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The holiday season is here!! & if you’re like me you haven’t even thought about gifts yet. So before December rolls around & you start panic shopping check out this list of 30 holiday gifts to give travelers that any travel lover or backpacker will LOVE (& actually use).
30 Useful Gifts for Travelers
1. Tortuga Backpack
Are they a budding backpacker? Or desperately in need of a new pack? Tortuga is the best. They have loads of pockets for organization, are the exact carry-on size, & unzip completely allowing you to see everything inside your pack without having to completely empty it. Tortuga packs are also super comfy & their shoulders will thank you.
2. Fanny Pack
Not only are these trendy little bags back in fashion, but they are also the single most convenient everyday bag while on the road. I stuffed mine full of rupees, & using the hidden pockets was able to keep my ATM cards safely tucked away. It was big enough to hold my phone but small & secure enough I never had to worry about anyone snatching it.
3. Dry Bag
I’ve put off investing in one of these for two years now. & we regret it every single trip. If they’re going anywhere near water in the near future, they want one. We lost a GoPro on a lazy river float without one. It’s a worthy investment.
4. Packing Cubes
I, like many backpackers, only travel carry-on. & this has made me a packing pro. My secret is packing cubes. I love them so much I actually use them when we live in our camper van too. They help them organize their stuff & keep it neatly contained so they’ll never have a backpack that’s spilling over.
5. Go-Pro Gear
Most travelers have a Go-Pro. It may as well be essential. It’s durable, waterproof, and its wide-angle lens let’s them capture all their adventures abroad. We personally love the GoPro Floating Hand Grip while we are snorkeling so we can get closer to the coral in videos.
What if they don’t have a GoPro?
Get them one! Another great gift idea. I promise it will get loads of use.
6. Cocoon Sleeping Sheet
Night buses & trains are notoriously chilly. Also airports and airplanes. Or maybe they checked into a hostel only to realize the room is questionably clean. Not a problem if they have their very own sheet! We both travel with cocoon sheets and they are lightweight, surprisingly warm, & pack up nice and tight.
7. LifeStraw Water Bottle
Save them money while you’re saving the world. On our last trip abroad using a Lifestraw bottle saved us over $500. It looks like a regular old water bottle but it has a 3-step filtration process that makes even the grossest water safely drinkable (trust me).
8. Microfiber Quick Drying Towel
If they stay in hostels and guesthouses they need to bring their own towel. Ideally, they want one that dries fast & is resistant to mold. This is that towel. They’ll never even need to wash it.
9. Teva- The World’s Most Versatile Shoe
I live in my Teva shoes. I’ve actually worn nothing but them for over a year now. I’ve probably walked over 3,000 miles in this single pair of Tevas. I’ve hiked in them, walked city streets, worn them out to restaurants, & to the beach. If you want to travel with one pair of shoes–pick these.
10. Books
Paper books are my jam. I know that kindle is the way of the future & way more practical for most travelers BUT I always pack at least one book in my bag. & between trips, I read like crazy. Typically, books related to travel. I wrote a blog post all about my favorite books and other books travelers love so be sure to check it out for some great gift ideas.
11. Lonely Planet’s: “Where to Go When”
For those who can’t make up their mind on where they want to go next. Lonely Planet has some nifty coffee table books like this one that outlines where to go depending on the time of year. This book is where a lot of my trip planning begins.
12. Kindle
While we’re on the subject…Kindles are amazing. & they make a great gift.
13. A Nice Thick Journal
Us travelers tend to be creatives. Which typically means a lot of reading, writing, or drawing. Personally, I bring along my massive faded yellow journal & write every evening. I find it helps me remember my trips better & capture the moments even better than photos do.
14. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Adventure comes with a lot of time spent on airplanes, trains, and buses. This means either reading, music, podcasts, or a combination of the three will be necessary for survival. A good pair of noise-canceling headphones is pretty much the only way they’ll hear their favorite podcasts over the chatter of other passengers.
15. Or Apple Airpods Pro
If bulky headphones aren’t their thing then go for a smaller, easier to pack option.
16. Lively Bras
Bras suck. I tend to forgo them altogether. Free the nipple and all that jazz. But Lively bras don’t suck. In fact, they are supportive, comfortable, and still flattering. I would call them more of a ‘bralette’ rather than your typical bra. Either way, they pack easily & are the closest thing in comfort to not wearing one.
17. Scratch Map
One of my favorite home decor items we own! & we got it as a gift. Scratch-off maps let avid travelers see their progress as they explore the globe.
18. Photo Lens for iPhone
We love our DSLR camera but nowadays a lot of travelers just snap pics with their phone. These neat lenses on Amazon will step up their photo game. (I recommend the wide-angle.)
19. Columbia Fleece Jacket
They’ll love these cosy jackets. Warm, comfy, & depending on the trip it’s the only jacket they will need. I have a bright blue one I practically live in & take with me on every trip.
20. Small Portable Speaker
For those who tend to hit the beaches. There’s nothing better than laying on a tropical beach and getting to listen to your very own relaxation playlist. Even if beaches aren’t their thing they can also use it while hiking or while they’re chillin’ in the room at the end of the night.
21. Fitbit
I want a FitBit so badly. Being able to accurately track your steps, monitor your sleep patterns, & keep yourself healthy while traveling is a must.
22. Bendy Camera Tripod
Getting a tripod as a backpacker is tricky. Since we often are carry-on only travelers they have to pass all airline’s strict carry-on policies (lookin’ at you Indonesia). This tripod works well, is allowed on all aircraft, & you can fit it easily in any backpack.
23. Merrel Hiking Books
Merrels are the best out there when it comes to ready-to-use hiking boots. I like the taller ankle height hiking boots for the extra support but they have shorter ones and water shoes as well.
24. Allbirds
Shopping for an eco-friendly traveler? These lightweight tennis shoes are cute enough to pass in all social situations and make a great day shoe for men & women. You can get them in either wool or bamboo material & in a ton of colors. I recommend the bamboo unless they are planning on visiting very cold climates.
Looking for Some Stocking Stuffers?
Need a few small holiday gift ideas for your favorite traveler? Grab them any of these essentials for under $20 to fill their stocking.
25. International Travel Plug Adapter
Trust me, they need one. Across the world there are many different outlet styles, this lets them use their existing devices in all of them.
26. Portable Battery Banks
You can never have enough juice. We travel with at least two.
27. Shampoo Bars
These bars last wayyyy longer than regular gel shampoo. & they are way better for the environment too.
28. Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Traditional sunscreen is bleaching the coral reefs! & some countries (Australia) prohibit the use of regular sunscreen. We’ve tried 6 different reef-safe sunscreens & this was our personal favorite. No one likes to spend money on sunscreen for themselves either so that makes it a great gift!
29. Bamboo Socks
These bamboo fiber socks are super durable, good for the environment, & good for backpackers because they are anti-microbial. Which basically means they take a lot longer to smell.
30. Travel Themed Masks
Unfortunately, we could all use a few more masks at this point. You can find one that’s travel-themed & they can tout them while daydreaming about when they can leave the country again.
I hope this list of useful holiday gifts for travelers helps make your holiday shopping go a little smoother because we could all use a stress-free holiday season.
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