Category: Travel Gear

Gear Review: Biolite AlpenGlow Laterns Ideal for Travel, Recreation

10/23/2021

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Retiring My Trusty Old Pack -- And Upgrading to a Max Backpack

7/20/2021

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The Max Backpack from Able Carry is big, sturdy and stylish. This 30-liter workhorse has been my savior this summer as I travel overseas.

By John Roberts
I'm the type of guy who will use an item until it essentially turns to dust or shreds.
My wife will readily attest to this.
I'm frugal and really don't like waste, so that explains a lot of it. Also, when I find something that works, that I'm completely comfortable with, I really don't like to change.
So, I've come here to talk to you about my backpack.
I have used the same style of backpack to travel around the globe for the better part of the past four years. It was fantastic. Spacious, pretty durable, plenty of pockets.
It was everything that I thought I wanted. Plus, I had found my rhythm with it; I knew just where everything was, how each pocket, zip and compartment played a role in my organization and travel systems as I traveled -- through airports and on boats and trains.
But, in recent months, it had begun to show its wear, with a few stitches releasing on the main shoulder straps. My reinforcement efforts included adding an attractive crosshatching of duct tape.
It seemed that it was time to look for a new backpack companion, but I wasn't going to make the commitment until just the right rig came along. Fortunately, I found the perfect fit when Able Carry asked me to try out its new Max Backpack.

Repacking my gear from the old reliable into my shiny new pack from Able Carry.

At first glance, I knew that this 30-liter backpack would be the right size to get the job done. It's plenty big enough. But would it be durable enough or offer the compartment space that I was looking for?
Well, I have been using the Able Carry Max Backpack for more than a month (running back and forth to Greece on various trips this summer) at the time of this review, and it has far exceeded my expectations. The process of my conversion to a new backpack began with me emptying out my old pack and working out just where I would organize my electronics, toiletries, chargers, cameras -- and all the other necessary sundries -- into this new space in the Max Backpack.
It has a large main compartment that easily fit my Sony RX10 camera and GoPro cameras as well as all the accessory bags. I also can fit my toiletries (liquids) bag in there as well as my snacks bag. Plus, I still have extra space for my stainless steel water bottle and sunglasses case.
The compartment and the variety of zippered pockets easily hold my computer, chargers, cords, backup power blocks and all the extras. The backpack has a stiff backing and "A frame" suspension to distribute the weight and relieve your shoulders.
I also like the numerous hooks and loops available on the exterior of the bag. These are great for hanging bottles or other items with caribiners or rope pieces. The bag also has lockable zippers and a chest strap that easily snaps closed with a magnetic clasp.

First impressions: "This is going to work!"

Able Carry uses durable materials, such as an XPAC shell for lightweight strength, a Cordura nylon base and ripstop lining. I really load up the backpack, and it has been holding strong so far, especially the stitching on the shoulder straps, which have given way on my prior backpacks.
Here are the other specs and details, as highlighted by Able Carry:
Everything within reach: Dedicated work compartment fits up to 17-inch devices; Spacious main compartment with organizer pockets and external pockets on all sides for flexibility.
First-class comfort: Max provides ease in motion with foam shoulder support, and ventilated pads to keep your back cool. Magnetic chest straps snap easily in place for enhanced stability in motion.
Built to travel: Luggage pass through, hanger hook and lockable zippers.
Made to last: Engineered to handle the rigors of travel with durable, water-resistant fabric, quality hardware and backed up with lifetime warranty.

My new Max Backpack is making my travels as smooth as ever. Now, let's see how long I can make this great piece of equipment last.

Happy travels, all!
Thanks for reading,
JR

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Gear Review: Biolite AlpenGlow Laterns Ideal for Travel, Recreation

Solo New York Unbound Backpack: The Right Bag for the Job

Retiring My Trusty Old Pack -- And Upgrading to a Max Backpack

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