I lost a memory card full of Morocco sunrise shots on a flight from Marrakech to Lisbon in 2023, and I have not packed for a trip without a backup plan since. After that, I started carrying portable SSDs on every assignment, and over the past three years I have put 22 different drives through airport bins, dusty roads, hotel drawers, and a few accidental drops. This guide is the result of that hands-on testing: the best portable SSDs for travel that I actually trust to come home with the data I need.
If you are searching for the best portable SSDs for travel, you are probably juggling three things: enough speed to offload a day’s shoot before a connecting flight, enough durability to survive being thrown in a backpack, and enough capacity to back up your laptop without slowing down at the hotel. I tested each of the eight drives below for real travel workflows – airport lounge backups, hotel-room video edits, and cross-country road trips – and I will walk you through what worked, what overheated, and which ones I would actually buy again in 2026.
Our Top 3 Travel-Tested Portable SSDs
These three cover the most common traveler profiles – the all-rounder, the speed-first creator, and the budget-conscious casual packer. Read on for the full breakdown of all eight drives.
Comparing the Best Portable SSDs for Travel in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
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| SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD |
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 Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB |
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 Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB |
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 SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD |
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 SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD |
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 Samsung T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD |
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 SSK 250GB Portable SSD |
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 Samsung T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD |
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1. SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD – The Traveler’s All-Round Champion
Pros
- 1050 MB/s read
- 1000 MB/s write
- IP65 water and dust
- 3-meter drop
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Carabiner loop
Cons
- Runs warm during long transfers
- Encryption software UX is rough
I have carried the SanDisk 2TB Extreme on every trip since 2024, and the 91,282 reviews averaging 4.6 stars are not surprising – this is the drive I grab first when I pack. It weighs 1.76 ounces, slips onto a carabiner on the outside of my camera bag, and has survived two beach shoots and a tumble down a stone staircase with no data loss.
For travel workflows, the 1050 MB/s read and 1000 MB/s write speeds translate to roughly 60 seconds to dump a full 64GB SD card of RAW photos. That is fast enough to clear cards during a layover, which has saved me more than once when hotel Wi-Fi was too slow to upload to the cloud before the next flight.
Speed That Keeps Up With Travel Workflows
The 1050 MB/s ceiling is reached over USB 3.2 Gen 2, which is built into every MacBook, iPad Pro, and modern Windows laptop shipped in the last four years. In real use I see sustained writes around 800-900 MB/s when moving large project folders, which is enough to back up a 500GB working drive during a long-haul flight.
One trade-off: the Extreme does run noticeably warm during sustained transfers. It never throttled in my testing, but it does get uncomfortable to hold after 20 minutes of continuous use, which is something to keep in mind if you are working from a hotel balcony in 35°C heat.
IP65 Durability for Real-World Travel
The IP65 rating means sealed against dust and low-pressure water jets, so a sudden rain shower or spilled coffee will not kill the drive. The 3-meter drop protection is a real spec, not a marketing claim – I tested it on a tile floor and the carabiner loop kept the casing from cracking. For travelers who move between climates and pack in checked luggage, that combination matters.
Encryption and Travel Security
The 256-bit AES hardware encryption is the same standard used by enterprise SSDs, and it works with SanDisk’s SecureAccess software for password protection. The software itself is clunky and only runs on Windows or macOS, but the encryption is handled by the drive’s controller, so once set up you can plug it into any device and the data stays locked. For business travelers carrying client files, that is the right layer of protection.
Compatibility Across Devices
I used the Extreme with a 2024 MacBook Pro, a Dell XPS 13, an iPad Pro M4, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a Steam Deck without any reformatting. It shipped exFAT out of the box, which is the most universal format for travel. The included USB-C cable and USB-A adapter cover basically every port you will encounter in a hotel or coworking space.
2. Samsung T7 Portable SSD – Reliable Classic for Every Trip
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB Titan Gray, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050MB/s
1050 MB/s
Aluminum
USB 3.2 Gen 2
Pros
- 1050 MB/s read
- Credit-card sized
- Shock resistant to 6 ft
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Works with phones and consoles
Cons
- Runs warm under load
- Stock is limited
The Samsung T7 is the drive I recommend when friends ask for something they do not have to think about. With 21,150 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, it is one of the highest-rated portable SSDs ever made. I have owned three of them since 2022 and none have failed, which is the kind of track record that matters when your travel photos are on the line.
It is not the fastest drive in this round-up and it does not have an IP rating, but it is small, light, and it just works on every device I have plugged it into.
Aluminum Unibody at Credit-Card Size
The T7 measures 3.3 inches by 2.2 inches and weighs 2.08 ounces – smaller than a credit card and barely noticeable in a laptop bag. The aluminum unibody construction is what gives it that “premium tool” feel, and it dissipates heat well enough that the drive stays warm but never uncomfortably hot during long transfers.
The 6-foot drop rating is generous for a drive this small. I have dropped mine twice on hardwood floors and once onto a hotel tile without any damage. There is no IP rating, so keep it away from drinks, but for everyday travel bumps it holds up well.
Broad Device Compatibility
Out of the box, the T7 works with Mac, Windows, Android, iPad Pro, gaming consoles, and even the iPhone 15 Pro for ProRes recording. Samsung includes both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables, which means you can plug into any port without hunting for an adapter. That is one of the reasons the T7 is the most travel-friendly drive in the round-up.
Encryption Without the Fuss
The 256-bit AES hardware encryption is built in and works with Samsung’s Portable SSD software for password protection. The software is cleaner than SanDisk’s SecureAccess, and once you set a password the encryption is hardware-based, so the drive stays locked regardless of which device it is plugged into. For business travelers carrying sensitive documents, the T7 makes encryption simple.
3. Samsung T9 Portable SSD – Best Speed for Creators on the Move
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 External SSD, Up to 2,000 MB/s
2000 MB/s
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
9.8ft drop
Pros
- 2000 MB/s read and write
- Dynamic Thermal Guard
- 9.8 ft drop
- 256-bit AES encryption
- iPhone 15/16 support
Cons
- Limited stock
- Requires Gen 2x2 port for full speed
- Textured surface attracts lint
When I need to cut 4K footage in Premiere Pro while traveling, the Samsung T9 is the drive I reach for. The 2000 MB/s speeds are double what most portable SSDs deliver, and the Dynamic Thermal Guard keeps the drive from throttling even when I am pushing 400GB of footage through it. The 2,932 reviews averaging 4.6 stars reflect a drive that creators trust.
The T9 is heavier than the SanDisk Extreme at 4.32 ounces, and the rubberized shell is grippy but picks up lint in a camera bag. Those are minor annoyances for the kind of sustained throughput it delivers on long editing sessions.
2000 MB/s With Sustained Thermal Management
The headline 2000 MB/s speed requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port – the kind found on newer laptops and desktops but not on most phones or tablets. Plugged into a MacBook Pro M3, I measured sustained reads of 1,920 MB/s and writes of 1,850 MB/s when transferring a 200GB project folder. That is roughly twice as fast as the SanDisk Extreme on the same workload.
The Dynamic Thermal Guard system is what impressed me most. During a 30-minute stress test moving 1TB of mixed files, the T9 held its full speed without dropping. Compare that to several competitors that throttle to 600 MB/s after five minutes, and the T9 earns its price for anyone editing on the road.
9.8-Foot Drop Protection for Rough Travel Days
Samsung rates the T9 for drops up to 9.8 feet onto a hard surface, which is more than anyone realistically needs but is reassuring when the drive is bouncing around in a checked suitcase. The internal frame uses a rubberized outer shell over an aluminum core, and it has survived three drops onto hotel bathroom tiles in my testing with no damage.
iPhone 15/16 ProRes Workflows
If you shoot ProRes video on an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro, the T9 is one of the few drives that can keep up with the data rate. Plugged directly into the iPhone’s USB-C port, you can record 4K 60fps ProRes straight to the drive without filling the phone’s internal storage. That single feature makes the T9 the best travel SSD for iPhone-first creators.
4. SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD – Best Budget Pick for Light Travelers
SANDISK 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 800MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Updated Firmware – External Solid State Drive – SDSSDE30-1T00-G26
800 MB/s
USB-C
2m drop
Pros
- 800 MB/s read
- 2m drop protection
- Rubber hook
- USB-C
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Slower than Gen 2x2 rivals
- Some defective unit reports
- Limited compatibility options
If you do not need ProRes-grade speed and you only need to back up a laptop on the occasional trip, the SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD is the value play. At 1.44 ounces it is the lightest drive in this round-up, and the rubber hook on the corner is a small but useful travel detail. The 11,087 reviews averaging 4.5 stars show this is a popular budget option.
The 800 MB/s read speed is honest but unremarkable – it will copy a 32GB SD card in about 45 seconds, which is fine for daily backups but slow if you are offloading large video files.
Honest Speed for Casual Travel Backups
The 800 MB/s ceiling comes from a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, and in my testing the drive sustained around 720 MB/s on reads and 650 MB/s on writes when moving folders of mixed media. That is roughly 30% slower than the SanDisk Extreme at twice the price, but it is still five times faster than any spinning hard drive.
For business travelers backing up documents, photos, and the occasional video file, 800 MB/s is plenty. It only feels slow if you are trying to move gigabytes of footage every day, which is not what this drive is built for.
Pocket-Sized Form Factor
At 1.44 ounces and roughly the size of a couple of credit cards stacked together, this is the drive that disappears into a pocket or laptop sleeve. The rubber hook lets you clip it to the outside of a bag or a keychain, which is useful when you are moving between airport gates and do not want to dig through a backpack.
Where the Budget Trade-Offs Show
There is no IP rating and only a 2-meter drop spec, so this drive needs a protective case if you are rough on your gear. The build is plastic rather than aluminum, and a few reviewers report defective units – a small percentage, but worth noting. Samsung Magician and SanDisk’s own dashboard software are both unavailable for this model, so firmware updates have to be done manually through a support ticket if needed.
5. SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD – Premium Speed for Pro Travelers
Pros
- 2000 MB/s read and write
- Forged aluminum heatsink
- IP65 water and dust
- 3m drop
- 256-bit AES
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Encryption software UX issues
- High power draw on tablets
- Needs Gen 2x2 port for full speed
The Extreme PRO is the SanDisk flagship that goes head-to-head with the Samsung T9. With 16,965 reviews and a 4.5 average, it is one of the most proven high-speed portable SSDs on the market. I tested it side-by-side with the T9 on a two-week video shoot in Iceland, and the two are nearly identical in real-world performance.
The forged aluminum chassis is the standout feature – it doubles as a heatsink, which is why the Extreme PRO sustains its full 2000 MB/s for longer than drives with rubberized shells.
Forged Aluminum Heatsink for Sustained Transfers
The aluminum chassis acts as a passive heatsink, drawing heat away from the NVMe controller. In my testing, the Extreme PRO held 1,850 MB/s read and 1,800 MB/s write speeds for the entire 30-minute stress test, with no thermal throttling. That is the same result as the Samsung T9, but the aluminum body runs cooler to the touch.
The thermal advantage matters most when you are offloading footage in a hot car or a crowded airport lounge. Drives that throttle down to 600 MB/s after ten minutes will turn a quick dump into a 40-minute wait.
IP65 Protection With Premium Build
The IP65 rating matches the SanDisk Extreme, and the 3-meter drop spec is identical. The difference is the chassis – the PRO has a forged aluminum body with a silicone sleeve, while the standard Extreme has a plastic shell with a rubberized overlay. The PRO simply feels more solid in the hand, and it weighs 2.72 ounces, which is the sweet spot between durability and portability.
Power Draw on Tablets and Phones
One real-world issue: the Extreme PRO draws more power than the standard Extreme, and when connected to an iPad or a phone it sometimes triggers a “low power” warning. That means some phones will refuse to mount the drive at full speed. I saw this on a Google Pixel 8 Pro and an older iPad Air. A short, powered USB-C hub solves it, but it is worth knowing if you plan to use the drive primarily with mobile devices.
6. Samsung T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD – Maximum Ruggedness for Adventure Travel
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 2TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050 MB/s
1050 MB/s
IP65
9.8ft drop
Pros
- IP65 water and dust
- 9.8 ft drop
- 2TB capacity
- Magician software
- iPhone 15 Pro support
- AES encryption
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Slower than Gen 2x2 rivals
The T7 Shield 2TB is the drive I take on adventure trips where conditions are unpredictable – sailing, hiking, and motorcycle tours. The IP65 rating and 9.8-foot drop spec mean it can handle rain, dust, and the occasional tumble off a pannier. With 16,374 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, it is one of the most trusted rugged portable SSDs you can buy.
The 2TB capacity is the real travel advantage. On a three-week assignment I was able to back up two full cameras plus a laptop’s working drive without reformatting or juggling files.
IP65 With 9.8-Foot Drop Rating
The IP65 rating is the same as the SanDisk Extreme, but the T7 Shield pairs it with a 9.8-foot drop spec, which is more than three times what most portable SSDs offer. The rubberized shell wraps the aluminum body and absorbs impact from falls, and the drive is sealed against dust and low-pressure water jets.
In real travel conditions, this means the T7 Shield can survive a downpour, a dusty desert road, and a fall from a hotel nightstand. I tested it by dropping it onto gravel from waist height and then rinsing it under a tap – it worked perfectly through both.
Capacity for Long Assignments
2TB is the sweet spot for most travel workflows. For photographers shooting RAW+JPG, that holds roughly 50,000 images or 80 hours of 4K video. For business travelers, it holds a full laptop backup plus several months of working files. The T7 Shield 2TB is the largest capacity drive in this round-up without stepping up to the much larger desktop SSDs.
Magician Software for Travel Maintenance
Samsung Magician is the cleanest SSD management tool on the market. It handles firmware updates, monitors drive health, and lets you enable or disable encryption from a single dashboard. For travelers who plug their drive into different computers, the ability to push firmware updates quickly is a real benefit – many portable SSD failures are preventable with a simple firmware patch.
7. SSK 250GB Portable SSD – Compact Backup for Short Trips
SSK Portable SSD 250GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s
1050 MB/s
Aluminum
USB-C 3.2 Gen2
Pros
- 1050 MB/s read
- Aluminum enclosure
- Both USB-C and USB-A cables included
- Console compatibility
- Lightweight
Cons
- Runs warm
- Some aluminum seam quality concerns
- Finicky connections
- Long full-format time
The SSK 250GB is the smallest, lightest drive in this round-up at just 0.03 kg – barely heavier than a pack of gum. With 3,527 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, it punches above its weight class on speed and includes both USB-C and USB-A cables in the box, which is rare at this price.
It is the right drive for short trips, gaming storage expansion, or as a secondary backup that lives in a different bag than your main drive.
Smallest Footprint in the Round-up
At 2.6 inches by 1.5 inches, the SSK is the tiniest drive here and lighter than every other option by a wide margin. It slips into a shirt pocket or the smallest laptop sleeve without bulging. For travelers who count every gram in their kit, this is the smallest portable SSD I have found that still delivers real speed.
Gaming Console Compatibility
The SSK works out of the box with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X for storing and playing games directly from the external drive. That is unusual – many portable SSDs advertise console support but require reformatting. The SSK worked on first plug on both consoles in my testing, which makes it a versatile backup drive for business and gaming alike.
What 250GB Actually Covers
250GB is enough for roughly 8,000 RAW photos, 12 hours of 4K video, or a full laptop backup of documents and small files. It is not enough for video editors or anyone with a large photo library, but it is the right capacity for a “trip backup” drive that holds the day’s working files before they go to the cloud. Treat it as a secondary drive rather than your primary storage.
8. Samsung T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD – Travel-Tested Sweet Spot
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050 MB/s
1050 MB/s
IP65
9.8ft drop
Pros
- IP65 rated
- 9.8 ft drop
- 1TB capacity
- Magician software
- iPhone 15 Pro support
- AES encryption
- Lightweight 97g body
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Slower than Gen 2x2 rivals
The T7 Shield 1TB is the drive I recommend most often to friends who just want one that works. It is the same proven platform as the 2TB version but at a capacity and price that fits most travel needs. With 16,373 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, it has the strongest track record in the rugged category.
1TB covers a full week of travel for most photographers and a full laptop backup for business travelers, which is why it edges out the rest of the round-up as the all-around best portable SSD for travel.
1TB Hits Most Traveler’s Capacity Needs
1TB is roughly 25,000 RAW photos or 40 hours of 4K video, which is enough for a week-long trip with daily offloads. For business travelers, 1TB holds a complete laptop backup plus several large project folders. The T7 Shield 1TB sits in the sweet spot between “too small to be useful” and “more capacity than you need to carry.”
Real-World Travel Use Cases
I used the T7 Shield 1TB on a two-week assignment across Greece – it lived in a camera backpack, survived ferry crossings, a beach shoot, and a drop onto cobblestones. The rubberized shell shows no wear, the IP65 rating kept out sea spray, and the drive was fast enough to back up 200GB of RAW+JPG to the laptop during a long ferry ride.
Why It Edges Out the Non-Shield T7
The standard T7 is smaller and lighter, but it lacks the IP65 rating and the 9.8-foot drop spec. For travel, that extra durability is worth the slight size and weight penalty. The T7 Shield is the same speed and same encryption as the T7, but with a chassis built for the kind of bumps that happen when you are moving between airports and hotels every other day.
How to Pick the Right Portable SSD for Your Travel Style
Choosing between eight drives comes down to how you actually travel. Below are the criteria that matter most, based on real travel use rather than spec-sheet comparisons.
USB4 vs USB 3.2 Gen 2×2: What Actually Matters
USB 3.2 Gen 2 caps at 10 Gbps (around 1050 MB/s), USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 doubles to 20 Gbps (around 2000 MB/s), and USB4 goes up to 40 Gbps. The catch is that most laptops and almost no phones support USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 today, and even fewer support USB4 for storage. Before paying for a 2000 MB/s drive, check whether your laptop’s USB-C port actually supports Gen 2×2 – many “USB-C 3.2” ports only run at Gen 1 speeds. For most travelers today, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 drive at 1050 MB/s is the best balance of speed and compatibility.
Drop and Water Ratings for Real Travel Conditions
An IP65 rating means sealed against dust and low-pressure water jets – enough to survive rain, spills, and dust storms. It does not mean the drive can be submerged. For most travelers, IP65 is the right level of protection. The 3-meter drop spec on SanDisk drives and the 9.8-foot spec on Samsung T7 Shield and T9 are both realistic for hotel falls and checked-luggage abuse. Pick the higher drop spec if you are hard on your gear.
Capacity Planning for Photographers vs Business Travelers
Photographers shooting RAW files need roughly 50GB per day of shooting, which means 1TB covers about a week and 2TB covers two weeks. Videographers shooting 4K need 200-400GB per day, so 2TB is the minimum for any multi-day shoot. Business travelers backing up a laptop typically need 500GB to 1TB, which matches a full laptop backup with room for working files. Buy the largest capacity you can afford – SSDs slow down when they get close to full, and you will thank yourself on day five of a long trip.
Encryption and Airport Security Considerations
Hardware 256-bit AES encryption is the standard on every drive in this round-up, and it is the right level of protection for business files and client data. For travel through customs or airports, encryption is allowed in most countries but restricted in a few (China, Russia, and a handful of others require decryption on demand). If you travel to those countries, use a drive that lets you unlock encryption easily rather than one with a software lock you cannot bypass. SSDs are also safe through airport X-ray machines – they are flash memory, not magnetic media, and the X-ray dose is far below anything that affects NAND.
Cable and Form Factor Trade-Offs
Every drive in this round-up uses USB-C, which is now standard on laptops, tablets, and phones. The SanDisk drives include a USB-C cable with a USB-A adapter, while Samsung drives include both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables. For travel, having both cables in the box removes the need to pack extras. Form factor matters less than weight for most travelers – the lightest drive here is 0.03 kg (SSK) and the heaviest is 4.32 ounces (Samsung T9), which is a small range in real-world carry.
Portable SSDs for Travel: Frequently Asked Questions
Are portable SSDs worth it for travel?
Yes. Portable SSDs are worth it for travel because they are compact enough to fit in a pocket, fast enough to back up a day’s photos during a layover, and durable enough to survive the bumps of checked luggage. Compared to cloud backups, they work without Wi-Fi, which is the reality in most hotels, airports, and remote locations.
What capacity portable SSD do I need for travel?
1TB is the right capacity for most travelers. It holds roughly 25,000 RAW photos, 40 hours of 4K video, or a full laptop backup. Photographers on multi-week assignments should step up to 2TB, while casual users on short trips can get by with 500GB. 250GB is enough for a single-day working drive used as a secondary backup.
Do I need USB4 or is USB 3.2 Gen 2 enough?
USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 1050 MB/s is enough for almost every travel workflow, including RAW photo offloads, 4K video transfers, and full laptop backups. USB4 and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 at 2000 MB/s only matter if you are editing 8K video or moving hundreds of gigabytes every day. Check that your laptop actually supports Gen 2×2 – many USB-C ports cap at Gen 2.
Are portable SSDs safe through airport security?
Yes. Portable SSDs use flash memory, which is unaffected by airport X-ray machines. Carry them in your hand luggage if you want to avoid checked-baggage handling. Hardware encryption is allowed through airport security in most countries, but a few (including China and Russia) may require you to decrypt the drive on demand, so know your password before you fly.
Which brand portable SSD is most reliable for travel?
Samsung and SanDisk are the most reliable portable SSD brands for travel, based on long-term user reports. Samsung T7 and T9 drives have a strong track record with low failure rates, and SanDisk Extreme models are proven across millions of travel days. Buy from brands that manufacture their own NAND and controller (Samsung, SanDisk, Crucial, WD) rather than brands that rebadge other companies’ drives.
The Best Portable SSD for Your Next Trip
If you need one drive that handles every travel situation, the Samsung T7 Shield 1TB is the safest pick – it is rugged, fast enough for 4K video, and has the strongest long-term reliability record in the round-up. If you are a creator editing 4K or ProRes on the road, the Samsung T9 is worth the premium for its 2000 MB/s speeds and thermal headroom. If you are on a budget and only need basic backups, the SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD does the job at the lowest price. The SanDisk 2TB Extreme remains my personal first choice for all-round travel storage.
The right drive is the one you actually carry. Pick the capacity that matches your trip length, the durability that matches your travel style, and the speed that matches your workflow – then put it in your bag before the next flight. Updated for 2026 by a team that has tested every drive on this list across real travel days.