Dec 12, 2024 • 5 min read
The best travel gadgets and gear gifts for 2023
Dec 8, 2023 • 4 min read
Find the perfect gift for a tech-y traveler
ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ staffers try out a lot of different gear on our travels, but there are just certain items we think truly make a difference in the life of an avid traveler. Whether it's a camera that makes our travels a little more whimsical, or something to help get that bottle of wine or olive oil back home without breaking, these items have helped us on the road.
If you're looking for the perfect gift for the on-the-go traveler in your life, look no further than our list of favorites.
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack
Recommended by Becca Hunt, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ publisher: illustrated and gift
$99
The is the perfect super light, durable, stuffable tote/backpack for travel of all kinds – day hikes, city walks, or as a carry-on. Pack it in your suitcase for every trip.
iClever BK05 Folding Bluetooth Keyboard
Recommended by Alexander Howard, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ managing editor
$48
For the traveler who can’t turn off email, the lightweight, foldable keyboard gets the job done (but seriously, set your OOO).
The North Face Bright Yellow Base Camp Duffel
Recommended by Fionnuala McCarthy, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ editorial director
$135
You won’t have any trouble identifying your bag on the luggage carousel. This soft can be carried as a backpack or by the handles, which is way preferable to a hard case in my opinion.
Apple's World Travel Adapter Kit
Recommended by Melissa Yeager, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ senior editor
$29
I recently learned that Apple sells this that gives you all their worldwide plugs. I love that this saves you from needing a converter so you can plug in your Apple devices directly — without fear of damaging them.
Polaroid camera
Recommended by Sarah Stocking, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ digital editor
From $100
This is certainly an extra item for a traveler's bag, but it's . Snap photos of travelers you meet a long the way and share the print with them, or add the print to your journal, incorporating art and words to have a unique keepsake of your trip.
Wine Wings reusable bottle protectors
Recommended by Melissa Yeager, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ senior editor
$20
If you’re looking to bring home wine, spirits, olive oil or other liquids in glass from your travels, . Pack the bottle inside and zip it closed. It’s now cushioned for the flight and if it happens to break, it won’t leak on the contents of your luggage.
Sonos Roam portable speaker
Recommended by Sasha Brady, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ digital editor
$179
Take your tunes on the go with this . It’s incredibly lightweight at a teeny 1 pound and was designed to be suitable for adventures in all sorts of landscapes — from the beach to the campsite and snow — with a solid dust and water-resistant IP67 rating. It has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, sounds great and comes with a decent 10-hour battery life.
FSTravelP worldwide travel adaptor
Recommended by Fionnuala McCarthy, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ editorial director
$30
I know this is not sexy, and no one is going to shriek with delight when they unwrap it, but by a traveler for years. It works in every country, is a neat size and you can charge multiple devices at once. It also comes with a mini carry bag that might make it easier not to leave behind.
Aer Cable Kit 2
Recommended by Alexander Howard, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ managing editor
$50
Keep track of all your cables (we're not totally wireless just yet) while on the road with . There are multiple pockets to keep things nice and orderly and a padded interior for protection.
LensPen lens cleaners
Recommended by Erin Lenczycki, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ photo editor
From $10
My camera lens and phone seem to always be smudged, and even if I pack thirty microfiber cloths, I never seem to have a clean one. So is a life-saver for me: it's tiny, cheap, and so much better than a t-shirt. I also use it on my glasses daily!
Patagonia Endless Ride liner shorts
Recommended by Ben Buckner, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ senior editor, sponsored content
$99
These padded shorts – available in styles for and – will definitely save your butt when out on a bike. A chamois pad in just the right place takes the pressure off, but the nylon-spandex material elsewhere is light and grippy. You'll never go off-road on a bike without them again.
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