Lost luggage. Damaged goods. Waiting at the carousel like lemmings to reclaim your bag. Checking a suitcase when you fly adds extra hassles and fees to your trip. In short: it’s not worth it.

For the last 15 years as a travel writer and editor, I’ve flown on average once per month and, in that time, I’ve only checked a bag on a handful of occasions. Mostly, I avoid it at all costs because I despise waiting at baggage claim. I’ve also dealt with luggage being rerouted to Panama City, had hard-sided suitcases smashed like the front end of a wrecked Fiat, and once watched as my fishing gear spilled out onto the tarmac because the TSA opened my pack for inspection—and then forgot to close a zipper.

Over a decade ago, I decided to forgo that rigamarole. That’s why I now travel almost exclusively with carry-on luggage, so I can cruise through airports like George Clooney in Up In the Air—efficient, deliberate, and with no time for yokels struggling to find their laptop and liquids in the security line. It’s easier than you think it is to forgo checked bags, even if you’re headed off on a far-flung adventure. I’ve gone on a weeklong fishing trip in New Zealand, met buddies to float Colorado’s Gunnison Gorge, and flew to Iceland to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday party, which required me to pack a suit and tie for a disco-themed fête and rain gear for hiking in the highlands—all with just a carry-on suitcase and a small backpack. Checking bags, unless you absolutely need to, is for amateurs.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř travel, of course, is a much different beast than Clooney’s pink-slipping weekday missions. While the specifics of a two-day business trip may be different than a 10-day tour of Peru, the principles remain the same: pack light, know which carry-on rules can be massaged, and stick with a luggage setup and packing strategy that will work in 90 percent of scenarios. Here’s a primer on how to solve the carry-on conundrum, gleaned from two decades of my own travel headaches, in addition to my favorite carry-on luggage.

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The Downlow on Carry-On Luggage Rules

Airline regulations for carry-on luggage sizing are often as abstruse as their algorithms for pricing flights. Each carrier is unique in its guidelines, and there are different limits—both weight and size—for domestic and international flights. To help you navigate this red tape, here are a few things to be aware of.

Know the Official Size Restrictions

The maximum size carry-on luggage for domestic flights is, generally, 22 x 14 x 9 inches (or a combined length, width, and height that does not exceed 45 linear inches). Most domestic flights have a weight limit of 35 pounds, although many don’t even list that specific number on their sites and instead simply say something to the effect that you need to “arrive knowing that you can easily lift your bag into an overhead bin.”

For international carriers, the standard carry-on luggage size is usually slightly smaller than that of U.S. airlines, and carry-on weight allowances can be all over the place, with different limits for various classes of cabin. For example, has a 7kg (15.4 pounds) weight restriction for Economy Class and 10kg (22 pounds) for Premium Economy. (Both classes have a size limit of 21.6 x 14.9 x 8.6 inches.) For , you can board with a bag weighing a whopping 23kg (51 pounds), with a maximum size restriction of 22 x 18 x 10 inches. In short, if you’re traveling on an international airline and have doubts, look up its allowances online before you go.

Official Domestic Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Limits:

•       : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
•       : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
•       : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
•       : 24 x 16 x 10 inches
•       : 22 x 14 x 9 inches

Official International Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Limits:

•       : 21.6 x 14.9 x 8.6 inches (55 x 38 x 22 cm)
•       : 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm)
•       : 15.7 x 7.8 x 9.8 inches (40 x 20 x 25 cm)
•       : 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm)
•       : 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches (55 x 38 x 22 cm)

Understand the Unofficial Rules of Carry-Ons

For anyone who flies regularly, you know that the specific size restrictions outlined above are about as solid as an empty duffel bag. You can usually get away with a much larger item than one clocking in at a strict 45 linear inches. TSA agents are generally indifferent to baggage size—and they definitely won’t check to see if yours is compatible with specific airline regulations. It’s only once boarding begins that you find out whether the airline will allow the bags you’ve got. This is where the maximum size rules can be bent (although this is not an official endorsement or recommendation you try that). Here’s how:

Assume You Can Get Away with a Slightly Larger Bag: In general, if it fits in the overhead space and you don’t need a pulley system to lift it into place, you’re probably good to go. The caveat here is that if it looks heavy and bulky, a flight attendant is likely going to call you out on it before you even try. An oversized duffel packed with ski gear? It’s a dead giveaway and you may be forced to check it. A giant backpack that would satisfy the needs of a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail? Chances are you’ll be forced to check it, too.

But if you’re wheeling on a hardshell suitcase, even with a front pocket stuffed with rain gear that makes it much bigger than the maximum size restriction, few flight attendants will bat an eye—assuming you can get it to fit in the overhead space easily enough.

Your Choice of Carry-On Matters: “Benefit of the doubt” is why I like to travel with roller suitcases. The companies designing these bags, like Away, Rimowa, and Tumi, are intimately familiar with airline restrictions and how bags best fit in the overhead space. Wheeling one of these on the airplane already assumes—in the flight attendants’ eyes, at least—that it will fit in the overhead space. If it doesn’t, a flight attendant will usually gate check the bag for free, which means you can pick it up in the jet bridge or on the tarmac when you deplane. (Although sometimes they make you check it through to your destination, and you’re stuck waiting at baggage claim.)

In a nutshell, it’s usually best to opt for a standard issue roller bag or a small duffel as your main carry-on. If you need to travel with a larger duffel or backpack, make it appear smaller than it is by using the built-in compression straps to shrink it down as much as possible, then tuck in any loose straps. It won’t always work, but sometimes they’ll feel bad enough for you and let you store it overhead.

Hedge Your Packing Strategy: If you are bringing on a carry-on that you know is larger than the official size limits, make sure not to pack anything in it that you don’t want to get tossed around if you’re forced to check it. For example, don’t pack your laptop, medications, or anything of value in it. If they ask you to check it as you’re boarding the plane, you should be prepared to hand over the suitcase at a moment’s notice and let everyone else continue boarding (I beg of you).

Personal Items: What You Should Know

Many airlines don’t specify exact size restrictions for personal items, but the that all carry-on luggage fits under the seat in front of you if it’s not in an enclosed storage compartment. In my experience, flight attendants are fundamentalists about abiding by this rule, so there’s no point in trying to hide a 75-liter backpack under the seat. You’ll get asked to move it—and likely check it.

That said, most flight attendants don’t police the size of personal items as you’re boarding the plane, so all you need to do is make sure you can cram it under the seat when you sit down. This is why a medium-sized backpack works well: paired with a suitcase or duffel bag, you can stuff it full of an impressive amount of clothes and gear and still get it to fit under the seat.

Also, when boarding the plane, the attendants will focus primarily on evaluating your larger bag and overlook your personal item, so you can often get away with a larger second carry-on—again, as long as you’re able to stow it properly under the seat.

Outdoor Gear and the TSA

While TSA does not, generally, police policies on the size of your carry-on, they do care (very much, in fact) about the items in your bag—particularly camping equipment like pocket-knives, fuel canisters, lighters, and other banned items. In fact, it has an entire section on its website devoted to . Bear spray? No way. Bicycle pumps? Yes. Camp stoves? Only if they’re clean of residual fuel. (Fuel canisters are a hard no.)

Be sure to check the list linked to above if you plan to bring any sporting gear to verify specific rules regarding that item. For example, sunscreen is one product that many people forget. It’s considered a liquid so, if it’s over three ounces, you’ll have to toss it in the trash to get through TSA purgatory.

Also, double check every gear bag you’re carrying on to make sure there’s no errant banned item (especially in the pockets). Twice I’ve brought my fishing pack along and had an agent pull me aside to confiscate a folding knife that I had forgotten I’d stashed.

The Best Carry-On Luggage: Duffels, Packs, Suitcases, and More

Sorting out what to pack for each trip should be easy: don’t bring anything you won’t absolutely need. I generally abide by the rule of three: skip the third pair of shoes, the third sweater, the third pair of pants, etc. Pick clothes that you know you’ll wear more than once. Also, wear the heaviest clothes and large hiking shoes onto the plane and carry on your coat (it doesn’t count as an item).

When it comes time to pack, you should already know whether you’re bringing a roller, duffel bag, or backpack as your main carry-on, thanks to whatever specific adventure you have in store (like a backcountry raft trip or train trip through Europe). If not, simply opt for the default: a wheeled suitcase and a small or medium-sized backpack or tote. You can’t go wrong with any of the options listed below.

Carry-On Suitcases

Wheeled suitcases are designed for jaunts to and through the airport, and they excel at this—which is why they should be your go-to choice for most types of travel, even the adventurous kind.

In addition to being perfect for airport cruising, they can also usually withstand the abuse they take on the ground. I’ve had my Away suitcase strapped to the side of a snowmobile to reach a backcountry hut in British Columbia and thrown into the rear of a floatplane shuttle to a remote river in Labrador. While they may be less ideal than duffles in some scenarios—like my aforementioned examples—because they’re so adept at helping you cruise through terminals or navigate city sidewalks, dealing with the awkwardness of roller bags off the pavement is worth it. In short, everyone should have a roller suitcase as their default travel bag. When selecting one, just make sure that the company has a warranty—lifetime preferable—that covers normal wear and tear.

Best All-Around Suitcase: Away The Bigger Carry-On Classic

Dimensions: 22.7 x 15.4 x 9.6 inches

Cost: $295

Most hard-sided suitcases are extremely similar in design and durability these days. Away rises to the top because it hits the sweet spot between functionality, durability, and cost. It’s a mid-priced workhorse, with an interior mesh organization system that compresses clothes on one side, with a storage compartment for bulkier items, like shoes, on the other. Its 360-degree wheels are sturdy and smooth, and an exterior polycarbonate shell absorbs bumps and collisions with ease. I’ve used the same one for the last ten years and it’s held up remarkably well, considering all the abuse I’ve put it through. I suspect it’ll work well for whatever you toss its way, too.

Best Soft-Sided Suitcase: Briggs and Riley Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 x 11.5 inches

Cost: $699

Soft-sided suitcases usually stand up to dings and scratches much better than hard-sided options, and this one from Briggs and Riley is as durable as anything on the market, made with ballistic nylon fabric and outfitted with impact-resistant corner guards that actually work. It’s also capable of a neat packing trick: it can expand to fit all your gear and then, once it’s zipped shut, compresses via pushing down on each side, where a latching system locks the sides in place. There’s a large front pocket for easy access to items like a jacket or sweater and it comes with Briggs and Riley’s best-in-class lifetime guarantee, which makes the steep price more than worth the cost.

Carry-On Duffel Bags

Best Overall: The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 42L

Dimensions: 23” x 14.7” x 10.2” inches

Cost: $135

Any person who camps, hikes, climbs, fishes, runs, or does anything else outdoors can attest: a nearly bombproof duffel bag like this one from The North Face is a lifesaver for organizing gear. It works equally well for traveling, with an adjustable interior divider to help with organization, padded shoulder straps that can be stowed behind the back panel, and even a laptop compartment. Made from ballistic nylon and polyester tarpaulin, it’s designed for the long haul and solid backcountry beat-ups.

Best Wheeled Duffel: Patagonia Black Hole Matte Wheeled Duffel 40L

Dimensions: 21.75 x 14.5 x 11 inches

Cost: $359

This 2,400-cubic-inch bag—the two-wheeled version of Patagonia’s iconic Black Hole duffel, below—is perfect for plane travel when you have Type 2 fun planned for your final destination and need to pull it more than 90 percent of the time. It offers the same burly performance as the original duffel, with polyester ripstop fabric and reinforced handles. But this one also has oversized wheels for getting around the terminal and, say, the cobbled streets of colonial Quito.

Carry-On Backpacks

Not all backpacks will fit under the seat in front of you, so when buying one, be sure to consider how you want to use it: as a carry-on meant to be stowed overhead or as a personal item for stashing in front of your feet.

Best Overall: Yeti Crossroads 22L

Dimensions: 18.5 x 12 x 7.1 inches

Cost: $200

With 22 liters of space, this pack is perfect for stashing impressive amounts of clothes and gear while still fitting under the seat in front of you. There’s an inside sleeve for a laptop; a zippered compartment up top for easy access to sunglasses, keys, and a passport; and a luggage pass-through panel allows you to affix it to the handle of your roller suitcase while cruising through airports. And because it’s made from Yeti’s proprietary Tuffskin nylon, it can withstand being tossed around once you arrive at your destination. I can back this up from firsthand experience hiking with it in a rainstorm in Iceland and after lashing it to the back of a motorcycle in Morocco for a tour through the desert. This same pack is available in 27 liter and 35 liter versions, if you want to opt for the larger size and use it as your primary carry-on bag.

Best Laptop Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa Mini 20L Travel Pack

Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 8 inches

Cost: $140

Sometimes all you need is a pack that can haul your laptop through the airport and then help you lug around a camera or a water bottle when you’re at your destination. With a sleek design that weighs just 18 ounces, this pack is perfect for those types of trips, where versatility is key and you’re on the go most days. It has an internal sleeve to secure a tablet or small laptop, a water bottle pocket, and two large internal main pockets for organizing other gear.

Best Big Backpack: Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Dimensions: 22″ x 14.5″ x 7.6″ inches

Cost: $239

If you’re forgoing a suitcase or a duffle bag and want to use a backpack to travel with all of your clothes and gear, this is the pack that’ll get the job done. With 2,746 cubic inches of space, it’s big enough to store enough gear for a long weekend—or even weeklong—trip, yet it’s compact enough to fit in the overhead space of most planes. There’s a padded laptop pocket and a large interior space with two other pockets for organization and it can be carried as a backpack, shoulder bag, or duffel.

Miscellaneous Travel and Packing Gear: Compression Bags and Totes

When traveling, not only do you need to get from point A to B, you also need to live out of your carry-on for the trip. This means staying organized on the road, and to help you do that, I recommend a packing cube (or two) and a tote. Having them on hand makes everything easier. I rarely go anywhere without them.

Best Compression Bag: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube

Dimensions: Comes in multiple sizes

Cost: $50 for a set of two

Compression bags are the secret between fitting what you need and having to leave essentials—like that sweater for foul weather, or a pair of flip flops for beach day—behind. Eagle Creek offers some of the best compression sacks on the market: Its Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube shrinks gear inside via a burly zipper that, as you close it, pulls the bag and its contents together.

Packable Tote Bag: Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack

Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.25 x 8 inches

Cost: $99

One of the quirks I’ve developed over years of traveling is carrying this extremely lightweight (just 13 ounces) bag on pretty much every trip. It packs into its own pocket and, unfurled, you can carry it as a backpack or a tote. On the road, it has served as a perfect pack for grabbing groceries while walking the streets of Paris or bringing a bathing suit and a towel to a backcountry hot spring in New Mexico. (Usually, though, I simply use it as a laundry bag for dirty clothes.) When it comes time to pack for home, you also have an extra bag to carry on any souvenirs or other purchases you’ve made along the way. I usually check my main suitcase (it doesn’t matter if it gets delayed on the way home) and carry on the most important things in a backpack and this tote bag.

Ryan Krogh is a freelance writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. In the last decade, he’s traveled to 27 countries and every U.S. state, nearly all with just a carry-on suitcase. This included his two-week honeymoon to Morocco and Paris, France, in 2022.**Not including his wife’s suitcases and the shipments home from the souks in Marrakech.

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There are two types of travelers in this world: those who need a specialized compartment for everything, and those who prefer to toss their belongings in a bag, zip it up, and go. Whichever you are, or if you’re somewhere in between, here are three of this year’s best outdoor luggage offerings to fit your travel style.

Norrøna Trolley Bag ($329)

The problem with most giant rolling duffels is that the internal frame takes up almost as much room as the gear you’re packing. But Norrøna’s Trolley duffel offers a cavernous 120 liters of storage space, thanks to a simple yet smart design feature that nixes the telescoping handle—and therefore the internal frame—in favor of flat-lying handles sewn into the top. This keeps the bag’s weight low, making it easier to stay under an airline’s 50-pound limit. Half-inch-thick, cushy trekking-style backpack straps make carrying this thick-skinned, 450-denier recycled nylon duffel over rough terrain more comfortable—even when it’s fully loaded.

STM Goods Dux 30L Backpack ($250)

STM stands for “smarter than most,” which sounds pretentious until you try the Australian brand’s Dux backpack. With 360 degrees of foam padding within the casing, our tester felt comfortable lugging around delicate cameras, lenses, and audio equipment. Flexible and adjustable polyethylene foam shelves form up to three protective compartments in the main body of the bag and are accessible through a zippered, butterfly-wing panel on each side. Plus, the laptop and tablet compartments are suspended above the bottom of the pack with a thick EVA foam cushion adding an extra buffer against dings and drops.

Gregory Quadro Pro Hardcase Carry-On ($230)

Many rolling carry-on bags now have a specific storage compartment for laundry or shoes. But Gregory ups the ante with a removable 22-inch sleeve that features an antimicrobial coating to prevent even the gnarliest items from permeating the luggage with their smell—a refinement that came in handy for our tester during a two-week trip without a way to do laundry. We also appreciated the external USB charging port (just zip your power bank into the interior pocket and plug it in) and compression straps with zippered storage for small items. The four wheels are buttery smooth rolling over all sorts of surfaces, from city streets to gravel.

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I like skiing as much as the next guy, but I admit that the logistics involved are ridiculous from start to finish. Jamming your feet into stiff boots and scouring the lot for a parking space at the resort are just the cost of a day on the slopes, and the nightmare only intensifies when dragging your gear across the country on an airplane. Packing everything up and lugging it through airports is a predicament I’m fortunate enough to find myself in often, and this winter, the ($300 for the 192-centimeter length, $280 for the 175-centimeter length) has made traveling to shred powder much less of a pain in the ass.

Before this season, I’d been using a standard ($99), but it only had room for one set of poles and skis, plus a few layers of clothes wrapped around the skis. I liked it fine but needed something large enough for two pairs of planks when my wife decided to join me on a couple excursions. The RoundTrip caught my eye because of the wheels and the promise of more storage. So far it has delivered on spaciousness while still being easier to handle than my smaller bag.

The RoundTrip also satisfies all of my weird organizational needs. It holds two sets of skis and poles, as well as a couple of brilliant stuffsacks that you can pack with clothes before sliding them over the skis to fill up unused volume at either end of the bag. I put my street clothes in one bag and my ski layers in the other. There’s also an interior zipper to keep your gloves, hats, and gaiters in one place. Interior straps wrap around each pair of skis to keep them from shifting inside the bag, and a dedicated sleeve keeps your poles separated. Two exterior compression straps buckle down to create a nice, tight package. And, as mentioned, the RoundTrip has wheels, so you can drag it through the airport like a roller bag.

There’s so much room and it packs so well that the RoundTrip has become the only bag I use when I’m flying somewhere to ski. On a recent trip with my wife, I fit our skis, poles, and all of my clothing in this bag. Its padded exterior, with reinforced panels, compression straps, and extra rigidity from the stuffsacks, made me feel supremely confident that my gear would be safe, even as I watched baggage handlers sling it around.

A plastic pad to keep your skis separated is included, but I found it unnecessary; if the bag is packed fully and your skis are strapped down properly, there shouldn’t be any ski-on-ski rubbing.

I was suspicious about the S-curve zipper, which seemed like a design quirk at first, but it does help the bag keep its tubelike shape. In my old straight-zippered bag, my stuff always slid to the bottom when I carried it. With the RoundTrip, everything from the zipper to the padding is designed to maintain its structure and keep my gear in place.

The only thing holding back the RoundTrip from being an ideal bag is its lack of a shoulder strap. Yes, it’s designed to be rolled, but occasionally I wanted to sling the thing over my shoulder to navigate crowded airports. The grab handles are useful, but their placement means you have to carry the bag like a suitcase, which can be cumbersome when it’s loaded. However, it’s a minor gripe for a bag that makes traveling with skis less sucky.

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I got my first Eagle Creek suitcase, an older version of the most recent model, the  ($379), 12 years ago, as a going-to-college gift from my parents. The folks at the specialty where I worked at the time recommended it as a quality bag that would last a lifetime. As a gearhead (and naive teen), I wasn’t particularly stoked—a suitcase didn’t excite me the way a new rock-climbing harness or backpacking stove did. But that humble bag has become one of my go-to pieces of gear. 

Since using it to move into my college dorm, I have taken the Tarmac on every trip that required a large suitcase. There’s no other outdoor item I own—aside from my 2003 Toyota Tundra, high-end , and North Face duffel—that has gotten as much wear and tear and held up as well.

That same quality extends across the brand’s entire line. My whole family, including my in-laws, are Eagle Creek converts—we look like an ad when we travel together. My wife has had her Tarmac for just as long as I’ve had mine and dragged it across several continents. I’ve also purchased several other pieces—including the smaller ($319) and several —that have yet to fail me.

The Tarmac’s longevity comes down to its construction. Most of its body, for example, is made from 1,000-denier polyester weave, a highly abrasion-resistant material, and Bi-Tech, a type of fabric with a polyurethane coating that makes it both durable and water-resistant. High-wear areas like corners use the brand’s heavier-duty Bi-Tech Armor, a beefed-up laminated polyester. Aside from a few scuffs here and there, my bag looks and functions nearly as well as the day I got it, even after minimal maintenance. 

Eagle Creek keeps its designs simple. My Tarmac has a few exterior and interior pockets for separating toiletries and dirty clothes, plus internal compression straps and lockable zippers, both of which have yet to break. My favorite feature, though, is the oversize wheels, a trademark of Eagle Creek roller bags. They’re bigger and burlier than those on any other suitcase I’ve used and haven’t faltered after being dragged over countless cobblestone streets and dirt roads. Other than the addition of a nifty “coat keeper” bungee on the top and a strap for attaching a smaller piece of luggage to the front, the current Tarmac model is practically the same bag I got all those years ago—a testament to the effectiveness of the original design.

The only downside, if you could call it that, is its price point. There’s no getting around the fact that $379 is a lot to spend on a suitcase, but I reckon that by now I’d have bought at least three others if my parents hadn’t gifted me the Tarmac all those years ago. If something does break, Eagle Creek has one of the best I’ve seen in the outdoor industry, with repair or replacement for any failures, regardless of the cause, for life. It’s a testament to investing in high-quality items that last, and that’s better for your wallet—and the planet—in the long run.

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Nowadays, duffel bags are built to do more than carry clothes. Thanks to smart designs and features for every travel scenario, the average duffel is expected to be a certified gear hauler with durability to boot. After putting a handful of these bags through the wringer, here are my favorites.

Marmot Long Hauler ($110 and Up) 

Plenty of duffels have straps that convert them into backpacks, but the  rises above the crowd because it’s actually comfortable when worn on your shoulders. When fully-loaded, the pack carries well because cushy, padded straps with top and bottom fasteners keep the duffel tight against your back. And the organization is off the charts: it features a small zipper pocket for keys, a wallet, and a phone, two shoe pockets (on either end of the bag), a large interior bag for dirty clothes, and a big zippered pocket on the lid that works for magazines or snacks. It comes in four sizes, too: 35, 50, 75, and 105 liters. 

The North Face Rolling Thunder ($269 and Up) 

This is as much of a piece of , but that’s what I love about it—it gives me the cavernous space and packability of a duffel with the “I need to catch my connection” convenience of a roller. The North Face took its bomber Base Camp Duffel (made from 1,000-denier polyester) and reinforced it with nylon for added durability. There aren’t many frills—just a few long, slim zipper pockets on the top panel and a separate external pocket that’s big enough for toiletries or dirty clothes but not big enough for shoes. I’d like for this “sweaty laundry” pocket to be bigger. I have the 22-inch version (40 liters), which is plenty big for a weekend trip yet still small enough to fit in most overhead bins, but you can opt for larger sizes (80 and 155 liters).

OtterBox Yampa Dry ($250) 

You don’t need …until you do. OtterBox’s watertight Yampa has more features than your typical overbuilt drybag, including a low-density foam exoskeleton that adds a layer of protection to your goods inside, interior pockets, and a surprisingly comfortable backpack harness system. The body of the bag is made from waterproof TPU nylon with a thicker nylon material on the ends and body, so you can throw it around without worry. The only bummer (other than the price)? This heavy-duty bag isn’t light. The 35-liter version I tested weighs almost five pounds. There are multiple grab handles, and tie down straps make it easy to lash this thing to a boat. Otterbox also offers the Yampa in 70 and 105-liter models.

Filson Tin Cloth Field Bag ($150) 

Filson loves to build its products with tin cloth, a canvas that’s waxed and oiled under high pressure to make it puncture, tear, and water-resistant. As a result, looks like something Indiana Jones would load into a sea plane and take around the world. I wouldn’t submerge this bag, but it can handle the rain and get tossed around the bed of a truck and somehow come out looking better for it. (Seriously, tin cloth improves with age and use.) Consider this your statement-making carry-on duffel that can put up with years of abuse. 

Cotopaxi Uyuni ($80) 

In true Cotopaxi form, the  is a little bit weird, but in all the right ways. Crazy colors aside, the first thing that stands out about the duffel is the single cross-body strap, which I like because it’s well padded and secures the bag to your body better than your standard shoulder strap. I also like the messenger-style release on that strap, which makes for easy removal after a long day of hauling clothes and snorkel gear through multiple airport connections. But my favorite attribute? Unlike most duffels, the Uyuni has a dedicated padded laptop sleeve, which means I can use this as my one and only bag on short trips when I don’t want to check luggage. It’s 46 liters and overhead compatible.  

Matador Transit ($32) 

I take  on 95 percent of my trips. At five ounces, it’s light and packs into a stuff sack the size of a soda can, so I can tuck it into my bag and bring it out to carry dirty clothes or souvenirs for the kids. And it’s more than just a glorified grocery bag: the Transit is made from waterproof Cordura nylon with interior sealed seams. I wouldn’t use it on a river trip (it’s waterproof but not submersible), but it can keep 30 liters of goods dry in a rain shower. 

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Included below: everything—from our favorite rugged suitcase to the world's most comfortable shoes—except the lift ticket. 

Nautica Breakwater II Rolling Carry-On

The streamlines cross-airport treks with clever features like four 360-degree-range wheels and a single button-locking handle. The indestructible polycarbonate shell keeps your tchotchkes intact when crammed into the overhead.

Price $300

Danner Canoe Mocs

Danner traded some of the durability of its iconic seventies moccasins for style with the . The sacrifice paid off. The squishy crepe sole, leather upper, and polyurethane footbed are as comfortable as slippers but still good for long days on foot.

Price $160

Patagonia Dual Aspect Hoodie

Part windproof shell, part breathable fleece, the  is a smartly crafted layer with Polartec panels that vent heat under the arms, while the burly, lofted squares on the chest, arms, and upper back stave off wind and make this highly packable Frankenshell feel like armor.

Price $249

Rumpl Puffy Blanket

The  strikes a perfect balance between hearty adventure comforter and plush lounger, with light synthetic fill stuffed into a water-repellent, 20-denier nylon-ripstop shell. Packed down, the two-pound, four-by-six-foot Puffy makes an excellent pillow.

Price $95

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon’s new  has twice the pixels of its predecessors for a notably crisper contrast between text and screen, and there’s enough storage for thousands of books in a slim, 30-square-inch package.

Price $120

Saxx Vibe Boxers

Stretchy, seamless, moisture-wicking mesh panels surround the crotch of Saxx’s spandex-blend . You get the support you need, and your nethers can breathe when the heat is on.

Price $32

The post The Complete Travel Kit appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Smart and tough travelers for life on the road.
—Will Palmer

Eddie Bauer Maximus 90L

This is a serious ($149) made from tough, waterproof, TPU­coated polyester. Testers appreciated the four padded grab handles, which made it easy to yank on and off roof racks, as well as the legit backpack straps. Bonus: when you’re home, this 90­liter duffel collapses to become its own storage pouch.

United by Blue Trafford Weekender

A throwback in the best ways: vintage looks, organic waxed canvas, and ($148). It’s big enough for a getaway (roughly 30 liters) but compact enough to take to the coffee shop. The “Blue” in United by Blue? For every product purchased, the Philly startup removes a pound of trash from waterways.

Eagle Creek EC Lync System 22

You can wear this ($260) as a bona fide backpack that’s as comfortable as any overnighter in your closet. Or, with five minutes of assembly, strap it onto an aluminum frame to make it a carry­on­size roller. You’d never know this 43-liters bag wasn’t built that way to begin with.

Marmot Lightning Carry ­On

This sharp-looking, ($249) does what so many small bags fail to do: maximize space. Credit the inner zip compartments and tie­down panels that put everything in its place. The 40-liter, nylon­outer bag, with Hypalon reinforcements on the corners, shows restraint by including only one outer pocket.

High Sierra Adventour 26″ Hybrid

Protection, organization, and a smooth ride: ($180) nails that holy trinity. It has a flexible but tough EVA drop bottom that lets you compartmentalize your stuff, burly skate wheels that glide effortlessly, and a soft but durable front to keep the weight down (8.7 pounds for a bag that holds 96 liters). Two side-loading pockets quarantine two pairs of muddy shoes.

Granite Gear 22″ Wheeled Carry­On

A carry-on with a detachable pack may sound gimmicky, but with integration this seamless it makes perfect sense. The ($180), with its load-absorbing foam straps, unzips so you can pull the main bag—or unfurl the shoulder straps and hipbelt to make it a second, 46­ liter backpack.

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Between dodgy weather, overbooking, and long lines, holiday air travel can feel like a game of Russian Roulette. Choosing your travel kit wisely will help eliminate some of the uncertainty. Whether you're flying to British Columbia for a backcountry hut trip, jetting home to Chicago to see family, or sneaking off to Mexico with your SUP, these five stalwart, versatile bags won't guarantee your gear will make it to your final destination, but they will ensure that when it does, it'll still be in one piece.

Patagonia Black Hole ($159)

When you stack all your gear on your bed and the pile is taller than you, and the idea of canceling the trip feels easier than cramming it all in, you need the . Patagonia's high-quality, low-cost, weather resistant, 120-liter duffel is so big it takes the panic out of packing. Made from burly denier polyester with a padded, protective bottom, it can swallow clothes for three for a week and an inflatable paddle board (and weather that bumpy, wet boat ride down the coast). Zippered mesh interior pockets, and a long exterior pocket aid organization of little necessities like headlamps and med kits, daisy chains allow easy lashing-on of extra gear, and bonus backpack straps make the overland journey from baggage claim to rental car a little less arduous. 

Lululemon Weekend Warrior ($148)

The sleek, roomy nylon duffel does double-duty as a carry-on for on short-haul flights and tote bag for day trips to the gym or pool. Interior pockets galore store wet bathing suits, a pair of shoes, and your laptop (yes, it's padded). An exterior sleeve stashes—natch—your yoga mat; and a hefty zippered opening keep everything in place. But more than just a sporty duffle, it's stylish and ample enough to stow a weekend's worth of goodies and gear on your next urban adventure, even if you've never done downward dog.

Eagle Creek Gear Warrior Wheeled Duffel 32 ($285)

Osprey Ozone 22 Wheeled Carryon ($230)

When carrying is the last thing you want to do with your carry-on, roll with the , a savvy, wheeled companion that's ideally sized for tight squeezes in the overhead bin or beneath the seat in front of you. Osprey makes some bomber gear, but at 4 pounds, seven ounces, the 46-liter Ozone is one of its lightest, most streamlined bags, with a brushed aluminum ergonomic retractable handle and three grab loops for slinging overhead. Six interior and exterior pockets help you pack smarter so you can move faster—proof that you don't have to skimp on perks to shave weight. 

Chums Latitude Accessory Cases (from $16)

Though diminutive, the are well-designed mini organizers that deserve a berth on every trip. Made from sturdy, ballistic nylon, with waterproof YKK zippers and see-through rear window pocket, the they're a handy trapper keeper for cords and chargers, first aid kits, and small electronics. Inside, a zippered pocket-within-the-pocket holds your tiniest trinkets, from ear plugs and Chapstick to energy gels, herbal tinctures, and good luck charms. Available in three sizes, the largest of which—at 9 inches long—is generous enough to hold a midsize digital camera on the fly. Don't leave home without.

The post What Is the Best Luggage for Holiday and Winter Travel? appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Next week at Outdoor Retailer, will unveil jackets with a revolutionary cord management system that shrinks, hides, and embeds the technology needed to tighten hoods and hems. It’s , and I’m excited about it for a few reasons.

Cohaesive simplifies cord management to its most intuitive form. This technology hides the traditional hardware used to tighten your hood or hem, letting you make minute fit adjustments. With no bulky toggles to break off, the system is incredibly easy to use even with gloves on. It’s very simple, and it looks sexy. 

Simplicity equals sanity, at least according to MIT professor John Maeda’s book And while it may seem odd that a book mostly focused on tech gadgetry resonates in the outdoor industry, it’s already affecting apparel trends. Maeda’s “shrink, hide, and embed” theory is becoming part of Black Diamond’s design ethos, says Tim Bantle, director of apparel at the company.  

The idea for British Columbia-based Cohaesive was born four years ago. A development group was tasked with finding brand-new cord management ideas. “They weren’t inspired or stoked on what was in the market,” says Nick Simmons, Cohaesive’s director of possibilities. “The same types of cord locks have been around for decades. Some things changed but nothing looked totally new or gave new functionality.”

What they came up with was hardware that allows manufacturers to bond a cord management system directly into the fabric of the garment. The shock cord and grip icon are the only exposed parts of the system. All you have to do is pull the cord to tighten it and pinch the icon to release the tension. Realizing the game changing potential of this hardware, Cohaesive creator Tom Routh turned the group into its own company in 2012.

Black Diamond, which unveiled its apparel line last year, is Cohaesive’s only North American launch partner this season. “The connection with Black Diamond is super cool because they are known for their hard goods and have moved into soft goods,” Simmons says. It mirrors Cohaesive’s mission to blend hard goods into soft goods, he says.

Yes, other companies have embedded features into outdoor gear. Take , which integrates avalanche radar reflectors into apparel. But it’s the emphasis on simplicity and usability that excites me, and I think Cohaesive is a sign of good designs to come. “There are two sides of any tech story,” says Bantle. “Pursuit of simplicity and solving a problem.”

The post What’s the Most Innovative New Ski Jacket Technology? appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Over the past few decades, humans have developed some pretty high-tech synthetic fabrics, including membranes with nine billion pores per square inch and bi-layer wicking polyester.   

But in spite of our best efforts, the most advanced technical fibers still come from Mother Nature. Take merino wool, which is hard to beat when it comes to warmth, breathability, odor control, and sustainability  

That said, I think man-made synthetics can compete with Mother Nature when it comes to wicking abilities. For high-output aerobic excercise, I prefer synthetics over wool—they’re softer and usually more durable. 

After testing dozens of baselayers for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř‘s Winter Buyer’s Guide, I found that most of my synthetic favorites had one thing in common: they used or fabric.

There’s a reason why these fabrics perform so well, and it becomes evident when you take a look at the tech details. Polartec patented a “mechanical wicking process,” says Allon Cohne, the company’s director of marketing. The technology is actually built into the fabric, so it’s not a treatment that will wash out over time.

Polartec’s Power Dry fabrics both have a bi-component knit, meaning they’re made from two fibers sewn together. The larger fiber next to your skin grabs moisture, which the smaller fiber then absorbs. Together, they pull sweat off your body. And while both fabrics work very well, Power Dry High Efficiency is slightly more breathable and packable due to its lighter-weight fabric and waffle-grid pattern. 

Here are five baselayers I would highly recommend that use either Polartec Power Dry or Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency.

Outdoor Research Torque SS ($59)

I haven’t tested another baselayer yet that . The Torque uses a blend of polyester and polypropylene that can dry within 10 minutes of a complete soak through. Note: The polypropylene does get very smelly. The LS version has flaps on the sleeves that can cover your hands like mittens, a nice feature for windy trail runs.

Patagonia Capilene 2 ($49) and Capilene 3 ($55) Crew

Capilene 2 has been my  for much of the last decade. When Patagonia decided to start using Polartec Power Dry last season, I was nervous they were going to ruin a great product. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the new Capilene 2 is as light and supple as ever, and it wicks better than the old fabric. I would recommend both Capilene 2 and 3, depending on how thick you like your baselayers. If you run hot like me, go with Capilene 2. If you prefer a warmer layer, go with Capilene 3.

Patagonia Capilene 4 One Piece ($199) 

I have written about many times now. I love it. It just so happens it’s a staff favorite at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř. “There are no gaps in the warmth. I can layer so much quicker, it’s one and done,” Executive Editor Sam Moulton said when I asked him about his favorite gear from 2013. The Polartec High Efficiency fabric makes this one piece breathe extremely well considering how warm it is. I used this as my early morning skinning layer because it kept me warm without making me overheat.  

Eider Blow Half Zip ($150)

This French company makes very high-end next-to-skin baselayers and the Blow is no exception. Using mostly Power Dry High Efficiency fabric, it wicks well, and the four-way stretch construction won’t inhibit your range of motion. It weighs 7.5 ounces, making it very packable. 

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