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Monday, May 23, 2022

The Small Coastal Backpack from Travelon

I'm always looking for a bag that can be used as both a personal item on the plane that can also double as my daybag at my destination. Later this year we'll be traveling around Baltimore's Inner Harbor for a day on a long layover to Europe. I'll want something small like a handbag, but with room for my carry-on essentials and possibly small souvenirs. 

The Small Backpack from Travelon's Coastal line is one of those great little bags that fits more than you expect, is lightweight, and is anti-theft.

The Small Backpack from Travelon's Coastal line is one of those great little bags that fits more than you expect, is lightweight, and has an important anti-theft feature. It's also got a cool vintage vibe and feels a bit sporty, too. It's a lovely canvas that's only going to look better the more you use it.



I'm in love with the size of this bag and the wide straps are really comfy. The bold Sunflower color is right up my ally and easy to identify as yours. If you tend to dress in neutrals, this gives you a nice pop of color, and your companions can see where you are. 


Unlike many travel bags, this one is pretty simple and straightforward. It has a small zipper pocket on the front where you can keep things you want to keep corralled or easy to get to. I like to make sure my earphones and phone cord don't get tangled up at the bottom of my bag and I also like to have an emergency pack handy.


The main compartment opens wide enough to see everything inside if you like. For such a small backpack, it has quite a lot of room for things you may need. 



The back wall has a large slip pocket for your electronics. Here's my iPad mini, but it would clearly fit a larger tablet if you wanted.

On the front wall, you have multiple slip pockets. On the right you can store your phone, or a small umbrella, or even a small water bottle. I always have a hand sanitizer with me, so that's where I put it. I like to always know where to find it, so I can use it often.

On the left, you have 3 RFID-blocking pockets: 1 for your passport and 2 for credit cards or your ID. These pockets keep your info safe from thieves and organized. If you travel with another person and like to have everything together, you could fit two passports in the passport pocket. This is always a nice feature to me, because I always worry about losing one of ours when traveling through a bunch of airports. I'm sure I'm not the only one, even though it's never happened at all.


Here's everything I was able to pack into the Small Coastal Backpack: A reusable water bottle, my iPad mini, a notebook and pen, a bag of snacks, a battery backup and phone cord, passport, ID, two credit cards, an extra mask, an emergency TP pack, hand sanitizer, and headphones. There would be room for keys, a magazine or puzzle book, and even a lightweight wrap. 


The straps are easily adjustable, and are reinforced and sturdy. I like that they don't have a complicated mechanism to adjust, even while wearing it. 

If you have a stylish dad on your list for Father's Day or a graduate who'll be doing some traveling, or going on a trip yourself, The Coastal Small Backpack could be the ideal companion for them/you. 

More details
Where to buy: Travelon website
Cost: $30 - take 20% off with my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%
Colors it is available in: Sunflower (shown) | Oyster
Other specs: size: 4.5" x 9" x 12.25", 9.5L, abrasion-Resistant Canvas With Droplet Barrier, smooth-glide adjustable shoulder straps

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Disclaimer: I was provided with the Coastal Small Backpack for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

People Are Traveling Again

2022 is the year people are getting back to travel, which is exciting, but also stressful. Between worrying about changing restrictions, high airfare, possible outbreaks, and large crowds, it's hard to be as excited about travel planning as before. You'll definitely be paying more for a lot of things, whether you intend to or not. Here's what else you can look forward to.

2022 is the year people are getting back to travel, which is exciting, but also stressful.

I know a lot of these apply to me, though many applied pre-pandemic. I have always looked for deals and always want a longer vacation. I hope, even if you don't spend longer at your destination, you spend more quality time with your family or other companions. Stop responding to work emails and calls as much as possible, or only reply early morning or in the evening. I also hope more people do more immersive vacations where they seek to learn more about the culture, food, and people. More of you will care about traveling more slowly, instead of cramming everything in in just a few days before hopping to another destination or going home. 
 
How will your travel plans change this year when  you return to traveling?

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Getting Comfortable On the Plane

It's no secret that airfare is sky-high right now, so it's hard to really find deals that are that good. In order to save money, you're probably trying to go as budget as possible. With airplane real estate at a premium, it can be hard to get comfortable on flights when you're relegated to economy class, but there are a few things you can do to make your air travel less awful and more comfy.

With airplane real estate at a premium, it can be hard to get comfortable on flights, but there are a few things to make your air travel less awful.

Dress in layers - You never know if the plane is going to be hot or cold or what, so it's always smart to just layer up and then you can take off or put on a layer as needed. I tend to wear a tee or tank and a cardigan and also bring a lightweight scarf, in case there is a chill and I need to protect my neck.

Wear nonrestrictive shoes (so if your feet/ankle swell, they won't get worse) - Ask me how I know :) Slip on shoes are always good, but if you're trying to save space in  your bag, walking shoes are not a bad plane option either. Of course, you can always pop a pair of folding flats/slippers in your bag and change on the plane.

Invest in a pair of compression socks - If your feet or ankles swell on long flights like mine do from dangling off the seat, these are a lifesaver and easy to buy online or even at the airport. I love the compression socks and sleeves from Zensah.
Bring your own snacks - I like to be on my own schedule, plus I'm not willing to pay $8 for grapes and fake cheese, so I pack my own. It saves you money, you know what you're eating and you don't have to wait for the cart to get to you.

Don't forget your neck pillow - Sometimes, you just want to sleep until you get to your destination. Neck pillows are really useful, even if they look dumb. I have a favorite one (hint: it's not one of those c-shaped foam ones that don't work at all. We both use the FaceCradle and soon I'll be reviewing the Somniwrap from Travelon.

Grab a BIG bottle of water - Most attendants won't give you the whole bottle of water, and if you're thirsty right at take-off, it sucks to be you. Get the big bottle at the newsstand and you'll be happy you did. If you don't drink it all in the air, you still have it at your destination. So much hydration! I always bring a thermos to put my water in to keep it cold, but you can also save $7 and just fill yours up at a refilling station that can be found at many airports now.

Make use of the seatback pocket - Putting all your crap in the overhead? Pack a small bag with the stuff you definitely want while flying (magazine, e-reader, travel journal) and slip it under your seat or in the seatback, so you aren't getting up and rummaging in  your bag and annoying people. Nothing's worse than looking over and seeing someone's butt right at your eye level. In fact, invest in Airplane Pockets to keep your stuff together and keep germs away. (You can see us using ours in the top pic.)


What are some of your favorite ways to make air travel better?


Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated monetarily when you make a purchase through them. This helps me continue to run this blog, so thanks in advance.
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