Skip to main content

Go Anywhere And Do Everything With Heimplanet’s Motion Packs

In the quest for the perfect gear set up, it’s not often you find a pack that is equally at home on the urban commute commute as it is boulder hopping at ten thousand feet. Heimplanet’s new Motion Series changes all that.

Built with the everyday adventurer in mind, the two all new Motion packs feature clean design, excellent load carrying capabilities, and simple organization that is easy to use and intuitive. In short, these packs are the very first that we have found that perform as well as they look, and can pull duty in any environment.

The HEIMPLANET MOTION Series Active Backpacks on Kickstarter

We’ve been carrying the twenty-five liter Ellipse around town and on winter hikes for a couple weeks now. The first thing that stood out to us was the back panel and harness. 3-D molded foam serves as both an effective frame, protection for a laptop, and channels air when you’re working hard. The shoulder straps are very comfortable for their size, and the load lifting straps are a nice touch to stabilize heavier loads of hiking gear.

Heimplanet Ellipse
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Likewise, the body of the pack is streamlined and well thought out. The ripstop fabric of the main body is water resistant. More importantly for us, it is clear of extraneous straps and too many pockets. Many outdoors focused backpacks fall prey to compression straps on every inch of the pack body. The Ellipse has only a single 3-point retention strap on each side. They’re simple, functional, overbuilt, and understated. A spandex stash pocket at the bottom keeps essentials like a rain shell close at hand – and out of the main body when you’re getting wet.

HEIMPLANET MOTION SERIES - ELLIPSE

Inside, you’ve got a main pocket that swallows a fifteen-inch laptop or three liter hydration system. Two smaller stash pockets on the top of the pack are perfect for your electronics, snacks, and navigation items (you do hike with a compass and map to back up your phone’s meager GPS app right?).

Recommended Videos

The Ellipse and smaller Arc are both on Kickstarter now. With twelve days left in the campaign, they’ve more than tripled their original goal.  Make sure you jump on this one so you’ll have a new pack for spring adventures.

Heimplanet
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
Pirelli unveils the Scorpion XTM AT, its most extreme all-terrain tire ever
Ultra-aggressive, advanced, and 3PMSF-rated, it's the pinnacle of more than 25 years of Pirelli tire design
Ford Bronco driving through the desert on Pirelli Scorpion XTM all-terrain tires.

Forget rooftop tents and hi-lift jacks and fancy LED light bars, there's arguably nothing more important to a properly kitted-out overlanding rig than a good set of tires. After all, your truck's tires are the only part of the vehicle that maintains constant contact with the ground. That's why you need a tire that balances easy, on-pavement driving with meeting the demands of more extreme off-road conditions. Enter: Pirelli's new Scorpion XTM all-terrain tire.

"XTM" stands for "Extreme" performance, so it's no surprise that this is Pirelli's most extreme all-terrain tire ever. It features ultra-aggressive styling, a high-void tread pattern, and more advanced technology that's purpose-built for truck and off-road enthusiasts looking to explore deep into the North American backcountry. The large-tread-block design extends into the upper sidewall for improved traction and durability. It's a design that excels in the gnarliest off-road conditions most overlanders are likely to encounter, such as mud, dirt, sand, or gravel. Plus, reinforced shoulder technology adds protection from obstacles, including sharp gravel and jagged rock overhangs. One especially clever feature is the Scorpion XTM's built-in "rock ejectors," which are designed to automatically shed rocks embedded in the tire's deep treads.

Read more
Should you go hiking in sandals? It depends
Hiking in sandals: When to do it and how to find the best fit
Man hiking in sandals

Have you ever trudged through a trail, feet sweaty from unbreathable shoes? I certainly have. Believe it or not, sandals aren't just for the beach. They're actually a legit hiking option if you have the right pair and use them in the right scenarios. Honestly, I'm more of a trail running shoe or hiking shoe kind of gal, but there are specific scenarios when I might be tempted to trade them for a pair of sandals. And there are times when wearing sandals while hiking makes sense and times when they don't. Here's everything you need to know about hiking in sandals and how to find the best pair for your hiking needs.
Here's when hiking in sandals makes sense
Warm and dry conditions

When I lived in Arizona, hiking with my hiking boots or even my precious trail running shoes was a bit uncomfortable. For one, warm and dry conditions left my feet feeling confined and, ultimately, gross. One of the best parts of the day was heading home and washing my feet. That's when I was first introduced to the idea of hiking in sandals. Sandals will keep your feet ventilated, letting sweat evaporate fast. You may even find that you get fewer blisters throughout the season. Just make sure that you apply sunscreen so you don't get an unintentional tattoo of your sandal straps.
Wet conditions
While there's nothing wrong with wearing good water-repellant shoes while hiking in wet conditions, they can get soggy and take forever to dry if you end up accidentally stepping in too deep a puddle. Sandals tend to dry much faster than hiking boots or sneakers, so bring them on trails where you can expect stream crossings or coastal paths.
Low-impact trails
If you're planning on going on a low-impact hiking trail, particularly a paved one, you won't need heavy-duty hiking shoes. Sandals will be lighter on your feet, and the trail is easier, so there's less of a need for support or protection.
Here's when wearing sandals for hiking doesn't make sense

Read more
Tired of packed campgrounds? Farm camping might be your new favorite getaway
The camping alternative that's gaining popularity
Chickens in the grass in front of a white tent

Camping's popularity continues to grow, and outdoor enthusiasts are seeking less crowded solutions, from off-grid dispersed camping to luxury glamping. As a full-time traveler, I can attest that farm camping strikes the perfect balance between the two. I've camped in a lavender farm nestled in the California hills, an apple orchard in the heart of New England, and in an Airstream in Washington state's lush rainforest. These alternatives offer the natural respite of a campsite with the authentic charm of farm life.
Are you wondering how to find the perfect farm camping stay and what to expect once you get there? Here's everything you need to know to find and book the perfect farm-side experience.

What is farm camping, and what should you expect?

Read more