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13 Best Travel Gifts

Nov 20, 2023

Alfred the Gnome loves being part of my annual travel gift guide! 

Since I’m on the road almost full-time, I’m always trying out new travel gear and clothing. I’ve collected a list of my favorite travel items that I’ve discovered this year that have made my life easier to help you find the best travel gifts. Several of these were suggestions from friends and other travelers that I wish I’d bought years ago!

Here are 13 of the best travel gifts (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!

 

(AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Please note that some affiliate links are used in this post. If you make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you, which goes toward the cost of maintaining this blog. If you would like to support this blog and are ready to make a purchase, these links are one way to show your support. I only recommend products and companies I truly love and use.)

 

1. Peak Design Phone Cases & Accessories

 

 

Peak Design makes mobile cases and accessories for all phone types including Apple, Android and Pixel. Photo courtesty of PeakDesign.com 

Every single camera and phone accessory I have is Peak Design—my camera straps, lightweight travel tripod, my iPhone case, car mount and travel backpack. The company started as a Kickstarter and was literally made by people who use these accessories daily so they thought of every detail. They make cases for all phone brands (Samsung, Pixel, Apple) but their phone accessories are the best. I wanted to take a moment to highlight the mobile tripod (perfect for watching movies on long flights), mobile wallet with optional kickstand and magnetic charging car mounts. All products have a lifetime warranty. Peak Design only does one sale every year on Black Friday so act fast. Mobile products are up to 40% off are one of the best travel gifts of the year! (Tripods and bags are on sale, too!)

2. Nord VPN for Online Security

 

 

While this isn’t a physical product, Nord VPN is one of the most important things I use because it allows me to stream Disney+ in Thailand. 😊 All jokes aside—a VPN offers privacy protection while you are traveling both at home and abroad when connecting to public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, etc. I’ve used NordVPN for years because it’s the fastest and most trusted VPN. VPNs are excellent for streaming movies or checking your bank accounts on both your computer and phone. It shields your IP address to protect your privacy and location while also offering secure data encryption. There is a 65% off Black Friday sale! 


3. Goodr Sunglasses 

I love bright Wayfarer-style sunglasses so much that they’ve almost become my trademark. For years, I would buy them every time I saw them.  When my stash hit rock bottom this year, a friend suggested Goodr, an online company that makes fun colorful and affordable ($25) quality sunglasses with style names like Flamingos on a Booze Cruise and Gold Digging with Sasquatch.  Originally designed for runners, these polarized, no-slip (even when you’re super sweaty) and no bounce styles come in any color from teal (my fave!) to plain black in three different head sizes. 

The carbon-neutral company offers 30-day free returns and a one-year warranty. I scratched my sunglasses, and they just replaced them no questions asked this year! Their marketing is genius—their witty customer service emails and packaging are all hilariously written by their cartoon flamingo mascot named Karl. You can buy them online at Amazon, Goodr.com and REI, who sells their line of National Park inspired shades.  No matter what style you choose, these will be one of the best travel gifts of the year!

 

4. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game  

This game is the most fun card game I’ve played in ages and perfect for travel. My friend’s kids got me into it this summer, but it’s a ton of fun even for adults. It travels well! Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza would be a perfect stocking stuffer. It’s on sale for only $5.99 on Amazon! The name alone makes this one of the best travel gifts!

5. Salomon OUTpulse Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots

 

I  broke in my new Salomon hiking boots at The Wave this spring. I’m also rocking my favorite squirrel Darn Tough socks!

After being plagued with blisters for years, I FINALLY found my favorite hiking boot—Salomon OUTpulse Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots. They have a wider toe box, which makes a huge difference for me because now I don’t have to cover my feet in moleskin! These are supposed to be a hiking shoe that feels like a trainer. Since my luggage is forever overweight, the fact that these are extremely lightweight (one pound, seven ounces!) makes me love them more. Another plus is that they are really cute – I personally love the grey and purple color. They also make a men’s version! Both men’s & women’s versions are currently 25% off at REI!

 

6. Oboz BFCT O Fit Plus II Insoles

The secret behind the perfect fit with my Salomon hiking boots was adding removeable Oboz foot insoles. These fit my
arch perfectly, and I no longer have tired feet after long hikes. Trust me, I really didn’t want to spend more money and buy inserts, but these literally made a difference. These are $35 at REI!

 

7. Patagonia Quandary Brimmer Sun Hat

 

The Quandary Brimmer Sun Hat packs easily and keeps both the sun and rain off my face. 

My quest for the perfect hiking hat has come to an end after trying multiple brands. I’ve been searching for three key components—a wide-brimmed hat that covers my neck fully (no sunburn for me!) but retains its shape well in a suitcase, a dark grey color (makes my clothing better) and an chin strap that’s easily adjustable when I’m on a zodiac boat for work. This Patagonia hat ticked all the boxes along with being water repellant and breathable. It worked perfectly on my Melanesia work trip recently.  

 8. AirTags

Last week, I lost my luggage again for the third time this year so clearly, I have to put AirTags, a tracking device made by Apple, back on the list. I was able to track when my bag made it to Bangkok from Singapore and could even see the delivery truck a few blocks away from my hotel. I have one in my main suitcase and one with my camera.  A four-pack is 20% off on Amazon now! These are literally the best travel gift you can buy yourself. 

 

9. Darn Tough Mirco Crew Socks 

These fine gauge merino wool micro crew socks are hands down the best hiking socks. The height is shorter than a traditional crew so it sits just above a standard hiking boot for a more comfortable fit and less awkward tan lines from taller socks. Another bonus is their lifetime warranty and the cute designs. I have the Bear Town designs in this photo and the photographer squirrel ones I’m wearing in the photo from my hike to The Wave.

10. Women’s Capilene® Cool Daily Hoodie UPF

Patagonia’s Capilene® Cool Hoodie with UPF is one of my go-to shirts now.

Long-sleeved UPF shirts are my go-to shirt for hiking and traveling in hot climates now to keep the sun off my skin and to avoid any chaffing from my backpack straps. These  Capilene® Cool shirts are soft and have minimal seams. The hoodie is a bonus to keep the sun off your ears and neck. Since it doesn’t have thumb holes, it pairs well with the
UPF sun gloves above. Unlike 99.9% of Patagonia’s tops, this one is actually fitted for slim figures who don’t have huge boobs. (Most women’s sun shirts are unflattering and make me feel like I’m just wearing an expensive tent.)

11. Sea to Summit Premium Silk Travel Liner

 

Alfred the Gnome loves any chance to be in front of the camera. The Sea to Summit Premium Silk Liner fits in this small case and only weights 4.6 ounces! 

This silk travel liner is made from AA-grade ripstop silk and is much more comfortable than the previous COOLMAX insect shield polyester liner I had that pilled and ripped easily. Sleeping bag liners will lengthen the life of your sleeping bag and are hygienic options for when you’re borrowing or renting a sleeping bag. After some traumatic bed bug issues, I honestly use them when I’m sleeping in a normal bed when I’m traveling for the first few nights at least. I spray it with permethrin, which will definitely kill mosquitos, as an added safety feature. (I spray my suitcases with permethrin as well because I’m not taking any chances. It’s not 100% but it can’t hurt. If y’all want an entire post on bed bug prevention and treatment, then let me know.)

12. Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie

My second favorite UPF shirt is the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie because it has thumb holes! There’s also a hood and a hip pocket to hold a credit card or key. Despite this, it’s a flattering fit. This along with the Patagonia one above is one of the few fitted women’s long-sleeve tops I’ve ever found.

13. Patagonia UPF Sun Gloves

 

These Patagonia sungloves are the perfect length to cover the wrist and are easy to take off. 

Your hands and neck show the most age so I’ve started wearing UPF gloves when I drive long distances, snorkeling or just out in the sun taking photos all day for work. I tried a pair from Uniqlo, which are fine for driving but useless elsewhere. These Patagonia UPF gloves are short and cover a bit of the wrist but have a cutout in the palm for airflow. I wore these almost every day on my recent Melanesia work trip. 

 

If you’re buying something online anyway, 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 $40 just for signing up with this referral link. PLUS, they give HUGE cash-back amounts during Thanksgiving weekend! 

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