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

25.09.2024 - 14:44 / matadornetwork.com

The best thing about August isn’t the searing heat – it’s the fact that summer has matured and there’s been (hopefully) plenty of time to get out and test new gear. Matador’s editors tested everything from socks and underwear to luggage to mountain bike gloves this month, and below is the stuff we loved most. The editor who recommended each is listed, so if you have beef – or a competing product – you know who to contact. Preference was given, as it should be, to brands working towards more sustainable production methods.

We hope you love the gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase.

Photo courtesy Farm to Feet

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

Photo courtesy Minus 33

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

Photo courtesy Sterling Pacific

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