Chelsea Batten
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Author/Co-Author of 202 articles
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life on the road by the wild beauty of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. She covered diverse topics for The Manual related to travel, gear reviews, and odd cultural sidetracks. Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments about Chelsea’s work.
Top 5 backyard camping ideas to cure cabin fever
Whether you're looking for some low-commitment fun for the family or testing out some of your gear, staking your tent in your own backyard is a great experience
6 dream Christmas destinations to escape to this holiday season
If all you want for Christmas is an escape, get away to these dreamy destinations where you can enjoy the holidays in peace, quiet, and communion with nature.
The best hotels in Hawaii: Where to book your next stay so you can feel like a local
Hawaii beckons in a number of ways and if you go, you'll want to stay a while. Here are the best hotels to accommodate your getaway in paradise.
Need a Treat? Try Dalgona Coffee, the Internet’s Most Shareable Drink
The drink’s predominant name, “dalgona coffee,” refers to a popular Korean candy with a similar color and texture.
How to reheat pizza the best way
You shouldn't reheat your pizza with a microwave oven or kitchen stove. Here's the best way to reheat your favorite pizza.
How to get rid of those annoying blackheads once and for all
Spotting a blackhead on your skin is never a good thing. Follow this guide to removing it fast.
Essential Tools Every Man Needs for his Home (and the Things to Store Them In)
Our curated list of essential household tools not only features the best picks for each type of tool, but offers a heads-up on why, when and how to use them. It also includes a few wishlist items perfect for gifting to fathers, father figures, and fathers-to-be.
The 7 Best Hemp Clothing Brands to Shop Sustainably in 2020
The hemp clothes we’re seeing these days are anything but hippie threads. With its airy weight, breathability and soft texture, hemp turns out to be the perfect fiber for all your summer wardrobe staples. Here are a few of our favorite hemp clothing brands.
These winter workouts get you out of the gym and into the great outdoors
Winter isn't the easiest time of year to get outside and stay fit, but these four ideas can help you to change it up this year and keep up your fitness journey.
The Best Natural Insect Repellents That Don’t Stink
To save your game (and your skin) this summer, drop the DEET and reach instead for one of these natural insect repellents.
10 Best Nature Books to Connect You to the Wilderness
In our urbanized lives, nature writing fills a much-needed void, letting us experience cathartic wonder, educating us on our human history, and inspiring us with a healthy respect, not to mention a sense of responsibility, for our natural environment.
See Ya, Sourdough! Kombucha Is Our New Favorite (and Easy) DIY Kitchen Project
If, like me, you’re attracted to the idea of a home fermentation project, but not ready to commit to the labor and attention required for sourdough baking, you’re the perfect candidate for brewing kombucha.
What to Know About Environmentally Sustainable Tourism in Hawaii
Hawaii is a pristine paradise, but it may not stay this way if we don't clean up our act. Here are some tips for environmentally sustainable tourism in Hawaii.
Patagonia X Danner Introduce the Last Fishing Boot You’ll Ever Buy in First-Ever Collab
For their first ever collaboration, Patagonia X Danner have released a designed by Patagonia and built by Danner pair of wading boots--the only fishing boots you'll ever need to buy.
5 Super Bowl-Worthy TVs that Make Watching the Big Game Better
The big game is nearly here. Is your living ready? Here are some of the best televisions and TV deals to check out before Super Bowl LII.
4 Tower Fans for Keeping It Cool This Summer
Tower fans get a bad rap. Sure, they're often not very attractive and sometimes can be unwieldy (and maybe a bit noisy), but the best tower fans on the market fix all that while looking good at the same time. Take a look and chill out.
Your Guide to the Best Men’s White Shirt and Pants Combinations
Feeling like your wardrobe needs a refresh? Maybe it doesn’t. Maybe what you really need is to go back to basics. For that, look no further than the white shirt. With, naturally, the pair of pants made to go along with it.
Applegate’s ‘Bacon Express’ is like an Ice Cream Truck … but for Bacon
If you're a good boy on the East Coast, you can find an Applegate food truck dispensing “Season’s Meatings” with a panoply of bacon-inflected treats.
Fossil and Crosley Band Together for Stylish Collection Celebrating National Record Store Day
The Crosley and Fossil collection, released in celebration of National Record Store Day, features two timepieces and a stylish record player.
Household Chores 101: A Grown Man’s Guide to Doing Laundry
As doing the laundry is an essential life skill, we've written a no-nonsense guide to help grown men master this household chore.
Fun Weed Facts from the 2018 Cannabis Price Index
Compiled by German hydroponics company Seedo, the Cannabis Price Index compares the average price per gram of marijuana in 120 international cities. Fun fact: If New York City legalized and taxed weed, then we could pay for three month's worth of lunch for every public school kid.
9 Hobbies for Men to Try in 2022
We’ve put together a list of potential manly hobbies for your consideration in the coming new year. Some are sports-oriented, others artistic, while still others slant more toward domestic pursuits.
This A-Frame Home Offers Stylish Cabin Living in a Kit
Avrame has paired the iconic A-fram design with the compact simplicity of the tiny house. Designed for people who value their freedom but still want a place to call home, these made-to-order assembly kits offers a unique vision of how to dwell simply.
How To Look Like a Grown Man While Camping Outdoors
We advise you to upgrade your camping wardrobe with some of our recommendations from the best men's fashion brands.
How the LGBTQ+ Community Has Transformed the Grooming Industry
The LGBTQ+ community has had a longstanding influence over the beauty and grooming industries. We highlight some of our favorite queer-owned brands, and why they're making genderless products.
Everything You Need to Know About CBD Skincare
Cannabidiol — the non-intoxicating, minimally psychoactive compound derived from cannabis plants — is now showing up in the skincare aisle.
9 Socially Conscious Sweaters for Cozying Up in Comfort This 2022
Stay cozy this 2022 with these sweaters from socially conscious fashion brands, all guaranteed to make you feel good inside as you do on the outside.
How To Find the Best Men’s Workout Clothes, According To 3 Designers
We spoke with some of our favorite fashion designers from small fitness brands to learn how to choose the right workout gear.
Add Some Zen To Your Home With These Japanese Houseware Brands
We’ve pulled together some of our favorite Japanese houseware brands for your viewing pleasure.
The Best Jumpsuits for Men in 2022
Stylish guys are wearing this workwear staples in all manner of cuts, fabrics, and styles.
Saola Is Making Your New Favorite Leather Shoes. Except They’re Not Made From Leather
Move over, Allbirds. There’s a new sustainable shoe in town. Let’s be honest. As much as we love the warm, fuzzy factor of , the weather doesn’t always warrant that level of insulation. Also, scrubbing stains out of wool is no bueno. And it must be said that the glamour of sharing the same kicks […]
Patagonia Goes 100% Sustainable with New Line Called Shell, Yeah!
As the fashion world makes its slow but steady shift toward sustainability, industry leader Patagonia is marking a milestone of its own: The end of a 26-year journey toward making one of their most popular products 100% sustainable.
This Michigan Peninsula is the Midwest’s Secret Mountain Biking Mecca
If you love mountain biking, plan a trip to the Fresh Coast. With some of the world's greatest mountain bike trail systems, pristine natural surroundings, and no crowds (yet!), the Keweenaw Peninsula has everything you could want for an unforgettable, action-packed adventure.
10 Best Workouts to Do While Watching TV
These movements are simple, repetitive, quiet, and take up minimal space in a room.
The Best THC-Infused Drinks To Try Now
THC-infused drinks offer a uniquely precise dosing measure that lies lightly on your palate and takes it easy on your digestion.
The Best Resorts in Hawaii for a Relaxing Getaway
What good is a Hawaii vacation if you have to spend weeks beforehand researching all the things you want to do there? Take the easy way and let one of the best resorts in Hawaii do the work for you.
The Best Podcasts on Spotify to Add to Your Streaming Playlist
Since Spotify purchased Gimlet Media in 2019, all of our favorite streaming content is available in the same app.
The Best Diaper Bags for Stylish Dads
Having a baby doesn't mean you lose all sense of style and fashion. These are the best diaper bags for dads when it comes to style, functionality, and price.
7 Best Lodges to Ring in the New Year
Looking to get out of town for New Year's Eve? We rounded up the best lodges in North America for the occasion — all you have to do is reserve and relax.
The Best Natural Sunscreen Options for the Environment and Your Skin
Recent studies by the FDA have shown that traditional sunscreens not only harm coral reefs and other sensitive natural environments, but they also might be seeping into your bloodstream and disrupting your endocrine system. So skip the drug store sunscreen and opt for these natural sunscreens instead.
Confused About the Best Skincare Products? Start With These Ingredients
We spoke with grooming experts to find out what ingredients to look for in skincare products to fight sun damage, signs of aging, and more.
The Best Long Books for a Good Read
We’ve compiled the best long books, historic as well as contemporary, into a literary tasting menu. We’re talking really long — upwards of 500 pages.
Why You Should Rock a Pair of Flannel-Lined Jeans
Once a readily available workwear standby, the lined denim pant is perfect for shoulder season.
The Best Weed Strains for Budding Cannasseurs
Whether you’re choosing among Ziploc baggies pulled from a backpack or hashing out the finer points at a dispensary, keep your senses keen for the best and most popular marijuana strains available in the U.S. today, including indica, sativa, and hybrid strains.
The Best Campgrounds Near Major U.S. Cities
Want to get away for the weekend but don't want to go too far from the comforts of urban living? Check out some of the best campgrounds located outside major U.S. cities. With a host of different amenities, you'll barely be roughing it while still relaxing.
The Best Waterproof Boots for Men Tackling All Weather
Our lineup of the best waterproof boots will not only keep your feet toasty and dry but make you feel impervious to the most punishing elements. Go ahead, weather — do your worst.
7 Best Baby Books Every New Parent Should Own
“There’s no manual for raising a child.” If you’re expecting to become a parent, prepare to hear those words over and over.
The Best Anti-Aging Creams and Skincare Products for Men
If you're not exactly thrilled by the prospect of a "Marlboro Man" look, now's the time to find an anti-aging cream or skincare product and make it a part of your daily routine.
The 10 Best Adventure Dog Breeds for the Active Outdoorsman
If you’re an adventure lover, you’re looking for a dog who will fit seamlessly into your gear-filled life. Consider the following top ten adventure dog breeds that love exercise, travel and the great outdoors as much as you do.