Review: Patagonia Baggies Lights by Steve Ton

Almost perfect!

Almost perfect!

I am on a quest to find the perfect pair of shorts. In my mind, the perfects shorts would fulfill all these categories; comfortable, breathable, lightweight, water resistant, and ability to be dressed up (or as much as shorts can be.)

I really wanted to like these shorts. They're made from 100% recycled polyester, so they were made with the environment in mind. They're also super lightweight and packable at 3.1 ounces. This makes it perfect for backpacking trips around the world. While they lean towards the more casual side of the spectrum, depending on the color chosen, they could be paired with a button up short and be great for evening outs in warmer climates. 

The new Baggies Lights pack down nicely. 

The new Baggies Lights pack down nicely. 

My only gripe with the shorts is that the inseam is slightly longer than the original Baggies, and there is no stretch. For me, that means that full range of motion is when the shorts stick to your lower thighs. It looks like I'll have to continue my quest for the perfect shorts. While these come very close, they're not perfect. When you can only have 1-2 pairs of shorts, they should be close to perfect. 

Pros
-Lightweight (3.1 oz.)
-Water resistant
-Packable
-Made from 100% recycled polyester.
-Looks great dressed down or up. (depending on color)

Cons
-Longer inseam
-No stretch
-Restricts range of motion

Packing for 2-weeks in Europe by Steve Ton

A minimalist backpack

A minimalist backpack

I'm about to leave for Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam, and Casablanca. My goals when traveling is keeping things light and simple. By having all your crucial items in a single backpack, it helps keep your itinerary flexible and ready for anything. My packing-list has evolved over the years. It first started when I started committing to travel with only a carry-on. Even then, I was able to bring way more than I needed. 

Nowadays, I travel with just a single backpack. This allows me to bring only the essentials... which makes trying around trying to find your train, or even if you have to, sleeping outside a little bit easier. 

Itemized list
- Lightweight 25L backpack
- Passport
- Battery pack (charges iPhone 8x)
- Travel adapter
- Waterproof/Windproof shell
- Lightweight down jacket (35F+ degrees)
- Sunglasses
- Glasses (backup for contact lenses)
- Clothes (shorts, underwear, t-shirt, socks)
- Headlamp
- USB Power adapter
- Microfiber towel
- Gore-tex socks
- Wool buff
- Paper napkins
- Packable water bottle (Vapur)
- Cables (USB-Lightning, Micro-USB, backup headphones)
- Flip-flops
- Toiletry kit (First kid, dental hygiene, Dr. Brommers, nail clippers, ibuprofen, sleep-aids, contact lenses)