From Beach to Mountain: How Travel Humidors Protect Cigars in Every Climate
Picture this you’re lounging on a beach, ready to light up your favourite cigar as the sun sets. But when you pull it out, it’s dry, cracked, and far from the smooth experience you anticipated. Sound familiar? Whether you’re headed to the coast, the mountains, or the desert, cigars are sensitive to their environment.
Travel exposes your cigars to different climates that can wreak havoc on their condition. That’s where a travel humidor steps in ensuring your cigars stay fresh, no matter the destination. Let’s dive into why this little piece of gear is a must for cigar lovers on the go.
Why Cigars Are Sensitive to Climate Changes
Cigars might look tough, but they’re surprisingly delicate. They absorb and release moisture easily, which means the surrounding climate directly impacts them.
The ideal environment for cigars sits around 70% humidity and 21°C (70°F). Too much or too little moisture can either cause your cigar to swell and fall apart or dry out and lose its flavour.
Common Climate Threats:
High Humidity: Cigars can become overly moist, swell, and unravel, making them difficult to smoke.
Dry Conditions: Cigars dry out quickly, leading to cracks and loss of essential oils that give them their signature flavour.
In short, cigars don’t handle climate swings well. But the good news? Quality humidors for travel keep things balanced.
How Travel Humidors Maintain Optimal Conditions
Think of a travel humidor as a portable cigar spa. It maintains the right level of moisture to keep your cigars fresh, no matter where your travels take you.
Here’s how they work:
Sealed Protection: Travel humidors create an airtight environment, preventing external humidity from interfering.
Built-in Humidifiers: Many travel humidors come equipped with small humidification packs or devices that regulate internal moisture.
Portable Design: Designed to handle the knocks and bumps of travel, these humidors are sturdy, compact, and easy to pack.
Whether you’re on a quick weekend getaway or a month-long trip, a travel humidor safeguards your cigars from climate shifts.
Climate-Specific Protection
1. Tropical Destinations (Beach/Coastal):
The Challenge: High heat and humidity can make cigars swell and unravel.
The Solution: A humidor with adjustable humidity controls is key. This allows you
to reduce the internal moisture to counteract the tropical air outside.
2. Mountain Getaways (Cold and Dry):
The Challenge: Low humidity at higher altitudes can dry out cigars quickly.
The Solution: Look for a humidor with extra insulation to keep humidity sealed in.
Humidification packs that release moisture gradually are also a lifesaver.
3. Urban Trips (Temperate Climates):
The Challenge: Moderate humidity levels are less of a threat, but small fluctuations still occur.
The Solution: A standard travel humidor with a hygrometer to monitor humidity should suffice. This is the easiest trip to manage!
4. Desert Escapes (Hot and Arid):
The Challenge: Dry air can zap the moisture from cigars in no time.
The Solution: Use a humidor with high-capacity humidification packs that steadily
release moisture to combat the dry environment.
Comments You Want to See in Humidor Reviews
Before you take the plunge and purchase an expensive humidor, you need to ensure you’re making the right investment. There’s nothing worse than falling for the marketing online just to discover that the product isn’t as good as it said it was. In particular, pay attention to reviews about the humidor. Other customers are going to be very helpful and ensure you make the right purchasing decision. Here are some of the comments you want to read about before buying.
Quality Materials
The most important thing you want from a humidor is that it stores your cigars securely. This is only going to happen if you choose one made from quality materials. Every company is going to tell you they’ve got the best. So, you need to look at what the customers are actually saying. Indeed, make sure that they’re commenting on the great quality before buying.
Value for Money
Most people are willing to spend a good amount of money on a humidor. But, this only applies when you’re getting value for money. Look out for comments in the reviews about competitive pricing and making sure that products match up to that cost. The last thing you want is to pay an expensive price and not get what you’re expecting.
Great Service
Yes, you want to get your hands on the best humidor. But you also want to ensure that you’re getting good service from the company you’ve ordered from. This includes having the team be responsive to your questions and fast shipping. Therefore, take a look at the reviews and make sure that people are impressed by the company. You want to see positive comments about their experience and make sure that nobody posts one-star reviews for service issues. After all, nobody wants to be waiting weeks on end for their order.
Conclusion
A travel humidor isn’t just a luxury, it’s an essential for any cigar lover hitting the road. Whether you’re sunbathing at the beach or hiking up a mountain trail, it ensures your cigars are fresh and ready to enjoy.
Photo by Alek Olson on Unsplash
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Founder of this eponymous blog, focusing on men's fashion & lifestyle.