EC Lync System Carry-on ultra-light and durable luggage/backpack by Eagle Creek has the unique ability of changing from a carry-on suitcase with wheels and a pull out handle to a large day pack. Its actually the exact same bag either way (it doesn't fold out or anything) it just has a removable frame with wheels. I really liked the idea of it – it could be the perfect bag for those cheap airlines where they only let you have one bag and no 'personal item', purse or backpack. I end up on those airlines a lot, so I thought it may work well for me. In practice, though, its more cumbersome than I imagined and not especially intuitive. It comes in a stow bag with ikea-style picture instructions. It doesn't take long to put the frame together and that's a one-time job anyways – I don't see any reason you'd…

Travel planning is a complex business involving many variables and wildly differing requirements, but most trips have at least one thing in common: there will be walking. If the place you’re going involves frigid temperatures, I bring you Bugothermo Techlite Boots by Columbia Sportswear to meet this need. These high-tech, ultra-light hiking boots are designed for cold-weather use and have a very nice added feature: electric heat. Special FeaturesThere are a number of features that these boots share with other high-performance hiking boots: water resistance, high-traction soles, internal cushioning and support, etc. These are important, but not what sets them apart. These are the things that make them different: * Removable, USB-rechargeable batteries* Built-in heating system* Rated to -25ºF* Lightweight at around 21 oz. each for a size 9 What’s in the box? * A pair of boots* 2 batteries with electronics control modules* 2 Micro-USB cables* 1 dual-socket USB-AC…

Travel provides many wondrous opportunities to see sights and hear sounds that one might want to record with digital photo, video, or audio recording. While most devices come with some internal storage, there is the possibility that one might want to offload them to external storage for safekeeping. For this purpose, I bring you the Corsair Survivor GTR. This USB flash drive promises both near-indestructibility and extremely high performance. Corsair was kind enough to provide me with the 32GB version of the drive for testing purposes. Features Included with the drive is a USB cable and a metal chain long enough to allow the drive to be worn around the neck. The chain also comes with a rubber-edged aluminum dog tag with the Corsair logo on it, though I’m not really sure why that particular item was included beyond branding. Here are the specs: Weight: 1.6oz. Dimensions: 3.3” long 0.9”…

A couple of issues ago, I reviewed the The LuxuryLite “Carbon Big Stik." While it was a marvel of modern carbon fiber awesomeness, it had a single down-side: the length. While hiking through the wilderness, a walking staff of 50" or more is an ideal tool, but when making your way through a more urban environment you’ll look out of place. If you also consider my personal fetish for things that are as near to indestructible as possible and you'll understand why I felt the need to review the Cold Steel City Stick.

A major part of traveling is walking and hiking long distances over varied terrain. Traveling by foot is often essential to visit the most interesting sites; in such cases, a walking stick is often useful to increase balance and support. You could choose trekking poles or an old-school style wooden staff. However, the new Big Stik by Luxury Lite might just be the best option on the market today. The concept behind the Big Stik is to have all of the advantages of a full staff such as adjustable length and durability with added functionality including a camera mount on top for use as a monopod, a section with a sharp bit that can turn it into a spear for defense against an unruly animal, and a top bit for use as a shelter pole. For handling multiple terrains you are given two options, either a rubber tip or a…