Looking for the best gifts for travelers?
Recently my family was asking me, “Hey Dave, what do you want for Christmas?” I realized that I actually haven’t been home for the holidays in several years, so I haven’t needed to give them a “Christmas gift wish list” in quite a while!
So this year I decided to jot down some items that I know would be amazing gifts for all the traveling men out there! I know these would work be great travel gift ideas for men because:
A) I already own the products mentioned and love them!
B) I’ve looked into purchasing these exact ones for myself /friends/family
So take a read below and get some holiday/ birthday gift-giving inspiration. While there may be a few standard/ typical gift ideas, I know there are definitely a few hidden gems in this list! :-)
Also, make sure you give a read through my articles, “The 50 Best Gifts for Photographers” and “14 Perfect Gift Ideas for Music Festival Lovers” for some more fun and unique gift ideas for this upcoming Christmas/ holiday season!
The Best Travel Gifts for Men in 2019
(A lot of these gifts are perfect for female travelers as well, I just started writing this post for myself, and focused more towards gifts for men)
1) Scratch Off World Map Poster
Every traveling man needs a map of the world mounted on their wall, so I recently bought myself one of these scratch-off map posters and I absolutely love it! It’s a really fun, simple, and affordable gift idea, and I love coming back from my trips and scratching off the recent destinations that I visited.
“Need a unique gift for a traveler? Our map comes in gift ready packaging to delight the travel enthusiasts in your life. A perfect conversation starter, give them a special moment scratching the map with loved ones while sharing stories and dreaming new adventures together!”
PRICE: $29.97
2) Universal USB Travel Power Adapter
Alright, so this may not be the sexiest or most interesting item on my travel gift ideas list, but the truth is that it’s 100% necessary for international travelers! I get so much use out of mine, and this could be a great addition to another larger travel gift.
Also, this could be a nice idea for a stocking stuffer at Christmas time!
There’s a lot of different ones to choose from, but I personally love my Epicka Universal Charger, and find having 4 USB ports is super helpful!! (I have to charge multiple devices at once pretty often)
PRICE: $16.89
3) Rainbow Sandals
Every traveling guy needs a quality pair of sandals, and these are honestly the best sandals in the world!
I’ve been a Rainbow Sandals customer for as long as I can remember, and they’re extremely popular in Southern-California.
While at first glance you might find them a bit on the expensive for sandals, they are seriously worth every penny! They are super stylish, last forever, and are incredibly comfortable. It also helps that there’s an excellent warranty! I truly believe every man needs to own a pair of Rainbows!
Price: $51.99
4) The Wander Club
“Collect an engraved token for every country, US state, or national park you’ve traveled to and add it to your own travel keychain aka Wanderchain!
I recently discover this new collectable travel item called The Wander Club, and think it’s a fantastic way to be reminded of your travels everywhere you go! It’s simple – everytime you visit somewhere new, you order an engraved token and add it to your Wanderchain and keep it with you everywhere you go. Lots of different colors and styles available, check it out!
Here’s a one-way ticket to The Wander Club’s website
Prices: Wanderchain $25 | Engraved Tokens $3.50+
**The Wander Club is a charitable shop for those who love to travel and give back. For every engraved token purchased, we’ll donate a meal to an orphaned child abroad.**
5) JBL Waterproof Portable Speaker
I never go anywhere without my portable speaker! I believe that music can make a massive difference while traveling, and I always get a lot of use out of mine.
Whether I’m relaxing on a beach in Thailand, hiking through a national park in New Zealand, or watching the sunset in Florence – music will typically make that moment better and more memorable!
While there are tons of different options I available, I personally use and recommend the JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Speaker! It has incredible sound, long battery life, and is one of the best reviewed / affordable speakers out there.
Even when I’m not traveling, I get a lot of use out of it! I use it as my main speaker in my room, will take it outside while washing my car, and bring it to every camping music festival I go to!
Price: $95.50
6) Atlas Coffee Club
“Discover coffee from countries like Papua New Guinea, Peru, Burundi, Brazil, and beyond. With 50+ countries producing coffee, Atlas Coffe Club highlights the top 2% of the world’s best. All single-origin and all roasted fresh by their team of roasters.”
Do you know someone who is obsessed with coffee, and loves sampling different global products…? Then look no further than the amazing Atlas Coffee Club!! When I first learned about this unique international coffee subscription-based company, I absolutely loved the idea and thought of at least a dozen people who would love this as a Christmas present (myself included)! While I only started drinking coffee in recent years (and I’m far from a coffee snob), I love trying coffee when I’m traveling abroad!
It’s really simple – you pick how many bags you want per shipment, select if you want 2 or 4-week deliveries, and your roast/ grind preferences. They’ll deliver coffee bags to your house with a postcard from a new country each month, with tasting notes & brewing tips for each batch. Check it out.
7) The Nomatic Travel Bag
This Bag Raised Over $3 Million on Kickstarter & Indiegogo
I’ve got a feeling this is the NEXT BIG THING when it comes to travel luggage.
“The NOMATIC Travel bag was designed for a 3-7 day trip. By combining the best features from a backpack, duffel bag and general luggage, we have created the ultimate travel bag to help you spend less time fussing with your luggage and more time enjoying your journey. The NOMATIC Travel Bag has over 20 features that make it the most functional travel bag ever. On top of being packed with incredible functionality, the bag has a sleek minimalist design, is made of strong weather-proof materials and is built to last.”
Price: $184.00 (Read Reviews)
8) Peak Design Slide Camera Strap
This is perfect for the photographer lads out there.
I’ve been using this Peak Design camera strap for the last 6 months, and I think it’s a must-have for anyone traveling with a DSLR camera. It’s really comfortable, easy-to-use, and will definitely keep your camera gear safe.
I actually put the other adaptors on my camera bag, because it’s super easy to change the strap from one to the other.
Or, another fun idea would be to order them a Customized Camera Strap Design on Etsy!
Price: $49.95
9) Manfrotto BeFree Travel Tri-Pod
Continuing for gift ideas for the photographers out there…
This is the tripod I use to capture ALL of my long-exposure photography shots while traveling abroad. It’s super compact, relatively affordable, and completely sturdy.
The Manfrotto BeFree Travel Tri-pod folds up to easily fit inside my backpack, and has become a rather important item pretty much every day.
Manfrotto also has an excellent Warranty program that I can vouch for! When I first started getting into photography I had an issue with one of their cheaper tripods, and they were quick to get the problem resolved and sent me a brand new one!
Any traveling man who’s interested in photography needs a quality & compact tri-pod, and I think this is one of the best valued options on the market! Would definitely make a fantastic gift for travelers!
Price: $189.88
10) Amazon Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader
Carrying books while you’re traveling is rarely a good idea! They’re big, bulky, and take up too much space in your bag. So this best-selling Amazon Kindle is the perfect gift for the avid-reader! Why carry 1 or 2 books, when you can have thousands to choose from?
Ask anyone who has an Amazon Kindle, and I can almost guarantee you they’ll tell you how much they love it. I get A LOT of use out of mine, and am always telling people they should pick one up. You also can read so many books for free with premium services like Amazon Prime & Kindle Unlimited.
Price: $119.99
11) CHESTER Minima Carry-On Luggage
Every traveling man needs a good carry-on bag, and I’m loving the minimalistic design from this recently founded company called CHESTER!
They’ve created an ultra lightweight, water-resistant, and unbreakably durable hardshell carry-on suitcase that would be a fantastic gift!
The CHESTER Minima has TSA and IATA approved exterior dimensions (21.5” x 13.5” x 8.5”), but has a incrediblt spacious interior with a capacity of 38 liters!
I also am impressed with the handling, as it’s equipped with 4 silent, multi-directional wheels for a smooth roll in any direction!
Price: $185.00
12) Microfiber Travel Towel
Having one of these bad boys is crucial to any long-term backpacking trip, hiking adventure, or beach day. They’re also super handy for sports, gym, and swimming.
They don’t up much much space in your luggage at all but will do the job perfectly.
This brand has an outstanding 5* Star Rating, and even comes with a “PREMIUM GIFT PRESENTATION for travelers and adventurers. I’ve purchased a couple of these now for different trips (as I’ve accidentally left one during my last trip to Bali)!
Price: $17.95
13) Insta360 Camera
This Insta 360° Camera is simply a ton of fun! While it does require an iPhone to be used, it really does take some epic photos and videos. It takes a bit of getting used to at first, but once you’ve got the hang of it is pretty cool.
If you’re looking for a fun and unique present to give as a gift, this will definitely be a solid choice!
Price: $199.00
14) Tinggly Experience Box
Gift an experience of a lifetime
When I discovered Tinggly, I instantly thought it was an absolutely brilliant idea, especially since in this day and age people are beginning to prioritize experiences over material things!
This company provides different “gift boxes” that include unique and fun travel experiences that the person gets to decide! Take a look through the Tinggly Collections for an idea what they offer, and watch the video above to see how it works!
Prices Vary: $79 – $289
15) An Inspirational Travel Book
Whether you buy the guy a paperback edition or download it to their new Amazon Kindle, I guarantee they’ll love one of these inspirational tales.
While I could write a whole other blog post about books that will inspire travel, I’d recommend starting out with the following three:
A really fun idea would be to buy a book those goes well with a destination they are about to visit! For example, if you know a guy who’s planning a trip to Thailand, you should pick them up a copy of The Beach!!
16) Earbuds & Noise Cancelling Headphones
No one goes traveling without a decent pair of headphones, and that makes them an excellent idea for a gift! Whether you’re looking for more budget style earbuds, or a fancier noise-canceling over the ear headphones, these would be top picks!
-
Otium Bluetooth Headphones ($18.99
- Active Noise Cancelling Headphones ($49.99)
There are literally thousands of different options of headphones and earphones, and it really just depends on your budget/ preferred style. I think BLUETOOTH is a must these days, as cables are becoming a thing of the past, lol.
17) DJI Spark, Air, or Mavic Pro 2
Purchasing a drone for traveling will really take photos and videos to the next level…literally and figuratively. I’ve been traveling with a drone for about a year now, and I’m so stoked everytime I get to launch it up in the air over a beautiful destination.
I recently upgraded and bought the brand new MAVIC PRO 2, and I’m telling you this is a GAME-CHANGER. While it’s certainly expensive, it is worth every penny! If you did buy this for someone as a gift, they would be extremely happy!! :-)
DJI Mavic Pro 2: $1,499 (Read Reviews)
What I love about DJI though, is that they have completely revolutionzed the entire industr, and have several different models. These two are the best for traveling as their super compact and lightweight, but produce unbelievable content!
- DJI Spark Mini-Drone ($439.99)
- DJI Mavic AIR Drone ($889.00)
Mavic Pro2 | Maldives | November 2018
18) Travel T-Shirt
I’ve never been a big fan of people gifting me clothes, but if you find a cool shirt to give some one then why not? There are millions of different travel shirts out there, so do some browsing!
I’ve bought a couple of these shirts myself for different trips, and really love them! I don’t spend too much money on fashiion these days, but I think the quality and feel is fantastic!
Price: $15-20
19) GoPro Hero 7 Black
I’ve been traveling with a GoPro in my backpack for at least 6+ years now, and I’m absolutely obsessed with the latest GoPro Hero 7 Black edition! I bought one of these for my recent trip to the Maldives, and I’m honestly in love with it! Simply because…
THE VIDEO STABILIZATION IS UNBELIEVABLY GOOD!
On top of that, it’s simply one of the ultimate travel-cameras! It’s super compact, yet takes incredibly stunning pictures and videos.
While this is the more expensive items on this list…it’s one of the best gifts you can give a travel-addicted man! Everyone needs a GoPro with them when they travel! From epic time-lapses, 4K video, and wide angle selfies, it’s a pretty awesome travel accessory!
Price: $349 (Read Reviews & Check Availability)
20) S-Zone Travel Weekend Duffel Bag
Light, durable, stylish, and affordable.
This would be an absolutely amazing gift for any guy who seems to be going on fun weekend trips to cool destinations!
It comes in SIX different beautiful colors and designs, and will fit perfectly in any airplane overhead compartment ;-)
While I tend to do most of my travels with a checked bag (because I’m a nomadic one-way ticket traveler), I’ve got one of these bad boys in my closet back home!
Price: $49.99 (Read Reviews)
21) JOBY GorillaPod
This easy to use and flexible tripod is another excellent option for taking pictures and recording videos while traveling. It’s perfect for setting up time-lapses, long-exposure shots, and for using the self-timer to get in your travel photos.
It’s really popular for YouTubers who are always filming, and want to have a more sturdy way to carry your camera through busy streets and markets!
Check out all of the JOBY GorillaPod’s for DSLR’s, GoPro, iPhones, and more! I’ve got one I use with my Sony A7rii, and I really love it!
22) WiseOwl Travel Hammock
This top-rated lightweight hammock is “everything you need to start relaxing right away – all in a small little package”.
Perfect for the outdoors adventure travelers! It’s super high quality, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to be an excellent travel gift for him! I just purchased one of these myself as I’m planning on doing a lot more hikes up in Washington national parks, and can’t wait to test out my new hammock!
Price: $24.95-$39.95 (Browse Designs & Prices)
23) Ticket to Ride – Europe (Board Game)
I have my parents to thank for introducing me to Ticket to Ride Europe !!
This board game is a ton of fun for people who enjoy maps/traveling! The goal is to complete “train routes” in between popular cities in Europe. For example, one person will have to build a track between “Athens & Edinburgh”. While I’m not going to explain the whole rulebook, it’s honestly become one of my favorite board games.
Whenever I’m back home visiting in California, I make sure to play with my family a few times! I’ve shown a few friends this game as well, and it’s becoming quite a favorite in my circle!
Price: $44.90
24) Convenience 15-Pieces Men’s Travel Kit
When it comes to ultimate convenience for travel sized items, it really doesn’t get better than this 15-Piece Travel Kit. Ideal for carry-on travel or shorter vacations abroad, it’s honestly crazy how many items you get for the price point!
I know I’d be pretty stoked to get this in my Christmas stocking, but I do use the majority of the brands in this kit. :-)
Price: $11.61
25) Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit
This top-selling Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit is an absolute steal, and is a perfect small gift for anyone with a DSLR camera! It also comes with 3 micro-fiber cleaners, which are great for cleaning off computer screens, phones, and TV’s
I just purchased one a couple of months ago, and get a lot of use out of it. I love the air blower for getting small pieces of dust off my lenses too! I don’t even know how they’re turning a profit at these prices for everything, lol.
Price: $8.99
26) Journeys Of A Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips
Just the title alone has got me desperate to pick this up and flip through it! It’s a foot-tall, has over 400 pages, and is filled with gorgeous travel photography…
“Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips“
This book will look damn good on top of the coffee table.
“This lavish volume reveals National Geographic’s top picks for the world’s most fabulous journeys, along with practical tips for your own travels. Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic’s travel writers, this inspirational book spans the globe to highlight the best of the world’s most famous and lesser known sojourns. It presents an incredible diversity of possibilities, from ocean cruises around Antarctica to horse treks in the Andes. Every continent and every possible form of transport is covered.
A timely resource for the burgeoning ranks of active travelers who crave adventurous and far-flung trips, Journeys of a Lifetime provides scores of creative ideas: trekking the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania… mountain biking in Transylvania… driving through the scenic highlands of Scotland… or rolling through the outback on Australia‘s famous Ghan train… and dozens of other intriguing options all over the world.”
Price: $28.04 (Hardcover)
27) A New Watch
I actually only started wearing watches a few years ago, but I’m slowly becoming a total watch-snob! I’ve recently grown my collection to around 8 or 9 different watches, and I have so many recommendations of cool brands to check out, but right now I’m really loving this new company called Vincero!
Vincero Watch Mens Best Sellers: These watches are simply stunning, and look like they would cost $500+ when really they only cost $140. They’ve got so many elegant and stunning designs to choose from, and I know that almost every guy who love one as a gift. I get compliments on my two Vincero watches all the time, and I’ve already bought a couple more for various friends birthdays!
Browse through some of the designs on the Vincero website, and I’m sure you’ll find at least 3 or 4 that he would love!
Price: $140+ (Read Reviews)
28) Carry-on Cocktail Collection
This is such a fun, unique, and perfect gift idea for any guy who’s flying all the time (or even just wants to make better cocktails at home).
The idea is simple – put popular cocktail ingredients in an easy to carry case ideal for plane rides, hotel rooms, and on the go excursions! Not only is it handy to make more refreshingly delicious cocktails, but it’s also pretty damn fun, and an excellent affordable gift for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc.
Price: $21.99
29) Personalized Travel Deck of Cards
I always travel with a deck of playing cards, so when I discovered I could order a Personalized Travel Deck of Cards with my own travel photos…I instantly loved the idea!!
While I haven’t ordered one yet, I think this would be an excellent idea! While I do think it’ll take some time to put together, the end product will be well worth it!
Tip: Combine this gift with the calendar, and you can use all the same photos.
Price: $20+
30) RayBan Wayfarer Sunglasses
I’ve actually NEVER bought a pair of decent sunglasses before, but that’s mainly because I lose and break them like it’s my job, lol.
I normally buy multiple $5 pairs of fake Ray Ban’s in Europe & Asia, and just see how long they last me.
With that being said – every time I wear a friend’s REAL Ray Ban’s, I think to myself – “hot damn, these are nice”! I’m thinking it’s time I finally buy myself a pair, or patiently wait for someone to buy them for me as a Christmas present *hint hint*.
Price: $140+
31) CLEAR MEMBERSHIP
Have you heard of CLEAR? It’s this relatively new airport screening membership that gets you through security in minutes! I bought my membership after completing a 1-month free-trial, and have never looked back! I do A LOT of traveling, and having CLEAR has made my airport experience so much easier!
It’s like having TSA Pre-check, but on steroids.
You’ll be greeted by someone at a CLEAR check-in, do a 2-second finger print to pull up your record, and then they’ll walk you to the very front of a seperate TSA security line. IT FEELS AMAZING to be a VIP, and I think is one of the best things to happen recently in airport travel, lol.
Having a CLEAR membership has actually saved me from missing a flight twice now, because the security lines at SEATTLE airport can get ridiculously long, but with CLEAR you never need to worry about it.
CLEAR is currently being offered at security at 60+ airports and venues nationwide, so make sure you take a look at this page for which airports offer a CLEAR membership. You could easily gift a 12-month membership to a loved one, or pick it up yourself! They do regularly offer trials as well to test-out before your next big at trip!
Here’s what the check-in process screen looks like (took a picture of it last flight)!
It truly is a game-changer for frequent flyers!
32) A Hydration Backpack
I only just recently discovered how much I love a good Camelback or other brand of hydration backpack! While they are obviously super handy at music festivals, they’re fantastic for hiking, biking, and traveling as well!
I’ve already written about my Top 10 Festival Hydration Backpacks, so give that one a read, and I’m sure you’ll find one you love! I’d personally recommend one of these:
- CAMELBAK M.U.L.E. HYDRATION PACK
- ELEVATED LYFE CUSTOMIZED HYDRATION PACK
- UNIGEAR HYDRATION PACK BACKPACK
There are a wide variety of designs for every budget, and I think it’d make for a fantastic gift for men who travel!
33) Pro Packing Cubes
I recently got gifted these Packing Cubes for my travels, and I didn’t think I would enjoy using them as much as I do!!
I tend to be kind of a messy person who lives out of his suitcase, and when I check into a hotel, my stuff somehow explodes all over the place. Sound familiar…?
Well, by having these Pro Packing Cubes, it helps keep my suitcase a little bit more organized, and I can keep my socks, underwear, shirts, and shorts all in seperate cubes. They have made a huge difference in my efficiency while packing, and I’ll never go back to my old ways!
Price: $28.21
34) Anker PowerCore Portable Charger
I can’t even tell you how many times this portable charger has come in handy while traveling! Not only does it keep my iPhone at full battery, but has given extra much-needed extra life to my GoPro and portable music player while traveling.
This really is a must-have for people who are always traveling, and I love my Anker PowerCore Portable Charger! It’s extremely lightweight and compact, so won’t be an inconvenience to carry around during the day – but it also packs a big punch with 10,000 mah capacity.
This means it can charge an iPhone X 2.6 times, an iPhone 7 3.6 times, and a Galaxay S9 2.3 times. This is the #1 Best Seller on Amazon for portable chargers, and I’ve personally bought two of them! It’s small, compact, but really packs a punch!
Price: $27.99
35) ZeroGrid Money Belt
While I’ve actually never personally used one before, a money belt can be a nice item to use while traveling internationally.
To be perfectly honest – the only place I would consider wearing one would be in certain destinations in Central & South America. I don’t think it’s necessary anymore while backpacking in Southeast-Asia or Europe.
ZeroGrid makes some really amazing travel products, and they all come with a 100% Lifetime Guarantee which is always great to have!
Price: $22.49
36) Passport & Credit Card Travel Holder
This item has definitely been essential to all my international travels, and it’s probably the only reason why I’ve never lost my passport (knock on wood)! It really is crucial to keep all your important travel documents organized in a decent holder!
I keep my passport, credit cards, SIM cards, different currencies, boarding passes, business cards, and important receipts all in this zip folder. It slides easily in the back of my backpack (where I always keep it), and I make sure to only keep my passport there to ensure it’s always in a safe place.
Price: $20.99
Looking for some travel inspiration…?
I started my travel blog way back in 2014 as I was backpacking around the world while simultaneously studying for my Master’s Degree. I’ve visited 60+ countries across 6 continents, and my website is filled with helpful travel articles, destination guides, and lots of gorgeous photographY!
Check out a few of my favorite articles below, and feel free to reach out to me with any questions!
- The Best EXPLORE Quotes to Inspire Your Next Adventure
- The 50 Best Music Festivals in the U.S.A | Ultimate US Festival Bucket List
- 10 Days in Thailand | How to Plan the Perfect Thailand Vacation
- 40 Parties in 40 Countries to Experience Before You’re 40
- One Month in the Philippines | The Ultimate Travel Itinerary
- 4 Days in Paris Itinerary & Travel Guide
- 30 Perfect Burning Man Accessories, Outfits, Costumes, and Outfit Essentials
- 37 California Music Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
- The Ultimate Sydney Itinerary | How to Spend 4-7 Days Exploring Sydney
- 50 Music Festivals in 50 Countries To Experience Before You Die
- The 20 Best Beaches in Malaysia | Epic Islands & Beach Resorts
- Top 12 Safest Countries to Visit in Africa in 2019
Am I Missing Any Awesome Travel Gifts for Men?
There really are infinite amount of different products and items that travelers would love to receive as a gift, so I’d love to hear from you if you have any ideas for what I should add to my gift guide!
What’s the best travel related gift you’ve received? Plane tickets? Guided tour? Camera accessory? Let me know so I can update my article with the best gift ideas for travelers!
If you’re looking for a bit more inspiration, check out this fun YouTube video about 10 awesome travel gits!
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