Best Travel Shirt for Hot Climates: Columbia Omni-Shade Review

Columbia Travel Shirt: Sun Protection for Tropical Adventures

For travelers who value performance, style, and practicality, the Columbia travel shirt stands out as a top-tier choice. In my latest video, I explore the features that make this shirt a reliable companion for frequent travel. Watch the full review here: Columbia Travel Shirt Review on YouTube.

Designed with Columbia’s Omni-Shade™ UPF sun protection, this shirt is particularly well-suited for destinations with strong sun exposure, such as the Maldives, Thailand, and other tropical regions. The fabric blocks harmful UV rays, offering an extra layer of protection without the need for constant sunscreen reapplication.

In addition to sun safety, the shirt features Omni-Wick™ moisture control, which helps regulate body temperature and keeps the wearer dry in humid conditions. Its quick-dry capability makes it ideal for travelers who prefer to pack light and wash on the go—perfect for multi-day trips or minimalist packing strategies.

Its functionality is further enhanced by hidden pockets, roll-up sleeves, and a lightweight, breathable design. These elements make the shirt adaptable for a range of activities, from urban exploration to outdoor excursions. It transitions easily from daywear to evening attire, maintaining a polished look without sacrificing comfort.

The Columbia travel shirt is not just about convenience—it’s about smart travel. Investing in gear that performs across climates and situations allows for smoother, more efficient travel experiences. This shirt exemplifies that philosophy.

For those planning trips to sun-drenched destinations or simply looking to upgrade their travel wardrobe, this shirt offers a compelling blend of protection, performance, and style.

Buying a GoPro in 2025? Read This First!

Why I Might Skip 2025’s GoPro 14

I have been using a GoPro Action camera for a decade. This is the only action camera I have known and ever used. It is unthinkable for me to switch to any other kind of action camera. I really need to update to a newer version of GoPro for the past couple of years, but I have been putting off buying a new one.

Last time I upgraded to a new version was in 2021, with the GoPro HERO 10. However, in 2025 I may not upgrade yet. I won’t buy a GoPro anymore unless GoPro upgrades their sensor size—a critical feature that competitors like DJI and Insta360 have already improved.

Every year GoPro keeps doing unnecessary upgrades that do not matter at all. For some strange reason, they don’t upgrade what everyone keeps waiting for – increasing its sensor size. GoPro’s tiny sensor hurts low-light performance and excludes much better-quality videos, while competitors keep upgrading and outperforming GoPro with better hardware.

DJI and Insta360 caught up on upgrading their sensors some time ago. Many GoPro hardcode fans abandoned GoPro, and the question remains whether they want to remain in business, as it looks like GoPro doesn’t care what consumers need and this is necessary to stay in business.

My reason for not abandoning GoPro yet is that I like their colour profile and video quality. In my opinion, this is something no other company can beat GoPro at, however DJI and Insta360 came very close.

Also, I Subscribe to GoPro (formerly Plus) for unlimited cloud storage, which I will lose if I leave GoPro. GoPro recently got sneakier and stopped giving unlimited cloud storage to all clips, which was previously free. Now only GoPro clips can be saved as unlimited.

My Verdict: Until GoPro prioritizes real improvements, save your money! Stop buying new GoPros in 2025 and beyond. If GoPro doesn’t change their sensor size, I will have to take drastic action—even if that means abandoning GoPro unlimited cloud and losing all my saved files.

This Should Be The Travel Shorts for Your Next Trip (The Best Men’s Shorts?)

Men’s Travel Shorts for Beach Destinations

My fabric of choice is cotton, but there are instances where cotton simply will not do. For example, when I was doing an island-hopping tour in the Philippines, I got wet right away and often throughout the trip. However, a pair of fast-dry, moisture-wicking shorts saved the day.

I have been searching for the perfect travel shorts, and I believe I found them. Here comes the Wrangler Performance Flex Cargo Shorts. They’re made of 94% Nylon and 6% Spandex. Some of their properties are:

- Stretch Fabric
- Quick Drying
- Moisture Wicking
- UPF 30 for sun protection

I like that they have a longer inseam at 10 inches. This comes close to the knee and provides more sun protection. Also, it’s easier to sit with a longer inseam.

If you run out of pocket space, Wrangler’s Cargo Shorts are equipped with ample space, as there are 2 cargo zip pockets, 2 back pockets and slash pockets. This is great for traveling when you need to safely store your cell phone, wallet and other items in an enclosed pocket. I had to check many pairs of shorts to find some that came with pocket zippers and my Wrangler Cargo Shorts were the only ones I was able to find.

In the past, I used to carry separate swim shorts for traveling. But since I minimized my travel items, I now have only one carry-on. I use my regular fast-dry shorts as my swim shorts as well and my Wranglers fit perfectly for that.

I have a month-long trip coming up for Malaysia and Maldives and my Wrangler Performance Flex Cargo Shorts should be a perfect tool for adventures exploring islands and beaches.

First Impressions of the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024)

I Purchased Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024)

My last Fire tablet was the 8th Generation that I bought in 2019. It only had a 1.5 GB 1.3 GHz processor but still worked fine. I remember traveling with it to watch in-flight movies. So in 2025, I wanted to try again and bought the new 2024 12th Gen Fire 8 tablet.

The first few things I noticed was that on the outside nothing changed much. Same resolution (1280 x 800 189 ppi), same looks. The few things that have changed are:

- USB C (Micro USB before)

- RAM of 4 GB & 2.0 GHz processor (mine is 64 GB memory)

- The back has a textured plastic finish that features tiny, raised dots.

- Improved brightness

The screen captures smudges and fingerprints very quickly and I had to keep cleaning it. This is annoying. The USB-C port is still the older version, the USB-C 2.0. The Fire 8 still has a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot, which can be a plus for many, as they are hard to find these days.

The Fire HD 8’s battery life is quite good and can last up to 13 hours but takes very long to fully charge.

Running on Amazon's Fire OS, the tablet offers a user-friendly interface tailored for Amazon services. However, the limited app support remains a drawback, as it restricts access to some popular applications. The stereo speakers are adequate for casual listening, but they lack the depth and clarity found in more premium devices.

I have always installed Google Play on my Fire Tablet to have greater access to apps. You can find more on this in my video.

Overall, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024) is a solid choice for budget-conscious users looking for a reliable tablet for everyday tasks. While it doesn't excel in every area, its affordability, battery life, and ease of use make it a worthwhile option for those who prioritize value over high-end features.

The Best Mini Power Bank

Choosing the Right Power Bank: INIU Mini vs. Anker Foldable USB

I was looking for a foldable mini power bank with a Built-in Foldable USB-C Connector. The Anker Nano Power Bank seemed to be the only option. In general, most Anker products have very high ratings but somehow this item got lots of bad reviews and low ratings on Amazon. This prohibited me from buying it.

Then I came across the INIU Mini Power Bank. Having previously owned another INIU power bank, I was familiar with the brand's commitment to quality and durability. My previous INIU power bank lasted a long time, providing consistent performance throughout its lifespan. This positive experience made me confident in choosing the INIU Mini Power Bank.

The INIU Mini Power Bank stands out for several reasons:

Built-in foldable USB: The convenience of a built-in USB eliminates the need to carry extra cables, making it perfect for on-the-go use.

Compact Design: Its small size makes it easy to carry in a pocket or bag, ensuring you always have a reliable power source at hand.

Durability: INIU products are known for their robust build quality, and the Mini Power Bank is no exception. It feels solid and well-constructed, promising longevity.

After reading numerous Anker Nano Foldable USB reviews, I noticed a trend of dissatisfaction among users. Common complaints included issues with the foldable USB mechanism and inconsistent performance.

In the end, my decision to purchase the INIU Mini Power Bank was influenced by my previous positive experience with INIU and the mixed reviews of the Anker Nano Foldable USB.

The INIU Mini has proven to be a reliable, convenient, and durable choice, meeting my needs perfectly. It looks like a quality product and the built-in foldable USB makes it perfect for travel, as it’s easy to slip into pockets or bags.

The INIU Mini Power Bank will be one of my travel power banks for my next trip to Maldives and Malaysia.