Matador Blog
Travel tips, stories, advice, and more.
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October 20 2021
How a packable backpack became the best hiking backpack of 2021
Over the past year, Gear Patrol, Popular Mechanics, and HiConsumption put hundreds of backpacks through rigorous testing, ultimately looking for the best hiking backpack of 2021. Matched up against some of the biggest companies in the outdoor industry, in a competitive field filled with heavily-featured frame packs, the Beast18—a packable backpack—topped all three lists. Packability without compromise is something you'll...
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March 23 2021
What does IPX6 rated waterproofing mean?
The term waterproof is thrown around an awful lot. That’s why we’re taking our waterproofing to a whole new, third party certified, level. IPX6 is one of a few variations of IP code, or Ingress Protection Code. IP Codes classify protection from both water and dust. In the case of the new Base Layer Line, the protection IPX6 is referring...
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October 01 2020
Supplements to Travel With
Vitamin B If you’re like us, you probably land at your destination with a packed schedule and don’t have much time to be tired. Vitamin B is great for boosting energy and getting over jetlag. One of the (many) active ingredients in 5 Hour Energy, you can skip the jitters that come with the energy drink alternatives and chew on...
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May 21 2020
Materials Deep Dive
As a consumer shopping for a new piece of outdoor gear, fabric terminology can be a bit confusing. The old “apples to oranges” analogy often applies when comparing backpacks made by different companies, of varying fabrics and feature sets. Spend a few minutes(or hours, or days) Googling and you will find more information than you likely bargained for on the...
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February 08 2019
Visit Patagonia: FAQs and Insider Travel Tips
THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VISITING PATAGONIA. All the information you need to know, right here in one place! An absolute must read for anybody considering a trip to Patagonia, all based on our first hand experience traveling there. Los Cuernos in Torres del Paine Chile WHY SHOULD I GO? Patagonia has been inspiring visitors for decades. Vivid teal lakes, cloud...
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July 16 2018
Road Trip Costa Rica, a one week itinerary
Looking for warm weather, stunning beaches, and incredible waterfalls? We have just the place- Costa Rica. Read ahead for our one week road trip itinerary for the very best of Costa Rica. If the beaches aren't enough to reason to pay Costa Rica a visit, here is a list of reasons why you should forgo more crowded equator hugging destinations...
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March 09 2018
The Best Camera Lens for Travel: The Nifty 50
Anybody here take pictures while they travel? We get asked all the time, what kind of lens should I bring when I travel? Around here, we all agree there is a clear winner. Pack a 50mm f1.8 lens for your adventures, lovingly referred to as a nifty fifty. Read on for why we think the nifty fifty comes out on...
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January 24 2018
Top 10 Things to Do in Boulder
You’ve probably heard that Boulder, Colorado is a great place to visit and even to live, but what is there to do here, exactly? We’ve taken some of our favorite reasons we love Boulder and laid them out for you, plain and simple. EAT Brunch – No city is complete without some great brunch options, and whether you hit Lucile’s...
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February 02 2017
Quit Your Job and Travel Europe
Everyone has dreams of quitting their job, throwing caution to the wind, and escaping the mundane to seek unknown international adventure…but few people actually do it. We’re here with Michael Coen and Tabitha Yeasley who recently did just that. We’re picking their brains to see if this dream is as scary and unattainable as it seems. Tell us a little...
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September 20 2016
Escape to the Faroe Islands
An amazing three and half-minute video of Lars Schneider exploring the Faroe Islands.
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