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Storage for Modern (Tech) Backpackers

6/28/2016

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A reliable portable hard drive is a necessity for any tech traveler in the modern day, but for the lowly backpacker (like myself) and photographer, I have to pay attention to more than simple reliability. A portable hard drive must be thin and light weight, but dynamic enough to last the long brutal days, a lot of which are spent camping outdoors, and it must be large enough to secure my original photographs, my edits, and all other content without issue. So, when you're a traveler, a backpacker, AND a technical nomad, you have to find what works best for you. Since my photographs are near and dear to my heart, where any corruption, drive failure or damage to the casing of the hard drive could cause me to lose my life's work, I have to be very judicial when choosing the right storage options for me. The other problem I run into often is for lack of space... Backpackers are notorious for being weight-nazi's when it comes to what they carry with them. Rightly so, because every ounce matters, and every pound literally translates into a sliding scale from 1-10 for back and shoulder pain. Every ounce matters!


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Review – Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM Speaker

6/24/2016

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There are times when I have the opportunity to review a truly bad ass product. Today, I bring you the MEGABOOM portable bluetooth speaker by Ultimate Ears! Seriously, this speaker may look a bit different but it's oozes badassery, I promise you that. The Megaboom is a 360-degree bluetooth speaker with deep bass, and it's waterproof, lightweight, and versatile.

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LSTN Has It Going On: Ebony Encore Headphones

6/23/2016

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The LSTN Ebony wood Encore headphones are some of the more stylish over-ears I've had the pleasure to review. The sound is smooth and the bass is big and natural, but it is the dynamic range that impressed me most. The Encores was designed to inspire a vintage feel while delivering a crisp, huge sound, and I think LSTN accomplished what they set out for.

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The Polaroid Cube: A Backpacker's Video Camera

6/20/2016

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Through my years of traveling abroad with only the pack on my back, I've come to a deep appreciation for the small, lightweight, and multi-functional. My first big backpacking trip started in Spain several years back. I packed a school size backpack to its breaking point only to realize a few hours after arriving off the plane that I needed a totally new approach to my travel setup. My back and shoulders were screaming and knotted, the canvas straps were chaffing and ripping my skin, and I was not having a good time on my first day in Barcelona. So, I wandered until I found a shop with larger rucksacks and revamped system.

​I traveled around Europe and Northern Africa for more than nine months, through three seasons and over that time, I had come to accumulate too much gear; from hot to warm to cold weather. When you live out of your pack, every piece of clothing, computer, camera and outdoor gear weighs down on you. Believe me, the quality and comfort of your shoulders and back will never be the same. Every ounce counts, and I learned that the hard way. Nowadays, I use a keen eye when choosing equipment for my travels, and today I'm here to talk about the new and exciting industry of portable mini cameras.

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Review: La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX

6/16/2016

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Something I have yet to review on Eye & Pen is a real good, quality pair of hiking shoes. So, without further ado, let's get started – Please welcome La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX. I've had my fair share of trying out all sorts of brands and styles and fits of travel and hiking shoes and boots, and never have I felt so ecstatic about a pair, until these graced my feet. When I had the opportunity to give the Synthesis Mid GTXs a go, I was skeptical, then the moment I slipped my foot in and took my first steps, I was hit with an interesting relief. I immediately knew these were my ideal hiking shoes, and that I never wanted to take my foot from them. Okay, that may not be entirely true, at least not the last bit. In all seriousness, the comfort level balanced with the security it offered my ankle blew me away. Now, I'll tell you why...

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Exploring the Mediterranean by Air

6/3/2016

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Venice, Italy. ©
The Mediterranean Sea is one of those must sees, and that’s no hyperbole. I’ve had the pleasure of touring many of the greatest places on or not far from the Med coast, and I have no problems admitting that it’s a place I still romanticize and dream of. I could so easily live in Spain, or France, or Italy, each are magical in their own ways. Imagine it: Waking up each day to the sun rising in Venice, or being able to read a book and look out over miles of vineyard north of Gerona, or what about the amazing seaside towns of Croatia. There are a million different gems all along the Mediterranean coast, and truly experiencing them all will take a lifetime, and more, but with the economic flights available all across Europe, there is no better time to start exploring.

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*Disclaimer: All blog posts featuring products, reviews, or suggestions for products or services are governed by our Disclosure. Products were received free to review, so to provide authentic opinions and content for our readers. The opinions and ideas in this post are the writer's own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business. We receive no compensation for product reviews. Links within non-product review posts may be sponsored.
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