We’re definitely of the “experiences over things” mentality, plus we’re at a point in life where if we really want something for ourselves, we can buy it! That said … we all know the pressure around the holidays about gift-giving. If we’re going to give things, we want them to be things that will make experiences better. So, if you find yourself having drawn the name of the adventurer in your life in your Secret Santa or other gift exchange, here are some ideas for gifts that may make their next experience more enjoyable:
Portable Solar Charger or Power Bank
In today’s world, there are so many devices we rely on for things like maps, to-do lists and communication, so it can be a real bummer to be left out of juice. Especially if you’re like us and use apps on your phone for translation and GPS to mark out the restaurants you want to try or that awesome-looking trail! A power bank is a great way to keep yourself and your loved ones charged up and exploring.
Personally we’ve had great luck with Anker products and recommend checking their website and sizing the power bank to your budget and/or power needs as those can vary quite a bit. For example, on our RTW trip, we traveled with a 26800 PD PowerCore power bank (similar here), which could charge my laptop 1-2 times. That thing is a BEAST and I still love it for juicing up our rechargeable items at the campsite. It was clutch on Kilimanjaro for keeping our phones and my GoPro batteries charged up for eight whole days, especially in the cold! However, it’s also pretty heavy and overkill for most day-to-day situations and it’s a fairly heavy unit. So if you’re looking more for something to keep that phone charged up a few times, the extra weight (and cost) of a large power bank may not be your best option. For most travelers, a smaller or midsize battery pack will still be more than enough (and is much more affordable).
Merino Wool Clothing
Wool base layers are widely known in the outdoors community as fantastic garments that keep your body temperature well-regulated, are lightweight, and withstand getting funky with heavy use. Those qualities also happen to make them awesome travel garments! Wool is also widely used nowadays for clothing options aside from your long johns and long sleeve undergarments. I have a long-sleeve polo and a long-sleeve quarter-zip (one from Arc’teryx and one from SmartWool) that I often wear as tops while traveling, even if we’re not hiking or camping.
Joggers
A good set of athleisure pants are more versatile than you may think. While they’re great for looking sporty while you’re grocery shopping or grabbing a latte, these Vuori joggers can also hold their own day-to-day. I’ve worn mine on travel days (love those zip pockets), as sleep/lounge wear, to the rock-climbing gym, on hikes, and even under my fishing waders. Versatility is the name of the game and adding some style along the way is a bonus.
Neck Gaiter
Any time we can get our hands on items that can serve multiple functions, it’s a win. These neck gaiters can double as a headband, sweatband, eye mask, potholder, sun protection, insulating layer, and more. We love this merino wool one from Icebreaker. If you’ve got someone on your gift list who is an avid outdoorsperson and/or traveler, one of these is a must!
Packing Cubes
We originally fell in love with these for travel but have more recently found they are super handy around the campsite as well. Packing cubes are not only a great way to stay organized, but they also double as a stuff sack in certain cases and can allow you to pack things down tighter than you otherwise could. We love our double-sided packing cubes from Eagle Creek, as they provide a sealed second compartment that is great for dirty clothes.
Headlamp
I know what you’re thinking: “I have a light on my phone, who needs a headlamp?” My response: Try it out and get back to me. If you’ve ever tried to fix a broken tent pole, or find that thing in the bottom of your bag, or watch your footing in that cobblestone alley while looking for the door number to your rental while holding your stuff, all in the pitch dark… then you know the value of a headlamp! Especially while camping, I use mine more often than I use my other lanterns, especially for those midnight bathroom runs.
Polarized Sunglasses
Whether you’re fighting off the reflection from the snow, driving to that weekend getaway, or cutting through the glare in the water looking for those fish, a good pair of polarized sunnies are worth their weight in gold! We love our Sunski brand sunglasses and are also big fans of Shady Rays and their free replacement program.
National Parks Pass
We mentioned above gifting experiences … an America the Beautiful annual pass is a great way to encourage those on your gift list to go check out that new park nearby, take a road trip to a new park, or explore a new part of an old favorite. At only $80 for a whole year, this is one of our best-value purchases every year.
Insulated Water Bottle
Aside from reducing single-use plastic waste and how much you have to pack out, having your own water bottle is great because you can keep your drinks hot or cold, we’re seeing more and more bottle filling stations around so it’s super convenient, and you get to decorate/personalize them however you want! There are a ton of great options out there, but our Klean Kanteens have been with us for almost a decade now and served us very well. From backpacking in the Sierras to scootering around islands in SE Asia to my morning coffee on the drive in to work, it’s never let me down!
Adventure Camera/GoPro
Growing up, my dad had the massive shoulder-mounted video camera with the blinding auxiliary light. He went around to all the family functions scarring retinas and forever capturing the various hairstyles of the day and reminding us youngsters that fashion trends really do come back around (*psst: those “bootcut” jeans look an awful lot like bell bottoms…). As an adult, I love looking back on those videos and they inspired me to make my own. Eventually, I got myself a GoPro camera (Hero 5 Session) to capture video of our more adventurous escapades, and I found myself using it more than my regular camera. Its small size was super convenient (could slip it easily in my pocket or bag), its wide-angle lens rarely missed anything, and I struggled to find anywhere I couldn’t capture an adventure.
Last year, my Hero 5 Session finally died on me after five years while filming in an alpine lake. I was so distraught, I found the nearest outdoor outfitter where I replaced my beloved GoPro that same day. I’m currently working with the Hero 10 Black, which has carried on the tradition of capturing all our adventures. So if you’re shopping for a video junkie who loves travel or the outdoors, consider a camera that’ll help them capture it all, no matter where they are.
E-Reader or Book
We love getting out for a hike and exploring when we’re camping, but we also like to mix in some downtime to offset that adventuring. One of our favorite campground pastimes (and things to do in general for Megan), is to read! An afternoon in the hammock with a good book is a great way to pass an afternoon at the campsite. Reading is also great for passing time in airports, airplanes, and train stations. Get your favorite traveler/adventurer something from Megan’s recommendations and help keep boredom at bay!
Small Card or Dice Game
Another great gift to pass time with during travel or at the campsite is a card or dice game. We love these because they’re easy to toss into your bag, they don’t rely on batteries, and they can be a great way to meet new people in hostels or other common areas. Some of our favorites include Monopoly Deal, Qwixx, and LCR.
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out our past gift guide for travelers that includes categories like Sustainable Gifts and Stocking Stuffers.
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Featured image: Singapore Changi Airport, December 2019
What a great post!