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STNKY Bag Solves Problem of Smelly Laundry in Your Luggage

1/2/2022

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Colleen shows off the STNKY wash bag. The bag is the perfect complement for active travelers who end up with a batch of wet and smelly clothes during their adventures.
In The Loop Travel Gear Review 
As we headed into the home stretch of another year of traveling, we discovered another new product that we insist on slipping into our suitcases for travel.  
And it landed on our radar at the perfect time. With a set of expedition sailings coming up, we were excited when the makers of the STNKY wash bag (yes, that's the correct spelling) asked us to try out this travel- and gym-bag essential.  
So, we happily packed them into our luggage for voyages to the Caribbean on Crystal Cruises' luxury expedition vessel Crystal Endeavor and to Antarctica on World Navigator, an expedition ship from the new line Atlas Ocean Voyages. 
Of course, we knew that both trips would generate plenty of exceptionally dirty laundry. What appealed to us about the STNKY product is that they are more than simply laundry bags: These little gems are designed to keep smelly and sweaty clothes sealed and separate from our clean (or cleaner) clothes, both in our cruise ship cabins and in our luggage for the return trip home. 
Both of our voyages would put these bags to the test, as we would be enjoying active days hiking and kayaking in humid conditions in the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas, then layering up and mingling with penguins in Antarctica (and those who know definitely know about the penguin smells!).
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We took along the bags to give them a try on our end-of-year trips to the Caribbean and Antarctica.
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The STNKY bags were created as a sanitary way to keep gym clothes separate from other items in your gym bag after a workout. The bags lock in sweat and germs, and they include a built-in wash net. So, you can toss the bag into the washing machine without having to touch the clothes until they are clean. 
This makes them perfect for runners, gym-goers, travelers, boaters, swimmers and healthcare workers. 
Colleen is a bit obsessed about keeping her dirty clothes sealed off from the rest when she travels; she usually grabs a plastic grocery bag or hotel laundry bag to do the trick. But the STNKY bag offered a more environmentally responsible option, as we continue to look for ways to reduce our use of plastic.  
Additionally, these bags are much stronger than other options, and we liked that they come in multiple sizes. For our more tropical trip, the smaller size worked perfectly. But in Antarctica, where clothes are bulky and layers are a must, the large was in order. 
STNKY bags feature a dual zipper system. Open the bag using the top zipper and throw in your nasty clothes. Seal it off, and the clothes are locked in so you won't smell a thing. To wash your clothes, you unzip the bottom zipper, and a mesh bag drops down. You throw the whole thing in the washer, so you don't have to touch your dirty clothes at all.  
These really did the trick for us. On our warm-weather Crystal cruise, we sweated from hiking and kayaking, spent time in the water snorkeling and generally were a bit damp the entire trip. Typically, this is a recipe for smelly luggage: Sweat and moisture breed odors. But after this cruise, we were pleasantly surprised that the bags locked in the smell -- and damp. When we opened our luggage at home, we didn't smell a thing. We tossed them in the laundry, no muss, no fuss.
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The bag lets you drop down an interior mesh compartment so you can just toss it into the washing machine without touching your soiled items.
In Antarctica, daily excursions ashore to wander among penguin colonies or on Zodiac boat tours in snowy conditions left us wet, sweaty and stripping off sometimes-smelly garments back in our cruise ship cabins at the end of our thrilling adventures.  
It was a relief to be able to easily shove our dirty items into the STNKY wash bag and stuff the bag into the closet and not have to worry about the smells invading our space. 
You can get them in Standard (14 inches by 18 inches holding 13 liters) and XL (18 by 25 holding 26 liters) sizes. Colors available include black, forest green, gray and burgundy.  
The bags are made of a quality durable material with a handy carrying handle attached. The bags held up well on our trips and we're excited that we will be able to continue to use them as part of our standard travel gear.

Thanks for reading. 
JR
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Gear Review: Biolite AlpenGlow Laterns Ideal for Travel, Recreation

10/23/2021

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By John Roberts 
I much prefer life in the outdoors, soaking up the sun and breathing fresh air. That could mean biking, hiking, a trip on a sailboat or just relaxing on the backyard patio at my house in Colorado.  
However, when the sun goes down, you don't necessarily have to pack it in. We've been using AlpenGlow laterns from Biolite to accent our patio lighting system, and these cool little lights are both decorative and versatile.  
We have a pergola over our patio, and we have strung them with classic white string lights. They provide a nice amount of ambience, and the AlpenGlow laterns add just the right boost so that we can continue to enjoy the evenings outdoors long after darkness arrives.  
We were asked to review these compact lights, and we really love them. Not only are they perfect for at-home use like we have been enjoying them this summer, but they also are small and easy to pack for use on backpacking, yachting or camping outings. They also are great lamps for marine activities.
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We have two different sizes, the AlpenGlow 500 and the AlpenGlow 250. 
Check out these features:  
  • Offer eight lighting modes, including bright red and green -- ideal for marine navigation emergency lighting systems. You can hang the lanterns in your boat cockpit (they have a hook loop) or even set them on the cocktail table for a perfectly lit evening on the water.  
  • Two available sizes and lumen outputs, the AlpenGlow 500 and AlpenGlow 250
  • AlpenGlow laterns feature ports to serve as a charger for your devices
  • Runs for five hours on high and 200 hours on low
  • Has a waterproof rating that protects from splashing waters
  • Shake to access special lighting modes
  • Rechargeable 6,400 mAh battery
  • Modes include Cool and Warm White (Dimmable), Candle Flicker, Single Color, Multicolor and Cycling Color 
We use the lanterns by setting them on our patio tables. The lights are adjustable and offering brighter whites or nice soft tones and colors, including pink and purple. We've found that they work well to give light for evenings spent eating, drinking, playing card games and listening to music with friends.
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They are easy to use. The shake feature to access the different light modes takes a little time to get used to in order to know just how to make it work for your choice. The button on top is the easier way to go to toggle through all the choices. 
The laterns sell for about $60 for the AlpenGlow 250 and $80 for the AlpenGlow 500.

Thanks for reading,
JR
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Solo New York Unbound Backpack: The Right Bag for the Job

10/11/2021

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In The Loop Travel Gear Reviews
For frequent travelers, convenient packing options are almost as important as your passport. I like to think I've finally nailed packing, locking on a great system using my trusty Delsey carryon rolling suitcase for trips of any length. I can easily go from airport to destination without hassle or delay. I know exactly what to pack, how to roll my clothes perfectly and where all my vital items are located in the hidden pockets. 
But when it comes to my work bag, the one that carries my laptop, tablet and every possible cord and charger, I've been a bit stymied. I've run through a number of bags and backpacks, looking for the perfect option that gives me the space I need without too much extra space -- that I would inevitably feel the need to fill up, creating a monster backpack that kills my back and barely fits under the seat in front of me. My Swissgear backpack, though uber-durable, was too heavy and just too big. I switched to an ultra-thin generic option that couldn't hold everything I needed and ultimately fell apart because of my rigorous travel routine. Discarded backpacks and laptop bags litter a closet in my basement, a graveyard of the "almost but not quite rights." 
So, when Solo New York offered me the chance to try out and review its Unbound backpack, of course I welcomed the chance. (Solo New York is the same company that creates our absolute favorite rolling duffel bag, which makes regular appearances on even the longest trips. Read our review of that one here.) Here's what I thought of the TSA-approved Unbound backpack, which I've taken on trips in the U.S., the Caribbean and Greece this fall. 
What I Loved 
For starters, the weight of this backpack -- just under 2 pounds -- was a big reason I agreed to put it into my rotation. My abandoned Swissgear bag was 3.3 pounds, which, when fully filled, can feel like carrying an elephant when you're schlepping through airports and across cruise ships. The Unbound backpack feels light, even with my 15-plus-inch laptop inside. 
I'm also a fan of the padded laptop compartment, which unzips fully so is TSA compliant. I drop my laptop into the padded spot, and my tablet in the pocket in the same compartment. For me, having a packing habit is important -- I put everything in the same spot every time, so I know where it is (no digging through my bags!) and I won't forget anything -- so having the structured pockets is a great starting point for my packing. 
The bag features four zip sections, including the laptop zip at the back, so there's a lot of space for putting in my odds and ends. The biggest section is the middle, and I've found I can fill that one with my bulky items, including my noise-canceling headphones, two bags of cords and chargers, my quart bag of liquids and even a book. It's surprisingly spacious. The third section is just the right size for a couple of notebooks and pens -- essential travel writer items. The fourth is really just a pocket, but it's the right size for my mobile hotspot. The Unbound backpack also has two side pockets, ostensibly for water bottles, though I manage to use it to hold small miscellany, like business cards I've collected or facemasks I need to access quickly. 
I love the look, which is sleek and modern, even when I pack this thing full. It's also durable: I've thrown this bag into cabs and Uber vehicles, overhead bins, underseat storage and through security, over and over, and it still looks new, with no fraying of straps or even scuffs. The backpack has a comfortable padded back panel that slides over telescoping roller suitcase handles, creating a secure hold that means I don't have to carry it on my back when maneuvering through airports and the like. I'm also a fan of the oversized zipper pulls, as I don't fumble to unzip even on dark airplanes.
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What Doesn't Quite Work 
My biggest complaint with this backpack feels a bit like nitpicking, but it drives me nuts: Straps sit above the side mesh pockets. You can't unclip them, as they're permanent, so the strap gets in the way of the zippers in two of the compartments. It's a minor annoyance that nonetheless irritates me every time I go to dig into the bag and have to regrasp the zippers. (The straps are important; they are designed to keep tall water bottles in place.) 
This other issue is on me, I know. 
I still tend to overpack this bag, and when I do, it causes two problems: I can't use the side pockets for water bottles, because there's simply no room, and the bag is a tight fit under airplane seats. I've never had an issue with it actually not fitting, but it's been a squeeze a few times. I'm holding my breath waiting for the day when an airline gate agent stops me from carrying it aboard.

The Bottom Line 
After banging around the Soho Unbound backpack for a few months, I've decided to make this my regular bag. The space, design and style are all big positives, and while I have a few minor quibbles, overall, it's the best option I've seen in a while.

Interested? 
The Unbound bag sells for around $80, a pretty budget-friendly price in an era where backpacks can run you $150 or more. You can find it online at solo-ny.com or retailers like Amazon.

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The Able Carry Daybreaker
How About a Great Weekender Bag? 
Review by John Roberts
I got the chance to try out the sleek Able Carry's Daybreaker Backpack on a few shorter trips.  
This lightweight 25-liter pack is the perfect addition to my travel gear.  
I have already been using an Able Carry Max Backpack for all my regular travel, which usually sees me on the road for more than a week at a time. But the Daybreaker is an amazingly durable and compact option for weekend getaways and outdoor adventures. 
This bag is constructed for aggressive outdoor use, made with Cordura nylon, which makes it water resistant and able to carry heavier loads. Plus, it only weighs 560 grams. 
It's got a tall and slim profile, with an adjustable sternum strap. This creates less stress on the back when the backpack is loaded.  
About the storage and other features: I can slip my laptop into the divider, with room in a long zipped pocketed area behind that for cords and chargers and other items. The main compartment then fits any snacks, drinks, toiletries and other essentials needed for my outings. A mesh "hidden" pocket under the lid of the backpack allows for easy-to-reach items such as passports, power banks and phone chargers. 
There is an external side pocket with holes that allow any wet items to drain. On the other side, a zipped pocket with mesh interior has a leash for keys. The backpack also has several loops and hooks on which you can hang an item attached by a carabiner. 
The Daybreaker now comes with me on all my hiking, biking and kayaking trips.

Thanks for checking out these reviews of our favorite new backpacks.
JR
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