Here's my dilemma. I ordered a Synik 22 and it arrived today. Unfortunately, on my frame: I'm six feet tall, but with a longer than average torso. The bottom stabilizer strap is far too high around...

I have the same immersion boiler, but I just use Starbucks Via. It's the best instant coffee you'll get and while it's not like a french press, it's still great.

Hoping all the zippers are still water resistant on the outside?

Just a few questions. I'm thinking about a gift for someone, but I want to make sure it's a good fit.


It's for someone going on a whirlwind trip involving Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the...

FWIW, it's not keys scratching your phone, it's sand.

What's the sleeve?

It should say on the power adapter for the machine.

And the difference is this. You know alternating current (AC) that alternates between positive and negative? Some countries, like the US, are 60...

Are you sure it needs a converter, not just an adapter? If so, do you know whether it can take 50 or 60Hz?

99% Invisible is a good one.

My faves: Judge John Hodgman, Planet Money, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, and Stuff You Missed In History Class.

Yikes. I'd report that -- even if it's not hidden it's supposed to be disclosed conspicuously at the time of booking.

Haha. Some of them are so bad I didn't need analysis to spot them. I reported the obviously fake reviews to Amazon. Maybe they'll get removed?

Staying in Airbnbs, I'm starting to become concerned with the possibility of hidden cameras. I'm looking on Amazon for sweeping devices, but the reviews of the top couple of products look...

I ran over the A30 in halcyon with a car once. I didn't notice it was still on the ground and backed over it with my Subaru Outback.

There was some superficial damage, I think from the heat of the...

I think the laundry stuffsack is my favorite accessory because it's so damn useful. After that, packing cubes, then laptop cache, then travel tray.

In terms of imaginary accessories, I'd like a...

I'm also noticing from the photo that the Aeronaut has handles to grab it from an overhead bin. Upon reflection, I'm pretty sure I use that every single time I fly.

Oh wow, those ranger panties. Oh, oh, my.

As a houseguest in those situations, I usually just throw on pants/jeans. If I leave them with the belt still in them, ready to go, they don't really take...

I don't have a road buddy, but a few reasons I'd consider the A30 are that it is specifically sized for even those budget carriers in Europe; it's always carry-on compliant. It also doesn't require...

I ordered a Cadet and returned it. I prefer the Pilot. The Cadet's structure makes it awfully hard to fit, say, a laptop, cache, and Bose headphones in, which makes it hard to fly with. They will...

Are you sure about that? https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/card reads:

Global Entry cards have radio frequency identification chips, which enable their use at...

Amex Platinum will also comp Global Entry. Assuming the other benefits are with the huge annual fee.

All true. PreCheck also does nothing for you outside the US.

But it's still worth it. Even some small airports have it (like Grand Rapids) and usually smaller airports are more manageable anyway....

I can bring maybe some men's size 11 boat shoes or Vans or Tom's of something. I can actually even fit trail shoes in there. It just adds an awful lot of weight and takes up the entire side pocket to...

I agree. Smart luggage is a total gimmick.

Batteries only have so many charge cycles before they lose significant capacity, so you're tying your bag's longevity to your battery. Plus you can't...

I must have missed this thread. You might be interested in my solution here.

Overall my cautionary note is to try to find chargers that are USB-IF certified. You want to know it's doing the right...