Travel Gear & Gifts
Check out these products and resources that I personally use, love and recommend. Please note that many of the links below are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can also check out our blog post 20+ Travel Gift Ideas (that they will actually use).
*NEW* - Now you can give the gift of travel planning by purchasing a Global Game Plan Gift Card!
Travel Bags for Every Situation
from the best travel luggage brands!
Pacsafe Anti Theft Laptop Daypack / Backpack
This 15 liter backpack is my go-to for city travel due to the protection it provides against pickpockets on public transportation and in crowded areas. Also works as a day pack for any type of trip. It comes in a variety of sizes and styles.
Away Rolling Suitcases
If you’re looking for a high-quality roller bag, this is it! Multiple sizes allow for you to check this luggage or use it as a carry-on. Buy more than one in the same color, or mix and match.
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack
This pack holds sooo much stuff in organized compartments. Well-made, durable, weather-resistant and perfect for weekend trips. Also comes in 35L, 42L, 50L and 70L sizes.
Everyday Lightweight Tote
A perfect bag for the beach - it’s durable and zips at the top. Comes in two sizes, several colors and is easily packed in your main travel luggage.
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack
A very useful combination of a backpack and a regular tote bag. Worked great on my recent safari/beach travels! It truly is lightweight - and easy to pack in your main travel luggage.
Bataan 3L Fanny Pack - Del
DÍA
Made with repurposed fabric, there are tons of colors to choose from. Use this to carry your essentials for short or long trips like a neighborhood walk or a stop at the grocery store. A pandemic essential!
Unique Travel Accessories for Organization
Packing Cubes
I started using these a few years ago for electronics, socks, undergarments, shirts and shorts. They save space and help keep you organized. And, if you share a suitcase or are packing for the whole family, you can buy multiple sets in different colors.
Travel Shoe Bags
Much better than using a plastic grocery store bag! Fits many shoe sizes and prevents dirt on the bottom of shoes from spreading all over your suitcase. They can also be used for makeup, toiletries and for carrying shoes to and from the gym. The lightweight design and center zipper are convenient, and the nylon fabric is waterproof.
Laundry Bag
Great for separating clean and dirty clothes on your trip. When you get home, just take the bag right to your washing machine. Get ahead of the laundry game and buy two – one for light clothes and one for dark-colored clothes. Try a smaller, travel-size bag if you’re going on a shorter trip.
Waterproof Watch
This inexpensive watch that comes in a variety of sizes and colors is perfect for a hike, watersports, safari or many other types of vacations.
LED Nightlights (Kids and Adults)
Use these nightlights with a built in sensor to light your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. They come in a multi-pack which is awesome in case you leave one behind on a trip. =)
Yeti Cooler
If you’ve never tried a YETI cooler, you are really missing out. Superior technology provides cooling for your drinks and food much longer than expected. Coolers come in hard or soft material in multiple sizes and YETI makes tons of other products like tumblers, water bottles and even bowls for your dog.
Footwear
Keen Hiking Boots
Whether you prefer high top hiking boots or low top, men’s or women’s hiking boots (or hiking boots for kids), Keen is a strong and long-lasting brand. I’ve traveled with mine all over the world for over 10 years! Choose from a variety of styles and colors. Don’t forget your hiking socks!
Birkenstock EVA
A casual, comfortable shoe to wear to the pool, beach, around the house or in the backyard. Multiple styles and colors are available in this awesome EVA material.
Yaktrax
A must-have item for winter hiking with icy terrain. Put on your Yaktrax over your winter boots or hiking boots for extra safety on the winter trails. Be sure to purchase the trax that includes the strap over the top of your boots.
Compression socks
Very helpful for your circulation on international flights (or longer domestic flights). They come in lots of styles, sizes and colors for everyone in the family. Read the Travel Channel’s article on Why You Should Wear Compression Socks on Your Next Flight.
Buy on Comrad
Electronics & Travel Gadgets
Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you’re travelling on an airplane there’s nothing better than noise cancelling headphones to drown out the sound of, well, everything. Also great for listening to music in a crowded coffee shop.
Headphone Adapter/Charger for iPhone
Listen to music while your phone is charging. If you have a newer iPhone and your headphones have a regular headphone jack, you WILL NEED an adapter. This one works great because it’s also a charger! Extremely helpful for airplane flights.
Portable Phone Charger
A must-have for when you are out and about for long periods of time. When searching for the best charger, the main things to consider are: a) the weight and size (you want it to fit easily in your purse or pocket); and b) the amount of the "charge" it will give your phone...this one is 10000mAh which is a strong choice for its small size and light weight.
Ultra Mini Travel Fan
This fan is a perfect size to carry on the airplane or keep in your purse. Produces a cool breeze on the plane, in the subway or other stuffy areas.
Headphone Splitter
For sharing headphones to watch a movie while you travel. Not always necessary but you'd be surprised at how handy it comes in - also a backup if your movie screen or a headphone jack isn't working on the airplane or your kids are sharing one device.
For Photography Lovers
Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera
Nervous about using your smartphone near water or on an adventurous trip? I have used this camera snorkeling, kayaking, and in normal settings where I just want to use a “regular” camera with a solid flash.
SD Memory Card Reader
Transfers pictures taken on your camera to your iPhone for easy sharing on social media. This comes in handy, even if your camera has WiFi. Check to be sure your phone model number and operating system are compatible with this item.
Joby Gorillla Pod for Point & Shoot Cameras
Take pictures on a timer, use it as a selfie stick or move the gorilla pod’s legs around a nearby object for creating photo taking. Lightweight and portable. Larger pods are available for different sized cameras.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 Instant Film Camera
Really fun for kids or adults and an homage to the old fashioned Polaroid of your youth. Wonderful starter camera for kids. Don’t forget to buy the (wide) film, a case and extra batteries.
Also fun to include in a wedding photo booth or at birthday parties for adults and kids.
Fuji Instax Instant Camera
Really fun for kids or adults and an homage to the old fashioned Polaroid of your youth. Wonderful starter camera for kids. Don’t forget to buy the film, a case and extra batteries.
Also fun to include in a wedding photo booth or at birthday parties for adults and kids.
Fuji Instax Mobile Printer
Use your cell phone to take pictures AND create a hard copy souvenir for yourself or your friends. Film sold separately.
Unique & Beautiful Photo Books
Create your own photobook online with this easy-to-use company. You can choose from a large variety of colors and themes and there are typically coupons available.
Popular Photo Books & Gifts
Shutterfly offers photobooks, prints, cards, stationery and more. They almost always have discount codes available on their website.
Convenient Photo Gifts
My go-to site for printed photo gifts that can be picked up in person (but ordered online in advance). Multiple locations all over the United States. Great for birthday and holiday gifts.
Check out all of your options with this Quick Guide to Travel Camera Gifts.
Unique Travel Gifts
Polar Pen Pals
Join the Polar Pen Pal program, where you will explore Inuit culture in the arctic through exciting, educational monthly games and activities for kids ages 5-12. Choose from gift options for monthly subscriptions, downloadable pdf documents and much more
Universal Yums! Box
A monthly subscription box for the whole family to enjoy! Snacks, candy and trivia galore. After 3+ years of receiving this, my family still looks forward to the arrival of these unique and tasty treats. CLICK HERE to see all your ordering options.
Atlas Coffee Club
A monthly coffee subscription featuring freshly roasted coffee, flavor notes, a postcard, and brewing tips. CLICK HERE to receive $10 off your first order after you sign up.
Ship your favorite restaurant meals and treats
Foods from your favorite U.S. restaurants shipped nationwide. It’s a pricey but unique service for yourself or to give as a gift. They have everything from gourmet cookie dough to lobster rolls. Your mouth will start watering after you CLICK HERE.
Handmade, crafted and custom gifts
Tons of travel-related gifts or helpful travel products (such as printable road trip games). A great way to purchase a personalized gift from a small business. CLICK HERE to start your awesome shopping experience.
Global Game Plan Gift Cards
Give the gift of travel planning! We are now offering digital gift cards for our Vacation Rental Search and Travel Planning Research services. They are perfect for the holiday season or anytime throughout the year.
AFAR
AFAR is a travel and vacation magazine that guides and inspires those who travel the world to connect with its people, experience their cultures and understand their perspectives.
Published Bi-Monthly | 6 issues per year
Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure is your travel and vacation companion for the adventure of a lifetime - from the comfort of home or flying at 40,000 feet above to your dream vacation destination.
Published Monthly |12 issues per year
Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler is a travel and vacation magazine that inspires travel to destinations in nearby familiar territory or to faraway exotic locations and strives to help travelers feel at home wherever their travels take them.
Published Seasonally | 8 issues per year
To find discount magazine subscriptions for other areas of travel as well as food & wine, sports, health, animals, technology and many more categories, CLICK HERE.
Related blog post: 20+ Travel Gifts (That They Will Actually Use)