• Thin and lightweight, Hydro Flask's Standard Mouth is the water bottle I take on the go.
• It comes with a smooth but still grippy finish, it's thin so it fits easily in most of my (already jam-packed) bags, and it comes in all the pretty colors.
• Right now, Hydro Flask is selling a limited-edition collection of Hawaiian shave ice-inspired bottles, as seen above, in three different colorways: Blue Hawaii, Hawaiian Rainbow, and Mai Tai.
• You can get the water bottle in three sizes — 18, 21, or 24 ounces. The 18 ounce is $30 and the 24 ounce is $35, while special-edition colors in the 21- and 24-ounce sizes cost $40. 

The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle is a simple water bottle. Inherently, there's not much to it, and that's what I like. It's double-walled and vacuum-sealed, but you wouldn't know by looking at — or carrying — it.

Double-walled and vacuum-sealed, by the way, is a century-old technology, and most modern, steel-walled water bottles employ it. In short, it involves one flask (or bottle) being placed over another, and the gap between the two being vacuumed before its sealed, which stabilizes the inside temperature, keeping cold things cold and hot things hot longer.

I like just about everything else about it, too. The spray-on finish has a luxurious feel, and the new Hawaiian shave ice ombrés are just downright seductive. (Dear Hydro Flask, please do not discontinue this limited-edition run!)

If you want a "Wide Mouth" container, or a larger bottle, Wide Mouth models come in 18-, 32-, 40- and 64-ounce sizes, and, like the Standard Mouth models, are compatible with a few different caps and lids.

The narrow body of my 24-ounce bottle also means it can fit in just about everything, from my laptop case (where I can safely trust it not to open and expel its contents) to my boat bag. It refuses rust even after repeated soaks in the sea (without a wash), and there's an unobtrusive, collapsible silicone handle that you can use to attach it to a bag or railing if need be.

But that "if need be" should not be taken lightly. The strap, being silicone, is not the most durable thing in the world, and it will eventually break, especially if you're clipping it into a carabiner often enough. There are a handful of complaints right on Hydro Flask's website attesting to this where the replacement cap is sold for $7.50. The other side of this issue, while not a perfect solution, and certainly a nuisance, is that this bottle comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which does include things like the Flex Cap's strap breaking. And, again, you could also purchase a different cap or lid altogether.

The rest of the water bottle is nearly indestructible. I've dropped it down flights of stairs, I've kicked it across the deck of my boat, and it's rolled all the way down my gravel-laden driveway with little more than a scratch. There were some smudges after all that, but I was able to buff them out, which I found impressive (not in reference to me, but the bottle, of course).

All in all, this is a functional yet fashionable vessel for hydration, and while it's not the water bottle I'd necessarily choose to take on any long-distance kayaking or hiking sojourn, it'll hold its own just about anywhere to a point, and, in an urban setting, it's a delightfully refreshing splash of color. What more do most of us need in a water bottle this summer?

Pros: Lightweight, streamline, several cap choices available

Cons: Strap with included cap prone to breaking

Buy the 24-ounce Hydro Flask Standard Mouth for $34.95

Buy the limited-edition Shave Ice 24-ounce Hydro Flask Standard Mouth for $39.95

Shop additional Hydro Flask caps and lids from $7.50 to $9.95

SEE ALSO: Hydro Flask's new $25 Cooler Cup is far and away the best koozie there is — here's why

Join the conversation about this story »

• LGBT families are an essential part of communities across America.
• In our recent collection of 50 maps tracking American life today, we included two maps that showed how the LGBT community varies across states.
• Western and Northeastern states have higher shares of the adult population self-identifying as LGBT, while same-sex couples in the South and Mountain West are more likely to be raising children than their coastal peers.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

LGBT-identifying people and their families are an essential part of the American community.

As part of our recent collection of 50 maps tracking American life today, we included the following two maps that look at how the LGBT community varies across states.

Read more: 50 maps that explain how America lives, spends, and believes

The Movement Advancement Project, an advocacy and research group, assembled data from a 2018 analysis by The Williams Institute of Gallup survey results to estimate the share of each state's population that self-identifies as LGBT.

That share ranged from 2.7% of adults in North Dakota self-identifying as LGBT to a high of 9.8% in the District of Columbia. States in the West and Northeast had larger LGBT populations, while many states in the upper Great Plains and the South had a small share of LGBT-identifying adults.

The Movement Advancement Project also published estimates of how many same-sex couples in each state were raising children. Those estimates were based on a Williams Institute analysis of data from the US Census, which determines family structures based on who respondents list as a spouse and as their own children in their households, rather than asking specific questions about sexual orientation or gender identity.

In what might be a somewhat surprising result, some of the states with the lowest shares of self-identified LGBT adults had very high shares of same-sex couples raising children. For example, while just 2.9% of adults in Montana identified themselves as LGBT according to the above Gallup data, a full 22% of same-sex couples in that state had children.

• Read more:
• Here's what LGBT Gen Z students want in their future employers — and where they want to work
• This map shows the highest-paying job in every state (we should've been doctors)
• This map shows the happiest states in the US — and the ones that are struggling
• From secretaries to substitute teachers, these are the fastest-dying jobs in every US state

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Kylie Jenner is the world's second highest-paid celebrity. Here's how she makes and spends her $1 billion.

• As 2019 moves along, we've looked at all the new and existing credit cards available this year, and picked a few of our favorites.
• If you own a small business — whether it's a personal side gig, a sole proprietorship, or something with multiple employees — it's important to keep your business and personal expenses separate from each other.
• Our top picks include points-earning cards like the Business Platinum® Card from American Express as well as cash-back options like the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card.
• Take a look below at our picks for best small business credit cards of 2019, and don't miss our guide to the best personal credit cards of 2019.

Whether you're a freelancer, someone with a side gig, or you run a business with 15 employees, an HR team, and a brick-and-mortar store or office, keeping your personal and business finances is vital. Even if you're a sole proprietor using your personal checking account, things can get muddy quickly when you're cutting personal and business checks from the same account, or charging drinks with friends and your monthly Microsoft Office subscription to the same credit card.

To make your own day-to-day life easier, and to save yourself a tremendous number of headaches when it comes time to file taxes, you're best keeping business purchases separate — I learned this quickly when I started to do some freelance work on the side.

Why you need a business credit card

There are a few other reasons to use a business card, though. 

Your personal card might not facilitate the kind of spending your company does. Business cards can have higher credit limits, and in most cases, the activity on a business card won't affect your personal credit report (although if you default on the business card, the card issuer can still come after you personally).

If you're a "sole proprietor" business, where you work solo and work under your own name and social security number (rather than a business name), getting a business card is more about the convenience of keeping your expenses separate, and protecting your own credit profile and assets — even the smallest of businesses are eligible, such as freelancers, individuals with side gigs, or even people who resell things on eBay.

If you're a bigger business, though — or aspire to grow into one, with employees and more resources, having a business card is a must — not only to separate expenses, but also to establish business credit, so that you have flexibility later on with loans and leases. Plus, you can get additional authorized cards for employees as needed.

These are the best business credit cards to open in 2019

• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for sign-up bonus
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Best for premium business travel benefits

• The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best for points earning with no annual fee

• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for flexible redemption options with a reasonable annual fee
• Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: Best for a flat earning rate when paired with another Chase card
• American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for 4x bonus categories
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for cash-back bonus categories
• Capital One Spark Cash for Business: Best for simplicity
• Airline business credit cards: Best for frequent business travel if you're loyal to one airline

1. Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome offer: 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $5,000 on the card in the first three months.

Annual fee: $95

Earning rates: 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 your business spends on combined purchases each cardmember year on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, and advertising on social media sites or with search engines. Purchases after you reach $150,000, or in any other category, earn 1 point per dollar.

Standout benefits: Cell phone protection, primary car rental insurance

If you're looking to earn valuable, flexible rewards points on your small business spending, the Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) ecosystem is among the best options. If you already have one of Chase's popular personal rewards cards — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve— the Ink Business Preferred is an ideal business card companion.

Like those cards, the Ink Preferred earns UR points, and while you can keep them on that card and separate from the rest of your stash, you can also combine them with the rest of your points. These points can be traded for cash back, transferred to frequent flyer and hotel loyalty partners, or used to purchase travel with a 25% bonus (or a 50% bonus if you move your points over to your Chase Sapphire Reserve). 

The Ink Business Preferred card also earns bonus points in some of the most common expense categories for businesses, from travel to shipping to advertising on social media sites like Facebook and search engines such as Google Ads. That earning rate, plus the card's 80,000 point sign-up bonus — the highest bonus currently offered by Chase — should make for a nice stash of Ultimate Reward points.

Among other benefits, the Ink Business Preferred offers cell phone protections. When you use the Ink Preferred to pay your cell phone bill, you're covered for up to $600 for damage, loss, or theft of your cell phone — or your employees' work-provided phones, if you provide them. You're limited to three claims per rolling 12-month period, but this can save you a fortune. That insurance alone makes up for the $95 annual fee.

Click here to learn more about the Ink Business Preferred card from our partner The Points Guy.

2. The Business Platinum® Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Up to 75,000 Membership Rewards points (50,000 points after you spend $10,000 in the first three months, and another 25,000 if you spend an additional $15,000 in that same time frame).

Annual fee: $595

Earning rates: 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com, 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 1 million additional points per year), 1 point per dollar on everything else

Standout benefits: 

• $200 annual airline fee credit
• Access to airport lounges include Centurion lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs (when you're flying Delta)
• Up to $200 in Dell statement credits annually (divided into up to $100 between January and June and up to $100 between July and December)
• One year of WeWork Platinum Global Access if you enroll by December 31, 2019
• Get 35% of your points back when you use Pay With Points to book an economy flight with your selected airline or a business- or first-class flight with any airline

The small business version of American Express's famed Platinum Card used to be our pick for the top business card, but in the past year the annual fee has increased and it's become a bit more of a niche product — potentially useful for mid-sized businesses that spend a lot on flights and travel, but less valuable for sole proprieters and very small operations.

Card holders can now receive a complimentary year of WeWork Platinum Global Access, allowing them to use any of WeWork's 300-plus facilities, which are spread across more than 75 cities throughout the world. The benefit is worth $2,700, according to Amex.

Business Platinum card holders also get up to $200 of annual statement credits to use when shopping at Dell and $200 in airline fee credits each calendar year, essentially rebating part of the annual fee. Plus, because the airline fee credit is valid each calendar year, not cardmember year, you could get it twice in your first 12 months of having the card.

Other travel benefits include access to more than 1,200 airport lounges, 10 complimentary Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi passes each year, and complimentary Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott.

Click here to learn more about the Business Platinum Card from our partner The Points Guy.

3. The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

Welcome offer: N/A

Annual fee: $0

Earning rates: 2 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 in spending every year (after that, it's 1x point).

Standout benefits: No annual fee, 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months (then a variable rate of 15.49%-21.49%)

The Blue Business Plus Card doesn't usually have a welcome offer, and that might be enough to turn many people away from it. However, it's the rare points-earning business card that doesn't charge an annual fee; you'll earn 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 you spend each year, with no bonus categories to keep track of. According to travel website The Points Guy, Amex points are worth 2 cents apiece, so you're getting a 4% return on all your business spending up to $50,000 each year.

There's also a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. While funding your startup with a credit card may not be the best idea, the introductory APR can help if you have a few larger purchases coming up and are still working to get cash flow regular. 

Click here to learn more about the Blue Business Plus from our partner The Points Guy.

4. Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Welcome offer: 50,000 miles after you spend $4,500 in the first three months

Annual fee: $0 the first year; $95 after that

Earning rate: 2x miles on all purchases

Standout benefits: Transfer miles to Capital One's airline partners including Air Canada and Emirates or redeem miles to cover travel purchases on your statement, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

The Spark Miles for Business is a great option if you want choices in how you redeem your miles. You can transfer them to more than 10 airline partners or you can use miles to "wipe" your business' travel expenses from your credit card statement. Beyond that, you can redeem miles for cash back or gift cards. So if you don't want to be locked into just one way to use your rewards, this card could make sense.

You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases with no cap. Transferring miles to airline partners like Air Canada, Avianca, and Singapore Airlines will usually get you the most value, but you'll have to do a bit of work to uncover the best uses with each program.

Click here to learn more about the Capital One Spark Miles for Business from our partner The Points Guy.

5. Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

Welcome offer: $500 (or 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $3,000 in the first three months

Annual fee: $0

Earning rate: 1.5% cash back on all purchases

Standout benefits: If you also have a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you can redeem cash back as points with travel partners and get more than 1.5% back per, 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a variable rate of 15.49%-21.49%)

The newest card in Chase's business portfolio, the Ink Business Unlimited is a simple one at first — earn unlimited 1.5% cash back.

However, just like the consumer Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited cards, the Ink Business Unlimited has a trick up its sleeve. Although the card is marketed as "cash back," it actually earns Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for cash (1 point = $0.01).

That means that you can combine the points earned from the Ink Business Unlimited with the ones you earn from cards like the Ink Preferred, or the personal Sapphire Reserve, and either earn a bonus when you redeem them for travel through Chase, or transfer them to travel partners. Combined with an Ink Preferred, you'll get a guaranteed 1.5–3 points per dollar spent.

The card offers a 0% introductory APR for 12 months and has no annual fee, making it a no-brainer for every small business owner, freelancer, or side-gig hustler.

Click here to learn more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited from our partner The Points Guy.

6. American Express Business Gold Card

Welcome offer: Earn up to $500 back as statement credits by purchasing qualifying services at FedEx within the first three months. This is only available until November 6, 2019.

Annual fee: $295

Earning rates: 4x points on your top two spending categories each billing cycle on up to $150,000 in combined purchases each year from the following list: airfare purchased directly from airlines, US purchases for advertising in select media, US purchases at gas stations, US purchases made directly from select technology providers, US purchase at restaurants, and US purchases for shipping; 1x point on everything else

Standout benefits: 25% of your points back when you pay with points to book first or business-class airfare with American Express Travel (or any class of flight with your selected qualifying airline), up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.

If you don't want to pay the higher annual fee of the Business Platinum Card, the Business Gold Card is a good alternative. And depending on your spending habits, the Business Gold could actually be a more rewarding choice, thanks to the ability to earn 4x points on popular business spending categories. 

And if you spend a lot at FedEx, now's a perfect time to open the card, since you can get up to $500 back on qualifying FedEx purchases made in the first three months. Just note that this welcome offer is only available until November 6, 2019.

Click here to learn more about the American Express Business Gold Card from our partner The Points Guy.

7. Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card

Welcome offer: $500 (or 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $3,000 in the first three months

Annual fee: $0

Earning rates: 5% cash back (or 5x points) on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each card holder year, 2% back (or 2x points) on the first $25,000 in purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year, and 1% (or 1x point) on everything else with no cap.

Standout benefits: If you also have a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you can redeem cash back as points with travel partners and get a higher return on your spending, 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a variable rate of 15.49%-21.49%)

The Ink Cash is another solid Chase entry, and just like with the Ink Unlimited, you can pool the "cash" you earn with points from a points-earning card, effectively converting your cash into (potentially) more valuable points.

The Ink Cash is an especially good option if you can maximize its bonus categories, including office supply stores, internet, cable, and restaurants, among others.

Click here to learn more about the Chase Ink Business Cash from our partner The Points Guy.

8. Capital One Spark Cash for Business

Welcome offer: $500 after you spend $4,500 in the first three months

Annual fee: $0 for the first year; $95 after that

Earning rate: 2% on all purchases 

Standout benefits: Free employee cards that also earn 2% back on everything,

This is probably the easiest-to-use card on this list, but simple doesn't mean bad — this can be a fantastically rewarding card.

The Capital One Spark Cash earns unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. That's it. No categories, no points values or conversions, no redemption minimums. Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem any amount of cash back. The card has a $95 annual fee, waived the first year.

At first glance, the Amex Blue Business Plus might seem like a better option, since it earns 2x points and doesn't have an annual fee. However, keep in mind that while 2x points may be more valuable than 2% cash if you redeem strategically for travel by transferring to partners, Membership Rewards points can't be redeemed outright for cash. You can redeem them for a statement credit, but they'll only be worth 0.6 cents each. That means that effectively, the Amex card only offers 1.2% "cash" back, compared to the no-strings-attached 2% from the Capital One Spark Cash.

Click here to learn more about the Spark Cash from our partner The Points Guy.

9. Airline business credit cards

Welcome offer: Varies

If you fly often for work, and you're loyal to one particular airline, then it could be worth getting an airline's business credit card. In addition to earning frequent flyer miles on every purchase, you'll get a variety of perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. 

Each airline card's terms and benefits are slightly different, but these are some of the best options to consider for your business.

Delta

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
• Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card

United Airlines

• United Explorer Business Card

American Airlines

• CitiBusiness /AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard

Southwest Airlines

• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Alaska Airlines

• Alaska Airlines Visa Business credit card

SEE ALSO: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and perks

Join the conversation about this story »

• Fleur & Bee is a new skin-care brand that is 100% vegan and animal cruelty-free.
• The line currently consists of four facial products — toner ($18), vitamin C serum ($21.99), eye cream ($21.99), and face cream ($19.99).
• I incorporated the entire line into my clean skin-care routine to see if my skin health and adult acne would improve, and I was surprised they actually did.

As someone who has been struggling with adult acne recently, I've been making a real effort to keep harsh chemicals far away from my face. For me, having a clean skin-care routine is lifestyle choice I made to get to the root of my skin's issues. That meant I had to find natural skin-care brands, like Fleur & Bee.

What is Fleur & Bee?

Fleur & Bee is a brand new skin-care line with the mission of providing consumers with effective and natural skin-care products that don't break the bank — as in, all of the products are less than $30 each. "We set out to build an ethical beauty brand that values inclusiveness, transparency, and responsibility. To us, those are all beautiful traits," founder Matthias Hug told Business Insider. 

Hug adds: "Before launching the brand, we spent a year doing our homework and learning about skin-care ingredients. We were able to find safer alternatives to harmful ingredients by educating ourselves about them." That means products are packed with 100% vegan botanicals and don't have potentially irritating ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances. 

Fleur & Bee is also animal-cruelty free. "We want to minimize any negative impact our business has on the planet and our environment. That's why we manufacture our products at a lab powered with 100% renewable wind energy. This is also the reason we don't test on animals and decided to create vegan products," says Hug. It follows strict regulations set by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) and have been stamped with the Leaping Bunny's seal of approval.  

In addition to being clean and cruelty-free, Fleur & Bee also donates 1% of all sales to Days for Girls, a nonprofit women's empowerment organization that distributes menstrual hygiene products to girls in need who would otherwise miss school. "Educating ourselves and our customers is an important part of what we do," says Hug. "We believe education can be a self-empowering tool. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to educational resources."

The products 

Fleur & Bee's new line has four key products that promote healthy, nourished skin: toner ($18), vitamin C serum ($21.99), eye cream ($21.99), and face cream ($19.99). I had the hard task of testing the entire line.

After washing my face, I used a little bit of the Rose and Shine Refreshing Rose Water Toner. This toner only has two ingredients: rose flower oil and distilled water, which is supposed to be better than regular water because potential skin-irritating toxins have been filtered out, but there hasn't been any real research to support this. The rose flower oil hydrates and temporarily minimizes the appearance of pores. Not only does this toner smell amazing, but the formula helped control my daily 2 p.m. oil blot session.

The Nectar of the C Rejuvenating Vitamin C Serum is said to help soften fine lines on your face and give you glowing skin over time. After the toner, I applied two to three drops of the anti-aging serum onto my fingers and massaged it into my face while avoiding the eye area. It had a slightly sweet smell (you know, kind of like the nectar of a flower) but left my skin kind of sticky.

The Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream is a thick moisturizer that's specially formulated to help reduce fine lines around the eyes. Ingredients like caffeine from green tea and coffee help give tired, puffy eyes the boost they need, while squalane and aloe vera help hydrate and soothe the delicate skin around the eyes. After applying the vitamin C serum to my face, I used the cream around my eyes. I loved how thick yet airy the cream felt on my skin, and it was almost like I could feel the many nutrients that were packed into this one cream. It didn't leave me feeling sticky like the vitamin C serum, which I really liked.

One of the main ingredients in the Crème de la Cream Hydrating Face Cream is aloe vera, which helps provide moisture deep within the skin while also removing unwanted build up from the skin's surface. The vitamin B3 aids in retaining all of that moisture to keep your skin feeling hydrated longer. Again, the face cream was thick, which I really liked, because I've found that thinner or lighter moisturizers just don't hydrate my face like I need. It still dried quickly enough that I could apply my makeup directly after without any issues.

After just a weekend of incorporating these products into my skin-care routine, I noticed the texture of my skin was smoother overall and the remnants of old acne scars had begun to fade. I think the vitamin C serum was heavily responsible for evening out my skin tone and giving my neglected skin a firmer feel. On top of that, my dry winter-to-spring face was feeling hydrated like never before thanks to Eyes Eyes Baby and Crème de la Cream.

I have combination skin and this line was able to address all of my needs. I'll get oily in my T-zone and dry everywhere else like the tip of my nose, around the mouth, and at the base of my eyebrows. My skin felt strong, tight, and hydrated from the four product combo. I even felt like my skin stayed oil-less longer which is great for the little acne problem I'm trying to clear up (thank you, toner).

The only issue I had was with the texture of the vitamin C serum. Regardless of how airy the other products were, the Nectar of the C left me feeling sticky. It didn't bother me when I was sitting on the couch before going to bed because I knew my skin would feel moisturized and look healthier in the morning, but that being said, I'd probably only use the vitamin C serum at night.

Either way, I'm really happy with the result of the products and I'm excited to continue to use them in my daily clean skin-care routine. For me, it's easy to support a company that provides natural, effective, and affordable skin care (that actually works) and also uses the success of its company to benefit others. 

Buy the Rose and Shine Refreshing Rose Water Toner from Fleur & Bee for $18

Buy the Nectar of the C Vitamin C serum from Amazon for $19.99

Buy the Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream from Amazon for $21.99

Buy the Crème de la Cream Hydrating Face Cream from Amazon for $19.99

Join the conversation about this story »

• Forty-five of the 50 United States have official mansions, which governors can live in rent-free while they are in office.
• But the mansions aren't just a roof over their heads. These sprawling, beautiful, historic mansions are meant to evoke the pride of their states.
• Arizona, Idaho, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont don't have designated mansions. They either give governors a housing stipend or nothing at all.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Like the White House, a governor's mansion sets the tone.

After a long day serving constituents, governors get to go home to sprawling, beautiful, historic buildings. They're welcomed by 20-foot entrance ways; their heels ring out on marble floors. If it's been a particularly grim day, they can wash it away with a swim in their state-shaped pool.

These official houses, which are in 45 out of the 50 states, are meant to evoke the pride of their area. Arizona, Idaho, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont are the unlucky states without a designated mansion.

Life in the mansions is more public than a normal home. Visitors can often take tours, and security can be heavy. Careful household budgeting is necessary to avoid criticism from the media or constituents. Some governors have chastised reporters for calling it a mansion, and told them to call it a "residence" instead.

The National Governors Association even published a manual on how to navigate an elected life of, at least what looks like, luxury.

Here's what the governors' mansions look like in every US state.

SEE ALSO: What the seat of government looks like in 10 places around the world

DON'T MISS: The most wildly extravagant homes people built around the world

The Alabama governor's mansion is in Montgomery.

Alabama's 112-year-old state mansion, with a grand staircase and four Corinthian columns, has been the residence of the governor since 1951. The mansion is two floors and 8,500 square feet.

In the 1970s, a state-shaped swimming pool, a guest house, and a water feature were added.

The Alaska governor's mansion is in Juneau.

The mansion was built for $40,000 in 1912. To deal with the cold, the 12,900-square-foot house has eight fireplaces for its 26 rooms. Above a winding staircase hangs a large painting of Russian emperor Peter the Great, who was responsible for Russia discovering Alaska. The painting has BB-gun bullets near Peter's eyes, and there has been a decades-long controversy over who pulled the trigger.

Since 1913, the mansion has opened to the public once a year for a tour at Christmas.

Arizona used to have a governor's mansion in Prescott.

Arizona does not currently have a governor's mansion, but it did once. A 150-year-old log cabin on the Sharlot Hall Museum campus used to be the governor's mansion in Prescott. It was only used for about two years before the capital moved to Tucson.

The Arkansas governor's mansion is in Little Rock.

The three-story mansion, a Georgian Colonial-style building, has been home to the state's governors since 1950. There was no official residence before this one. When it was opened to the public in 1950, 180,000 visitors toured it.

The property is 8.5 acres, with six different gardens. Since 1989, the house received nearly $6 million to renovate and expand the house. It has antique Persian carpets, a 62-piece sterling silver service from the USS Arkansas, and a grandfather clock from Ireland made in the 18th century. Notable visitors who have stayed the night include former President Harry Truman and actor Gregory Peck.

The house can be toured in person, or online.

The California governor's mansion is in Sacramento.

The three-story Victorian-style mansion was built in 1877. It has 30 rooms, Italian marble fireplaces, original wood floors, Persian rugs, and a kidney-shaped swimming pool.

The governor's mansion took a break for almost 50 years when then-Gov. Ronald Reagan moved out, after his wife Nancy called it "a fire trap." From 1967 to 2015, it was a public museum, until Gov. Jerry Brown moved into the property after a $1.6 million renovation.

Sacramento-born writer Joan Didion called the mansion "an enlarged version of a very common kind of California tract house."

The Colorado governor's mansion is in Denver.

The two-story mansion, known as "Colorado's Home," was built in 1908. It has 27 rooms and has been the official residence since 1960. It features red brick and white trim, with mahogany woodwork and oak floors inside. It also has a Steinway piano signed by Liberace.

In 2014, one notable addition was the installation of a three-handle draft beer system, serving a rotating selection of local craft beers.

When former Gov. John Hickenlooper was in office, he didn't always live there, and allowed cabinet members, who lived far away, to use it as a dormitory. One of those who took up the offer described the experience to The New York Times with the question, "Have you ever seen the movie 'The Shining'?"

The Connecticut governor's mansion is in Hartford.

The 15,000-square-foot, Georgian-style mansion was built in 1909 and has housed governors since 1945. It has 19 rooms, a greenhouse, a pool, and tall gates, which were built in 1971.

In 2018, it appeared on Airbnb, when one candidate advertised rooms for $200 before the website removed the listing. Groups can reserve hour-long guided tours.

The Delaware governor's mansion is in Dover.

The Georgian-style mansion, built in 1798, has served as the state leader's official residence since 1965. It is one of the country's smallest governor's mansions at 3,584 square feet, with seven bedrooms. It might have been part of the Underground Railroad.

Tours are available Monday to Friday by appointment.

The Florida governor's mansion is in Tallahassee.

The Greek Revival-style mansion was built in 1956. It features a swimming pool, cabana, exercise room, greenhouse, and rose garden.

In October 2018, it was opened up to state troopers who were on their way to help areas damaged by Hurricane Michael. Fifty troopers had dinner, and 35 slept the night.

The Georgia governor's mansion is in Atlanta.

The 24,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1967 in a Greek Revival-style, has 30 rooms and sits on an 18-acre property. There is no key for the front door, since security is always present. Inside, it has a painting by Benjamin West and a signed, first-edition copy of "Gone With the Wind." The furnishings are thought to be worth more than the house.

A book called "Memories of the Mansion" has been published about the house. Public tours take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

The Hawaii governor's mansion is in Honolulu.

The mansion pictured here was built in 1846, and was the Hawaii governor's mansion from 1959 to 2002. It was also home to Queen Lili'uokalani.

Since 2002, Hawaii's governor lives in a 5,000-square-foot home right behind the former mansion. It's called "Hale Kia'aina" meaning, "home of the governor."

Idaho doesn't have a governor's mansion, although a billionaire once tried to donate one to the state.

Idaho has had governor's mansions in the past. One home in Boise was sold in 1990 after the governor declined to live there because it had deteriorated.

In 2004, J. R. Simplot, a billionaire who developed commercial frozen french fries, donated a hilltop mansion to the state. The house needed heavy renovations, and high maintenance costs for lawns prompted the state to give it back to the family in 2013. The home was later demolished.

Idaho state pays the governor a housing stipend of $4,500 a month instead.

The Illinois governor's mansion is in Springfield.

The 50,000-square- foot mansion, built in 1855, has housed every Illinois governor since it was finished. The house has a ballroom, four formal parlors, and a library. It is the third oldest governor's mansion still in use.

In 2018, it was opened to the public after $15 million worth of renovations and has had more than 29,000 visitors.

Tours through the mansion are held daily.

The Indiana governor's mansion is in Indianapolis.

The 10,000-square-foot mansion, built in the English Tudor style in 1928, has more than 20 rooms and sits on over 6 acres. It has been the official governor's mansion since 1973.

The house is "structurally unique" due to it being constructed with concrete reinforcements throughout, which typical English Tudor homes don't have. It has two dining rooms, a sun porch, a pantry for butlers, and staff offices.

Tours can be booked here.

The Iowa governor's mansion is in Des Moines.

The mansion, called "Terrace Hill", was built in the 1860s, but it didn't become state property until 1971. Four governors have lived in the mansion.

It takes Christmas especially seriously. For decades, every year, the residence is taken over for a day, and each room is decorated by different florists or organizations.

In 2012, then-Gov. Terry Brandstad and his wife had to move out when black mold was found in the house. In 2007, several people got a fungal disease linked to bat and bird droppings after attending a party at Terrace Hill.

Since cleared of health hazards, the house is open to tours from March to December.

The Kansas governor's mansion is in Topeka.

The three-story French-style mansion, called "Cedar Crest," was built in 1928 for a newspaper owner. It has been the home to governors since 1962.

Cedar Crest's 6,000 square feet is situated on 244 acres, with hiking trails, ponds, and gardens. It's open to the public on Mondays.

From 1998 to 2000, $4.4 million was spent renovating the house.

The Kentucky governor's mansion is in Frankfort.

The Beaux-Arts-style mansion, built in 1912 and modeled after Marie Antoinette's home near the Palace of Versailles, has been the official residence since 1914. Twenty-four governors have lived in the mansion. It has 25 rooms.

Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., and Queen Elizabeth II have all visited the mansion. Guided tours are available for appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Louisiana governor's mansion is in Baton Rouge.

The 25,000-square-foot Greek-Revival style mansion was built in 1963. It sits on eight acres and overlooks Capitol Lake. It was designed in its style, which was unusual at the time, to ward off being destroyed by fire and neglect.

In 2019, it made headlines after a man managed to break in and fall asleep on a couch.

The Maine governor's mansion is in Augusta.

The 28-room mansion, called "The Blaine House", was built in the 1830s, and became the official residence for the governor in 1919. It was originally built in Federalist style, but was later remodeled to look like a Colonial structure.

Helen Keller, Bette Davis, Groucho Marx, and Amelia Earhart all visited Blaine House.

Tours of the house are available on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Maryland governor's mansion is in Annapolis.

The Georgian-style 38,000-square-foot mansion has been home to governors since 1870. It has 54 rooms, a 49-step red oak staircase, and a $169,000 Victorian fountain. It has seven public rooms, where portraits of George Washington and Queen Henrietta Maria — the state's namesake— hang.

Tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Massachusetts doesn't have a governor's mansion, but reports say it was almost the Ames-Webster Mansion in the early 1970s.

Since the 1850s, there have been attempts to get an official residence. Mostly, the reason it didn't happen, on several different occasions, is financing. In the early 1970s, it's rumored that the Ames-Webster Mansion was on offer, but then-Gov. Frank Sargent was wary about spending, as he'd recently proposed a tax increase.

The Michigan governor's mansion is in Lansing.

The 8,700-square-foot, Ranch-style mansion was built in 1957, and has been the state's official residence since 1969. It has five bedrooms and four bathrooms. In 2004, $2.5 million of private funds were spent to give the house a "facelift."

The governor of Michigan also gets a summer residence on Mackinac Island, which has been state-owned since 1944, and has 11 bedrooms.

The Minnesota governor's mansion is in St. Paul.

The 16,000-square-foot English Tudor-style mansion was finished in 1912, and became the state's official residence in 1965. It sits on one acre of ritzy Summit Avenue and has housed 11 governors. Inside, there are nine fireplaces, seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

The Mississippi governor's mansion is in Jacksonville.

The Greek Revival-style mansion was built in 1842. It is the second oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the US.

Over the years, the residence deteriorated, until 1971 when then-Gov. John Williams had to move out due to disrepair. But in 1972, the legislature allocated $2.7 million to restore the building.

The mansion is open to the public for tours Tuesdays through Fridays.

The Missouri governor's mansion is in Jefferson City.

The three-story brick mansion was built in 1872 and has been the official residence since then. It has 13 bedrooms and a 17-foot-high great hall. Due to the period when it was built, it originally didn't have any bathrooms or closets.

The house is currently undergoing a $3.3 million renovation, including updates to the plumbing and heating systems. It hosts more than 50,000 visitors every year.

The Montana governor's mansion is in Helena.

The 11,185-square-foot mansion was built in 1959. It has 11 rooms and seven bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Helena Valley. The house curves to a point with a deck at the end, which is meant to look like the bow of a ship.

Before that, the previous governor's mansion was home to nine governors between 1913 and 1959. That historic house is open for tours.

The Nebraska governor's mansion is in Lincoln.

The 15,000-square-foot Georgian Colonial-style mansion was opened in 1958 and sits on a whole city block. It has 31 rooms and four fireplaces. It has a state dining room, with a built in-buffet, which can seat 24 for dinner.

In the 1980s, then-first gentleman Bill Orr was critical of the interior decor and helped raised money for renovations by authoring a cookbook. In 1997, an elevator was also built inside.

The Nevada governor's mansion is in Carson City.

The Classical Revival-style, two-story mansion was built in 1909. It has 23-rooms, a grand entrance area, a private den, a formal dining area, two salons, and a wrap-around porch on the second story.

In 1969, a circular pergola, curved front stairs, and metal balustrades were added to the house. A $5 million renovation in 1999 added a 6,608-square-foot building called the Nevada room, which can cater 300 guests.

It has housed 18 governors.

The New Hampshire governor's mansion is in Concord.

The 6,725-square-foot brick mansion, also known as "Bridges House," was built in 1836 and donated to the state in 1969.

It has not generally been a place to live for governors and their families, because it only has two bedrooms. Only Gov. Mel Thomson actually lived in it during his term in the 1970s. Most governors use it for official events instead.

The home fell into disrepair in the 1990s, but former Gov. John Lynch and his wife First Lady Susan Lynch worked hard to resurrect the house.

The New Jersey governor's mansion is in Princeton.

The Greek-Revival mansion, called "Drumthwacket," was built in 1834. It has 20 rooms, a library, a music room, and sits on 11 acres filled with Italian gardens. The state purchased it in 1966.

Every Christmas, the mansion is decorated and opened up to the public.

The New Mexico governor's mansion is in Santa Fe.

The 8,000-square-foot Territorial Revival-style mansion was built in the mid-1950s. It is the third official residence for New Mexico. Harrison Ford was married on the mansion grounds.

Tours are offered from April to October.

The New York governor's mansion is in Albany.

The mansion was built in 1856 and has been the official residence for 32 governors since 1875. It has 40 rooms, a 20-foot master bathroom, and two swimming pools — one indoor and one outdoor. It sits on six acres.

Notable incidents include when Theodore Roosevelt had to break in through a first-floor window when he locked himself out, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo getting spooked, when he thought it was haunted by the spirit of a groundskeeper, who served the house's original owners.

The North Carolina governor's mansion is in Raleigh.

The 35,000-square-foot, Victorian-style mansion has been the official residence since 1891. It's the state's fourth, and has housed 30 governors. Inside, it has rooms with 16.5-foot ceilings, an elevator, and a bomb shelter.

It sits on almost 5 acres, and is the country's third-biggest governor's mansion. Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt thought it had the most beautiful interior out of all of them.

The North Dakota governor's mansion is in Bismarck.

The 13,700-square-foot mansion was finished in 2018 and cost nearly $5 million to build. It has six bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, marble floors, white oak walls, and cedar ceilings.

It also has a 22-foot ceiling in its reception area, with a spiral staircase that's meant to resemble the Capitol's Memorial Hall.

The Ohio governor's mansion is in Columbus.

The 13,000-square-foot mansion was built in the 1920s and has housed governors since 1955. It has 20 rooms and sits on 3 acres, with a heritage garden. The house was donated to the state in 1955 and since then, every Ohio governor, except two, have lived there while in office.

The Oklahoma governor's mansion is in Oklahoma City.

The 14,000-square-foot, Dutch Colonial-style mansion has been the official residence since 1928. It's been home to 19 governors. It has a limestone exterior that matches the State Capitol, and a walnut-paneled library filled with books about the state or written by writers from the state.

It also has an Oklahoma-shaped pool, and a tennis court that was originally built as a landing pad for then-President Lyndon B. Johnson's helicopter.

Tours are available by reservation from January to May.

The Oregon governor's mansion is in Salem.

The 11,409-square-foot, Tudor-style mansion, called "Mahonia Hall", has been the official residence since 1987. It was built in the 1920s.

It has eight bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, a wine cellar, and a sun room, and a ballroom.

The Pennsylvania governor's mansion is in Harrisburg.

The Georgian-style, 28,000-square-foot mansion was built in the 1940s. It became the official residence in 1968. It's three stories, and sits on 3.5 acres, which is filled with a series of gardens, and bee hives that produce 90 pounds of honey every year.

In 2019, Gov. John Fetterman opened the pool up to children for swimming lessons. Visitors can also tour the house on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Rhode Island doesn't have a governor's mansion.

There are several possible reasons why the Rhode Island governor doesn't get to live rent-free. One is that the state legislature used to rove around, and until 1854 the island had five capitals, and then two until 1900. Both of these factors made it difficult to choose a permanent location for a mansion.

Along with this, the size of Rhode island makes for a short commute, and the state reportedly lacked funds.

The South Carolina governor's mansion is in Columbia.

The two-story, Federal-style mansion was built in 1855, originally as an officer quarters for a military academy. It has been the official residence since 1868. It's housed more than 30 governors and their families. Inside, there's a formal drawing room and a state dining room. It sits on 9 acres, and is shaded by old magnolias, oaks, and elms.

In 2003, then-Gov. Mark Sanford and his family moved into the house after renovations, but due to accepting the lowest bid from construction companies, poor repairs led to six family members having to move into the one-room pool house.

For the last 40 years, the mansion has been decorated and opened to the public every Christmas.

The South Dakota governor's mansion is in Pierre.

The 14,000-square-foot, two-story mansion has been the official residence since 2005.The mansion has five bedrooms, a grand dining hall that can hold 80 people, two fireplaces, and a commercial kitchen. Its exterior is a mixture of field stone, copper flashing, brick, and concrete.

The house can be toured throughout the summer.

The Tennessee governor's mansion is in Nashville.

The three-story, Georgian-style mansion was built in 1931 and became the official residence in 1949. The house has 16 rooms, including a 14,000-square-foot banquet and meeting space beneath the front lawn.

Inside, some of the art includes a portrait of Elvis and photos of him when he was dating then-Gov. Buford Ellington's daughter. The entrance has a black and white marble floor— the black marble was imported from Belgium, and the white from Georgia.

It sits on 10 acres and used to be called "Far Hills," because of its view. It has housed nine governors and their families.

Free tours are available throughout the year.

The Texas governor's mansion is in Austin.

The Greek Revival-style mansion has been the state's official residence since 1856. The house has a veranda, floor-to-ceiling windows, and six 29-foot columns along the front porch.

In 2008, an arsonist threw a Molotov cocktail at the house and caused major damage. Then-Gov. Rick Perry and his family (who weren't at the house during the fire) couldn't move back in for four years. Before the fire, it housed Texas politician Sam Houston's four-poster bed, and the writing desk of Stephen F. Austin, who has been dubbed the founder of Texas.

The Utah governor's mansion is in Salt Lake City.

The French Renaissance mansion, called the "Kearns Mansion," was built in 1902 and became the official residence in 1937. It has 28 rooms — including six bathrooms, 10 fireplaces, a ballroom, a billiards room, two dining rooms, and three vaults for wine and other valuables.

The interior is decorated in bronze, iron, Russian mahogany, and oak from France and England. The mansion has a bowling alley in the basement, and used to have a large metal safe to keep candy guarded.

In 1993, a fire damaged the building and almost $8 million was spent restoring the residence.

It's open for public tours.

Vermont doesn't have a governor's mansion.

Vermont's governor might be missing out because of the state's "famous frugality". It could also be because Vermont's people want a relatable governor.

In 2012, there was a proposal to convert a mansion into a conference center, and have a 3,500-square-foot guest apartment for the governor. But it doesn't appear that went anywhere, as the current Gov. Phil Scott lives with his family in Berlin, Vermont.

The Virginia Governor's mansion is in Richmond.

The two-story, Federal-style mansion has been the official residence since 1813. It has housed 60 governors and their families, and is the oldest governor's mansion in the country still in use.

It has hosted Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Barack Obama.

The Washington governor's mansion is in Olympia.

The 21,000-square-foot, Georgian-style mansion has been the official residence since 1909. The house has 19 rooms, a ballroom, and a state dining room. Its exterior is made from red brick from Seattle and white marble from Alaska. It sits on 12 acres. It's been damaged twice by earthquakes, first in 1949 and again in 2001.

In 1997, the mansion made headlines when bats were seen inside, which led to fears of rabies for the governing family.

The West Virginia governor's mansion is in Charleston.

The Georgian Colonial-style mansion has been the official residence since 1925.

The house has eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, a drawing room, a ballroom, a state dining room, a sitting room, and a library. At its entrance, there are black and white marble floors, the black from Belgium, the white from Tennessee. It also has dual staircases, which were inspired by the White House.

The Wisconsin governor's mansion is in Maple Bluff.

The Classical Revival-style, three-story mansion was built in 1927 and has been the official residence since 1950. It is Wisconsin's second governor's mansion.

It has 34 rooms, 13 bathrooms, and a 20,000-square-foot basement. Its walls are between 12 and 18 inches thick. It sits on almost 4 acres, with 10 gardens, and overlook Lake Mendota.

Tours are available in the spring and summer.

The Wyoming governor's mansion is in Cheyenne.

The 7,785-square-foot mansion was built in 1976. It was made out of stained redwood siding and moss rock. It is the second official residence for the state.

Tours are available Tuesdays through Thursdays.

• The most expensive rental in the Hamptons will be hosting a President Trump fundraiser this weekend.
• According to real-estate listing platform Out East, the mansion can be rented for a cool $1 million per month.
• In 2012, Beyonce and Jay-Z stayed in the home, Out East confirmed to Business Insider.
• The property boasts outrageous amenities including a two-lane bowling alley and a baseball field. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

On August 9, the most expensive rental in the Hamptons will host a fundraising event for President Trump's 2020 campaign. According to The Washington Post, tickets for the event range for $5,600 to $35,000 per couple. 

Located in Bridgehampton, 612 Halsey Lane is also known as "The Sandcastle,"will set you back a cool $1 million a month, according to real-estate listing platform Out East.

The Hamptons, a series of beach towns dotting eastern Long Island, New York, is known to be a popular vacation spot for America's wealthiest. In fact, in 2012, Beyonce and Jay-Z stayed at The Sandcastle.

Read more: Inside the most expensive property for sale in the Hamptons, which is listed for $150 million and costs 75 times more than the swanky area's median home

The 11.5-acre property spans 21,000 square feet and boasts outrageous amenities including a two-lane bowling alley and a baseball field. It can also be rented for $550,000 for two weeks. 

Keep reading for a look inside.

SEE ALSO: A massive California ranch that may be the biggest piece of land for sale in the state is on the market for $72 million — here's a look inside

Bridgehampton, New York is a popular vacation spot for celebrities including Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Bethenny Frankel.

Source: Out East

According to Out East, 612 Halsey Lane is the most expensive rental available in the Hamptons and costs $1 million to rent from August through Labor Day.

Source: Out East

On August 9, the 11.5-acre property will host a fundraiser for President Trump's 2020 campaign.

Source: Out East, The Washington Post

The main residence spans 17,000 square feet ...

Source: Out East

... and includes a library, a 10-seat theater, and 2,000 square feet of covered porches. According to the listing, the kitchen is replete with a walk-in refrigerator and a wine room.

Source: Out East

The main residence includes 11 bedrooms ...

Source: Out East

... 10 full bathrooms, and five half bathrooms.

Source: Out East

Amenities throughout the property include a two-lane bowling alley ...

Source: Out East

... a basketball court ...

Source: Out East

... a private spa ...

Source: Out East

... and a 10-seat theater.

Source: Out East

Outdoors, there's a tennis court ...

Source: Out East

... a baseball field ...

Source: Out East

... and a pool.

Source: Out East

The property also includes a separate apartment with two bedrooms, and a pool house.

Source: Out East

• While some people insist on avoiding certain airlines, or feel nervous about flying on unfamiliar foreign carriers, that could be a big mistake.
• Despite reputations for stinginess with things like bags or seat size, plenty of low-cost carriers offer phenomenal service considering their incredibly low prices, as long as you pay attention when booking and know exactly what you're getting.
• Similarly, lesser-known foreign airlines often offer great ways to see the world comfortably, in a safe and cost-effective way.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Here are 14 airlines that I think are consistently underrated based on my own travels, conversations with other travelers, and a ton of discussions online.

SEE ALSO: These are the biggest airplanes in the world today — including one that can carry as many as 850 passengers

Southwest Airlines

Southwest has a reputation for being a more basic airline, but features like no change fees, two free checked bags, and reasonably comfortable seats and amenities are a big plus.

Norwegian Air

Norwegian Air Shuttle offers unbundled fares between the US and Europe. With round trip tickets sometimes available in the roughly $200 range, it's a perfectly comfortable, incredibly cost-effective way to get to London, Paris, or other cities. Just make sure to read the terms carefully to know what is and isn't included.

Ryanair

Ryanair gets a bad rap, but the ultra-low-cost-carrier is perfectly serviceable for the incredibly cheap flights it offers throughout Europe.

EasyJet

Similarly, EasyJet may have a reputation for being utilitarian, but its low prices make it an attractive way to gallivant around Europe.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air is similar to Ryanair and EasyJet but often has less name recognition. This Hungarian-based ultra-low-cost-carrier is perfectly serviceable, and just announced that it's expanding its network to Edinburgh, from which it will operate flights to Poland, Hungary, and Romania.

Nok Air

Nok Air is a low-cost carrier based in Thailand. The airline's flights are mostly domestic and regional, but make a great, quick, cheap way to get around the region if you're stopping in multiple cities during a trip.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines — which is based in Seattle — is smaller than its mainline US competitors, but gets consistently high ratings from passengers. It also partners with American Airlines and has a strong frequent-flyer program that is also underrated.

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand offers a fairly unique feature on its long-haul flights. Dubbed "Economy Skycouch," it lets you book an entire economy row to yourself. It includes a mattress pad and pillows, and costs significantly less than a lie-flat business-class seat.

AirAsia

AirAsia and its long-haul arm AirAsia X offer an inexpensive way to get around Asia and Oceania for cheap during a big vacation.

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines is often overlooked, but has a history of excellent safety, reliability, and service. The airline flies modern Boeing and Airbus jets, and has direct flights to the US with connecting service available to much of Africa and beyond.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is another one like Ryanair that often gets a bad rap. Yes, the airline is no-frills. Yes, it's stingy when it comes to carry-on bag size. But it's up-front about all of this when you book, and its prices are rock-bottom. Plus, an upgrade to the Big Front Seat can be a fantastic deal.

AeroMexico

AeroMexico operates a joint partnership with Delta Air Lines for flights between Mexico and the US, and the airline's service is fantastic. Whether you score a great business-class deal, or you sit in coach, it's a comfortable and convenient way to get to Mexico and Central or South America.

Royal Air Maroc

With top-of-the-line Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Royal Air Maroc is a great way to fly. The airline serves New York with service to Casablanca, where you can connect elsewhere in Africa or the Middle East.

The airline is set to join the Oneworld alliance in 2020, and American Airlines is launching flights from Philadelphia to Casablanca in the spring. When that happens, it will be possible to fly from virtually anywhere in the US to Casablanca (with a stop in Philly) and on to any of Royal Air Maroc's destinations on a single ticket.

Jetstar

Australian airline Jetstar is often forgotten next to better-known Qantas and Virgin Australia, but its low fares make it a fantastic way to fly across Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia. There's even a flight between Sydney and Honolulu, Hawaii.

• UFC fighter Conor McGregor, one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, made $47 million between June 2018 and June 2019, according to Forbes.
• McGregor makes his money mostly from fights and endorsements, but he has other projects like clothing collaborations and a whiskey brand that contribute to his wealth.
• The outspoken fighter isn't afraid to show off his riches. See what his multimillion-dollar paydays buy.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When it comes to battling in the UFC, Conor McGregor is the man to beat. His skills in the octagon — and in the ring with Floyd Mayweather in 2017 — have landed him millions of dollars.

In one year alone — between June 2016 and June 2017 — he brought in $99 million, $85 million of which came from his now historic boxing match against Mayweather, Forbes reported. Then between 2018 and 2019, the fighter made $47 million from his winnings and endorsements combined. His story is more of a rags-to-riches tale, though. Before he found success with mixed martial arts, or MMA, McGregor was a plumber's apprentice practicing in Dublin.

Now, his social media is filled with pictures of him and his family enjoying a luxurious lifestyle filled with gold watches, yachts, and designer clothes. And in an August 8 Instagram post, he claimed that he's a billionaire — though, as Business Insider's Alan Dawson reported, it's likely that claim doesn't check out.

Take a closer look at how he spends his millions.

SEE ALSO: How Conor McGregor went from Dublin plumber to the king of combat sports

Before he became the famous big-talking figure he is today, McGregor was a plumber's apprentice in Dublin. He eventually made the choice to train full time and fight on the European MMA circuit before turning to the UFC in 2012.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

McGregor raked in $47 million over the past year, thanks mostly to his UFC fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Source: Forbes

Before his most recent return to MMA at UFC 229, McGregor hadn't stepped foot in the UFC Octagon professionally since November 2016. He banked $85 million from the boxing match during his UFC hiatus, which was his biggest paycheck in 2017 and more than five times his previous top paycheck.

Source: Forbes

That fight had 4.3 million pay-per-view buys and generated more than $550 million in revenue.

Source: Forbes

McGregor lost by submission to Nurmagomedov, but his $3 million base salary for the fight turned into a total payout of more than $30 million, thanks to the 2.4 million pay-per-view buys.

Source: Forbes

The 30-year-old Irish fighter is ranked No. 65 on Forbes' list of the highest-paid celebrities of 2019, and No. 21 on the site's list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

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Source: Forbes

He made as much as $622,000 per second in 2015 when he knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds.

Source: Forbes

That win broke Ronda Rousey’s earnings-per-second record of slightly more than $147,000, according to Forbes.

Source: Forbes

In the past year he made $32 million from winnings alone.

Source: Forbes

McGregor also made $15 million from endorsement deals, which includes partnerships with:

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Source: Forbes

Burger King …

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… Beats by Dre ...

… Monster Energy ...

… Anheuser-Busch ...

… and HiSmile.

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In January 2018, McGregor launched a fashion label.

Source: August McGregor, WWD

The line of menswear was created in collaboration with then-sponsor David August and includes some pretty explicit pieces.

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Source: Business Insider

Take a close look at the tie! It has the words "F--- you" scrawled across it.

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McGregor also had a residency deal with the Wynn Las Vegas for all of his after-parties in 2017 and 2018. Although he's still on the club's roster, a representative for the hotel told Business Insider he has no upcoming appearances scheduled.

Source: Forbes

His parties looked like they were a great time, if you ask us!

McGregor also rakes in cash through his digital properties.

Source: Forbes

The Mac Life is a "Next-Gen" media and lifestyle brand, which promises content on mixed martial arts, motivation, style, sports, health, and of course, McGregor himself.

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Source: The Mac Life

His MacMoji app is exactly what you'd expect: a collection of Conor McGregor emoji for your messages! The app will cost you $1.99 to download. They look similar to the animation in this GIF.

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Source: MacMoji App

The MacTalk app is a soundboard from which you can download soundbites of the fighter's most famous quotes. This app costs $.99 to download.

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Source: MacTalk by Conor McGregor

The Conor McGregor F.A.S.T. conditioning system is a "zone-based workout program for ultimate performance." It can be used on its own as an exercise regimen, or it can be incorporated into an existing one.

Source: McGregor FAST

According to Hookit, his social-media accounts are worth millions of dollars to sponsors.

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Source: Business Insider

In September 2018, he shared a video showcasing his newer endeavor, Proper No. Twelve. “Proper Irish Whiskey, from a Proper Irishman!” And in July 2019, the company launched in Canada.

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Source: Proper No. Twelve

For each bottle and case sold, McGregor promises to donate $5 to first responders. One bottle costs around $30 depending on the retailer.

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Source: Proper No. Twelve

He promoted the whiskey across a six-fight deal he signed with the UFC in 2018. The liquor company was then set up to be a sponsor in every UFC event in which McGregor competes.

Source: Forbes

McGregor isn't shy about his wealth — in 2017, he showed off his yacht, which he dubbed "The 188."

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Source: Business Insider

The number 188 is symbolic for McGregor as it's the same number of euros he used to receive in welfare checks.

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Source: Business Insider

In January 2019, the fighter bought a new yacht for $3.4 million.

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Source: Business Insider

When it comes to cars, he's a big fan of Lamborghini.

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And possibly a bigger fan of posting pictures of himself driving them. The bright-green Lamborghini Huracán has a base price of $199,805 as of 2016.

Source: Business Insider

He also appreciates the "500 Benz." The Mercedes-Benz E‑Class E 550 starts at $51,300.

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Source: Kelly Blue Book

He's also a fan of this tricked-out BMW. The 2019 BMW i8 has a suggested retail price starting at $142,000.

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Source: Kelly Blue Book

He makes sure his son, Conor McGregor Jr., is riding in style too, of course.

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McGregor has posted photos of himself living a jet-set life with his mini-me, and the gourmet spread looks like the best airplane food we’ve ever seen.

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He's no stranger to sharing mile-high drinks with his friends as well.

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McGregor doesn't shy away from high fashion, either. He shows off his Gucci sneakers and socks on Instagram.

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And he's a fan of Gucci menswear as well. You can get a matching sweater if you've got nearly $2,000 to spend.

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Source: Gucci

Givenchy finds its way into his wardrobe of sweaters, too. This track jacket originally sold for $1,550.

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Source: Barneys New York

McGregor has proclaimed himself the "most flashiest" but warns in this post that we all need to "stay woke at all times." He also warns that we should always know where our money is going, while sporting a $920 Louis Vuitton sweater.

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Source: Louis Vuitton

McGregor also has a soft spot for accessories. Here he is sporting a gold-and-black Rolex. The Cosmograph Daytona retails for $34,650.

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Source: Rolex

He loves the gold!

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But he’s not opposed to a little pink, especially when it’s a Patek Philippe, Calatrava skeleton watch in rose gold. It will set you back a cool $100,000.

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Source: Chrono24

He even accessorizes with this lighter from Cartier. Luxury lighters from the brand start at $870.

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Source: Cartier

When it comes to spending his downtime, days on the beach with Jr. and his "Mammy" are definitely in the cards.

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He loves taking to the Irish Sea on the Sea-Doo RXT, which starts at $15,799.

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Source: Sea-Doo

And let's not forget the fun of drinking "Fiji water from an ice cold glass on a yacht."

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He plays his personalized mini arcade game with Jr. for some quality father-son bonding time. You can order a predesigned or customized one of your own for around $1,150.

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Source: Mini Arcade Systems

We can expect to continue to see a lot more family fun from the MMA champion as he welcomed his second child, a daughter, with longtime girlfriend Dee Devlin.

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Source: Dee Devlin Instagram

• Patagonia just released a new line of its cult-favorite Black Hole bags made from a total of 10 million recycled plastic bottles (so far). They look and perform just like the previous generation.
• It's part of Patagonia's mission to move to 100% renewable and recycled materials. As of now, the company says 69% of this season's line is made with recycled materials.
• Black Hole bags are known to be travel and gear workhorses: lightweight, spacious like a "black hole," durable, and water-resistant. 
• You can also find the previous generation of Black Hole bags on sale right now.

In its latest move towards using 100% renewable and recycled materials to produce its clothing and gear, Patagonia has released a new line of its core Black Hole bags made from 10 million recycled plastic bottles.

If you're unfamiliar with the cult-favorite line of travel bags, Black Hole gear is recognized for its spacious, lightweight, tough-as-nails, water-resistant designs. In essence, they're built to be durable travel workhorses that can take a routine beating. It's well-loved by gearheads and travelers alike, and it's one of Patagonia's core offerings. It also doesn't hurt that they're all backed by the company's standard Ironclad Guarantee. 

The new generation of Black Hole bags utilizes upcycled plastic bottles in the body and webbing. The line has a total of 25 styles ranging from wheeled duffel bags to backpacks to hip packs in a variety of colors. Prices range from $29 for a mini hip pack to $179 for a 100L duffel. To make way for the new line, the company is also discounting its previous generation of Black Hole bags. 

The new 100% recycled-plastic line is no great surprise. Patagonia is considered one of the most transparent brands in the world, and has gained approval from shoppers for donating 100% of its Black Friday profits in the past to grassroots nonprofits working to conserve air, water, and soil quality. It's on a mission to reach 100% recycled or renewed materials in its offerings, and the company says 69% of this season's line is made with recycled materials. Its 95%-recycled cashmere line was the most sustainable no-compromise option we found this past winter, and its Patagonia Provisions line of camping-friendly meals and snacks makes a concerted effort to reshape our food chain using organic, regenerative farming practices, so the foods we consume are better for us, the people growing them, and the environment. 

If you're looking for a go-anywhere travel bag that can both stand up to years of rough handling and align with the values of sustainability, we highly suggest checking out the new line. If they're a little bit more expensive than your budget allows at full price, you may want to check out the previous generation Black Hole bags that are on sale. 

Shop the new recycled-plastic Black Hole bags

Here are a few of our picks from the new Black Hole bags line:

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag, 100 Liter

Available in three colors, $179

Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag, 70 Liter

Available in four colors, $329

Patagonia Black Hole MLC, 45 Liter

Available in three colors, $199

Patagonia Black Hole Pack, 25 Liter

Available in six colors, $129

Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote, 61 Liter

Available in four colors, $99

• Popular denim startup Mott & Bow has a new collection of Twill Denim that's easy to wear in business-casual settings. There are five colors and three fits available, and pairs cost $108 each.
• Made with natural cotton and a little added stretch, the Mercer Twill Denim is lighter than traditional jeans and more comfortable than chinos.
• As someone who wears jeans year-round, I appreciate Mercer Twill Denim collection for its versatility in and out of the office.
• To give you ideas on how to style, I put together a few different outfits using the skinny and slim fits. Find pictures below.

If I could, I would probably wear jeans 365 days a year — and I'm sure plenty of other people feel the same way. They go with anything in your closet, they're comfortable, and require very little maintenance (if you regularly iron your jeans, you're doing it wrong).

Unfortunately, jeans aren't always the best choice of pants in a professional setting. You don't want to be that guy who shows up to important business meetings dressed for Saturday. To play it safe and adhere to corporate dress codes, most guys settle for chinos, a more formal, but slightly less comfortable style of pants. 

That's why Mott & Bow, the startup behind some of our favorite jeans for men, is making denim that's formal enough to pull off business casual looks in the office without compromising comfort — the Mercer Twill Denim collection. 

Designed to be soft and super-comfortable, the Mott & Bow Mercer Twill Denim is made with a subtle combination of cotton and elastane that feels stretchy without looking it. The jeans are available in five colors — blue, navy, khaki, light khaki, and olive, but the company takes an interesting approach to dying the material. Each pair starts out as a blank canvas in the off-white color of natural cotton, and only once the jeans have been fully assembled are they dyed. This allows the company to cut down on its fabric dye waste.

The cuts: skinny, slim, and straight

Choosing any of the five colors really comes down to your preference, or if you already have specific outfits in mind. With that said, you can't go wrong with any of them. Fitting, however, is where most people do their decision making, and these pairs come in skinny, slim, and straight cuts. (Editor's note: The landing page for the Twill Denim doesn't show the skinny fit as an option, but you'll see it once you click into your preferred color.)

In my past experience with Mott & Bow jeans, the skinny fit wasn't too skinny, and the slim fit provided enough room for a relaxed fit. I haven't worn jeans in the straight fit, but I'm almost certain they'd be too big for my body type (I'm a size 29 waist and sizes start at 30 for straight fit). I suspect most people will gravitate towards either the skinny or slim jeans, so I decided to try both fits in a few different colors.

My first impression of the Mercer Twill Denim was that the material is a lot lighter than the jeans I normally wear — including the Warren skinny jeans, which is my current favorite from Mott & Bow. I wear jeans even in the summer heat because I like the style too much to put them away for three months of the year, so it was refreshing to wear pants that weren't so hot.

How to style them

What makes the Mercer Twill Denim so great is that you can wear them with all of the semi-formal pieces you'd normally pair with chinos or go completely casual with a T-shirt and cool sneakers. 

Skinny fit:

Although I really like the way the skinny Mercer fits, I wish they came in more inseam lengths. You'll only find them available with a 32-inch inseam, compared to the slim and straight fits that offer 30-, 32-, and 34-inch inseams. To show the visual differences between both fits I tried, I created a simple business casual look by pairing them with a Ministry of Supply Aero Short Sleeve Button-Up and Wolf & Shepherd Glider Sneakers.

For me, the skinny pair with a 32-inch inseam fit well with a small cuff. They fall right at my sneakers with minimal stacking in the pant legs. To keep your look clean, you'll want shoes to be visible and not covered by draping pant legs.

To give you an idea of how you can wear the Mercer Twill Denim in a more casual (but still office-appropriate) way, I paired the skinny olive pants with a Public Rec Go-To Tee and a pair of "Hong Kong" Nike Air Force 1s.

Slim fit:

The slim fit, on the other hand, is great if you want an above-the-ankle fit because of the different inseam choices. I chose the 30-inch inseam to achieve that style. The legs are roomy — but not too wide —  and they fall straight with no stacking since they're two inches shorter.

This outfit is the same as the first one above (a Ministry of Supply Aero Short Sleeve Button-Up and Wolf & Shepherd Glider Sneakers) but I rolled the slim pants to show some ankle, which would work equally as well to show off a cool pair of socks.

The bottom line

While there are definitely cheaper denim and chino options on the market, Mott & Bow Mercer Twill Denim jeans are worth the $108 price tag. For reference, they're one of the least expensive styles available at Mott & Bow, they're lighter in weight than normal jeans, and more comfortable than chinos. 

Although they've become a staple in my work wardrobe, I've also worn them plenty of times on the weekend. From semi-formal dinners to nights out, Mott & Bow's Mercer Twill Denim collection is versatile enough to handle it all.

Mott & Bow Mercer Twill Denim, $108, available in 5 colors and three fits

Join the conversation about this story »

• Indoor-only cats tend to need extra entertainment and incentive to stay physically active.
• Our top pick, the CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex, encourages your cat to climb, perch, play, and lounge all while safely indoors.

In many cases, keeping cats indoors helps to keep them safe, especially if you live in urban areas or locations with predators, such as coyotes.

While cats tend to do just fine indoors, there are some issues that occur, such as boredom and obesity. Houses aren't designed with a cat's needs and instincts in mind, but by introducing products to keep your indoor cat entertained, you can make your cat happier and healthier.

Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy refers to this process as "catification." According to Galaxy, introducing changes that cater to your cat's deep-rooted instincts can make your home feline-friendly. The goal is to replicate aspects of a cat's life in the wild by introducing spaces where they can get up off of the floor and perch, areas where they can climb and jump, and areas where they can play and hunt.  

The products in this guide are all designed to keep your cat entertained. You'll find products that let your cat climb, perch, lounge, and soak up the sun in your windows. Some of these products even allow your indoor-only cat to safely enjoy some time outside. By encouraging play and movement, these products can help to keep your cat healthy and happy, avoiding boredom which can lead to overeating and behavioral issues.

Here are the best products to keep your indoor cat entertained:

• Best cat complex: CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex
• Best cat window perch: K& H Kitty Sill Deluxe with Removable Bolster
• Best cat tree: Kitty Mansions Amazon Green Cat Tree
• Best cat playground for outside: Outback Jack Kitty Compound

Updated on 08/09/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

The best cat complex

The CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex has everything your cat needs to satisfy his instincts indoors.

Satisfy your cat's desire to climb, scratch, perch, and lounge indoors with the CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex. This innovative modular system features interchangeable accessories so that you can customize the system to your walls, your space allotment, and your cats' preferences. You can follow design templates to get started, or put your creativity to work and come up with your own design.

This complex includes canvas fabric for hammocks and climbing, a sisal-lined scratching pole, a sisal-lined escape hatch, eight mounting planks, and two ladder pieces. Additionally, this set includes planters where you can plant cat-safe plants like catnip and cat grass.

Thanks to the specialized bracket design, this system's elements appear to be floating on the wall, and you can even choose different wood and canvas colors so the system makes a beautiful addition to your home.

The CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Garden Complex satisfies your cat's natural instincts, indoors. The complex gives your cat a safe space high up where he can observe all the action while feeling safe and secure. Cats will fulfill their need to climb and scratch as they navigate the complex and scratching post.

If you have multiple cats who are having territorial issues, giving them the ability to use the vertical space in your house can help to resolve some of these behavioral issues. From playing to napping, this complex can keep your cat entertained and active.

The Cat Mod Garden Complex gives you everything your cat could possibly ask for, but if its price is too steep, CatastrophiCreations offers many smaller kits at lower price points.

Pros: Modular, sleek design, satisfies cats' natural instincts to climb and scratch

Cons: Live plants aren't included, installation requires some basic carpentry skills

The best window perch

Easy to install and comfy for your cat, the K&H Kitty Sill Deluxe with Removable Bolster is ideal for cats who love to gaze out windows.

The K&H Kitty Sill Deluxe with Removable Bolster is a great way for your cat to spend his time watching out of the windows in comfort. Unlike some other window perch options that you'll find, this perch is sturdy and can support cats up to 40 pounds.

You can install this perch over a 2-inch window sill without any tools, but screws are included for permanent installation if you'd like.

If your cat loves the sun that streams through a window sill, this perch will give him a comfortable spot where he can relax and soak up those rays. The bolster gives a nice shape to the perch, and the perch is covered in soft orthopedic foam for maximum comfort.

The washable cover and the bolster are both removable for easy and convenient cleaning to save you time. Plus, your cat will have an excellent vantage point to watch birds, squirrels, and other outdoor activity so that he can stay entertained.

The K&H Kitty Sill Deluxe with Removable Bolster has a 4.4 out of 5 star Amazon rating based on nearly 2,000 reviews. One reviewer wrote, "I'm not the handyman I used to be, but putting this together was totally simple. It seems to be of excellent quality, and was occupied immediately upon installation."

Pros: Easy installation, removable and washable cover, sturdy perch can hold cats up to 40 pounds

Cons: Inserting legs into the frame requires some force

The best cat tree

The Kitty Mansions Amazon Green Cat Tree will keep your jungle cat climbing, playing, and active indoors.

If your indoor cat has been feeling lazy lately, the Kitty Mansions Amazon Green Cat Tree may be just the thing to get him moving again. This deluxe cat tree includes two enclosed cubbies, two round perches, two hammocks, and multiple level platforms to encourage your cat to climb, perch, and scratch.

At 78 inches tall, the tree allows your cat to climb and play at height for an added sense of security and confidence. This cat tree is far more substantial than your typical single-pole cat tree, and because of that, it's more stable. In fact, this is more of a jungle gym for your cats.

With hammocks, platforms, and more, your cat can use this tree in countless different ways. The elements of the tree are all interconnected, which helps to reduce sway and make for a sturdy platform that your cat can feel confident climbing.

The Kitty Mansions Amazon Green Cat Tree has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Petco. One reviewer wrote, "Easy to put together. Takes a bit of time but worth the effort. We had three cats who could not wait to try it out. Large and impressive and does not disappoint."

Pros: 78-inch height gives cats plenty of climbing opportunities; perches, cubbies, and hammocks encourage cats to play and relax in this tree

Cons: Assembly is required, though all hardware is included; 145-pound weight makes it difficult to move within your home without help

The best outdoor cat playground

With the Outback Jack Kitty Compound, you can treat your cats to safe, secure outdoor visits.

Sometimes a trip outdoors is a wonderful change of scenery for your indoor-only cat, and with the Outback Jack Kitty Compound, you can give your cat some outdoor time, safely. This cat tent and tunnel combination keeps your cat contained while outdoors, serving as a play space with plenty of visibility.

Assembly couldn't be easier, since this tent and tunnel pop themselves open once removed from their carry bag. All you need to do is insert the tent pegs to keep the unit secure. Zippered doors at each end of the tunnel mean you can attach the tent to one end of the tunnel and close up the other end, so your cat is safely contained.

With this tent and tunnel, your cat can roll around on the grass, sniff the outdoor smells, and enjoy the sunshine. The tent is quite large and provides over 30 square feet of space, making it suitable for multiple cats. You won't have to worry about your cat wandering off or escaping.

While this tunnel can let your cat enjoy the outdoors, it's important to note that it is not predator-proof, so it is suitable only for outdoor visits when you're on hand to supervise.

One reviewer named commented about the tent's versatility: "This tent is so easy to set up and take down. As with any tent, it's a little tough to get it back in the bag, but that doesn't matter cause my cat loves it! It's very spacious and you don't have to use the tunnel if you don't want to."

Pros: Easy popup tool-free assembly, spacious tent and tunnel run

Cons: Tent will not protect against predators, so close supervision is necessary

• Opinel makes lightweight stainless steel and carbon steel knives that will shave the hair off your forearm right out of the box.
• I took its new travel-friendly Nomad camping cutlery kit ($85) out to the beach to see how I'd make out with nothing but its three knives, cutting board, and microfiber cloth.
• It was everything I needed, nothing I didn't, and from now on I'll be taking it just about everywhere with me.

My uncle gave me my first Opinel pocket knife (a No. 9) when I was in my late teens. I took it fishing, camping, and once even used it to skin and eat a rattlesnake that was getting a little too flirtatious with the idea of slipping into my sleeping bag.

The Opinel enchanted me from the start with its lightweight wooden handle, paper-thin stainless steel blade, and the traditional aesthetic of the thing overall (I'm a sucker for that stuff, but I know I'm not the only one). I felt like Huck Finn or Jeremiah Johnson. Meanwhile, I was about the furthest thing from them: just a suburbanite adolescent kid with a pocket knife and a dream.

Opinel makes lightweight stainless steel and carbon steel knives that will shave the hair off your forearm right out of the box. Sure, they'll eventually dull, but only in due time. And when it does come time to hone and sharpen, they're much easier to work with than a lot of other stainless steel blades, which can be a chore and a half to get an edge on.

But what I received in the mail from Opinel this past month was something that possessed me, body and soul.

Opinel Nomad cooking kit

The Opinel Nomad cooking kit is an everything-you-need, nothing-you-don't set of knives. You'll get a No. 10 (10 centimeters/3.9 inches) folding paring knife with a 3.9-inch blade and built-in folding corkscrew, a No. 12 (12 centimeters/4.7 inches) folding serrated knife, and a No. 6 (6 centimeters/2.4 inches) peeler. It also comes with a small but still accommodating 10-by-3-inch beechwood cutting board, which, no, you won't be filleting fish upon, but can handle your basic hiking and camping meal prep.

All the handles are varnished beechwood, a tough, tight-grained, abrasion-resistant wood often used in construction. In other words: They'll last. Each knife also comes with Opinel's signature Virobloc Safety Ring, which keeps your blades open and closed. (This might seem like it's something that goes without saying, but a couple of the brand's knives don't come with the ring, and I'm afraid that I have the scratched sunglasses lenses to prove it).

Everything fits and wraps tidily into the microfiber dishcloth (also included) which doubles as a travel pouch for the whole kit: Each of the knives fit into their own elastic tab, and there's a loop at the corner that straps everything shut.

My field notes

The knives all worked as they should have, and that was no surprise. But I take Opinel's quality for granted in the same way that a lot of those familiar with the brand do.

What I really liked about the Nomad was that after prepping, when everything was a mess — cilantro, pepper seeds, hot sauce, and steak juice had gotten everywhere — I could easily do a preliminary cleaning before I neatly folded everything into the cloth to contain the mess, and even after I forgot it in the back of my sun-drenched truck for two weeks, it was still exceptionally easy to clean. 

The bottom line

Whether you're a regular camper or just a veritable bon vivant, you probably won't find a cutlery kit for life on the move that's designed as well or will last as long as the Opinel Nomad. No, $85 isn't cheap. But then, what's a good paring knife run for these days? A serrated one? A corkscrew? A veggie peeler? A microfiber cloth that doesn't pill or shed? How about a solid hardwood cutting board? Chances are that your arithmetic has led you to a tally somewhere around $85.

Suffice all that to say that from now on, this kit is going to be coming with me just about everywhere.

Pros: Small, stowable, lightweight, excellent knife blades

Cons: Cutting board could be a little larger

Buy the Opinel Nomad cooking kit for $85 from REI, Amazon, Patagonia Provisions

Shop all Opinel knives and products at Amazon

Join the conversation about this story »

• Everyone needs a bathrobe. Whether it's for after your shower, while lounging on a lazy weekend morning, or a cover-up to keep you warm before bed, this must-have garment is practically defined by its comfort.
• If you want to take comfort to the highest level, you'll love the Classic Bathrobe from Parachute.

Slipping into the right bathrobe is like getting a cozy hug — It makes you feel good. All too often, however, women settle for stained, torn, just-plain-ugly robes that passed their best days years ago. And here at Insider Picks, we don't think that's right.

That's why we decided to bring you this gathering of the eight best women's bathrobes, whether you prefer warm and fleecy, silky and sensuous, or just-right-after-a-shower terrycloth.

We think everyone deserves a comfortable, good-looking bathrobe that's a pleasure to wear. So if you're in the market for a new bathrobe — or looking to buy one for someone else — here are the robes to consider.

Here are the best women's bathrobes you can buy:

• Best bathrobe overall: Classic Bathrobe from Parachute
• Best spa-style bathrobe: Spa Bathrobe from TowelSelections
• Best fleece bathrobe: PajamaMania's Women's Fleece Robe
• Best lightweight bathrobe: Alexander Del Rossa Lightweight Woven Robe
• Best terry cloth bathrobe: TowelSelection Women's Terry Robe
• Best plaid bathrobe: Stewart Plaid Robe from PajamaGram
• Best kimono-style bathrobe: Old Shanghai Kimono Robe
• Best real silk bathrobe: MYK Short Silk Bathrobe

Updated on 08/09/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best women's pajamas you can buy

The best women’s bathrobe overall

The Classic Bathrobe from Parachute is a touch of luxury at a reasonable price, and it's so cozy and warm, you'll never want to take it off.

This isn't the first time we've expressed our love for the Classic Bathrobe from Parachute. We tried it out and couldn't get enough of it. 

Made from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton, this is the bathrobe that will warm you after a shower, keep you cozy while lounging around the house, cuddle you when you're feeling under the weather, and keep you covered when answering the door.

As the name suggests, the style is classic bathrobe: shawl collar, tie waist, two front pockets, and an easy-but-not-too-slouchy fit. It's fairly lightweight and comfortable to wear, so you won't overheat or catch a chill in this robe.

The Classic Bathrobe is available in white or gray and sizes small through X-large. It reaches mid-calf on most people, though if you're shorter, it may be longer.

Pros: Thick and cozy, highest quality cotton, absorbent

Cons: Only comes in two colors, more expensive than many other robes

The best spa-style women’s bathrobe

Slip on the waffle-weave Spa Bathrobe from TowelSelections, and you'll feel like you're at your favorite spa.

If you've ever pampered yourself with a day at the spa, you're undoubtedly familiar with the white, waffle-weave, lightweight robes that most spas provide for your use during your treatments. Well, although the facial and massage, unfortunately, aren't included, you'll still get that pampered feeling from TowelSelection's Spa Bathrobe.

A blend of 55% Turkish cotton, 45% polyester, the Spa Bathrobe is not too heavy or hot. It's perfect for use around the swimming pool, après shower, while traveling, or anytime you want to lounge. It's a popular robe on Amazon as well, with more than 1,000 reviews and a 4.5-star average.

Buyers praise the robe's light weight and cozy comfort, but some mention that it runs large. There are lots of colors to choose from, including red, pink, green, blue, and navy.

Sizes run from small through X-large. The Spa Bathrobe hits around mid-calf on most people. It has two front pockets.

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, flattering fit, lots of colors, great price

Cons: If you like your robes thick and fleecy, this one isn't for you

The best plush fleece women’s bathrobe

If you're looking for a fuzzy, warm, and soft bathrobe, you'll love PajamaMania's Women's Fleece Robe.

Plush, polyester fleece is so cozy and soft against your skin. While it isn't super-absorbent — this isn't the best robe for slipping on after a shower — it's definitely going to be your favorite robe for cozying up while watching TV or lazing around on a weekend morning.

PajamaMania's Women's Fleece Robe has everything you expect from a bathrobe: a shawl collar, front pockets, inner ties, thick belt, and an easy fit. It's also supremely soft and comfy. Says one happy Amazon customer, "Love this robe! So soft and fuzzy and warm. It's very nice quality fleece... very soft." Plenty of other buyers agree with her, and the robe has more than 700 reviews and an average of 4.7 stars.

You can get the robe in a number of different colors and patterns to match any style. Sizes run from small to XX-large, although some Amazon buyers mentioned that the robe runs a little small. On most people, the Women's Fleece Robe will hit around mid-calf.

Pros: Fleecy and soft, cute patterns, reasonable price

Cons: Sheds a bit at first, runs a little small

The best lightweight women’s bathrobe

The Lightweight Woven Robe from Alexander Del Rossa is a flattering cover-up that won't weigh you down.

Made of 100% preshrunk cotton, the Lightweight Woven Robe is going to be your go-to loungewear throughout the summer. If you live in a warm climate, this may be the only bathrobe you need all year long.

Alexander Del Rossa offers the robe in a dizzying range of colors and patterns, each with contrasting piping for a little extra touch of style. There are two front pockets, and inner ties to keep the robe closed securely.

With more than 400 reviews on Amazon and a 4-star average, the Lightweight Woven Robe is keeping a lot of people comfortable after their shower, while lounging around on a lazy weekend morning, or while reading before bed.

One owner said, "While titled 'Lightweight,' the fabric is actually a smooth, tight weave that is very difficult to find. This is old-school cotton that is crisp, resists wrinkles, and washes beautifully. When true cotton is offered today, it is usually whisper-thin, but not this sleepwear!"

Alexander Del Rossa's Lightweight Woven Robe comes in sizes small through XX-large. It's mid-calf length on most wearers, although a few owners mentioned the robe runs a bit small.

Pros: Lots of great patterns and colors to choose from, lightweight and not too hot, flattering cut

Cons: May run a little small

The best women’s terrycloth bathrobe

If you like to slip into your robe while still damp after a shower, only the TowelSelection's Women's Terry Robe will do.

There's nothing like cozying up in a terry bathrobe after a bath or shower. Soft against your skin, the fabric soaks up any remaining drops of water, leaving you comfortable and warm. TowelSelection's Women's Terry Robe is made from 100% Turkish cotton — a long-fibered cotton that is especially soft and luxurious.

Apparently, a lot of women love terrycloth, because this robe has nearly 1,900 Amazon reviews and a 4.3-star average. Buyers like the softness of the terry, the lightweight feel of the robe, and the fluffiness of the fabric. On the downside, a few commented that the robe tore or unraveled in the wash sooner than they would have expected.

TowelSelections offers 15 colors to choose from, including lilac, blue, red, and olive green. Sizes run from small to X-large. The robe will fall below the knee on most wearers.

Pros: Lightweight, fluffy and absorbent, lots of great colors, comfortable

Cons: A few buyers felt the quality wasn't up to their standards

The best women’s flannel bathrobe

Nothing beats a soft flannel robe on a chilly winter's night, and the Stewart Plaid Robe from PajamaGram is about as soft as you can get.

There's something wonderfully old-fashioned about flannel. It's like the coziest hug from your favorite grandma. That's not to say a flannel bathrobe is dowdy or unflattering. In fact, PajamaGram's Stewart Plaid Robe is bright and cheerful, with a cut that flatters without being too tight or too baggy.

Made of 100% cotton, the Stewart Plaid robe is lightweight, yet still offers plenty of warmth. Flannel is absorbent, so this is a great robe for after a shower or bath, and it's ideal for lounging before bed or on a lazy morning.

The robe only comes in red Stewart plaid, but that's a classic that looks good on most people. It has oversize front pockets and a shawl collar. Sizes range from small to X-large.

Pros: Soft and cozy flannel is lightweight but still warm

Cons: Only available in red plaid

The best kimono-style women’s bathrobe

The classic, elegant style of Old Shanghai's Kimono Robe is just a little bit sexy without being over-the-top. 

Kimono-style robes have always been popular, and it's no wonder. They drape beautifully, typically have lovely Asian-themed patterns and colors, have a sensuous appeal, and yet keep everything covered. Old Shanghai does this style right with the Peacock & Blossoms Women's Kimono Robe.

Made of polyester satin, the robe has side pockets, a self-tie, inner ties, and a side slit. The fabric is silky soft. In fact, it looks quite a bit like real silk. You could even wear this kimono out and about; just layer it over jeans and a t-shirt for a fun, funky look, some reviewers say. The kimono is universally loved by the women who wear it. It has more than 1,600 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon.

You can choose from several pretty colors, all with the same floral and peacock pattern. The robe is one-size-fits-most, up to 43 inches at chest and hip. At 52 inches long, the robe will fall to the ankles of most average-height women.

Pros: Classic kimono style, beautiful pattern and colors, silky fabric

Cons: If you are much smaller or larger than average, the robe might not fit you well

The best real silk bathrobe

The MYK Short Silk Bathrobe is made from 100% silk so you can feel luxurious and lovely every time you don your robe.

MYK Silk's Short Bathrobe is the height of luxury with its 100% Grade 6A 22 momme pure mulberry silk fabric. The silk is also certified by OEKO-TEX, so it doesn't have any harmful chemicals or synthetics in it.

It's a short robe, so you won't get a ton of coverage from it, but that's not the point of a silk robe, really — the point is to feel the super soft fabric on your skin and to look absolutely fabulous. The robe does have full-length sleeves, hip pockets, and a belt you can tie shut. 

Although we haven't personally donned this robe, we can speak to the quality of MYK Silk's products, having recently tested a silk pajama set and a silk pillowcase from the brand. We love the rich texture of the silk and its high quality. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Real silk, Oeko-Tex certified, short style, decent price for silk

Cons: A bit pricey

Check out our buying guides for the best women's pajamas and slippers

The best women's slippers you can buy

Your feet take a beating all day long. Why not give them the loving they deserve once work hours are over and you're home for the night? Just slide your tootsies into a pair of comfortable slippers, and ahhhh, feel them start to relax.

We checked out the reviews and buying advice, to choose the eight best women's slippers for pretty much every need. So whether you are buying the slippers for yourself, or to give as a gift to a lucky family member or friend, you'll find a pair that treats your feet right.

Here are the best women's slippers you can buy:

• Best women's slippers overall: Haflinger AT Boiled Wool Slippers
• Best warm slippers: L.L.Bean's Wicked Good Moccasins
• Best slip-on suede slippers: Minnetonka Chesney Slippers
• Best cute slippers: Snoozies Ballerina Bling Sequin Slippers
• Best flip-flop style slippers: Acorn Women's Spa Thong Slippers
• Best ergonomic slippers: Vionic Women's Relax Slippers
• Best slipper socks: Snoozies Classic Splitz Slippers
• Best fun slippers: Happy Feet Animal Slippers
• Best ballet-style slippers: Isotoner Classic Satin Ballet Slippers

The best women's pajamas you can buy

A comfortable set of pajamas makes downtime even sweeter, and when the pajamas look as good as they feel, that's the best of all.

We've gathered up the best women's pajamas in all the categories that count, from comfy to perfect for romance. So whether you're getting ready to slip between the sheets for some shuteye, some romance, or some binge watching of the latest Netflix must-see, here are the jammies to do it in.

Here are the best women's pajamas:

• Best women's pajamas overall: J. Crew Dreamy Cotton Pajamas
• Best women's pajamas for warm weather: Latuza Women's V-Neck Pajama Set
• Best women's pajamas for cold winter nights: Angelina Cozy Women's Fleece Pajamas
• Best women's pajamas for extra warmth: L.L.Bean Cozy PJ Set
• Best women's silk pajamas: MYK Silk Women's Silk Pajama Set
• Best loungewear: Check out our buying guide

• More than 23 billion pairs of sneakers are made every year, over 300 million pairs are thrown out annually, and, on average, it takes 30-40 years for a pair to fully decompose in a landfill.
• Sneakers are one of the most wasteful retail items to produce, but a booming shoe industry shows no signs of slowing down.
• However, as shoppers become more educated about the environmental concerns associated with producing their clothes and shoes, brands become more incentivised to offer sustainable alternatives. 
• Below you'll find eight brands that are trying to set a new standard by making sneakers with innovative, eco-friendly materials and more sustainable production methods.

The sneaker industry is bigger than ever, and its growth shows no signs of slowing. 

More than 23 billion pairs of sneakers are produced every year, but behind the great demand for footwear is an industry so wasteful it's almost beyond measure. Most of these new pairs use virgin plastic, rubber, and petroleum, producing alarming amounts of carbon dioxide. According to sneaker startup Nothing New, about 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown out every year and, on average, it takes 30-40 years for a pair to fully decompose in a landfill.

In the past, most shoppers would have put little thought into exactly how the items they bought were made, but that is no longer the case all around. In addition to demanding trendsetting styles and groundbreaking innovations, the educated consumers of today expect products to be made responsibly.

Sportswear retail expert Matt Powell explained to Business Insider that younger people are very concerned with how their purchases are affecting the environment. "Sustainability is an important theme in retail, so much so that younger consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products," said Powell. "Brands have long been concerned about making products sustainably, but they're being more forward and open about it."

If you're looking to make better, more sustainable choices, we hear you. We are too, which is why we rounded up this list of brands that are using innovative, eco-friendly materials and more sustainable production methods to make sneakers.

From performance sneakers made by popular brands like Nike and Adidas to fashion-forward trainers from startups like Everlane and Allbirds, you'll find plenty of brands new and old working to set new standards.

Check out 8 brands making more sustainable sneakers:

Adidas x Parley

Shop all Adidas x Parley for the Oceans sneakers and apparel here

When it comes to mainstream sportswear brands, Adidas is easily the most vocal about its sustainability efforts — and environmental organization Parley for the Oceans has been its biggest collaborator. The two brands teamed up for the first time in 2015 with a sneaker using yarn made from recycled ocean plastic and illegal deep-sea gill nets. They officially launched products to the public in 2016.

In 2017 and 2018 respectively, Adidas sold 1 million and 5 million pairs of sneakers made with Parley's recycled ocean plastic — and the goal for 2019 is a whopping 11 million pairs.

Today, you'll find Parley's recycled materials on everything from running sneakers like the Alphabounce+ Run (pictured above) and Ultra Boost to outdoor shoes like the Terrex Two.

Read more: Adidas sold 1 million pairs of sneakers made from recycled ocean waste in 2017

Tread by Everlane

Shop Tread by Everlane Trainers for men and women, $98

While recycled knits account for a big part of the sustainable sneakers market, Tread by Everlane is for those who still appreciate quality leather. With 94.2% non-virgin plastic soles, leather sourced from the world's cleanest tannery, and laces and linings made from recycled plastic bottles, The Trainer is touted (by its maker, mind you) as the world's lowest-impact sneakers.

Even if you aren't a particularly conscious consumer (although you should be), Tread by Everlane has great appeal. Its style lends itself well to minimalists and lovers of that cut-and-sewn look found on retro running sneakers.

Read more: We tried Everlane's low-impact unisex sneakers — here are our thoughts

Reebok NPC UK Cotton + Corn

Reebok NPC UK Cotton + Corn unisex sneaker, $90

When Reebok first launched the Cotton + Corn NPC UK sneaker, it featured leather accents on the heel tab, but after receiving kickback from Peta, the brand took the initiative to make the shoe vegan. The updated sneaker features a 100% cotton upper, a sole derived from corn, and insoles made from castor bean oil. Even the packaging is 100% recycled.

Nothing New

Shop Nothing New sneakers for men and women now, $95-$110

Founded in 2019, Nothing New is a sneaker startup that aims to positively impact the planet and educate the people that live on it. Unlike most brands on this list that are simply making strides to improve their eco-friendliness, sustainability is at the very core of the brand.

As the name suggests, Nothing New sneakers are made with only recycled materials. The upper is 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, while its other components are made from recycled cotton, fishing nets, rubber, and cork.

Beyond the production process, Nothing New offers $20 discounts on new pairs to those who send back their used sneakers. Depending on the condition of the sneakers, Nothing New will clean and donate them or break them down and put the materials back into its recycled supply chain.

Read more: This sneaker startup is helping to change industry sustainability standards by using 100% recycled materials

Converse Renew

Shop the Converse Renew collection here

The Chuck Taylor All-Star is cemented in footwear as one of, if not the most timeless sneaker on the planet, but Converse has proven that it's able to stay in touch with modern demands. Using 100% recycled plastic bottles to make up its canvas upper, the Renew Collection is the latest example of its commitment to produce more carefully.

The process starts with plastic bottles sourced by UK-based recycling company First Mile. The plastic is then ground up into flakes, melted, rolled into bales, spun into yarn, and weaved into canvas.

The best part about the Converse Renew collection is that shoes are fully customizable and are available in sizes from toddlers to adults. 

Nike

Shop all Nike Flyknit sneakers here

Over the last five decades, Nike has continually pushed boundaries in sportswear innovation. While performance has been at the forefront of its designs, sustainability has also been a major factor in recent years. Even though sustainability isn't heavily incorporated into the brand's marketing (compared to Adidas Parley or Allbirds), the brand's work has not gone unnoticed.

In 2018, Nike was recognized by Textile Exchange as using the most recycled polyester in the industry for the sixth year in a row, and from 2010-2018, the brand transformed 6.4 billion plastic water bottles into recycled footwear or apparel.

Nike's signature Flyknit material, which can be found on footwear throughout the brand's catalog, is made in-part with recycled plastic, but the Swoosh is doing more than sustainable kits. This past Earth Day, Nike also launched sneakers made from Flyleather, a new material made from at least 50% recycled leather fiber. Although there haven't been many other sneakers to release with Flyleather yet, you can expect the material to be included in more future designs.

Allbirds

Shop Allbirds sneakers for men and women here, $95-$115

As the brainchild of New Zealand native Tim Brown and San Francisco-based renewables expert Joey Zwillinger, Allbirds is the wildly popular sneaker startup you've seen all throughout Silicon Valley and New York City. In just four years, the brand reached a $77.5 million valuation — all thanks to its sustainable footwear.

Love them or hate them, all of Allbirds' designs are undeniably unique and unmatched in comfort. The brand's shoes are made with merino wool or eucalyptus trees for the uppers and sugar cane for the SweetFoam soles. They even made the patent on their SweetFoam material public so that other brands could utilize it as a sustainable alternative. Recycled plastic and castor bean oil also make their way into the inner-workings of the shoes. Allbirds even uses 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard for packaging that serves as a shoe box, shopping bag, and mailer all in one.

We've reviewed everything from the signature Wool Runners to the newer Tree Toppers, and found them to be incredibly comfortable.

Read more: Allbirds, the company behind 'the world's most comfortable shoes' also makes a kids' version

Timberland Brooklyn EK+

Shop the Timberland EK+ collection now, $120

As a brand built for the outdoors, Timberland has been working on sustainable footwear well before it became popular to do so. 

In 2007, the brand launched its Earthkeepers collection, which featured boots with Green Rubber soles made from recycled tires, and lining and laces made from recycled plastic bottles.

To date, Timberland has used the equivalent of more than 345 million plastic bottles in its products — and the brand is increasing its efforts with the new Brooklyn EK+ sneakers. Coming in lace-up and slip-on models, the shoes are made from 100% recycled plastic "ReBotl" uppers and outsoles made of 34% recycled rubber.

• This holiday is the last major year for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and they're going out with a bang. 
• From "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" to "Death Stranding," this holiday is set to be a biggie.
• And Nintendo's not sitting this one out either: A huge new "Pokémon" game is set to arrive in November.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With new, "next-gen" Xbox and PlayStation consoles scheduled to arrive in 2020, the coming holiday season is the last hurrah for both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 — and they're going out in style.

Between the mysterious, hotly-anticipated "Death Stranding" on PlayStation 4 and the thrilling new "Star Wars" game coming to both Xbox One and PlayStation 4, it's going to be a big holiday!

Here are all the biggest games still to come in 2019:

SEE ALSO: The 33 hottest video games you shouldn't miss in 2019

10. "Shenmue 3"

On the cusp of the millennium, Sega launched an ambitious third-person action game for its similarly ambitious new game console, the Sega Dreamcast. That game was "Shenmue," and it went on to become a cult classic. 

The game — and the subsequent franchise it spawned — are known for offering players a level of freedom previously unseen in a console game. 

In 2019, "Shenmue" is coming back with a brand new entry from the original creators: "Shenmue 3." The game is notorious for having outright broken Kickstarter when it was announced back in 2015. Now, nearly four years later, it's nearly here.

Release Date: August 27, 2019

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PC

Check it out in action right here:

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9. "Gears 5"

Are you ready to chainsaw some more Locust? With "Gears 5" in the works, Microsoft's betting that the answer is a resounding yes.

The next entry in the gruff and grisly "Gears of War" third-person shooter series was announced by Microsoft in June during the company's annual E3 media briefing. A new character is at the forefront, introduced during a short trailer — her name is Kait, who previously debuted as a supporting "Gears" character.

Like previous games in the series, "Gears 5" features third-person shooting with a focus on movement and cover.

Release Date: September 10, 2019

Platform(s): Xbox One, PC

Check it out in action right here:

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8. "Borderlands 3"

Finally, after years of waiting, "Borderlands 3" was revealed and given a relatively imminent release date.

The game franchise that helped popularize the loot-shooter genre is back with a new entry, and it seems like more "Borderlands" in every way: new character classes, new planets to explore, and new guns to fire. 

Perhaps most notable is what "Borderlands 3" isn't— an online-only loot-shooter along the lines of "Destiny" and "The Division."

Release Date: September 13, 2019

Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

Check it out in action right here:

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7. "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remastered"

The Game Boy classic "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" was an incredible achievement when it arrived on Nintendo's Game Boy handheld console in 1993. It felt and played almost as well as the Super Nintendo game "The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past," despite running on far less powerful hardware.

Over 25 years later, Nintendo is finally giving "Link's Awakening" the re-master treatment it deserves: The game is getting a gorgeous update on the Nintendo Switch this September.

Release Date: September 20, 2019

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

Check it out in action right here:

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6. "The Outer Worlds"

The creative duo behind the original "Fallout" are working together again on a new series that feels suspiciously familiar: It's called "The Outer Worlds."

The kitschy first trailer for "The Outer Worlds" is a delight, and follows in the tradition of irreverent role-playing games like "Fallout."

The story is simple: "You awake from hibernation on a colonist ship lost in transit to its destination on the edge of the galaxy, only to find yourself in the midst of a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy the colony." How you play out that scenario is seemingly up to you.

Release Date: October 25, 2019

Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

Check it out in action right here:

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5. "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare"

Another year, another "Call of Duty" entry — and this time, the game even has the same name as a previous entry in the series!

In all seriousness, "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" promises a return to the thematic era of "Call of Duty" games that catapulted the blockbuster series into worldwide popularity.

This year's entry puts the game's single-player mode back at the forefront, with a campaign that's promised to "[push] boundaries and break rules the way only 'Modern Warfare' can."

With an October 25 release date across Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, we've still got a bit of time to hear more about the next "Call of Duty" ahead of launch.

Release Date: October 25, 2019

Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

Check it out in action right here:

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4. "Luigi's Mansion 3"

If you're old like me, you may remember playing an early Nintendo GameCube game named "Luigi's Mansion." It came out way back in 2001!

It wasn't anything like a typical Super Mario game — instead of jumping on Goombas and clearing treacherous gaps, Luigi was sneaking around a haunted mansion with a flashlight and a vacuum. His goal: Stun the villainous ghosts with his flashlight, then vacuum them up. Naturally!

The game got a sequel, many years later: "Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon" for the Nintendo 3DS console. But the series has been absent from a Nintendo home console since that original game. Soon, in 2019, a third entry in the series is finally coming: "Luigi's Mansion 3."

Release Date: October 31, 2019

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

Check it out in action right here:

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3. "Death Stranding"

"Death Stranding" is an open-world, third-person action game with a heavy emphasis on stealth and puzzle solving. Its main character Sam Bridges is played by Norman Reedus, of "The Walking Dead" fame — and Reedus is doing a lot of exploration in "Death Stranding."

He explores on foot, and he explores on a motorcycle. Sometimes he uses gadgets to traverse a particularly perilous bit of terrain — a cliff face or a mountain ridge or a snow-covered peak. Moreover, he's exploring America.

The game is the latest work from "Metal Gear" series creative lead Hideo Kojima, a legendary figure in the video game business. Reedus, as Sam Porter Bridges, is the main character. Mads Mikkelsen, a Danish actor best known as the bad guy from "Casino Royale," appears to be the antagonist.

Since "Death Stranding" is funded by Sony, the game is only coming to the PlayStation 4.

Read more about "Death Stranding" right here.

Release Date: November 8, 2019

Platform(s): PlayStation 4

Check it out in action right here:

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2. "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order"

A huge new "Star Wars" game was revealed earlier this year: "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" is expected to arrive November 15 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

It's a single-player action game focused on lightsaber combat and Force powers.

Even better: The game is being made by Respawn Entertainment, the same studio behind the excellent "Titanfall" series and the recent blockbuster "Apex Legends."

Release Date: November 15, 2019

Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

Check it out in action right here:

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1. "Pokémon Sword & Shield"

Pokémon is coming to the Nintendo Switch — prepare yourself!

Indeed, Nintendo is developing "Pokémon Sword" and "Pokémon Shield" for the Nintendo Switch. Not spin-offs, like "Pokémon Stadium" or "Pokémon Snap" way back on the Nintendo 64, but a full-on main series entry. As is typical for main series "Pokémon" games, there are two versions ("Sword" and "Shield").

The game is set in a new region, known as "Galar," and it features the new art style that looks similar to the "Pokémon Let's Go!" games that arrived in late 2018. It also features new Pokémon, new trainers, and a totally new story. 

With a launch set for November 2019, "Pokémon Sword" and "Pokémon Shield" are likely to be the biggest games of the holiday.

Release Date: November 15, 2019

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

Check it out in action right here:

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• In June, I rode the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway more than 2,000 miles across four time zones in Russia.
• For most of my 50-hour journey, I was sharing a compartment with Russians who spoke little to no English.
• The smartest thing I did before my trip was downloading the offline translation for Russian on the Google Translate app.
• Because there was no Wi-Fi and limited cell service on the train, and Google Translate doesn't automatically work offline, I wouldn't have been able to communicate if it weren't for the offline version. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

In June, I spent 50 hours riding the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway for more than 2,000 miles across four time zones in Russia.

At 5,772 miles (9,289 kilometers), the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world, connecting Moscow to Vladivostok in far Eastern Russia.

I rode a portion of the line from Novosibirsk to Moscow, and it was an experience I'll never forget. 

One of the many surprises on my journey was that, for most of it, I was sharing a cramped compartment not with tourists, but with Russians who spoke little to no English.

Before I left, I did something that made my journey much easier and more pleasant.

The smartest thing I did was downloading the offline version of Google Translate.

I would've had an entirely different — and far lonelier — experience on the train if I hadn't been able to use Google Translate.

For about the first half of my journey, my compartment mates were Russians who spoke minimal to no English. Fortunately, I had thought ahead and downloaded the offline version of Russian in my Google Translate app on my phone while I still had cell service.

Normally, Google Translate requires WiFi or access to a network, but you can download individual languages for offline translation later.

Read more: How you can use the Google Translate app to translate languages offline

Although it was a little awkward passing my phone back and forth and waiting for the other person to speak or type into it, it definitely beat sitting there in complete silence or trying to communicate through hand gestures. I was able to chat with my traveling companions and ask the train attendant questions when I needed to.

Whether you're riding the train alone or with a friend who speaks your language, I'd recommend downloading the offline translation for Russian. You never know when you'll need to ask the train attendant a question, and it'll be much more fun if you can make some small talk with your fellow passengers who might not speak English. 

SEE ALSO: What I wish I'd known before embarking on a 50-hour train ride across Siberia, wearing the same clothes for 2 days, and sharing a tiny compartment with 3 Russian strangers

DON'T MISS: I rode the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway on a 2,000-mile journey across 4 time zones in Russia. Here's what it was like spending 50 hours on the longest train line in the world.

Join the conversation about this story »

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• Amazon is trying to open a liquor store in San Francisco selling beer, wine, and spirits.
• The company has applied for a liquor license and approval from the city to open a storefront at its warehouse in San Francisco.
• The brick-and-mortar store, reportedly 200 square feet in size, would operate as a liquor store and a location from which Amazon can operate an alcohol-delivery service.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Amazon has applied for a license to open a liquor store in San Francisco selling beer, wine, and spirits.

The storefront would allow consumers to buy alcohol directly from the business, and also give the company a location from which they could deliver alcohol to Prime Now customers in San Francisco. Applications for the liquor license and for approval to open a brick-and-mortar business are still pending with the city and the state of California.

Amazon plans to open a 200-square-foot storefront at the site of its current warehouse in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood, according to filings to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors obtained by The Mercury News. The storefront would only be operational from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, but alcohol deliveries from the store would be made after-hours, from 8 a.m. to midnight.

However, Amazon's liquor license application shows that the primary reason for opening a storefront in San Francisco would be so the company could add wine and alcohol to the long list of items available for delivery through Prime Now, Amazon's two-hour delivery service for everything from groceries to electronics.

Through Prime Now, Amazon already offers alcohol for delivery in cities including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York (only in Manhattan and Brooklyn), St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.

Strike & Techel, the company that filed the license for the liquor storefront, did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Amazon responded only to say that the storefront will be used for Amazon Prime Now deliveries of alcohol.

More recently, Amazon filed an additional application this week for a state-issued liquor license allowing it to deliver wine in San Francisco purchased online.

SEE ALSO: Use this map to see if your local police department has access to Amazon Ring's unofficial surveillance network of video doorbells

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's why phone companies like Verizon and AT&T charge more for extra data

• Six elite matchmakers who work with millionaires gave Business Insider an inside look at the jet-set dating world of the rich for its month-long series, "Dating Like a Millionaire."
• They all said millionaires really do splurge on lavish fairy tale dates.
• But they also said money breeds entitlement, which can cause a host of problems — like having to determine a date's motives, flaunting their wealth too much on dates, and expecting the perfect partner.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Finding "the one" can be tough, but it becomes a whole different game for millionaires.

I spoke with six elite matchmakers who try to help millionaires meet the love of their lives. The matchmakers work with clients locally and globally, from royals and celebrities to entrepreneurs and CEOs, who have net worths ranging from the low millions into the billions.

In Business Insider's month-long series, "Dating Like a Millionaire," I dove into the jet-set dating world of the rich and the elite — and some common themes emerged. There were several specific aspects about millionaire dating that every matchmaker mentioned.

Here's what it's really like to date as a millionaire.

They really do whisk their dates away on private jets

Millionaires really do splurge on lavish dates — the era of the private jet is very much alive in the world of millionaire dating. Nearly all matchmakers mentioned their clients had taken dates on a private jet trip across the world.

Most commonly mentioned? Lavish private jet trips to Paris for dinner and a stay in the Ritz. But Paris isn't the only place millionaires jet to for pricey date nights.

Mairead Molloy of Berkeley International, who's based in London, told Business Insider she had one client who asked if they could hire a private charter plane complete with live musicians on board for a full evening of dinner and dancing in Miami — all in a 24-hour whirlwind of a date that Molloy estimated to exceed £650,000 ($817,410). 

Patti Stanger of Los Angeles-based Millionaire's Club calls these "Princess Diaries dates" — when millionaires transform the romance of Hollywood movies and fairy tale dreams from fantasy into reality. These can also include trips to the Kentucky Derby or a yacht cruise to Dubai.

Read more: From yacht trips to Dubai to charity events with Prince William, 6 elite matchmakers share the wildest dates their millionaire clients have gone on

Money comes with a lot of problems

But while money can buy impressive dates like trips to Paris, it can also buy a host of problems. All of the matchmakers agreed there are potential repercussions to dating when you're part of the super-rich elite. 

Resentment can set in if one person pays all the time, and millionaires have to determine whether people are dating them for the wrong reasons — money may influence someone's perceived romantic interest in high-net-worth individuals. Several of the matchmakers said they can spot a gold digger from a mile away.

Millionaires are a successful and ambitious group of people — but money can also breed a sense of entitlement, which can make them super picky. Acting entitled or picky is one of the biggest mistakes millionaires make when dating, according to the matchmakers.

"Often times, people who have a lot of money are used to always getting their way and calling the shots," April Davis of Luma Search in New York City said. "When you're dating someone who also has money or doesn't really care what your job or status is, then that is different than how you may be used to being treated at the office or in other circumstances."

Read more: I talked to 6 elite matchmakers, and they said the biggest difference between dating as a millionaire and an average Joe is also the most obvious one

Too many millionaires show up to their dates in a Ferrari 

Money also drives another common mistake millionaires make — picking up their date in a fancy car, which many matchmakers cited as a prime example of millionaires leading with their money— a big issue, they all said.

Amy Andersen of San Francisco-based Linx Dating calls this "peacocking," or overdoing it early in the relationship. "Showing up in a Ferrari, for example, or talking way too much about career success and history at the very beginning, not only might come off [as] arrogant but also does not highlight some of their more important personal qualities," she said.

Other turn-offs, according to matchmakers, include talking about their net worth, how many shares they have vested in their company, or anything involving material possessions like planes or their lavish homes. The matchmakers always advise their clients to avoid talk of assets, which can come off as bragging.

They want the whole package

If there was one theme the matchmakers reiterated, it was that millionaire men want it all.

"Men want someone who enriches their life and makes it even more fantastic," Carly Spindel of Janis Spindel Serious Matchmaking Inc. in New York City said.

According to the matchmakers, millionaire men want someone who is attractive — beautiful with a fit body— and intelligent; they want someone who can challenge them or teach them something. They also want a partner with a full life — someone who is independent, passionate, and happy with their own career, relationships, and social awareness.

Read more: Breaking down 'the 4 B's' of millionaire dating: A mother-daughter matchmaking duo dish on what rich men look for in a partner

Like men, millionaire women also want the whole package, said the matchmakers. But while they seek an attractive and intelligent partner, at the end of the day, comfort and security take priority.

"With money, your brain thinks differently," Janis Spindel, also of Janis Spindel Serious Matchmaking Inc. said. "[Millionaires] call the shots, they want the whole package."

SEE ALSO: I talked to 6 elite matchmakers, and they all said there are 3 red flags they watch for when vetting millionaire clients

DON'T MISS: 2 elite matchmakers say they always make house calls before helping a millionaire find love — and they can tell a lot by what's in their fridge and closet

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This is the shortest route for a road trip across the US to see 50 national landmarks

• Nike, Kyrie Irving, and Nickelodeon have teamed up for a limited-edition collection of "SpongeBob Squarepants" sneakers and apparel.
• The collection includes five sneakers, one for each of the main characters, including SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Sandy — and other apparel like hoodies, T-shirts, socks, and backpacks.
• The Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Squarepants sneaker collection releases on Saturday, August 10, at 10 a.m. ET. However, some of the apparel is available now, but it's selling out fast.

If you don't know who SpongeBob Squarepants is, you've probably been living under a rock for the past 20 years — and I'm not talking about Patrick Star's house. As one of the most popular cartoons in history, "SpongeBob Squarepants" has an immense fanbase, and star NBA champion Kyrie Irving is among them. 

To celebrate his love for the porous and yellow sponge, Nike teamed up with him and Nickelodeon to release a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed collection of sneakers, apparel, and accessories.

The sneaker collection includes SpongeBob Squarepants, Patrick Star, and Squidward Tentacles Nike Kyrie 5s and Sandy Cheeks and Mr. Krabs Nike Kyrie 2 Lows. Both the SpongeBob and Patrick-themed sneakers will be available in all sizes from men's to women's to toddlers, while the rest of the sneakers are only available in men's sizes (though some small enough to overlap with women's sizing). 

Additionally, the collection includes hoodies, T-shirts, kids' backpacks, and even crew socks that are identical to SpongeBob's blue and red striped pair.

The sneaker collection is set to launch on Saturday, August 10 at 10 a.m. ET and some of the apparel is available now. Whether you're going for sneakers, apparel, or both, you'll want to shop as soon as possible because everything is likely to sell out. 

Shop the full Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Squarepants Collection here

Check out our favorite pieces from the collection, below:

Nike Kyrie 5 "Spongebob"

Nike Kyrie 5 "Spongebob," available for men ($130), big kids ($110), little kids ($80), and toddlers ($55)

Nike Kyrie 5 "Patrick Star"

Nike Kyrie 5 "Patrick Star," available for men ($130), big kids ($110), little kids ($80), and toddlers ($55)

Nike Kyrie 5 "Squidward Tentacles"

Nike Kyrie 5 "Squidward Tentacles," available for men and women, $130

Nike Kyrie 2 Low "Sandy Cheeks"

Nike Kyrie 2 Low "Sandy Cheeks," available for men and women, $110

Nike Kyrie 2 Low "Mr. Krabs"

Nike Kyrie 2 Low "Mr. Krabs," available for men and women, $110

Men's Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Dri-FIT T-Shirt

Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Dri-FIT T-Shirt, $25

Men's Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Hoodie

Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Hoodie, $60, available in two colors

Boys' Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Hoodie

Boys' Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Hoodie, $50

Nike Kyrie x Spongebob Elite Crew NBA Socks

Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob Elite Crew NBA Socks, $18

Big Kids' Nike Classic Kyrie Backpack "SpongeBob"

Big Kids' Nike Classic Kyrie Backpack "SpongeBob," $45

• Living in or near a big city can be expensive, and rental prices continue to soar.
• Business Insider teamed up with Zillow's rental site, HotPads, to find the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the 49 largest US metro areas. 
• In certain areas like San Francisco, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is over $2,500, while in other places it dips below $720.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Living in or near a big city comes with perks, like great entertainment options, shopping centers, and career opportunities. 

But just how much will you have to fork over in living expenses to call one of these areas home?

Depending on where you live, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the country's top metro areas can be less than $720 a month or higher than $2,500 a month.

Read more: Here's how much space $1,000 in rent will get you in 11 major US cities

Business Insider teamed up with Zillow's rental site, HotPads, to find the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in each of the 49 US metro areas with the largest populations (as determined by Zillow). We also used Data USA to find the median household income in each of these areas.

The data was compiled using HotPad's Repeat Rent Index. Each of the one-bedroom apartments analyzed in the study has been listed for rent on HotPads for longer than a month.

Keep reading for the full rundown, from the metro areas with the cheapest one-bedrooms to the areas with the priciest.

SEE ALSO: The 50 best suburbs in America, ranked

DON'T MISS: 9 US cities that are paying people thousands of dollars to move there

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Oklahoma City metro area is $710.

The median household income in the Oklahoma City metro area is $56,260.

Source: HotPads

Birmingham, Alabama: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Birmingham metro area is $800.

The median household income in the Birmingham metro area is $53,107.

Source: HotPads

San Antonio, Texas: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the San Antonio metro area is $880.

The median household income in the San Antonio metro area is $56,774.

Source: HotPads

Kansas City, Missouri: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Kansas City metro area is $890.

The median household income in the Kansas City metro area is $63,404.

Source: HotPads

St. Louis, Missouri: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the St. Louis metro area is $905.

The median household income in the St. Louis metro area is $61,571.

Source: HotPads

Indianapolis, Indiana: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Indianapolis metro area is $905.

The median household income in the Indianapolis metro area is $59,566.

Source: HotPads

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Pittsburgh metro area is $925.

The median household income in the Pittsburgh metro area is $58,521.

Source: HotPads

Cincinnati, Ohio: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Cincinnati metro area is $930.

The median household income in the Cincinnati metro area is $61,653.

Source: HotPads

Houston, Texas: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Houston metro area is $945.

The median household income in the Houston metro area is $63,802.

Source: HotPads

Cleveland, Ohio: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Cleveland metro area is $960.

The median household income in the Cleveland metro area is $52,489.

Source: HotPads

Raleigh, North Carolina: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Raleigh metro area is $975.

The median household income in the Raleigh metro area is $72,576.

Source: HotPads

Columbus, Ohio: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Columbus metro area is $995.

The median household income in the Columbus metro area is $63,764.

Source: HotPads

Buffalo, New York: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Buffalo metro area is $995.

The median household income in the Buffalo metro area is $55,448.

Source: HotPads

Orlando, Florida: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Orlando metro area is $1,005.

The median household income in the Orlando metro area is $55,089.

Source: HotPads

Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in this metro area is $1,010.

The median household income in the Louisville-Jefferson County metro area is $57,279.

Source: HotPads

Jacksonville, Florida: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Jacksonville metro area is $1,025.

The median household income in the Jacksonville metro area is $58,709.

Source: HotPads

Las Vegas, Nevada: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Las Vegas metro area is $1,030.

The median household income in the Las Vegas metro area is $57,189.

Source: HotPads

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is $1,055.

The median household income in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is $67,382.

Source: HotPads

Richmond, Virginia: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Richmond metro area is $1,085.

The median household income in the Richmond metro area is $67,633.

Source: HotPads

Virginia Beach, Virginia: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Virginia Beach metro area is $1,105.

The median household income in the Virginia Beach metro area is $64,255.

Source: HotPads

Detroit, Michigan: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Detroit metro area is $1,120.

The median household income in the Detroit metro area is $58,411.

Source: HotPads

Hartford, Connecticut: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Hartford metro area is $1,120.

The median household income in the Hartford metro area is $71,414.

Source: HotPads

Tampa, Florida: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Tampa metro area is $1,140.

The median household income in the Tampa metro area is $52,212.

Source: HotPads

Charlotte, North Carolina: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Charlotte metro area is $1,145.

The median household income in the Charlotte metro area is $61,156.

Source: HotPads

Phoenix, Arizona: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Phoenix metro area is $1,180.

The median household income in the Phoenix metro area is $61,506.

Source: HotPads

Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Milwaukee metro area is $1,190.

The median household income in the Milwaukee metro area is $59,448.

Source: HotPads

Salt Lake City, Utah: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Salt Lake City metro area is $1,227.

The median household income in in the Salt Lake City metro area is $71,510.

Source: HotPads

Nashville, Tennessee: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Nashville metro area is $1,290.

The median household income in the Nashville metro area is $63,939.

Source: HotPads

Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area is $1,325.

The median household income in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area is $76,856.

Source: HotPads

Riverside, California: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Riverside metro area is $1,330.

The median household income in the Riverside metro area is $61,994.

Source: HotPads

Austin, Texas: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Austin metro area is $1,390.

The median household income in the Austin metro area is $73,800.

Source: HotPads

Atlanta, Georgia: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Atlanta metro area is $1,400.

The median household income in the Atlanta metro area is $65,381.

Source: HotPads

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Philadelphia metro area is $1,405.

The median household income in the Philadelphia metro area is $68,572.

Source: HotPads

Providence, Rhode Island: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Providence metro area is $1,405.

The median household income in the Providence metro area is $65,226.

Source: HotPads

Baltimore, Maryland: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Baltimore metro area is $1,405.

The median household income in the Baltimore metro area is $77,394.

Source: HotPads

Denver, Colorado: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Denver metro area is $1,415.

The median household income in is $76,643.

Source: HotPads

Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area is $1,445.

The median household income in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area is $54,284.

Source: HotPads

Sacramento, California: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Sacramento metro area is $1,500.

The median household income in the Sacramento metro area is $67,902.

Source: HotPads

New Orleans, Louisiana: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the New Orleans metro area is $1,515.

The median household income in the New Orleans metro area is $50,528.

Source: HotPads

Chicago, Illinois: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Chicago metro area is $1,555.

The median household income in the Chicago metro area is $68,403.

Source: HotPads

Portland, Oregon: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Portland metro area is $1,595.

The median household income in the Portland metro area is $71,931.

Source: HotPads

Seattle, Washington: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Seattle metro area is $1,800.

The median household income in the Seattle metro area is $82,133.

Source: HotPads

Washington, DC: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Washington, DC metro area is $1,820.

The median household income in the Washington, DC metro area is $99,669.

Source: HotPads

San Diego, California: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the San Diego metro area is $1,885.

The median household income in the San Diego metro area is $76,207.

Source: HotPads

Boston, Massachusetts: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Boston metro area is $1,945.

The median household income in the Boston metro area is $85,691.

Source: HotPads

New York, New York: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the New York metro area is $2,070.

The median household income in the New York metro area is $75,368.

Source: HotPads

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in this metro area is $2,131.

The median household income in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area is $69,992.

Source: HotPads

San Francisco, California: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the San Francisco metro area is $2,560.

The median household income in the San Francisco metro area is $101,714.

Source: HotPads

San Jose, California: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the San Jose metro area is $2,640.

The median household income in the San Jose metro area is $117,474.

Source: HotPads