If you can’t give your favorite traveler a flight, find them the next best thing; awesome travel gear! My travel gear holiday gift guide includes the things that I use and swear by, as well as some items that are very high on my wish list (ahem, drone). I’ve also classified the travel gear into categories to help you find what fits the best for your wanderlust friend or family member!
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Jetsetters
Anything that fits in a carry on and makes travel life easier is the perfect gift for a jetsetter. Then again, so is anything fun and inspiring, so don’t forget those quirky gifts too! If all else fails, you can always just send them my blog post on How to Pack a Carry On! Here’s my picks:
Gabbiano Luggage SweetBriar Weekender
(L) This is the luggage brand that I use and love! I usually only use the smallest size carry-on which is TSA approved in size, and love that it includes a built-in lock, and 8 roller wheels instead of 4! (R) Durable and roomy, not to mention good-looking!
Swig Savvy Water Bottle The AirHook
(L) A stylish bottle since most airports have water bottle fillers now! (R) The solution to organizing your airline seat.
Wacom Folio Smartpad
Scratch off Map
Scratch off Map
(L) For travelers that like to take notes while flying. (R) For travelers who have been so many places, they need to keep track with a map!
iMangoo Chord Organizer Grid it Organizer
Both of these are great ways to organize all of your phone and electronics chords! I personally use one similar to the one on the left, but have tried the Grid It and it works especially well with laptop chargers.
Saludos Slip Ons
Unicorn Floaty
Unicorn Floaty
(L) Slip on shoes are super convenient when traveling! (R) Because what jetsetter wouldn’t want a unicorn floaty?
Adventurers
For the travelers who tend to like climbing, paddling, and getting their hands dirty, here’s some of my favorite adventure gear!
Epic Wipes Body Glove Inflatable Paddleboard
(L) As the name implies, these Epic Wipes are freaking epic, both in functionalist and size! Use one giant wipe to clean your gear, or yourself! These are perfect for camping as well, and I really wish I had them for the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu!
(R) Also as the name implies, this is a paddleboard that fits in a big backpack, and inflates with standard pump! Yes I’ve tried it, yes it’s awesome, and yes I’m giving one away on my Instagram the first week of December!
Brita Self-Filtering Water Bottle 1000 Places to See Before You Die
(L) These water bottles filter questionable water as you sip them through a built in filter!
(R) My first travel book ever! Packed with tons of inspiration and ideas!
Solar Puff
Scrubba Wash Bag
Scrubba Wash Bag
(L) A solar powered light for those who love to camp! (R) The Scrubba wash bag that helps you do laundry while you travel, and doubles as a dry bag!
LifeProof iPhone Case GoStrap
(L) Because….life. (R) This is a nifty little elastic strap that sticks to the back of your phone so you don’t drop it. No joke, it works wonders!
Washable Garment Bag Foldable Travel Backpack
(L) For dudes who like chic simplicity, this garment bag comes with a matching sock and underwear set, and the bag itself is used to wash them. (R) A travel backpack that folds up and zips into its own small pouch!
Aspiring Photographers
Even if you aren’t trying to actually be a photographer, having a good camera to document your travels is essential. I personally can say that I’ve become a photographer because of my travels, and now photography helps me see the world in a much more beautiful way. I also only use GoPro’s (I’m also sponsored by them so I’m biased, ha.) but have heard these other ones are pretty awesome as well!
Go Pro Hero 5 GoPro 5 Session
(L) The quality on the new Hero 5 is just ridiculous. It also has voice control, a built in touch screen, and the whole thing is waterproof. (R) The Hero 5 Session has similar features but no screen, and the photo quality isn’t as epic, but it’s great for on the go adventurers, plus it’s cheaper.
For a full comparison of GoPro’s check out my post: GoPro and Photography Gear Guide
GoPro Seeker Backpack
GoPro Hero 4 Black
GoPro Hero 4 Black
(L) A cool new backpack GoPro came out with that has special compartments for your cameras and your laptop. It also has built in mounts! (R) The Hero 4 Black also takes really great photos, I use this as my backup if my Hero 5 battery dies.
Casio Exilim FR100
Nikon Keymission 360
Nikon Keymission 360
(L) A fellow blogger had this little cam, and she used it to take the most insane jumping pictures using the burst and remote. (R) I REALLY want to try out the new Nikon 360 and action cam. So this is more like a wish list item for myself, ha.
Selfie Stick Plus TriPod Pole DJI Mavic Pro
(L) This is how I take all of my photos; either holding a “selfie stick” or attaching a foot that turns it into a tripod (R) Because who doesn’t want a drone? This is DJI’s newest model, which is smaller and cooler looking than the first.
Fujifilm Instax 
Poloroid Digital Snap
Poloroid Digital Snap
So these are a little bit backwards, but the Fujifilm instant camera takes those cool traditional mini “Poloroid” photos that you shake to dry (even though that doesn’t work), and the Poloroid on the right takes instant photos that are digital prints. Both are cool either way.
Split Dome port for GoPro
You know those cool over-under water photos? They’re taken with a gadget called a Dome that attaches to your GoPro.
Hi Alyssa,
I’ve just bought a GoPro Hero 5 Black and i’m wondering if you could recommend some useful accessories so that i can make the most out of this fab tech.
Ideally tripods and selfie sticks that i can use whilst out and about that i could buy from websites such as Amazon or similar.
Heading to New York a week on Saturday so id love to be ready and practiced by then
Thanks very much
Craig
Hi Craig! Love the Hero 5 🙂 All of the accessories I use like tripod-poles are in this post, and they’re linked to Amazon 🙂
Very cool list, and alot of items i’d never heard of