2019 has been another EPIC year of travel – my first trip back to Australia in 10 years, Vietnam, an incredible Utah hiking trip, Bali, Alaska, Portugal and now back to Asia! I’ve collected a list of my favorite travel items that I’ve discovered or used this year that have made my life easier. Several of these were suggestions from friends and other travelers that I wish I’d bought years ago! Rain gear and dry sacks were the theme of the year!
Here’s a few ideas (big and small) to help you find the perfect gifts for friends and family. Feel free to add these to your own Christmas list before you send it to Santa!
1. Bare Republic Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion ($15)
Bare Republic Mineral Face Sunscreen is by far the BEST face SPF on the planet! It the only light, non-greasy SPF I’ve ever found that works! It’s also chemical free (zinc and titanium-dioxide based), biodegradable AND reef-friendly! I’ve used the California-based brand for years but never tried their face SPF until this year. It’s $15 for a 1.7 oz bottle so I only use this on my face and neck. I use their Sport SPF for the rest of my body. (I’m in Asia now and have a friend coming to visit and bringing me an extra bottle!) It’s available at Amazon, Target and other pharmacies.
2. PEAK Design Slide Camera Strap ($70)
I’ve always liked admired the PEAK Design brand but never could justify dropping the money on it until this year. I was fed up with all the terrible camera straps on the market and wasting my money on cheap ones. (My favorite neoprene one is tattered and unraveling.) Everyone I’ve met raves about this PEAK Design slide strap so I gave it a try. And, I LOVE it! You can adjust it so easily and it attaches on the side strap loops or the tripod mount with different anchors. PEAK Design also offers a lifetime-warranty so you can’t go wrong. I’m a big fan of supporting small companies – they got their start on Kickstarter in 2010 and are now the world’s most crowdfunded active company with 34 employees!
3. Love, Planet and Beauty Natural Deodorant ($6.99)
(The llama bag was a gift so I don’t know where it came from.)
I’ve spent the last few years focusing on natural products for my body that are also better for the planet. All the natural deodorants I’ve tried are pretty terrible – they either don’t last or leave marks all over your clothes. This Love, Beauty and Planet deodorant is the best one on the market thus far – it smells nice, lasts all day and doesn’t leave marks all over my clothes! It’s also vegan, planet-based and paraben/aluminum free! I like the coconut oil and ylang ylang scent in the yellow package. It’s available at Target, Amazon and most pharmacies.
4. Fast Charger for iPhone ($45)
My friend Rolando brought this charger on our trip to Portugal and it was a life-saver with charging our iPhones fast. You need the USB-C to lightning cable ($19) and an 18W USB-C power adapter ($23). (You can also use a 29W, 30W, 61W, or 87W USB-C Power Adapter.) While it doesn’t have to be an Apple brand charger, buy a reputable electronics brand like Belkin. Those $2 cables and chargers at the gas station can fry your devices. (Trust me, I worked at the Apple Store for years so I know what I’m talking about.) Apple claims this setup will charge your phone 50% in thirty minutes!
5. ZBRO Waterproof Bag ($23-30)
I’m always on a quest for the perfect dry bag. This ZBRO waterproof dry bag is literally the best because of the straps – it has both a top handle and backpack strap so it’s more comfortable to carry with a heavy load (i.e. my camera) than one with a single sling strap. There’s also a removeable interior pocket! I put my DSLR and 24-70 mm lens in a lightweight dry bag and then, put it inside this bag to paddleboard from the beach into the Benagil Caves in Portugal recently in some rough seas. I didn’t even need the second dry bag since this one kept everything safe!
6. Columbia Waterproof Baseball Hat ($20)
I spent most of the summer working as a photo instructor in rainy Alaska spending most of my day hiking or on zodiac boats. A friend recommended this Columbia watertight wicking hat and I reluctantly bought it. This hat kept the rain off my face and made a huge difference when I was taking photos. On the boat rides, I’d use a basic ear warmer headband on top of the hat so it wouldn’t blow off in the boat.
7. Marmot Gortex Rain Gear & Rain Pants ($90 & up)
Alaska was the ultimate test of my outdoor gear this year because the climate was cold and rainy. While I already had some awesome Marmot gear, I had basic gear that was good for Asia but not for Alaska. I splurged on a Gortex rain coat ($90 – 200) and proper zip-up rain pants ($80-90). (Trust me, you want rain pants that zip up the ENTIRE leg. It makes it easier to put over boots or take them off/on.) I bought a rain coat a size larger than normal so I could wear my warm layers underneath. I always buy brightly colored rain coats because they standout in pictures better and for safety reasons – easier for search and rescue to find the hot pink versus a person in all black! Most of the jackets are in the $150 range but you can find sales on certain colors under $100! Marmot has a lifetime warranty so they’ve earned my loyalty by replacing an older coat for no cost! (I’m wearing the Marmot jacket in the photo above. In the first photo in this post, I’m rocking the rain pants with this bright pink jacket. )
8. Matador Pocket Blanket ($30)
This is yet another great thing I discovered from my friend Rolando. This pocket-sized blanket is excellent for beaches, concerts or any kind of outdoor setting. It has small stakes that stick into the ground to secure the blanket. We had a nice beach picnic on this, and I loved it! It folds up small and fits in the palm of your hand!
9. Phone Case Finger Grips (Under $10)
This phone case finger loop is the simplest thing, and it’s made my life better this year. Before my trip to Vietnam earlier this year, I was warned about thieves in Ho Chi Minh who like to swipe phones out of your hand. I immediately bought a finger loop for my phone case, which would make it harder for someone to just grab my phone and run. This means I always have a good grip on my phone so I drop it less. (I always use a Tech21 case because I believe they are the best since it covers all edges. The only way the phone will break is if it falls screen first on something that directly hits the screen.) I bought a new phone after that trip and put the same finger loop on my new phone case because I loved it so much. Avoid those metal ring ones – they aren’t comfy at all. You can buy these anywhere – I have no brand preference but just add one to your next Amazon order! (This one is very similar to mine!)
10. Travel Umbrella (under $20)
The women in Asia are always walking around with umbrellas to keep the sun off their skin. I took note and always carry my own tiny umbrella. It really does keep you cooler, and it’s great to have to keep the rain away as well. I travel with a small one that fits in my hand – it’s always in my backpack in Asia! The one I have is a Totes brand but any umbrella like this will do. It’s a really simple item that can dramatically add to your comfort! I’ve totally taken one hiking before!
By request, I’ve included a link where you can order all of the items above (except the clothes) in one click on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OxFwiH
For more great travel gift ideas, check out my packing lists from Mongolia, Galapagos, Kilimanjaro and Havasu Falls! Don’t forget these great eco-friendly products!
*Please note some Amazon and Peak Design affiliate links are included above. If you click on the link and make any type of purchase, I earn a small commission with no additional cost to you. I hope you found this post helpful and appreciate your support of the blog. Please email me if you have questions.
Online Shopping Savings Tip
If you’re buying something online anyways, go through Rakuten.com and use their link to the store’s website to get cash back. The percentage (1-20 percent usually) varies by retailer and the amount you earn can be directly deposited into your PayPal account. This is similar to shopping through your credit card’s “shopping mall” to get extra points. I just started using this for booking my accommodation when I travel through Booking.com and other online shopping including Amazon! You get a $10 gift card just for signing up with this referral link.
Want to skip the lines at the mall this year? Consider donating to charities as a gift or gifting subscriptions to local newspapers to support journalism. Don’t forget your local NPR station!
