Sunscreen 2019: Find the Best, Safest Products for Coral Reefs (and for Your Skin!)

What’s the best Father’s Day gift for a dad who loves to travel? Well, my credentials for weighing in on this question are at least baseline: I happen to be a father and a travel editor. First of all, “travel” for Father’s Day doesn’t have to mean covering a great distance. I’m here to tell you from personal experience (which in this case happens to be supported by clinical research) that neither a fancy meal nor carefully (or not) chosen “stuff” can compare to taking an easy day trip or one-tank escape to a place your dad loves—or a place he’s never been before. Experiences Are Better Than Stuff You’ve read the studies (or, at the very least, you’ve read the summaries of studies in listicle form on social media): Meaningful experiences make people happier than obtaining possessions. A major study at Cornell University was even more specific: “Doing makes you happier than owning.” My Most Memorable Father’s Day In support of “doing” rather than “owning,” please take a look at the photo above, which illustrates my most memorable Father’s Day. The picture of a medieval garden might suggest that my family sprung for a flight to Spain. Nope. All we had to do was take the half-hour drive from our home in the Hudson Valley to one of my favorite museums, the Cloisters, in upper Manhattan. Full disclosure: My wife and two daughters don’t exactly love the Cloisters. Medieval art is an acquired taste, and to date only I, among the four of us, has acquired it. But you don’t have to love ogling paintings and sculptures of angels, martyrs, and the Holy Family to enjoy the Cloisters. We had a lovely few hours strolling the gardens in full mid-June bloom, grabbing a bite to eat at the cafe, and taking in the epic views of the Hudson River from the museum's terraces. Talk to Us: What’s Your Dad’s Favorite Day Trip? Have you got a special day trip in mind for your dad this Father’s Day? Post a comment below. If you’ve got a photo, even better: Post is to Instagram and tag it #mybudgettravel.

There’s an art to packing for a short trip—there are the essentials, and then there are the non-essentials that bring an element of comfort and joy to the journey. For those travelers who rarely let a weekend pass without hitting the open road or taking to the skies, we found five things to help make the most of those quick two-day jaunts, from packing to transit to maximizing your time on the ground. The Bag (Courtesy Lo & Sons) First things first: Start with the proper equipment. This classic-looking cotton-canvas weekender is roomy enough to hold the necessities for a short trip and has multiple pockets to keep things organized, but its best features may very well be its modern touches: a sleeve that lets it slip over a suitcase handle for easy transport and a zippered compartment that keeps at least two pairs of shoes separate from the rest of your clothes. And the whole thing weighs less than 2 pounds, so it’s easy to sling it over your shoulder and go—even if it's packed to the brim. Catalina Deluxe Small in Teal Blue, $128, loandsons.com. The Multitasker (Courtesy The Bali Market) With luggage space at a premium, weekend warriors need accessories that do double-, triple-, or even quadruple-duty, and this lightweight, high-absorbency Turkish towel fits the bill. At 40”x70”, it’s large enough to be used as a beach towel (or as a bath towel, for that matter), but it takes up way less room than terry cloth. Woven from quick-drying cotton, this thin textile can also serve as a wrap, a scarf, or a throw for a chilly plane, train, or bus ride, and it rolls up to practically nothing. That's a win-win-win-win. Perfect Classic Turkish Towel in Grey, $36, thebalimarket.us. The Wet One (Amy Lundeen) Wring every last drop out of a warm-weather weekend: Pack a stash bag for a wet bathing suit (and Turkish towel!), and never forgo that final swim again. This one has a beachy, tropical print and a vinyl-coated, waterproof interior, and it’s big enough to hold the sunscreen, too. Tropical Palm Extra Large Cosmetic Bag, $28, needleandoak.com. The Sleep Aid (Courtesy Bucky) If you need pitch-black darkness to get a solid eight hours of Zs, an eye mask is a must-pack accessory. Sure, you could go with that flimsy freebie you've been using since your last long-haul flight, but this silky polka-dot number is a playful alternative. With contoured foam eye cups that let you blink without messing up your makeup or putting undue pressure on your lids, it'll keep you snoozing, even if you're stuck in coach. Bucky 40 Blinks Sleep Mask, $13, amazon.com. The Soundtrack (Courtesy Bose) What’s a vacation without the tunes? This waterproof, drop-proof Bluetooth speaker clocks in at just under 4"x4" and weighs less than a pound, offering huge, bass-heavy sound in a tiny, silicone-rubber-wrapped package. With six hours of battery life, a tear-resistant strap for hands-free portability, and an app that can control the volume, pair another speaker, and switch between music libraries in various devices, it'll help get the party started wherever you are. SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker, $100, bose.com.

As professional travelers, we put in lots of hours on the road, and with that much time on our hands, we get to know our gear pretty well. The little quirks that don’t seem like a big deal up front can become full-blown annoyances after a week of travel, and likewise, the nerdy details that might not merit more than a shrug at first glance can easily become an obsession once we realize how handy they can be in practice. We put another round of carry-on backpacks through their paces to find our favorites—all of which will fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you on most jets, and cost less than $200. 1. For the Weekend Road Trip (Courtesy Topo Designs) Topo Designs makes some of our favorite accessory bags and Dopp kits, so it’s not surprising they make one of our favorite backpacks too—the brand’s bags and accessories are designed to work together as part of a modular system, and the 30-liter Travel Bag is no exception. Pack bags, Topo’s answer to packing cubes, cost a little extra, but they nest inside for a tidy fit, and the Dopp kit does too—no cramming necessary. (If you need more room, clip a smaller bag onto the outside of the pack, or go for the 40-liter version.) But enough about the accessories—the backpack itself earns rave reviews. It has organizational pockets galore: On the front, a large zippered compartment with two internal zippered mesh pockets, plus another section with two open pockets for snacks and chargers and a deep zippered one as well. The main compartment holds three or four outfits, with two big mesh pockets for additional storage. At the back of the pack, there’s a padded laptop compartment, and an external pass-through sleeve to stack the bag on top of your rolling suitcase; it also comes with a removable crossbody strap, so the shoulder and hip straps tuck away if you choose to use it. The zippers even have security loops to protect against sticky fingers, and the stiff nylon material is water-repellant in addition to being practically tear-proof. All in all, our number-one pick.Travel Bag - 30L, $189; topodesigns.com. SHOP CARD HERE 2. For the Urban Excursion (Courtesy Knack Inc.) Launched in late 2018 by a team of former Tumi execs, Knack makes a good case for ditching the luggage and carrying just a single backpack. With a slim profile, clean lines, and crisp suiting-inspired fabric, the expandable Knack Pack displays the attention to detail you’d expect from a contingent of industry pros. Unexpanded, the medium version holds just 17 liters; expanded, that capacity nearly doubles. The packing compartment unzips to lay flat, holding a few days’ worth of clothes with compression straps to lock it all down, with a zippered mesh pocket covering the facing side. One of its savvier highlights is the built-in sunglasses case, lined with fleece and conveniently placed at the top of the pack, but other travel-minded touches include a rain flap that covers the expansion zipper; a zip-away side pocket that hides a water bottle; and padded shoulder straps, reinforced with sternum straps, that tuck into the back panel. Two minor complaints: There isn’t a side handle, and the front pocket is a bit of a head-scratcher, a triangular flap that folds down to reveal pen loops, one strangely shallow pocket, and a row of small slots big enough to hold business cards...and not much else. But for a nice-looking bag with a deceptively generous capacity, we'll allow it.Medium Expandable Knack Pack, $175; knackbags.com. 3. For the Long Haul (Courtesy Rick Steves' Europe) This convertible carry-on from Rick Steves' Europe came on our radar by way of a reader's comment—and we have to say, it was a solid suggestion. At about 40 liters, it’s the roomiest of the bunch (and at 3 pounds, the heaviest too), a no-frills pack that excels in its simplicity. The main compartment is nearly suitcase-size, with compression straps, an elasticized pocket running the length of the lid, two loose mesh bags for laundry or smalls, and a document pouch that clips into place so important papers are always within reach. On the front, there are three pockets of varying sizes: a square one for a cardigan or a neck pillow, a small one for glasses, lip balm, and the like, and a really deep one for magazines, tablets, tech gear, and more. The pack can expand a couple of inches if need be, but beware of overstuffing if you want to use it as a carry-on. Though there isn’t a dedicated compartment for a laptop, the side pocket will accommodate one, albeit without any cushioning; additional features include a mesh water-bottle sleeve, handles on the top and side, outer compression straps, and shoulder and waist straps that tuck away as needed. This is the most old-school model we tried—those shoulder straps are only slightly padded, and the floppy nylon fabric gives it the feel of a classic gym bag—and while we tend to prefer more structure and more organizational components, you won't find many travel packs this size at a comparable cost. Convertible Carry-On, $100; ricksteves.com. 4. For the Outdoorsy Overnight (Courtesy Mammut) If outdoor adventures are on the agenda—with some work on the side—try Mammut’s Seon Transporter X. In something of a reverse mullet, it's business in the back—think: a padded, fleece-lined section for a laptop, tablet, paperwork, and reading materials, plus two orange-zippered mesh compartments and pockets for pens—and a party in the front, with a main compartment housing a ventilated, zippered section for hiking boots, with space leftover for toiletries and a change of clothes or two. (Though the bag technically has a 26-liter capacity, it's definitely for those who travel light—that shoe compartment claims quite a bit of real estate.) As for access points, the big pocket at the front is basically the height and width of the pack itself, with a zippered mesh pocket inside, and the small compartment at the bag's top is good for valuables, with two fleecy open pockets and yet another zippered mesh one. Smart elements include well-padded, ergonomic shoulder straps, top and side handles for ease of carry, and big looped zippers that pull without a hitch, all under the cover of a sturdy, weather-repellent material, in a camouflage print that makes it stand out from the crowd. Seon Transporter X, $190; mammut.com. 5. For a Few Days Away (Courtesy Solo New York) With a spacious main compartment that opens like a suitcase, incorporating a built-in bag for shoes or laundry and four small stash pockets (two mesh and two solid nylon) in the lining around its frame, Solo New York’s 22.6-liter All-Star provides the capacity of a duffel—minus the duffel’s tendency to turn into a black hole, thanks to its organizational touches. On the front, a zippered pocket holds the necessities you'll want to reach on the fly, like sunglasses, tickets, and chargers. The front is padded to protect the laptop section, which also has a sleeve that fits a tablet, so you’ll only have to dig through one pocket for your electronics when you hit the security scanners. Two side handles and one on top make for easy stowing on planes or trains, and the cushy straps tuck away when they're not in use. (It also comes with a long shoulder strap, in case you get tired of hauling it around on your back.) As a whole, the pack is lightweight and inexpensive—in fact, the lightest, least expensive one we tried. At this price point, and considering its five-year limited warranty, it’s a great option for a short trip. All-Star Backpack Duffel, $87; solo-ny.com.

Conscious consumerism is more just than a catchphrase—it's a real opportunity to throw your dollars at companies whose goals and values match your own. Whether it's subsidizing artisans in remote corners of the world, feeding victims of poverty and natural disasters, fighting for equal rights, or defending the First Amendment, these 10 products are backed by organizations using their platforms to make a positive social impact. 1. Support Global Artisans (Courtesy GlobeIn) This cheerful Mexican-made palm-leaf tote from GlobeIn inspires warm-weather thoughts, even in the dead of winter. It’s a great size—not too big and not too small, just right for a day at the beach—and it’s Fair Trade, so you can buy with confidence knowing that it was ethically produced, and that the artisans who made it by hand earn a wage that provides a sustainable standard of living. Pom Pom Leaf Shopper, $50; shop.globein.com. 2. Empower Mothers and Children (Courtesy Erin Sullivan, @erinoutdoors) When it comes to shoes sold under a charitable business model, Toms aren’t the only game in town. A nonprofit founded in Kenya by two pastors, Ubuntu Life relies on local East African women to create its line of high-quality totes, clutches, beaded bracelets, pet collars, and espadrilles—or, as they’re cleverly called here, Afridrilles. The company provides sustainable employment alongside above-market wages and benefits. Profits go directly to the workers (many of whom are mothers to special-needs children), and purchases generate revenue for pediatric health and education efforts. We love the shoes: They require a little time to break in and run a touch small, but they’re well-designed and sturdy. They take up minimal suitcase space and coordinate with almost everything, and they're equally great for navigating airport security or transitioning from beach to boardwalk.Classic Afridrilles, $75; ubuntulife.com. 3. Sport Sustainable Fashion (Courtesy SmallWarner) Made in Jakarta by Balinese artisans, this vibrant, eco-friendly necklace layers strand upon strand of recycled-glass beads to stunning effect. A lightweight, versatile piece with a mother-of-pearl clasp, the Bali Bead necklace lays beautifully across the collarbone, dresses up any outfit, and won’t irritate sensitive skin, thanks to its metal-free construction. Company founder Lillian Daniels works directly with her suppliers, an endeavor that helps the craftswomen support their families and enhance their quality of life, and donates pieces to various organizations to raise money for first-generation college students, displaced families, female-centric organizations, and more.The Bali Bead necklace, from $70; thebalibead.com. 4. Promote the First Amendment (Courtesy ACLU) Part statement piece, part conversation-starter, this adorable onesie will ensure that your favorite tiny tyke gets a head start as an ambassador for human rights and free speech. (You can't teach equality early enough, if you ask us.) Since 1920, the ACLU has been supporting and defending our civil liberties, and purchases support the organization and its mission. It runs a bit small, so size up when you order.Free Speech onesie, $20; shop.aclu.org. 5. Feed Hungry Kids (Courtesy cuddle+kind) Yes, these delightful dolls from cuddle+kind are hand-knit, loomed, embroidered, and crocheted in Peru by talented women earning a fair-trade income, and yes, the designs are mind-bogglingly cute—think: unicorns and mermaids, lambs and foxes, even fawns and flamingos, in sizes large and small. But that’s not even the best part. Thanks to partnerships with humanitarian organizations like the World Food Program USA and the Children’s Hunger Fund, each doll provides a hungry child with 10 meals, and the company aims to contribute a million meals a year. It’s a goal that seems eminently doable, especially considering the heirloom quality of the merchandise on offer.Everest the Penguin, from $50; cuddleandkind.com. 6. Foster Tolerance and Inclusion (Courtesy Chronicle Books) As you’d expect from John Oliver and the team at HBO’s Last Week Tonight, this charmingly illustrated children’s book about two boy bunnies in love tells it like it is. Not only does it have a message of equality and acceptance (important principles to instill in travelers of all ages), it also teaches a valuable lesson about standing up for yourself, and doing your civic duty, too. Buying the eBook from the Trevor Project directly supports the org’s work with LGBTQ youth, but if you prefer a hardback, the Trevor Project and AIDS United still get the royalties for every new copy sold.A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, $12; amazon.com. 7. Show Your Humanity (Courtesy Help Refugees/Choose Love) The worldwide refugee crisis shows no signs of abating, but you can extend a helping hand by shopping with Choose Love, an online store selling essential items for those who have been displaced. These are gifts that will make a real difference, like tents, emergency blankets, hot meals, hygiene kits, diapers, and even access to mental-health and legal-aid services. With almost everything ringing in at $60 or less, compassion doesn't have to come at a high cost.Clothing and supplies for refugees, us.choose.love. 8. Advocate for Equal Rights (Courtesy Human Rights Campaign) Every packing list needs a neutral tee that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, and between its lived-in feel and understated design, this super-soft grey number from the Human Rights Campaign is destined to become a regular in the wardrobe rotation. All net proceeds go toward HRC's fight against discrimination and its work to secure LGBTQ rights and protections, so you can announce your allegiance with aplomb.Rainbow Earth t-shirt, $29; hrc.org. 9. Combat Hunger and Poverty (Courtesy World Central Kitchen) As climate change affects the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at home and abroad, it’s becoming increasingly clear that some of our favorite destinations, from California to Puerto Rico, are among those at serious risk. Through his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, celebrity chef José Andrés and his network of like-minded cohorts have put boots on the ground to feed millions of people in the wake of hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and more. Donations to the 501(c)3 go toward the ongoing relief efforts, but they also support its long-term programs: health, education, jobs, and social-enterprise initiatives that look to build stronger communities and economies.Donations to World Central Kitchen, worldcentralkitchen.org. 10. Give a Dog a Second Chance (Courtesy Grounds & Hounds) It’s the best of both worlds for puppy-loving caffeine fiends: a coffee company focused on organic fair-trade blends that donates a cut of its proceeds to rescue organizations across the country. Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.'s stainless steel, double-wall-insulated tumbler keeps drinks hot for six hours and won’t leak all over in the process. And about those donations: Grounds & Hounds earmarks 20 percent of its profits to effecting ground-level change—everything from assisting with rescue transfers and supporting life-saving initiatives to funding spay-and-neuter services and supplying shelters and low-income households with food and toys.Key to Happiness tumbler, $14; groundsandhoundscoffee.com.