Backpackers tend to think of the hike itself as the ultimate goal. But on a long trip, whether abroad or domestic, getting to and from the trail—and enjoying the moments in between—is an important part of the experience. Our top picks for travel products will take you safely, plane to town to trailhead.
1. Oboz Bozeman Low
$120 | 1 lb. 10 oz. (m’s 9) | m’s 8-14, w’s 6-11
If you’ve ever worn a pair of hiking boots for a long day of travel, you’ll understand the difference between footwear designed for shuffling through airports versus hitting the actual trail. The Bozeman Low is definitely geared for travel (it’s ubercomfy and relaxed when big-time support isn’t what you’re looking for) but has the chops to handle light-load dayhikes once you reach your destination. We had no problem hiking all day in the Bozeman Low on the flowy Dallas Trail outside Ridgway, Colorado, thanks to the shoe’s finely tuned EVA midsole (soft in the heel but stiff elsewhere) and a proprietary rubber outsole with deep lugs. A low-cut, lightweight nubuck-and-textile upper, medium volume, and a quick-drying recycled polyester lining (since your feet can get almost as clammy at the airport as on a hike) keep the Bozeman Low nimble for travel when not on the trail. Oboz’s proprietary, super-supportive insole also meant our feet were less likely to ache after long days both in the backcountry and on city streets.
2. Einova Ultra Fast Power Bank
$70 | 15.7 oz.
We would love to know the percentage of power outlets in airports and hostels that actually work. For when they inevitably don’t, the Ultra Fast has more than enough power to keep everything juiced: On a road trip to Alaska, it kept our laptop, phone, tablet, and other gadgets fully charged between coffee shops and last-minute trailhead power top-offs thanks to a massive 20,000mAh capacity. That’s enough to charge a typical iPhone six times or a Macbook Pro about 1.3 times—a lot for a power bank that’s only slightly larger than a phone itself. The Ultra Fast can fit in any backpack without crowding other electronics, and a display on the front gives a readout of exactly how much power it still holds. You can charge devices simultaneously from two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Plus, after more than a year of use, the canvas-covered outer isn’t showing any wear and tear.
3. Peak Design Mobile Line
$40 (case) | 1.4 oz.; $40-$100 (accessories)
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