The 15 Best Gifts for the Urban Commuter

Commuting to work every day isn’t always the easiest travail. And if you’re going back and forth in an urban environment, chances are you’re opting for the subway, bus, bike, or even your own two feet. You’ll often be asked to withstand rain, snow, or just plain cold weather, so you’d better be prepared. If you or someone you know endures this trek each and every day, this gift guide is for you. Here are the best gifts for the urban commuter.

Black Mile The Mile Two 

Following the successful release of its Mile One travel bag, Black Mile listened to feedback from customers to make it even more impressive. Benefitting from the lightweight, rugged strength of Dyneema, the Mile Two now includes a waterproof zipper on the rolltop for extra security, better strap adjustability, and robust grab handles so you can also carry this like a duffel bag. And with 50L of total space when utilizing both compartments, this bag will serve you well on your unpredictable urban commute.

GAK. Stone Paper Waterproof Spiral Notebook

If you’re going to be commuting in unpredictable weather or simply afraid of spilling your coffee on the train, get yourself this waterproof spiral notebook from GAK. Measuring 7.20”x10.11”, the book comes with 50 pages of paper made from actual stone, so it’s environmentally friendly too.

Sealskinz Wacton Windproof All-Weather Skull Cap

Need to take your bike in the rain or cold? Get yourself a quality skull cap for the occasion. Sealskinz makes some fantastic commuter-focused gear and this Wacton Skull Cap is the perfect headwear for unpredictable weather. Made from triple-layer fabric to be windproof and can be worn as a base layer as well.

Purist Collective Mover 18oz Insulated Bottle

Every commuter knows that a well-made water bottle can make or break your overall experience. Purist Collective’s 18-ounce Mover is a great option, made with a glass lining to preclude any unwanted flavors, but a double-wall stainless steel exterior for temperature and freshness retention.

Bellroy Tech Kit – Carryology Edition

Bellroy recently partnered with Carryology on a Auxikko-patterned leather Tech Kit to store all your smaller essentials. Opening up like a clamshell, the sleek pouch features a well-organized interior — including dedicated pockets for your mouse, power bank, and cables — and water-resistant YKK zipper.

Black Mile Covert Laptop Case

If you’re worried about the wellbeing of your work computer, Black Mile also makes a lightweight Dyneema Covert Laptop Case featuring YKK zippers and padded construction to protect your laptop’s screen and other components. For those worried about transport, this case fits in perfectly in the brand’s Mile Two bag above.

Lululemon ABC Slim-Fit 5 Pocket Pant 32″ Warpstreme

Lululemon has a great selection of commuter-ready clothing, including this ABC Slim-Fit Pant. With a casual look and laid-back comfort, the trousers come with five pockets — including a hidden zippered one in back — and feature proprietary quick-drying Warpstreme fabric that resists wrinkles all day.

Twelve South ButterFly 2-in-1 Charger

Lugging around a phone charger can be cumbersome, especially if multiple devices need charging. Twelve South just released its ButterFly 2-in-1 Charger, which lets you power-up with both USB and MagSafe. And once you’re done, this packs away effortlessly into your pocket or backpack to take with you in the car or to the office.

HOKA Restore TC

If comfort is what you’re after, you really can’t go wrong with any of HOKA’s spectacular walking, running, or hiking shoes. However, the brand recently debuted its Transport silhouette, a city-ready shoe made with a durable and lightweight Cordura RE/CORTEM upper, GORE-TEX Invisible Fit lining for waterproof breathability, and a quick-toggle lacing system.

Sony WF-1000XMF5 Earbuds

For the music and podcast lover, Sony recently dropped the updated model of its flagship wireless earbuds. Smaller and lighter than the acclaimed outgoing model, the WF-100XMF5 also improves upon the noise cancellation and sound quality.

VIRGO INTEGRAL MIPS Cycling Helmet

Billed as the safest cycling helmet for e-bikes, the Virgo Integral Mips helmet was built with a polycarbonate shell lined with multiple layers of expanded polystyrene core foam and features the innovative Mips impact absorption setup. There’s also a removable LED taillight on the back.

Houdini M’s One Parka

If you’re looking for a lightweight, stylish, and functional solution for the rainy day commute, check out Houdini’s M’s One Parka, which features the brand’s technical prowess with its 2.5-layer polyester shell and an Atmos 100% polyester membrane. Likewise, the longer fit will protect your pants from wet bus benches and bike seats.

Specialized Haul ST E-Bike

If you’re seeking a way to travel to work every day without wearing yourself out, opt for a pedal-assist-equipped e-bike. Designed specifically for urban commuting, the Haul ST e-bike from Specialized boasts a 60-mile range on a single charge and comes with a cargo rack in the back capable of holding 419lbs.