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3 Awesome Essentials for the Active Traveler in 2021 and Beyond

2/17/2021

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We've stumbled upon a few items that you'll find useful -- if not essential -- as you head out on your adventures.
By John Roberts 
I'm eagerly looking toward spring and the glorious possibility that more travel is coming as we emerge from the pandemic. Vaccines are being distributed, and the effectiveness against the virus should serve as hope that travel will begin to somewhat normalize. 
That doesn't mean things will immediately go back to the way they were. Precautions and health protocols will still be in place for many parts of society.  
With that in mind, we are bringing you a few travel products that could well become be essential parts of your gear for the immediate future and for years to come These items just make sense to us. 
Here are three convenient and easy-to-pack. Must-have travel accessories for 2021 and beyond. 
HALOmask 
Mask wearing has become a necessary part of our lives during the coronavirus pandemic. So, hundreds of companies have emerged trying to refine and perfect masks that deliver the proper mix of hygiene and comfort while offering protection against transmission of COVID-19. 
As someone who is extra active, with daily workouts and weekend hikes and runs, I have been frustrated in trying to find a mask that gives me the protection and comfort I desire when I am around others in the gym or on the trails.  
HALOmask is the best option I have discovered so far. The company touts its masks as the most comfortable, stylish and technologically advanced masks that you'll find. (Of course, it does.) 
I gave the mask a try, and here is what I found. 
The cloth mask features soft ear straps, which make the mask tolerable for hours, with no tugging and discomfort that I get from the standard masks with elastic straps. This means, I can wear the HALOmask for hours (as is required when flying) without a great hassle. 
The softness, comfort and breathability of this mask -- which also comes with a nanofilter that you replace every two weeks or so (depending on the amount of use and your daily contact with the public) to maximize the capture of particles -- makes it ideal for use while working out or enjoying other active pursuits like biking, hiking or sports competitions. 
HALOmask says its mask with the nanofilter captures more than 99 percent of airborne matter down to a size of 0.1 microns. The mask would be considered safer than simple cloth masks or standard "neck gaiters" because the HALOmask, with its paper-thin nanofilters feature a proprietary "nano-matrix" that blocks virtually all smoke, dust, pollution, pollen, particulates and pathogens.
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We're extremely happy with the fit and comfort of our HALOmasks. Plus, they come in a variety of colors.
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Overall, I loved the comfort of the mask. It's made of a soft cloth and the fit makes it easy to breath, even while undertaking strenuous activities. This was my main hang-up with other masks I have tried. I would be working out, trying a heavy lift or sprinting session at the gym, and it would be difficult to breathe. With the HALOmask, these tasks have become much more manageable. You can adjust the tightness of the fit around the nose by pinching the small wire insert at the top. I'll keep mine as tight as possible when traveling on a plane or elsewhere in public. I keep it a little looser for air flow and breathability at the gym during strenuous workouts. 
I'm extremely pleased to have discovered this mask. For as long as we're going to be wearing masks in society, it's a relief to find something so effective that also offers comfort and convenience.
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NakeFit Protective Soles 
This could become your go-to footwear if you prefer to be barefoot. Nakefit stick-on soles are easy to apply single-use foot protection that give you comfort and protection for all kinds of travel environments.  
The soles are great for wearing on vacations at resorts -- when you'll be around a pool or in public spas and community showers. They are waterproof, so you keep them on while swimming or wandering the beach. The slim cushion effect is nice and offers protection from hard surfaces and those that get very hot in the summer sun, like sand and pavement. 
Nakefit soles are made with a blend of cotton, Spandex and silicone. They are applied with an easy-on and easy-off adhesive, and the soles create a great hygienic, non-slip barrier ideal for those of us who prefer a minimalist feel on our feet.
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Good to Know: You get one chance to place them on your feet, so make sure you are lining up your toes and heel for perfect coverage before you commit to sticking them on. Also, if you have excessivley sweaty feet, the company warns that the soles might not adhere as well. 
We think they fit into your travel lifestyle well in the following scenarios: at the airport for when you have to remove your shoes, at a waterpark, resort vacations, beach time and swimming, especially when you have to wade in to the sea from a rocky beach. 
Nakefit protective soles come in convenient three-packs for as low as $17.99 on sale (reduced from $19.99 as of this post).
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TP Kits 
Let's talk about the urge. 
We have a lot of urges as humans -- to travel, explore and connect with nature. 
Sometimes, our urge is just an urge, though.  
When you gotta go, you gotta go! 
You know what I mean. It usually happens when you're out in nature satisfying your urge for adventure. 
It sure can be a miserable experience when you have to poop while wandering in the woods and realize you aren't really properly prepared. 
Who hasn't been caught in one of these desperate situations? You definitely understand the need for our discussion here.
TP Kits will become a staple in your backpack and leave you feeling confident every time you head out into the wilderness.
If you often get the urge to go -- after you leave the comfort of your home and just as you start your outdoor adventures, these are just what you need. These kits take up no space in your backpack. You'll barely know they are there, but will be the most valuable item when you come to need it. 
Each individual package comes with five double-ply tissues, two cotton-blend sanitizing wet wipes and a fully biodegradable resealable pouch.
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The kits come in especially handy when you've got to take a quick potty break. Excuse me while I duck behind the saguaro in Phoenix.
TP Kits take a little bit of the hassle out of your planning for many types of outings. We used to create our own "bathroom kits" when we went out for a hike. Essentially, I would throw a few Kleenex into a zippered sandwich bag. These work fine -- when I remember to include them in my pack. We also relied on any sanitizing wipes we happened to toss in, as well. 
With TP Kits, I have placed several in my backpack, so I am always set. An extra box sits in the car, so we never run out. 
We used them for the first time on our hiking week in Arizona, and they gave us peace of mind. I always pack out what I bring in to any park, but with TP Kits we have the comfort to know that if we happened to inadvertently drop a pouch or any part of the kit along the trail, the biodegradable product wouldn't damage the environment. 
TP Kits can be bought as "singles" and as a 10-pack box.

Have you found any new products that are essentials for your adventurous lifestyle? What do you think about these items?
Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading,
JR
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Gear Review: A'rcopedico's Stylish, Comfy Women's Travel Shoe

4/3/2020

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By Kelly McDaniel
Shoes are every woman's weakness, right? Well, that's one cliche I personally have helped to perpetuate.
It's true that some people just can't help buying shoes -- until our closets are overflowing.
I constantly deal with blisters, uncomfortable rubbing, arch pain and problems finding that perfect fit -- because of my bunions (yep, I got ‘em, thanks genetics).
Yet, I can't help but keep buying more pairs of shoes, especially if they're cute and cheap. 
But as I get older, it's just not worth wasting money on flimsy, arch-less, synthetic knockoffs, only to end up with Band-Aids on my heels and toes. I've finally come to appreciate quality over quantity.
Hmmmm, I seem to recall someone frequently prodding me, saying that's how I should always be shopping for my footwear -- and a few other items.
Yes, Mom, you're always right!
So when A'rcopedico offered In The Loop Travel the chance to try out a sample pair of shoes and give an honest review of the company's Alice loafer, I figured "Why not?"
I'm always looking for comfortable travel shoes that offer a bit of fashion with their function.
If they didn't work out, I could just toss them to the back of my closet to gather dust with my 52 pairs of other shoes that hurt too much to wear regularly.
I had a feeling this moccasin-style shoe was going to be joining my rotation, though, when I selected them online.
I was right, and fortunately, these will be staying front and center in my closet.
Let's have a look at what impressed me most -- along with a couple drawbacks -- of this travel shoe.
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Right out of the box, you can tell these shoes are of high quality and workmanship. The suede leather top is soft and flexible, and the removable insoles are thick and supportive (kudos to A'rcopedico's twin arch support system -- included on every style they offer -- which protects your natural arch and allows for even distribution of body weight through your foot). Within a few wearings, these shoes gave my feet a refreshing level of comfort.
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The Alice loafer by A'rcopedico features a suede leather upper, thick sole, removable insole and innovative arch support. 
Honestly, what worried me most as a 30-something woman was that these shoes might look too "mom"-ish and not be fashionable enough. But after trying them on and asking my husband and girlfriends for their honest opinions, they agreed with me that these shoes looked great. And they'll look great on you, too.
My favorite thing about the Alice Loafer is that it can be paired with jeans, capris and even business-casual pants. They are truly versatile. They are also perfect for traveling as they slip on and off easily. The break-in period was fast, and they quickly can be worn all day without any pain (even for those of us with dreaded bunions).
Make sure to pack these for your next city walking tour -- you won't regret it. Keep in mind that they are fairly warm, so they are best worn in winter months or during transition seasons.
One thing that took a little getting used to was the sole itself; it's a thick, textured non-slip sole that gives great grip and traction but can stick to carpet fibers the first few times you wear them until they're worn down a little bit.
Because the insoles on the Alice moccasin are removable, you can replace them if and when they wear out. And if you're unhappy with your shoes for any reason, A'rcopedico offers a full refund of your purchase price within 60 days, minus the shipping fees.
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For our U.S. readers, it's important to point out that A'rcopedico shoes are sized only in European sizes so you'll have to do a little converting. I'm a solid 7 in the US, so I ordered the Alice loafer in the "mouse" color and in size 38, and they fit perfectly.
The Alice retails for a steep price at $125 and also comes in other trendy colors: black, red, denim and lemon. I highly recommend these extraordinarily comfortable shoes for any woman on-the-go who needs reliable, practical, and trendy footwear.
You can check out A'rcopedico's full inventory of shoes, boots, sandals and other footwear to find some of your best new travel accessories for upcoming trips.

Thanks for reading,
Kelly
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Finally Finding a Durable Travel Hat -- In a Style that Really Fits

1/24/2020

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Gear Review By Kelly McDaniel
I have a long and complicated relationship with the sun.
I'm habitually cold, so I'm naturally drawn to its warmth. But my pale skin must hide from it, otherwise I'm in for another painful sunburn.
Hats have become a necessary travel accessory, but my head causes one teensy little problem -- it's about the size of a grape. Hats typically don't fit me.
When I shop for them, I head straight to the children's section and hope that the selection won't be too glittery or cheap. Because, yes, the hat must be functional and fashionable!
So, when Tenth Street Hats offered me a chance to find my dream hat in exchange for an honest review, I was excited to check out the company's lineup of fashionable styles and colors.
I started browsing the expansive website and immediately found several that looked great. But needing a hat that could travel well, I decided to choose a hat from their "Crushable" category, knowing that would be the most practical.
Even after narrowing my choices to only the crushable hats from the hundreds they sell, I still had numerous material options to choose from -- felt, wool, polyester, raffia -- and in multiple styles including beret, rain hats, fedora, safari and more. I chose the hand-crafted "one size fits all" straw Levanzo hat by Scala. It has an adventurous look with its leather chin cord, but it is also feminine with a wide brim.
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Once it arrived, I immediately tried it on. Lo and behold, it was too big on me, which I expected. Of course!
However, with every order, Tenth Street Hats includes a two-pack of sizing tape to fix this very situation. I used both pieces and the hat finally was snug enough to stay put. Next, I wanted to test the crushability factor, something I wasn't sure would work.
I've had straw hats before, and they did not bounce back when folded. Actually, they were ruined the moment they were tugged the wrong way. So, when I carefully folded the hat down, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was about the size of a shirt in my suitcase. Letting it go, it instantly went back to its original size and looked as good as new.
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I deemed it ready for my next trip -- a cruise along the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. Knowing there would be days of strolling the ship's decks, spending hours at the beach, and taking walking tours through the towns and villages, this trip would test the Levanzo's durability, crushability and its sun protection.
I loved that it would be pretty darn cute, too.
In preparation for my trip, I read the Tenth Street Hats FAQ page to know how to care for my hat. I found the "How To Wear Your Hat" section extremely helpful as I had never worn a large brim hat before (shoutout to the Halo Style!). The website also gives tips on how to measure your head, what size to choose and fitting tips.
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When it came time to pack, I folded the Levanzo twice and tucked it into the mesh pocket in the lid of my carry-on suitcase. I then took two flights, a shuttle bus ride and a tender boat trip before I was able to unpack the hat again. After 14 hours of travel, the hat needed a little time to adjust to its proper shape, but it snapped back as if it had never been folded at all. That's when I knew this hat was a keeper.
When I needed both hands to take pictures at the windy beachfront, I simply tightened the leather cord to my chin and the hat stay put even in strong wind gusts. And if you don't want the cord to hang down at all, just tuck it up inside the hat.
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The Levanzo is a beautifully tailored and practical addition to my travel hat collection. Interested in adding a new hat to yours? You can check out the full lineup of Tenth Street travel hats to find some styles that suit you and your travel needs.
The company also offers a 30-day, hassle-free return or exchange policy as well as a one-year, craftsmanship guarantee on all hats. Which means they'll replace your damaged hat for free within the first 12 months.
Now if that's not hat happiness security, I don't know what is.

Thanks for reading and remember to always travel happy! 
Kelly

Kelly and husband Ryan are the travel vlogging duo at Watch Us Wander, one of our favorite travel partners who frequently collaborate with In The Loop Travel. Check out their YouTube channel and follow their travel adventures on Twitter (@WatchUsWander) and Instagram (@watchuswander).
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