Things We Love: The Matador Team's 10 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear and More This Month

Farm to Feet socks

The coolest thing about doing things the right way is that “the right way” generally follows the same steps, no matter the industry. You’ve likely heard of the “farm to table” food movement, which prioritizes locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients over mass-produced mega-agriculture. Farm to Feet is doing the same thing with socks. The company’s US-based supply chain sources merino wool and other natural fibers from within 300 miles of its North Carolina production facility. These materials – from farms that prioritize animal welfare – are turned into comfy, trek-worthy socks in a facility that follows the Brand + Retail Module of the Higg Index, a guidance practicum built around sustainability, welfare, and workers’ rights. Once your pair has reached the end of its useful life, send it back to Farm to Feet and they’ll recycle as much of it as possible into something new. -Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Buy: $14.73

Minus 33 pocket pouch travel underwear

Speaking of merino wool, the stretchy, sweat-resistant, durable fabric has made its way into just about every type of activewear and travel clothes, so why not underwear? Minus 33 produces a great pair of men’s travel boxers made of merino wool that prevents your undercarriage from getting all “swampy,” even on long flights. The frontside pouch adds more room so that you can stay comfortable longer while sitting on a plane, trekking, or passing the time in a hotel conference room. Also, in the true spirit of travel clothing, the boxers are built to wear more than one day, meaning your luggage stays lighter. – Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Buy: $44.99

Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Case

While I used to prefer traveling with a backpack (I owned a few from Patagonia and Cotopaxi) rather than a carry-on rolling suitcase, as I get older I find it more and more tiresome to carry the weight of all my stuff on my shoulders. In 2023, I was given my first ever carry-on roller suitcase: the stylish and luxurious aluminum 35L Cabin Case from Sterling Pacific – and it changed the way I travel. It made me look a lot more put together, saved my sore shoulders, and allowed my clothes to remain less wrinkled than in a travel backpack. In 2024, I tested, and promptly fell in love with, the improved version of Sterling Pacific Cabin Case: a sleek 40L, four-wheeled carry-on that is zipper-free and made of extremely durable aluminum. Unlike the 35L version, Sterling Pacific’s 40L Cabin Case exists in two colors: in aluminum and jet black, and while both are very snazzy, the black version is incredibly chic. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy: $2,150

Jack Wolfskin’s Pack & Go Shell

When I travel, I tend to prepare for every possible scenario, especially when it comes to the weather. That means that I always pack a bathing suit, water-resistant hiking boots, and a rain jacket, whether I go to Iceland in July or the Mediterranean in January. The problem with that kind of over-preparedness is that my luggage tends to always be fuller and heavier than I’d like it to be. In order to reduce the weight of my suitcase and manage the space inside it, I now travel with the Pack & Go Shell from Jack Wolfskin, a soft, waterproof, and windproof rain jacket that weighs just only 11.6 ounces and easily packs into a small pouch that is smaller than a toiletry bag. Once folded up into its own pocket, the jacket takes very little room in a backpack or a suitcase. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy: $34.74+

Bridgedale socks

Bridgedale socks have earned a strong reputation among hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts for their exceptional durability. Initially, the price point might seem steep, but the brand’s century-long commitment to crafting high-quality socks justifies the investment. I have ten or so pairs in various colors for a range of outdoor activities – but truth be told, I wear Bridgedales daily because they are so darn comfortable and supportive. – Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

Buy: $27.99

Bluefin Cruise SUP inflatable stand up paddle board

My husband and I recently purchased two of these for ourselves as a wedding present. We’ve been researching inflatable paddle boards for some time, and Bluefin came out on top. One of the best features is the spacious backpack-style bag, which is comfortable to carry, although heavy. The board itself is quite a load when inflated, but I can manage it. The bag has enough room for a towel, clothing, water bottle, and everything you need for a decent paddle session. The board is also incredibly sturdy. They feature a reinforced Flex Reduction System, which creates a sturdy platform. Even my husband, who has never paddled, stood on his first try. The pump is an excellent double-chamber unit, and although you get a workout inflating the board to the recommended pump level of 15-18 PSI, it’s relatively easy. I also like how the pump deflates too, making packing up a breeze. Although these are an investment, if you are close to a body of water and enjoy paddling, you get high quality for the price tag. Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

Buy: $512.02

OLUKAI Ohana Women’s Beach Sandals

Living in the southern United States, my go-to footwear has always been, and will always be, the flip-flop. I pack a pair for nearly every trip and wear them every single day—from walking the dog in the unbearably hot and sticky summers to hiking in Alaska (yes, I am that person). All this to say, flip-flops are an essential part of my wardrobe. After doing some intense research, I purchased Olukai Ohana sandals. I wanted a pair that would last, offer good foot support, be ethically made, and waterproof for pool days and river trips. I can honestly say these are the best flip-flops I’ve ever owned, meeting all the criteria I was looking for. Olukai, based in Hawaii, is B-Corp certified and focuses on sustainability.

The company uses gum rubber with 30% recycled materials, offers two vegan products, and has a nonprofit dedicated to preserving local Hawaiian history and culture. The arch support provides ample comfort for my flat feet, the footbed doesn’t slip in the Tennessee humidity, and the soles offer excellent grip when hiking. The shoes dry quickly and were so comfortable that there was no break-in period. Since getting them in early August, I’ve walked miles in these sandals, and they’ve been so comfortable that I’ve even started wearing them at my standing desk. Whether I’m on an adventure or just walking around my neighborhood, these flip-flops make the perfect pair. – Kelsey Wilking, newsletter nerd

Buy: $75

Pander Belt Bag

I prefer belt bags when walking around a city while traveling because they give me quick access to my wallet and phone, allowing me to keep them in sight at all times. I purchased this belt bag last August, and it’s been a solid find, showing no wear and tear despite numerous international and domestic trips. Recently, I wore it to Disney World, and it was the perfect bag for running around from park to park. It has three small inner pockets for easy storage of essentials like Disney tickets, gum, and hand sanitizer. The external shell is easy to clean and wipe off, plus it’s waterproof, made from recycled nylon. The lining is made from recycled polyester pulled from already recycled water bottles. It’s also compact and easy to pack. The outer zipper pocket provides quick access to hotel keys, adding to its convenience. For its small size, it packs a punch in terms of how much it can hold. My 16-year-old niece even asked, “Is it a Lulu?” No, I’m not that cool, but this dupe has proven to be a quality and more affordable option. – Kelsey Wilking, newsletter nerd

Buy: $15.99

Hestra Mountain Bike Gloves

Hestra is a Swiss company that’s been around for almost 100 years, known mostly for their nearly indestructible high-end leather ski gloves. I bought my husband a pair of those 10 years ago when we started dating, and he’s still wearing them – and he skis a lot. So when I learned they made mountain bike gloves, I knew I wanted to try a pair.

It’s pretty hot where I live in Tahoe, so I opted for the “Ergo Grip Race Cut,” with a thin fabric and no padding. For my first ride, I did a 12-mile ride, gaining about 2,000 feet over six miles of climbing on a day that started around 50 degrees but had climbed into the 80s by the time I pedaled back to the car. And while the Hestra gloves felt at first like they’d be too warm, they were perfect. Though they felt thicker than my normal light summer gloves, they were extremely breathable, and noticeably soft on my hands. It felt like a soft blanket fabric against my hands on my downhill, without any of the hand fatigue or rubbing that can come from a six-mile non-stop send. I also have a lot of allergies and found myself with a bit of a snot issue in windier sections, but the gloves have a built-in nose wipe with a soft fleece fabric that didn’t leave my nose red and raw.

The gloves have friction pads on the index and middle for breaking and seat dropping, and the touch-screen compatibility is quite sensitive and works very well. My only complaint would be they fit so well that they can be little hard to pull off at first, but as with all gloves, they loosened up after a few rides. My hands are on the small-ish side of medium and I wear a size 7, so a size 8 may be a good starting point for most women. Men, maybe try a size 9. All gloves are unisex, and with six sizes, it’s a lot easier to get a perfect fit than with gloves that only come in small, medium, and large. – Suzie Dundas, outdoor editor

Buy: $68.95

Grayl GeoPress Water Bottle

Another piece of gear I picked up in August is the GeoPress Water Bottle from outdoor brand Grayl. It’s clever as can be and I’m incredibly excited to put it to the test on my upcoming hiking trip. It’s a durable, two-later water bottle; the two layers nest inside themselves. When you need to filter water, you take off the outer layer and scoop water from a stream or lake. Then, you take the inner layer – the bottle you actually drink out of – and push it down into the outer layer, slowly nesting the two bottles back together. The pressure pushes the dirty water through the built-in filter, making it available to instantly drink or pour into a bottle for someone else who isn’t lucky enough to have their own GeoPress.

I’ve used a lot of water filtration systems in the backcountry, and using your hands to hold a water filtration bag closed because it popped on the second day isn’t very fun. The GeoPress is a super quick method for filtering water, and it appears so far to be just as durable as my go-to Nalgene. I plan on putting it through the wringer this fall for a more detailed review, since at $99, it’s pricey for a water bottle (or water filter). But it’s one of the products I’ve been most excited about all year, given its cleverness and potentially extreme usefulness. – Suzie Dundas, outdoor editor

Buy: $99.95