Matador is a new brand to us and we could not be more excited to educate you, our followers, on the little items that pack a big punch!
In 2014, Matador began in a little bedroom in San Francisco and quickly grew. Relocating to Denver, Colorado allowed Matador to lay down their roots and begin to build their brand. Surrounded by various terrains, Matador can field test their gear right outside their door. All their innovative and travel friendly products are designed in house.
As a proud bootstrap start up, Matador is also environmentally conscience and strive to find materials to better your travel experience and the world around us.
We chose our 4 favorite products:
- Travel Earplugs
- NanoDry Shower Travel Towel
- FlatPak Toiletry Bottle
- Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack
Travel Earplugs
Recently, we attended a speaker on the use of daily devices and how they can affect your sleep patterns. Long story short, electronic devices near you during the night can deplete your melatonin levels. This was bad news for me as I wear noise canceling headphones on a regular basis to drown out my husband’s snoring.
Travel Earplugs Hooks nicely to the Travel Towel Case
Travel Earplugs may have saved this marriage and my sleeping patterns. Constructed from memory foam, the Travel Earplugs are 32dB Noise Reduction rated. Each package comes with two silicone cases (graphite and light grey) and three pairs of earplugs. Without the addition of headphones, I can sleep in a more comfortable position and I can maintain healthy melatonin levels.
Don’t blame the snores! Traveling extensively in AirBnB properties, we have learned to bring some version of noise cancelling equipment. The Travel Earplugs drown out the unknown and sometimes loud noises that come with staying in some of the houses. Travel Earplugs are compact enough to be attached to your keychain, toiletry bag or on the zipper of your bag. The silicone keychain cases are lightweight, easy to clean and can double as a zipper pull- extra nice when you have gloves on.
Travel Earplugs retail for $9.99 on their site.
We suggest using these for flights, loud accommodations, sleeping in the great outdoors and for those times you just need some peace and quiet.
FlatPak Toiletry Bottle
FlatPak Toiletry Bottle is a 3oz bottle that is 5 times lighter and 3.5 times more compact than traditional silicone bottles. Available in 1 or 3 packs, the FlatPack Toiletry Bottle compresses completely when your product is gone and is easily filled through the screw top. The neck is reinforced allowing you to hold to bottle up while you are filling it.
The main compartment is constructed from welded Cordura. There is a proprietary coating
FlatPak Toiletry Hanging out.
on the bottle that makes it a bad flask. The question has been asked so many times, they had to come out with a statement on it. So, stick to your soap, toothpaste and lotions. The exterior is fully waterproof.
With the ability to attach the bottle to a towel bar or tree limb, the FlatPak Toiletry Bottle saves precious counter space. The hanging loop doubles as your label.
For air travel, it is suggested that you keep your bottles within a zippered plastic bag. It may be one more bag in your mind, but for us it is a piece of mind because you just don’t know what is going to happen to your bags. The FlatPak Toiletry Bag is TSA approved. In the FlatPak line there is also a Soap Bar Case that is great if you carry the do it all soaps from LUSH or Ethique (a couple of my favorites).
Matador has a great Instruction and Tips section for other questions that may arise.
NanoDry Shower Towel Travel Towel
So soft. That was my first impression of this compact towel. Rolled up into a silicone travel case, the NanoDry Shower Towel fits in the palm of your hand. Weighing in at only 5 ounces, the NanoDry Shower Towel contains a full-sized shower towel (47×24 inches). The nanofiber material is the reason why the towel is so light.
Nanodry Travel Towel hanging out in our AirBnB
The NanoDry Shower Towel can absorb 2 times its own weight in water and the snag loop at one end allows you to hang it to dry. The silicone case is not fully encased so one may be able to roll the NanoDry Shower Towel up before it is fully dry and allow it to finish drying while you are hiking the trails. The silicone case is easily attached to your daisy chains or gym bag with its carabineer.
An antimicrobial coating is there to prevent mildew build up and keep your towel fresher longer while you are out exploring. The nanofiber is just heavy enough to use the towel as a light towel while you are at the beach.
NanoDry Shower Towel is available in Charcoal or Moss. It retails for $34.99.
Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack
Specifically designed for travel, the Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack is truly a one stop shop.
At 28L, the Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack is constructed with all the technical features you expect from a travel backpack. On the exterior, you have waist and sternum straps, rugged 5000 PU-coated Ripstop Nylon, mesh side pockets and gear loops/daisy chains.
Keep your personal belongings secure in the top lid pocket. A front pocket is also available to stash items and gear in. Have a tool or a first aid kit? It can be stored on the very bottom along with the storage sack for the bag.
Matador Beast 28 Technical Backpack
Don’t discount the compression storage bag quite yet! It can easily be attached the Nifco anchors on either side of the bag. It can hold additional gear, a blanket or food. With the purse string closure at the top, the Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack can become a treasure collector for kids.
The interior allows for most water bladders and can accommodate up to a 3L bladder. Hangers are included to secure your bladder of choice. The bladder hose can be positioned on either arm strap for additional customization of the Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack.
The Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack has a clamshell design and the zippers open for full access to anything in the bag. When in use, the bag has 28L of space. When rolled up and placed into the compression sack, it is only 2L.
Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack is a great bag on its own to travel with for a weekend or overnight. It can also be stored in your luggage or backpack and used as a daypack. This is exactly what we are planning on using it for when we travel to London and Paris with our kids this next year. Light enough for adults and children alike to carry.
The Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack retails for $89.99 and can be purchased on their website.
I appreciate Matador for the high quality of materials and construction. I really love all the product videos they have produced. Interested in a product? 99% chance there is an informational video you can watch on it.
We hope you enjoy the innovative and useful products as much as we do!
Safe travels!