Check out the team’s reviews of luggage, backpacks, and practical travel gadgets based on real-world experiences with our own travel gear.
Water. Sunshine. Tan lines. These are key ingredients of the perfect vacation. There’s no greater pleasure than escaping from the overwhelmingness of the world and temporarily transforming into a beach bum. So if nirvana involves unplugging & unwinding, why would you want to stay tied to reality through your smartwatch’s never-ending notifications? Allow me to […]
An Ode to the Dive Watch Read More »
I have traveled with a number of Timbuk2 products over the years, and their line of custom Prospect bags always intrigue me. In addition to my custom Prospect messenger bag, Timbuk2 offers two fully customizable options: a standard-size 22L backpack and the smaller 12L Mini Prospect. Most of my travel backpacks are between 20-40 liters,
Timbuk2 Custom Mini Prospect Backpack Review Read More »
I stumbled across this duffel bag by accident while researching luxury luggage during the pandemic. After finding signs of fatigue on my all-leather Floto Milano Duffle, I set out with a mission to get my hands on a tough-yet-tasteful duffel capable of surviving trips around the world. Enter Blue Claw Co.’s Worton Weekender bag. While
Blue Claw Co. Ballistic Worton Weekender Duffel Bag Review Read More »
As travel begins to ramp up this year, it is time to dust off your luggage and start planning your next trips. Now is a great time to take a good hard look at your current travel gear and ask yourself: “does my current baggage suit my future travel plans?” If you are unsure, allow your
5 Reasons Why Your Next Carry-on Bag Should Be A Travel Backpack Read More »
Topo Designs has been crafting gear for outdoors lovers for over 10 years from their base in Colorado, and their colorful designs inspired a cult following across the country. The Topo Designs Rover Pack has served as the basis for a number of different brand collaborations & product design spin-offs over the years. Today, we
Topo Designs Rover Pack Classic Review Read More »
Picture yourself traveling through Europe with no internet access, no smartphone, and nothing more than a paperback guide book. Hard to imagine? Countless Americans were able to accomplish this thanks to the efforts of Rick Steves. Regarded as one of America’s foremost experts on European travel, Rick Steves’ travel empire encompasses more than just guidebooks:
Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on Review Read More »
The Standby With Me team and Timbuk2 have something in common: we both have roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is no secret that we have a sort of affinity for the small bike messenger company that grew into a global leader of travel & tech gear. When we stumbled across the Blink
Timbuk2 Blink Pack Review Read More »
A high-quality carry-on bag is the most essential piece of travel gear in a frequent flyer’s quiver. For the vast majority of travelers, I firmly believe that a well-made backpack is superior to a wheeled carry-on bag or a shoulder-slung duffel. 25-liter backpacks fall into the Goldilocks zone of bags because they strike a perfect
Topo Designs Klettersack 25L Backpack Review Read More »
As I watched the sun cast long shadows across the boardwalk as it slipped below the horizon, I couldn’t help but notice a couple of longboarders effortlessly gliding by. They casually cruised alongside the ocean as if they didn’t have a care in the world. “Vacation personified,” I thought to myself as I saw the
7 Travel-Sized Skateboards You Can Fit In Your Carry-On Bag Read More »
The Timbuk2 Bruce Pack is a striking backpack. It is big, it is heavy, and it was designed to be the ultimate bike commuting backpack. However, it’s large main compartment, waterproof exterior, and carry-on compliant size got us thinking. Could the Timbuk2 Bruce Pack bag also be the ultimate carry-on bag, too? Today, we review
Timbuk2 Bruce Pack Review Read More »
