Great Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers They’ll Actually Use

Zendure Power Bank 10000

Zenure’s supermini is the size of a credit card, a little thicker than a deck of cards, and great for powering devices. To date, I’ve been able to recharge my iPhone 14 Pro Max three times per full bank. It comes in a bunch of colors, which normally isn’t a thing for me, but since so many power banks are black, it makes it easy to find at the bottom of a bag or when mixed up with others.

UPWADE Outlet Travel Power Strip

I don’t go anywhere without a mini power strip. It’s probably the one thing other than my phone I always have when I travel. I like this model by Upwade because it has two widely spaced international outlets that provide ample room for those pesky wide charger plugs that come with cameras and other devices and four USB ports. The cord is a little longer than I need at 5 ft, but I’d rather have it longer than too short. It is super light and, at 6 inches in length, fits in any purse or carry-on bag.

Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set

Many people like universal cubes that contain every adapter known to man deployed by a series of sliders. While I appreciate the concept, I’ve never found one that doesn’t break almost immediately or annoy me size-wise. Too clunky. This 5-piece set is great for going abroad because I can cherry-pick what I need and plop it into my tech pouch, which I pack into my carry-on. I use the case to keep all the adapters together at home; I rarely take the whole shebang.

ATUMTEK Bluetooth Selfie Stick Tripod

I’m not a selfie person. I take them now and then but overall, I find them tedious. Who wants to see me in front of something amazing? I rather show the amazing thing. However, I carry a selfie stick, mainly for the tripod and remote shutter control. When I’m on the road, I often work on my laptop and watch videos on my phone held by the tripod. Time lapses require a tripod, and a selfie stick offers stability for creating videos. This model is compact and versatile, and unlike other sticks I’ve used, it holds my phone securely in both portrait and landscape positions.

Eagle Creek Pack-it Tech Pouch (Mini)

This is a great tech pouch when you only have a few items, like a couple of cords, an adapter, and a power bank. It’ll be too small if you have more, but it’s perfect for a purse and simple excursions.

I used this pouch to carry the bare necessities with me on a long-haul flight to Kenya, which included an Anker power bank and cord, an iPhone charging cord, earbuds/case and cord, and a Bluetooth adapter for in-flight entertainment. There’s also a pen holder and two slash pockets where I kept my extra money and passport.

The Bullbird Commuter Travel Pillow

Let me start by saying I recognize that this is expensive.

Over the last year, I’ve ordered a slew (6 or 7) travel pillows in hopes of finding the perfect solution. I bought this, assuming I’d return it. The joke is on me. I love it. I’ve used it on short and long-haul flights for a year now. It’s not as much a pillow as it is a neck cradle cushioned with memory foam. It sits at the nape of your neck, gently holding your head vertically, so it doesn’t flop. Other pillows are super cushy but inevitably, my head tips when sleeping, and I end up with a kink in my neck but not with the Bullbird. Did I mention It’s packable?  The Bullbird “pillow” fits in my purse and comes with a pouch. Yay! 

Peak Design Wash Pouch

In my opinion, Peak Design has the same design sensibility as Apple in that it is beautifully and thoughtfully designed to provide superior form and function. And yes, like Apple, the products are pricey, though I think you’ll find they are worth the splurge.

Consider this wash pouch if you’re looking for the best Dopp kit. I’ve used it consistently for over a year. It carried everything I needed and then some without being too cumbersome.

Check out my packing video below.

Peak Design Tech Pouch

Before I received this tech pouch, I had all my charges, power blocks, cords, etc., in various places around my apartment. Now I use this as my tech hub. Everything goes in here, and I take things out as needed. For me, it’s too large to take on trips unless I have all the room in the world, which is rare. Instead, I take out what I need for the journey. As you can see from my photo, my Eagle Creek pouch, smaller for in-flight needs, fits inside.

BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes Travel

Speak to almost any passionate traveler, and they use packing cubes. They’re ideal for keeping your clothes sorted, organized, and streamlined. Eagle Creek is usually the go-to packing cube company, and they are great but also pricey. These Bagail cubes have quality construction and a fraction of the price. I use them to separate my undies, tops, and bottoms. I especially love them when faced with a multi-stop itinerary–packing and unpacking is infinitely easier.

Becko Jewelry Organizer

This jewelry organizer is sleek, virtually flat, and super affordable. I don’t wear much jewelry, but I inherited a lot of my mother’s, and this is where I keep it at home, but it’s made for travel and is very easy to pack even in the tightest of circumstances.

Icyzone Activewear V-Neck T-Shirts

Cotton t-shirts may feel good, but if you wash them while traveling, they take forever to dry. These shirts (in a three-pack) dry within a couple of hours. A slight A-line silhouette makes them flattering untucked. The best part is they are cheap! I think I’ve ordered three different sets. That’s about $10.00 a piece!

Keb Women’s Eco-Shell Jacket

I’ve learned that it’s going to rain if I’m hiking. I’ve had so many rainy days on the trips I’m starting to think I’m the cause. Anywho, a good windproof, waterproof shell to go over what you’re wearing is a lifesaver when it rains. There’s side ventilation and plenty of pockets. The hood has enough depth to cover your head, and the neck zips up high to cover the lower half of your face. You’ll be hard-pressed to get wet in this jacket.

Woolx Merino Wool Base Layers for Men & Women

The benefits of merino wool are that it breathes and is antimicrobial, which comes in handy when laundry facilities are limited. They dry quickly, too, when I have to do the ole sink wash.

I prefer Woolx’s midweight and heavyweight base layers. I found the lightweight to be too transparent.

The website suggests the wool has a “plush soft feel.” That suggests a cashmere-type feel, which it doesn’t have. The items feel fine but not “plush’. They work the way I need them to. They are nice fitting, comfortable, and keep me warm.

Unigear Winter Waterproof Gloves

I’ve bought four pairs of these gloves over the last year and a half–I have an issue with losing or forgetting my gloves when I travel. I keep buying them because they’re fantastic. They are warm (I used them in Antarctica, though temps didn’t drop lower than 20 degrees F), close-fitting (meaning, I can change my camera settings without taking them off), and waterproof. A perfect combo if you ask me.

PureSteam Portable Fabric Steamer

THIS. IS. THE. BEST. STEAMER. EVER. I use it on the road and at home. It is so much easier (and faster) than ironing. Enough said.

Pressure Relief Seat Cushion (Road Trip Relief)

I love this for my home office, but where this cushion earns marks is on a road trip. I used it during a 10-day trip driving around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. When driving long distances, my lower back and/or the back of my thighs became achy or numb after a couple of hours. But with the seat cushion, not once was my tush a problem. *sigh*

Lifeline AAA Premium Road Kit

While a road kit is far from the sexiest present, it’s a fabulous road trip gift for those who love to explore the highways and byways of a destination. People hate to spend money on items like this but love to receive them. This 42-piece kit includes everything you might need if your car breaks down or have some other emergency, including jumper cables, a flashlight, tools, batteries, and a rain poncho, among other useful items. 

Pentax UP 10×25 Binoculars

A compact set of binoculars is always great for holidays where wildlife and nature are on the agenda. It comes with its own carrying case and is only 0.7 lbs.

Nuun Immunity: Immune Support Hydration Supplements

On hot days, in high altitudes, hiking/biking, or all three, it’s a good idea to add to your water a supplement that provides electrolytes. These Nuun tablets also add vitamin C, zinc, and Tumeric, among other nutrients. They dissolve quickly and make a huge difference in how I feel when I am dehydrated. I even use them in NYC when I’ve been at the computer too long and not drinking enough water.

Aloe Up Sport Collection SPF 30 Sunscreen 

I took this sunscreen with me to Ecuador. The sun was unrelenting, and the humidity was at best 90%, and I loved this sunscreen for a few reasons. It’s fragrance-free and didn’t leave a white cast on my skin. But what I valued most was that even though I was sweating profusely, the lotion never dripped into my eyes.

Aloe Up Ice Aloe Vera Gel 

I felt like a sun magnet when I was in Ecuador, especially the back of my neck, even with a hat on. One day, I forgot to apply sunscreen, and I burned. This Aloe Vera gel cooled my skin and took away the pain within minutes.

Peter Thomas Roth | Instant FIRMx Temporary Eye Tightener

I saw an ad for this on Tik Tok, bought it, and kept the box to return it if it didn’t work. OMG! was I surprised. Anytime I don’t get enough sleep (think jet lag), I have noticeable bags under my eyes that make me crazy. Using a small pea-sized portion, I tap it on my eye bags. And damn, if it didn’t help significantly. Tip: Use a small amount because the gel that doesn’t sink into the skin will leave a white cast.

15 Pieces Travel Size Refillable Empty Squeeze Pouch, 30/50/100ml (5 pouches each)

Forget travel-sized bottles of shampoo, face wash, conditioner, and the like, and transfer their contents into these great squeeze pouches. They can lie flat for packing but can also stand on their own. All these pouches fit into my Peak Design Wash Pouch (see above) with plenty of room to spare. I’ll never pack a bottle again.

Accmor 10 Pieces Makeup Travel Containers and spatulas

For those times that you have products that won’t work in the above squeeze pouches, like aspirin, or only need a little of something, these containers are spot on. For goopy substances, the spatulas are a godsend.

BLACKRAPID Wander Bundle iPhone Tether

This has saved me from losing my phone umpteen times. I don’t use it as a wristband, I use the enclosed carabiner to hook it onto a bag or a belt loop so that when I’m leaning over the side of a boat or a bridge, and it falls (which has happened twice), it’s anchored. I keep it on my phone 24/7.

Klean Kanteen TKWide 16oz (w/Twist Cap) – Black

There are a million different water containers, and I feel like I’ve tried all of them. I like this Klean Kanteen because it’s made of steel, not plastic (not new, but glad it’s a fact), and it’s insulated to keep cold beverages cold. It also has a straw, which is a must for me––I hate having to tip my bottles to the sky to drink. Twist the cap one way, and the staw pops up. Twist it the other way, and it collapses, making it easier to carry. It also comes apart for top rack dishwasher cleaning.

Note: While it is insulated, the metal straw makes it risky to use with hot or carbonated beverages. Trust me, I know. To navigate this, I use the TK Wide Cafe cap. Another great thing about Klean Kanteen, you can switch tops easily.

LifeStraw Go Water Filter 22 oz

If you’re hiking or in areas where the water quality is questionable, the LifeStraw water bottle is a smart addition to your packing list. It removes bacteria, microplastics, chlorine, dirt, sand … you get the idea. The company is B-Corp certified, always a plus, and for every purchase, one child receives a year of safe water.

Dingbats “Wildlife Portrait Pocket Hardcover” Notebook

I often use my phone and computer to take notes, but I rarely travel without a notebook. It feels more personal, and I often remember more details by handwriting than when I type it. This journal is a great present because it’s small and fits in a fanny pack or other small bag. The big ones I find are too awkward to carry around.

Dream Essentials Escape Luxury Travel and Sleep Mask with Earplugs and Carry Pouch 

If you can’t sleep without a mask when you travel, Dream Essentials is the way to go. Unlike most masks, the side closest to your face is contoured and padded—no smushing of your eyelids.  It’s far more comfortable than the standard design. The mask comes with a pouch and a set of earplugs, so you’re sure to get the rest you need.

Reusable Travel Utensils Silverware with Case

In an effort to be a more thoughtful traveler, I treated myself to an 8-piece, rustproof, reusable silverware with a zippered carrying case. Inside you’ll find a stainless steel spoon, knife, fork, travel chopsticks, two straws (one straight, one bent), and a cleaning brush. Perfect for camping, road trips, or any time you want to avoid single-use plastic.

SinkSuds Travel Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap

Longer trips require spending money on laundry services or doing it yourself. This box of 8 packets makes it easy to stick in your luggage and has enough liquid for the basics.

AmazonBasics Portable Digital Luggage Weight Scale

With the neverending restrictions on air travel, a luggage scale is a wise investment. But it’s far from an exciting purchase so buy it for your favorite traveler so they don’t have to.

Crest Regular Paste .85 oz – (Pack of 12)

It’s funny how ordinary little things can be a great gift. Traveling as much as I do, having an easy stash of travel toothpaste is so convenient.. not to mention cheaper. As a stocking stuffer, I guarantee your traveler will appreciate it.

First Aid Kit

I wonderful light and compact kit for when you need it.