Search results for: travel

A sturdy, dependable duffle is a beautiful thing. We compare two–the Patagonia Black Hole and the Cotopaxi Allpa–to see which is tops.

Looking for links? More info? Our favorite places to buy gear? Here they are, all in one place. You’ll find our favorite websites, gear shops, informative blog posts and more …

I love hiking in leggings. The freedom of movement they offer, the comfort, the ease of use…it’s all unparalleled. But typical yoga-style leggings aren’t always the best for outdoor adventures. They snag easily, sometimes don’t dry fast enough, and often don’t have pockets–or at least secure ones (btw, ask me how I feel about women’s clothing without pockets…). Hiking tights, on the other hand–also known as trekking tights or hiking leggings–are designed to stand up to the rigors of the outdoors. And as we know, durability is a cornerstone of sustainability. So if you love leggings but are looking for something more durable, read on.

Have the wheels on your rolling carry-on luggage gotten totally shredded? (Happened to me last year, alas.) The zipper broken to pieces? A giant hole ripped in the front of your soft-sided luggage? It happens. And if it’s time to replace your well-worn and no longer repairable rolling luggage with something altogether better, more sustainable, functional, and organizational so you have one less thing to worry about when you board that plane, consider one of our two new faves: the 38 liter Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag and the 44 liter Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller. We put them to the test and break down their pros and cons to help you decide which is right for you.

This fall, we headed to the Black Forest in Southwest Germany! Because What Grimm’s Fairy Tale-loving, spooky-obssesed, adventurous traveler WOULDN’T want to visit?! And turns out, there are just as many magical forest trails as there are sustainable small towns as there are outdoor adventures. And it’s pretty rad. If you’re headed to the region, don’t miss these outdoorsy things to do in the Black Forest (plus sustainable places to stay and eat)!

We recently spent some time in Switzerland! In the Alps, to be specific. In the Engadin region, to be even more specific: In Celerina, a quiet little hamlet tucked in a valley between mountains. And frankly, I can’t imagine staying anywhere else to explore this stunning mountainous region. It’s quiet, cozy, super freakin’ chill, and adventure is literally everywhere. Here are 5 adventures in the Swiss Alps we found totally rad and think you may just, too.

Three days, 32 miles (well, 25 if you do it right), 5 towns, 3 hotels, and a whole lotta mountains. Also ups and downs. LOTS of ups and downs. THIS is hiking in Austria: The Arlberg Trail.
We completed the shiny new trail this September (it opened in 2022) and it. Was. Magical. We’re talking wildlife, majestic landscapes as far as the eye can see, alpine lakes, mountain huts, colorful villages each night, and three days of non-stop, jaw-dropping, holy-cow-these-photos-are-gonna-be-unbelievable vistas.
We’re talking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, here (for most people anyway…we’d totally go back and do it again). Think you’re up for it? Here’s everything you need to know about hiking in Austria on the Arlberg Trail, from the route, to mileage, to booking, to where to eat, and more.

I hate cruises. They just aren’t for me. I find them boring, they don’t offer the adventure I crave, and the cruise industry as a whole is supremely unsustainable. So I surprised everyone–myself included–when I agreed to go on an HX Expedition cruise to East Greenland. Here’s why I gave the line a shot, including what sustainability had to do with it (and what I thought about the experience).

I first learned about the Fjallraven Classic USA a few years ago. One day, I opened up my shiny new issue of Outside or Backpacker magazine (publications I now write for on a regular basis) and nestled inside was a small passport book with routes and info about the backpacking event in Colorado. Wow, I thought, this looks rad! And last month Fjallraven invited me to participate in the annual trip. I was excited and curious. What was this shindig all about? Who signed up for these sorts of things? Would I get to test any of Fjallraven’s vegan gear or clothing? What should I expect? Since I never turn down an invite to go backpacking, I obviously accepted and headed to Colorado to find out for myself. Curious? Read on.

Anyone who’s been hangin’ around Terradrift for more than about 10 minutes is likely aware that I’m a big fan of barefoot shoes. I’ve reviewed lots of them, from sandals to boots to trail runners. And at this point, it’s safe to say I’m all in on barefoot hiking boots. So I thought it was high time we compared the Vivobarfoot Magna Lite SG with the Xero Shoes Scrambler Mid. I tested them both out, so let’s dish about how they differ and who’s gonna wanna check out which one.