The gift all travelers want is a first-class airplane ticket somewhere fabulous. But the next best option is to give them something that makes their voyages easier or a little more luxurious. We’ve compiled this list of 57 gifts for travelers recommended by our own editors and contributors. In it, you’ll find some of the best travel products we’ve tried and tested over the years, plus a few new items we’re excited to share from our favorite brands.
Travel tech and accessories
Red light therapy can now fit in your suitcase.
Courtesy of DNA Vibe
1. DNA Vibe Jazz Band Live Pro
Buy now: $289, dnavibe.com
It takes a minute to get past the confusing name, but this product is a transportable red light therapy wrap—and it’s a game changer for anyone who’s ever walked more than expected and ended up with sore legs while on a trip. Red light therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation and aid in muscle recovery, and this wrap combines red light, near-infrared, magnetic pulse, microvibration, and warmth to reduce stiffness and promote healing. It fits easily into a suitcase or backpack, so whether you’re long-distance hiking or walking what feels like every block in Barcelona, your recovery treatment can come with you, allowing you to take full advantage of every precious vacation day.
Your travel photos deserve to be proudly displayed.
Courtesy of Aura Frames
2. Aura Digital Photo Picture Frame
Buy now: $179, auraframes.com
It’s a joy to capture the memories of your travels with hundreds of photos saved on your phone, but it’s all too easy to never again look at those images, lost in the intangible digital cloud. Instead, you can use an app to upload images from your phone to this picture frame, which will display the photos on a digital screen. There’s even a cordless option with a three-month battery life. Choose the size and frame, switch photos, and even display videos, pulling you back to different moments and places around the world.
The neck pillow is adjustable in size and sturdy in support.
Courtesy of Ostrich Pillow
3. Ostrich Go Neck Pillow
Buy now: $69, ostrichpillow.com
If only all airplane seats were made of memory foam. Until that day, Go Neck has created a plush travel pillow with memory foam and ergonomic design that molds to your contours while providing firm support. It stays in place around the neck with a Velcro fastener for an adjustable fit, or can be unwrapped for a more comfortable pillow in a lie-flat bed. Equipped with a hidden zipper, the outer sleeve is easy to remove and toss in the laundry.
No need to pack an extra pair of corded headphones just for your flight.
Courtesy of Twelve South
4. Twelve South AirFly Pro
Buy now: $55, twelvesouth.com
Yes, it’s possible to use wireless headphones to watch movies on in-seat screens on airplanes, as long as you’ve got the Twelve South AirFly Pro wireless transmitter. Just plug it into your seat’s headphone jack and send audio signals via Bluetooth to up to two pairs of headphones. It has a 25-hour battery life and is roughly the size of a matchbox—plus it also works as an AUX IN adapter in a rental car.
The Go dryer is Hedgehog’s most transportable design.
Courtsey of Hedgehog Dryer
5. Hedgehog Go Dryer
Buy now: $169, hedgehogdryer.com
If you’ve ever placed damp shoes too close to a fire and accidentally melted part of them, you may appreciate this tiny, portable, powerful dryer. The versatile, tubular design allows you to easily dry a range of items, from clothes caught in the rain to your own hair. There are four heat settings up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning wet boots typically dry in about 15 minutes, plus various adapters for different needs. The Hedgehog Go is about the size of a laptop, so it fits into suitcases and backpacks, and weighs less than a pound.
The Nori Press is dual voltage, so you can use it in the United States and abroad without packing an extra voltage converter.
Courtesy of Nori
6. The Nori Press Steam Iron
Buy now: $120, nori.com
Hotel irons aren’t that reliable and nobody likes struggling with an ironing board anyway. This travel press, which was one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2022, weighs 1.4 pounds and is only 14 inches long, so you won’t mind packing it. Did we mention it steams, too?
These are also great for blocking out noise at loud hotels.
Courtesy of SleepPhones
7. SleepPhones Bluetooth Sleep Headphones
Buy now: $120, sleepphones.com
Sleeping on an airplane is tough—and virtually impossible when wearing a neck pillow and large over-the-ear headphones. That’s why every traveler needs a pair of sleep headphones. Essentially a soft fleece headband with ultra-slim headphones inside, this travel accessory allows you to sleep with your head flat against a pillow. While there are several brands that make a similar cord-free design, SleepPhones makes the most comfortable and highest-quality pair.
The Purist Maker Mug comes in a variety of colors, including the dark blue “Drift” seen here.
Courtesy of Purist
8. Purist 10-Oz. Maker Mug
Buy now: $40, puristcollective.com
Pairing a reusable coffee mug with a bag of beans from a local coffee shop is the best way to encourage travelers to go eco-friendly on the road. Although this looks like a stainless steel bottle, the Purist Maker Mug is lined with an ultra-thin layer of nonporous glass so you can switch between coffee and water—heck, even wine—without the lingering scent of the previous beverage. This 10-ounce model comes with a leakproof top designed for hot coffee, and allows for sipping from any side.
The mini design is the easiest to take on the road.
Courtesy of Therabody
9. Therabody Theragun Mini
Buy now: $220, therabody.com
It wouldn’t be surprising if, after a red-eye flight, your neck and shoulders felt knotted and sore. This portable massage gun is small—it weighs one pound and can fit easily into a purse or backpack—but packs a punch, powerfully helping loosen tight muscles.
Don’t worry about your personal item sliding off your roller bag ever again.
Courtesy of Cincha
10. Cincha Travel Belt Bag
Buy now: $50, cinchatravel.com
These belts allow travelers to secure any type of personal item to a suitcase handle so it doesn’t get lost while maneuvering through the airport. Here’s how it works: Simply slip the elastic loop of the belt over the handle of your carry-on and snap its buckle around the front of your personal item. It’s made with vegan leather accents and is adjustable to 45 inches to accommodate even the most overstuffed tote bag. Plus, for every belt sold, Cincha donates 100 airline miles to Miles4Migrants to help reconnect migrant families.
Travel bags and luggage
Unlock your purse from your phone.
Courtesy of Rachel Bloom
11. Anti-Theft Rachel Bloom Purse
Buy now: $295, rachelbloom.com
These smart purses use your fingerprint to unlock and open, just like a phone. And thanks to an app, you can also use that same phone to unlock or lock the purse or set a distance alarm to ring out if the bag strays too far from you without you realizing. Similarly, you can opt to add a GPS tracker, so that you can easily find your purse if it’s taken. Crafted with timeless—and slashproof—leather, the bags look like normal purses, just with security that’s completely hidden.
Expand or decompress your carry-on.
Courtesy of Decathlon
12. Decathlon Forclaz Travel 500 Organizer 40 L Backpack
Buy now: $100, decathlon.com
Imagine a small suitcase that you can compress or expand and sling onto your shoulder. This backpack opens like a clam with different-sized mesh zippered compartments on both sides, ideal for separating toiletries, clothing, and shoes. With straps that tighten the bag into a compact size, this personal-item-size pack is the hack everyone needs to get past airline size restrictions.
The Virginia Beach Tote by North End Bag Company is made in a beach town but would look good on the streets of New York, too.
Courtesy of North End Bags
13. North End Bag Company Virginia Beach Tote
Buy now: $185, northendbagcompany.com
The most versatile beach bags serve double-duty as both seaside companions and trusty personal items during flights to warm-weather destinations. Lovingly hand-crafted in a shop four blocks from the Virginia Beach oceanfront, North End Bag Company’s signature Virginia Beach Tote is one great option. It pairs a handsome, water-resistant, waxed canvas exterior with leather straps to create an aesthetic that’s rugged enough for everyday use but also refined and ready for first class. The slip pockets ringing the exterior could house flip-flops or plane snacks, while additional internal compartments offer storage for goggles or electronics.
This totepack can be worn as a backpack or a tote bag.
Courtesy of Peak Design
14. Peak Design Everyday Totepack
Buy now: $190, peakdesign.com
The name says it all: This 20-liter pack is designed for everyday use whether you’re carrying it like a tote on your daily commute or pulling out its backpack straps during your next hike. The outside has a recycled nylon canvas shell that can withstand rainstorms, so you can pack your laptop, tablet, and cameras in here with peace of mind. Available in four colors including “eclipse” and “bone,” it’s much more chic than most other laptop backpacks.
This leather weekender will last for years to come.
Courtesy of Leatherology
15. Leatherology Harwood Weekender
Buy now: $435, leatherology.com
Anyone in the market for a new overnight bag or personal item will love the Harwood Weekender by AAPI-owned Leatherology. This small leather duffel features pockets galore, smart magnetic clasps, and three different styles of monogramming. It also has a trolley sleeve to slide over your carry-on handle so it doesn’t fall off your luggage.
Lojel’s exterior laptop compartment has a clever magnetic “door” that allows users to access the the interior of the suitcase without having to open it up entirely.
Courtesy of Lojel
16. Lojel Cubo Small Carry-On Suitcase
Buy now: from $360, us.lojel.com
As you can imagine, luggage preferences are a frequent topic of conversation among travel editors. The debate between hard-shell suitcase fans and soft-side suitcase fans can be fierce, but the Cubo Small by Lojel almost makes all discussion moot. It combines the clean, sleek durability of a hard case with the ease of packing of a soft-side carry-on, thanks to its top-opening design rather than the usual clamshell style, which can be cumbersome and inefficient. The Cubo Small is available in international carry-on size (20.9” x 14” x 9.8”) and has a laptop sleeve in addition to its top-opening panel. It rolls like a dream on its eight wheels, comes in a variety of colors, and its price is in line with other brands of similar size and features. (Read our full review.)
Merrily roll along with Cotopaxi’s latest addition to its Allpa line of luggage.
Courtesy of Cotopaxi
17. Cotopaxi Allpa 38L Roller Bag
Buy now: $350, cotopaxi.com
The Afar-Approved Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack now comes with wheels. Just like the original Allpa, this carry-on-size bag can easily fit in the overhead bin of an airplane and has plenty of zippered compartments for small accessories, clothes, and shoes. It comes with two rugged wheels that can take on cobblestone streets and dirt roads with ease.
Tha magic of July suitcases is how customizable they are—you can even add an emoji.
Courtesy of July
18. July Personalized Luggage
Buy now: from $245 for luggage, $50 for personalization, july.com
Australia’s July luggage is known for offering personalization on its hard-shell suitcases with a variety of fonts, colors, and even emojis to customize to your heart’s content. July also sells gift cards so you don’t have to worry about picking out the right color or customization for your giftee. Luggage options range from the Carry On Light ($275) to the heavy-duty Checked Trunk ($555), which includes a polycarbonate shell and one-click latch locks.
The Out-of-Office Pet Carrier comes in fun colors and patterns, like this magenta and camouflage combo.
Courtesy of Roverlund
19. Roverlund Out-of-Office Pet Carrier
Buy now: from $169, roverlund.com
This durable yet stylish soft-sided pet carrier can function as a car seat during road trips and is also airline compliant. Once you arrive at your destination, the shoulder strap converts to a leash and the bag can be used as a mobile pet bed. Suitable for both dogs and cats, the small version fits animals up to 15 pounds, while the large is best for animals up to 25 pounds.
This two-in-one weekend bag is great for weddings, business trips, or anything that requires formal wear.
Courtesy of Brouk & Co.
20. Brouk & Co. Capri 2-N-1 Garment Bag
Buy now: $150, broukandco.com
This clever duffel bag has a hidden garment bag inside. To pack it, put suits or long dresses in the garment bag section first, then add shoes to the side pockets, zip it up, and add everything else to the main section.
Packing essentials
These packing cubes are sold in sets of two, including one medium and one small.
Courtesy of Thule
21. Thule Compression Packing Cubes
Buy now: $54, thule.com
Once you try packing cubes, you’ll be hard-pressed to go back. Some of our favorites are Thule’s, made with Bluesign-approved ripstop nylon that is water-repellent, ultra-durable, and manufactured with minimal impact on the environment. A set of double YKK zippers allows you to close the cube and then zip it even tighter to eliminate extra air and reduce bulk.
This pouch set comes in all sorts of fun and colorful patterns.
Courtesy of Baggu
22. Baggu Go Pouch Set
Buy now: $40, baggu.com
This set of three all-purpose pouches is essential for keeping your bag interiors organized. The small one is perfect for stashing your keys, Airpods, and lip balm, while the medium makes a great toiletry bag. The large is big enough to use as a packing cube for clothes. New patterns are released frequently, and the current lineup includes Fancy Animals, Hello Kitty and Friends, Night Orchard, and Japanese Produce.
These TSA-approved reusable toiletry bottles come with built-in labels so you never confuse body lotion for conditioner.
Photo by Bailey Rebecca Roberts
23. Ries Original Essential Travel Bottle
Buy now: $18, ries-ries.com
Cut back on plastic waste by trading those tiny, disposable toiletry bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and sunscreen for reusable travel-size containers. The 1.7-ounce or 3.4-ounce bottles from Ries, a Black woman–owned brand, get the job done well. Afar’s former newsletter editor Maliah West recommends the brand’s Mini Duo Starter Set ($30), which comes with a pair of 1.7-ounce bottles equipped with a locking system to ensure a spill-free experience.
Tangled necklaces are now a thing of the past.
Courtesy of Dagne Dover
24. Dagne Dover Frankie Jewelry Case
Buy now: from $55, dagnedover.com
Know someone who travels with a tangled wad of necklaces? Dagne Dover’s Frankie Jewelry Case makes a smart gift (and subtle hint) for anyone with this particular packing problem. It comes in two sizes and three colors, with room to organize multiple necklaces, rings, earrings, watches, and more.
Keep your shoes separate from your clothes inside your suitcase with a special packing cube.
Courtesy of Eagle Creek
25. Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Multi-Shoe Cube
Buy now: $25, eaglecreek.com
The easiest way to get your loved ones to stop packing dirty shoes in the same bag as their clean clothes is to give them packing cubes designed for footwear. This shoe bag from Eagle Creek is made with a durable material made from recycled polyester. It’s designed to fit multiple pairs of sandals, sneakers, and even boots up to men’s size 13.
Itzy Ritzy reusable bags are an eco-friendly way to pack snacks, toiletries, or other small items you might need while traveling.
Courtesy of Itzy Ritzy
26. Itzy Ritzy Travel Happens Reusable Sealed Wet Bag
Buy now: $19, itzyritzy.com
“I angled for this reusable sealable wet bag at a white elephant gift swap one holiday season, and it’s pretty much become the most-used travel gift that I have ever gotten (or stolen),” says Afar’s editorial director Billie Cohen. It’s cotton on the outside and completely lined with thick BPA-free plastic on the inside, making this wet bag not only waterproof but easy to clean. Throw toiletries or wet clothes in it, use it as a snack bag, or stow your wallet and tech inside at the beach or when it rains. It comes in a bunch of cute patterns and has a snappable strap so you can hang it on a towel bar or a beach chair. If it gets dirty, just toss it in the wash and air dry.
Travel toiletries and skincare
Dab this rich cream around your eyes before take-off to arrive looking refreshed.
Courtesy of Blue Lagoon Iceland
27. BL+ Eye Cream
Buy now: $165, us.skincare.bluelagoon.com
One of the latest products from Blue Lagoon’s proprietary skincare line, this nourishing eye cream is made with microalgae and silica sourced from the same geothermal source as those famous Icelandic blue pools. The travel-friendly 0.5 ounce pot may be pricey—but a little goes a long way and makes for a luxurious gift. (There’s a 0.17 ounce size for $60 if you want to test it out before committing.) Pair it with the BL+ face cream to create your own gift set.
A smart toothbrush with an even smarter case.
Courtesy of Suri
28. Suri 2.0 Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
Buy now: $135, trysuri.com
The flashiest component of this electric toothbrush is the travel case. Not only is the brush easy to throw in a bag without worrying about getting the mouthpiece dirty, the case uses Ultraviolet-C light to clean the bristles, which kills 99.99 percent of bacteria. The carrying case also charges the toothbrush without any need to plug it in, so you could theoretically freshen up on the plane before landing or in the airport. The changeable brush heads are also recyclable and plant-based, and there’s a brush cap for extra travel security.
This bug spray smells amazing, but more importantly—it works.
Courtesy of Kinfield
29. Kinfield Golden Hour Bug Repellent
Buy now: $22, kinfield.com
Yes, it is possible to find a DEET-free bug repellent that works. Kinfield Golden Hour uses a mix of citronella, lemongrass, and cloves to keep you bite-free—and smelling amazing. Plus, the three-ounce spray bottle is TSA-friendly.
Spoil your skin with botanicals from all over the world.
Courtesy of Leaf People
30. Leaf People Clinical Collection Skin Care Kit
Buy now: $170, leafpeople.com
This skincare line from Colorado was started by an herbalist who collected wild native herbs from the Rocky Mountains, but has since expanded to include ingredients from Switzerland and Namibia. The botanics are ethically harvested on wild lands and blended with modern innovations like hyaluronic acid and stem cells, so the products are proven to be effective in addition to being holistic. Travel-friendly kits come in bottles safe for carry-on.
Soft Services buffing bars are ideal for post-flight exfoliation.
Courtesy of Soft Services
31. Soft Services Buffing Bar
Buy now: $30, softservices.com
Time to level up your soap game: These buffing bars from Brooklyn company Soft Services slough a day of travel away thanks to superfine sanding crystals. They also smell incredible. “My favorite scent is the Debaser, a crossover with Brooklyn-based perfumery D.S. & Durga that has notes of fig and tonka,” says Afar deputy editor Katherine LaGrave.
Travel clothes and shoes
This jacket folds up into a neck pillow.
Courtesy of Cotopaxi
32. Cotopaxi Repleto Jacket and Neck Pillow
Buy now: $200, cotopaxi.com
You read that right: This is a puffer jacket and neck pillow, meaning one converts into the other. You have to fold, roll, and stuff the arms and torso portions in an attached cylindrical pouch, which then clips around your neck. That means you could either wear the pillow as a jacket for a less-embarrassing, cumbersome stroll through the airport or stuff it easily into any suitcase. In a world where packing space is coveted, a two-in-one gadget is precious.
33. Gobi Oversized Cashmere Scarf
Buy now: $219, gobicashmere.com
Cashmere is always a welcome gift, and Gobi crafts its clothing and accessories entirely in Mongolia from 100 percent local cashmere. Its charcoal unisex oversize scarf works as a travel blanket on the plane and a warming wrap once you arrive.
The bathrobes from Hotel Saint Vincent in New Orleans are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen.
Photo by Cristina Fisher
34. Hotel Saint Vincent Marbled Silk Robe
Buy now: $395, farwestcollective.com
It’s tempting to steal hotel bathrobes, especially when they’re as beautiful as the marbled silk robes at Hotel Saint Vincent in New Orleans. Now you can buy these unisex designs online through hotelier Liz Lambert’s Far West Collective retail shop. They are machine-washable, sized to fit most people, and come in three colorways: Gris Gris (olive), Earth Sisters (pink), and Rain Song (blue).
Rain jackets never looked so thin.
Courtesy of Gorewear
35. Gorewear Concurve GTX Jacket
Buy now: $250, gorewear.com
Gore-Tex continues to impress with waterproof technology that will keep you dry and is now thinner than ever, made from material that feels like a durable, thicker version of phyllo dough. It’s hard to ever truly achieve breathability with waterproof, but the Concurve is the most lightweight and cool of raincoats. That means you can wear it for traveling in hot weather or throw it on top of layers. Plus, it packs to practically the size of a T-shirt.
This lightweight denim is practically magic.
Courtesy of Duer
36. DUER Performance Denim Lite Pleated Pant
Buy now: $119, shopduer.com
Jeans are often the bulkiest clothing item in suitcases, yet this impossibly-thin denim option packs up as small as leggings. They’re also versatile, since the long pants give you coverage in colder weather, but with lightweight material that keeps you cool in warmer destinations. The jeans come in dark and light wash, with a flattering pleated wide leg.
More than a dozen colors of Calzuro clogs are available on Amazon.
Courtesy of Amazon
37. Calzuro Classic Clog with Holes
Buy now: $125, calzuro.com
In addition to being executive editor at Afar, Katherine LaGrave is also our team’s resident clog aficionado. “I have ‘nice’ clogs, clogs for gardening, and clogs for indoors,” she says. “But until recently, my clog wearing was limited to three seasons; I couldn’t find a pair that was a fit for summer and all its activities.” She stumbled upon these when she saw a woman at her local dog park sporting a pair in black and instantly fell for their lightweight and durable design. With a 1.5-inch heel, the slim plastic clogs were designed in Italy for medical professionals and can be bleached or washed in a dishwasher or washing machine or hosed down to remove sand and dirt. “Thrillingly, the clogs also come in a number of colors: hot pink, sunshine yellow, orange. I opted for a sky-blue pair and have already put miles on them out to lunch, at the beach, and at the dog park.”
These trail runners transition from mountain paths to concrete urban jungles.
Courtesy of Diadora
38. Diadora Nucleo 2
Buy now: $165, diadora.com
Traveling spans numerous terrains, from mountains to city streets, so it’s important to have a versatile shoe that can cover it all. With thick cushioned soles that feel like walking on mini mattresses, the Diadora Nucleo 2 are a lightweight beast on any rocky trail or on concrete city blocks. And with a range of colors including all black, white, or pink, the shoes work with multiple outfits and activities.
This footwear works as both a sturdy hiking boot and a lightweight sneaker.
Courtesy of La Sportiva
39. La Sportiva Prodigio Hike GTX
Buy now: $199, lasportivausa.com
If you know you’ll be doing some hiking on your trip, but have a hard time deciding between trail runners (cooler, lightweight) or boots (sturdier, waterproof), La Sportiva’s combines the best aspects of both options. Thick soles, lugs, and a Gore-Tex membrane makes the shoes look like a boot on the bottom half, while the top has breathable mesh, snug and flexible stretch material, and an ankle wrap for light stability and protection from debris. Although most hiking boots range from two to three pounds, at 10.5 ounces, this in-between shoe is barely heavier than a sneaker and ideal for most weather conditions.
Sabah’s Condesa Pink shoe is inspired by the vibrant Mexico City neighborhood.
Courtesy of Sabah
40. Sabah Shoes
Buy now: from $190, sabah.am
These lace-free unisex travel shoes—handmade in Gaziantep, Turkey—look as good poolside as they do at happy hour. Crafted from leather and available in a rainbow of colors, the slip-on shoe is also perfect for seamlessly moving through airport security lines. The sole is rubber for traction and durability, and the fit is roomy yet chic. (The only difference in the men’s and women’s sizing is the men’s are better suited for wider feet. They also come in children’s sizes!) The brand’s earthy tones go with everything, while the trendy patterns and bold colors photograph well.
Woolen slippers from Danish brand Glerups are the key to staying cozy off the slopes.
Courtesy of Glerups
41. Glerups Slipper Boots
Buy now: $155, glerups.com
These unisex slipper boots from Denmark are made with grippy rubber bottoms and 100 percent natural wool felt and come in eight evocatively named colors, including North Sea (light green) and Forest (dark green). Glerups are the ultimate travel footwear for times when coziness is key, whether it’s a red-eye flight or gathering around a fireplace for après-ski.
Compression socks are a travel essential when flying.
Courtesy of Bombas
42. Bombas Compression Socks
Buy now: $30, women’s, bombas.com; men’s, bombas.com
Compression socks aren’t a sexy gift, but they’re a must for any traveler to keep blood flowing and sore muscles at bay during long flights. The most comfortable compression socks on the market are Bombas, which are made with mild 15–20 mmHg compression levels, a seamless toe, and above-the-heel cushioning that extends to the toe. As with all other Bombas sock purchases, for every pair of socks purchased the company will donate another pair to a homeless shelter or other community organization. Since 2013, the company has donated more than 150 million items of clothing.
Outdoor adventure gear
Welcome to the two-second tent.
Courtesy of Decathlon
43. Decathlon Quechua Tent (and pad)
Buy now: $249, decathlon.com
For the easiest tent out there, Decathlon makes a pop-up tent that you can set up in about two seconds with the pull of a string—and then take down in the same amount of time with the press of a button. Simply take it out of the bag, unroll it, pull a string on each side, and the tent magically rises into the air, fully set up and sturdy. Combine this with Decathlon’s self-inflating sleeping pad (double and single options available), and you can have a plush, comfortable night set up in less than one minute. The inside of the tent has a thick dark material that makes the interior pitch-black and warm. Sleep through any sunrise, if that’s your style.
Go all out on the coziest and most spacious night of sleep.
Courtesy of North Face
44. Wawona Sleeping Bag
Buy now: $199, thenorthface.com
This sleeping bag from the North Face is for those who want as much comfort when camping as possible, since the design is particularly roomy and toasty. You can either get the double, or two singles zip up together for a larger bed. The water repellent fabric is made from recycled materials. It’s hefty, but one of the warmer sleeping bags out there.
No need to gather firewood for these chef-level meals.
Courtesy of Camp Chef
45. Camp Chef Stove (and cast iron)
Buy now: $230, campchef.com
Camp Chef’s stove stands out for its ability to blast a powerful 20,000 BTUs or reduce the flame on its two burners, allowing you to char or simmer multiple dishes at the same time—because cooking outside shouldn’t limit your ability to have a multi-course feast. With a simple twist-on apparatus for a propane tank, the stove easily unfolds from a compact case with a carrying handle, so it’s easy to hoist short distances to most car camp sites. Camp Chef also provides a six-piece cast iron set in a small-medium size (plus cast iron cleaners and scrapers), so you can feel like you have practically an entire kitchen out in any mountain, forest, or beach setting.
Grill directly on the table in the middle of your outdoor gathering.
Courtesy of Bola Grills
46. Bola Grill Master
Buy now: $349, bolagrills.com/
For those who love a flame-cooked meal in the outdoors—but also prefer to eat at a proper picnic table rather than squatting on a log next to the fire pit—this table-top designed grill allows cooking in the midst of a seated gathering. The grill uses charcoal or wood and can be set directly on the flat surface of most any outdoor table. Easily adjustable grill layers (complete with mini silicone mitts and a temperature-gauging lid) let users to control the desired amount of heat by sliding the grates closer to or further from the fire. There are also hanging attachments and metal skewers available, because even roasting campfire s’mores is easier when you’ve got a comfy seat.
This portable coffee grinder grinds enough beans for one cup at a time.
Courtesy of VSSL
47. VSSL Java Coffee Grinder
Buy now: $165, vsslgear.com
“The VSSL Java coffee grinder is durable and well worth the space it will take up among your camping gear—at six inches tall and weighing just 14 ounces, it’s not much,” says Svati Kirsten Narula, an Afar contributor. “With stainless steel burrs and 50 unique grind settings, it allows you to create the perfect-size grounds for your preferred brewing method. It’s made out of aircraft-grade aluminum to stand up to abuse and grinds 20 grams [0.7 ounces] of beans at a time, enough for one strong cup of coffee.”
Making quality joe on the go is easy with this portable coffee maker.
Courtesy of AeroPress
48. AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
Buy now: $50, aeropress.com
All you need to make quality espresso while on the move is an AeroPress Go, finely ground coffee, and hot water. You can also make a quick cold brew coffee with the AeroPress, as long as you remember to stir the grounds and cold water together for a full minute before pressing. At only 11.5 ounces, it’s perfectly packable and comes with a travel filter holder that fits 25 paper micro-filters.
This snowshoe kit is great for beginners.
Courtesy of Cascade Mountain Tech
49. Cascade Mountain Tech Expedition Trail Series kit
Buy now: $120, cascademountaintech.com
Lightweight and easy to use, these snowshoes are a solid choice for those looking to become a four-season outdoor adventurer. “They’re in the Goldilocks zone of being both flexible (good for responsiveness), durable (so they’ll last years to come), and lightweight (important to preventing early fatigue),” Afar contributor Bailey Berg says. “The kit also comes with twist-lock poles and a vented carry bag (handy because if you store your snowshoes wet, it won’t get funky).”
Anyone heading to a national park needs a good pair of binoculars.
Courtesy of Maven
50. Maven B.3 Binoculars
Buy now: $575, mavenbuilt.com
A good pair of binoculars helps bring wildlife into crisp high definition—be that a bird on a hike or lions during safari. The B.3 Binoculars are a good starter set because they pair incredible clarity with a reasonable price point. (Maven’s designs can go up to $1,950.) “They’re also compact, lightweight, and durable enough to withstand bouncing around in a backpack or being dropped in water, so they’re built to travel,” Berg says. “Though if they do get damaged, Maven has an unconditional lifetime warranty.”
Travel gifts for kids (and their parents)
Build a mini Italian scene.
Courtesy of LEGO
51. Italian Riviera Lego Set
Buy now: $300, lego.com
Whether you want to capture memories of places you’ve visited with young ones or inspire future travelers, LEGOs help build imaginations with sets from around the world. The miniature world replicates architecture from a village in the Ligurian region on the coast of northwest Italy, and even includes a fish market, diving shop, and gelato store owner. In addition to other buildings from around the world, there are also suitcases and airplane sets to recreate the whole adventure and inspire travel of the mind, no passport needed.
The PuroQuiets Active Noise Cancelling Headphones come in multiple colors, including the pink seen here.
Courtesy of Puro Sound Labs
52. Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiets-PLUS Active Noise Canceling Headphones
Buy now: $149, purosound.com
It might be tempting to buy cheap headphones for your kids to use on airplanes or in the car. But unlike other headphones, these volume-limiting headphones max out at 85 decibels, which the World Health Organization and other experts consider to be the upper limit for ear safety. They’ve also been certified sensory-inclusive, making them a great fit for children with such sensitivities.
This backpack also has a matching suitcase that goes with it.
Courtesy of State Bags
53. State Bags Kane Kids Mini Travel Backpack
Buy now: $98, statebags.com
Like an adult pack, this small backpack from State Bags comes with padded straps for comfort and a sleeve in the back for slipping it over the top of carry-on suitcases. Unlike larger models, this tiny pack is designed with unicorns, dinosaurs, or a spaceship pattern to delight the littlest travelers. The Mini Backpack is recommended for children age two to four, while the larger Kane Kids Backpack is designed for those ages four to eight.
Use this solar-powered lamp as a travel nightlight or a flashlight for camping.
Courtesy of Studio Olafur Eliasson
54. Little Sun Original Solar Lamp
Buy now: $26, shop.undp.org
Designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, this portable, flower-shaped solar lamp can be used as a nightlight or worn around the neck as a flashlight. Little Sun is on a mission to provide clean energy solutions to places without electricity, and the company uses proceeds from sales to fund donations. Since its founding in 2012, Little Sun has distributed more than 1.6 million of its products to places like sub-Saharan Africa.
Get kids excited for the airport with this ride-on suitcase.
Courtesy of Stokke
55. JetKids by Stokke
Buy now: $249, stokke.com
The JetKids by Stokke ride-on suitcase allows children to move faster through the airport. Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran’s two kids loved riding these so much on a recent trip to Europe that she ended up checking the family stroller to her final destination. Once aboard the plane, the top props up to convert an economy airplane seat into a lie-flat bed with an included mat—and the interior space has enough room for an iPad and headphones, some paper, coloring books, pens, a small stuffie, and a blanket. You can opt for the additional attachable backpack for some added room, which Baran’s kids used for sweatshirts and small toys. (Watch our full video review of the JetKids by Stokke ride-in suitcase.)
This portable car seat is worth the splurge, according to the parents among Afar staff.
Courtesy of WAYB
56. WAYB Pico Portable Car Seat
Buy now: $449, wayb.com
OK, this one is more of a gift for parents who are done schlepping heavy car seats through airports. The eight-pound WAYB Pico Portable Car Seat folds into a compact 11.6 x 14.5 x 18.9-inch unit—basically the size of a medium camping backpack—that’s easy enough to lift on its own, and better still when stowed in a backpack carrier you can buy for an additional $99. “As someone who has traveled alone with the kids and had to mount a full-sized car seat on my back, this is life-altering,” says Baran.
Make traveling with kids easier with the gift of a streamlined diaper bag.
Courtesy of No Reception Club
57. No Reception Club “The Sidekick” Fanny Pack
Buy now: $85, noreceptionclub.com
For times when parents don’t need the whole diaper bag, No Reception Club’s three-liter Sidekick fanny pack is thoughtfully designed to hold up to a half-dozen diapers, along with some ointment and hand sanitizer. (It also comes with its own changing pad.) The back exterior pocket is designed specifically to hold baby wipes. “I love its magnetic flap closure,” says Afar contributor Courtney Holden. “It’s a breeze to swipe and wipe.”
This article was originally published in 2022; it was updated on November 10, 2025, to include new items. Danielle Hallock contributed reporting to this article.
