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Published on May 12, 2022 09:01

Kentucky Has Over 130 Caves. These Are the 7 You Don’t Want To Miss.

Kentucky is synonymous with a few classic all-American staples: the Kentucky Derby, fried chicken, and baseball bats. So threatening your Derby betting bookie with a Louisville Slugger while simultaneously chowing down on KFC might sound like the ultimate Kentucky experience. You would, however, be missing out on one of the most beautiful and underrated pastimes in the state: exploring the many caves in Kentucky.

Thanks to a unique topography and significant underground erosion, there are more than 130 caves in Kentucky. These caves have served a variety of purposes, from criminal shelters to burial sites and places for medicinal research. Today, many are open for visitors.

Mammoth Cave National Park is the state’s largest and most well-known cave system, with over 412 miles of mapped caverns, but there are plenty of other subterranean grottos just waiting to be explored. From the Outlaw Cave where Jesse James once hid to the surreal, glittering rock formations in Diamond Caverns, these are the must-do adventures in caves in Kentucky.

Lost River Cave: boat tours on an underground river caves in kentucky lost river

Photo: Visit KentuckyGraphix Berdeaux

If cruising through a subterranean cavern on a boat is your idea of the ideal cave experience, head to Bowling Green’s Lost River Cave. The seven-mile-long cave system is home to Kentucky’s only natural cave boat tour, ending in a dramatic cathedral-like cavern. You can also take a walking tour instead along the edge of the underground river. Whether you choose to explore by land or by water, you’ll learn all about the cave’s historical use by Native Americans, European settlers, and Civil War soldiers.

There’s plenty to do above ground, too. Visitors will find a 72-acre park with a large network of hiking trails, a zipline operator, a seasonal butterfly habitat, and an education center where you can learn more about the cave.

Hidden River Cave: cross a hanging suspension bridge caves in kentucky hidden river

Photo: Visit Kentucky

Adjacent to Mammoth Cave, Hidden River Cave is one of the largest caves in the state at around 10 miles long. It’s under the town of Hose Cave and was once a source of drinking water for the town, until its commercialization (and subsequent pollution) resulted in its decades-long closure. The cave reopened in the 1980s thanks to the American Cave Conservation Association, which implemented conservation and environmental protections and opened a museum for visitors.

Now, it’s one of the top caves in Kentucky is home to 21 types of flora and fauna, making it a global hotspot for underground biodiversity and one of the most biologically diverse cave ecosystems in the world. The cave also has the world’s longest suspension bridge inside a cave system and is the largest single cave room in the Mammoth Cave region.

Carter Caves State Resort Park: crawl through caves with a headlamp carter caves in kentucky

Photo: Kentucky Tourism

Carter County has the highest concentration of caves in Kentucky, making it a perfect basecamp if your goal is to visit as many caves in Kentucky as possible. You’ll. find more than 20 caves in Carter Caves State Resort Park alone, including Cascade Cave (with its 30-foot waterfall), Saltpetre Cave, and X-Cave. For a true spelunking experience, sign up for a cave crawl, where you’ll explore the caves by squeezing through narrow, unlit passages. More claustrophobic visitors might want to choose a more leisurely, self-guided walking tour instead. Or stay entirely above ground, where you can take advantage of more than 26 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Diamond Caverns: a multi-level cave adventure

Photo: Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock

While you shouldn’t enter Diamond Caverns expecting to see shimmering diamond-encrusted walls, it’s pretty much the next best thing. When the cave was discovered in 1859, early explorers thought the calcite formations looked like glittering diamonds, making for a truly resplendent sight. The cave is known for its cathedral-like chambers of impressive rock formations, including columns, curtain deposits, and colorful calcite. It also has a sophisticated lighting system, illuminating a half-mile of tunnels.

The cave is two levels and requires visitors to climb around 350 steps, so take that into account before adding it to your Kentucky caves list.

Outlaw Cave: see where Jesse James hid from the law

The aptly-named Outlaw Cave is infamous for its use as a shelter by notorious outlaws, the most notable of whom was Jesse James. But apart from its criminal past, the cave is known for the mist perpetually hanging in the air and colorful rock formations, including massive floor-to-ceiling columns. To keep the cave as natural as possible, no boardwalks or stairs have been added, though it’s still wheelchair accessible. ONE OTHER THING HERE

Gap Cave: take a guided wildlife and nature tour gap cave in kentucky bat

Photo: National Park Service

Inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Gap Cave is between three and five million years old, formed by natural water erosion that continues to impact the cave’s evolution. And in that time, this Kentucky cave has developed quite the history. It was a meeting place in prehistoric Native American life and to visited by Civil War soldiers in the 1800s, more than 300 of whom etched their names in the rock. Both the Union and the Confederacy occupied the site at various times, and there’s even a smaller “Soldier’s Cave” that once served as a battlefield hospital.

Inside the cave, you’ll find stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone (a thin rock sheet created by flowing water), and soda straws (spaghetti-like hanging rock formations), as well as wildlife like cave flies, crickets, salamanders, crayfish, bats, and more. The best way to explore the 1.5-mile cave is on a guided tour, which lasts about two hours.

Crystal Onyx Cave: climb into the cave through a sinkhole onyx cave kentucky

Photo: Visit Kentucky

With prehistoric origins, Crystal Onyx Cave is known for its curtains of stalactites, domes, sinkholes, and speleothems (accumulations of mineral deposits). Your journey through the cave will begin with a short walk to one of the many sinkholes, where you will descend a set of stairs into the cave. The trails throughout the cave have been recently renovated with crushed limestone and handrails, and you can explore approximately a half-mile of the cave’s tunnels. To add another layer of adventure to the experience, camp nearby at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, which offers a variety of campsites with access to hiking trails and kayaking.

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Published on May 12, 2022 08:54

May 11, 2022

Your Outdoor Gear Should Use Ethically Sourced Down. Here’s Why It Matters.

The “swoosh” sound of your arms swinging while you walk in a puffy jacket is the sound of winter in many places around the globe. Puffy jackets, as they’re commonly called, are a go-to piece of outerwear for pretty much anyone that spends time outdoors in the cold. That’s because they usually come in awesome colors, keep you toasty warm, and are easy to find — almost every outdoor brand makes at least half a dozen. But while you can’t see the feathers inside your puffy, the fill — down — is sourced from geese and ducks. Historically, those geese and ducks haven’t been raised in good conditions, and the process for extracting the feathers has been harmful to the animals.

That makes it very much not ethically sourced down.

There are, however, lots of ways to ensure you are buying ethically sourced down. Here’s the low-down on why ethically sourced down matters, how to find it, and some great gear from brands leaning into the sustainable movement.

What is down, and where does it come from? woman in down jacket ethically sourced down

Photo: = Claudiu Maxim /Shutterstock

“Most down is a byproduct of the food industry,” says Scott Kaier, President of Formidable Media, which represents ALLIED Feather & Down. It provides ethically sourced down to clothing manufacturers around the globe. Most of the down used in jackets, vests, pillows, and other common items, is a mix of different types of feathers from geese and ducks, Kaier notes, explaining that historically, most down comes from countries where eating those animals is common practice.

Therein lies the problem with most down, he says. Because it’s a byproduct of the food system, which usually raises geese and ducks in factory farm settings where they’re often exposed to neglect and abuse, the down they produce is unethical. Buying products that use that down is supporting an industry that doesn’t care much about animal welfare.

Of course, those wholly opposed to using animal products can argue that all down –- even down sourced from animals treated humanely – is unethical by default. But Kaier argues that ethically sourced down can be a renewable resource that helps the products it fills be more sustainable. The most commonly used alternate option is plastic filling or other materials that are harmful to the environment (or finite in quantity).

“Down is a fully circular product,” Kaiser says. “It is natural, useable, and recyclable, with no microplastics. So when a brand uses down, and then surrounds it with responsible coating, what they’re producing is a product that is as sustainable as possible.”

Whether it can be called ethically source down comes down to how it’s sourced. Feathered birds living in natural and outdoor environments that experience life with space to roam and exhibit natural behaviors produce higher-quality feathers, in part because they aren’t plucked when not molting. This practice also reduces cruelty, as the animals are not “farmed” in the modern sense of the food industry. Instead, their feathers are taken towards the end of a natural life cycle. ALLIED Feather & Down doesn’t ever use feathers that were live-plucked (a process both painful and harmful for the birds), nor does it work with farms that force-feed birds to create foie gras (a dish so closely tied to animal cruelty that it was banned in California in 2004).

In the case of Allied Feather and Down, each batch of down receives a “Lot number” displayed on the final product. “This allows consumers to see what is in their jacket and its history,” Kaiser says. “Pretty cool way to know exactly what you’re buying.”

In order to tell whether your down product is ethically sourced, check the label. Brands are not shy about boasting of sustainability and the ethical causes they support.

Why is down insulation better that other materials? man hiking in puffy jacket ethically sourced down

Photo: Daxiao Productions/Shutterstock

Fashion designer Eddie Bauer created the down jacket as we know it today in 1936. Down gained popularity because of its ability to trap heat, thus keeping its wearer warm and insulated — a product of particular use in cold climates with long winters. Because down jackets are water-resistant, they gained traction among outdoor enthusiasts (hence the original appeal to Eddie Bauer), who used them for everything from skiing to camping to hiking. These days, down jackets are a fashion symbol as much as they are a functional piece of outerwear, especially if you live in a place where outdoor activities hold cultural supremacy (looking at you, Boulder).

As a fashion trend, down has stuck around, even as trends introduced afterward have come and gone. That’s because down is extremely functional, and no company has yet come up with a natural material that works better. Travel the world and you’ll see down worn by extreme mountain climbers and urban hipsters alike, largely for the same purpose: staying warm.

How does down work?

Down works by clustering heat. The “puffy” pockets in your puffy jacket create space for the down feathers to expand and loft up. Those fluffy feathers trap heat generated by your body. Whether it’s in a jacket, pants, shoes, blankets, or sleeping bag, there’s no better natural material for keeping people warm. And the icing on that toasty cake is that down is also incredibly breathable, so you can walk, ski, hike, or even jog in your down layer, and perspiration won’t get trapped in your layers. Down is also water-resistant, so it won’t soak up your sweat. And if you get caught in some light rain (or heavy rain; it depends on the outer fabric), it won’t penetrate your down.

How to care for and wash down clothing Guy in ethically sourced down jacket in woods

Photo: yurakrasil/Shutterstock

It may surprise you to learn that down actually can be machine washed. Wash your down jackets, pants, or other wearables on a gentle cycle in warm water and use a down-specific soap. Don’t throw it in the dryer with the rest of your clothes, though — it’s better to hang it or lay it flat on a clothing rack and let it sit for several hours. You can tumble dry on a slow cycle if you’re in a hurry. Note that high heat can ruin the jacket, so be conscious of the settings on your tumble dryer. This is all just a general rule, though, so check the label on your specific product before tossing it in the washer to be safe.

Because down jackets, in particular, are made with thin coatings and are generally designed to be packable, they are prone to punctures from sharp objects (we’re looking at you, bushwhackers). Fortunately, this problem is relatively easy to fix. All you need is Gear Aid’s Tenacious Repair Tape. Stick a small cut of the tape over any punctures or small holes, and your down jacket will continue to function as normal. You can usually buy waterproof iron-on patches in various colors and shapes, too.

How to find ethically-sourced down clothing

We hope you love the ethically-sourced down products we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Many popular outdoors brands including The North Face and Patagonia, as well as smaller companies with eco-conscious founders like Jones, makes ethically-sourced down products. Bonus for REI Coop members as many are available for purchase directly from REI (see the complete list here). You can find nearly every down product in an ethically sourced version., s actually possible to build your entire down collection in an ethical fashion. Let’s run through an example for an avid camper. You could fill up on down, but any one of these products makes an excellent gift or addition to your own camp setup.

NEMO Disco 15 sleeping bag nemo sleeping bag ethically sourced down

Photo: REI

NEMO produces ethically-sourced down sleeping bags in its Disco line, available in both women’s and men’s options. With 650-fill down, full-length two-way zippers, and a breathable shell, the Disco is an excellent option for spring, summer, and fall camping below treeline, or anywhere where the overnight temperature won’t drop below 15 degrees. Our outdoor editor has the women’s version of this bag and loves it, both for the spoon shape that accommodates bent-knee sleepers, and the front zippered “gills” to dump heat if you wake up sweating in your bag at 3 AM.

Price: $299.95

REI Coop 650 Down Jacket rei down jacket

Photo: REI

All of the REI Coop branded items are made with ethically sourced down, making for an easy win if you aren’t sure what to buy. The brand’s basic 650 Down Jacket, available in women’s and men’s options, will keep you toasty on cold evenings by the campfire and is great for everyday use during winter. The jacket is also made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.

Price: $99.85

Sea-to-Summit Down Pillow

Photo: REI

If you prefer to sleep atop a comfortable pillow rather than using your down jacket or pulling the classic “tent bag stuffed with clothes” move, Sea-to-Summit makes an excellent ethically-sourced down pillow. It’s pillow-topped, inflatable, and easy to pack in a backpack or keep in the back of your car.

Price: $59.95

Buy Now

REI Coop Down Blanket rei down blanket ethically sourced down

Photo: REI

Sitting ‘round the campfire until the wee hours is much more enjoyable when your entire body is warm. This is where the REI Coop Down Blanket comes in. You’ll feel good on frigid nights when you’re protected from the cold and feel good about buying an ethically sourced product. In fact, even the polyester used in the blanket is recycled. The quilt itself is stuffed with 600-fill down.

Price: $169

Buy Now

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Published on May 11, 2022 16:14

Nevada Is One of the Best States for Stargazing. Here’s Where To Go

The great thing about stargazing is you don’t have to be an expert to do it, and the pastime can be enjoyed year-round. All you have to do is find a dark sky destination, and look up.

Nevada is one of the best locations in the US for truly dark skies, and excellent stargazing. Home to several dark sky parks and sanctuaries, and vast swaths of desert with low light pollution, Nevada has all the ingredients for clear and awe-inspiring stargazing, so its no surprise that it has an abundance of dark sky-certified parks and sanctuaries, as well as special stargazing-themed experiences. The sunset, stars, and Champagne Train is perhaps the most unique stargazing offering in the state. Departing from the East Ely Depot, the train gives passengers an unrivaled night sky experience through the Steptoe Valley. From Ely, you’ll set out from the city in an open-air car, and as you leave the light pollution behind, you’ll see thousands of stars, constellations, planets, and galaxies–all visible to the naked eye. And the best part? They include a glass of champagne in the ticket fare.

Stargazing in a national park means doing something a good deal of might consider ‌unconventional–visiting after dark. No, you might not ‌see the mountains, lakes, rivers, or forests as clearly, but the vault of stars above more than makes up for it. While not all parks are open to visitors at night, there are 20 International Dark Sky certified national parks in the US, which really come alive after dark.

Before your nighttime park adventure, however, it’s important to be prepared. In the absence of natural light, ‌have flashlights and headlamps on hand for safety’s sake. Also, remember to wear appropriate layers. You might be outside longer than expected, especially if you’re watching or waiting for a meteor shower, or looking for planets through a telescope. Since even familiar trails may look very different at night, you might take a ranger-guided tour – if one is offered – or at least bring navigational tools like a GPS.

If you’re looking to get out there and experience Nevada stargazing for yourself, here’s where you should start:

Great Basin National Park view of night sky and stars

Photo: Asif Islam/Shutterstock

Great Basin National Park is ideal for avoiding light pollution while stargazing and is one of the country’s most underrated national parks. Its campgrounds sit between 8,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level, and on clear nights you’ll be able to see the Milky Way, Andromeda Galaxy, meteors, stars, and man-made satellites. The skies in this official International Dark Sky Park are believed to be among the darkest in the Lower 48. It’s also one of the country’s least-visited national parks, making it even more ideal for avoiding crowds–as well as the light pollution–that can often disturb your stargazing peace.

Stargazing events or tours:Solar Telescope Viewing at Astro FestGreat Basin Astronomy FestivalAstronomy AmphitheaterCamping spots in the area:Upper and Lower LehmanWheeler Peak CampgroundMassacre RimBest dates to go:May 15-16 for the Total Lunar EclipseJune 14 for the Strawberry MoonSeptember 22-24 for the Great Basin Astronomy FestivalClosest towns:BakerElyMassacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary night sky with stars

Photo: Allexxandar/Shutterstock

One of seven Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world, Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary is located in the northwestern corner of Nevada and is one of the best stargazing spots in the country. It’s no surprise that scientists visiting Massacre Rim have discovered never-before-seen parts of the Milky Way in its night skies, and it’s common to see stars shining so brightly (on moonless nights) that they actually cast shadows. The Sanctuary is composed of two volcanic plateaus and wide valleys, a topography that makes for a dramatic stargazing backdrop. Note that the sanctuary’s remoteness makes it an ideal low-light pollution dark sky destination, but that same remoteness also means there’s no cell service or nearby gas stations, so plan accordingly.

Camping spots in the area:Sheldon National Wildlife RefugeModoc National ForestApplegate Field OfficeBlack Rock Field OfficeBest dates to go:June 18-June 27 to view Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in a perfect line.July, to view the Sagittarius and Scorpio constellations when they’re highest in the sky.Closest towns:Vya (ghost town)Cedarville

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Australian slang words and phrases and how to use them Funny Australian sayings and their meaning Australian-up your vocabulary

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Published on May 11, 2022 14:43

Guide to Australian slang

Australia, being so far away from the rest of the English-speaking world, has, over the years, transformed the language into its own fun, crude, and unique version that only Aussies can decipher. Australian slang is unlike anything else you’ll hear around the world, and even the most crass of British, Irish, and Scottish slang words cannot beat the vulgarity and hilarity of the idioms, sayings, and insults you hear Down Under.

This guide to Australian slang, sayings, and one-of-a-kind vocabulary will assist you in understanding what the locals are saying — and maybe even help you blend in without having to drink Foster’s and pretend to like Vegemite.

Australian slang words and phrases and how to use them

I’ve been flat chat

Translation: I’ve been very busy
Alternatives: “I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking” or “I’ve been busy as a one-legged man in an arse-kicking contest.”

Budgie smugglers

Translation: Speedos
Explanation: Skimpy male beachwear. The bulge in the lycra briefs’ forward-facing extremity resembles that of a parakeet, or “budgie” to Aussies.

Yeahnah

Explanation: This quintessential Aussie slang word is useful if you want to disagree with someone in a very polite way.
Alternative: Yeahyeahyeahyeahnahhh / Yeahyeahnah

Screama

Explanation: Australian slang word describing something that is impressive or impactful.
Alternative: Blinder
Example of usage: “Mate, that was a screama of a match last night.”

Real rip snorta

Translation: Fantastic / Really, really good / Intensely excellent

Spit the dummy

Translation: Throw a fit
Explanation: Expressing extreme dislike for a particular situation in the form of an immature tantrum like that of an infant spitting out their pacifier and bursting into a crying fit.
Example of usage: “I appreciate that you’re upset that your brother recently made love to your girlfriend; however, there is no need to spit the dummy.”

Fair dinkum

Explanation: An affirmation or response to good news. Fair dinkum can be used in a variety of contexts, such as to say that someone is genuine or to ask if one is telling the truth. It is one of the most commonly used Australian slang phrases.
Example of usage: “You can trust Jill, she’s fair dinkum” / “I just got a job in South Africa!” “Fair dinkum?”

Dunny

Translation: Toilet
Alternatives: Loo / Crappa / Outhouse / Thunderbox / Long drop

Getting munted

Translation: Getting drunk
Alternatives: Getting paro / Pissed / Maggoted / Being Loose

Bogan

Explanation: Australian rough and ready individual with an affinity for the mullet hairstyle, touring car races, Victoria Bitter beer, and generally uncouth behavior.
Example of usage: “Stay away from Rundle Street during the Clipsal 500 car race; you may well end up in a fistfight with a pissed bogan.”

Having a whinge

Translation: Moaning, whining, or complaining
Example of usage: “Jim is having a whinge about his girlfriend, boss, or something or other. I stopped listening after he opened his mouth.”

Top bloke

Translation: Great guy
Explanation: Bloke is simply a male
Example of usage: “Jonno is such a top bloke; he gave me free tickets to the footy, bought a case of beer, and set me up with his smoking-hot cousin.”

Pull your head in

Explanation: Reprimand for behaving in an idiotic fashion
Example of usage: “Stop being a dickhead and pull your head in.”

Having a chinwag

Translation: Chatting

Chuck a sickie

Explanation: Strategically fabricating an illness in order to avoid work for personal matters or self-indulgence.
Example of usage: “With such beautiful weather on Friday, I decided to chuck a sickie and enjoy a three-day weekend.”

My shout!

Translation: My round!
Explanation: When one person pays for everyone’s drink at the bar. In a group, each person generally takes turn to pay for a round / a shout.

Bloody oath

Translation: You bet / Of course / That’s true
Example of usage: “Bloody oat I’m coming to your party!”

He’s gone walkabout

Translation: He’s disappeared / He’s left without saying where he was going
Example of usage: “My keys have gone walkabout!”

Funny and rude Australian sayings and their meaning

I didn’t come here to f*ck spiders

Translation: I don’t want to waste my time

I’m dry as a dead dingos donger

Translation: I’m thirsty (for a beer, most likely)

I could eat the arse out of a low-flying duck

Translation: I’m very hungry
Alternative: I’m hungry enough to eat a horse then chase the jockey!

She could put a horn on a jellyfish

Translation: She’s hot

He’s all sizzle and no steak

Translation: He’s all talk
Explanation: He does not live up to expectations

He’s built like a brick shithouse

Translation: He is a strong, muscular man

She is cross as a frog in a sock

Translation: She’s angry
Alternative: She’s mad a cut snake

Handy as an ashtray on a motorbike

Translation: Useless
Alternatives: Handy as a back pocket on a singlet / Handy as tits on a bull

He couldn’t organize a booze-up in a brewery

Translation: He’s disorganized
Alternative: He can’t organize a bucket of sand at the beach

Whim wham for a goose’s bridle!

Translation: None of your business!

He’s a bullock short of a deck

Translation: He’s not very bright

Australian-up your vocabulary

How ‘r’ ya going?

Translation: How are you? / How is it going?
Explanation: A casually inquisitive greeting on the state of one’s affairs. More of a pleasantry than a genuine question regarding how you’re actually feeling.

G’day, mate

Translation: Hello / Hi
Explanation: The classic Aussie greeting where “good” and “day” compress to form the hybrid word of “G’day”.

No wukkas

Translation: That’s okay
Alternative: No worries / No dramas
Explanation: It’s like saying “take a chill pill,” “you’re welcome,” and “it’s going to be alright” all at the same time. “No wukkas” is a shortening of “No wuckin furries,” which needs no explanation.

That’s heaps good

Translation: That’s really good

Thongs

Translation: Flip-flops

Togs

Translation: Bathing suit / Swimming costume / Swimwear
Alternatives: Cossies / Swimmers

Esky

Translation: Cooler

Ambos

Translation: Ambulance workers / Paramedics
Explanation: Australians are very fond of shortening words, including profession titles. There is “tradie” for tradesperson, “brickie” for bricklayer, “firie” for fireman, “polly” for politician, “journo” for journalist, “greenie” for environmentalist, “gyno” for gynecologist, etc.

Pashing

Translation: Kissing
Explanation: You may even get a “pash rash” afterwards

Durries

Translation: Cigarettes
Alternative: Darts

Bevvos

Translation: Beers
Alternative: Frothies / Grog / Longnecks / Cold ones

Servo

Translation: Gas station / Service station

She’ll be right

Translation: She’ll be okay

Maccas

Translation: McDonald’s

Tinnies

Translation: Cans of beer

Brekky

Translation: Breakfast

To chuck a U-ey

Translation: To do a U-turn
Alternative: To do a U-bolt

Snags

Translation: sausages

Misso

Translation: Girlfriend / Partner / Wife
Alternative: Missues

This article is the combined work of five writers: Will Bowie, Jess Buchan, Lauren White, Stephanie Be, Elke Wakefield, and Kate Beveridge.

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Published on May 11, 2022 14:14

Looking for a Summer Weekend Getaway From New York? Take a Seaplane To Provincetown.

If you’re looking for a way to escape the hustle and bustle of New York this summer, a trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts, is what you’re looking for. But driving from Manhattan to Provincetown is quite the trek, taking anywhere from five to nine hours, depending on traffic. Tailwind has a solution: going from Manhattan to Provincetown via seaplane.

A flight on Tailwind from Manhattan to Provincetown significantly cuts down on the amount of time it takes to get there — down to only about an hour and 45 minutes. Seaplanes are small, offer more privacy than a larger plane, and can take off from a dock and land the same way. Tailwind also offers flights now from Boston to Provincetown, which takes only 25 to 35 minutes to get there.

Photo: Tailwind

“We are the only seaplane operator in the Northeast with scheduled commuter service, allowing a semiprivate, super-fast experience to hard-to-reach popular summer destinations, while also continuing to serve our core Manhattan to Boston Harbor customers,” said Peter Manice, Tailwind Air co-founder and director of scheduled services, in a news release.

Provincetown has plenty to do this summer. The town on the tip of Cape Cod is often referred to as the country’s “gay summer capital,” making it a great destination to visit in June during Pride month. Herring Cove Beach is a popular outdoor spot with a lesbian and gay section. The town also hosts several themed weeks throughout the summer, including July 4th, Carnival, Girl Splash, and Bear Week. Guests on the island can also visit Commercial Street, which houses many art galleries, restaurants, clothing stores and live show venues.

Tailwind’s seaplane service opens on May 25 and closes on September 6, 2022. Tickets are now available for purchase. Prices vary depending on where you’re headed, but note that the best way to get to Provincetown doesn’t come cheap.

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Published on May 11, 2022 13:19

Airbnb Just Announced an Update That Could Drastically Change the Way You Book a Stay

“A new world of travel has emerged,” says Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, announcing the company’s Summer 2022 Release. On May 11, Airbnb announced three major updates to its booking platform to make the experience of booking, and staying, more inclusive for guests. In response to the increasing number of remote workers around the United States and globally, Airbnb has completely revamped its search and booking process to accommodate a more diverse set of travelers, including those who, like Chesky himself, “live” in Airbnbs.

Airbnb Categories

Photo: Airbnb

“Millions of people are now more flexible about where they live and work, and they’re spreading out to thousands of towns and cities,” Chesky says. “And so we’ve created the biggest change to Airbnb in a decade.”

The biggest update is the new – and very expansive – Categories section. No longer are searches based solely on location. In fact, knowing where you want to travel is not even necessary. The Categories feature allows users to browse by type of home, by interest or activity – say you want to take a ski trip to Colorado but aren’t sure which resort to choose, you can no filter homes across Colorado ski towns and select the property and location that is best for your trip.

Users can search for campsites, for homes ideal for surfing, even for ancient castles. The “OMG” category is perhaps the most unique, highlighting properties that leave you saying, well, “OMG.” Perhaps you want an underwater bungalow or, as Chesky described in today’s release, a yellow submarine – the “OMG” category is the place to find it.

Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.

Browse Airbnb Categories

Airbnb Split Stays

Photo: Airbnb

Airbnb noted last year that 50 percent of its nights booked are now for stays of 30 days or longer. For digital nomads and other long-term travelers, long stays often require renting more than one home. Split Stays is the solution to having to search and book multiple properties. For all inquiries of 30 days or longer, users will see a “Split Stays” function that allows them to book two properties at once, based on criteria such as length of stay, location, and amenities like high-speed WiFi.

Split Stays also pairs with the new Categories feature. If you’re traveling to a national park, you can split your time between two parks with one booking using this feature. Users can split time between a cabin in Zion National Park and then a yurt near Yosemite, for example. Perhaps you’re on a surfing tour of the US west coast. You can search two different locations, browse properties in both, and book the property perfect for you in each.

Browse Split Stays

AirCover

Photo: Airbnb

Of course, some users may feel apprehensive about trying out these new features, particularly newer remote workers who have yet to venture out for 30 days or longer at a time. To help users feel more comfortable trying out these new features, Airbnb announced today the release of Air Cover, its policy to ensure guests get what they are paying for. Included are:

Booking guarantee: ensures your booking, including if the host cancels. The company will find a suitable (or better) replacement for your booking should anything else go wrong.Get What You Booked guarantee: Say the air conditioning is broken, or the property is otherwise not as advertised. Similar to the Booking guarantee, Airbnb will find you a similar or better property in which to stay.

“Air Cover is always included, and always free,” Chesky says.

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Published on May 11, 2022 06:40

Touring Hawaii by train

When you board a train in Hawaii, you don’t travel very far. A beautiful beach, orchards filled with tropical fruit trees, taro paddies, and fields of pineapples are among the vistas you might survey on excursions that traverse just a few miles. But you will be traveling back in time: Hawaiian trains were central to the islands’ history, one that made Hawaii the multicultural place it is today. They also played a key role in the US’s World War II efforts in the Pacific. For a look back as you locomote forward, hop onto one of these historic Hawaiian train cars.

A history of trains in Hawaii

“There were railroads on all the major islands. On many of the islands, there were quite a few. They all originally started based on sugarcane,” said Steven Vendt, Director of Operations and Special Projects for the Hawaiian Railway Society, which runs its trains on the last original railway tracks on Oahu.

The first tracks used to haul sugarcane were laid down in 1881 on the island of Kauai. By 1915, Kauai had over 200 miles of track. On Oahu, the first tracks appeared in 1889, set by the Oahu Rail and Land Company — which provided the link between plantations and the port.

“The plantations would have taken their sugarcane from the fields and brought it to the mill where it was processed. The processed sugar would have then gone on trains to the Oahu Railway, which would have ended up at the port in Honolulu,” said Vendt.

Eventually, the Oahu Rail and Land Company also transported cargo and people. After Japan’s bombing of Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into the Second World War, the Oahu Railway served an arguably more significant function, “running pretty much 24 hours a day, seven days a week, hauling passengers, military personnel, equipment and stuff,” said Vendt.

Hawaii’s history wasn’t always pretty; the first European arrivals brought devastating diseases and the US illegally overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. But the multicultural islands you experience today are a result of this turbulent story. When you savor a delicious Hawaiian poke or sweet bread, you are tasting the influences of East Asian and Portuguese immigrants who came to work on sugar cane plantations. When you bite into a spam musubi, you are taking a nibble of Hawaii’s World War II legacy — with which the Oahu railroad was also intimately entwined.

Few railroads exist or operate today. On the island of Maui, the six-mile-long Sugar Cane Train operated by the Lahaina, Kaanapali and Pacific Railroad was a popular attraction. But years of efforts to revamp and reopen the railroad failed, and it is now permanently closed. If you want to grasp onto a slice of history, check out the train rides below.

The Hawaii train rides you can book on Oahu and KauaiThe Hawaiian Railway Society train rides — Oahu Hawaii train rides in Oahu

Photo: Hawaiian Railway Society/Facebook

Benjamin Dillingham first came to Hawaii as a sailor and decided to stay. After establishing the Oahu Rail and Land Company and securing a charter from King David Kalakua in 1888, he started to build out the tracks. Dillingham’s company became the most important railway on Oahu and served an essential role during World War II — but developments during that war also brought an end to the railway.

“The old Oahu Railway ran all over the island until the end of 1947. After World War Two, trucks, buses, cars, roads, just like on the mainland, started to take more of a precedence,” said Vendt. The non-stop transport of heavy equipment on the railway lines over the course of the war also took its toll. “The trains were pretty well beaten up. Dillingham could see the writing on the wall.”

Dillingham closed much of the railway, limited its operations to near the ports, and the army took over other portions. After this time the Hawaiian Railway Society formed, initially with the aim of saving a locomotive engine from the Waialua Agricultural Company on Oahu’s north shore.

Eventually, the Society also took over the railroad tracks that the army had abandoned — along with three of its locomotive engines: two from the Navy and one from the army. It also got this stretch of railway placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, Hawaiian Railways takes guests on a 90-minute train ride from Ewa Beach near Pearl Harbor to a beautiful beach on the Nanakuli Coast, a short jaunt from the Lualualei Munitions Depot. The train stops for ice cream at the end, where guests can walk out, stretch their legs, and enjoy the views. The addition of the ice cream stop helped boost the popularity of the trains, which run on Sunday, Saturdays, and Wednesdays — largely for locals.

“It’s about 70 or 80 percent locals. It has always been that,” said Vendt. While the Internet has made it easier for visitors to discover the train, it remains solidly popular for Oahu residents. When Vendt and his wife thought up the idea of offering pre-Christmas holiday rides, complete with milk and cookies, 1400 seats sold out in one day, he said.

Vendt says the train ride is a unique, inexpensive thing to do and the narration provides historical context. In fact local grammar schools have long brought kids on tours of the train. “What draws people? Part of it is history. Obviously people really enjoy the views at the other end of the line,” said Vendt. Also, he said it’s become a tradition in Hawaii.

“There was a lady that came and wanted to have her daughter’s fifth birthday at the railroad,” said Vendt, explaining that birthday parties at the train are pretty common — since Hawaiian Railway has a picnic area and celebrants get their own train. But, he added, “The reason the mom wanted to do it was because she had her own fifth birthday there.”

Trains depart Wednesdays at 1 PM, Saturdays at 12 PM and 3 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM and 3 PM. (Note, the Sunday 1 PM train does not include the ice cream stop). Rides cost $15 for adults, $10 for children aged 2 to 12, and $10 for seniors. For more information, visit the Hawaiian Railway Society’s website.

Kauai Plantation Railway train rides Train ride in the forest in Kauai, Hawaii

Photo: Kauai Plantation Railway train rides

The Kauai Plantation Railway tours the Kilohana Plantation on Kauai’s east side. The trains travel in a figure of eight over 40-minutes during a narrated tour of the 105-acre plantation. What you’ll see from your mahogany-paneled train car, however, is not sugarcane, but instead more types of fruit than you would spot at your local farmers’ market.

“We operate these electric locomotives, which basically, were the last type of locomotives used before everything went to trucking,” said Nick Atkins, General Manager of Kauai Plantation Railway. The train travels past, “fields of banana, papaya, Native Hawaiian hardwoods,” as well as multiple taro fields — which in Hawaiian are called “lo’i.”

The Kauai Plantation’s astounding variety of crops arose from an effort to adjust to the post sugarcane era. “By planting a variety of crops, we could see what actually grew best here in Hawaii, or on Kauai. And then what the market would be like and what the harvest would be like,” said Atkins.

As Atkins tells it, this resulted in the creation of a 67-acre agricultural park with 44 rows of fruit trees alone — with each row home to a different type of tree fruit. “We might have four rows of mango, but each row is a different variety of mango or lychee or longan or canistel or acerola cherry or jabuticaba, rambutan, mamey sapote…,” said Atkins.

As tasty as they are, mangoes and cherries were not to be the answer. “Times have changed since then. Large scale farming on Hawaii is not very cost effective no matter what you’re planting,” said Atkins.

So the Kauai Plantation lives on by offering visitors a chance to eat on site, attend a luau and, of course, ride a train through its property. In addition to all the fruit trees, the farm grows eggplant, okra, peanuts, ginger, and, more recently, hemp for CBD. It also has pasture land with cattle and horses and donkeys and pigs.

“It’s a 40-minute tour. So we stop the train for about 10 minutes, and let our guests disembark to feed our animals,” said Atkins. “The animal feeding is fun pretty much for everybody. Everybody gets a hoot out of feeding the pigs.”

There’s also an alternative train ride bundled with a nature walk, “where the guests get to take the train out and then disembark and walk through the orchards and pick and taste the fruit off the trees.”

The Kauai Plantation Train departs on the hour daily from 10 AM to 2 PM, with two additional afternoon trains on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Rides are $20 for adults ($14 for residents), $14.50 for children aged three to 12 ($10 for resident children), and $17.50 for seniors. A train-plus-lunch option is $88.50 for adults and $68.50 for children, and includes a walk through a Native Hawaiian forest, international hardwood forest, and banana patch — plus an alpaca encounter. For more information, visit the Kauai Plantation Railway’s website.

Dole Pineapple Express train rides — Oahu

Like the Kauai Plantation Railway, the Dole Plantation, located in the middle of the island of Oahu, offers a train trip through plantation history. In this case, the Dole Pineapple Express Train Tour takes you in smaller replicas of historic trains. The two-mile ride lasts just 20 minutes, and you’ll travel past fields of pineapples, as well as other highlights like banana trees and other broad-leaved foliage.

Trains run daily and cost $13 for adults, $11 for children aged four to 12, and $12.25 for residents and members of the military. You can also combine the train tour with a tour of the Dole Plantation Maze or its gardens for an additional $5 to $6 for adults, or do all three for $26 for adults, $22 for kids, and $23 for residents and military.

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Top pick Airbnb Gunnison cabin rental Best Airbnbs at Gunnison North Rim South Rim and Blue Mesa cabin rentals Black Canyon rentals for families and larger groups

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Published on May 11, 2022 06:08

May 10, 2022

11 Airbnb Gunnison Rentals Near Black Canyon and the Mountains

Home to bears, bobcats, and the fastest bird in the world (that’s the Peregrine falcon, FYI), the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is as thrilling a destination for wildlife lovers as much as hikers and road trippers. Daring souls can tackle the Painted Wall – Colorado’s tallest sheer cliff face. Maximize your time by checking into an Airbnb Gunnison rental right by the national park and near the town of Gunnison, too.

We hope you love the Airbnb Gunnison vacation rentals we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Top pick Airbnb Gunnison cabin rentalRiver Walk Yurt

Photo: Airbnb

Situated two miles from Paonia on a 40-acre working farm, this luxury yurt provides direct access to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Amenities at our front-runner for cabins near Black Canyon of the Gunnison include a full kitchen, fireplace, piano, and outdoor private hot tub. Ample windows and French sliding doors make it impossible to avoid an eyeful of the river, mountain, and farmland landscapes that surround the property. Pets are welcome but be mindful of the roaming elk and deer in your backyard.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $235 per night

Best Airbnbs at Gunnison North RimThe Solargon

Photo: Airbnb

Inspired by Asian yurts, Navajo hogans, and Native American Hidatsa lodges, the Solargon is a unique cabin that balances home comforts with making the most of the surroundings. The yurt is fitted with a full kitchen and modern bathroom. Situated a short drive from Hotchkiss, the private patio grants uninterrupted views of the West Elk mountains. Two dogs are welcome at no additional cost at one of the best pet-friendly Black Canyon rentals.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $150 per night

Traveling to Colorado? Check out Matador’s Colorado accommodation guides to the best places to stay across the state: 10 Airbnb Estes Park rentals near Rocky Mountain National Park These Denver airport hotels put you close to the terminal with luxe amenities The best Airbnbs in Denver for beer, 420, and mountain culture Vail Airbnbs that make you feel like you’re in the heart of Bavaria Aspen Airbnbs to chill like a celebrity Stay near Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak at these Colorado Springs Airbnbs

The Turquoise Door

Photo: Airbnb

This pet-friendly Airbnb Gunnison rental is a humble abode consisting of one double bed in the main living space and a second in the loft beneath a skylight. The tiny house is located at the end of a long country road flanked by the San Juan and West Elk ranges and Grand Mesa. With the Milky Way visible most evenings, the potential for stargazing is high. Orchard City is your closest town and the Black Canyon OTG is 40 minutes away.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $100 per night

The Arabesque

Photo: Airbnb

This one-of-kind tiny house occupies the same plot as the Turquoise Door. Inspired by the riads of North Africa and Mediterranean estates, the Arabesque is not what you expect from a typical Airbnb Gunnison, CO. Swing open an antique door from India and let the Mexican Talavera tile and Turkish lamps guide you through the rooms. Besides a backyard with a fire pit, you have an epic upper balcony that provides front row seats of this Dark Sky Reserve.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $120 per night

Charming and cozy log cabin with spectacular views

Photo: Airbnb

Lucky Horse Ranch overlooks the West Elk Mountain range. A mere few miles from the North Rim, this is the closest option of cabins near Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The home is exceptionally comfortable with plush beds, a luxurious chesterfield, and a large soaking tub. Star of the show is the private patio that overlooks the farmland, meadows, and mountains.

Five guests, three bedrooms
Price: $175 per night

South Rim and Blue Mesa cabin rentalsFjellheimen: A family cabin with Incredible Views

Photo: Airbnb

Fjellheimen, or Mountain Home in Norwegian, is a down-to-earth log cabin with rustic quirks. Located in the Big Cimarron Valley, a 45-minute drive from the closest towns, this property is suitable for an off-grid nature retreat. Hiking, biking, and ATVing routes start from the doorstep. You’ll never tire of the views from one of the best family-friendly Black Canyon rentals.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $190 per night

Kokanee Cabin in the Cimarron Valley

Photo: Airbnb

Conveniently located for the amenities of Cimarron, Gunnison, and Montrose, this neat cabin is well-placed for the local culture spots as well as the canyon. You’ll clock the Cerro summit to the west and Blue Mesa to the east. Woody interiors fashioned with aspen and red cedar give off après vibes while the view from the backyard will warm you up for exploration. This is one of the best Blue Mesa cabin rentals for small families and groups.

Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $120 per night

Black Canyon rentals for families and larger groupsMontrose Barndominium on seven acres

Photo: Airbnb

Brand new to the Airbnb Gunnison, CO scene, this “barndominium” occupies a coveted spot with views of the surrounding peaks. The principal living space comes with a Cowboy-themed wet bar and card table. In addition to the main house, you’ll have access to a renovated train car which is perfect for work, play, or downtime. Meanwhile, the backyard is strewn with games, seating areas, and a fire pit with grill.

Ten guests, two bedrooms
Price: $214 per night

Log home on the Uncompahgre River

Photo: Airbnb

This stylish log cabin is set right on the banks of the river and is a short drive from Montrose and the South Rim. Interiors are appointed with plenty of blankets and rugs for the hygge factor while the extensive library will charm bookish parties. Besides the main pad, you can opt to rent the apartment above the garage and a restored sod house. These may be reserved at a small surcharge for groups exceeding 16.

Sixteen guests, four bedrooms
Price: $500 per night

Black Canyon hayloft with games room

Photo: Airbnb

This converted hayloft is situated on a family-owned estate with horses and friendly border collies which you are welcome to explore. The rental property is spacious and thoughtfully appointed with homely touches that nod towards the ranch setting. The main living space spills into a games zone with a pool table. This beautiful, pet-friendly ranch property is a 20-minute drive from the North Rim of the Black Canyon.

Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $255 per night

The Moon House

Photo: Airbnb

An elegant vacation home dressed with minimalism in mind. This eight-bedroom house is sited within an orchard and guests are encouraged to pick their own apples. Bring the stars closer to home with the provided telescope or raid the games provided in the breakfast nook. The deck is fitted with a state-of-the-art fire pit. This family-friendly Airbnb Gunnison comes with a high-chair and Pack-n-Play to ease the strain from your packing list.

Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $160 per night

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The best sun protection shirts for fishing, paddleboarding, and other on-water activities The best sun protection shirts for hiking and general travel The best sun protection shirts for mountain biking The best sun protection shirts for mosquitos The best long-sleeve sun protection shirts

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Published on May 10, 2022 20:36

The 11 Best Sun Protection Shirts That Our Editors Tested for Summer Adventures

Warmer days are upon us, and that means spring and summer outdoor adventures are in full swing. It’s hard to stay inside on a sunny day, with warm and dry weather typically offering the best conditions for activities like hiking, biking, and even water sports. The flip side to perfect weather, however, is that you’re increasing your exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. In order to best protect yourself, it’s important to dress appropriately – and for many outdoor activities, that means wearing a sun shirt. This is particularly true if you’re heading to the beach, as scientists have found that a chemical found in many sunscreens (oxybenzone) is converted by coral into a substance that actually harms them. If you want to protect the ocean, you’ll need to buy reef-safe sunscreen only.

Matador tested a variety of sun shirts for both land-based and water-based activities and narrowed down the best for outdoor recreation this season.

We hope you love the sun shirts we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to buy an item. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

What is a sun protection shirt, and why do I need one? sun protection shirt - woman on board

Photo: Sanchik/Shutterstock

The purpose of a sun shirt is to protect your skin from UV rays. A sun shirt’s effectiveness is measured through its UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor. Similar to sunscreen, this rating notes what percentage of UVB rays the shirt blocks. But the UPF factor isn’t the percentage; for example, a UPF30 rating means the shirt (or sunblock) can stop about 97 percent of UVB rays. From there, you can compare the rating to the expected weather during your activity, along with the location where it will take place, and make an educated decision about which sun shirt is the most appropriate. UVA rays can also damage your skin, and many shirts (and sunscreens) protect against both.

Excessive exposure to the sun’s rays can cause premature skin aging, visible through sun spots, wrinkles, and other deformities. According to the National Library of Medicine, fair-skinned people can experience sun damage after as little as five minutes of exposure to bright sunlight. Darker-skinned people have a longer “safe zone;” however everyone can experience sun damage. It’s important to remember that when the sun is higher in the sky – from around noon to late afternoon in most US locations during the summer – the exposure to UV rays is higher, and the possibility for damage or burning is amplified.

The best sun protective fishing shirt (or any on-water-activity shirt)

Photo: REI

It’s easy to take solace on the water knowing that you can jump in to cool off. But remember that sunlight reflects – and it reflects off the water quite strongly. In fact, reflected rays are actually more harmful.

In addition to lathering yourself in reef-safe sunscreen, you’ll want to wear a sun protection shirt, and maybe even long pants if you’re spending more than a few hours on the water. Matador’s commerce editor lived in his NRS Variable sun shirt during a recent four-day trip down the lower Salmon River and came away from it no more sunburned or fatigued than when he first hopped on the raft.

NRS is a brand built for the river. The hood and neck gaiter protect your neck and head from burns — especially useful if, as our commerce editor notes, hair loss has begun to creep up on you. But the neck gaiter, in particular, is what makes this the best sun shirt if you’re on the water. When rafting or paddleboarding, you tend to spend extended periods of time facing the same direction, so reflected sunlight can toast the back of your neck. This sun protection shirt is also made with fast-drying fabrics in case you do opt to take a plunge. And the poly-spandex blend is made from 100 percent recycled materials.

The best sun protective shirts for hiking and general travel

Photo: Free Fly

Suzie, Matador’s outdoor editor, absolutely loves Freely Apparel, having accumulated quite a lot of the brand’s women’s sun protection clothing in recent years — shorts, joggers, and even a few sunshirts. The brand’s sun shirts are clean with minimal design, so they don’t look super outdoorsy when grabbing a beer with friends after a day hike. Though their items cost slightly more than, gear from brands like Columbia, they dry exceptionally fast. And perhaps equally importantly, they dry without any mildewy or worn smell.

If you’re thinking about buying a women’s sun protection shirt, Suzie recommends the UPF ultra-light hoodie, made for summer. “I’m quite pale, and since most fabrics don’t offer much sun protection, I love having a UPF 50 shirt to toss on when the sun is bearing down,” she says. “I was recently on a boat where I wore my FreeFly shirt most of the time, taking it off for photos for about 15 minutes. And what happened? My shoulder in the sun got fried, but everything that was covered with the shirt isn’t even tanned.” She also likes the straight-but-not-fitted cut, and the fact that they’re made with a renewable, zero-chemical material: bamboo.

Suzie notes that she recently wore one of her FreeFly sun protection shirts on a humid, tropical trip where she was whitewater rafting one day and swimming in a waterfall the next, and her shirt was dry and stink-free each morning.
Buy Now – Women’s

The best sun protection shirts for mountain biking

Photo: REI

If you watch mountain bikers ripping down the trail and crushing berms for a few minutes, you’ll probably notice that plaid is a popular choice. So if you’re hoping to stick to that tried-and-true mountain look, check out the Flylow Anderson (men’s) and the women’s Flylow Phoenix sun protection shirts. They’re made with breathable, wicking polyester fabrics and both have a UPF 50 rating. So while you’ll still need to lather up the sunscreen on your forearms, you should be able to get in a full day of laps without worrying about sunburned shoulders.

Oh, and the women’s version has a bonus useful feature — a zippered back pocket. It’s a good place to stash a few bucks in case your shuttle route happens to pass a microbrewery or food truck.

The best sun protection shirt for avoiding mosquitoes

Photo: REI

No matter what activity you’re doing, being constantly harassed by mosquitos is a sure-fire way to ruin it. If you’re heading to a tropical region, riding along a river, or as in the case of our commerce editor, spending June on Colorado’s lake-dotted Grand Mesa, having a sun shirt that is both sun- and bug-repellant doubles your level of preparedness.

For this task, we recommend turning to ExOfficio’s Tarka bug-repellent sun shirt (men’s) or the Lumen lightweight hoodie (women’s). Both are versatile and flexible, useable for everything from a day hike to a packrafting trip. The brand’s trademark (and odorless) BugsAway Insect Shield repels mosquitos, ticks, and other small bugs.

Plus, these sun protective shirts are simple enough that they effectively acts as a chameleon in your wardrobe. It’s just as good for wearing on a cold plane as it is in the mountains, and you’ll experience the same bite-free benefits either way. The bug-repellant properties last for up to 70 washes, so you can count on a decent amount of wear from each one.

Women seeking a short-sleeve option can opt for the Caddis, which offers the same bug repellent properties in a warmer weather style. The shirt features UPF 50 sun protection and wicks moisture as well as the finest Merino wool in your closet.

Photo: REI

Best long-sleeve sun protection shirts

Photo: REI

Spring and fall days on the water or trail add an extra element to your need for protection: increasingly variable temperatures. A hooded sun shirt is great for these situations, and it’s a bonus if that hooded sun shirt offers a basic layer of warmth. For this, you can’t beat REI Coop’s Sahara Shade hoodie, available in men’s and women’s options. The three-panel hood flexes to both your head size and the level of tightness required for the day’s activity. With UPF 50 sun protection and the versatility to serve as a base layer or shine on its own, the hoodies are ideal for everything from hiking to paddleboarding to farmer’s markets or yoga in the park.

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