Alfred the Gnome loves being part of my annual travel gift guide!
Every year, I collect a list of my favorite travel items that I’ve discovered recently that make my adventures easier, more comfortable or stylish. Several of these were suggestions from friends and other travelers that I’ve added to my packing list.
This year’s theme was hiking—I climbed Yosemite’s Half Dome (with the cables up) in August and the Kumano Kodo in Japan in September. Oh, I also made a HUGE life decision and switched from Nikon to Sony, which I talk about as well.
Here are 10 of the best travel gifts (big and small) for the holidays 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! Here are 13 of the best travel holiday gifts for 2024:
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Peak Design’s new Outdoor line includes a series of lightweight daypacks and slings. Photo courtesy of Peak Design.
Peak Design Outdoor Line:
Backpacks, Slings and Packing Tools
Every single camera and phone accessory I have is Peak Design—my camera straps, lightweight travel tripod, iPhone case, car mount and travel backpack. That is why I was literally counting down the days until they launched their new Outdoor Line—lightweight 45-liter and 25-liter daypacks along with slings! Both have a removable hip belt, an expandable rolltop with a full zip rear panel, a custom modular carry system for attaching hiking poles and sleeping pads and running vest-inspired mesh pockets on the straps for stashing your phone and sunglasses!
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). And, their phone accessories are the best, including the mobile tripod (perfect for watching movies on long flights), mobile wallet with optional kickstand and magnetic charging car mounts, which I love.
Peak Design only does one sale every year on Black Friday so act fast. Everything is 20 percent off! (FYI – The new Outdoor line is excluded.)
Black Diamond’s Pursuit Trekking Poles are great for any hike. Photo courtesy of REI.
Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles
In August, I hiked Half Dome in Yosemite National Park with my friend Rolando, and it was the hardest and most amazing day hike I’ve ever done—18 miles with an unrelenting 5,200 feet of elevation to climb the cables to the iconic 8,800-foot dome! These Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles saved the day and our knees. The cork grip is crucial for avoiding blisters on your hands while the clip adjustments on the poles themselves ensure they will not slip. (I always avoid trekking poles that twist to adjust because they aren’t very stable and collapse easily when you’re walking.) Available at REI.
Black Diamond’s lightweight 400 R model headlamp is a great stocking stuffer. Photo courtesy of REI.
Black Diamond 400 R Headlamp
The headlamp is the second greatest invention after the burrito. Since we started our Half Dome hike at 4:30 a.m., a headlamp was a must. I decided it was time for an upgrade to a lightweight, rechargeable headlamp. This Black Diamond 400 R model has six different settings, including a red light feature that keeps bugs away, and a waterproof housing. It was perfect for the trek—comfortable and lightweight. It also comes in six cool colors—I got the azul (blue)! Available at REI and Amazon.
The Osprey Skarab for men (left) and Skimmer for women (right) are great day packs that fold flat and have a waist belt. Photo courtesy of REI.
Osprey Skimmer 28 Day Pack
Since I was hiking Half Dome right before flying to Asia for six months, I couldn’t take my normal metal-framed Osprey hiking backpack because it would have been a hindrance to carry around along with two suitcases (a carry-on size with my camera gear and a checked bag for my clothes.) I needed something that would fold flat into my suitcase and the Osprey Skimmer 28 fit perfectly. (This is Osprey’s women’s fit, but they have a similar Skarab 30 for men that’s almost identical but slightly larger.)
A quality waist strap with a bit of padding is crucial for me on hikes to keep the weight off my shoulders and on my hips. (I hate when packs only have an uncomfortable rope-like strap as the waist belt.) It came with a 2.5-liter hydration pack, too. The mesh side pockets are very deep, so I never had to worry about my water bottles falling out! I was able to easily secure my trekking poles in the pockets for climbing the cables. I literally use this daily in Asia now. (I’m spending my winter in Chiang Mai!) Available at REI and Amazon.
This small Nite Ize S-biner is a helpful thing to keep in your pack. Photo courtesy of REI.
Nite Ize S-Biner Carabiner
This simple carabiner that I bought on a whim for less than $4 at the REI checkout has been extremely helpful. I used it to secure my trekking poles when I climbed the cables portion of Half Dome. I used it to connect two of the zipper loops on my pack through the wrist straps of my trekking poles, which were tucked into the mesh side pockets of my backpack. It also works well for securing water bottles for safety. I always keep it in my suitcase just in case. It’s also great for when you have a broken zipper pull! (It’s not meant for climbing.) These come in a variety of sizes, but I like the #3 model.
Jackery’s portable power stations have been great for my photo shoots and camping trips. Photos courtesy of REI.
Jackery Portable Power Station
Jackery’s portable power stations are amazing for hiking when your campsite doesn’t have power! Our cabin tent in Yosemite had one outlet but it was far from the beds, so this portable power station made it easy to charge our phones and other devices before our early morning hike. I bought two of the Explorer Portable Power Station a couple of years ago because I had to power three GoPros for a three-day time lapse. They now live at my parents’ house in South Carolina and were a huge help when they lost power with Hurricane Helene. I always keep them charged up just in case!
For camping, consider the lightest-weight models, including the Explorer 100 Plus, Explorer 240 Plus model and the Explorer 300 model. Check the wattage to ensure you buy the model that powers the devices you need! Available at REI and Amazon.
This insulated HydraSleeve Reservoir will keep you cool on your next hike. Photo courtesy of REI.
HydraSleeve Insulated Reservoir
My friend Rolando had this HydraSleeve reservoir on our Half Dome hike, and I was instantly jealous. The tube to the hydration pack is insulated so it keeps the water cooler. I also loved that the hose fully detached from this hydration pack because it made it much easier to clean. The brand also makes a 3-liter insulated reservoir.
Pro Tip: You can store most hydration packs in the freezer to keep them from molding. It’s a good idea to reach out to the brand to double check this is okay, but it works for most.
For a good night’s sleep, try this portable white noise machine.
Portable White Noise Machine
The Babelio Mini White Noise Machine is a tiny gadget that’s transformed my life for less than $20! Since I’m a very light sleeper, this has changed my life on the road and made it easier to block out background noise. It’s light, portable and has 15 different sound options. It charges easily with a USB-C cable. I leave mine on all night and usually charge it every couple of days. For those who prefer headphones, the Soundcore Sleep A20 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds by Anker are my backup, but I prefer sleeping without headphones.
This lightweight one-liter water bottle is BPA and BPS-free. Photos courtesy of REI.
Platypus SoftBottle Water Bottle
While I love my insulated stainless steel Klean Kanteen water bottle for everyday use, it’s impractical for hiking because of the weight and bulk. One of my favorite new purchases this year is this one-liter water bottle from Platypus. It is extremely lightweight (1.2 ounces) and rolls up flat in my suitcase. It’s great for a short hike or as a backup to refill my water reservoir on a longer hike. I used this for my hike in Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in August to hold my extra water. Don’t worry – it’s free of taste, BPA, BPS and phthalates! Available at REI and Amazon.
These travel-size Native deodorants fit in the palm of your hand!
Native Travel Deodorant
This aluminum and paraben-free .35-ounce travel deodorant is the smallest and most lightweight one I’ve ever seen! It’s been my go-to for hikes and flights. I keep this in my carry-on bag. It’s the only deodorant I’ve found that keeps me smelling fresh after a transcontinental flight, so I switched to it as my main deodorant. It was in my pack for my Kumano Kodo Trek in Japan in September. (For more details about the Kumano Kodo, check out my Instagram highlight of my hike!)
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.
NordVPN is 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 72% off Black Friday sale!
Travel Books to Pack
If you’re looking for a good book to cozy up with this holiday season, here are a few I’ve read recently that I love:
The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine
This debut novel by archeologist Sarah Maine weaves a brilliant tale of a centuries-old murder mystery in Scottland’s remote Outer Hebrides. (It won an award as Scottish Book of the Year when it was released.) I literally couldn’t put the book down!
This Could Be Home: Raffles Hotel and the City of Tomorrow by Pico Iyer
Pico Iyer, arguably the greatest travel writer of all time, digs into the history of Singapore’s iconic Raffles Hotel and it’s connected with the city, while digging into to why writers are always drawn to hotels. It’s a short but intriguing read.
I used a kitchen scale to weigh my camera gear, which you can see from these Instagram story screenshots. Sony is much lighter than my old Nikon D850 and the Z8.
Camera Update: Sony Mirrorless
After shooting Nikon for my entire career, I switched from Nikon to Sony in August. My Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 took a tumble in May and wasn’t worth fixing so it led me to make some tough decisions. I put off going mirrorless because I was indecisive and switching brands is a huge transition and isn’t cheap. The broken lens forced me to make a decision.
I rented the Nikon Z8 and Sony a7RV bodies and lenses from Lens Rentals, which I recommend for testing gear. Both were great. While there were many factors, I chose Sony partially because it was lightweight. (I’ll likely do a whole post on this later because there were many other factors.) The body was almost a half-pound lighter than the Nikon. The Sony a7RV body with the new 70-200 GM OSS II, weighs less than my old Nikon 70-200 lens alone! Plus, it’s tack-sharp in low light, as you can tell from these Sumatra jungle images. I’ll be showing off some of my favorite images in my December post of my favorite images from the year!
Budget Tip: If you’re in the market for camera gear, keep an eye on Amazon deals or places that offer price matching! I bought my gear in early August but due to B&H’s price matching, I watched listings like a hawk and got back $920!
