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10 Ways the Khmer Explorer Travel Set Will Improve Your Next Trip

Travel Backpack Khmer Explorer

At first thought your travel backpack may seem like a small detail required for your next incredible adventure. While it may seem insignificant, the wrong backpack or luggage can waste your time, cost you money, and hold you back from having the trip of a lifetime. We built the Khmer Explorer Travel Set after years of struggling to find a full-size travel backpack that was large enough for gear intensive adventures, but also had features designed specifically for adventure travel. The Khmer Explorer will transform your life on the road. You’ll  spend more time focusing on the fun parts of travel like meeting new friends, experiencing new cultures, and learning more about yourself. Here are 10 ways the Khmer Explorer Travel Set will improve your next epic adventure.

1. Get (and stay) organized with the integrated packing system.

Packing cubes are essential. They keep your gear separated, allow for the compression of larger items, and prevent your stuff from spreading out everywhere when you get to your destination. Unfortunately, most packing cubes weren’t designed for your backpack and force you to pack around them.  The Khmer Explorer’s packing system was built to integrate seamlessly into the back compartment of your pack. No more fussing to fit everything in.  Keep your shirts, shorts, and pants neatly rolled and pull the packing cubes out when you arrive at your destination. Effortlessly lay them back in when you’re ready to go. Yes, organization can be this easy (not to mention beautiful!).

Our Front Loading Backpack

2. Separate your wet gear and dirty clothes.

Sometimes you have to pack up in a rush to catch a flight, bus, or train. Maybe your swimsuit hasn’t dried, or maybe your shoes are smelling a little worse for wear… Regardless, the last thing you want is clean-dirty cross contamination! The Khmer Explorer’s integrated packing system features a removable shoe/wet gear bag is the perfect solution. Use it for carrying your shoes, muddy boots, dirty laundry, or wet towel and keep your fresh stuff, fresh.

3. Access all of your gear at any time.

Before we built the Khmer Explorer we travelled for years with top-loading backpacks and experienced firsthand the frustration of digging to the very bottom of them to unearth a clean t-shirt (sometimes after becoming the unfortunate victim of a bird sky bombing…). That’s why the Khmer Explorer has two easy-access clamshell compartments to give you full access to any item you packed, no matter where you are. 

lay flat clamshell design travel backpack

4. Enjoy the comfort of a hiking backpack without the drawbacks of a hiking backpack.

Hiking packs are great. They were built for carrying big loads over long distances and varying terrain. Sadly they leave something to be desired for organizing a travel wardrobe. The 60L Khmer Explorer uses an ergonomic hiking suspension system to keep you comfortable on the road. Fully height adjustable, the harness adapts to fit all body types and sizes comfortably. Plus, the integrated (and concealable) hip belt is bolstered and padded to take up to 80% of the weight off of your shoulders. This means you can stop fearing long walks and focus on the incredible adventures you’re having.

5. Carry all of your travel gear no matter the adventure.

At 60L in size, the Khmer Explorer was designed to carry everything you need for your next adventure. Whether you’re planning to hike the Inca Trail and need room for your hiking boots and sleeping bag, or you’re planning a 6-month SE Asia adventure and need room for all of your best beachwear and full moon party shirts, the Khmer Explorer has room for it all. No matter how epic the trip. 

6. Keep your gear dry, even in a downpour.

Travel is constantly unpredictable. So is the weather. The Khmer Explorer is fully weatherproof and both the exterior kodra nylon and interior packcloth materials have been twice coated (PU2X) for extra anti-water power. So whether it’s monsoon season or a flash downpour, you can rest assured your gear will stay dry even when you don’t (unless you have an umbrella that is…).

7. The flexibility for any type of trip.

The Khmer Explorer was built to adapt to adventures. Whether you’re going camping in Canada, trekking in Nepal, becoming a yoga teacher in Indonesia, or sensory overloading in India, this pack was designed to be flexible. Stuff it to the brim or use the compression straps to make it smaller for less gear intensive adventures. Travellers have used their Khmer Explorer Travel Sets on a week-long hike across the West Coast Trail, a weekend trip in New York City, a 10-month epic around the world, and a yoga retreat in Bali. The biggest question is where will you explore?

8. Support children's education, while you get your global education.

We believe that education has the power to change the world. And travel is an investment in your global education. We believe in taking this a step further. That’s why every Khmer Explorer supports the education of a child in the developing country of Cambodia by providing 2 meals a day at school for a year. The name of the student you helped go to school is embroidered to the left strap of your pack as a symbol of your ability to make the world a better place.

Banana Backpacks Embroidered Strap

9. Keep the bad guys out.

Part of travel is growing through discomfort. Having stuff stolen is a bit too far on the discomfort scale. That’s why we’ve built in several features to give you the peace of mind you need when you’re on the road. Both exterior pockets feature lockable YKK zippers to keep unwanted hands out. You’ll even find a secret stash pocket hidden in the main compartment that happens to be the perfect size for your passport, credit card, or emergency cash.

10. Built to last for years of adventure.

Your bag is your home away from home and should last for years of adventure. The Khmer Explorer was built using premium 500D kodra nylon and YKK zippers to make sure that’s the case. We’re so confident that this bag will last that we stand behind it with a lifetime guarantee. If you have a problem with your Explorer, contact us and we’ll make it right. 
Shop the Khmer Explorer Travel Set
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Carry-On Travel Backpacks | Facts & Fiction​​

Ahhh carry-on backpacks. Who needs professional baggage handlers when you can lug all of your stuff in a carry-on bag  across the vast expanse of a massive airport with only the assistance of numerous moving sidewalks? My legs hurt just thinking about it!

Ok, I’m being a touch dramatic…

There is certainly a time and a place when carry-on is the best solution. I did my first 5 month trip around SE Asia with only a 30L shoulder bag filled with a couple of tank tops, t-shirts, a pair of flip flops, and a couple pairs of shorts. That said, aside from a little bit of walking and some diving, I spent the bulk of the time getting acquainted with the local beer of choice and lounging on the beach. Not really too gear intensive of an adventure.

For some reason unbeknownst to me, carry-on has now become a solution that is labelled as one-trip-fits-all. Even worse, angry corners of the internet travel community seem to proclaim anything but carry-on makes you some form of a lesser traveller. They get together to spread alternative facts across the travel blogging world, all while sporting red hats bearing the slogan “make luggage great again”… Riding a populist wave, these groups leave a trail of hatred and malice in their wake, by shunning everything non-carry-on and all clothing not made exclusively from Merino wool…

Ok, maybe I’m being a touch dramatic again.

Let’s just say the carry-on only crowd are a passionate lot and there is a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to the idea that you gotta be travelling carry-on. That’s why I’ve put together this list of reasons why the carry-on solution is not the be-all end-all solution to travel backpacks. I confess that some of the time carry-on is the optimal solution. However, it does not constitute the “last luggage solution you’ll ever need”. On a long journey, a carry-on bag can easily be a nuisance in its own right. Here are a few reasons (both comical and serious) to think twice before joining the alt-luggage community and swearing allegiance to the carry-on no matter the circumstance.

It’s selfish.

Many of the blogs and articles advocating a one-bag solution and carry-on only will tell you to wear your bulkiest items on the plane. This allows you to pack everything else in your bag (and fit it in). This is perfect for your fellow passengers who will either get to sit next to a derivative of the Michelin Man or try to move your coat, boots, 5 sweaters etc. from the overhead to make room for their personal item.

loaded up with carry on

You have to do all the work:

On most international flights your carry-on luggage is included free of charge. That’s so nice of the airline to give away another freebie on top of booze, airplane food, and mini pretzels! Not quite. You’ve paid for your checked baggage in the cost of your ticket, but have decided you’d like to try out a career as a baggage handler instead of leaving it to the pros.

Security sucks:

Instead of 1 or 2 bag trays, you get to pick through your bag for all of your liquids and gels and then cause a logjam as you wait for your 8 trays to come rolling through and proceed to practice your best repacking time in front of 100 people.

Carry-On Standards vary country to country:

You know your favourite toenail clippers? The ones that have been passed down through your family from generation to generation. They trimmed your grandma’s cuticles and now they’re trimming yours. In some countries, they might be carry-on approved (Canada allows small knives up to 6cm), but in other countries, you’ll be saying a teary goodbye to your strange family heirloom as the big bad security guy scolds you for your naivety (don’t even think about a small knife in the US).

It’s disrespectful to the memory of Anthony Bourdain.

The late and great Anthony Bourdain was quoted as saying  “I check my luggage. I hate the people struggling to cram their luggage in an overhead bin, so I don’t want to be one of those people.” Enough said right there…

Most of the concern of lost/delayed luggage is fear-mongering.

I’ve taken hundreds of flights over the course of my life and have never lost a bag or even had delayed luggage. According to the Air Travel Consumer Report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, you face less than a 1% chance that a major airline will misplace your bags. Furthermore, delayed baggage is also quite rare. The best thing? If you have a travel credit card you’ll typically have insurance for delayed luggage – turning an unfortunate situation into a blessing and a new wardrobe!  If you’re still terrified of losing a bag, follow these tips from The Points Guy to help mitigate the 1% risk…

Carry on is not always free. Sometimes it’s even more expensive.

“Stop paying for a checked bag” the Facebook and Google Ads scream! That does sound nice… but is it true? Yes and no. In the U.S. and Canada, the majority of domestic carriers will charge you for checking, but not for carry-on. For international? The first checked is typically free so no benefit to carry on. What about ultra-discount carriers? This is where it gets a little murkier. In Canada, both Flair and Swoop charge more for carry-on than for checked (for both checked baggage is $5-20 dollars cheaper depending on the time it was purchased). In the US, Frontier charges the same for either ($30-$60 – it’s $5 cheaper for checked if purchased in advance). 

It’s nice to be free of your bag or backpack for a few hours.

When you travel, your bag is like your child. Like most parents, you love it dearly and always wonder if it’s okay. Sometimes though you need a rest, and it’s important to have a bit of “you” time. Checking your bag gives you that time! If you’ve ever walked around the expanses of Heathrow, Hong Kong International, Narita, or Dubai you’ll appreciate the feeling of freedom and Buzz-Aldrin-like weightlessness that checked luggage affords.   

You’re cheating the weigh-in and hoping you don’t get busted.

With a carry-on bag, you’re like a boxer or UFC fighter trying to drop down a class to fight a different opponent. Sure you may look like you meet the guidelines (you can fit your bag in those weird metal bag measurers), but when that smiling baggage attendant asks you to place your bag on the scale, you’re left with a sinking feeling. Then the weigh-in comes and you’ve blown your weight restriction out of the water. You’re left scrambling at the check-in desk to find a plastic bag to haul your in-flight essentials before bidding adieu to your “one-bag” as it journeys down towards the checked baggage hell you so feared.

If you don’t believe how easy this weight barrier is to cross, check out this fun infographic I built of a purely hypothetical, yet realistic, carry-on packing list (I even weighed each item myself :)….). Note that China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific (among many other major airlines) restrict carry-on bag weight to 7kg (yes, I’ve been busted before).

Carry-on luggage weight breakdown

It is (often) worse for the environment.

There’s been a huge push by the carry-on travel community to flaunt the idea that carry-on only is the answer to travel’s environmental impact, and maybe even the solution to climate change as a whole…. Who needs the Paris Accord, when you can carry-on!  Yes, I’ll confess that the potential for weight reduction can be beneficial for reducing jet fuel consumption, but this argument completely disregards the numerous incredibly harmful effects of carry-on only. Weight reduction benefits are easily offset by travel-sized containers and the purchasing of inexpensive items abroad on a use and dispose basis. I recently chatted with a traveler who bragged about her 25L bag, only to add the caveat that anything she doesn’t have or can’t carry she buys there and throws away. Environmentally friendly? I think not.   

Now that I’ve finished my transition to pariah of the online travel community by encouraging you to consider checking a bag, I’ll say this as a closing remark, I have no issue with traveling light and I have packed and traveled quite comfortably out of a 25L bag. That said, there are plenty of times and plenty of trips when traveling with a larger bag like our 60L Khmer Explorer Travel Set simply makes more sense (you had the option of stopping reading before the product plug…)!

Happy travels friends!

-MF   

Michael

Michael

Michael manages the gear side of Banana Backpacks and thoroughly enjoys spending his days playing with or dreaming of zippers, fabrics, and buckles. When he's not working on gear, you'll probably find him planning a whirlwind overseas trip or backcountry camping adventure.
Michael

Michael

Michael manages the gear side of Banana Backpacks and thoroughly enjoys spending his days playing with or dreaming of zippers, fabrics, and buckles. When he's not working on gear, you'll probably find him planning a whirlwind overseas trip or backcountry camping adventure.
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The Best Travel Dresses | Pick the Perfect Dress for Your Next Trip

Girl in dress admires a view

One of the staple items in any travel backpack or suitcase is a great travel dress. Breathable, comfortable in hot climates, and versatile (for the beach and a night out), a great travel dress can be your best friend when you’re exploring new places. So how do you choose the right dress (or dresses) to take on your next trip? Wherever you’re planning your next trip this article has you covered! From selection criteria to the tried-and-tested favourite dresses of 9 amazing globe-trotting women, your search for the right travel dress  just got much easier!

Criteria for choosing the perfect travel dress

Have you ever packed something for a trip only to realize when you got there that it was a total waste of luggage space? Perhaps the material was inappropriate for the hot, sticky climate, or maybe the item’s design turned out to be a cultural faux pas. To avoid wasting precious luggage capacity, here are a few key considerations to keep in mind when you’re picking your next dress for travel:

Fabric

Is it breathable? Is it lightweight? Will it wrinkle easily?

Light, natural fabrics are often best. Think organic cotton (which is significantly better for the planet than conventional cotton) and check out this fabric guide from Travel Fashion Girl to decide which fabrics are best for different climates.

Coverage

Where are you traveling to? What do local women in the country wear? Do you need to have your knees or shoulders covered to respect the local culture?

A trip to the beaches of California is likely going to require a different dress than the one you might want to rock in India or Sri Lanka. Do your research before you visit to see what the local customs are for dressing in your chosen destination(s). The goal is for both you and those around you to feel comfortable! A helpful hint: a scarf or sarong is a great thing to bring along for covering exposed shoulders (a requirement for visiting temples in countries like Cambodia,  Indonesia orThailand). 

Comfort

Do you feel great in the dress? Is it practical for your trip? Is it versatile?

Comfort is queen when you’re traveling. It’s important to have a travel outfit that you can wear on airplanes, to a fancy dinner, and to the beach, and feel equally comfortable in every setting. You don’t have all the room in the world to change outfits (especially if you’re lugging your wardrobe in a backpack!), so find one travel dress that makes you feel great whenever you wear it!

Ethics/Sustainability

What material is it made of? Who made it? What are the values of the company you're buying from?

There has been a push towards transparency and awareness about ethical working standards in the fashion industry since the 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh resulted in the deaths of 1,138 people. Those killed in this tragedy were mainly garment workers, who were making clothes for global brands in unsafe conditions. With the fashion industry also being one of the most polluting in the world, it’s important to consider how your new dress not only helps you travel but also how it impacts other people and our beautiful planet. Looking at where our dresses come from, what their impact is on the people who make them, and what their impact is on the environment makes a big difference. The majority of the following travel dresses are made by companies that put social and environmental responsibility at the very heart of their ethos, making it that much easier to shop with a heart!

"My Favourite Travel Dress" - Selected by the Experts

Sure, it may have been easier for me to do a bit of internet research, try on a few dresses at a local boutique and come up with a few decent dresses for travel. But when I set out to craft this article my intention was to find the best dresses for travel. Dresses that had been tried and tested by those who have the expertise to judge. I really love a good travel dress, but I must admit I’m more versed at judging the best pair of jeans to wear for cycling a dusty Cambodian backroad (I wish I was joking…).  With this in mind, I spent time asking some of the web’s greatest experts on fashion, travel, sustainability, and all three mixed into one. So without further ado, let’s dive in to their recommendations.

Mish wears a travel dress
Image by We Live We Explore

Mish - We Live We Explore

Favourite travel dress: The Etienne Maxi Gown

by Spell & The Gypsy Collective

“My favourite dresses for travel are the Spell & The Gypsy Collective – my current fave, the Etienne Maxi Gown! I absolutely adore Spell for their focus on sustainability and care for this earth. This is my go-to travel dress at the moment because I love how when wearing it, it transforms any photograph into something really special. A gorgeous vibrant print that stands out against any backdrop, flattering but comfortable fit, and of course the flowy gown that makes me love twirling about. It’s also crinkle-free, perfect for packing away in a suitcase!”

ELiLA wears a travel dress
Image by English Lass in LA

Jessica - English Lass in LA

Favourite travel dress: The Pocket Dress

by Pact

“I recently took this PACT dress to New York and it’s since become a travel staple for me. Despite the poor dress getting very squished in my suitcase (I may have had to sit on it to close it), it wasn’t creased when we got to our hotel. This dress can be worn layered in cold climates but I’ve also worn it in Palm Springs with just a pair of sandals. Not related to traveling, but I had to mention the adorable pockets. There aren’t enough dresses with pockets and so any dress with pockets makes me very happy!”

travel dresses for women
Image by Conscious Life & Style

Elizabeth - Conscious Life & Style

Favourite travel dress: Julia Blue Brush Wrap Dress

by Plume and Thread

“When I’m traveling to warm destinations, comfy dresses are always my go to! Creating an outfit with just one piece is so helpful for light packing. One of my favorite ethical fashion dresses is this pretty printed one from Plume and Thread made consciously in the U.S. The fabric is super soft, doesn’t wrinkle, and since there’s no need for dry cleaning, I can hand wash it with minimal environmental impact. Another big bonus of this dress is that it has pockets! Sometimes it can get tough carrying around everything traveling so it’s nice to have another convenient place to put things when needed.”

Girl loooks at a buddha statue
Image by Miss Filatelista

Lola - Miss Filatelista

Favourite travel dress: Celeste Wrap Dress

by Poème Clothing

“My absolute favorite travel dress is the Celeste wrap dress from the Poème Clothing collection. I fell in love with their beautiful handmade designs, breathable fabrics, and their dedication to paying fair wages to the artisans who create the Poème Clothing collection in fair working conditions in Bali. I took my dress out for a spin in Chiang Mai, Thailand as I ventured around to some of my favorite Buddhist temples. As a former worker of the fashion industry in NYC I keep the question Who Made My Clothes in mind whenever I shop and try to buy ethically produced items or at least locally made garments. It used to be challenging to source sustainable fashion that didn’t cost a fortune but thankfully the times have changed and consumers have demanded ethical, sustainable, and affordable clothing options.”

Image by Bohemian Trails

Megan - Bohemian Trails

Favourite travel dress: Splendid dresses

by Splendid

“When I popped into Splendid’s SoHo store last summer, I had no idea that a simple denim-like dress would soon become my go-to travel staple. As a frequent traveler, comfort is key, as is the need to transform an outfit from day to night. Surprisingly, you can really dress this little number up with a pair of heels, a belt, a necklace and/or a hat. It’s also easy to pack and takes up very little room in my suitcase. A major plus in my book.”

travel pockets wears a dress for travelling
Image by Liang Ge

Candy - Travel Pockets

Favourite travel dress: The Sunkissed Midi

by Athleta

“One of my favorite dresses I take along with me on my travels is the Sunkissed Midi Dress by Athleta. The cut is classy and the fabric hugs my body in just the right places. Not only is the fit amazing, but it’s also supremely soft and breathable which is perfect for warmer weather.”

Leotie Lovely in a room by a desk wearing a yellow dress
Image by Leotie Lovely

Holly- Leotie Lovely

Favourite travel dress: The Playa Robe

by PAR EN PAR

“My favourite travel dress, or rather my favourite travel piece, is a linen robe by PAR EN PAR. It can be worn as a dress, a coat, a beach cover up, or a robe and it packs up small as well. It’s one of those pieces you can dress up or dress down as well so it’s as diverse as it is beautiful! It’s made both ethically and sustainably as well so it’s a beautiful piece on all levels.”

sarong the best travel dress
Image by Just One Way Ticket

Sabrina - Just One Way Ticket

Favourite travel dress: A sarong

“The best dress is a sarong, multi-functional to use as a dress, towel, blanket, headband, scarf, etc. I always bring 2-3 lightweight sarongs with me when I travel, it’s the best travel accessory in my suitcase!”

Other travel outfit options if you don't like dresses?

Not all of us love dresses. Sometimes it’s nice to have a travel outfit that allows you more mobility, but still has the same level of class, versatility, comfort, and breathability. You’re not alone and this great outfit option is one alternative that you could try for your next journey!

Water Thru Skin Travel Outfit
Image by Water Thru Skin

Valeria - Water Thru Skin

Favourite travel outfit: Rooted Pant

by Arizen

“Finding new conscious brands has become a part of my routine, and there’s honestly nothing that makes me happier than discovering brands like Arizen. This one-of-a-kind brand designs beautiful and comfortable clothing pieces using sustainable fabrics and nontoxic dyes. Some of the earth-friendly fabrics they use are made of wood pulp, tree cellulose, flax, cotton and others. Arizen also works with artisans in Bali, empowering them through fair wages, humane working conditions, and fair work opportunities.”

Which of these dresses do you like best? Do you have a favourite travel dress that we missed? Let me know in the comments below!

Anika

Anika

Anika manages social impact and partnership work at Banana Backpacks. She spends her days connecting with the Banana Backpacks global community and making sure our gear has a positive impact on the world. When she's not working, you'll find her taking the world's longest walks or setting off to try living in a new location across the world. Presently, she's trying life in Cambodia.
Anika

Anika

Anika manages social impact and partnership work at Banana Backpacks. She spends her days connecting with the Banana Backpacks global community and making sure our gear has a positive impact on the world. When she's not working, you'll find her taking the world's longest walks or setting off to try living in a new location across the world. Presently, she's trying life in Cambodia.