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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Islands are much more than beaches and palm trees. Throughout my travels, I鈥檝e found them to be places where rare adventures thrive鈥攖heir isolation lets time and tradition hew experiences you won鈥檛 find on the mainland.

While everyone鈥檚 idea of an island paradise is different (no judgment if you鈥檙e a 鈥渇eet-up-by-the-pool鈥� type), I鈥檓 drawn to islands that push me into new adventures. I love a place where I can hike down into a canyon one day and dive over coral the next, then experience a culture completely foreign to me鈥攍ike riding around town on a motorbike in Vietnam, swapping sake pours in Japan, or trying (and failing) to cut swirls in a miniature pineapple in Mauritius. From one under a rainforest canopy to another deepening into a cave system, each island I鈥檝e ever explored offers the opportunity to make memories as unique as its coastline.

Whether you’re seeking hidden hikes, rock-climbing crags, or ski slopes with ocean views, or just want to unwind on the perfect beach, this list has you covered. These wild isles are truly among the best and most beautiful in the world.

United States

1. Channel Islands, California

Five of the six Channel Islands鈥擜nacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa鈥攆orm Channel Islands National Park, among one of the country鈥檚 least-visited (50th out of 63 total). A ferry ride, taking anywhere from one to four hours depending on your chosen isle, transports you into a landscape of sweeping Pacific views, open prairies, and sawtooth mountains.

Take the path less traveled on a 14-mile-round-trip day hike, , which ends in a sloping beach swamped in pinnipeds, where I arrived to the deafening roar of hundreds of seals and sea lions. (Be sure not to leave the actual hiking path on this particular island鈥攖he detritus from mid-century military exercises means unexploded ordnance still poses a risk in uncleared areas.)

If you choose to stay the night anywhere in the park, whether backcountry or at a more accessible site, the reward is the same: a California sky untouched by light pollution.

Alone outside of the national park is Catalina Island, where wild buffalo graze the hillsides, having long ago been left behind from a Golden Age film shoot. Here you can trek the stunning , a rugged through hike marked by desert scrub and ocean views.

Offshore, gray whales breach in winter and blue whales glide through in summer, turning the sea into a stage for nature鈥檚 greatest performances. Beneath the surface, the waters teem with life.

Each island is distinct. At Catalina鈥檚 Casino Point, step into underwater worlds from the stairs that drop straight into the sea, where kelp forests house garibaldi and (if you get a lucky day like I did) enormous sea bass.

Divers encounter a giant sea bass meandering through Casino Point’s kelp forest. Video: Alexandra Gillespie.

Or hop aboard a to see the wonders of Anacapa, where Spanish shawl nudibranch and California sheephead move through towering kelp forests. On Santa Cruz, you can explore sea caves by kayak. Park visitors who have a can enjoy the spoils of the sea: No scallop has ever tasted better than the one I pried from a rock off the shore of San Miguel, carrying it several miles uphill in a drybag full of seawater to fry in ghee at sunset.

2. Kaua驶i, Hawai

In Kaua驶i, nature reigns supreme. With 90 percent of its lush rainforests, jagged cliffs, and hidden beaches inaccessible by car, this wild paradise demands to be explored by foot, in a kayak, or from the sky.

Along the Na Pali Coast, hike the legendary 11-mile , which clings to cliffs that drop into the turquoise Pacific. Then the Wailua River, slipping through dense rainforest to . Maybe strap in for a through jungle canopies or centuries-old tunnels carved into volcanic rock.

For surfers, Kaua驶i is a siren call. Each winter, legendary breaks transform into rushing walls of water, testing even the most seasoned wave riders, while summer swells mellow out and welcome beginning surfers. Rookies can also cut their teeth at the gentle rollers of Po驶ip奴 or find their rhythm on the dependable waves of Kealia Beach. Thrill-seekers chase dangerous, heavy reef breaks far from the crowds at Shipwreck Beach and Polihale.

Dive into Poipu鈥檚 crystal waters to swim with sea turtles, or soar over the rolling peaks of Waimea Canyon in a . At night, seek the traditional experience of Kauai at a luau, where a vibrant culture comes alive through music and dance.

3. Isle Royale, Michigan

Isle Royale strips nature down to its raw essentials on hiking trails through lofty forests and endless vistas of water. Situated in the cold, clear clutches of Lake Superior, this 98-percent untamed Isle Royale National Park in my home state is a haven for adventurers from spring through fall. Hike the 40-mile for sweeping views that make you feel like you鈥檝e reached the edge of the world. Or dive deep beneath the surface of the lake, exploring the eerie wrecks of the 525-foot steel freighter the Emperor or the 328-foot Glenlyon鈥攈aunting reminders of Lake Superior鈥檚 power.

Gray wolves and moose roam freely, a restless dance of predator and prey subject to an of the volatile population dynamics.

The night sky is a celestial masterpiece unmarred by city lights. Stargazing at Scoville Point might even reward you with the sight of the elusive Northern Lights.

Whether you鈥檙e fishing for trout, paddling serene waters, or standing in quiet awe, Isle Royale demands that you lose yourself in its wild interior.

South America

4. Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, Chilean and Argentine Patagonia

Tierra del Fuego, a land of jagged peaks, windswept coasts, and staggering beauty, is the last whisper of the world before Antarctica. Hike along the Beagle Channel on the Senda Costera, or push yourself on the steep for awe-inspiring views of mountains plunging into icy waters. The bold can tackle the Dientes de Navarino Trail鈥攐ne of the most southerly trekking routes in the world.

In Tierra del Fuego National Park, guanacos graze, condors soar, and dolphins cut through glassy bays. Take a ride on the Train at the End of the World, along a picturesque four-mile stretch of the world鈥檚 southernmost railroad, which was initially built for prisoner transport.

Guanacos in Chilean Patagonia, north of Tierra del Fuego in Valle Chacabuco, Parque Nacional Patagonia. (Video: Alison Osius)

Stir history into your trip at Estancia Harberton, a run by the fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation members of the first permanent European missionaries to arrive here, an experience that offers a window into early Y谩mana-settler relationships.

During winter (June through October), carve fresh powder at Cerro Castor, Argentina’s southernmost ski resort, or strap in to go and .

Caribbean Sea

5. Dominica

Dominica is unspoiled and unforgettable. Lace up your boots for the 115-mile , the longest hiking trail in the Caribbean, through thriving rainforests, soaring waterfalls, and misty peaks. Then trek to , a cauldron of steaming water in the jungle, where you can soak in natural volcanic hot springs and mud baths.

For water enthusiasts, Dominica recently unveiled a groundbreaking 32-nautical-mile kayak trail encircling the island鈥攁 six-day journey through pristine waters. You can snorkel or dive at , where volcanic springs bubble up through the ocean floor, creating an underwater celebration.

Whale watching here is more than a distant boat sighting. It鈥檚 an in-water encounter, as Dominica is home to a . The experience of snorkeling alongside these gentle behemoths is said to be nothing short of transformative.

6. Bay Islands, Honduras

The Bay Islands are three gems of organic beauty and underwater wonders: Roat谩n, Utila, and Guanaja. Hike through the Carambola Botanical Gardens and Nature Trails on Roat谩n, over 40 acres of tropical forests to sweeping views of the sea, or summit Pumpkin Hill on Utila for a quick, rewarding climb with vistas clear to the horizon. The islands’ rich biodiversity, from tropical birds to marine life, embraces you.

These islands are a diver’s paradise. Whale sharks鈥攇entle giants bigger than school buses鈥攇lide through the depths from March and April and October to December, while the Halliburton wreck sits ever-waiting, and another site offers radiant coral reef. Kayakers can lose themselves in the or paddle through the peaceful waters of Roat谩n鈥檚 West End, where the only company is the song of birds and the soft splash of paddles.

Asia

7. C谩t B脿 Island, Vietnam

My memories of C谩t B脿 Island are faded Polaroids, worn and softened at the edges. Even after half a dozen years, I still revisit my physical and mental snapshots from my time on that rugged, beautiful island in one of my favorite countries.

Lan Ha Bay is C谩t B脿 Island鈥檚 crown jewel, where imposing limestone karsts bursting out of jade-green water craft an otherworldly landscape. Think Ha Long Bay, but without the crowds. You can kayak through hidden lagoons and drift past the region鈥檚 . When I visited in 2018, it cost a grand total of $80 to charter a private boat tour for two, and the price included a kayak excursion. can choose from among nearly or go rogue with deep-water soloing, dropping into the sea if they fall or choosing whether to jump from the top.

Inland, beneath the island鈥檚 surface, whisper haunting stories of war, and a bombproof hospital used during the American War (or, as we call it stateside, the Vietnam War) still stands as a museum.

Topside, the 102-square mile C谩t B脿 National Park covers a third of the island, with trails that snake through jungles, up mist-shrouded peaks, and across wildlife-rich terrain. Hike 1.5 near-vertical, damp miles to the top of for sweeping views (I found the slippery rocks worth the risk of a tweaked ankle), or take on the challenging Ao Ech route through the rainforest to the remote Viet Hai Village.

When it鈥檚 time to unwind, grab a ferry to nearby Monkey Island, where aggressive monkeys provide a good laugh on the beach鈥攐r hike there from the other side of the island after a night at , which served a fresh seafood barbecue I still dream of.

8. Taiwan

In Taiwan, adventure collides with jaw-dropping landscapes and a lively culture. Start with its hikes: explore the marble cliffs of Taroko Gorge, or take in the sunrise over ancient forests in Alishan. For a city-side thrill, climb and view Taipei鈥檚 skyline with the famed skyscraper Taipei 101 piercing the clouds.

Taiwan鈥檚 untamed mountains, like Jade Mountain鈥攁t nearly 13,000 feet the region鈥檚 highest peak, located in Yushan National Park鈥攊nvite trekkers to rise above the clouds, where Formosan black bears roar and rare birds like the endemic mikado pheasant pass by.

If the sea is calling your name, head south to , where coral reefs hum with life beneath the waves, or catch the surf at Jialeshui Beach. Cyclists can carve through the countryside on routes that loop around famed , or push through the rolling hills of the . For the sandstone cliffs at soar above crashing waves.

Europe

9. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Sculpted by glaciers and smoothed by icy waters, Lofoten is an ideal Nordic isle for adventurers. In summer, hike the spine of the island chain on the 99-mile , climb Reinebringen for panoramic views of a lifetime, or like the four-mile Justadtinden. For a real challenge, tackle the highest peaks like , or keep it mellow with shorter routes like , where every view is postcard worthy.

Though known for unpredictable weather year-round, the islands are driest and get drenched in October. This dry season also has the longest daylight hours, averaging seven to eight a day. You鈥檒l experience the Midnight Sun from May to mid-July. In contrast, Polar Night鈥攚hen the sun does not crest the horizon for more than 24 hours鈥攅xtends from early December to early January, and coincides with high precipitation levels.

From mid-January through March, trade hiking boots for skis and carve down slopes that plunge toward shimmering fjords. Ski resorts like Lofoten Ski Lodge offer powder runs with ocean views that no other ski destination can match. If you鈥檇 rather be on the water, paddle through majestic fjords framed by snow-capped mountains, or go deeper and in the icy seas Vikings once fished.

And if you鈥檙e here from October to January, shimmy into a dry suit and as they hunt herring in the cold, clear fjords鈥攆or a raw, heart-pounding encounter with the ocean鈥檚 top predator. As night falls, look up: the often set the sky ablaze in a kaleidoscope of green and purple (especially in October or January to mid March).

10. S茫o Miguel, Azores, Portugal

S茫o Miguel is a volcanic playground set adrift in the Atlantic. 国产吃瓜黑料 pulses through its hidden trails, arching waves, and steaming hot springs.

Hike the craggy ridges of Sete Cidades, where twin sapphire lakes glisten below kayakers, or meander on the winding paths to the crater lake of Lagoa do Fogo. Brave the canyon walls of Ribeira dos Caldeir玫es, into hidden pools, or skip through into the clear waters off Vila Franca do Campo, where whales and dolphins . The surfing in Portugal is more than the 100-foot waves at Nazar茅: Experienced surfers can tackle the powerful swells at Praia de Ribeira Grande on S茫o Miguel.

S茫o Miguel is also a place to savor. When you鈥檙e ready to slow down, sip your way through Gorreana, Europe鈥檚 only tea plantation, where the salty ocean air infuses every leaf. Then sink into the mineral-rich hot springs at Furnas, where the earth itself simmers beneath your feet, or wander through the botanical paradise of Terra Nostra Park, home to over 600 different types of camellias, one of the largest collections in the world. End the day with Cozido das Furnas鈥攁 local stew , a culinary experience as raw and earthy as the island itself.

11. Corsica, France

Corsica is an adventure where mountains, sea, and sky meet.

For the hardcore hiker, the through Corsica鈥檚 craggy ridges, where granite peaks and expansive vistas remind you of just how small you are. But there鈥檚 something for everyone鈥攖ake the family on a coastal stroll at Cap Corse or stand in awe at the serrated spires of Aiguilles de Bavella. Climbers on the red cliffs of will revel in Mediterranean views.

Corsica鈥檚 waters are as clear as glass. Dive into the , a UNESCO World Heritage site, where cliffs plunge into an underwater world brimming with life such as crabs, bottlenose dolphins, and over 450 different seaweeds. Paddle along the Gulf of Porto and uncover hidden coves or snorkel over vibrant reefs at .

Even in winter, Corsica keeps calling. for views that stretch to the sea, or hit the runs at Ghisoni where seven slopes stretch before you.

Oceana

12. Moorea, French Polynesia

Moorea is a paradise that stitches the seam between lush peaks and crystalline seas. Hike through changing canvases, from the steep, thrilling climbs of Mount Rotui鈥攐ffering dual bay views鈥攖o the rainforest-draped paths of the . For those seeking a quick yet rewarding trek, the two-mile Magic Mountain trail rises more than 1,300 feet to unveil a panorama in turquoise waters. Zip line adventures at Tiki Parc offer another bird鈥檚-eye view of the verdant landscape.

But the true wonders of Moorea are beneath its waves. The island鈥檚 clear lagoons are snorkeling sanctuaries where colorful reefs flourish. Kayak in waters so pure you can see the ocean floor through the bottom of your transparent vessel, or get up close and personal with reefs diving . Moorea brings you face-to-face with the ocean’s gentle giants, whether it鈥檚 watching resident dolphins play in the wake of a boat or witnessing the majestic humpback whales.

Africa

13. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar is a crossroads of the senses. Beneath its turquoise waters, the reefs come alive鈥攄ive , where the marine biodiversity rivals that of any aquarium, or explore Nungwi鈥檚 sprawling coral gardens. For the more adventurous, offers out-of-the-way dives where dolphins twirl through the currents and reef sharks glide by in silent elegance.

Above the waves, the consistent winds and shallow waters at Paje Beach make for a , drawing aficionados from around the world. And far, far above the waves, soar over lush terrain as the Indian Ocean glimmers ahead, offering rare shoreline landings on white sands.

Prefer something more tranquil? along Zanzibar鈥檚 serene coastlines through mangroves and lagoons that feel untouched by time.

But Zanzibar is more than its beaches鈥攊t鈥檚 alive with history. In Stone Town, a Swahili coastal trading town with UNESCO status, every corner is a story. Stop at the Old Fort, get lost in the buzz of Darajani Market, or taste the island鈥檚 blend of Swahili, Arab, and Indian flavors on a .

Alexandra Gillespie is a freelance writer covering water and outdoor travel. From Mauritius to Mackinac, islands hold a special place in her heart鈥攊f you need a boat to get there, she鈥檚 game. She was previously the digital editor of Scuba Diving magazine. Her most recent stories for 国产吃瓜黑料 include 鈥�The 12 Most Beautiful Scuba Diving Destinations in the World,鈥� 鈥�Gear-Testing Trips That Let You Try Before You Buy,鈥� and 鈥�Stockton Rush, the Pilot of Missing Titanic Sub, Told 国产吃瓜黑料 Why He Kept Going Back.鈥�

The post The 13 Best Islands in the World for Outdoor 国产吃瓜黑料 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If sitting is the new smoking, then flying in economy must be the equivalent of a pack a day.

Remaining seated for extended periods, whether you鈥檙e working at a desk or road-tripping hundreds of miles, causes blood to pool in your legs. Sitting on a plane exacerbates this, because air-pressure changes in the cabin lowers the oxygenation of your blood, which can adversely affect circulation, . In some alarming cases, it can even lead to (DVT), a rare yet serious condition in which a blood clot forms in your leg and travels to your lungs; this could result in a pulmonary embolism.

Compression socks for flying can help. Tightest near the ankle, and still pretty snug at the top of your calf, they鈥檙e designed to gently squeeze your lower legs to stimulate blood and lymphatic fluid from your feet to your heart, explains Andrew Jagim, director of sports-medicine research at the Mayo Clinic.

Before you balk at paying upward of $20 for a pair of tight socks, consider how economical this purchase is compared with a business-class seat that lets you fully recline. The lie-flat option is often 100 times more expensive, which is why I鈥檝e come to rely on compression socks鈥攚hat I call the poor man鈥檚 upgrade.

How Compression Socks Came to Be Viewed as Essential for Travel

Conrad Jobst, a German engineer who lived in Ohio and suffered from varicose veins, is credited with inventing modern compression socks around 1950. His therapeutic designs helped alleviate symptoms associated with poor leg circulation, post-surgery swelling, and DVT, among others. are still sold today.

That decade, experts began to recognize that prolonged periods of immobility during long-distance travel, particularly by car or train, could cause blood clots to form and started using the term 鈥渢raveler鈥檚 thrombosis.鈥� In 1954, American surgeon John Homans cases of people who had experienced venous thrombosis after long-distance flights.

The media and general public were alerted to the connection between flying and DVT in 1974, when then U.S. president Richard Nixon developed a blood clot while flying during a diplomatic visit overseas. Complications required hospitalization and prevented him from being able to attend the Watergate trials.

A few years later, two British researchers studying the risks of DVT on flights coined the term 鈥渆conomy class syndrome鈥濃�� a misnomer, as DVT can occur in any class of travel, but highly influential in drawing attention to the risks of air-travel-related DVT, says Bob Bacheler, managing director of the medical-transport service Flying Angels. 鈥淗aving more space to stretch your legs or lie flat is better than being cramped in economy, but you still need to make the effort to move,鈥� he says.

Who Should Wear Compression Socks, and When

According to the , anyone traveling four-plus hours鈥攂e it by air, car, bus, or train鈥攃an be at risk for blood clots. Occurrences of a blood clot are between 1.5 and 4 times more likely on a long-haul flight (four hours or more), according to a that was updated in 2021. That said, most people who develop travel-associated blood clots are generally those with one or more health risks; for example, they鈥檙e over 40, obese, pregnant, or recovering from a recent surgery.

Jagim says that wearing compression socks on any flight longer than an hour can yield benefits, like minimizing lower-leg and ankle swelling. Bacheler, who frequently serves as a flight nurse on flights of 12 to 24 hours, says he always wears compression socks. Of the two dozen flight attendants I polled during my own recent travels, all but one said they wear them, even on flights as short as one hour.

But these special socks aren鈥檛 a magic fix. Whether you鈥檙e sprawled out in the spacious Qsuites of Qatar Airways or packed like a sardine into economy on Frontier or Spirit (tied for the at 28 inches), it鈥檚 important to get up and walk to keep the body鈥檚 interstitial fluid鈥攖he stuff between our blood vessels and cells鈥攎oving. The getting up once every two to three hours. Jacob Erickson, a sports-medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, says that even flexing your calf muscles and moving your feet and ankles around while sitting can help blood flow.

And don鈥檛 forgo hydration. Kill two birds with one stone by getting up, walking down the main aisle, and asking a flight attendant for water. 鈥�Staying hydrated complements the effects of compression socks by ensuring your blood remains fluid and your body maintains overall balance,鈥� says Bacheler.

How to Shop for the Right Compression Socks

As a travel writer, I fly a lot鈥攎ost recently, 13 flights in three weeks鈥攁nd have tested dozens of compression socks to determine which are best at preventing my legs from inflating like balloons. The most important consideration, according to Bacheler, is a good fit. Too tight and they鈥檒l cut off circulation; too loose and they鈥檒l fail to compress sufficiently. Most medical-supply stores will have a variety you can try.

Understanding Mm Hg

Every compression sock offers information about mm Hg on its packaging, so you should know what it means. The measurement stands for millimeters of mercury (what we use to gauge blood pressure), and it reflects the amount of pressure the socks provide.

Most brands tend to use the following general ranges of mm HG. Finding the right fit might take some trial and error, but go by what feels best to you.

8 to 15 mm Hg: Light compression that can relieve aches and minor swelling from prolonged sitting or standing; considered a loose fit.

15 to 20 mm Hg: Mild compression suitable for everyday use.

20 to 30 mm Hg: Moderate compression used in medical-grade socks; a very snug fit.

My Travel-Socks Hack

On a recent trip from Madagascar to Denver (four legs, 31 total hours in the air), I paired my mild compression socks with Band-Aid-size electrical-stimulation devices (from $48), for the marathon 15-hour leg from Doha, Qatar, to Seattle. The devices send out tiny pulses that stimulate the peroneal nerve in the leg to increase blood flow.

The winning combination prevented swelling and left my legs feeling like I’d never left the ground. If you check out the brand鈥檚 website, you鈥檒l see that this is something used by hundreds of sports teams that travel on the regular.

My Favorite Compression Socks for Flying

2XU

Price: $45
Compression level: 15 to 20 mm Hg
I鈥檝e long worn 2XU flight-compression tights听to help recover from long runs or tough workouts, so I decided to try the brand鈥檚 flight-compression socks on that recent 15-hour leg, and I鈥檓 hooked! Each pair is assessed on Salzmann testing apparatus鈥攖he most technically accurate device for compression measurement in fabrics鈥攖o ensure graduated squeezing. A vented toe panel provided breathability, and they were easy to pull on and off. One downside is that they lose their compression characteristics after a few machine washes, so hand-wash yours.

Bombas Everyday

Price: From $28
Compression level: 15 to 20 mm Hg
Many compression socks pull up to just the base of the knee. But if you have sensitive knees, you may find the squeeze at that point irritating or even painful. Bombas Everyday socks are a nice alternative鈥攖hey鈥檙e designed to hit a few inches below the knee yet still stay snugly in place. I tend to get cold on flights, and was pleased to note that the Everyday鈥檚 cotton blend was warmer than others I鈥檝e tried. I give the brand bonus points for its colorways, which range from neutral (black, gray) to colorful (plum, ocean).

Comrad CloudCotton

Price: $32
Compression level: 15 to 20 mm Hg
Comfy enough to wear all day long, these socks听are crafted from supersoft combed cotton and tree fibers, and they almost feel like slippers on your feet. I appreciate the extra toe and heel cushioning, which helps with shock absorption. And the moisture-wicking, odor-fighting fabric means you can kick your shoes off mid-flight, worry-free. I couldn鈥檛 decide whether to buy a small or medium and wrongly chose the latter, but the Comrad guarantee allowed me to exchange for a different size for free (or return them for a refund) within 30 days of purchase.

Levsox

Price: From $25 for two pairs
Compression level: 20 to 30 mm Hg
Thanks to their breathable fabric, Levsox听don鈥檛 feel like they鈥檙e strangling your legs, but they still deliver the firmer fit I prefer. Their extra arch support is akin to getting a massage while you walk. If you like socks with personality, you鈥檒l love the options: stripes, animal patterns, and psychedelic prints. Levsox also makes a model suited for wide calves.

Sigvaris Motion High Tech Calf Highs

Price: $68
Compression level: 20 to 30 mm Hg
Bacheler and three flight attendants I spoke with all swear by Sigvaris compression stockings.听Most medical-grade models resemble your grandma鈥檚 hosiery, but these particular knee-highs look like sporty socks, and they pop in bold hues like lime green and steel blue. They apply more compression in the calf area than other socks on this list, which kept my legs feeling energized when I deplaned and had to race to my next flight.

Jen Murphy credits compression socks for allowing her to fly ten-plus hours and then go run five miles without aches or pains.

The post Why I Always Wear Compression Socks on Long Flights appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I should be wrecked.

It鈥檚 my first full day in South Africa after a brutal 33-hour journey from my home in Bend, Oregon. I woke at 3:15 A.M. to catch the first of three flights to Johannesburg, crossed nine time zones in economy class, and finally fell into bed at 9 P.M. Typically, my jet lag for such a long-haul trip lasts for days.

Strangely, though, I feel great. I have no brain fog. I鈥檓 not dizzy or cold or getting any odd-hour cravings. And I鈥檓 alert; in fact, fighting my way through Joberg鈥檚 frenetic traffic while driving on the left side of the road in a stick-shift rental isn鈥檛 even stressful. As a travel writer who鈥檚 logged about a million miles flying across every timezone on earth over the past 25 years, this state of normalcy has me dumbstruck. No jet lag? How can this be?

Unlike other globe-trotting trips, this time I used , a $99 jet lag鈥揵usting system that five years ago was only available to elite military personnel and a few top business executives. Now anyone can buy it online.

FlyKitt had me taking dietary supplements every few hours, drinking caffeinated, sugary beverages at specific times, and wearing blue-light-filtering glasses at others. The supplements, grouped in blister packs, have simplified names like 鈥減rotect鈥� (instead of vitamin C with tart-cherry powder) and 鈥渕ellow鈥� (instead of magnesium with melatonin). Also key is its app, which queried me about my regular sleep habits and upcoming flights before producing a schedule that told me when to take which pill, when to eat and drink, when to sleep, and when to wear the glasses. The app can detect if flights are delayed and recalculate the schedule instantly.

The regimen began shortly after my alarm went off, when the app told me to eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate meal and pop two 鈥減rotect鈥� pills and one 鈥渟ustain鈥� pill (a mix of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil). It听ended 45 hours and 26 pills later. And because the kit comes with enough supplements and drink mixes for two trips, I鈥檒l follow a similar routine when I fly home.

I鈥檇 heard about FlyKitt from an 国产吃瓜黑料 editor, who thought I鈥檇 be a good guinea pig to test its legitimacy, given how much I travel. I was skeptical. Having researched other jet lag remedies before鈥攍ike fasting and eating a hearty breakfast鈥擨 knew most are . Science that light (and avoiding light) and, to a lesser extent, melatonin, are the only things that shift your internal clock.

But in South Africa, feeling great, I鈥檓 flabbergasted. FlyKitt鈥檚 results are mind-bending. I want to know why it works, when no verified research out there yet supports key parts of it. My curiosity turns into a monthslong quest for answers.

A Brief History of FlyKitt and Jet-Lag Research

FlyKitt is the flagship product of the Los Angeles鈥揵ased company 听(which is in the process of rebranding itself as FlyKitt.) A biotech start-up, it has evolved from offering customized coaching and wellness plans for people in high-stress jobs鈥攕uch as CEOs and national security workers鈥攖o developing health and human-performance products.

The company was founded by Andrew Herr, a former researcher for the Pentagon who holds graduate degrees from Georgetown University in health physics, microbiology and immunology, and national-security policy. The company鈥檚 chief technology officer, Clayton Kim, studied neuroscience and economics at Brown, where he conducted sleep research in the lab directed by Mary Carskadon, one of the country鈥檚 preeminent sleep researchers. According to Herr and Kim, FlyKitt solves jet lag for 93 percent of their customers.

FlyKitt鈥檚 work builds upon a considerable body of sleep research that dates back to at least , when scientists at the University of Chicago spent six weeks living in a cave in Kentucky and discovered that humans have internal circadian rhythms. (I once spent 82 hours in total darkness during a cave retreat and my own rhythm fell apart). In 1931, American aviator Wiley Post flew around the world in eight days and described what we now call jet lag, though that term didn鈥檛 appear until around 1966 during the golden age of air travel.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no such thing as ship lag,鈥� says Steven Lockley, a circadian-rhythm scientist, professor, and creator of the app , a FlyKitt competitor that uses tested scientific research and information from peer-reviewed papers听to help travelers overcome jet lag by dictating when you should get light and when you should avoid it. I鈥檝e tried Timeshifter multiple times, too, once while jumping 11 time zones between Oregon and Azerbaijan, and had only slight jet-lag-induced wooziness for a day. It is much cheaper than FlyKitt鈥�$25 a year for unlimited trips or $10 for a single trip鈥攂ut you must begin the regimen of timed light exposure a few days before your trip.

What Is Jet Lag? And How Do Long-Haul Flights Affect the Body?

Jet lag is easy to explain. Crossing longitudes quickly leaves our internal clock鈥攐therwise known as our circadian rhythm鈥攁nd the actual clock at our destination misaligned. What鈥檚 extraordinary is how our bodies naturally adapt. This evolutionary gift lets us adjust to seasonal changes in daylight so we can function our best during the day and rest properly at night. Our internal clock is wired to predict how much daylight we’ll have tomorrow, which, eons ago, was crucial to human survival鈥攊t ensured we were awake at the right time and rested enough to find a mate, gather food, and avoid being eaten.

Since we鈥檝e only evolved to shift our body clocks by a few minutes each day, however, travel throws that bodily forecast off, and we suffer from jet lag. It鈥檚 a delicate system, so delicate that you don鈥檛 actually have to travel to throw a wrench into the works. Monday doesn鈥檛 suck just because it鈥檚 Monday; if you stay out too late on Friday and wake up too late on Saturday, you can suffer from 鈥渟ocial jet lag鈥� come Monday morning, even if you slept well on Sunday and were never hungover. Lockley calls that type of non-traveling jet lag 鈥渨obble.鈥�

Circadian systems run roughly on 24-hour cycles, but each person is different. People who have shorter circadian rhythms tend to be early birds and generally have an easier time traveling east. People with longer circadian rhythms tend to be night owls and have an easier time traveling west.

Circadian 鈥渞hythm鈥� is misleading, because it鈥檚 actually many rhythms. Our lungs, heart, kidneys, immune system, digestive system, brain, skin, and likely every cell have their own cycles of productivity and rest. That鈥檚 one reason why 听in the morning and why people who and spend long periods of time 鈥渄esynchronized鈥� tend to be at a , , and . Our bodies simply don鈥檛 function as well when our internal clocks aren鈥檛 in sync with the ones on our wrists. One study suggested that the only organ possibly exempt from this cycle is the testicle. (The boys must always be ready.)

Each organ鈥檚 鈥減eripheral clock鈥� follows one central clock, a collection of cells in your brain鈥檚 hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. 鈥淭hink of the SCN as the conductor of an orchestra,鈥� Lockley says, 鈥渁nd the peripheral clocks as the players.鈥� The SCN takes its cues from retina cells that contain a special pigment called melanopsin, which can sense changes in light, especially cyan鈥攁 key color in daylight and the reason why staring at the blue light emitting from your phone before bed can affect your sleep.

To shift your central internal clock and beat jet lag, then, all of your clocks must shift, a process that takes about one day per hour of time change. A light-dark cycle registered through your eyes is key to making that shift. You can speed that process up by manipulating that cycle and using melatonin. Says Lockley: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the only thing to have ever been shown to shift the clock.鈥�

The FlyKitt Solution to Jet Lag

None of this was new to Herr. 鈥淲henever you look at performance in the military, the circadian rhythm is huge,鈥� he told me. 鈥淪oldiers don鈥檛 get a lot of sleep, and they need to perform well at night.鈥�

His research went deeper than that. During his years working with the military, Herr sought ways to help SEALs endure extreme conditions鈥攍ike riding for hours underwater in exposed submersibles鈥攁nd emerge ready to fight. He also worked with fighter pilots who felt inexplicably foggy after flying at high elevations. Both led him to understand how changes in pressure and available oxygen levels were causing inflammation throughout the body that hindered performance.

Herr鈥檚 knowledge came into play later, after founding Fount as a high-end coaching and supplement service. One of his clients, a senior executive, was flying from Washington, D.C., to Seoul to close a business deal, and the South Koreans seemed to have purposely scheduled meetings for a day and time when the executive would be struggling with jet lag. 鈥淭hey were using jet lag as a negotiating tool,鈥� Herr says. The client asked Herr if there was anything he could do to help him feel rested enough to keep from getting crushed.

Herr had a hunch. What if beating jet lag wasn鈥檛 just a circadian-rhythm problem but also an inflammation problem? He knew that commercial airlines don鈥檛 pressurize cabins to sea level鈥攊t鈥檚 too costly and stresses the hull鈥攂ut to 5,000 to 8,000 feet. For a person living in New York or Los Angeles, take-off is like being transported instantly to the elevation of Santa Fe, New Mexico, at 7,200 feet, where each breath yields about 16 percent less oxygen. 鈥淒epressurization is stressful on your body,鈥� says Kim.

So Herr created a new plan. He delineated听when and what the executive should eat, and how and when he should manage light by using blue-light-filtering glasses. He also gave his client supplements tailored to tackle inflammation specific to flying. Herr听incorporated compounds like tart-cherry powder, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as methylated B vitamins听to help boost energy and aid neurological functions. He included small doses of melatonin, to offer the body鈥檚 peripheral clocks time cues (called zeitgebers) on whether it was day or night. He asked the client to eat small, protein-rich meals to manage fuel for the brain and to听consume caffeine with 13.5 grams of sugar at specified times to create managed spikes in insulin that served as more zeitgebers.

Herr thought, If I could just tamp down the inflammation, tweak the central clock, and wrap it all up in a light-dark routine with enough napping, this client might arrive in South Korea able to function well but also sleepy enough at the right time to get听a good night鈥檚 rest. He could wake up and have his meeting with little to no issues.

It worked. The client emailed Herr the next day and said, 鈥淚 slept all night, I feel fantastic! What the hell did you give me?鈥�

Over the next five years or so, Herr fine-tuned the regimen, bringing Kim on to create an algorithm and eventually teaming up with a supplement manufacturer to craft custom supplements at scale. The overarching idea has remained the same. 鈥淥ther methods require you to sort of 鈥榩repay鈥� and begin shifting your clock days before you leave,鈥� Kim says. 鈥淲e wanted to create something that you could do entirely while you鈥檙e in transit.鈥�

Why I鈥檓 Convinced FlyKitt Is Legit

Fount has raised $14 million in venture-backed capital. And dozens of Olympians and professional sports teams have used FlyKitt, including the U.S. national men鈥檚 soccer squad during the last World Cup, Herr says. Even so, looking over the supplements before my departure, I wondered how safe the whole system might be. For my trip to South Africa, FlyKitt had me taking more than 800 times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B12鈥攁 move designed, in part, to provide energy and prevent sleep. Curious, I reached out to two doctor friends, both of whom told me that the amount raised no red flags, assuming I didn鈥檛 consume that quantity every day. Doctors often prescribe that much vitamin B to people with malabsorption issues, one told me.

Dr. Stephan Pasiakos, director of the National Institutes of Health鈥檚 Office of Dietary Supplements, also wasn鈥檛 worried about FlyKitt鈥檚 cocktail of pills. 鈥淲hile not commenting on the product per se, and assuming none of the ingredients mentioned exceed recommended intakes, there are no health concerns in taking these together over a relatively short period of time for healthy adults,鈥澨齢e wrote me via email.

FlyKitt has never undergone a clinical trial, but Herr hopes the military will fund one before too long. He also acknowledges that the link between jet lag and inflammation is a 鈥渘ew discovery鈥� that existing science does not yet back. 鈥淏ut I can rebuke that science with results, which is science,鈥� he says, adding that FlyKitt鈥檚 results are based on thousands of test cases. 鈥淚t鈥檚 possible we are right for the wrong reason but we are, nonetheless, right.鈥� The company also offers a money-back guarantee. 鈥淲e do not get taken up on that very often.鈥�

Late on my second day in South Africa, I begin to feel jet lag鈥檚 familiar wooziness seep into my head after returning from a short hike. But the symptom disappears as fast as it came on, after about 15 minutes. Following my return trip to Oregon, I experienced no jet lag at all. Still suspicious, I tried FlyKitt on a third trip, this one with 21 hours of travel, also across nine time zones, to Norway. Once again, zero jet lag.

On that return trip, I decide not to use FlyKitt. Huge mistake. I鈥檓 crushed for days鈥攆oggy-headed, cold, and so sleepy that I struggle to keep my eyes open until 6:45 P.M., only to awake at 2 A.M. A week later, I鈥檓 mostly back to normal. I run all of this by Lockley, who is a competitor, yes, but also impeccably qualified to weigh in. He鈥檚 unconvinced FlyKitt is a viable solution for jet lag. 鈥淢aybe you got lucky,鈥� he says.听鈥淢aybe your flights were timed just right for avoiding light and dark. Placebo is also a thing.鈥�

Without a clinical trial, Herr himself can鈥檛 be entirely sure why it works, but he鈥檚 certain that it does.

鈥淥ccasionally, I ask myself, Did we really solve jet lag?鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut then I look at the results and can鈥檛 help but conclude that we did for the vast majority of people.鈥�

Contributing editor Tim Neville is a night owl who can fall asleep almost anywhere at any time. In fact, he can鈥檛 remember the last time he was awake for take-off. He recently wrote an Outside story about the best听travel hacks听and a feature about the world鈥檚 most traveled people.

The post I Had My Doubts About FlyKitt. But It鈥檚 Proven Itself Time and Again on My Overseas Trips. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you鈥檙e a regular traveler like me, you already know this: most airports are awful. You鈥檙e constantly rushing through a crowded terminal, competing with a harried mess of humanity, only to then cram yourself into a narrow seat for a few hours until you get to your next terminal purgatory鈥攎eanwhile, dragging your luggage the whole way. Germs waft through the air. Couples argue about holding each other up in the TSA line. As I write this, I鈥檓 sitting in the F concourse at Minneapolis Saint-Paul listening to a kid whine at NASCAR-engine levels about not getting soft serve ice cream and his Chick-fil-A nuggets.

Airports are the worst.

Except鈥ot all of them. Around the world, there are a growing number of destinations that are making their airports, well, welcoming. A shocking idea, I know. I鈥檝e been to a handful of these miraculous creations (compared to the usual dreadfulness)鈥攊nternational airports like Vancouver, Zurich, and Munich. They鈥檙e clean, organized, and, best of all, have a place to get some fresh air before your next long-haul flight. With this new wave of amenities (and your travel sanity) in mind, here are the best airports in the world, from Asia and the Middle East to right here in North America, that offer incredible open-air areas to soothe your traveling stress.

Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore (SIN)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Indoor Climbing Area

Changi Airport is a perennial winner of the , thanks to a seemingly never-ending list of Disneyland-like attractions, including a onsite, a on the roof of Terminal 1, and the , at seven stories high. There鈥檚 even an indoor forest, called , with walking paths and a glass walkway that rises 23 meters above the terminal floor, allowing you to trek amongst the treetops. (To see how impressive the full list of attractions is, you can scroll through it .)

For nature lovers, though, the true gem is Changi鈥檚 series of gardens, including Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, Enchanted Garden, Petal Garden, and Butterfly Garden. Together, they offer the most complete botanical adventure you鈥檒l get at any airport on earth. And even though some of the gardens are indoors, it鈥檚 hard to tell.

The , for example, is set in a large conservatory designed as a tropical forest, with an 18-foot high grotto waterfall. It鈥檚 home to over 1,000 butterflies from as many as 40 species and, on your way to your gate, you can stop by and stand amidst the flora as the butterflies flutter around you. For a splash of yellow, the is worth a quick stop if you have some time to kill in terminal 2, and the , also in Terminal 2, is designed to offer Shangri-La-like atmosphere, with the sounds of a forest pumped into is a large room dominated by four giant glass bouquet sculptures that are filled with a variety of flowers and ferns.

Perhaps most Zen of all, though, is the on the roof of Terminal 1, which features over 100 species of arid plants from Asia, Africa, and the Americas鈥攅verything from prickly pear cactus to giant ponytail palm trees. It also has a bar and shaded tables, so it may just be the best place to grab a local while you hope for another hour delay on your flight out.

Denver International Airport, Colorado (DEN)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Ice-Skating Rink

This pick comes with a minor asterisk: the primary outdoor area is before you go through security, so you鈥檒l need to enjoy the al fresco offerings in advance of your flight, but the options are worth the early arrival. The space is called the , and it鈥檚 a large synthetic turf located between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel, underneath the airport鈥檚 famous faux mountain peaks.

In summer, the turf is set up with cornhole games and wooden benches for lounging, and there鈥檚 often live music or other events throughout the season (all of which are free to the public). In the winter months, typically from Thanksgiving to New Year鈥檚, the area features an open-air ice rink with free loaner skates.

Of course, don鈥檛 fret if you鈥檙e running on time and need to get through the TSA line: inside the airport there are three outdoor lounges with seating and fire pits, at Concourse A-West near gate A15; on Concourse B-West at gate B7; and at gate C67 on Concourse C-East.

Zurich Airport, Switzerland (ZRH)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Outdoor Walking Paths

If you find yourself craving one last view of the Alps before your flight home, , the primary hub for Swiss International Airlines, has an executive lounge with an outdoor terrace that has impressive views of the mountains beyond. The at the Midfield Terminal is open to all travelers for a fee (roughly $50) and, in addition to the outdoor terrace views, you get access to all of the lounge鈥檚 food and drink options, and other amenities.

But the real reason Zurich Airport is on this list is because of its adjacent , a 20-acre park filled with forested walking paths and a modest hill with good views from up top. It鈥檚 a great place to unwind during a long layover or if you get caught waiting for a delayed flight. You鈥檒l need to leave the terminal to access it, but the short walk and fresh air are worth it. During much of the week, there are park rangers who will take you on a , explaining the flora and fauna and how it was designed for maximum relaxation (check the rangers鈥� in advance). There鈥檚 even a free cable car to whisk you into the park in the most Swiss way possible.

From the arrivals area, walk across the parking area to the Circle, the large building adjacent to the terminal that hosts restaurants, hotels, and stores. From there you can take the cable car into Der Park.

Vancouver International Airport, Canada (YVR)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Digital Light Show

For most passengers headed through , their first introduction (or last farewell) to British Columbia is YVR鈥檚 Chester Johnson Park, located directly adjacent to (and underneath) the Canada Line train station. The park is designed to feel like an , with rock-lined paths, native trees, driftwood benches, and a large wooden sculpture鈥攖he Musqueam Welcome Figure鈥攃urving throughout its length. It鈥檚 also home to the Green Wall, a 17-meter-high vegetated art installation made up of, at last count, 27,391 individual plants.

As for inside the airport itself, there鈥檚 a new 47-foot-high open-air atrium in the international terminal, with three full-grown hemlock trees in the center. Until recently, the glassed-in atrium was only visible to passengers as they commuted past, like looking into a giant terrarium, but you can now open a door and walk out into the atrium for a breath of fresh air. At night, the trees and rock landscape are lit up by digital light projections鈥攆aux waves crashing over the rocks, for example鈥攁nd a corresponding soundscape. The whole experience is designed to showcase the sights and sounds of B.C., and it does just that and more. It may be the most successful attempt of any airport in the world to bring a little bit of the region鈥檚 natural landscape into the airport itself.

Incheon International Airport, South Korea (ICN)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Indoor Gardens

Among the many attractions for passengers flying into or through South Korea鈥檚 鈥攖he country鈥檚 main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in the world鈥攊s a sprawling, in Terminal 2.

The green features are spread throughout much of the large space, with a mix of flowers, trees, ferns, and bamboo growing from planters situated throughout鈥攊n the floors, dividing walls, large garden spaces, and above kiosks鈥� ceilings, with strands hanging down. Smaller water, rock, cactus, and pine gardens are strategically located across the airport campus, too. Technically, none of these areas are outdoors, but the enormous roof above the main area, with translucent panels in the center, makes it feels as such, which is why we鈥檙e including it on this list.

We鈥檙e also including Incheon because of the airport鈥檚 ongoing plans to add even more green spaces that utilize a variety of plants to create a living, breathing indoor space with healthier air for all visitors. As part of its , the airport also plans to add a terrace with an outdoor garden, so passengers can decompress before their (likely long) overseas flight.

Long Beach Airport, California (LGB)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Palm Treed Courtyard

, bills itself as 鈥淎merica鈥檚 coolest airport,鈥� and while that moniker is a bit of a stretch, it does have an impressive courtyard with a series of tall palm trees and a drought-tolerant garden. The airport, one of the five major commercial airfields serving the greater Los Angeles metroplex, is the second smallest, with just 11 gates. In such a tiny airport, the 4,200-square-foot courtyard is definitely a unique amenity, one that punches well above its weight.

The courtyard is also ringed by dining options from local establishments, so it鈥檚 an excellent place to grab a bite to eat while you wait for your flight out. For those heading to this side of L.A. or points south along the coastline, LGB is definitely a good choice over LAX (see below).

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Private Lounges

For anyone who has traveled through recently, you know it鈥檚 a mess, thanks to a $30 billion overhaul one of the world鈥檚 busiest airports is getting ahead of the , in L.A. By the time construction is done, it will almost be a brand new airport, with new terminals, an elevated train, and an on-site rental-car facility to help eliminate the shuttles current clogging up the passenger pickup/drop-off areas. Already some of the upgrades are beginning to appear, including a series of new lounges with outdoor terraces.

The in Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) has a large outdoor deck with fire pits, trees, running water, and great views of the Hollywood Hills in the distance ($75 for standard access). The United Club in Terminal 7 is much smaller鈥攎ore a balcony than a lounge鈥攂ut it鈥檚 spacious enough to get some fresh air and does have good views of the tarmac ($59 for a single-entry pass).

The new , which is open to Delta customers traveling with a Delta One ticket, is the company鈥檚 premium lounge, with table service at every seat, a sushi bar, and eight relaxation pods. It also has a large private Sky Deck on the roof, with a landscaped terrace full of chairs, sofas, and enough plants to keep it feeling like a lounge, rather than an extension of the tarmac.

LAX will remain a very urban airport, but with a few spots to sneak in some last-minute SoCal sun, these lounges are worth it, if you can afford them.

Hamad International Airport, Qatar (DOH)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Indoor Tropical Garden

Yes, this is another entry highlighting a space that is not, technically, outdoors, and yet we promise that visiting 鈥檚 鈥淭he Orchard鈥� will feel more like being in nature than just about any of the other places on this list.

It鈥檚 a massive, 64,000-square-foot set beneath a soaring, translucent roof shaped like the inside of a shell. More than were sourced from around the world to create the indoor garden, and at its center is a 鈥渨ater feature鈥� that is best described as a spiraling waterfall emerging from a slanted halo. At points the faux forest is so lush that you almost forget that you鈥檙e surrounded by roughly five dozen shops, lounges, and restaurants, with hundreds of rushing bodies scrambling to catch their flights. It鈥檚 almost worth a trip to Doha just to see it鈥攐r at least a long layover.

Munich International Airport, Germany (MUC)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The Next-Door Surf Park

This wouldn鈥檛 be Bavaria without beer, so it鈥檚 fitting that not only does have a beer garden onsite, it鈥檚 also an open-air one, with a covered glass roof. Called the, it鈥檚 the first brewery in an airport on earth. It has an indoor tavern for drinking, but the patio offers both fresh air, protection from the occasional rain shower, and food and beers, like the Fliegerquell Lager and the Kumulous Wheat.

Munich Airport also has a 900-square-meter , with seating and binoculars to take in the alpine views on clear days. Across from Terminal 1 is , an extensive outdoor area with grass lawns and trails, a playground area, interactive exhibits, benches for sitting, and a 90-foot-high hill overlooking the area. It鈥檚 an excellent place to stretch the legs before a long flight or burn off some of the kids鈥� energy before boarding.

Oh, and just in case you have half a day to kill, there鈥檚 a brand-new surf park, , just around the corner from the airport. It鈥檚 Germany鈥檚 first wave pool and the largest in Europe, at over 215,000 square feet, capable of churning out waves .听 Getting there is a cinch: it鈥檚 just a five-mute car ride away, literally in the shadow of landing flights.

Bonus Picks: Other Noteworthy Outdoor Areas in North American Airports听

While these airports do have notable outdoor areas, they really can’t compare with our picks for the best airports in the world featured above. That said, they’re still worth calling out on honorable mentions鈥攅specially for domestic travelers鈥攆or these specific reasons.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Texas (AUS)

The accessible to Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, has a large outdoor terrace with seating overlooking the tarmac and Hill Country beyond. The Delta Sky Club, directly adjacent to the Sapphire Lounge, also has outdoor seating, and more outdoor areas are in the works as part of the airport鈥檚 multi-billion-dollar expansion.

San Francisco International Airport, California (SFO)

For ticketed passengers, there鈥檚 a free in the international terminal with seating and excellent views of the airfield and beyond. Three bronze sculptures by local artist Woody Othello decorate the space, at the end of Boarding Area G. For plane-watching, there鈥檚 also the , located atop Terminal 2. It鈥檚 a good, free place for the public to come (no ticket necessary) to see some of the largest aircraft serving SFO. The SkyTerrace is open Friday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia (ATL)

The in Concourse F has an outdoor deck for its club members, with seating for roughly 40 guests and a free bar. As with all of Delta鈥檚 clubs, there鈥檚 free food and drinks, as well as WiFi.

John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)

For travels heading through JetBlue鈥檚 Terminal, there鈥檚 a roughly 4,000-square-foot post-security rooftop lounge with green spaces, seating, a children鈥檚 play area, and even a dog-walk area. The rooftop lounge also offers passengers views of the Manhattan skyline and of the iconic TWA terminal, which is now the . The , as it鈥檚 called, is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the entrance is across from Gate 28.

Ryan Krogh is a freelance writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. He mostly covers the subjects of travel and the outdoors, and is always looking for a way to get some fresh air in airports worldwide.听听

The post The 13 Best Airports in the World with Outdoor Lounges, Parks, and Pools鈥擸es, Pools appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If it weren鈥檛 for travel, Margie Goldsmith, age 80, says she would have died at least three times by now. Ten years ago, the globe-trotting author and travel writer endured a risky surgery for pancreatic cancer. Two years later, the cancer returned. A few years after that, Goldsmith was diagnosed with lung cancer. She survived it all, she is sure, because she鈥檚 been a world traveler for 50 years.

You鈥檒l be forgiven if you鈥檙e a little skeptical. After all, globetrotting isn鈥檛 often a prescription for the ill or infirm. But recent research suggests that travel and tourism could have powerful impacts on your health and even longevity.

How Travel Helps to Slow Aging

According to a this fall by Fengli Hu, a PhD candidate at Edith Cowen University in Perth, Australia, travel could be a powerful tool for slowing down the aging process. Hu鈥檚 main theory is fairly straightforward: Many of the lifestyle practices medical and mental-health experts endorse鈥攍ike social engagement, appreciating nature, walking, and learning new things鈥攁re intrinsic to travel.

But the novelty of Hu鈥檚 research is that it creates a foundation for thinking about travel in terms of entropy. Travel, she writes, is a way to maintain a 鈥渓ow-entropy state鈥濃�攊n other words, a state of optimal health and efficient bodily function. Since she published the paper, dozens of media outlets have covered her work.

In a video call with 国产吃瓜黑料, Hu says she didn鈥檛 expect so much attention, especially given that the research is only theoretical at this point. She鈥檚 just begun to set up the related experiments, which will be completed in 2025. But the interest makes sense.

She says, 鈥淢any people are looking for a way to keep young and healthy, and travel can be a cost-effective way to improve their physical and mental health and slow down the aging process.鈥� It鈥檚 cost effective, she says, because folks don鈥檛 necessarily have to travel to pricey, far-flung locations to experience the benefits.

The theory of entropy comes from physics; it refers to the natural tendency of systems to move from a state of organization and order to one of chaos and disorder. Entropy has also been used as a framework for thinking about aging and disease. When you鈥檙e young and healthy, your internal systems run smoothly. That鈥檚 order. As you age, cellular mutations and dysfunctions proliferate. That鈥檚 disorder鈥攁 high-entropy state.

Entropy almost always moves in one direction, Hu says, 鈥渂ut can be mitigated or slowed down with certain measures.鈥� Being a tourist, she says, may be one.

Travel鈥攖hat is, relaxing, leisure-focused travel鈥攈as the power to reduce stress, it encourages exercise, and it forces you to meet and socialize with new people. All of that keeps you sharp and optimizes your body鈥檚 performance and efficiency. As a result, Hu says, it could help you stave off physical and mental decline and potentially live longer.

How Travel Relieves Stress

Goldsmith started traveling when she was 32, in the wake of a nasty divorce. She needed something to pull her out of depression, and she鈥檇 always wanted to go to the Galapagos. So, she went.

鈥淭hey say you can move a muscle, change a thought,鈥� Goldsmith says. 鈥淲ell, it turns out you can also move your location and change a thought.鈥�

The change was exhilarating. Since then, Goldsmith has traveled to 149 countries. Travel has made her a more generous, compassionate person, she says. It鈥檚 also made her more resilient.

鈥淚 look at people my age, and they look like my grandmother,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e bent over with arthritis and they鈥檙e not moving. That will never be me. Travel gives you a more active life, a bigger life. It will keep you young.鈥�

So far, experimental studies seem to support both Goldsmith鈥檚 experience and Hu鈥檚 research. One of the best-known is the Helsinki Businessman Study, a 50-year experiment involving more than 1,200 Finnish participants who filled out lifestyle and habit questionnaires between the 1960s and 2010s. In a , Timo Strandberg, MD, PhD, found a strong correlation between vacation time and longevity.

Participants in the intervention group鈥�600-plus men who were given a strict health-and-nutrition regimen during the early years of the study鈥攈ad a 37 percent higher chance of dying before their mid-70s, if they took fewer than three weeks of vacation per year. Those who took more than three weeks of vacation per year lived longer. Why?

鈥淭hese men who had less vacation were more psychologically vulnerable to stress,鈥� Strandberg said in a video call with 国产吃瓜黑料. That stress included participants鈥� family and work obligations, as well as the added pressure to stick to a structured health-and-fitness regime. Taking more vacation seemed to benefit participants in the intervention group, likely by keeping their stress in check, Strandberg says.

Surprisingly, the amount of vacation time participants took seemed to have no correlation to longevity in the control group鈥攖hose who weren鈥檛 given a health and fitness routine to stick to. The upshot? Giving yourself extra rules and routines can be stressful, no matter the intention. And the more stress, obligations, and prescribed regimens you have in your life, the more critical vacations may be. (Fitness fanatics, we鈥檙e looking at you.)

The Case for More Frequent Vacations听

Stress of any kind can have cumulative negative effects.

鈥淥ne theory is that your acute stress鈥攚hich can be good and healthy and help you avoid danger and so on鈥攃an turn into chronic stress,鈥� Strandberg said. 鈥淭hen that will show up in biological terms and in different markers in the body.鈥� A vacation has the potential to act as a reset, chipping away at your total stress load and bringing it back down to healthy levels.

Strandberg adds that while the health benefits of a vacation include stress relief and lower cortisol levels, the effects are only temporary. As a result, he recommends taking several four- to five-day vacations throughout the year rather than a single three-week vacation. That way you鈥檙e continually keeping your stress in check rather than saving it all up for a single blow-out.

Kiki Keating, a travel curator and trip guide based in New Hampshire, is a firm believer in frequent travel. Keating, who identifies as 鈥渁 very young 62,鈥� just hiked 90 miles along the Portuguese coast and has a handful of other trips鈥攊ncluding an overseas tour she does every year with her 86-year-old mother鈥攐n the docket for the coming year. The travel keeps both active, and it gives them something to look forward to. That sense of purpose, she says, is key to both living long and facing setbacks with determination. She鈥檚 watched many people use an upcoming trip as a life ring to pull out of depression or weather an injury or illness.

Goldsmith is one. Her first pancreatic surgery was extremely dangerous, a six-hour operation that only 25 percent of patients survive. But she felt she would make it; she had places yet to see.

As she recovered, dreams of travel motivated her to keep moving. 鈥淎s soon as I got out of the hospital, the first thing I did was travel,鈥� she says. Likewise, when facing a knee-replacement surgery earlier this year, she booked trips to Ireland and Scottsdale to give her something to look forward to鈥攁nd motivate her to do everything she could to recover faster.

Travel Keeps Your Mind Sharp

But you don鈥檛 have to be in advanced years to benefit from frequent travel. Keating has also seen it impact how her adult children face challenges and deal with stress.

鈥淭ravel helps you to be more relaxed when you鈥檙e adapting to something new,鈥� Keating says. 鈥淲hen you go to a place with a new culture and a language you don鈥檛 speak, it can feel hard at first. Then, after a day or two you鈥檙e like, 鈥極h, I take this metro and follow this red line and go to the blue line, and I know how to say hello, and this is where I like to eat.鈥� You remind yourself you can learn new things and adapt, and that gives you confidence.鈥� Today, she says, her kids鈥攁ll of whom traveled with her when they were younger鈥攁re good at taking adversity in stride. That鈥檚 a tool they鈥檒l use for the rest of their lives to minimize stress, and it could pay big dividends in terms of wellness.

It鈥檚 not just about stress, either. A small 2018 study by Craig Anderson, a UC Berkeley postdoctoral fellow, shows that experiencing awe can help . Other research, including a that followed more than 6,700 older adults, indicates that travel could also ameliorate cognitive decline. Mental stimulation鈥攊ncluding learning new languages and visiting museums鈥攈as been shown to help by up to 47 percent.

It wouldn鈥檛 be much of a stretch to say that challenging yourself to navigate a new place or learn new customs would have some of the same benefits.

鈥淭ravel is sort of like riding your mountain bike on a technical trail,鈥� says Stephanie Pearson, 54, a professional travel writer who鈥檚 been globetrotting for more than 30 years. 鈥淵ou have to be in a similar flow space to navigate foreign languages, customs, and travel logistics. So I really think it does something cognitively to your brain. It also helps you reset and focus and see the world in a different way.鈥�

Pearson adds that she鈥檚 felt a similar level of focus and challenge on trips near home as to far-flung places like Bhutan and New Zealand. As long as there鈥檚 an element of awe, discovery, and getting out of your comfort zone, she says, your mind and body stand to benefit.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to fling yourself across the world to have an awesome adventure. You can drive to a nearby park or city that you鈥檝e never visited and have a rewarding experience,鈥� Pearson says. 鈥淭he benefit lies in having that curiosity.鈥�

Corey Buhay is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, Colorado. She is a member of the U.S. Ice Climbing Team, which takes her to Korea, Switzerland, Czech, and Slovakia each winter. She dreams of one day being able to travel when the weather is actually warm. Her recent stories for 国产吃瓜黑料 range from mountaineering bromance, with 鈥�After 50 Years of Friendship, These Alpinists Just Bagged (Another) Unclimbed Peak,鈥� to trail-running records in 鈥�Forget Pumpkin Spice Lattes, It鈥檚 FKT Season,鈥� to loss in the mountains, with 鈥�Years After My Mentor Died in the Backcountry, I Retraced His Final Footsteps.鈥�

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We鈥檙e minimalist travelers here at 国产吃瓜黑料鈥攚e don’t want any extra weight slowing us down as we explore the world. What we do like are practical gifts that make traveling easier, more convenient, and more fun. So our travel editors are revealing the items on their wish list this season鈥攁nd the gifts they’ll be giving to their favorite travelers.

I’m definitely adding that water bottle and the Hipcamp gift card to my wish list. 鈥擜lison Osius

1. Best Gadget

AirFly Pro ($55)

At first, I was skeptical of this tiny gadget. As a lightweight packer, I refuse to schlep more chargers or adapters than absolutely necessary to survive a long-haul flight. Yet this year, my husband, tech-savvy guy that he is, insisted we try the AirFly Pro Wireless Audio Transmitter/ Receiver on our trans-Atlantic trip to England. Usually, I just use the freebie headphones flight attendants hand out. But our vacation happened to fall during the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, which we watch obsessively, and I instantly became a convert to this gizmo: a pocket-sized, 15-gram transmitter that plugs into your seat-back audio jack and Bluetooths to any wireless headphones on the market.

We watched game after game on the plane鈥檚 live TV app, and time flew by. Since we had no cords to mess with, bathroom breaks were easy, and we streamed from two screens in tandem, each able to listen with both buds. The AirFly Pro has a nice 25-hour battery life as well, and now we never fly without it. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for any frequent flyer. 鈥�Patty Hodapp, senior contributing travel editor

2. Best Fanny Pack

Yeti Sidekick Dry 1L Gear Case ($40; strap is an additional $10)

Fanny packs, in theory, should make hands-free travel easier, right? Not always. My entire life I鈥檝e searched for the perfect pouch, only to be disappointed in the wild by their size, or lack of pockets, or uncomfy straps, or performance in poor weather. Enter the Yeti Sidekick Dry 1L Gear Case鈥攐fficially everything I need and more, available to use alone or with a strap.

The waterproof technology of the exterior has kept my stuff dry on brutally rainy trips in Iceland and Ireland, and is made from similar material to that of whitewater rafts, so it can take a beating. The case also floats if I accidentally drop it in water (been there, done that on a recent fly-fishing trip). And its internal mesh pockets ensure my passport, wallet, keys, phone, lip balm, and other gear stay organized.

I鈥檓 partial to the one-liter option because it鈥檚 the ideal size for me. But if you鈥檝e got a camera or bulky layers to protect, you may want the three or six liter. Don鈥檛 forget the Sideclick Strap (sold separately), which attaches to the bag so it doubles as a belt or sling. Now, you can carry your gear in comfort, worry free.鈥�P.H.

3. Best Personal Item

Longchamp Le Pliage Original M Travel Bag ($205)

I always try to carry on when I鈥檓 flying. This means that my personal item has to be incredibly efficient at holding a lot but must still fit under the seat. I have spent hours searching for the perfect backpack, but nothing has ever held as much as my nylon Longchamp tote bag does, or held up to wear and tear the same way. I jam this thing with shoes, my laptop, chargers, food, my dopp kit, you name it. The wide-top shape of the bag allows it to hold more than any other while I can still cram it under the seat. It easily attaches to my Away Carry On Suitcase, too.

The Longchamp has been on a lot of plane trips with me over the last 15 years and still looks great. It folds down to nothing when you aren鈥檛 using it and also makes a great beach, gym, or day bag once you get where you鈥檙e going. Be sure to order the shoulder strap with it, or you can to get the extract size, color, and straps you want, which is what I did. 鈥�Mary Turner, Senior Brand Director

4. Best Extra Layer

Patagonia鈥檚 Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket ($179)

I have had a version of this Patagonia rain jacket for years, and I take it on every trip. The jacket is super lightweight and packs down to nothing. It鈥檚 great for rain protection or when you need an extra layer for warmth in cold or wind. I bought mine a size up so that I could easily layer underneath it. The Torrentshell comes in men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 versions. It lasts almost forever, too.鈥拟.罢.

5. Best Gift for Long-Haul Travelers

Resort Pass (from $25)

ResortPass, which allows you to pay a fee to use hotels for the day, is the perfect gift for travelers. Maybe there鈥檚 a hotel that you can鈥檛 afford, but you鈥檇 really love to spend a day there, or you have a long wait for your red-eye flight home from Hawaii after checking out of your Airbnb. This is where ResortPass becomes wonderfully handy. You can chill by a hotel pool instead of hanging out at the airport.

I searched for day passes in my hometown of Santa Fe and found some great deals, starting at $25, at beautiful properties. ResortPass partners with more than 1,700 hotels around the world and that list is constantly growing. It鈥檚 easy to purchase . How much I would have loved this in my backpacking days, when sometimes I just needed a little TLC and a hot shower . 鈥�M.T.

6. Best Day Spa for Travelers

Olympic Spa (gift cards from $100)

If you’re ever in Los Angeles鈥攆or a few days, overnight, or during a long layover鈥攖here’s an amazing women-only spa in Koreatown, and I鈥檝e been telling everyone about it, because it is that good. doesn’t look like much from the outside, and the website isn’t going to convince you. But let me testify: this is a spotless oasis that will leave you blissed out after a couple of hours. There are three pools (saltwater, mineral water, and cold plunge), three saunas (herbal steam, red clay, and ice, the last of which was novel but not that cold), an oxygen-therapy room with a charcoal ceiling, and鈥攎y favorite鈥攁 salt halotherapy room where the warmth thoroughly seeped into my bones.

All that would be enough, but a friend recommended the Goddess treatment ($220), and that put me over the edge: a masseuse scrubbed nearly every inch of my body, from my ears to between my toes; plied my muscles down to overcooked-noodle consistency; and moisturized me to a seal-like slickness. After I spent 105 minutes on the table, the masseuse had to guide my limbs into the bathrobe and slippers. I am returning the next chance I get. Somebody get me a . 鈥�Tasha Zemke, managing editor, 国产吃瓜黑料

7. Best Phone-Camera Accessory

Joby GorillaPod Mobile Mini Tripod ($17)

I work with 国产吃瓜黑料 Online鈥檚 astrotourism writer Stephanie Vermillion, and this past fall she recommended a tiny tripod that pairs well with smartphones. She uses her mini-tripod when shooting the northern lights and other dark-sky scenes that require long shutter-speed times with no vibrations. But honestly, I鈥檓 just tired of long-arming photos of myself and friends in beautiful places. I can tuck this accessory into my daypack鈥攊t鈥檚 about the size of a large iPhone, and weighs the same as two Hershey chocolate bars鈥攁nd then set it up, adjust its flexible legs, pop my phone into its rubber jaws, set the timer, and take a snap that鈥檚 not a blatant selfie. Just what I’m looking for. 鈥�T.Z.

8. Best Gift for Nervous Flyers

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 ($349)

Listening to music while flying helps lessen the anxiety I often feel, especially during takeoff, landing, and periods of turbulence. I was gifted these excellent noise-canceling headphones a few years ago, and they were comfortable over my ears and even looked cool, but, sad to say, I left them in the seat-back pocket on a leg to Paris. I’m going to have to replace them, but I have a plan to avoid paying full price: by going to Bose鈥檚 amazing , which sells returned products at a significant discount. The brand鈥檚 tech team fixes the defects, and you’d never know the items weren’t brand-new. You also still get a year warranty. The only catch is that the item you’re seeking may not be available immediately. I just checked the shop for headphones, and they’re sold out, but upon the click of a button, I鈥檒l be notified when the next pair comes up鈥攁nd you can believe I鈥檒l wait.听鈥�T.Z.

9. Must-Have for Star Parties

BioLite HeadLamp 425 ($60)

I always travel with a headlamp, and not just for camping and being outdoors. Headlamps are tiny and easy to pack, and I鈥檝e stayed in cabins at the Red River Gorge or in Tahoe where the rooms were so dark I needed a light to find my socks. I still have the original Biolite 330 headlamp from when it was introduced five years ago at an affordable $50: it is super light (2.4 ounces), bright, and functional; is USB rechargeable; and has an integrated design that puts the lamp flush into the headband for simplicity and comfort. It also has a strobe light for rescues and red lights for night missions.

Compared to white lights, low-intensity red ones minimizes pupil dilation, allowing better night vision; red light is also less disruptive to wildlife. Red lights are essential for star gazing, and these days everyone is going to dark-sky parks and peering at the stars, meteors, and northern lights. Recently, looking for a headlamp for my stepsister as she went off to an astrophotography class in the Tucson desert, I picked the 425. 鈥�Alison Osius, senior editor, travel

10. Best Travel Pants

The prAna Koen Pant ($95)

When I went to Abu Dhabi to see my nephew graduate from high school, my luggage was delayed for three days out of a five-day trip. So I wore the same mahogany-colored Title IX capris nearly every day as well as on all my flights, and came back loving them more than ever, which is some testament. Sadly, I later lost those red pants. Yet I hit on a match: the Koen. I bought the Koen capris (two pairs), then the Koen shorts (also two pairs), and then the pants: my new fave travel pants and apparently fave anything pants, since I just wore them to the hospital for a finger surgery.

They are lightweight, silky, stretchy, and wrinkle free, and work for anything from hiking to around town. The front pockets are flat and unobtrusive, with hidden zippers, yet deep enough to hold a phone securely if you need a quick stow, like when juggling items in the airport. The pull-on waist is ideal for comfort and upright cat naps, since it lacks zips, snaps, or external ties. The Koen is overall sleek in its lines. I am psyched that it comes in regular, short and tall versions, and am getting the long ones for my older sister, who is taller than I am and travels 70 percent of the time for her work. Don’t tell her, because it鈥檚 a surprise.鈥�A.O.

11. Best Gift for Campers

HipCamp gift certificates (starting at $75)

Wasn鈥檛 it Clint Eastwood, he of The Eiger Sanction lore, who said, 鈥淚 would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth鈥�? No, wait, Steve McQueen. Point is, with digital for booking a campsite on Hipcamp, you can give that experience. A card ushers someone into an expanding community with sites across the country and in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. And these sites are not just for a tent in a grassy lot. They are for a yurt in the middle of a flowering meadow; they are for camping, glamping, RV spots, cabins, and canvas. The gift card never expires, nor will you ever run out of places.鈥�A.O.

12. Best Soak With a View

Mount Princeton Hot Springs听 (gift cards from $50)

The old mining town of Leadville, Colorado, sits way up there at 10,000 feet, and it鈥檚 cold. Luckily within an hour you can reach any of half a dozen hot-springs resorts, some of the nicest in the state or anywhere, to warm your bones. My sister used to live in Leadville, and when I visited we often took our young sons and let them play and soak..and maybe even slow down a little. The mountain-ringed Mount Princeton Hot Springs, in Nathrop, has geothermal springs, an infinity pool, natural creekside pools, and a view of the Chalk Cliffs on the 14,197-foot peak the property is named for. It that work for day passes, lodging, and dining.鈥�A.O.

13. Best Water Bottle for Travel

Katadyn BeFree 0.6 L Water Filter Bottle ($40)

I sure could’ve used this lightweight collapsible filtered bottle last summer for mountain hiking. On one trip with an eight-mile approach followed by a day on a peak and then the dread march out, I filled my bottles time and time again from a stream near camp, thirsty and getting careless when my filtration system took time. (Luckily I got away with it, or rather without giardia, this time.) Filtering at a rate of up to two liters of water per minute, the Katadyn is a fast and light (two ounces) system that would also be perfect for the trail runners and bow hunters in my household who don’t want to carry heavy water bottles. I would like to take the Katadyn hiking and traveling, since it鈥檚 light, packable, and makes for safe drinking.鈥�A.O.

14. Best Reading App

Everand Subscription (from $12 per month)

Whether traveling by car or air, I always download a series of audiobooks from my Everand (formerly named Scribd) app before going. With a library of more than 1.5 million ebooks and audiobooks鈥攑lus a collection of magazines and podcasts鈥攖o choose from, I never run low on options. Often, I鈥檒l base my pick on the destination: Desert Solitaire for a trip to Moab or A Walk in the Woods for a hiking adventure in Maine. Every time I board a flight, I pop in my earbuds and am fully entertained until we land. Or, since I like to sleep on planes, I might set Everand鈥檚 sleep timer to 30 minutes, and drift off by the time we finish takeoff. I love the app so much that I鈥檓 getting a subscription for my 14-year-old stepdaughter this year, too. 鈥擜bigail Wise, Digital Director

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We tested hundreds of products earlier this year to round up the best holiday gifts currently on the market鈥攁ll explicitly curated for your outdoorsy loved ones. From travel gear to tech gifts to fitness products, from $20 to $1,600, we have something for everyone. Be sure to check out the rest of our favorite picks in our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide.

At a Glance

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Stio Colter Mountain Slip

Sizing: 8-13 (men鈥檚), 6-11 (women’s)

The ultra-cozy quilted poly upper, fleece lining, and synthetic insulation in these slippers will make them a favorite around the house. They鈥檙e also great for quick outdoor chores like taking out the trash or walking the dogs, thanks to grippy soles that don鈥檛 slip on snow and ice.

Mystery Ranch Mission Rover 45

This weekender bag comes with a full 42 liters of storage. It鈥檚 bigger than most quick-trip bags, but you鈥檒l need the space to pack all the essentials for a weekend adventure. It fits in the newer, larger overhead compartments on planes, but if you want to check it, just zip away the straps, and it becomes a sleek duffel that will make its way through airports with no problem.

LifeStraw Sip Reusable Steel Filter Straw

It鈥檚 easy to get ill from drinking contaminated water when traveling internationally, even if you鈥檙e careful. This reusable straw filters 99.99 percent of bacteria and 99.9 percent of parasites from drinking water. At just 10 inches and 1.8 ounces, your loved one can have it on hand at all times.

Klipsch Nashville Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This speaker will make someone on your list the life of the party, no matter where that party may roam. At a mere 2.4 pounds and seven inches wide, it produces deep and full sound. A pair of 2.3-inch full-range drivers鈥攐ne on the front and another on the back鈥攃reate 360-degree sound, so it works nicely in the center of a room. Plus, its 24-hour battery life makes it even better for remote destinations without power.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY K脺HL
K脺HL Resistor Chino ($129)

Searching for a gift for the traveler in your life? K脺HL’s Resistor Chino is the way to go. Built out of a high-performance blend, these versatile pants are ready for that mad dash to catch the plane, or discovering the unknown upon arrival. Soft as cotton yet tough as nails, these pants are a staple for every adventure. Featuring superior stretch with rebound, the articulated design effortlessly moves on demand while maintaining form and fit. Ruggedly durable with water resistance and maximum UV protection, these chinos are ready for whatever weather lays ahead. Store a phone or passport in the double welt pocket on either side, and stash keys in the zip closure on the right pocket. Plus, these pants are machine washable for easy care鈥攁nywhere they go.

A Walk in the Park, by Kevin Fedarko

Former 国产吃瓜黑料 editor Kevin Fedarko鈥檚 second book is yet another exploration of, and a love letter to, the Grand Canyon. This book is about his odyssey to walk the entire length of the chasm with a friend. Filled with humor, history, and elegant prose, it鈥檚 easily the best adventure book of the year and is a perfect gift for any traveler.

Hest Cooling Pillowcase (small)

Trying to sleep when it鈥檚 hot is nearly impossible. That鈥檚 why Hest developed this pillowcase infused with jade, a material that鈥檚 known to help diffuse heat. You can instantly feel your face cool as you lie on the material.听 The cases will fit regular pillows, along with all sizes of Hest鈥檚 pillows.

AeroPress Coffee Maker Go Plus

For many of us, good coffee is non-negotiable. AeroPress recently launched its Go Plus, which features the classic press but comes in a metal tumbler that also serves as a cup. The setup makes a wonderful AeroPress cup of coffee that鈥檚 bold and smooth. When your coffee-lover is finished, all they need to do is rinse everything off with a little water, and they鈥檙e ready for their next caffeine hit.

NEMO Double Haul Convertible Duffel and Tote

Sizing: 30L, 55L, 70L 100L

We tested plenty of gearboxes and bags last year, and Nemo鈥檚 Double Haul Duffel was a favorite thanks to its brilliant design that allows it to transform from a duffel to a pack or tote. Testers agreed that the Double Haul isn鈥檛 just ideal for camping adventures but also day trips to the crag, ski resort, or even the gym.

How We Tested Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

• Number of Testers: 6
• Number of Products Tested: 125
• Number of States Tested in: 7
• Tester Age Range: 30-75
• Highest Elevation Reached While Testing: 14,006 ft.

The best holiday gifts often fit in two main categories. The first category is: 鈥淎 gift that makes my everyday routine that much better. 鈥� The second goes something like: 鈥淭his is a gift I鈥檇 never splurge on, so it鈥檚 amazing that I received it from someone else.鈥� With those parameters in mind, we reached out far and wide to find gifts both big and small, expensive and affordable, and obvious and unexpected. A team of six testers put well over 100 products through their paces, and after weeks of testing and comparing, we came up with the final list.

For example, one of the products that made the cut under the 鈥渆veryday routine鈥� holiday gifts category was the Suunto Race S watch in our fitness category. Running tester Meg Healy loved how it was the perfect training watch that kept her motivated and updated all week long, no matter the length of her workout. Lead tester Jakob Schiller flew all over the country (Alaska, California, Seattle) with the Mystery Ranch Mission Rover 45 pack and was always impressed with how it was perfectly sized for a three-day trip, easily fit in an overhead compartment, and was comfortable to wear while schlepping through airports.

Presents that fell into the 鈥淚鈥檇 never buy this myself category鈥� included things like Sonos Ace headphones and Howl propane campfire in the tech category. The headphones, which are as much as a car payment, seem excessive, but you understand the appeal once you hear how they truly enrich every piece of music, from John Coltrane to Taylor Swift to Cypress Hill. A $1,300 gas campfire seems absolutely ridiculous until you stand next to one on a chilly fall night and realize that this new piece of technology is actually as warm as a campfire (if not warmer) and does a great job setting the vibe after dark.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jakob Schiller

Over the past decade as an 国产吃瓜黑料 editor and then columnist, Jakob Schiller has gotten to know many UPS drivers by name thanks to the frequent stops at his house for gear drop-offs. He’s opened so many cardboard boxes he could start his own recycling facility, and his garage, as you might suspect, is a mess. But thanks to all that gear, Jakob and his family of six (plus two dogs) have been able to adventure around the world and visit many of the globe’s most beautiful spots. When he and his family are not on the road, they call Albuquerque, New Mexico home.

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