Things We Love: The Matador Team's 12 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear and More This Month

Roark Dog Ear Camper Hat and Hebrides Jacket

I’ve traveled the world wearing Roark clothes for the past decade. When ordering the next season’s wardrobe online, I trust no other brand to the same caliber – I know I’m going to like what arrives, and I know it’s going to perform well under daily duress. Fall weather is here – and winter is coming, and for this upcoming set of months I acquired the Roark Dog Ear Camper ($52) and the Roark Hebrides Jacket (I went with Kaffa, $165). Each is perfect for fall camping, and, as I’ve discovered, for early morning dog walks at home when the mountain air is crisp and cool. Both are sure to accompany me on this winters’ snowboard trips, as well. -Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Shop Roark Dog Ear Camper

Shop Roark Hebrides Jacket

Free Fly Apparel Men’s Tradewind Pant

I found Free Fly Apparel earlier this year and can’t believe how much I’ve come to thrust them. I wore their Reverb shorts all summer and into fall for everything from hiking to the gym to camping, and just this month switched to the Tradewind Pant. So far I’ve worn the pants camping, on two travel days, to a decently nice restaurant, and to a Denver Broncos game – just to give a perspective on the pants’ versatility. They fit like jeans but wear like trail pants, in that they’re comfy and have but form without sacrificing durability for wearing in the outdoors. The pants pair well with t-shirts, button-downs, or a bigger jacket. I’ve yet to find a scenario where they’re out of place or awkward, and given Free Fly’s track record with Matador editors, I’d be surprised if one comes along. -Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Buy Now – $108

DoD Uma Folding Carry Wagon and Folding Table Top

It’s interesting to think that a wagon is the most versatile piece of gear I’ve added to my setup this year, but to understand why, have a gander at my current situation: I’m a dad, an avid camper, and someone who seems to always be moving something from one side of my yard to the other or purging a pile of old stuff to take to the thrift store. The name DoD chose for this contraption I got – the Uma Folding Wagon and Folding Table Top – doesn’t do justice to how versatile it is.

To gain that understanding you must look at a photo of it. It’s a collapsible wagon strong enough to fill up with gear that has a removable pad to make it comfortable for kiddos. When parked, you put the removable solid oak wooden table top into place atop the wagon and it magically becomes a table. I cart my three-year-old daughter around town and campsites in this wagon regularly, and when camping it doubles as the dinner buffet. The wheels move in all directions and pull across uneven ground with ease. Each experience with the Uma Folding Wagon and Folding Table Tophas me convinced I need more Japanese innovation in my life. -Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Buy Uma Folding Wagon – $149

Buy Uma Folding Table Top – $99

Satechi Passport Cover with Apple Find My

Believe it or not, despite my record of visiting 68 countries, I am an anxious traveler. This is partly thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns, and to be honest, I get nervous now in any environment where there are many people. And when I get stressed, I lose everything. Recently, I tried out the new Satechi passport cover, which uses the same technology found in Apple AirTags to connect your passport to your phone. If you misplace your passport, you can easily locate it using the Find My app or hit the button on your phone and hear it chirp away. I did this several times in transit on a recent flight to Norway. When my anxiety kicks in, I tend to do a frantic check that I still have everything with me. I loved clicking that button and confirming that my passport was exactly where I left it, safe in the inside pocket of my rucksack. Beyond its tracking capabilities, Satechi’s passport cover is nice to look at and touch. It’s made of durable vegan leather and offers RFID shielding to protect your cards from unauthorized scanning. It also provides ample space for your passport, boarding passes, and other travel essentials.

Read the full review of Satechi Passport Cover hereBuy Now – $56.99

ExpressVPN

As a seasoned digital nomad, I’ve learned that having the right tech tools can make all the difference. ExpressVPN is a game-changer for those living and working location independently. This VPN service secures your internet connection and grants access to geo-restricted content. It’s like having a passport to the digital world. With strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and a vast server network, ExpressVPN ensures your online activities remain private and secure. Plus, its media streamer function is a lifesaver for accessing your favorite shows and movies from anywhere in the world. While the subscription may be a bit pricier than some competitors, the peace of mind and convenience it offers are well worth the investment. If you’re a digital nomad, ExpressVPN is a must-have tool. – Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

Read the full review of ExpressVPN hereLearn more about ExpressVPN

The Cardprotector by Carl Friedrik

When I was in Santiago, Chile, I got that dreaded alert from my bank. Someone had spent over $2000 at a hotel and tried to purchase something at the Apple store. As I scrambled to check where my bank card was, I found it safe in my wallet. I’m pretty sure my card had been skimmed. I don’t know where this occurred. Perhaps it was the classic scam in a taxi card reader, in a store, or by someone at a bus stop.

To help avoid this in the future, I use this card protector by Carl Friedrik. I also wanted something streamlined and chic. Made from high-quality aluminum wrapped in vachetta leather, this neat device has a slim, lightweight design that easily fits into my pocket. The interior is lined with a soft, protective material that prevents cards from scratching or bending. Despite its compact size, it can comfortably accommodate up to five cards and a clever mechanism allows you to slide them in and out easily. There’s also a discreet slot on the back where you can tuck a few bills. It’s available in a range of colors. I have cognac, but there’s also a chocolate and black version. – Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

Buy Now – $135 pounds ($176)

Seawag underwater phone case

The day before I was due to leave for the magical Galápagos Islands, I was told that the one thing I shouldn’t leave without was an underwater phone case. I had secured an older GoPro for all my snorkeling footage, but having never used one before, I thought it would be good to have another, more simple, option. I ran to the one store in my town that sold them and for just $21 I got myself a Seawag universal waterproof case. While it takes a lot of courage to stick your expensive phone into what looks like a very simple plastic pouch and immerse it in sea water for hours on end, I’m here to testify that it’s not only safe, it works beautifully. All you have to do is slip your smartphone into the pouch, lock the waterproof mechanism, put the lanyard around your neck, and you’re good to go. Because the screen is not as reactive to your fingertips while underwater, you do need to open the camera function on your phone prior to getting into the water, but apart from that, while in the pouch, you can film and take photographs in the same way you do on land. Thanks to this simple, inexpensive case that suits all smartphones, my partner and I, who are far from being photography experts, managed to beautifully capture sea turtles swimming by us, playful sea lions, and thousands of colorful fish. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy Now

Fjällräven Ulvö Hip Pack Large

This summer, as I was discussing travel plans with one of my many knowledgeable coworkers, I was told that Quito, Ecuador, where I was planning to spend some time in the fall, was rife with pickpockets and phone snatchers. I usually travel with a backpack, but to keep my belongings a little safer this time around, I opted to visit the Ecuadorian capital with a sling back instead. Fjällräven’s Ulvö Hip Pack is meant to be worn as a fanny pack, but I wore it across my chest with the zipper in the front so I could control its access. While I initially thought I had made a mistake by choosing the large version of this model instead of the more reasonable medium, I changed my mind very quickly. The large version of Fjällräven’s Ulvö Hip Pack allowed me to carry my passport, wallet, a full-size guide book, a notebook and a pencil, my sunglasses, my phone, and my earphones everywhere I went around Quito without looking too bulky or feeling too heavy. There are many compartments inside the pack to keep your stuff tidy, and the small, zippered security pocket in the back is the ideal place to keep your most valuable items. The compression straps underneath the pack are practical to hold a sweater, but don’t try to secure a water bottle with them – it keeps slipping. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy Now

4-Pack Apple AirTags

To avoid luggage fees, I usually travel with just a backpack and a carry-on roller bag. But my recent Virgin Mediterranean cruise warranted my first checked bag in years. With themed event nights, excursions, and a few pools on board, I had no choice but to pay the $75 fee (seriously, why do shoes take up so much space). Given that U.S. airlines lost 2 million bags in 2023, I tucked an AirTag inside my luggage to ease my anxiety. It worked—my phone would notify me, ‘Your [device name] is no longer with you,’ and I’d watch my bag make its way through the airport and finally onto the plane. Sure, the bag could still get lost, but at least I’d know its location to help track it down. Easy to use and perfect for anxious travelers—I won’t check a bag without one ever again.-Kelsey Wilking, newsletter nerd

Buy Now – $79.98

Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation

As an avid reader, I take my Kindle everywhere. Going to the dentist? It’s in my tote. Traveling for six weeks in Guatemala? I wouldn’t leave home without it. I remember the days of packing two or three physical books that took up valuable luggage space, but now I have unlimited books right at my fingertips. Trust me, downloading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson on a Kindle is far easier than packing that behemoth. While my partner initially refused to buy one because ‘physical books are better,’ even he became a convert after getting one for Christmas last year. Download the Libby app and connect your library card, then get Kindle Unlimited, and those long international flights will go by faster than a jackrabbit on a hot skillet. -Kelsey Wilking, newsletter nerd

Buy Now – $199.99

Buy the Kindle Shell Cover from Moto – $22.99

REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set

Packing cubes are a fantastic way to organize your items and save space. While the square-shaped packing cubes are great, these slim options are perfect for filling smaller and longer gaps in your suitcase. This set from REI Co-op can be an excellent addition to your usual set and helps fill the spaces left by the squares. I took them with me on a recent cruise, and the slim one was perfect for bathing suits and workout gear. -Kelsey Wilking, newsletter nerd

Buy Now – $32.95