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Current Travel Deals
Booking.com Late Escape Deals: 15% or more off bookings on properties featuring the “Late Escape” badge, now through January 7, 2025.
Hiking and Travel Clothing Deals
Coalatree is our go-to brand for sustainable, durable, eco-friendly hiking clothing. Use our promo code COTRAVELS15 to get 15% off your first order.
Through January 1, 2025, take advantage of the buy one get one half off hoodie sale with promo code EVOLUTION50.
Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner.com |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
Our Favorite Travel and Hiking Gear
Luggage
| Wheeled carry-on suitcase | Osprey Wheeled Transporter |
| Hiking day pack | Osprey Sportlite 25 Hiking Backpack |
| Trail running pack | Osprey Trail Running Pack with Reservoir |
Electronics
- AirTags are ideal for your purse, phone, wallet, luggage while traveling.
- Portable charger with various USB outlets can be a game changer when you’re on the go all day, whether wandering through a city, one a plane with no working outlets, or out on the trails.
- Sometimes all that is needed is a USB adapter that you can plug into your car. Even though my car at home has USB-C ports, many rental cars don’t have USB-C yet.
- Long flights or layovers can be noisy and exhausting. Noise cancelling headphones are a lifesaver, helping me to relax or concentrate on work, a book, or a movie without distraction.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is essential while traveling and hiking. Be sure to have a sturdy, refillable water bottle, and consider bringing along electrolytes. My favorites electrolytes are Nuun strawberry lemonade and Liquid IV. If you’re bringing along perishables or want to keep drinks cold, a backpack cooler is a great choice.
Travel
We never travel without a travel blanket. It comes in handy for the plane, train, bus, or even when you need an extra layer at night at a hotel. My cashmere hoodie is always in my travel bag, helping both to fight the cold and to block the glare from my neighbor’s video monitor. I am personally not a fan of wearing fitted sleep masks. The hoodie provides a decent alternative.
The Airplane Travel Footrest Hammock is a great aid to sleeping on long haul flights. Check with your doctor about wearing compression socks or sleeves to assist in circulation when traveling.
I pack some N95 masks. You never know when travel regulations in a given country will change. Or, when you are seated next to someone coughing the entire flight. It is better to be prepared than ruin the rest of your vacation being sick.
Last but not least, compression packing cubes are ideal, whether for your carry-on or your checked bag.
Hiking Gear
Our favorite hiking pants are without a doubt the Coalatree Trailhead Adventure Pants. I wore these every day on a recent solo trek on the Fisherman’s Trail, though I had other hiking pants with me. Why? They’re water-resistant (and it rained on and off the whole trip), anti-microbial, stink-proof, stain-proof, and breathable. They fold up into a pocket–so they pack down small. And, they dry quickly, even in a humid environment like Portugal. See photo below wearing these pants in Évora. Use our promo code COTRAVELS15 to get 15% off your first order.
- Depending on the hike, we either wear hiking boots or trail running shoes. My personal preference are my trail runners, but there are times when boots make the most sense. Wool socks are critical, keeping your feet warm even when your feet get wet. For those who chafe or blister easily, consider silk sock liners to wear under your wool socks.
- Sunglasses are essential when hiking, and even more-so when there is snow on the ground. Our go-to sunglasses to bring for hikes, paddle boards, are actually running sunglasses by Goodr. They come in various colors and styles.
- Trekking poles are also a great resource to have on hand. These can be helpful for balance, especially on steep downhills. And, they help with your posture while hiking. Note that not all countries and airlines accept trekking poles in your carry-on bag.
- Headlamps come in handy whether you are hiking into the evening, want to hike to see a sunrise on a mountain, or to go to the bathroom at a campground.
- Don’t head out on the trail without an emergency kit and emergency firestarter kit.
