker down and hide from the elements in a place people won鈥檛 see you. If you do seek shelter, display your backpack out front and make an arrow pointing to where you are, he says.

鈥淗awaii tries too hard to feel nice with its messaging to visitors,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not all mai tais and leis. The message needs to feel sharp: the lava rock and coral will slice you, the selfies and cliff jumps will kill you.鈥� So, in other words, don鈥檛 underestimate the power of nature. Be careful and prepared, don鈥檛 hike where you鈥檙e not supposed to, know what you鈥檙e getting into, and skip the selfies.

Jen Murphy is a regular contributor to 国产吃瓜黑料 and usually covers travel-advice topics. She has made the regretful mistake of hiking in flip-flops on lava rock in Hawaii and always packs for all seasons any time she hikes in Haleakala National Park on Maui. She has recently written about how to travel solo, how to make the most of your first-ever Costa Rica trip, and how to get a vacation refund when the weather sucks.听

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As an advocate for family-friendly outdoor adventure, supermom transforms a northwest Georgia trailhead into a welcoming haven for trail crews with . After impromptu hot chocolate service, she and her three sons make the hike up Sitton’s Gulch and pop up a watercolor painting station to capture the beauty of an inspiring landscape accessible in a .

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Join the cause, donate and discover classic trails (and open new ones) by supporting the local nonprofits that care for these crucial corridors.

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In a previous lifetime, my idea of a long-distance hike was a music festival. For four days, I鈥檇 parade across dusty fields or clotted city streets, traipsing from stage to stage in pursuit of the next show. Who knows how many miles I clocked in those peripatetic bursts, but at that extended moment鈥攁 music critic in his 20s, way more committed to partying than pulmonary fitness鈥攊t was the exercise I knew best.

Not long after I crossed the threshold into 30, though, that lifestyle caught up with me. Headed west on Gay Street in Knoxville, Tennessee, I sank onto the sidewalk and pulled off my boot, squeezing my left foot as though trying to force it back together. It was broken, I knew, a stress fracture from all these steps; why else would each step now feel like another new knife fight, as though someone were jamming a blade between my bones? I endured, switched into a pair of sneakers and limped around Tennessee until the festival鈥檚 end.

Back home, my symptoms suddenly subsided, appearing only sporadically during the next few years as I became obsessed with distance running. But in 2019, soon after I entered Maine some 2,000 miles into a northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, that old ache returned. Was my foot broken, my hike done? Nope.

After staying up late one night in an AT lean-to for a tailspin into online medical sleuthing, I realized it was cuboid syndrome, when the pointy joint on the side of your foot shifts slightly out of line for a spell. With just enough bandwidth to stream a , I learned something called the cuboid squeeze and fixed it myself.

But now, I don鈥檛 even need that technique. After 11,000 miles of hiking and countless more miles of road running in almost every state in the country, I simply never leave home without a 1.5-ounce piece of sculpted silicone that鈥檚 changed my fitness and the way I travel: toe spacers.

Wait, What Are Toe Spacers鈥擜nd Why Are They So Popular?

Toe spacers are having an unexpected moment. There are, right now, some 38 million that mention them. has suggested they鈥檙e a panacea, and the notes they are 鈥渢ransforming people鈥檚 lives.鈥� Neurosurgeon and frequent TV medical commentator , Philadelphia Eagles star , body-positive model : They鈥檝e all become advocates for a fitness craze I never expected to work, in late 2019, when I was desperate for anything to help me run again.

After finishing the Appalachian Trail, my first long-distance hike, my body was a mess鈥攅very attempt to return to running felt like another litany of physical insults. I鈥檇 already gone to multiple physical therapists and yoga classes, trying to recover, when a young pedorthist building custom inserts for my shoes took one look at my feet and told me I needed toe spacers. Bunions were forming on the sides of my feet, and my little toes were starting to scrunch into claws, or hammer toes. I needed, he said, to spread my toes back out after years of stuffing them into running and hiking shoes that squeezed them together. He pulled a clear zippered pouch from the wall and asked me to try them鈥�, curved ribs of silicone with three holes through which your middle toes slide.

For the next several months, I wore them almost everywhere, tucked between the toe socks he鈥檇 also recommended and inside shoes with wide toe boxes, like Topos or Altras. I winced when I had to take my shoes off anywhere, knowing someone would inevitably exclaim 鈥淲hat are those?!鈥� when they saw my spacers. But in the best way, my feet have never been the same again.

Which Toe Spacers Should I Buy and Try?

As best as I can tell, Correct Toes鈥攄eveloped by a podiatrist and runner named Ray McClanahan, who I interviewed for 国产吃瓜黑料 in 2022鈥攁re the most expensive models on the market, at $65 per pair. They鈥檙e also the only ones I鈥檝e ever needed, because they haven鈥檛 warped or ripped after five years of sporadic use. (More on 鈥渟poradic鈥� in a bit.) I鈥檝e never once resented what I paid.

But there are more affordable options now: There鈥檚 a on Amazon, though some reviews there suggest you indeed pay for what you get. s version for the same price looks more rugged, and I am certainly entertained by the idea of black toe spacers to match my endurance-black toenails. Correct Toes occasionally slip out from between my digits, so I like the way the and The Foot Collective鈥檚 wrap around all five. (The inclusion of an exercise band is a welcome bonus, too.)

You can even try with built-in toe spacers from Happy Feet, though I am slightly suspect of the oversized spacers that look more like toe bracelets from for a reason I鈥檒l get into right now.

So, How Do I Use Toe Spacers?

At the start, slowly. Have you ever stretched a muscle for the first time in a while, maybe because you noticed a new stiffness in your body? It was uncomfortable, right? That鈥檚 how toe spacers will feel for a bit, as you begin the business of prying apart bones, tendons, and ligaments that have been stuck inside narrow shoes for most of your life. I started with 15 minutes a day and gradually increased until I was wearing them almost all of the time, taking care to remove them before I fell asleep. (There is some suggestion that they restrict blood flow, especially at night; my toes simply feel stiff when I wake up with them still on.) Yoga Toes aren鈥檛 appealing to me, because they鈥檙e too big to slip inside shoes.

These days, I don鈥檛 use them all the time. My feet feel better, because I鈥檝e changed my entire routine鈥攆oot socks always, Topo tennis shoes with wide toe boxes unless I鈥檓 鈥渄ressing up,鈥� and a regimen of toe exercises using resistance bands. But whether I鈥檓 hiking across the country or going to another music festival, I always have a single toe spacer in my bag, ready to slot between my toes if my cuboid slips its position, as it sometimes does, or my arches begin to ache as though they鈥檙e on fire. I rarely travel with two toe spacers these days, because both of my feet generally don鈥檛 hurt at the same anymore. I鈥檝e spent years learning how to manage them, after all.

During a recent 1,200-mile trek along Wisconsin鈥檚 Ice Age Trail, I would often end 30-mile days by wearing toe spacers in my tent, letting my toes stretch as I massaged my legs and made my dinner. I don鈥檛 think you need to use toe spacers for the rest of your life; I do think, however, they can be crucial for taking care of the body part that actually makes contact with the ground and supports the rest of the body in the process.

Do Toe Spacers Actually Work?

Toe spacers have reached such a critical mass of popularity that you can easily find opposing answers to this question, bandied about from the to . I鈥檓 not a doctor or a foot-health researcher, so I won鈥檛 pretend to tell you anything prescriptive or definitive.

But in the last five years, or since I started using toe spacers, I have logged close to 20,000 miles on my feet, whether hiking long trails, running on roads, or, yes, attending music festivals. I also turned 40. But I have rarely felt stronger as a hiker or a runner than I do right now, and I鈥檝e had no substantive problems with my feet in a long time. My knees are better, too, and knee pain was often linked with the foot woes I experienced.

Again, I鈥檝e never seen toe spacers as a cure-all; I massage my feet, strengthen them, stretch them. But when they ache, whether I鈥檓 on a long hike or a reporting trip in another city, a day with toe spacers is my first line of defense. It鈥檚 perhaps the best $65 I鈥檝e ever spent on a piece of fitness gear鈥攕o much so, in fact, that I bought a second pair in an alternate color so that I can mix and match them as I travel. Hey, I鈥檝e got to keep them looking surprising and ridiculous, since so many people now seem curious about what toe spacers are and if they can change how you feel, too.

Grayson Haver Currin is 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 thru-hiking and trail columnist. He finished the Triple Crown in November 2023, ending with the Continental Divide Trail, and has written about his and others’ adventures on trails across the country since 2019鈥攊ncluding, most recently, how you’re hiking downhill wrong, as well as the woman who smashed the Appalachian Trail record, and ridiculously expensive hiking shorts that chafed him anyways. He still takes toe spacers to music festivals and on his adventures.

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Nothing ruins a ski vacation faster than no snow, and scoring a powder day can feel like winning the lottery in these climate-challenged times. While the global forecaster AccuWeather makes projections up to 90 days out, specific, precise daily reports cannot be made more than ten days in advance, according to a published in the听Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. Given the chaotic nature of the atmosphere, two weeks out is probably the farthest accurate estimate we can hope for in the future.

So where does that leave travelers who want to plan ahead? Is there more we can do than just book a ski vacation to a popular winter destination听and hope for the best? Yes! Diehard skiers and snowboarders and skiers鈥攁nd I count myself in that group鈥攈ave discovered some tricks to line up trips with epic conditions.

The Surprising Accuracy of The Powder Buoy

In the early aughts, Mike Ruzek, a financial planner and avid skier based in Park City, Utah, had a client clue him in to thousands of miles west in the Pacific Ocean that surfers听were using as an alternative to wave-forecast sites like , to estimate how big听swell would get by the time it hit the Hawaiian Islands. The client, who split his time between Maui and Park City, believed the buoy鈥檚 movements correlated to storm cycles in Utah鈥檚 Wasatch Range.

Curious, Ruzek did some research and discovered that when the buoy went from floating on swells of around 5 to 15 feet鈥攖he point which followers described it as 鈥減opping鈥濃�攁 storm would usually hit the Wasatch 12 to 14 days later.

Ruzek doesn鈥檛 have a background in meteorology, but he did know that low-pressure systems tend to produce the most snow in winter. 鈥淲hen a low-pressure system rolls in [across the Pacific], it forces the water upward, making the buoy pop,鈥� he posited. 鈥淎bout two weeks after a spike in the buoy鈥檚 wave height, Utah gets a dump of snow.鈥�

Initially, Ruzek started testing the buoy to schedule 鈥渟ick鈥� ski days from work, and he found it was surprisingly accurate. In 2013, he set up a Facebook page called 听to share the forecasts, and an followed that now boasts 45,000-plus followers.

A NOAA spokesperson said the organization is unaware of a specific buoy measurement correlating with this weather phenomenon so far from the buoy鈥檚 location. But Ruzek is not wrong. I spoke with Steven Businger, a University of Hawaii professor of meteorology, who confirmed that the slow motion of huge planetary waves in the jet stream often results in fairly long, persistent weather patterns that can effectively be determined for a location over ten days or more.

Last year the buoy was 80 percent spot-on when it came to pow predictions in Utah, said听Ruzek, and he鈥檚 heard from skiers who use its reports to predict snow 12 to 14 days out in Colorado and Wyoming. 鈥淥ne mountain town in Colorado听has a coffee shop that writes our reports on a chalkboard,鈥� he said proudly. Though he could charge for the readings, Ruzek loves the authenticity of keeping it free. 鈥淭here鈥檚 enough monetization in the ski world,鈥� he said.

Trusted Intel from Powderchasers

Steve Conney also shares free winter-weather intel听as a side hustle called . The New York native started forecasting snowfall at U.S. ski resorts听for a small email list of friends more than two decades ago, when there was no internet offering such a service. 鈥淚 had phone numbers for the snowplow drivers and the people who worked at Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado,鈥� he told听me. 鈥淚鈥檇 call the employees at Baked in Telluride, because I knew they were up at 5 A.M. and could report on the snow.鈥�

Today听Powderchasers has over 107,000 followers on Instagram, and its detailed forecasts are still free, thanks to sponsors like Ikon Pass. The posts are fun and full of stoke: 鈥淓PIC ALERT: Snow Returns for South America. 3+ Feet Predicted鈥� read the August 2 headline. 鈥淔inal parade of moisture is overspreading the west. The firehouse is wide open over Oregon and moves east into Idaho and northern Wyoming where it is snowing,鈥� read a December 16 post, while its听recently offered intel on projected conditions through the end of the month, suggestions on where to head based on its forecasts, feedback from Powderchasers staff about places they were already skiing, and estimated snow accumulation for various regions of the U.S. and Canada.

Conney now has a small weather-obsessed team to help him. 鈥淲e read the same models as everyone else, but we understand what skiers and snowboarders want,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he deepest snow is not always your best chase. We look at winds, potential closures, snow density, and other factors.鈥�

If you鈥檇 prefer more in-depth, personalized forecasts and custom trip planning, the company has what are called concierge packages that range from $149 for one trip to $699 for forecasts for eight trips. 鈥淭his is for the fanatics who can only get out on the slopes once or twice a year for that big ski trip,鈥� he said.

Jen Murphy splits her time between Colorado and Maui and now relies on The Powder Buoy to track swell and snow. She听recently wrote about her love of solo travel, and about how compression socks are the one piece of clothing travelers need for a long flight.听

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My partner and I always fight while packing the car for a road trip, especially around the holidays. It brings out the worst in us. Our stress and anxiety turn into arguments about how to organize the trunk, and鈥攏ot kidding鈥攚hether he really needs to bring his espresso machine. Help! How can we avoid another packing meltdown this month? 鈥擱oad Weary

As a minimalist packer, it drives me bonkers when people stuff their car to the ceiling with nonessentials. My mom is a notorious overpacker and lives in constant fear of not having enough snacks when she travels. Because I loathe driving, I鈥檝e just accepted that on even the shortest road trip with her, my knees will be crunched against the dashboard to accommodate gallons of water and a cooler of food jammed behind my seat. (If we ever got caught in a storm, we鈥檇 survive comfortably for a few days.)

My best friend, Katherine, usually argues with her husband, Carmino, about packing for their annual December road trip from Brooklyn to South Bend, Indiana, to visit his grandmother. Fights ensue because they think they have more room in their Jeep Gladiator than they actually do. 鈥淵et every year we still pack it to the brim,鈥� she says.

Carmino is a wanna-be chef, so he insists on traveling with his own kitchen supplies, including a 25-by-25-inch wooden cutting board and numerous pasta-making machines and tools. Additionally, they head out with a Yeti cooler packed with artisanal New York City treats and return with his grandmother鈥檚 homemade Polish sausage and pierogies to share with family on the East Coast. 鈥淚鈥檓 talking like 90 pierogis,鈥� Katherine says.

In fairness, Katherine packs her own pillows, and sometimes blankets, for their hotel stays en route to Indiana, which drives him crazy. Getting rest during family holidays is essential, she rationalizes. 鈥淎t least I use them all week long, versus one day,鈥� she says.

Why Does Packing for a Holiday Road Trip Feel Particularly Tense?

One of the biggest fights 国产吃瓜黑料 editor Mary Turner ever had with her father was over a casserole dish that she placed in the trunk of the car when he wasn’t looking as they were about to drive to a relative’s house for Thanksgiving. “He discovered it right before he closed the trunk, and all hell broke loose,” she says. “He is super anal听about what goes where in the car, and I apparently hadn’t followed those rules.”

Vacations, travel, and packing are cognitively stressful, says Sarah Pressman, a professor of psychological science at the University of California at Irvine. 鈥淲e have to juggle a lot of mental tasks and questions,鈥� she says. For example: What needs to be packed? Will it fit? What am I forgetting? Will I really need this? Excessive cognitive load, she says 鈥渃an be tiring, distracting, and potentially diminish our patience.鈥�

Holiday travel especially is a pressure cooker of stress, says Los Angeles鈥揵ased therapist Laurel Robert-Meese. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e often trying to get everyone else鈥檚 needs met,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e rushing out of the house to get to your parents鈥� or in-laws鈥�, and know you might be out of your routine for a few days, stress is heightened.鈥�

A huge trigger of travel stress is unrealistically high expectations, says Pressman. 鈥淲e want everything to be absolutely perfect during the holidays or on a major vacation,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen our expectations aren鈥檛 met鈥攆or example, in a chaotic packing situation鈥攊t鈥檚 easy to be disappointed and lash out at whoever is around us.鈥�

To diffuse the situation, ask yourself what鈥檚 more important: that the car is packed a certain way or that you get to your destination safely and relatively on time, says Robert-Meese. 鈥淎nd do you want to be right, or do you want to stay married?鈥� When someone throws a tantrum about a backpack being on top of the suitcase, or between suitcases, that typically represents something bigger, she says. 鈥淚f someone is anxious about something鈥攍ike seeing their parents鈥攖hat may manifest in criticizing something trivial, like where the suitcase was placed.鈥�

Does Car Size Matter?

My friend Carly and her husband, Ross, live in Boulder, Colorado, and love road-tripping with their two girls, but they hate the Tetris of configuring everything just right into their vehicle. In 2017, they purchased a bare-bones but roomy Sprinter cargo van that they refer to as their mobile garage. But they quickly learned that when you have a bigger vehicle, you want to pack your entire house, including the espresso machine, a giant cooler that contains the contents of their fridge, a case of wine, plus all of their family鈥檚 adventure gear. 鈥淧retending we have a Subaru instead of a Sprinter might help with quantity control,鈥� she admits.

Tiny cars in Europe are a personal affront to many Americans used to SUVs. Yet when my friends and I go on ski trips to the Continent, my frugal friend Michael, who lives in New York City, inevitably always rents the smallest car. We manage to make it work after what Michael鈥檚 wife, Meredith, calls 鈥渢he great packing saga.鈥�

Meredith is a pro when it comes to packing any size car. 鈥淭he biggest or most angular or geometric pieces鈥攍ike skis鈥攇o in first,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nything that fits neatly in the corners of the trunk. Then it鈥檚 Jenga with smaller bags or soft bags. And finally, you plug every crack and crevice with small bags, extra coats or sweatshirts, or sneakers.鈥� Her personal bag, usually teeming with snacks and extra clothes, stays up front within easy reach.

Who Should Get the Final Say?

Delegating one person to pack the car鈥攁nd being responsible for knowing where everything is鈥攃an reduce stress, says Pressman. 鈥淪ometimes one person has a special skill of optimizing the available space. So let them be the one to make those decisions instead of randomly throwing things in or fighting over what goes where,鈥� she says.

If one of your travel partners is super organized and wants to decide what goes where in the car, let them, says Pressman. Decide what your priority is. 鈥淧ick your battles to maximize happiness, and figure out who should be in charge based on personal strengths and preferences,鈥� she says.

Michelle and Andy Gilbert of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, are a perfect example. Michelle says she always forgets to pack all kinds of stuff: 鈥淲e’ve had to stop for bras, toothbrushes, hair products, underwear鈥�. You name it, I’ve forgotten it.鈥� Her husband, on the other hand, is a meticulous packer; he makes a checklist on his phone and ticks things off as he packs.

鈥淲e are very different people,鈥� she says. 鈥淗e laughs at me but never gives me a hard time. It鈥檚 an unspoken rule that he’s in charge of any important documents, as well as packing the trunk or back of the car, especially if we have a lot to bring. I’m in charge of the front area of the car snacks, blankets, the fun stuff.鈥�

If you anticipate going head-to-head about one specific travel issue, set some rules beforehand. For example, maybe the driver gets to decide what feels safest for their comfort in terms of car organization, but the passengers can take control over what goes in the back seat. What’s most important is establishing clear lines of communication and talking through individual priorities before packing and loading begins, says Pressman. Consider compromises, and work together to create a plan that will make everyone happy.

Kelli Miller, author of , suggests using a sliding scale between one and ten to determine who is more emotionally invested. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e a seven when it comes to organization and your partner is a two, you take the lead,鈥� she says. Miller agrees that clear, constant communication is key.

How to Make Packing the Car Less Stressful

Plan Ahead

When we procrastinate, and then feel like we don’t have time to do what we need, that activates our stress response, says Pressman. 鈥淭his heightens negative emotions and makes us more irritable and reactive,鈥� she says.

Carly says her family鈥檚 packing history confirms this. If it鈥檚 done at the last minute on the day of a trip, it always results in tears, the silent treatment, and, inevitably, leaving an hour later than intended.

Miller recommends starting to pack at least three days ahead, to give yourself time to shop for necessities, decide who is responsible for what, and determine what nonnegotiable items have to make it into the car.

Assign Roles

When people have specific responsibilities, things feel more controlled and communication is high, says Pressman. 鈥淢y husband and I typically make a shared Google Docs packing list of what we need and who is packing what,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his reduces surprises and conflicts over forgotten items. I often find myself asking him the day before, 鈥榃hat am I forgetting?鈥� And nine times out of ten he’ll remember something I forgot.鈥�

But Make It a Team Effort

Carly tries to make packing a family affair. 鈥淚 recently discovered that I can give my eight- and ten-year-old daughters a packing list and put them in charge of their own bags,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his relieves some stress, as I鈥檝e outlined what they need, and they are expected to execute. If they forget something, it鈥檚 on them.鈥�

Everyone also helps haul bags and gear from the house to the van, and then her husband loads it.

Take a Breath and Laugh

If you鈥檙e fighting about how to pack the car, don’t feel like you have to push through while panicking, says Pressman. 鈥淣egative emotions focus our attention and make it harder to find creative solutions to problems,鈥� she says. 鈥淭ake a breath, take a five-minute break, and talk about the good things that will happen on your trip. Even a quick knock-knock joke can do wonders to diffuse the tension and help you get back to the grind in a more helpful mood.鈥�

One of her favorite jokes: Why did the tire get invited to all the road trips? Because it always knew how to roll with it!

Jen Murphy is the travel-advice columnist for 国产吃瓜黑料 Online. She grew up in New Jersey, the only state where it鈥檚 still illegal to pump your own gas. She鈥檒l cope with a messily packed car as long as she doesn鈥檛 have to fill the tank.听

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