22 Great Gifts for the Traveler

Lightweight, relatively affordable, and available in an array of bold colorways, the Herschel Novel duffle is a great option for older kids and teens alike. It features faux-leather handles as well as a padded crossbody strap, and it’s made of a thin polyester fabric that’s water-resistant.

For more options: Best Weekender Bags

Dagne Dover’s bag was a favorite in a recent evaluation of the best weekender bags. It features six large mesh pockets, a smaller zippered pocket, and two removable sleeves. Made from neoprene (a material commonly used to manufacture wetsuits), this water-resistant bag is a choice option for travel during rain or shine.

For more options: Best Weekender Bags

This Monos carry-on luggage aced our durability test, which measures a piece’s ability to resist damage from being dropped, pulled, or having other items dropped onto it. Featuring a polycarbonate shell, it also comes with a sturdy telescopic handle with four height settings, spinner wheels, and a lock. 

This basic hard-shell carry-on by Away impressed us in our tests for impact resistance and construction quality. Away is also a top brand for carry-on luggage based on our CR member surveys. The bag’s special features include a compartment divider, leather luggage tag, and laundry bag. It has an unusually generous limited lifetime warranty and a 100-day trial period so you can see how you like it.

For more options: Best Hard-Shell Carry-On Luggage

With a built-in anti-theft security system, this compact sling bag can be a saving grace for those traveling with valuables. “This bag has a slash-resistant mesh barrier in front, sides, and bottom body panels plus a slash-resistant strap. And the RFID-blocking organizer on the front locking zippered pocket is perfectly sized for a phone,” says Anne McAlpin, author of “Pack It Up: The Essential Guide to Smart Travel.” RFID, or radio frequency identification, prevents skimming theft, which occurs when illegally installed devices capture personal data like PINs for ATMs.

For the one who’s always on the go, a great bag is a must. With excellent organizational guts, the eBags Pro Slim Laptop Backpack was the best comfort/value combo in a CR evaluation. It even has an external water bottle holder that zips away, which can be helpful when you need to squeeze it into a small space, like under a plane seat. Our evaluators also found it very comfortable to wear while e-biking and carrying it around on walks.

For more options: Best Travel Backpacks

For Alexandra Dorda, founder of Kasama Rum, this luggage tag is the perfect gift because it’s both stylish and useful. “I have the bright orange and pink versions, which help me identify my suitcases on baggage carousels around the world,” she says. Luxurious and brightly colored, these tags can be personalized with initials, which is a great way to make a gift feel a little extra special.

Staying hydrated is always a good look, and this Instagram-famous mug is sure to please. In lieu of a plastic bottle, go for a reusable one that can be toted around from the gym to the plane and beyond. The ever-popular Stanley Quencher—available in several colors and sizes—is not one to miss.

For more options: Best Insulated Mugs

With a travel bag in tow, this Chi handheld garment steamer is a voyager’s best accessory. Roughly the size of a flat iron, it offers 8 minutes of steaming and has a manual button on the handle. It was the fastest steamer to heat up in our lab test, ready to go after a mere 40 seconds. The compact device is compatible with tap water, which takes the stress out of having to track down distilled water when on the go.

Catching shut-eye on a flight can be a whole lot easier with a sleep mask, and this budget-friendly version is one to consider. In a recent evaluation of the best sleep masks, CR editors found that this version blocked all light without pressing down uncomfortably against their noses. We tried the single-strap version, which kept the mask in place for most of our evaluators throughout the night. It felt luxurious despite the price.

For more options: Best Sleep Masks

Whether it’s a trip to the beach or an overnight at a campsite, a small cooler you can easily tote along is a no-brainer. The Yeti Hopper Flip 8 was the top performer in our lab tests, thoroughly chilling eight cans and ice for hours. The semi-soft cooler is claimed to be leakproof and has a heavy-duty zipper that can handle your most extreme outdoor adventures, but it can be tough to open and close. It has a long shoulder strap that makes carrying it easier, although it weighs almost 3 pounds when empty.

Treat the traveler on your list with a book that’s sure to inspire future getaways. This one from Taschen explores dreamy destinations and hidden gems along the Mediterranean with vivid photos and wanderlust-inducing text.

Phil Dengler, co-owner of the travel site The Vacationer, recommends this packing cube set for both long and short trips. It features six variously sized soft containers that can be used for organizing clothing, storing footwear, and stashing laundry. Dengler, who uses these cubes for every trip, says, “In addition to fitting in most carry-on suitcases, it allows the traveler in your life to pack wrinkle-free clothing quicker and more efficiently.”

For more options: Best Packing Cubes

These Baggallini compression cubes are essential for Anne McAlpin. The travel pro considers the long cube option a favorite because of its clever design. It fits comfortably on the bottom of luggage in that awkward space between the handles. “Simply pack items, close the main zipper, and ‘compress’ down with the second zipper along the outside edge,” she says. “Voila: extra space!”

Clear panels on top make it a cinch to see what’s packed inside, while the ventilated mesh helps air circulate throughout the pack. The best part? These cubes can serve a purpose when not in use during travel. “They are the solution to my sock drawer chaos,” McAlpin says.

A travel wallet that has plenty of room for cash and cards is another staple for McAlpin, who recommends this version from Pacsafe. Made from tech material that blocks RFID, this wallet is curved, so it’s more comfortable to wear in your front pocket, and it even has a small zip pocket for coins, McAlpin says. (If you’re looking for a slim wallet instead, we have you covered here.)

And when it comes to traveling with a wallet, McAlpin recommends keeping it in your front pocket because the back pocket is more easily accessible to pickpockets.

Traveling with a fully loaded wallet is hardly a good look. The Ekster Senate Cardholder is a CR Editor’s Choice for slim wallets. Its overall design and exquisite packaging make it a great gift. It has a very elegant-looking cash strap and single cardholder to hold bills on the outside, with the company’s logo emblazoned on the front and a slot on the outside for things like a MetroCard. The company includes an extra strap without the cardholder to slim things down even further, inside a very beautiful box.

For more options: Best Slim Wallets

Whether it’s a session at the gym or an at-home class, a great yoga mat is essential to any routine and always appreciated. This versatile version is prime for travel and can easily be toted from work to workout. Featuring a fair amount of cushioning, this mat dries quickly and has an excellent grip on the floor. 

For more options: Best Yoga Mats

Ironing out the kinks in your body while traveling suddenly got a whole lot easier. The ultraportable Theragun Mini was one of the quietest massage devices we tested. It has a wedge-shaped handle and is one of the best devices for reducing problematic wrist postures. “I like the fact that it is small to hold, and I love how easy it is to use and charge,” said one user in a study conducted by CR. “It’s compact and easily transportable.” For overall portability and quietness, this could be a top choice.

For more options: 7 Massage Guns Evaluated

Staying hydrated is always a good look, especially when traveling. In lieu of a plastic bottle, go for a reusable one that can be toted around from the gym to the plane and beyond. This version by Hydro Flask is made from pro-grade stainless steel, is BPA-free, and has double-wall vacuum insulation, which means you can count on your drink to remain ice-cold even under a hot, baking sun.

For more options: Best Water Bottles