30 gift ideas for anyone who loves to travel
From sustainably sourced cashmere sweaters for chilly planes to a smokeless fire pit for camping, we’ve got holiday wish lists covered.
Nothing excites us more than exploring the world—even if we’re just visiting our local park. But while many trips take little more than a comfortable pair of shoes and a sturdy backpack, the right kit can enhance the experience and may even inspire future journeys.
This year, we sifted through hundreds of products that do just that. From battery-operated toothbrushes to things we didn’t even know we needed (multi-tool anyone?), these products sparked excitement and prepared us for journeys near and far. The best part? Many make great gifts. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or another traveler in your life, start with our favorites from the year.
The best tech and gear gifts
Apple AirTag 4 Pack
Buy it now on Amazon
One thing we’ve learned from all our travels is that your bags will get lost at some point. These bestsellers are small enough to stash in wallets and powerful enough to keep tabs on checked suitcases. They rarely go on sale, but when they do, they’re worth grabbing.
Anker Prime 67W USB C Charger
Buy it now on Amazon
There are plenty of portable chargers out there, but we like this one for its compact size and no-fuss operation. With both USB A and C types, this model can handle up to three devices at a fast clip.
Nitecore NB10000 Gen II (Gen 2) Ultra-Slim Power Bank
Buy it now on Amazon
When you don’t have space for a block, this slim power bank can step in. We love its light weight yet robust build for hiking trips, pass-through charging, and low current mode designed to protect electronics with small batteries, like watches.
(Here are a few more great portable chargers.)
Nocs Provisions Field Issue 10x32 Binoculars
Buy it now at Nocs Provisions
A perennial favorite, these binoculars are ideal for beginners and advanced wildlife watchers. We like them so much, we featured them in our best travel gear for 2024 and birding essentials lists.
Kodak Pixpro FZ55 camera
Buy it now on Amazon
At under $200, this slim little camera makes a great gift for someone starting out in photography or for snapping fun pics while exploring. It comes in four colors, but the red one pops.
(These are our favorite point-and-shoot cameras)
The best gifts for camping
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Rechargeable Adventure EX-Series EX90 and Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent Aerosol
Buy it now on Amazon
Buy it now on Amazon
A camper’s packing list isn’t complete without protection from biting insects. This is a great time to wrap up a rechargeable tabletop mosquito repellent for weekends at the cabin or a stocking stuffer spray for hitting the trails.
Swedish Dishcloth Cellulose Sponge Cloths
Buy it now on Amazon
These reusable cloths are wonders for sopping up messes in the kitchen, but they’re equally great on the road. They come in a pack of 10 in bright colors, so they’re easy to spot among the rest of your gear.
Earthly Co. Reusable Paper Towels
Buy it now on Amazon
Made with 100 percent cotton flannel, these reusable paper towels are ideal for camping trips to national parks or anyplace where it’s important to “leave no trace.” We love the pretty patterns and large size.
Black & Decker Smokeless Wood-Burning Steel Fire Pit
Buy it now on Amazon
At just 14 pounds and under $100, this petite model made our list for best budget smokeless fire pit. We love the powder-coated exterior lending it a modern matte look, insulated walls, and carrying case.
(Camping for the first time? Here’s everything you need.)
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
Buy it now on Amazon
Campers who need their morning caffeine boost may like this travel coffee press. It’s slim for easy packing, rinses clean, and comes with filters.
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 7th Edition
Buy it now on Amazon
If you’re anything like us, you love to pack a good book. This one is great to have handy while camping or hiking, especially if you’re on the lookout for a particular “life list” bird. It’s filled with hand-painted illustrations, maps, and taxonomy for all 1,023 species.
Cavallini Papers & Co. National Parks 1,000 Piece Puzzle
Buy it now on Amazon
Featuring archival Cavallini images, this reader favorite makes a beautiful gift for a mountain getaway, especially in the winter. It comes in a pretty 10-inch tube with a muslin bag for toting.
The best clothes & accessories for traveling
Unbound Merino Men’s Travel Pants and T-shirt Bundle
Buy it now at Unbound Merino
Not only is this merino wool set comfortable for long days of travel, it resists wrinkling. We like that the pants have a structured look making this outfit a bit more pulled together than just sweatpants and a tee.
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Straight Leg Pant
Buy it now at Quince
Cashmere is ideal for travelers—it’s naturally breathable, wrinkle-free, and helps regulate body temperature. We especially appreciate that these pants are made from sustainably sourced cashmere.
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie - Women’s
Buy it now at REI
This lightweight hoodie is made with a stretchy knit fabric that helps wick away moisture. Even better? The fabric has UPF 50+ sun protection that’s perfect for the hikers on your gift list.
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat
Buy it now at REI
This hat goes with lots of outfits and has extra sun protection at UPF50+. It also packs down to fit easily into a carry-on or suitcase, with a wire rim that you can shape back into place when you’re ready to pop it on.
(Protect your skin with these comfortable sun shirts.)
Naadam Reversible Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Buy it now at Naadam
This sweater makes a great travel staple because you can extend its wearability. It also comes in lots of flattering colors, from basic black to jewel-tone jade.
Ostrich Pillow Compression Socks
Buy it now on Amazon
One thing that helps us get through long flights is a good pair of compression socks. This pair is made from soft, sustainable bamboo and has a cushioned sole.
The best shoes
Hoka Women’s Bondi 8
Buy it now at Hoka
A perennial favorite, the Hoka Bondi 8 made our list for best walking shoe for its plush cushioning and stability so you can go for longer strolls.
On Running Men’s Cloudaway
Buy it now at On Running
At under $100, this pair not only makes a great gift, it also topped our list for best walking shoes for men. With a breathable mesh upper and excellent traction, these shoes are designed for comfortable walks.
Hoka Ora Recovery Shoe
Buy it now at Hoka
A good pair of recovery shoes can help tired feet after a long day of exploring. This pair was our top choice for recovery shoes for its oversized midsole and “MetaRocker” design that helps reduce fatigue.
The best bags and luggage
Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Spinner
Buy it now at Samsonite
This carry-on has everything a traveler could want—four multidirectional spinner wheels, a panel divider that helps with compression, lots of pockets, and it expands up to an inch. It was also our top choice for carry-ons.
Quince Carry-On Plus Polycarbonate Suitcase
Buy it now at Quince
Our budget choice for best carry-on looks expensive, with its matte polycarbonate shell, four spinner wheels, a comfortable rubber handle, and compression panels.
Patagonia Atom Tote
Buy it now at Patagonia
Everyone needs a sturdy backpack. This one is small enough to fit under an airplane seat, yet roomy enough to fit essentials. It also has a padded laptop sleeve and a hydration bladder pass-through for hiking.
(Need a new backpack? Here are 8 of our favorites.)
The best travel essentials
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 50+
Buy it now on Amazon
A good sunscreen is a traveler’s best friend. This one is reef-safe, water-resistant, and doesn’t have any fragrances, making it a great choice for most people.
Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan
Buy it now on Amazon
This fan looks cute but it’s surprisingly handy. It’s a fan, a flashlight, and a power bank that offers up to 19 hours of battery life on a single charge, according to the maker.
Manta Sleep Mask
Buy it now on Amazon
We think sleep masks are essential for helping us get some rest while traveling. With deep, adjustable eye cups and comfortable elastic straps, this is one of our top choices.
Alaska Bear Sleep Mask
Buy it now on Amazon
If your traveler likes to listen to sleep stories via headphones, try this sleep mask. It has an elastic strap that fits well over headphones and a nose wire to keep it snug over the eyes.
Leatherman Arc Multi-Tool
Buy it now at Leatherman
Every roadtripper and camper can do with a multi-tool. These little all-in-ones can do it all—tighten a bolt, trim a branch, pull a nail. This one feels good in the hand and packs 20 tools.
