Each year, Oprah sorts through thousands of items to put together her ultimate holiday gift guide, dubbed Oprah’s Favorite Things. It’s a bit of a thing. In the past, many of these items have been so popular they’ve sold out. This year, the 104-item list celebrates small businesses and brands owned by women and people of color.
It includes everything from truffle hot sauce to a $700 pizza oven, but we scoured the list to find the 11 best Oprah-approved travel gifts that will make your future adventures cozier—and more organized than ever. As always, it’s crucial to shop early so you’re not left scrambling to make last-minute shipping deadlines. So, you know the drill. Run, don’t walk, before these gifts are gone.
1. Rivet Utility Maven Jumpsuit
Buy now: $295, rivetutility.com; amazon.com
Oprah calls jumpsuits her “traveling uniform” in her 2022 Favorite Things list. Available in size XXS through XXL, this cozy jumpsuit from Los Angeles–based Rivet Utility is ideal for long car, train, or plane rides. Just layer a T-shirt underneath and go. The light gray French terry fabric will match basically anything in your existing travel wardrobe.
Girlfriend Collective is also one of AFAR’s favorite sustainable brands.
Courtesy of Girlfriend Collective
2. Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Legging
Buy now: $88, girlfriend.com; $70, amazon.com
Available in size XXS through 6XL, these compressive leggings are not just size inclusive. They’re also made from a fabric crafted from 79 percent recycled plastic bottles. Wear them at the gym at home or on the airplane when you travel. Right now, they’re about 20 percent off on Amazon.
3. Paravel Fold-Up Backpack
Buy now: $65, tourparavel.com; $52, amazon.com
This is the second time this packable backpack has made the list of Oprah’s Favorite Things. It’s made from 15 repurposed plastic bottles and folds up neatly into a pouch when it’s not in use. Right now, it’s 20 percent off on Amazon.
This pet carrier also made it on AFAR’s gift guide this year.
Courtesy of Roverlund
4. Roverlund Out-of-Office Pet Carrier
Buy now: $149, roverlund; amazon.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.
5. Brouk and Co Capri 2-in-1 Garment and Duffel Bag
Buy now: $120, broukandco.com; $96, amazon.com
This clever duffle 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 then add everything else to the main duffle section. Right now it’s 20 percent cheaper on Amazon.
Rumpl’s puffy blankets fold up nicely into travel-friendly pouches.
Courtesy of Rumpl
6. Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket National Parks Collection
Buy now: $129, rumpl.com; amazon.com
Rumpl’s national park-inspired blankets celebrate some of the most popular NPS sites, including Glacier and Great Smoky Mountains. Made with lightweight and recycled materials, Rumpl’s Original Puffy Blanket is ideal for road trips and camping excursions but also cozy enough to snuggle up with on your couch at home. As an added bonus, Rumpl donates 1 percent of all its revenue to environmental nonprofits like the National Park Foundation.
7. Benevolence LA Velvet Travel Jewelry Box Organizer
Buy now: $20, benevolencela.com; amazon.com
Never travel with a plastic bag full of tangled necklaces ever again. And at $20 each, you can buy them for all of your friends.
8. Spanx AirEssentials Pullover and Pant
Buy now: AirEssentials Half Zip, $118, spanx.com; Air Essentials Wide Leg Pants, $118, spanx.com
Did you know that Spanx also makes super cozy clothes that aren’t shapewear? This athleisure suit is polished enough to wear in public, but comfy enough for a red-eye flight. Made of soft and buttery modal, the set is sold as separates and currently available in women’s sizes XS through 3XL.
This portable massage gun also made it on AFAR’s gift guide this year.
Courtesy of Therabody
9. Therabody Theragun Mini
Buy now: $199, therabody.com; amazon.com
After a long flight of sitting contorted in the middle seat, it wouldn’t be surprising if your neck and shoulders were knotted and sore. This portable massage gun is small—it weighs one pound and can fit easily into a purse or backpack. We liked it so much that we added it to our own gift guide this year, too.
10. Alpine Cashmere Striped 80-Inch x 25-Inch Travel Wrap
Buy now: $199, alpinecashmere.com; amazon.com
Cashmere is always a welcome gift. This oversized scarf can be used as a travel blanket on the plane and a scarf or wrap once you arrive wherever you’re going.
11. Nori Press Steam Iron
Buy now: $96, nori.com; amazon.com
Hotel irons aren’t that reliable and nobody likes struggling with an ironing board anyways. This travel press weighs just 1.4 pounds and is only 14-inches long, so you won’t mind packing it. Did we mention it also steams, too?
This article was originally published in 2021; it was updated on November 3, 2022, with new information.
