Gadling Gear Review: Eagle Creek Thrive 65L

by Justin Glow on

I’m a long-time fan of Eagle Creek. I’ve raved in the past about their superior customer service skills, but my love for the company doesn’t end there. Most importantly, they create impressive, well-thought-out backpacks for the independent traveler. I can’t imagine traveling with anything else.

The Eagle Creek Voyage 65L was my first pack from the company. It’s a rugged, durable, innovative bag that has lasted me many years and proven itself invaluable for nearly every one of my trips to various parts of the world.

So when Eagle Creek announced an update to their Voyage series with the new Thrive model earlier this year, I knew I had to give it a go.

The Thrive 65L — the updated model in the 65-liter size — looks very similar to my older Voyage. It still offers many of the features that made me fall in love with its predecessor: a modular, removable day pack, front-loading panels, multiple grab handles, and numerous external and internal pockets. But many new features and upgrades lurk inside of this nifty pack.

The most noticeable upgrade is its Zip-away X-ACT Suspension. Like the Voyage, the hip belts and shoulder straps can be zipped away to give more of a duffel bag appearance. But the new suspension system becomes truly invaluable when you place the fully-loaded pack on your back. Various bits of mesh-covered foam keep the main load away from your back, creating a refreshing flow of air between the pack and your tired traveler torso. That’s right — no more sweaty backs! The shoulder straps are even more ergonomic than the previous version, and each is adjustable at numerous points throughout the system.

Perhaps my only complaint with the new suspension system in comparison to the old is the rigidness of the hip belts. The Voyage series hip belts were much more pliable, which made it easy to tuck away behind your back when they’re not needed. (Ever walked down an airplane aisle with the hip belts unstrapped, slapping the faces of seated aisle passengers on your way to the back? Not fun.) The new hip belts are much too rigid to comfortably place behind your back. However, with a fully-loaded pack, the Thrive does a much better job at supporting your lower back with its rigid belt — so not all is lost.

The removable day pack has proven to be my favorite feature of every Eagle Creek pack I’ve owned. The Thrive offers many small upgrades this unit, making it not only a great addition to the entire system as a whole, but also a stellar 2-3 day pack on its own. A secret compartment near the top of the back, directly behind the upper grab handle, holds all of the smaller valuables that you want hidden away, like a passport, plane tickets, keys (it has a handy latch for those), mobile phone, cash, and even your mp3 player. A handy headphone port completes the secret compartment, allowing you to run the phones conveniently up to your ears without having to remove the device.

One of the few negative upgrades to the daypack are its shoulder straps: you can no longer unhook them for easy storage in the back pocket, which is strange because they still include the pocket. Folding away the shoulder straps without being able to unhook them ends up making the day pack bulkier than necessary. The main, front compartment of the pack is large enough to fit my Macbook Pro along with 2-3 days worth of clothes. Unlike the third compartment on the older Voyage, the Thrive has a a much larger third pocket for easy access to any other small items you might want to take out on your day trip.

On to the main pack itself: Wow, this thing is huge — but not too huge. I normally pack no more than 5-6 days worth of supplies for trips lasting at least as long as that, and the 65L offers more than enough room to fit that, and any souvenirs I decide to hide away for friends back home. The front-loading panel means I can grab something from the bottom of the pack without removing everything on top of it — a necessary feature for every hostel-goer who is in and out of his or her pack numerous times a day, but still wants to use it as a locker of sorts. Pair it with some packing cubes as I’ve done, and you’ll end up like me: more organized on the road than you are at home.

Another invaluable upgrade to the 65L line is the built-in rain cover. I purchased a detached rain cover for my older Voyage, but that was a pain to keep track of and stuff away when it was wet. The Thrive’s rain cover unrolls from the bottom of the pack to cover itself, and easily stuffs back away into its own compartment when you’re done.

Eagle Creek has also put a lot of thought into security with their newer line of backpacks. Each and every zipper offers a lash point which allows you to zip together the openers and run each through a grommet so a security lock can be attached. If you’re hauling around a lot of expensive gear like I usually am, this is invaluable. It won’t help fend off that jerk with a pocket knife who plans on slicing through the material to snatch your booty, but it’ll keep crowded-market hands away. You’re no longer the easy target.

Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the upgrade. Eagle Creek continues to prove to be one of the best choices for the independent backpacker, and I can’t imagine running across a more well-thought out, quality backpack in the near future.

Thrive 65L – Eagle Creek. MSRP $200.00.

Round the world tickets for two up for grabs

by Brenda Yun on


Who ever said free round the world tickets and 49 other great travel-related prizes weren’t easy to win? HostelBookers.com has organized a fantastically simple contest to spread the word that its website offers booking prices at 4.2% below its top competitors. That research was performed by EyeForTravel.com, and the results can be read HERE.

HostelBookers partnered with roundtheworldexperts.co.uk to offer one lucky traveler the chance to win round the world air travel and hostel accommodation for two people. If that’s not enough, you can win some other cool prizes like a Sony camcorder, iPhone, iPod, as well as backpacks full of travel goodies and travel hammocks.

All you have to do is visit this site and answer the simple question at the bottom of the page. (The answer is in the first paragraph of this post. I think you can figure it out.) You have until May 8 to enter, and winners will be notified by June 1.

Good luck!

Budget Travel: Why and how to hostel

by Brenda Yun on

Call me crazy, but if I were ever given the option between staying in an expensive hotel, a mediocre one for half the price, or a hostel for one-tenth of the price, unless I were bedding down in a really hot guy, I would take the hostel any night of the week. The reason: hostels are the most affordable option, allowing you to spend more on what really matters – the experience of traveling and exploring the world.

Let’s face it: with the economy as it is and our wallets thinning as they are, it’s easy to see the advantages of staying in a hostel, but it might be harder to actually follow through. As a single, independent young woman, I have no problem sleeping in a dorm – or even a cheap room of my own so long as I save myself the dough to spend on other travel expenditures. However, if you’re attached or have a family, there is little to no appeal to stay at a hostel, right?
Wrong. I’ve traveled long and far across the globe and pretty much only stayed in hostels, and I have met the most committed couples and families in these places who have made it work. They too understand the end value of cheaply bedding down for a night or two. Depending where you are in the world, you can save between $10-100 per night per person if you opt to stay in a hostel. You may be sacrificing 50% of comfort during the 8 hours you stay there, but imagine what you could do with the money you saved! My cousins often stay in dingy places and then dine in the best restaurants on the same vacation. Their philosophy: who cares where they put their heads at night so long as it’s in a (preferably safe and quiet enough) room? They’re still getting the same experience when the sun is up.

So hopefully I’ve tackled the “why” (why stay in a hostel) sufficiently. Let’s move on to “how.” There are so many different options available to travelers nowadays, so how do you find the best hostel for your needs wherever you are in the globe? In some parts of the world, searching for a hostel is as simple as a Google search. It’s the 21st century, the world is flat, and even if you’re traveling to the middle of nowhere, a good hostel will have some sort of information available to you somewhere on the world wide web. If you’re looking in a hostel in an urban center, if a hostel doesn’t have a website, it’s not savvy enough and it’s not worth your time. Opt for a place where you can see some photos and seasonal (if not specific) rates. Some hostel website even allow to reserve a room (for a minimal 10-20% processing fee) through the internet.

As for searching for hostels in certain parts of the world, like Latin America, it’s even easier with hostel networks like Hostel Trail, which provides photos and unbiased but honest reviews of hundreds of hostels scattered about Mexico, Central and South America, as well as some of the Caribbean. Hostelling International, Hostels.com, Hostel World, and Hostel Bookers are the best worldwide hostel networks, and are perfectly good places to start your search if you’re at a loss.

Perhaps the best way to find a great hostel in your travel destination is by word of mouth – gathering information from people who have recently traveled to where you are going. Some of my best experiences came straight from a friend who had just been to where I was going. If you get a good tip, ask for as many specifics as you can – even ask for names of people who work there or for worthwhile excursions.

In fact, many of the best hostels have a guestbook where travelers offer helpful tips for where to stay in nearby cities or where to eat or what to see in the town you’re in. The greatest thing about hostel living, is just how personalized travel can be. There are, of course, some pretty bad places, but others can really make your trip a memorable experience.

Unless you’re traveling during prime tourist times or in a big group, you will usually find a bed/room available for you. If there’s a contact number or email, feel free to use it. In third world countries hostels range between $5-10 a night (sometimes less!), while in first world countries you should expect to pay between $12-30 per night. Dorms are not half so bad either, just bring some earplugs, as your bunkmate may have a serious case of sleep apnea. Otherwise, have fun, and let me know if I missed any important tips!

A way easier soap for traveling

by Annie Scott on

When I first saw the Anti-Bacterial Paper Soap (right) at Flight 001 in Brooklyn (58 Fifth Avenue, 718-789-1001), I thought it was gonna be a little slip of paper that somehow dissolved in my hand, like a cross between Purell and those paper mints people eat. I was wrong.

The paper soap does indeed require water. But I still like it. You take a slip of the paper between your hands, stick your hands in running water, and as you rub, it becomes soap-like and actually very pleasant smelling (the fragrance I have here is mint and eucalyptus) — and it’s just the right amount. It works better in warm water. ‘Cause, you know, science.

Do you need it if you’re going to a fancy hotel with tons of soap in the shape of like, seashells and stuff? No. But think about taking it with you to the amusement park or to the restaurant where you know they’ll be out of soap. Also, if you’re backpacking, staying in hostels, or going anywhere without the usual modern conveniences, packing these is a lot easier than dealing with a wet bar of soap. A lot.

$6.00 for 30 sheets. Not bad! Thanks to Quynhster, who helped me at Flight 001.

For more small paper toiletries (it’s a whole market, people), click here and read Scott’s reviews!

A Cheap Place to Stay in NYC

by Josh Lew on

Unless you know someone in New York City well enough to crash on their sofa, chances are a huge portion of your Big Apple travel budget will go towards a hotel room. That is unless you don’t mind sleeping with three strangers.

Manhattan’s Broadway Hostel offers a bed in a dorm-style room for under $40 per night. Booking before October 1st will earn you a $38 per night bill and a free cocktail. With gas prices still so high these days, that’s actually cheaper than coming to New York and sleeping in your car.

“Hostel” is akin to a swear word amongst non-budget travelers and anyone over 23. Sure, sharing a room with strangers is not what many people would consider comfortable. (Sharing a bathroom is not what many people would consider sanitary.) But the Broadway is ever bit the hip haunt its upper west side location suggests. The rooms are tastefully decorated with furniture that was designed after the Ford presidency (after the Clinton presidency even) and there are regular hotel room extras like shampoo and soap in the bathroom. Anyway you cut it, that’s a pretty swell deal.