The Best Travel Gifts in 2024, According to Three Professional Travelers
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Surveying the world of gift options for a frequent traveler may seem like an arduous journey, but this guide will help you choose a gift that will soon become one of their travel essentials. Whether they are pursuing adventures across the world or jetting off for business, a thoughtful gift can make their journey smoother and more enjoyable. It will also save them precious extra funds to spend while enjoying their trip. From top-rated luggage and access to expert-crafted itineraries, to sustainable toiletries and water purifiers, there are many options that can transform travel into a more comfortable, safe, and stress-free experience.
Below, find a list of travel must-haves according to three professional travelers: Nina Boys (VP, Sustainability at Beyond Green), Jason Moore (Host of Zero to Travel podcast), and Gareth Leonard (“Adventure Capitalist” and Travel YouTuber). If you are shopping for a wanderlusting loved one this year, these selections below will help them take their adventures to new heights, wherever the wind blows them next. Once you’re done, check out more of the best gifts to buy this holiday season here.
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GeoPress Purifier
“Traveling with reusable water bottles is a no-brainer for eliminating single-use plastics while on the road,” says Nina Boys, the VP of Sustainability at Beyond Green and a leader in the sustainable tourism space. “But what if your bottle also doubled as a purifier capable of turning even the most questionable of fresh water sources into safe-to-drink filtered water in seconds?”
“Enter the GRAYL GeoPress Purifier. Lightweight to carry, easy to use, and endlessly durable in any terrain – from the airport to the back of beyond – this is an essential tool in my own adventures and an impeccable gift of hydration for that intrepid friend or family member who is always getting off the beaten path.”
Nina recalls a fond memory of using her GRAYL GeoPress Purifier in her rustic seaside cabaña in the remote coastal desertscape of La Guajira, Colombia. She reminisces, “I filtered water to steep a morning cup of local coffee that I enjoyed from the comfort of my hammock while watching fishermen carry in nets full of the day’s first catch illuminated by the fiery hues of a fresh sunrise. Who needs electricity or cell service when you have all this?” Mic drop, please…
Om 4-in-1 Lather Bar
Another one of Boys’ travel essentials is the Om Organics Pink Coconut 4-in-1 Lather Bar, which helps her consolidate her toiletry bag without compromising quality. “Replacing shampoo, conditioner, body wash and shaving cream in one all-natural solution packed with organic ingredients and delivered in plastic-free packaging, this eco-friendly powerhouse passes the TSA carry-on test and eliminates the need to crack open single-use products while on the go,” she says.
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You can also feel good knowing that you’re supporting a small woman-owned business committed to sustainable practices and ethical production – a true holiday win-win.”
Over the past two months, Boys and her 4-in-1 Later Bar have traveled to a wide range of destinations, including a Catalan wedding celebration, a work trip along the Norwegian fjords and a climate change conference in Azerbaijan. “The further I go, the clearer it is that when it comes to personal beauty products, sometimes less is more.”
El Camino Travel Membership
Boys’ final recommendation for a frequent traveler gift is a membership to El Camino Travel, which she says is her first-stop shop for planning trips because it helps her “craft expert-level travel itineraries full of hidden gems, local restaurants, and alternative adventures.”
According to Boys, this gift is “aligned with the philosophy that experiences are more valuable than possessions,” adding that the service provides ample travel resources, including curated city guides crafted by an in-the-know network of industry professionals, destination experts and fellow explorers who are ready to share vetted recommendations on how to dive deeply – and responsibly – into cultural and community experiences around the world. The company is focused on empowering women travelers, and is open to members that respect their Community Guidelines.
One time, Boys used the platform to connect with a local Colombian couple to visit their personal jungle sauna, where she enjoyed the sauna along with her own cascading waterfall, rock pools for floating, and a symphony of flora and fauna. As she enjoyed a cup of tea to cap off the memorable experience, she said she “silently thanked the El Camino Travel community for leading [her] off the beaten path into a restorative jungle paradise [she] would have never discovered on [her] own.”
LifeStraw Go Series
Jason Moore, the host of the Zero to Travel podcast, agrees with Boys about the importance of a portable water purification system. “Single-use plastic bottles are a terrible choice for travelers, but what do you do when the country you are visiting doesn’t have safe drinking water?” Moore says.
“My friends Mike and Anne are on the world’s longest honeymoon and after 10+ years of travel and 80+ countries, they have yet to use a single plastic bottle. How? They travel with a Steripen, a portable water purifier that uses UV technology to make drinking water safe. I have the Lifestraw Go Series which offers a different style of purifier. Whatever style you choose, this gift saves travelers money on buying water while also saving on plastic waste, a true win-win.”
Moon Travel Books
“Buying a guidebook is an amazing way to help someone bring a trip out of the dream phase and into reality.” Moore says. “Not only that, it shows that you’ve been listening to their dreams and that you actively support them. There is something special about the physicality of a guidebook that the internet can never replace. Readers can skip around and dive deeper into whatever unique experiences catch their eye. By providing maps, practical advice, history, and insight into a destination’s culture, guidebooks offer an affordable stepping stone to real travel while making the leap easier.”
Moore’s favorites are Moon Travel Guides, which offer destination-specific titles, iconic adventures like Route 66, and unique themed trips like their Baseball Road Trips guide.
Unbound Merino Apparel
Merino wool apparel is a staple in Moore’s travel wardrobe and would make an amazing gift for a frequent traveler, too. “Moving to Norway reinforced something I learned during my travels in Patagonia and other wild weather destinations: Merino wool rocks,” he says. “It’s comfortable, never wrinkles, doesn’t get smelly, dries fast, and can help regulate your temperature in all seasons (yes, even the summer!) making it perfect for travel and home use.”
“Unbound Merino has an awesome Compact Travel Hoodie and light, stylish Merino wool t-shirts that make packing a breeze,” he says, adding that wool is biodegradable, which is more than a side benefit. We all need to be more mindful of the waste we generate as consumers.”
Dakine Split Roller 85L – Carbon, One Size
For the past 15 years, the Dakine Split Roller Suitcase has been a travel companion to travel Youtuber Gareth Leonard, the founder of “Adventure Capitalist.” “It’s durable, functional, and the designs stick out from the sea of generic black luggage,” he says.
This versatile suitcase comes in two different sizes, 85 L and 110 L, and also features a split-level design that allows easy access to multiple large compartments. Leonard says he’ll never use anything else. When a trip calls for a little bit of everything, this bag makes getting it all in there easy.
Gold Bond Men’s Essentials Talc-Free Body Powder
Perhaps not the most glamorous item on this list, but definitely the most practical: GoldBond Body Powder. This is an absolute essential in Leonard’s toiletry bag when he travels. “If you know, you know,” he says. “On long travel days or sweaty adventures, it is very important to stay cool and dry. From the armpits, under bits, and right down to the feet, this is a lifesaver.”
He says this item is a must-have for long, hot days out exploring the world, from Latin America to Southeast Asia and beyond. This gift would make an excellent stocking stuffer for a frequent traveler who chases warm-weather destinations.
Reef Sandals
According to Leonard, “Every seasoned traveler knows the importance of a quality sandal.”
“Whether you have to survive a public shower or just need to let the puppies breathe, it’s essential to stash a good pair,” he says.
He recommends Reef Twinpins, which are cushioned and water-friendly, perfect for taking a long stroll to the beach or just wearing around town. These shoes could quite possibly become your frequent traveler’s next most worn item.
Anker Power Bank
Last but not least, a reliable portable charger is a critical item on any frequent traveler’s packing list and would be another perfect stocking stuffer. Leonard recommends the Anker Power Bank (PowerCore 10K), explaining that as a full-time videographer and travel YouTuber, he “needs to have an emergency power stash at all times.”
This portable charger is slim and lightweight, yet has a very solid charging capacity. It’s highly durable and versatile for charging different types of devices, too. Check out more of the best portable chargers for traveling here.
