I know, I already gave it away. But I did al lot of research before I dared to make this statement. That Hoka has the best hiking shoes. Not only do i love their designs. But also loads of blogs have tested these as one of the best in the top 5. Best hiking shoes. Hoka.

To be clear, Hoka is not sponsoring me. I bought these shoes myself. They are not cheap, I admit. Spending € 160 is not my normal budget on shoes. But if I was gonna buy hiking shoes for my backpacking, I simply want the best! But it is worth every penny. I love them!

I had difficulty choosing. But I finally chose the yellow-purple-red Speedgoat 6 hiking shoes. It’s like they’re on fire! Love it!

Hoka Speedgoat 6

The shoes are so incredibly light. The materials that Hoka uses is almost like air. While the sole of the shoe is flexible and sturdy. As they claim themselves, they do have megagrip. The shoe weighs only 232 grams! The heel to toe drop is 5mm. This is what Hoka themselves write about their Speedgoat shoes:

The rundown

A grippy, responsive ride for technical terrain. There’s only one GOAT on the trail. And this is it. Combining HOKA’s tried and true cushioning with aggressive traction and ultralight materials, the Speedgoat 6 was born to tame the trail. A workhorse for technical terrain, this recent reissue was refined with a breathable woven textile upper, foot-hugging internal chassis, plusher dual gusset tongue, and revised lug orientation inspired by the hoof of a goat (what else?)

Hoka has so many different designs. Personally it makes me greedy. So it’s a good thing that I don’t have unlimited budget! They help you with finding the perfect running shoe. Really, you should try it!

Stability

The Speedgoat 6 features a symmetrical bed of cushion without additional prescriptive technologies. Designed to provide the support you want and nothing you don’t. On the scale of Neutral, Moderate and Stable, this shoe is Neutral.

Cushion

The shoe is designed to provide protective cushion while maintaining a responsive toe-off for when you want to go faster. On the scale of Responsive, Balanced and Plush, this shoe is Balanced.

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While preparing for my world travels, I was wondering what kind of towel would be the best. I wanted to travel as light and compact as possible. Since weight and space is not a luxury I have in my backpack. Personally I’d like my towel to look beautiful too. It’s half the please when spending time on the beach.

Travel towels these days

Pretty soon I learned that all travel towels these days are made from microfiber. Until now I only knew this fabric for cleaning the mirrors in the house. But so it seems you can get microfiber in towel size too. The biggest advantage compared to regular towels, is that microfiber is very compact. It only takes a little space in my backpack. It also dries in half of the time. And it absorbs a lot of water. Perfect!

Buvanha stands out

Pretty soon I noticed the cool designs of Buvanha. They really stood out compared to other brands. Since I like my things to be anything but ordinary and boring, the choice was easily made. Buvanha it was going to be. The only problem was that they have so many designs to choose from. And I like them all! If only I had enough money (and space in my backpack) I’d buy them all!

Size does matter

The next question was, which size is the best to bring on world travels? I think I’ve figured that out, but must say that it’s a personal thing. Do you want to live on the beach daily, then I’d recommend the biggest towel possible. But do you want to travel to as many beaches as possible then I’d choose a slightly smaller one.

If you order a bundle you get a discount. Since I wanted to experience myself which size suits the best, I ordered two towels. The Egypt design which was 160×80 cm. And the Marrakech towel which was 200x90cm. They both came in a handy pouch. Easy for packing. It was € 79,95 in total. No I’m not sponsored by Buvanha, I bought them myself. This is me just being enthusiastic!

Funny feeling

In the beginning the fabric feels kinda funny to me. It’s definitely not like a regular towel. Duh. Just had to get used to it. Because it feels nice and soft. And it dries like crazy! Really. It absorbs water like a madman. So yes I’d recommend this towel to everyone. I’m sure you’ll find it hard to choose which design is the coolest! Good luck!

As soon as I hit the palm beach, I’ll upload new pics!

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Coconut and orange fruit blend

A blend with anti-aging action that is a source of vitamins, essential nutrients, flavonoids and polyphenols. Coconut, with its high content of essential electrolytes, helps hydrate and restore the skin’s water balance. Orange, with its high concentration of vitamin C, has an effective antioxidant action, helping to counteract environmental stresses while promoting skin health. The result is vibrant and visibly rejuvenated skin.

Hydrating complex

Complex with Pure Hemp Seed Oil, Moisture Melt technology and Silicone for a fast-absorbing formulation that is super easy to apply. Incredibly satisfying helps strengthen the skin’s natural protective barriers and prevents transepidermal water loss for long-lasting hydration.

Age defying blend

Multivitamin infusion with vitamins A, B3 and E enriched with Soft Focus Effects: illuminating microspheres that diminish the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles for silky skin. Vitamin A protects against external aggression; Vitamin E counteracts damage caused by environmental pollution; Vitamin B3 evens out the complexion.

Cocoa Dreams fragrance

The iconic Cocoa Dreams fragrance that characterizes Australian Gold SPFs enters the Hemp Nation world. Notes of Orange, Citrus, Banana, Coconut, Rose and Vanilla give skin a summer allure 365 days a year.

Sun Protection Factor 30

The SPF 30 in brown bottles are the spray gels with bronzers. They provide perfect protection against UVA and UVB and are quickly absorbed through the skin. And thanks to the natural caramel bronzers they provide an instant deeper tan. They include Aloe Vera, vitamin E, Australian tea tree oil, sunflower seed extracts, so your skin is not only well protected but also receives excellent care.

How to use

Sunscreens must be applied 20 minutes before exposure to the sun, repeating the application with a variable frequency depending on the chosen sun filter (15, 30, 50 for example), the number of baths and the intensity of UV rays.

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MacBook Air laptop

I had a pretty much brandnew MacBook Pro. But it was 16 inch and weighs 2 kilo. For me that’s too big and too heavy to carry in my backpack. So this year I bought the new MacBook Air. It’s 13 inch. and weighs 1,24 kilo. While still powerfull enough to do my video editing.

Apple iPhone 15

For photography I mostly use my Iphone. I just got myself a new iPhone 15 and I think it’s great! The battery life however is never enough. So I always carry my powerbank. Unlike the new generation, I prefer working on my MacBook. Because I need my keyboard and touchpad and a proper screen. The screen of my iPhone simply is too small and the keys too little for my fingers.

Insta360 One R video camera

For my videos I have an insta360 One R camera. It’s a 360 camera, which means it films 360 degrees around. It is as small as the GoPro Hero cameras. But it is modulair. Meaning you can take it apart and change the lense. I use my Insta360 on an invisible selfie stick. The stick is not visible in the videos. Whether visible or not, as long as I have my design studio in a backpack.

Editing and design software

For designing I use Adobe software. My favourite is Illustrator. But I also use InDesign and Photoshop. For editing I sometimes us Premiere. But I prefer using Capcut. It’s free software and has so much options for easy and cool editing.

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To find your personal best

What is the first thing on your mind when you think of backpacking..? Exactly, a backpack! There are so many to choose from. Incredible how many different brands. Not to speak of the many sizes, from huuuge to so tiny. So many colours, from bright happy chappy colours to invisible camouflage. How do you know which one is the best for you..? Don’t worry, I’ve done the research for the perfect backpack.

Keep in mind that I was looking for the best backpack to travel the world. It has to be big but not too big. I want it to last for many years of travelling, so it has to be strong. I prefer for it to stand out because I don’t want to blend in. But is also has to be modest if I want to sit back and relax undisturbed.

The brands

There are so many backpacking brands in the world. The North Face, Wolfskin, FjällRäven, Osprey. Too many to name them all. Eventhough it’s a small world after all, not all brands operate global. Some brands are popular in the United States side of the planet. other brands are more populair on the European side. Just like choosing your favourite food, you’ll probably choose your favourite brand. Since I’m brand new to world travelling, I didn’t have any favourite yet. So I read many reviews and blogs. And soon a few brands got my attention.

Size does matter

Choose the size of your backpack according to your personal build. Your weight and length. If you’re big and heavy built, you can handle a big backpack. But if you’re short and light you don’t want to carry too much weight. We’re not there yet for the perfect backpack.

The lenght of your travel

The backpack size you choose also depends on the goal you have. I mean how long you want to travel. If it is (only) for a holiday for two or three weeks, a small backpack is sufficient. But are you planning to wander the world for several months then you need a bigger one.

Fancy hotels or rough nature

It speaks for itself that your destination determines what backpack to choose. Are you planning to stay in hotels or fancy resorts..? Or do you want to be as independent as can be and hike into the wild nature..? Think of the extra space you need to carry your sleeping mat and tent. And don’t forget if you’ll be needing cooking gear.

Back- and hip support

Ask yourself how much comfort do you want with your backpack..? Do you want it to be as luxury as possible. Or do you prefer a cheap and nasty model. Either way, support is real important. Youdon’t want the backpack to hang solely on your shoulders. Especially when you’ve got plenty to carry, you want the most comfortable hip support. So make sure your backpack has solid shoulder- and hip belts.

What’s your budget

You want to travel fancy or broke..?

Let’s not forget what your budget it. Although my advice , it’s better to spend some extra on a good backpack than to save a dime or two. Simply for the reason that your backpack has to carry your whole surviving. Take good care of your life. You only got one. The quality and the pleasure will definitely be worth it.

This might help

It’s always smart to ask for advice in specialised shops or from experienced backpackers. Personally I’m just a rookie. If you are as stubborn as me, you can always figure everything out yourself. Just like I did. There are so many backpacking blogs online with loads of tips and advice. Maybe this short list can get you started:

1. How long are you planning to travel – 2 weeks, 3 months of a couple of years.
2. How luxury you want to travel – are you going wild camping, use hostels, hotels or resorts.
3. How are you build – your don’t want your backpack to be too heavy/
4. How much do you want to bring – in many countries clothing is really cheap.
5. What is yuor budget – this also depends on the length of your trip.

Always keep in mind: choosing a backpack is personal. What works for someone else, doesn’t mean it works for you. It always helps to try different brands in shops. Then you can touch and feel what is the right one for you.

My perfect backpack

I want to travel the world with an open ticket. Meaning that I have no idea how long my journey will be. So I needed a backpack big enough to carry everything. And small enough to stay mobile and flexible. I’m planning to stay in hostels. The cheaper the better. Because travelling by itself can be expensive already. Personally I’m 1.80 cm tall. My weight varies around 65 kg.

Taking this all into consideration my ideal backpack is the Osprey Farpoint 40 liters. For me it has the ideal ventilating backsystem. Meaning that fresh air can ventilate between the backpack and my back. It has solid hip- and shoulder belts. Which you easily can zip into the bag, so you can handle it like a duffle bag, in case you need to check it in at an airport. Although I will always prefer to carry my backpack as hand luggage. No one wants to endlessly wait long for the plane to offload the luggage.

The perfect backpack for him and her

It has the luxury of a suitcase because you can open it completely and it is padded. On the side it has a hidden zipper to put your laptop in. I haven’t checked the difference, but for men Osprey has the Farpoint. For women there is Fairview.

Final tip: There’s a lot of difference in price where you buy or order your Osprey backpack. For now Google it. I will drop a link here soon.

The post The perfect backpack appeared first on Cookie Hunter.

DEET anti insect spray is an insect-repellent organic compound. It is intended to be applied to the skin or clothes and is mainly used for protection against insect bites. Because trust me, you don’t want to get bitten by insects.

Don’t us more than 50% DEET

Only excessive exposure to the mosquito repellent can lead to symptoms of poisoning. In some countries you can also buy products with a higher concentration than 50% DEET. The Dutch Government strongly advises against this because it does not work better, but it is more likely to lead to harmful effects on your health.

What Wiki says

Wikipedia says: An insect repellent (also commonly called “bug spray“) is a substance applied to the skin, clothing, or other surfaces to discourage insects (and arthropods in general) from landing or climbing on that surface. Insect repellents help prevent and control the outbreak of insect-borne (and other arthropod-bourne) diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease, dengue fever, bubonic plague, river blindness, and West Nile fever. Pest animals commonly serving as vectors for disease include insects such as flea, fly, and mosquito; and ticks (arachnids). ^{[citation needed]}

Some insect repellents are insecticides (bug killers), but most simply discourage insects and send them flying or crawling away. Nearly any would be fatal upon reaching the median lethal dose, but classification as an insecticide implies death even at lower doses.

Synthetic repellents tend to be more effective and/or longer lasting than “natural” repellents.

The U.S. and their CDC

For protection against mosquito bites, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends DEET, icaridin (picaridin, KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus (para-menthane-diol or PMD), IR3535 and 2-undecanone with the caveat that higher percentages of the active ingredient provide longer protection.^[3]

In 2015, Researchers at New Mexico State University tested 10 commercially available products for their effectiveness at repelling mosquitoes. The known active ingredients tested included DEET (at various concentrations), geraniol, p-menthane-3-8-diol (found in lemon eucalyptus oil), thiamine, and several oils (soybean, rosemary, cinnamon, lemongrass, citronella, and lemon eucalyptus). Two of the products tested were fragrances where the active ingredients were unknown. On the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the vector of Zika virus, only one repellent that did not contain DEET had a strong effect for the duration of the 240 minutes test: a lemon eucalyptus oil repellent. However, Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, a perfume not advertised as an insect repellant, performed effectively during the first 120 minutes after application.^[4]

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