Here is a list of gifts that are perfect for the traveler in your life. From small items to expensive technology, there’s something to fit any price range. I didn’t just pick each item out of thin air though: there is a method to my madness. I either own it (and love it), have owned it (and loved it so much that I’ve destroyed it and want more), or I want to own it (and hence have been researching the crap out of it).

So without further ado, please use this random list as a guide, and enjoy shopping for the traveler in your life!

Things I Own (and love)

SteriPen

I wrote about the SteriPEN in all its glory, after traveling through Asia for 6 weeks without drinking bottled water. The money (and plastic) we saved was incredible. It has more than paid itself off; every time we use it from here on in is gravy – for our pocketbooks, and for the world (which is already drowning in plastic garbage).

Travel Journal

I have also sung the praises of the Travel Journal in the past, as an awesome piece of travel gear. I may be old fashioned, but there’s something about the plain old pen & paper that brings out creativity. Without my journal at my side, I could not have written the Victorian Bushfire diary, which was archived by the National Library of Australia as a little piece of history.

You don’t have to be as ambitious with your travel journal! Just have fun, and see where it takes you.

Waterproof Bags

As long as you get lightweight ones, these waterproof Dry Bags are great for separating items in your pack. (I like to organize this way, so I don’t have to sift through loose belongings to get to what I need). They take up almost no room, and add additional levels of protection against toiletry leakage or pervasive humidity. We especially like them for our electronics when we are in tropical climates.

Headlamp

Absolutely invaluable to us throughout all kinds of travel have been our Headlamps. They’re compact and light, and so useful in so many ways. I use mine almost every day, and it never leaves my purse.

Pack Towel

Where, oh where would a traveler/camper/outdoorsy person be without a Pack Towel? They’re perfect: they are lightweight, they come in different sizes of super-small, they absorb way more than you would ever expect them to, then dry way faster than they should considering how much water they just absorbed. In short – they’re magic!

Really Flat Bowls, Plates, Cups

I was introduced to the Orikaso Solo Set while camping in Canada, and we brought these nifty folding plates and bowls around the world with us. They are incredibly lightweight and flat, and can tolerate both hot and cold foods. The cups in particular are quite the feat of impossible-ness – I mean seriously: a folding origami cup? That works? (Yes).

Although they’re not entirely practical along the backpacker trail (where most hostels provide full kitchens with dishes), they come in quite handy while camping, and have indeed proved to be invaluable to us a few times whilst traveling too (ie: while eating street food in Asia and trying to avoid the use of disposable plates).

Things I Have Owned

(and Want Again, or Want More of)

Passport Wallet

I have a Passport Holder and love it, but it’s a touch bulky, and it has no neck strap for ease of use in airports. A friend just received one as a gift that’s absolutely perfect – protective and water-resistant, yet light and flexible. It’s not quite the one pictured, but it’s close.

Day Pack / Compression Sack

We each have an Outdoor Research Drycomp Summit Sack, and on my last trip overseas (which lasted six weeks), it was my sole form of (carry on) luggage (along with a laptop bag). We’ve also had these bags on the sides of mountains, whilst camping, climbing, trekking, boogie boarding, sight-seeing…they go pretty much everywhere we do.

But after three years, they are no longer waterproof, and I did a number on the shoulder strap during my last trip overseas with it. So, we are on the hunt to replace our beloved packs, which we hope will last us another three years of traveling bliss.

As an alternative to the Outdoor Research sacks, I am impressed by the look of the SealLine Boundary Packs, which are similar. If anybody has experience with this pack, please leave a comment; I’d love to have a reader testimonial (or warning) before I buy!

Icebreakers

Icebreaker is the name in merino wool clothing. They use the best of the best wool (believe it or not, Armani gets second pick over these guys!), the design is great, and most people in the outdoor industry sing their praises. I like the one pictured here, which has all the bells & whistles of a great piece of gear.

It may be a touch costly, but it will last, and ultra-light packing gurus endorse it. Check out this video where a perpetual traveler manages to cram everything he needs (Icebreakers and electronics included) into a tiny daypack!

Our Icebreaker tops (they have bottoms/socks/hats/jackets too) have proven themselves to us over and over again:

• They don’t stink when we wear them lots and don’t get to wash them so much
• They protect us against fire
• They keep us warm when we get wet
• They’re lightweight
• They dry quickly (good for hand-washing)
• They’re super-comfy, and stylish enough to wear just about anywhere
• I LOVE the holes for your thumbs (only on some shirts), to keep your wrists warm

Things I Want to Own

E-book Reader

As much as I love the feeling of a good book in my hands, I can’t deny the overall environmental, financial, and space savings in having an e-book reader for the road. I regularly review e-books and other books, and an e-reader will be a welcome way to read without having to sit at my computer for yet another hour or six.

I happen to be getting an iPod Touch courtesy of a friend of mine. It has not only has e-reading capabilities, but also WiFi access for checking email, a variety of applications I can download for random usefulness, and it performs the full functions of a PDA and Mp3 player.

But there are two dedicated e-book readers that (I imagine) could provide a better overall reading experience:

The Sony Digital Reader is a handy reader plus Mp3 player, and allows you to take notes and perform other useful functions. The latest one also has touch screen capabilities.

Amazon’s Kindle Wireless Reading Device is the other and is a pioneer in the e-reading world. Their latest one features 3G wireless access so you can download e-books to your device without plugging in. I’m not convinced I like the marry-me-to-Amazon requirements to download from their site though, but it does seem to be an excellent platform.

Flip MinoHD Camcorder

The other item I’ve long been toying with is an HD camera – specifically the Flip MinoHD Camcorder . As somebody who is trying to pack lighter and lighter, it seems counterproductive to load myself down with yet more electronics that I’ll have to protect from evil forces/constantly find a place to charge/lug around accessories for/etc. But this camera is just so darn small and so darn cute, and I’m pretty sure that the decent quality of video will surpass what my still camera can do and it’s considerably easier to use overall.

I’ve pictured the newest model here, but will probably just get a previous generation, possibly used if I can find one. Actually I’m really hoping to win one as part of the Passports With Purpose contest, where there are a few up for grabs – check it out!

Editor’s Note: There are affiliate links in this post.

Tags: Amazon Kindle, Day Pack, Flip MinoHD Camcorder, gifts for travelers, Headlamp, Icebreaker, iPod Touch, Passport Wallet, Sony e-Reader, SteriPen