I don’t know when I became a comparison shopper (probably when I first started toying with a more sustainable, minimalist lifestyle), but I have spent many hours at a time comparing and researching different products for my daily, personal use. I like things, but I want them to be good quality and made with innovation. I often want to shout from the rooftops what I bought and recommend them to others, but don’t have the influencer energy or presence to make videos or posts about them, so here are my two cents of things that I bought that I think could benefit someone out there if they’re in a similar situation or fixated headspace like myself.
Monos Carry-On Pro Suitcase
Over the past year, I’ve done a lot of traveling. It’s usually with my Away Bigger Carry-On and/or Nomatic 20L Travel Pack. I don’t do check-in luggage because I have heard more than enough horror stories of losing them and also, I don’t want to weigh myself down by the amount of stuff or clothes I’m bringing with me. In general, I’m trying to cut back on things, so traveling is always an exercise of deciding what are necessities. I always strive for efficiency and am definitely an airport dad, so hoping to impress TSA with how competent I am. While I love my Away, trying to pass my Nomatic (with its many helpful pockets) as a personal item hasn’t been as helpful as I thought. The bag definitely sticks out from under the seat in front of me and it just gets in everyone’s way. I also never need as many things on hand as I think I do or need to pack extra clothing in there because I have all of my things with me! So I decided to get a smaller (read: international plane-friendly) piece of luggage.
The Carry-On Pro has a super helpful hardcover front pocket where you can stash your laptop, your sunglasses, AirPods, a book, a scarf, moisturizer, your passport, business receipts, and more when moving through an airport and take some of that weight off your shoulders and even stop with the constant strap removal to grab or place something in there. It’s also more convenient than having to put your suitcase on its side and unzip it all just to grab your laptop and liquids for TSA. (Your liquids should be on your personal if anything!) No fear about someone easily stealing from you if you’re lucky enough like me to sleep on a plane. In addition to the TSA combo lock built into the main compartment of the case, the zippers have overlapping zippers where you can use your own lock to secure it.
The Carry-On Pro came with two (2!) shoe bags, a laundry bag, and a vegan leather luggage tag! There are also two more pockets inside the case: one on the left-hand zip cover and one on the right-hand flap under the compressing straps, so you can store your underwear or other knick-knacks there. Those pockets are helpful since the front laptop pocket does take up space on the left side luggage compartment.
Huha Underwear
Big TMI, I have dealt with my (un)fair share of UTIs and yeast infections, and while I make sure to get my antibiotics or drink a lot of water, wearing underwear made of polyester is not good for the goodies. Huha underwear was created by a woman who was also dealing with UTIs, so I was intrigued by the focus on that. From the product descriptions, the underwear is made with “TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers that are unfavorable for bacteria growth and protected with smartcel™ sensitive, a functional fiber using pharma-graded zinc oxide. Together, these sustainable, soft fibers keep you fresher, longer.”
The underwear is sustainably made (always a plus for me) and has longer/more gusset (the fabric that covers the bits) coverage, with some designs going full up to the waistband. Not all bodies grow the same way and sometimes there are just pieces of underwear that believe the gusset should stop shorter than some people would want (me!).
BOIE Flat body scrubber
I’m already a customer of Boie, having used and traveled with these, these are microbial in design as well and are easy to slap onto a wet shower wall and quick to try and transport in your toiletries bag. I like the soft bristles for exfoliating and they create a good lather. Boie has a recycling program (they suggest replacing your scrubber every 3 months) that I have been bad about utilizing, but I hope to make better use of it in the upcoming year.