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Luggage

I've Got the Power: Staying Charged with My TYLT Power Backpack

Ten years ago, the way I (Bobby) packed looked much different than it does now. One small point and shoot (the Canon Digital Elphs were amazing), no cords, no phone, no personal aircrafts (hehe who knew what a drone was in 2008?), and minimal backup batteries. Fast forward to today, and I’m loaded up with 4 cameras (2 Fuji Mirrorless and 2 GoPros), a drone, an iPhone, wireless headphones, a laptop, and a Kindle. While my previous LowePro backpack did the job in terms of storing all of those things relatively well, a new backpack has taken over as my new go-to. Enter TYLT, a portable power and wireless charging manufacturer who has designed some incredible backpacks. I’ve been carrying the TYLT ENERGI Pro Power Backpack for the past few months, and I want to give you three reasons why it needs to be on your back.


1. The Battery

The most important feature of the backpack is the 20,100 mAh lithium ion battery. It has a designated sleeve, but is removable and can be used in any bag. The battery includes a variety of ports (USB Type-C, USB Type-A with Quick Charge 3.0, USB Type A, and micro-USB), includes multiple cables for each port, and a zippered accessory bag where you can store it all. The battery is big, but it’s worth it, because it lasts a long time and is able to efficiently charge multiple devices.

2. The Durability

The bag is made of water-resistant polyester, and so far has stood the test of global travel and a 5000 mile road trip. Hiking in the rain on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, touring around Ireland for two weeks, and being thrown in and out of our car (basically our home) while traveling for 5 weeks with our puppy, this bag has some mileage on it. Yet it looks as good as new, the zippers are still functioning flawlessly (most are water-resistant too), and all the compartments are holding strong.

3. The Compartments and Overall Design

The backpack is a great size, but only if you like having your pack be organized. The 12 pockets allow for a variety of items, but won’t allow for a ton of bulk space. There’s a laptop compartment that fits a 15” device, and across from it is a zippered pocket that fits a tablet. I found that you could also wedge a neatly folded jacket or sweatshirt in this area too.

The front-opening bay (the largest compartment) is where I store my drone, camera, lenses, and a few small clothing items. There are plenty of small zipper pockets and organizers in this bay that I use to store my headphones, memory card readers, portable hard drives, pens, etc.

For me, this backpack is awesome because I love to be organized. I spend time specifically deciding what pocket or compartment is for what thing, and I stick to that. If you’re not organized, you may just want a normal backpack because you will lose things in the ENERGI Pro. It’s up to you!

If I had to choose my highlights of this bag, it’s the small touches that go a long way. This includes the sunglasses compartment where I can store fragile items, the small compartment you can unzip and pull out for your water bottle, and the slots on it that allow for you to slide it over the handle of your roller bags. It’s the little things…

TYLT has been ahead of the curve with their designs and quality, so give them a try! Their backpacks will keep all of your gear charged, so you’ll never miss a shot again!

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Keeping it Simple in Bali with our Six Word Itinerary

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As most of you probably know, we just got back from the trip of a lifetime to Bali, Indonesia. We were very quickly overwhelmed by the plethora (great word, huh?!) of picture-perfect resorts, world-class restaurants, and dream wanderlust destinations. In order to avoid extreme travel FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), we chose to partner with American Tourister and figure out a six-word itinerary to keep our trip focused. For Bali, it made most sense to have the following six-word itinerary…

 

SURF’S UP. RICE PADDIES. TROPICAL TREATS.  

 

Here we are going to share about how we lived it up with this simple, yet all-encompassing, itinerary. 

 

 

SURF’S UP

Being in Bali, it is not hard to find a spot where the surf’s up. Of the 10 days we were there, Bobby managed to surf EVERY day (even going out twice a few times)!! In Bobby's words, "the surf was big, the water was warm, and the froth level was high" (meaning Bobby never wanted to get out of the water). 

 

One of the best parts about surfing in Bali is that there are so many amazing spots with diverse scenery and waves. From surfing a reef while planes land over your head (Airport Rights), surfing a black sand beach in the jungle with nobody else in sight (Yeh Gangga), or surfing in front of the tiny Warung you slept in before (Balangan)... Bali surf can provide any backdrop. You can find world class barrels at Padang Padang on the Bukit Peninsula or slow rolling surf at Old Man's in Canggu. Bobby tried a little of everything, with his favorite spot being an incredible wave called Medewi. It's not as well-known as some of the other spots in Bali, so keep it hush-hush. Bobby was so excited when we got to our hotel that he was in his trunks with board-in-hand before he'd even taken his luggage to the room. Fortunately, he had the patience to settle into the room before heading out for a surf!

 

If you're thinking "Surf's Up", Bali may be your spot. If you want to explore all the island has to offer, the Z-Lite bag is compact (yet spacious) enough to toss in the car alongside your surf gear. You may find the perfect wave and want to stay awhile!

 

RICE PADDIES

Rice is one of the staples of the Balinese diet. So much so that in the 9th century, the Balinese found a way to fill their sloping landscapes with rice. The irrigation system of canals, tunnels, and temples allowed for all the rice terraces, or rice paddies, to flourish... and man, are they breathtaking! 

 

While there are rice fields everywhere you look in Bali, not all are created equal. The rice fields in Ubud are worth a day trip, as they are so picturesque and majestic (and there is a monkey forest nearby!). We spent hours wandering through the fields, meeting the local farmers, and even having a beer with them! The beauty of the rice terraces wowed us, it's unlike anything we've ever seen before!

 

TROPICAL TREATS

This may have been our favorite part of our itinerary. (And we're not talking just food... although the food BLEW us away!!) 

 

Speaking of which, we had some of the best food we've ever had while we were in Bali. If only we could have packed some of them up in our suitcases! ;) Everything we ate in Bali was so good, so healthy, and so cheap! One of our favorite spots was called Crate - and it was as visually stunning as it was delicious! They had everything from whimsical smoothies to savory egg dishes, and (Bobby's favorite) “The Barber” where they stack French toast, fried banana, scrambled egg, and bacon all together. AH!

Next up. Coconuts. We both had at least one EVERY day! Why not? When in paradise, and when they cost a dollar, why not rehydrate with some fresh coconut water with lime?! Definitely a rhythm we’d like to keep up at home!

 

A tropical treat that doesn’t feel like real life: Balinese massages. For less than $10 you can have an hour-long massage. We'll say it again in case that didn't sink in: For less than TEN dollars you can get an HOUR massage - on the beach!!! It sure is easy (and affordable!) to treat yourself when you're in Bali!

 

And our last tropical treat: the sun. For it’s tanning powers and the show it puts on at the end of each day. Both of us were able to bronze our bodies a few shades darker during our time under the Balinese sun. While we make sure to wear lots of sunscreen, we botha also appreciate a good tan. ;) And of course, the sunsets the sunsets in Bali are on a whole other level. The sun treated us well during our trip!

What made our six word itinerary unforgettable was that it was a solid guide, but also had some flexibility. We knew what we were looking for when it came to the surf and the rice paddies, but we had no idea what kinds of tropical treats we would discover. With such a perfect summer climate, we were able to pack our Z-Lite’s pretty light (who needs more than swimsuits, sandals, and a couple shirts) and have room for all our essentials (and some extra space for souvenirs!)

Thank you to American Tourister for sponsoring this post!

Why We Roll On (Four-Wheeled) Spinners

Luggage comes in all shapes and sizes, and most of us start with what we’re given. When we were younger, all we ever used was duffle bags. At some point, we matured and graduated to a two-wheeled carry-on. It seemed like the BEST thing ever compared to having your bag on your shoulder, and for about twenty years, both of us never thought to change things up. But then we came across Delsey Paris, and we realized we have been missing out on the 4-wheeled revolution. Over the past year, we’ve swapped out all our luggage for a fleet of Delsey bags, including the Chatelet, Titanium, Shadow 3.0, and Bastille Lite (our current favorite). While we are huge fans of the style and durability of hardside luggage, that isn’t the purpose of this blog. Here we want to share with you why we are convinced that 4-wheeled spinner cases are the way to roll.

Disclaimer… Four wheels vs two wheels may seem like a super random blog post. And it is. But we can honestly say it makes all the difference! And we aren’t business travelers that travel weekly, so we don’t claim the following to be true for everyone… but this is what WE have found :)

 

Pulling with the wrist vs. pushing with your body. First off, it really just feels easier to push your suitcase by your side as you walk rather than pull it. Assuming you have good wheels (Delsey bags are SO ridiculously smooth), pushing the bag really feels effortless. If you have bad wrists/shoulders and a heavy bag, pulling it all around the airport will eventually cause a sore wrist/shoulder. Pushing a slick four-wheeler really is as effortless as it gets! 

The 360-degree maneuverability is a game-changer. It really is the main reason why we love these bags so much. These bags allow you to quickly bring it in front of you if you need to go through a narrow opening or turnstile. Think about how many times the line to deplane is held up by somebody who’s two-wheeler can’t fit down the aisle. Glide a four-wheeler sideways, and that will never be your problem. When you hop on the subway/train, the four-wheeler can efficiently move into small open spaces.

(We will say that there are times you do need two-wheels, like bumpy or uneven surfaces where gliding along side of you won’t be ideal. Not a problem, because you can lean it on to two-wheels and advance through the difficult terrain with ease.)

 

If you’ve never had the four-wheel experience, trust us and take one for a spin! Because why settle for two wheels... when you can have four? 

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Last-Minute Packing Tips

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We're pretty spontaneous when it comes to travel planning. Most of our "big" international trips are planned at least a month or two in advance, but when it comes to domestic travel and weekend trips, sometimes we book those the week of! For many travelers, packing last minute is cause for panic, stress, and an extra strong cocktail. Here's some of our tips for efficiently packing on a time crunch - with a cocktail in hand. ;)

 

1. WRITE A QUICK LIST

This point is probably pretty elementary, but making a list really does help us. Whether we're heading to the Bahamas or backpacking Africa, it's helpful to write down what you need. We start our list at least a week before we leave, giving us plenty of time to mull over it, buy what we need to, and make any last minute additions. If it's truly "last minute", then we start making a list as soon as we know we're going. We recommend sticking your list somewhere you'll see it regularly, like the fridge or the bathroom mirror. That way what you need to get/do beforehand will stay on your radar!

 

2. KNOW YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS

Camping? Cruising? Staying in the penthouse suite? Research where you'll be, what kind of accommodations they have, and what you'll need to bring. If it's somewhere international, chances are you'll need at least one converter. (We recommend bringing at least two - but we have a lot of equipment). If you're staying in a nice hotel, you probably won't need to pack a hair dryer. And if you're roughing it in the Sahara, you might want to pack extra face wipes... You get the picture. ;) We always ask our friends that have been to the destinations before us for packing advice, or even reach out to someone that's a local! You can never be too prepared!

 

3. LESS IS MORE

Let's be real... Bobby is definitely better at sticking to this motto than Alli, but it's something we both stand behind. Do your BEST not to overpack. Chances are, no matter what location you're adventuring to, you'll be able to buy what you need there. We've never been in a bind where we wished we would have brought something that we couldn't purchase later in that destination (knock on wood). Do yourself a favor and get a medium sized suitcase, not the biggest one you can find. If it's not huge, you can't overpack it (well you're at least less likely). Our current favorites are Delsey's Bastille Lite and Shadow 3.0. 

Delsey Bastille Lite

Delsey Titanium

4. USE A LUGGAGE SCALE

If you've never had one, you probably don't think you need one. We got one as a gift a couple years back and have used it on every trip since. Definitely gives you peace of mind as your packing. Something simple like this. It doesn't have to be digital and pricey. 

 

5. ALWAYS BRING A DECK OF CARDS

There will be times when a flight gets canceled, the power goes out at Hertz and you're stuck without a car (this happened to us in South Africa), or you're waiting in line for a museum to open. You always need a deck of cards. 

 

6. DO YOUR REALLY NEED 4 BATHING SUITS?

This is a HUGE struggle when packing, but we never regret it (so far). Lay out everything you want to take, and then try to start picking items to leave at home. For Bobby this mostly includes shirts. For Alli it's outfits. And shoes. And bathing suits. You are taking 7 t-shirts? How hard would it really be to take 4? Try to halve what your bringing and you'll never overpack.

 

7. DON'T CHECK IMPORTANT ITEMS

This may be obvious, but you should carry-on your passport, cash, credit cards, identification, jewelry, electronics, etc. Keep this stuff in your carry-on. It's not worth the hassle if/when an airline loses your luggage. 

 

8. BULK UP ON THE PLANE

If you have time to kill, scroll through our blog our Instagram and find any and all photos where we are at the airport. We'd bet you money that Bobby is wearing boots, jeans, and probably even a jacket. That's because we always where are bulky items to the airport so we don't have to pack them. We've literally been flying home from Italy in 100 degree heat wearing layers upon layers so we can get one extra bottle of wine home.  Wear your bulky items through security so you don't have to check them, and then peel off some layers once on the plane. Worth it!

 

Do you have any tips for us? We would love to hear!

Meet Our Luggage: Delsey Paris

Our biggest traveling game changer.

Let’s be real. Traveling with old, bulky, and broken luggage is the WORST. 

When we first started traveling together, we were both using suitcases we’d had for years - and those suitcases were the cause of several arguments, bad attitudes, and really, REALLY dramatic travel days. One day we realized we couldn’t do it anymore. Our luggage was weighing us down (literally), and the idea of trying to use them “just one more time” was not going to fly.

We started investigating luggage and were immediately overwhelmed. Those of you that have shopped for luggage recently know that the possibilities are endless. There are countless brands, sizes, and shapes to choose from. Finding one that is actually durable, lightweight, and affordable is a lot harder than you would think.

It took some research, but we found them. We were drawn in by their style and price, and then blown away by their durability, weight, and functionality. We hope that if you're in the market for new luggage, that you will trust us and give Delsey a try!

Delsey is a French luggage and travel accessory brand that has an impressive assortment of colorful, stylish, and theft-proof luggage pieces. We currently have 3, and will give you a brief rundown of each.  

First, we both have the Helium Titanium 21" Carry-On Expandable Spinner Trolley. Our favorite features are right there in the name. Helium. It is INCREDIBLY light. Titanium. It has a solid hard-shell exterior that will keep your delicate items safe and secure. Expandable. While this piece is a carry-on, it also has an expandable feature that provides you with more space if needed. Perfect for the souvenirs you need room for on the way home. Spinner. Neither of us knew that wheels could spin so smoothly on luggage. If you see us walking around the airport with these bags, it won't be uncommon for you to see Bobby shoving his bag and marveling at how fast and smooth it whizzes away from him. The smooth roll may not sound like a big deal, but we're confident you will let us know when you experience it and are as satisfied as we are.

Next up is the Helium Shadow 3.0 29" Spinner Suiter Trolley. This is Bobby's go to for bigger trips where we are checking bags. Like the carry-on, this bag is light, hard-shelled, and really smooth. The unique part of this luggage is the top lid opening, which is super useful when packing and unpacking. 

The other piece we have is the Honore+ 27" Spinner Trolley. This is a beautiful piece of luggage. Along with the same Delsey features as the others, the Honore+ also features a heavy duty aluminum frame with a single click opening system. It is amazing. This case is stylish and sophisticated, and is Alli's choice to bring along whenever possible. 

By now we’ve taken our Delsey suitcases to Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, South Africa, Uganda, and more, and we’re amazed at how well they’ve held up. Pushing our trusty luggage through the airport, down the street, even up several flights of stairs is a breeze. We can honestly say they’ve made our travel days a lot more enjoyable! ;)

So, friends, there you have it. Our biggest traveling game changer is definitely our Delsey luggage. We won’t leave home without them!