Things We Love: The Matador Team's 5 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear This Month

GUNNAR blue light blocking work glasses

A few decisions in my career stand out as exceptionally transformational. Stereotypically, spending a summer in Bali was one. Less obvious, however, was the decision to get blue-light blocking glasses. I recently acquired two pairs of glasses from GUNNAR, a company that specializes in eyewear for those of us who stare at a computer screen all day. I opted for the Enigma glasses and the Loop glasses. Each has played an important role in helping me minimize eye strain during the work day, and as a result I’ve actually found myself not only more productive, but also feeling less burned out.

I use the two pairs in different scenarios. The Loop glasses stay closer to home. That’s because the frame is thinner and I’m more concerned about wear and tear with these. I split time between a home office, a coworking space, and also frequently travel for work, and tend to do my most intensive writing and editing at home. The GUNNAR Loop Computer Glasses feature a precision-engineered polymer frame paired with stainless steel temples, and they sit comfortably on my face and ears for hours without hardly being noticed. They are equipped with 180-degree flexible hinges to ensure a secure and adaptable fit. The glasses incorporate GUNNAR’s Clear-Pro lense technology for enhanced color accuracy while filtering blue light, and Amber Sun-Shift lenses that transition from amber indoors to a sun tint outdoors within approximately 15 seconds. The sun tint isn’t as effective as my hardcore outdoor rec sunglasses that I use for ski touring or mountain biking, but they’re effective for dog-walking breaks and driving.

Additionally, the lenses come with G-Shield® Plus coating, which is anti-reflective, smudge-resistant, and oleophobic. These glasses provide comprehensive protection by blocking harmful blue light and 100% of UV rays, and appealed to me because all of this is available to meet specific prescriptions without sacrificing the benefits. At a $74 price point I got a pair of glasses that immediately took over daily use from the pair I paid a few hundred for years ago.

The GUNNAR Enigma Computer Glasses offer similar benefits – they are designed to maximize visual comfort and minimize eye strain during extended screen usage. They feature wide-format lenses that deliver an expansive, high-resolution field of view (as opposed to the more circular view of the Loop glasses), supported by a rigid lens mounting system that maintains optical clarity by preventing lens flexing. The 3-barrel hinge design and high-tensile steel make them better for activity, with nose rests and a frame made from engineering-grade polymers.

The lenses employ GUNNAR’s proprietary material and tint to block harmful blue light and 100% of UV rays. They also include dual-sided anti-reflective coatings and a silicone hard coating to resist scratches. But what I really appreciate about the Enigma glasses is their durability. I bring these to the coworking space and on the road with me without having to worry about them snapping. They’re good on flights, and equally effective for late-night work sessions in a hotel room. For $64.99, it’s tough to find a better option for a pair of travel-ready work glasses. – Tim Wenger, transactional content editor

Buy Now – GUNNAR Loop
Buy Now – GUNNAR Enigma

Fjallraven’s Kiruna Padded Parka

During my 15 years of living in British Columbia, Canada, I tested many winter coats in a desperate search for the perfect combination of warmth, practicality, and style. And, let me tell you, it’s not an easy task to find one coat that’s suitable for the variations of temperature and weather during the long winter, and that also works for a wide range of activities. While I’m not a skier or snowboarder, and therefore don’t need a ski jacket, I enjoy spending time outdoors during the cold season, whether that’s a simple hike in the snow or a snowshoeing adventure. I’m also a little vain and like to look stylish when I meet friends for a cup of coffee or go for a meal at a restaurant with my partner. After much searching, I can confidently say that I found the one jacket that works for my lifestyle: Fjallraven’s Kiruna Padded Parka.

Fjallraven managed to create a warm winter coat that is wind resistant, water resistant, and figure flattering, a feat that many other outdoors brands have yet to achieve. Thanks to light but effective padding and an adjustable waist at the back, the coat is not bulky and very feminine. The parka is also long enough to keep your thighs and rear warm, but not long enough to make it challenging to move with ease. But if, like me, the length of the coast gets in the way of you putting your boots on without difficulty, the two-way zipper in the front helps.

There are many things I love about this jacket, including the fact that it is mostly made of recyclable materials, and that the multiple pockets are all secured with either zippers, buttons, or both to keep your belongings safe, but my favorite feature has to be the color. I opted for the terracotta brown model, and it’s the perfect shade to match my red hair. Fjallraven offers the Kiruna Padded Parka in eight different colors, all of which are subdued and elegant, including a lovely shade of yellow that they call “acorn”, and two shades of pink and purple. – Morgane Croissant, deputy editor

Price: $349.95

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ALTISNOOZE Sleep Aid for High Altitude

I live at elevation in Colorado, and the bulk of traveling I do is to mountainous destinations around the globe. I have for many years struggled with sleep, at home and especially on the road. I’ve tried pills, supplements, joints, all kinds of stuff in an attempt to put my mind at ease and settle into bed. While melatonin gummies have been the most effective, I worry about the side effects of using them too often in terms of ruining my ability to sleep without them. On a recent snowboard excursion to the Powder Highway of British Columbia, I brought along ALTISNOOZE, a new formula free of melatonin that is designed specifically for falling asleep at elevations above 9,000 feet. It’s made to aid hydration and contains ample electrolytes for recovery after a day in the hills, and I fell asleep in about 20 minutes each of the three nights I used it.

ALTISNOOZE is similar to Emergen-C in that you empty a packet into a small glass of water, stir, and drink. The taste is labeled as “berry” and that’s not inaccurate, though I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what berry it tasted like – but it was slightly fruity. The formula includes magnesium to relax the muscles along with Cordyceps and Holy Basil to assist in deep sleep and fight altitude sickness. I felt no residual effect in the mornings, which had always been the one thing I didn’t like about melatonin gummies. A cup of coffee and I was ready to hit the hill. – Tim Wenger, transactional content editor

Price: $51.99 for a pack of 10 packets

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Black Crows ski touring “capsule” and new film

If you’ve been in a lift line or on a skin track over the past three years, you’ve likely seen an increased presence of Black Crows skis. The French ski brand has blown up in the United States recently for two reasons. First, because it crafts high-performance resort and touring skis that can actually survive more than a few seasons of heavy use. Second, because the brand is freakin’ hip. Its gear looks as good as it performs, typically featuring artsy, minimalist graphics that are distinct but don’t scream “I’m a douche!” To celebrate the launch of its latest “Ghost Resorts” film chronicling the history of the nearly-forgotten Super Saint-Bernard ski area in Switzerland, the brand launched on February 4 a new backcountry touring capsule that includes a touring pack, poles, skins, Navis Freebird skis, and ATK bindings.

Impressively, the most innovative inclusion here is the Dorsa pack. It’s 27 liters and opens duffel-style at the top, like a backpacking pack, so you fit all your touring gear in there alongside outer layers and lunch and actually be able to access it without ripping a zipper off or having to unpack everything you brought. There’s a zipped pouch in front for beacon, shovel, and probe, and because of the amount of space, you could easily take this pack on a hut trip with food for two to three days and not have to worry about leaving something important at home. — Tim Wenger, transactional content editor

For a bit of extra stoke, check out the new Ghost Resorts film, which chronicles the story of an abandoned Swiss ski resort.

Buy the Capsule (or watch the film)

Buy the Dorsa 27 pack separately

The North Face Dragline Jacket

Most people who live in ski towns, such as myself, have a decent amount of ski jackets. That means it takes a lot to get me excited about new gear – but the Dragline Jacket from The North Face blew me away. With a loose fit and cut that hits the sweet spot between “boxy” and “tight,” plus an awesome purple-and-black design, it’s just plain cool looking. But it’s also practical as hell. When I underestimated the temperatures while skiing last week and had to switch gloves, I was able to fit the giant leather mittens I switched out of into the huge front pockets. And that was when I was already carrying sunglasses, a beanie, a phone, and a snack bar. There are also two giant inside pockets, two zippered chest pockets, and a removable goggle wipe (smart).

Obviously, none of those features matter on a jacket if it doesn’t keep you dry and warm above all else. Fortunately, the Dragline does. I wore it to ski in Tahoe in the same wind that was so strong it started the fires in LA. I was getting blown nearly backwards when trying to go downhill in whipping winds – but reader, believe me when I say I literally didn’t get cold. At all. And I’m one of those people who is always cold.

Unfortunately, strong winds also caused icy and windblown conditions, and I’m willing to admit I caught an edge a few times on some icy traverses. Despite some slides on icy slopes (and the strong wind actively blowing snow into my face), there was absolutely no moisture permeability through the Dragline Jacket. I also wore it recently in unseasonably heavy, extended rain showers, and stayed dry, even with water dripping off the hood. Better still, it’s made with recycled (and recyclable) materials.

I could go on and on, but if you’re in the market for a ski shell you get super excited about, I’d take a peek at the Dragline Jacket first thing. — Suzie Dundas, outdoors editor

Price: $450

Buy Now – Women’s
Buy Now – Men’s

DHarCO Mountain Bike Gravity Jersey

As much as I love winter sports, I’m truly obsessed with mountain biking. I mountain biked more than 1,000 miles this past year (really, check my Strava) and climbed nearly 200,000 feet on my bikes. And considering I mostly wear sweatpants when I’m working from home, I’d say the majority of my time outside the house is spent wearing mountain bike clothing.

I bought a DHarCO Mountain bike Gravity Jersey on a whim in Whistler last year and it’s the best spur-of-the-moment decision I’ve made in a long time. Aside from being a perfect cut for biking (with a dropped back hem, high crew neck, and slightly tapered cuffs), it’s also extremely useful in a variety of temperatures and conditions. I’ve worn it alone on rainy days biking in British Columbia where the temps never got above 55, and rocked it fairly comfortably home in Tahoe when I needed the protection of a long sleeve but had to contend with 80-degree-plus temps.

I now have three of these, all in super fun patterns and colors. DHarCO makes just as much gear for women as it does for men and despite how much I’ve worn all my jerseys (often days in a row without washing, let’s be real), they’re as bright, warm, and rip-free as possible. Note that both the men’s and women’s sizes run pretty small by US sizing standards, so I’d definitely say size up. — Suzie Dundas, outdoors editor

Price: $44

Buy Now

Buy Now