I Can’t Get Over How Awesome This $36 Travel Accessory Is — and It Just Got Even Better

Certain types of products — sunglasses, sneakers, motorcycle jackets — are so intrinsically cool, it’s not all that hard to get unreasonably excited about them.

The vast majority of stuff we buy does not fall into that category, but every once in a while a less glamorous category welcomes a new member with so much rizz, we get all fired up in spite of ourselves.

Matador Equipment

That’s where I’m at with Matador’s latest travel accessory, which just freakin’ nails it on every level, including price.

In other words, after thorough testing, I’m in love with the Global Travel Adapter and I don’t care who knows it.

Putting the fun in function

So what makes this particular travel doohickey so special?

First of all, the form factor, which is not only pleasing to look and pleasant to hold but, at 3 x 2 x 2 inches and 5.8 ounces, compact and lightweight in a way that makes it easy to stash in your tech pack. 

It also supplies peace of mind. Compatible with outlets in more than 170 countries and territories, it won’t leave you losing sleep over whether it will work in, say, Myanmar or Tanzania. (It will.)

Matador Equipment

This adapter is quite high capacity too, thanks to a total of six output ports, including a USB-C PD35 port for larger devices — and fast-charging smartphones — plus an additional USB-C port, three standard USB-A ports and a multi-country AC plug.

One touch that’s particularly efficient and fun: the US and Australia prongs — which emerge when you press a release button on one side and slide a tab on the other — are the same, simply needing to be manually angled to transition from the former to the latter.

Charged up

Beyond all these specs and details, however, the point when Matador’s adaptor justifies its mere $36 price tag is the moment you start actually using it.

I know from experience. A few weeks out from a big splitboarding trip to Iceland, I began testing it out in my apartment — and quickly realized you don’t have to leave the country to reap huge benefits.

Plugged into the wall, it immediately multiplied the charging potential of a single outlet, and before I knew it, I was simultaneously charging my phone, earbuds, watch, speakers and bike lights with ease.

Photo by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol

On my actual trip, the adaptor’s responsibilities grew, as it not only had to seamlessly work with an Icelandic outlet but also charge my phone, watch, laptop and multiple BCA radios. 

I had visions of overloading the circuits, leaving are tiny seaside airbnb awash in darkness but of course these fears were unfounded. 

The charger handled all these devices with aplomb, meaning the only one breaking a sweat was me on every ambitious uphill escapade. 

Orange you glad it comes in this color?

While the adapter was initially only available in black, Matador recently introduced a new colorway that signals the brand’s user-friendly ethos.

Matador Equipment

That new color is called Forget-Me-Not Orange, and as you can imagine, it’s intended to make sure you don’t leave the device behind at the end of your trip. 

My own unit is black, but I might have to upgrade to orange. After all, this thing is too damn awesome to risk losing in a Scandinavian (or otherwise) outlet.

Availability and pricing

The Matador Global Travel Adapter is available now in Black and Forget-Me-Not Orange for $36.

Matador Equipment

Matador Global Travel Adapter

• $36 at Matador Equipment

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