Best Travel Gear
Traveling can be stressful but not if you are prepared. John travels a lot for business, I travel for fun and we both have our must have items for each flight to make it all a bearable experience. Here are the things that we always travel with and will make some great gifts for any traveler. Links are included to the products website.
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Travel Pants
Travel clothing has become so popular. They are basically athletic clothing that look like everyday wear. I shop at Athleta for travel clothes and John likes Lululemon, Eddie Bauer & Banana Republic. The pants have several zippered pockets to keep your boarding pass, IDs and money secure and handy while keeping you looking stylish and comfortable. They are wrinkle free, wash & dry quickly, don't take up a lot of room in your suitcase and you can wear them throughout your trip. My favourite pants are the Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo Tights and I wear them on the plane, hiking, or with a nice shirt or sweater and flats for dinner out. John wears his travel pants with anything from a t-shirt to a sweater or even a blazer. They are so versatile and extremely comfortable.
Packable Jacket
Unless is it summertime I bring a packable down (600 fill or more) jacket. A packable rain jacket is nice to have too. I prefer a hood on both just in case there is snow or rain involved. Sporting goods stores carry them in different fits and colors. I have one from Eddie Bauer and love it. Columbia, Amazon, North Face and Patagonia offer great options as well. They easily fit in a carryon bag and can be used a small pillow in case your need one.
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Collapsible Water Bottle
A water bottle is must for travel. In Europe you pay for water at restaurants and it is fine to bring your own bottle with you to the table. I love my Hydaway bottle. I keep it in my purse while exploring, take it hiking and never get on a plane or train without it.
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Travel Tote
I love using a travel tote as my personal item on any trip. It's the perfect weekend size, carryon bag to hold all the essentials. One that is lightweight, water resistant, has a pocket for an iPad or laptop (for the business traveler), fully zips closed and has several zippered pockets inside and outside is ideal. It should be an airline carry on, or personal item, size so you can easily take it on the plane. It must have a trolley sleeve as well. I have one from Kipling and another made by Tumi and both do the job. Dagne Dover and Lo and Sons have great options too.
Noise Canceling Headphones
There is nothing worse than being on a long flight with children (or seat mates) who make lots of noise. I just got off an 8 hour flight and there were 2 children crying during most of the flight. I put in my headphones and listen to music, an audio book, watch a movie or just let folks know that I am not interested in chatting. I never, ever get on an airplane without good headphones. John loves Bose headphones but there are other cheaper brands out there that work well too. I bought some wireless ones that have a travel case on Amazon and they were around $60 and they are great.
Apple Gift Card
Great for purchasing music, movies or TV shows to download and watch on your laptop, iPhone or iPad on the flight or during a long layover.
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iPad
I love traveling with my iPad to watch movies and keep up with email while away. It sure beats carrying a heavy laptop. I never go on a fight without downloading a few movies, TV shows and a book. It sure makes layovers and unfortunate delays more bearable.
Cozy Scarf
Airplanes and airports can be cold. A large, cozy scarf is great to cover your shoulders, fold up to use as a pillow and can dress up an outfit. Nothing too bulky though. It needs to easily fit in a travel tote.
Allbirds Shoes
Comfortable shoes are a must while traveling. I wear my Allbirds Wool Runners while traveling. They truly are the world's most comfortable shoes and they make a great gift. They feel like slippers but are really shoes.
Longchamp Le Pliage Bag
Longchamp Le Pliage bags fold up flat, hold a lot and are great to pack as an extra bag if needed. I have the large tote and the small tote and always bring one or more on trips. They are lightweight, have a full zipper and are water resistant in case you are out touring and it starts raining.
Travel Wallet
I like to keep my passport in a zippered wallet along with my boarding pass, cash and any other travel documents. I prefer one that has several card slots, a place for my passport, boarding pass and money. If it has a zippered pouch for coins that is ideal but not a deal breaker. Dagne Dover, Tumi and Lo and Sons have some great options.
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Dual Voltage Travel Hairdryer
Hotel hair dryers are usually not the greatest. If you like to blow dry your hair then bringing your own dual voltage dryer is a must. This Babyliss Travel Dryer is so small but packs a punch for its size. I can use it anywhere on the globe too.
Compression Socks
These are a must for long flights. I didn't know how great they were until I did not wear them on a flight. Luggage shops and sporting good stores will have them. Amazon.com has lots of fun and colourful options too.
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My favourite websites for travel gear:
bananarepublic.com (Men's Traveler Pants)
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