TURNIPSEED TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media

Travel Gear Review: Tortillas, Titanium, and Testing The Lightest Backpacking Stove

21/10/2014

 

Updated in 2022! Is Vargo's Hexagon wood stove, the lightest backpacking stove we've ever tried, up to the job?

I requested a Vargo Hexagon Wood Stove for the purposes of doing a review and it was kindly provided to me at no cost. This did not influence my opinions and all writing remains my own. Note that this post contains affiliate links.

Vargo Titanium Hexagon Wood Stove backpacking camping review Lightest backpacking stove
This hexagon wood stove is the lightest backpacking stove we've ever tried.
In case you haven't heard, I have a bit of an obsession with ultralight packing. The lighter, the smaller, the better! And one of my biggest pet peeves is when travel items described as "lightweight" are anything but. So when I had the chance to test Vargo's ultralight titanium backpacking hexagon wood stove, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical that a stove could even remotely be described as 'light'. Turns out, it's the lightest backpacking stove we've ever tried.

Read More

Travel Gear Review: Testing Tieks for Travel

14/7/2014

 

Tieks: A Perfect Pretty, Packable, Polished Shoe.

I can't claim to be the most stylish person to ever hit the road. There was that first summer of backpacking in Europe, when I brought along just one pair of trousers. There was also a sarong and clogs combo that I wore to an Easter church service in Birmingham. And the two - count em, TWO - bright orange cotton T-shirts I brought along to Malawi that I am convinced played a role in attracting a higher than normal level of mosquitoes. But I'm slowly growing up and my travels are evolving to include more business and formal occasions -but I still love my bare bones, carry on luggage. So exactly what am I wearing on my feet for special occasions?
Tieks by Gavrieli Ballet Flats Foldable Leather Shoe for Travel TurnipseedTravel.com
Tieks by Gavrieli Ballet Flats Foldable Leather Shoe for Travel TurnipseedTravel.com

Read More

Travel Gear Review: Do You Need To Pack A Travel Towel?

21/5/2014

 

Is it time to throw in the towel on travel towels? Not quite! Here's what you need to know about quick dry towels for travel. Plus: Do hostels have towels? We'll give you the scoop!

Quick dry towels for travel: Picture of towels shaped like swans. Picture
Do you need to pack a travel towel? Not all hotels have towels like this! Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
At first glance, it may sound a bit silly to take a towel with you when you travel. After all, what kind of hotel wouldn't provide towels?! It turns out that there's actually a wide range of accommodations for whom towels are a luxury, not a standard amenity. People often ask me "Do hostels have towels?" and the answer is: Maybe. Many do. Those that don't usually offer rentals. But I still like having my own. It's not just hostels where the question of towels come up. Campgrounds usually require you to bring your own towel, along with some cottage rentals, university dorm accommodations, couch surfing, and even convent stays.

Even if you are staying in quality hotels with guaranteed clean towels, you still might want something with you to freshen up on overnight trains, buses, and flights. Lightweight travel towels are also helpful for drying your hand-washed laundry. So what's the best solution that balances comfort with practicality? 

Read More

Travel Gear Review: Osprey Porter 46 Backpack

8/4/2014

 

The Osprey Porter 46 is one of the most popular travel packs on the market.... Here's our honest review of this backpacks pros and cons.

Close Up Osprey Porter 46 Black backpack. TurnipseedTravel.com
I appreciate the dark colors and the fact that it doesn't look like a typical pack.
Packing obsessed? Who, me? Maybe just a little! I'm constantly in search of the perfect bag and, at one point, I thought I had found it. In a previous post, I wrote that I was thrilled to have discovered the Osprey Porter 46 - but now that I've traveled with it for over a year, how do I feel? ​

The Osprey Porter 46  is the absolute lightest pack I've found. It weighs about 1.2 kilograms, much less than traditional backpacks and significantly less than conventional carry on suitcases. A big travel pet peeve of mine is "ultra light" carry on bags that actually weigh closer to 10 lbs! Carry on weight restrictions are increasingly enforced and this bag's tiny weight is a huge asset.

Read More

Travel Gear Review: Tilley Endurables Waterproof Jacket 

25/2/2014

 

A decent rain jacket is an essential piece of travel gear.

Tilley Endurables Waterproof Jacket TurnipseedTravel.com Bruges
A rainy day in Bruges didn't dampen Ryan's travel spirits.
If I waited until the rain stopped to go traveling, chances are I would never leave the house! It seems like it's drizzling for at least half the year in Canada and some of my favourite travel destinations are notoriously wet - I'm talking about you, Ireland! While I HATE being damp, I'm not going to let the bad weather rain on my travel parade. 

When Ryan and I had the chance to take Tilley Endurable's waterproof jacket with us on our round the world trip, we jumped at the chance to put this product through its paces and we were thrilled we found a raincoat that was compact enough to earn a place in our pack.

Read More

Readers Want to Know: Do Bath Salts and Scrubs Belong In A 3-1-1 Kit?

10/2/2014

 

Are bath salts a liquid? Are body scrubs allowed in toiletry kits? And I've always traveled with St.Ives Apricot Scrub - but is it a liquid or not?

​​​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Bath salts 3-1-1 kit and body scrubs in toiletry kit: Picture of St Ives scrubs Picture
Is this travelers' staple TSA friendly? Read on! Photo courtesy of TheBinderLadies.com
On my first trip to Italy, I had booked myself a hostel bed in the village of Finale Ligure. Up, up, up I climbed, hundreds of steps, until I came to the hostel's door at the top of the hill. Of course, it was closed for a mid-day cleaning! So down, down, down I went to kill some time at the beach. A whipping wind coated my sunscreen-clad body in a thick layer of sand. After a few hours, it was time to haul myself back up the hill. That was one well deserved shower! The effort it took to scrub off all the sweat, sunscreen, and embedded sand left me with remarkably smooth skin. Talk about a backpacker's spa treatment!

There's no denying that traveling can leave you gritty, grimy, and in need of a good scrub but I prefer to use something other than sand these day! Alas, not all skin treatments are so cheap and so travel-friendly. And ​I know I'm not the only traveler carting along bath scrubs and bath salts and trying to fit everything into my toiletry bag and 3-1-1 kit.  Now readers want to know if any of these products are carry-on friendly. That's a great question! So let's talk about exfoliating body scrubs and relaxing bath salts. Are they liquids? Can they have a spot in your toiletry kit?

Read More

Travel Gear Review: Inside My Round The World Makeup Bag

11/12/2013

 

Travel, toiletries, and one tiny pack.

Makeup Travel Packing TurnipseedTravel.com
Something fun & girly in an otherwise practical backpack.
I love everything about packing. From the challenge of making my bag as small as possible to the excitement and anticipation, I feel like the fun of packing is an extension of the fun of travel. Even though I'm determined to pack as little as possible, I always make room for a few treats.  

Looking at it all written down, it seems like an extensive list of "treats", especially considering that I rarely wear any make up at home. But most of these items are tiny travel sizes or samples and, for the most part, they are very inexpensive. Together, these products will take me anywhere I need to go. Deep pink lipstick, dark lashes, and a smoky eye in Paris. Some bronze highlighting and shine buster in the Sydney sun. Glossy nails and polished, light eyes and lips for a Brussels hotel review. Rosy cheeks and pinned back hair to combat jetlag in San Francisco. The possibilities are endless! Here's what I'm packing in my make-up bag for our round-the-world trip:

Read More

Travel Gear Review: The Thundershirt for Traveling Cats

9/11/2013

 

Introducing our very own Thundercat!!! A look at the Thundershirt for cats who travel (or the owners who want them to). Updated in 2021.

​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Thundershirt for traveling cats white fluffy cat at a campground in Prince Edward Island Camping TurnipseedTravel.com
The world's heartiest cat - the campground kitty stalking us in PEI. Definitely not our pet! And this is one traveling cat that did not need a Thundershirt!
I've seen a lot of strange things when I've travelled, but one scene really sticks out in my mind. We were camping in Prince Edward Island’s Cabot Beach Provincial Park, and enjoying gorgeous ocean front views, when we realized we weren't alone. There was another presence nearby, something sly and unnatural….It was a cat! A camping cat! A fluffy Persian camping cat on a leash! It was the last thing on earth we were expecting to see. Who goes camping with a white fluffy cat and secures them under a pine tree with a leash and harness? Obviously they never met my cat! Enter the Thundershirt for traveling cats (and maybe dogs too?)

Read More

Travel Gear Review: Tilley Endurables Men's Wear

10/9/2013

 

Ryan's looking to solve some of his packing problems.

Tilley Travel Gear Clothing Review www.turnipseedtravel.com
Getting excited to try on travel gear!
Tilley Endurable Travel Clothing Gear www.turnipseedtravel.com
Checking for proper fit - this shirt made Ryan's shortlist!
I’d like to say its easier for me to travel carry-on than it is for Vanessa. In theory, I have less to pack. In theory! In reality, I find that my items are generally bulkier and I tend to pack more of them. The problem is that I perspire -a lot. What I save in space by not packing dresses or skirts, I more than make up for with many undershirts, as well as bulky jeans and shorts.

Read More
<<Previous
    Recent Posts
    Posts by Location
    Turnipseed Travel Category Canada
    Turnipseed Travel Category USA
    Turnipseed Travel Category Europe
    Turnipseed Travel Category Africa
    Turnipseed Travel Category Australia
    Turnipseed Travel Category Asia

    Post Categories

    All
    $200 Challenge
    200m Challenge
    Accommodation
    Africa
    Amsterdam
    Anti Adventurist
    Asia
    Australia
    Belgium
    Business Travel
    Camping
    Canada
    Central Counties
    Cozy Travel
    Destinations
    Europe
    Experiences & Activities
    Female Travel
    Food And Drink
    Gear And Packing
    Golf
    Greece
    Guest Posts & Interviews
    Health
    Inspiration
    Making Travel Memories
    Montreal
    Most Popular Posts
    National Parks
    Norfolk County
    Ontario
    Ottawa
    Paris
    Partners
    Pet Travel
    Photo Essay
    Preparation
    Press Trip Portfolio
    Reviews Accommodation
    Reviews Gear Packing
    Round The World
    Saving
    Toronto
    Transportation
    Travel Cooking
    Travel Memories Series
    UK & Ireland
    United States

    Posts by Date

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014.​
White House Study Abroad Logo 2014
Turnipseed Travel Logo 2019
DMCA.com Protection Status
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media