There are many ways to celebrate the holidays, but one of the most common is flying to see friends and family. Of course, there are also others who choose to go to the far corners of the Earth in an effort to avoid as many people as possible. There is, however, one constant between them: travel.
Since this is the time of year when we give to one another, it matters not whether the person you’re buying for is headed home for a spell or if they’re running far away from everything and everyone. What’s more important is realizing that gifting them some solid travel gear is certainly one of your better options. With that in mind, we’ve collected 15 of the best travel gifts you can purchase this holiday season for less than $100.
Wahl LifeProof Rechargeable Shaver
With its rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, 90 minutes of shaving time per charge and virtually indestructible shock-proof housing, the Wahl LifeProof Shaver might be the ultimate on-the-go shaving device ever made. It can be used dry or wet, and its shaver heads with both symmetrical and asymmetrical foil patterns lift and cut hairs no matter which direction they are growing to give you the smoothest shave with the fewest passes.
Carry On Cocktail Kit
W & P Design have certainly made a name for themselves with their series of Carry-On Cocktail Kits. But that hasn’t kept them from expanding their catalogue in brilliant fashion. Whether you want a Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, or just a classic Old Fashioned, all you have to do is stash this kit in your bag or pocket and then order a little airline bottle of liquor and you’re all set.
Steamfast Mini Travel Steam Iron
Nothing wrinkles clothes quite as badly as air travel — whether you’re wearing them or have safely tucked them away in your checked luggage. And that’s why we think everyone should also bring along with them the Steamfast Mini Travel Iron. It’s compact enough that it hardly takes up any space at all, but it will let you keep all of your outfits looking sharp no matter where you’re traveling.
Atlas Obscura Book
Most travel books can tell you about the hot spots wherever you’re headed. But, if you’re more interested in the odd, off-the-beaten-path types of adventures, toss out the old guides and swap in the Atlas Obscura. From Turkmenistan’s terrifying “Gates of Hell” to New Zealand’s gorgeous glow worm caves, this book proves that sometimes the best sights are those that are often unseen by the traveling masses.
Twelve South PlugBug Duo Power Adapter
If you’re even lucky enough to find a spare outlet in the airport, you might find yourself frustrated trying to decide which piece of high-tech gear deserves to be charged. Of course, that can all be avoided if you have the Twelve South PlugBug Duo. This Apple-style adapter will allow you to charge your MacBook, as well as two other USB-rechargeable high-tech items — and it will do it all with just one two-prong outlet.
Nomad Ultra Rugged Lightning Battery Cable
Of course, sometimes an outlet isn’t available while you’re out and about. In that case, your charging cables won’t do you much good — unless one of them is the Nomad Ultra Rugged Lightning Battery Cable. Not only is this bad boy super tough — thanks to a ballistic nylon exterior, PVC cable jacket, RF shield, and Kevlar core — but it also houses a 2,350mAh battery that can charge your gear up even if it’s not plugged into the wall.
EDC Card Multi-Tool
Despite the fact that this multi-tool boasts 30+ built-in functions — which include from hex drivers, a bottle opener, imperial and metric ruler markings, and so much more — and has a construction of military-grade S35VN blade steel, it’s also completely TSA-compliant. Furthermore, it’s sized similarly to a credit card (so it can fit in your wallet) and it’s made here in the USA.
Victorinox Jetsetter@Work Swiss Army Knife
Victorinox has a massively comprehensive catalogue of Swiss Army Knives. It’s so far-reaching, in fact, that you can probably find an appropriate tool for just about any job or occasion — even travel. That’s where the Jetsetter@Work comes in. This handy folding multi-tool boasts a bevy of features perfect for air travel, including a 16GB flash drive, small spring-loaded scissors, a Phillips screwdriver, a bottle opener, and more. It’s also totally TSA-compliant.
Roark Revival Layover Travel Shorts
Any frequent traveler can tell you that your choice of attire can make or break your comfort — especially on long transcontinental or international flights. And that’s why the folks at Roark Revival made their Layover Travel Shorts. These comfy trunks are lightweight, have a drawstring waist for extra comfort, and even boast a whole host of organizational pockets for your everyday carry, tickets and passport, and whatever other small items you hope to stash.
Heimplanet Monolith Dopp Kit
Whereas most Dopp kits are little more than zippered sacks in which you stuff your toiletries, the Heimplanet Monolith is much more refined and organization-friendly. Not only does it feature a dual pocket design but it also has several other sub-pockets, it can stand on the counter or hang from the wall, and it even comes with a removable shaving mirror — in case you find yourself in a hostel or campsite that doesn’t otherwise have one.
Sony Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones
You don’t have to drop hundreds of dollars to get worthwhile travel headphones, so long as you opt for Sony’s Extra Bass Bluetooth offerings. As you can gather from its name, this headset is completely wireless, can run for up to 30 hours between charges, has a built-in microphone so you can even take calls, and — of course — gives you a full and rich spectrum of sound.
LaCie Rugged External Hard Drive
Not everybody needs to transfer data to and from their destination in physical form — but if you do, you’re in luck. The LaCie Rugged External Hard Drive can be purchased with between 1-4 terabytes of storage space, but it’s also incredibly tough. And we mean tough: it can survive drops of up to four feet, it’s dust- and water-resistant, and it can even resist being crushed by the good folks handling your baggage.
Matador Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack
Especially if you’re traveling internationally, you’ll probably want to have both a larger checked bag and also a smaller daypack for your short-form outings. And you can do no better in the latter department than the Matador Beast28. Not only can this bag pack down to a size smaller than a football, but it is also remarkably tough with its water-resistant polyurethane-coated ripstop nylon exterior and hydration bladder compatibility, making it perfect for hiking in exotic locales.
American Bench Craft The Hemingway Journal
The written word is a dying art, but it’s still the best way to scrawl and remember all of your best ideas, those phone numbers you hope to keep, and any other important information. Of course, you shouldn’t just haul around a wad of crumpled papers in your pockets, especially when there are other options — like the American Bench Craft Hemingway Journal. Made from premium leather and boasting brass rivets, this handsome pocket notebook is as beautiful as it is handy.
Allbirds Tree Runner Sneakers
Just as your clothing itself is important to travel comfort, so is your footwear. And that extends not just to your flights but to your adventures that come afterward as well. Lucky for you, the Allbirds Tree Runner Sneakers are incredibly stylish but also insanely lightweight and comfortable — making them one of the best travel shoes out there. They’re also made entirely from sustainable materials, which is a welcome added bonus.
Bellroy Passport Sleeve Wallet
If you’re going to travel internationally, you won’t get very far without your passport. Of course, it also doesn’t make a ton of sense to carry around a passport case and a standard wallet. But that’s why Bellroy made their Passport Sleeve. This pocketable carrier can fit your passport, 2-4 cards, and even has a handy micro travel pen for whenever you need to sign anything or write something down. And all of that comes wrapped in gorgeous environmentally-certified premium leather.
20 Best Carry-On Backpacks For Travel
Wherever you’re headed, you’re gonna need a vessel in which to keep your gear. But if you’re hoping to keep everything in the cabin alongside you, you’ll want to pick from our list of the 20 best carry-on travel backpacks for your next adventure.
