Helium II Packable Jacket From Outdoor Research
Taking the concept of a packable, water-resistant, breathable jacket one step further, this super-light Helium II one from Outdoor Research packs a punch in a pouch.
Sure, when I’m out on the town in my home city or driving somewhere with loads of room in the car, I love to wear the best-looking jacket in my closet. Bring on the leather, the wool, or the thick layers. When I’m traveling with a carry-on suitcase or backpack though, the requirements quickly change. Then I want something that does the job required while taking up as little space as possible.
Back in 2010 our former reviewer Kara sang the praises of the original Helium jacket from Outdoor Research and before that I gave the thumbs up to their Fanatic jacket. It took me through a tour in the Galapagos in fine form and is still looking good three years later.
With all of these, the concept is simple but effective: make a jacket that keeps away the elements when you need that, but packs away into a a little pouch (its own pocket) when the sun comes out again. Great performance, with very little burden.
The Helium II is an improved version of the original. Here’s the official word: “6% lighter and 10% more breathable than its predecessor. An ultra-compressible piece you’ll never leave behind, it offers 30% more waterproof protection than the original.” If I remember right the original version was also touted to be around 6 ounces, but I guess when you get down that low, it doesn’t take much to get “6% lighter.” Not like you could tell the difference anyway: a mild gust will blow this thing off your lap.
This is no wimpy windbreaker though. To give it a real test I took it to San Francisco, where the weather is as unpredictable as Mitt Romney’s convictions and you can often see fog, sun, wind, rain, and calm on the same day. I got everything but the fog, so I was able to see how this Helium II jacket held up in varied conditions.
It kept the rain off, it didn’t hold everything in when I sweated my way up a hill, and I didn’t feel the wind coming through it either. In short, a good all-around jacket for above-freezing conditions. When it was time to go home, it packed into its own pocket and took up so little room that I thought I’d lost it when I got back and started unpacking.
There are some minor downsides to it, like the swishy-swishy nylon sound it makes, but some of the gripes that came up about the earlier version have been addressed. There’s a second pocket now inside (good for anything expensive, or a passport) and the zippers seem to be a little more robust. There are some nice touches to separate this quality jacket from the cheapos, like a good cinch strap system at the bottom, wrist elastic, and a stretchy hanging hook.
Get more info on the Helium II jacket at the OR site, but I can tell you in comes in four sizes, multiple colors, has Pertex Shield waterproofing, and the adjustable hood is big enough to go over a helmet when spring skiing. The list price is $150, but you’ll find it for less on the real or virtual racks.
Unlike some other things we’ve reviewed here, this is not a difficult item to find. You should be able to buy it at your local outdoor gear store, or you can check prices online at Backcountry, Altrec, or Summit Hut.
Get the women’s version at Summit Hut or Altrec.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on April 19th, 2012
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Packable Duffle Bag
Here at Practical Travel Gear we’re suckers for anything that packs up small but carries a big punch. This strong but lightweight duffle bag from Sea to Summit packs down into a little pouch that’s about the size of a two golf balls. As you can see in the photo here, it’s not exactly a space hog.
When you need it though, it pops out to be a 23.6-inch long piece of luggage that can hold up to 40 liters of your stuff (2420 cubic inches). Now granted it’s not going to compete with a suitcase you’d buy to use as real luggage, but you probably wouldn’t expect that out of something that weighs a mere 2.82 ounces (80 grams), right?
The main use for this is the vacation phenomenon whereby you almost always come back with more than you left with. Souvenirs, gifts, booze, and trade show swag have a way of forcing some tough decisions. You either toss something you brought to make room, or you buy and fill up another bag.
With this expanding duffle, you can take that extra bag along just in case. I’ve now used it for two trade shows where I needed to pack light to avoid baggage fees but had a sneaky feeling I’d need to bring some extras back. Both times I’ve gotten away with carrying it on as an extra “personal item” that will fit under my seat.
Technically though, if you packed this to the gills it would be over the regulation size for a carry-on. It is 23.6 + 11.8 + 11 inches, which is a tad over the limit. You probably don’t want to jam this full anyway though since there’s no shoulder strap and you’ll need to carry it like a suitcase. Leave some room so you can smash it into those “your bag must fit in this bin” displays that American Airlines is so fond of making you submit to before even getting to the security line.
The Sea to Summit packable tough Duffle Bag with zipper comes in three color combinations and lists for around 40 bucks. You can order it from Summit Hut or Amazon.
See more reviews of Sea to Summit products.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Travel Light on April 18th, 2012
New Developments in Travel Underwear
Despite what it’s covering, travel underwear is not really as sexy to review as fancy ski jackets and cool $200 shoes, but for most travelers its a very important subject. You probably wear underwear every day no matter what and let’s face it, that underwear requires frequent washing.
Fortunately you no longer just have to buy what’s hanging from a hook at Target or Wal-mart when you hit the road these days. You can buy underwear made specifically for travelers. This means undies that can be sink washed, will dry quickly, and will not stay soaked with sweat when you’re wearing them. Here are a few noteworthy types to choose from.
ExOfficio Give-n-Go underwear is probably the best-known for travelers because it was the first to really market travel undies heavily and raving fans (like me) helped spread the word after seeing how well they performed on the road. Many women weren’t as excited as us guys though because the original offerings were far from sexy. The new line-up has changed all that though, with these Give-n-Go Lacy Low-rise bikini ones saying “Technically Sexy” on the tag.
They’re still odor-resistant, quick-drying, and lightweight, but they wouldn’t look out of place at Victoria’s Secret. Unlike those though, these are treated with Aegis Microbe Shield and are made from nylon and Spandex so they’ll dry overnight after a sink washing. They come in six sizes, three colors, and list for $15-$20 depending on style. I’m no cross-dresser, but my bedmate tried them out and will use them on her next journey. Yes, they look good on. See the whole travel underwear line at ExOfficio.com and buy direct or see the Lacy l0w-rise bikini, string bikini, or Lacy regular bikini at Backcountry.com, where they have pretty much the whole line.
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Polarmax AYG (for all year gear) underwear has been reviewed in detail on this gear blog before, but the company continues to expand the offerings and add new styles. Polarmax has put all the technical know-how it’s gotten from making great base layers and applied it to what’s under your shorts in hot weather as well. They now offer briefs, boxer briefs, and regular boxers. The first two come in “four-way stretch” synthetics that are anti-microbial, wicking, quick-drying, and breathable. These all work well, look good, and feel good, though if your size is borderline then err on the side of buying too large. These seem to have the world’s strongest waistbands and the medium is tighter than I would like in, ahem, some regions. These are great to have though if you’ll be involved in adventure activities or on tours that involve cycling or hiking. Good support and all that.
The boxers have a more traditional loose feel and are made with TransDRY “wicking cotton.” Yes, I know, sounds like an oxymoron, but although they won’t wick as quickly as nylon, they certainly do so much faster than your Fruit of the Looms. They’re also treated to be odor-resistant, which you’ll be thankful for if it’s been too long between laundry sessions while on the move. They’re made in the USA, but are priced in line with those put together in China. I’ve found these to be comfortable and they perform as advertised. My main problem with the whole AYG line is the actual footprint of the product: pack five pairs of these and it’s a rather sizable wad of fabric. It’s best to mix in one or two pairs with others that are more compact. See more details at the Polarmax site and check prices on the Polarmax AYG line at Amazon, including the TransDRY cotton briefs and boxers.
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With this Saxx Underwear, there’s no worry about your junk getting squashed. Think of it as underwear that incorporates a jock strap, though it’s all in thin, lightweight stretch polyester that dries quickly when sink-washed. Its “ergonomic comfort pouch” keeps you cool and dry and it has “added compression to keep everything in place.”
I saw the whole line on display at the Outdoor Retailer show and though it seemed kind of gimmicky, I’ve got to admit that I keep returning to the Pro Elite Boxer Briefs I got a sample of to try out. They’re quite comfortable, I do feel cooler when I have them on, and they’re great for outdoor activities in hot weather. These come in six sizes and the medium fit my 34-waist body well, as in not too tight. (Sorry ladies but no, that’s not me in the photo to your right…)
The company makes four main fabric styles, from 24/7 (cotton, w/5% Spandex) to Luxury (modal, cotton, Spandex). Each comes in varying leg lengths and three colors. These are thinner and take up a bit less room than the Polarmax ones and will take anything you throw at them in terms of the washer and dryer. Saxx also makes long johns, but for the regular underwear the list prices are around $24 to $35. See more at the Saxx site or follow these links to buy from Backcountry: Pro Elite boxer brief, Luxury boxer brief, or 24-Seven Trunk. (You can browse around from there to the others.)
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The Ibex Balance Boxer Briefs are the most expensive here, at 50 bucks a pair list price. Most men aren’t used to laying out anything close to that amount for underwear, but in all fairness these are made from the soft New Zealand merino wool that Ibex is known for, plus a smidgen of nylon and Spandex to give them more stretch. Merino wool is naturally quick-drying, odor resistant, and wicking, so these accomplish what the all-synthetic ones do without needing additional chemical treatment.
Think of this underwear as a base layer for your torso. The fabric feels great against the skin and it’s very good at temperature regulation. In the interest of testing I wore these far longer than I normally would a pair of underwear on two recent trips and the odor-resistant properties are for real. These take some getting used to though as they’re about the most snug pair of underwear I’ve ever had in this size. I would strongly advise going up one size or even two if you’re at the high end of the range in waist size. Thes Balance Boxer Briefs are the opposite of the Saxx ones: there’s not a lot of extra room in the front. “Are those going to fit?!” my wife asked when I pulled them out of the package. They’ve got a lot of give, but go bigger unless you’re very small…
See more at the Ibex site or order the Ibex Balance Boxer Brief – Men’s at a tad off list price at Backcountry.com. If you buy last season’s color, the price drops more.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on April 12th, 2012
GSI Collapsible Coffee Drip Travel Filter
Since the days when Starbucks became a fixture in every strip mall and top hotels began installing quality coffee makers or putting a cafe downstairs, getting a good cup of coffee when you travel has become expected. When good coffee is not around, we get cranky. For the price of a couple tall lattés, you can get this innovative collapsible coffee filter from GSI Outdoors and make a good cup anywhere. In the middle of the woods camping or in a cheap hotel with a cheap coffee maker, you can bring your own and get a good cup every time.
This filter collapses into a small disk that’s about the height of a stack of five coins and a diameter of 5.6 inches. The covering case is made from plastic, the filter itself from silicone. That means you can pour boiling water into this fine, but it is very pliable and packs down easily to stuff in a backpack or suitcase. It’s easy to clean and the silicone case can double as a trivet for a hot pot.
It works with standard drip machine paper filters (you do have to bring those along) but you can then adjust the amount of coffee to serve one cup or 12. GSI makes some portable java presses too, which are great for car camping—see my review of the 20-ounce one here—but this takes up far less room for when you’re not able to load up a car. It weighs less than 5 ounces.
The process for this Java Drip is that you center the filter hole over your receptacle (anything with a diameter larger than 2.5 inches) insert the filter and coffee, and pour in hot water. This means you are the actual coffee maker though, so there’s a bit of patience involved in pouring the hot water, letting it drip into the pot or mug, repeating until you’re done. The longer you’re into the cycle for a large pot, the longer it takes for the water to go down.
The waiting is worth it though: the results I’ve gotten with this have clearly bested any commercial drip coffee makers I’ve used. I’ve tried it with enough to fill up a home mug, with the Snow Peak Titanium travel mug, and a pot for four.
I’ve been quite impressed with this handy $13 item and it’s a sure thing for my packing list every time I go camping from now on. I’ll also be taking when I know I’ve got a dubious brand of coffee waiting in my not-so-luxe hotel or motel. (The trick is to use the provided coffee maker to just heat up the water, then transfer it to this filter.)
See more nifty camping items from GSI Outdoors and pick this filter up at Backcountry.com or Amazon.
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Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on April 11th, 2012
Magellan’s Stretch Travel Jeans
Dressing up for travel can be a pain. While we certainly do not condone the flip flop-wearing and Slurpee-gulping style of many Americans flying these days, there is a happy medium between dressing appropriately while still being comfortable. These denim slacks from Magellan’s are classy enough to pass for casual pants while comfortable enough to feel like a pair of jeans.
An invisible stretch waistband is hidden behind the belt loop providing a comfortable look without looking like a senior traveler on his first foray into the unknown world (although if you are one of those travelers who wears their ID around their neck and a fanny pack, there really is no helping your situation). The hidden security pocket with a zipper for identification, credit cards, or money does come close though.
In the back, there is another pocket with a zipper perfect for protecting one’s wallet, and the button foldover top keeps it inconspicuous.
An extra benefit for travelers is that these pants are made of wrinkle-resistant cotton with Lycra for a stretchy texture that is also machine washable. The flat-front design keeps them stylish too.
On closer inspection, they certainly do not look like jeans which may be a downside for those who want to pass them off as a hip pair of pants when heading out to the bar, but their comfort far surpasses that concern for most.
Frequent travelers with limited carry-on space will appreciate the fact that these pants are difficult to wrinkle making them perfect for long trips. Plus, their dark color is convenient for those worried about stains especially if this is the only pair you are traveling with (that is often my personal dilemma, at least).
They can shrink after their first wash so be careful to not buy a pair that is too tight. They are available for an affordable price of $70 at Magellan’s travel mecca website.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on April 9th, 2012
