Pelican Backpacks: Cutting Edge Luggage

By Matt Domino March 4, 2013

pelican backpacks u100 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Spring is rapidly approaching, which means that the weather will be warmer and there will be plenty of opportunities to travel; whether its back-packing through Europe, hiking and camping in the Rockies, or taking a scenic day trip through the Shenandoah Valley. No matter the excursion, the common and most essential element is a solid backpack. Luckily, Pelican, makers of high-performance casings of all varieties, has an array of backpacks that fit any traveler’s needs.

Pelican was founded in Torrance, California by Dave Parker in 1976. Since that time, Parker and his company have been constantly looking to improve cases and backpacks for those looking to do a more rugged variety of travel; all while bringing some of their more essential electronics and other belongs along for the ride.

While Pelican offers a fine selection of laptop and tablet cases, their backpacks are a true must have. Pelican’s Sport Elite backpack line is perfect for anyone who loves to hike or camp. The S100 and S140 models are a bit more heavy duty with each featuring a built-in watertight, crushproof case that is perfect for carrying a tablet or e-reader while setting up camp in the great outdoors. They also feature a padded lumbar storage cavity that can house any standard SLR camera, as well as a lumbar pad with an ergonomic ventilated back to ensure maximum comfort.

For those looking to embark on an extended trip—say a tour across Spain, France and Italy—the U100 Urban Elite Laptop Backpack is exactly what you want. Each U100 is fitted with a waterproof and crushproof case that easily fits 17” Apple laptops. Hopping on planes and trains is easy with this model because the interior case has “TSA fast- top-loader access.” With its bottom expanding sling storage, you can easily fit changes of clothes, and the concealed water bottle pocket is an ideal place to keep all your toiletries safe and sanitary. If this sounds like holding a suitcase on your back, don’t be afraid—the U100 features an ergonomic S-curve comfort back, so walking through Marseilles, Madrid or Venice will as enjoyable as it should be.

For your next trip, make traveling a whole lot easier and put a Pelican on your back.

Image courtesy of Pelican.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Matt Domino is a writer living in Brooklyn. His fiction has appeared in Slice and The Montreal Review, while his non-fiction…

Culture

The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

Culture

The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Culture

This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts

The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer