Finding gifts for travelers—especially the ones who are really well traveled— isn’t always easy. That's why we've thought long and hard about our favorite gifts we've either given or received.
Each item curated in our updated 2020 gift guide has to:
Last for years to come
Appeal to most people and be useful in many situations
Be priced to deliver value (gifts in this guide range between $5 and $350)
And because we at BagsThatFly love packing light, each of these gifts tuck away into a small personal item easily.
1. Sony WH1000MX3 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Sony’s noise canceling headphones, the WH1000MX3, give Bose’s QuietComfort 35 a run for its money. Tests and reviews show that it beats out the QC35 in both sound quality and battery life, lasting nearly 30 hours on a full charge. Even in 2020, years after its first release, it still holds up well. So much so, in fact, that Sony has yet to announce a fourth generation of its popular WH1000 series.
Like the QC35, the WH1000MX3 cancels out ambient noise. While it won’t fully drown out a loud conversation (where vocal inflections tend to poke through the noise canceling mechanism), it’ll block out constant noises like the roar of a jet engine humming through an aircraft cabin.
At around $350, both the WH1000MX3 and the QC35 are priced on the higher end of consumer headphones. It’s not an awfully high price to pay for the gift of silence though, especially for frequent flyers who might spend hundreds of hours on a plane each year.
2. RAVPower 20,000mAh 60W Portable Battery with Power Delivery
Most road warriors probably have a portable battery pack already. What’s notable about the RAVPower 20000mAh 60W is its excellent capacity and support for Power Delivery.
For those unfamiliar, Power Delivery (PD) delivers fast charging and can even juice up compatible notebook computers. That's something non-PD battery packs simply can't do.
Aside from all of the power, there are a couple of other things we love about this battery. The first is capacity. At 20,000mAh, you'll have at least enough power to keep you running for 2-3 days without an outlet. The second is price. For a gift that delivers so much value (especially for techies, but really anyone who has a smartphone and tablet), this is an excellent choice for those looking for something price under $50.
For those of you who want to go the extra distance, check out the Anker 26800mAh Portable Battery and Charger Bundle. This kit includes a beastly (but also expensive) 27W charger that can recharge the battery itself in just 4.5 hours and packs even more capacity. It's the ultimate battery and priced as such. This is the battery to take when you're going places where outlets don't exist.
3. YI 4K Action Camera
The action camera category seems to have passed its "hype" phase. Each year, we see fewer new models released. Part of that decline is undoubtedly due to the rise of good, competent, smartphone cameras.
Still, the action camera fills a niche, especially for thrill seeking adventurers. And now that it's only $150, we think the the Yi 4k is offers compelling value. While it won't outdo the (much more expensive) GoPro Hero 8, the Yi 4K comes close. Exceptional electronic stabilization, image quality, and well above average battery life make this a nifty companion.
Even in 2020, the Yi 4K captures immersive footage thanks to its sharp wide-angle lens and impressive image processing algorithm. Other bells and whistles, like electronic image stabilization, further improves output footage.
4. AmazonBasics Hanging Toiletry Kit
Toiletry kits are a commodity item. You can find them in practically any department store. But we’ve been hard pressed to find a standout kit below $20. That is, until we discovered the AmazonBasics Hanging Toiletry Kit.
At $15, AmazonBasics’ toiletry kit is an absolute bargain. On the outside, it sports a sturdy polyester shell, with solid zippers and a carrying handle. Internally, its compartments are internally lined, preventing leaks.
Two mesh pockets, one zippered mesh pocket, and a sleeve also line the main compartment for additional organization. As if that weren’t enough, the bag also includes two separate side compartments. We like ours so much that it sees as much use at home as it does on the road.
AmazonBasics Hanging Travel Toiletry Kit Bag - Black
Available from: Amazon
5. Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack
The Ultralight Stuff Pack ($35) provides extra storage space on demand. When you’re not using it, it packs down into a tiny volume (think how much space a single sock, rolled up, takes). It’s also so light, it’ll barely register on a bathroom scale.
Unpacked, this pack expands to take the form of an 18L daypack. That’s enough space to fill extra souvenirs. We typically use ours as a hiking daypack to carry a jacket and a few bottles of water. That’s saved us from having to bring a heavier, bulkier, backpack.
Like the toiletry kit, these bags aren’t just useful on travels. We keep a stuff pack tucked away when we run errands in the city or for trips to the grocery store. Stuff packs are easier to carry than reusable totes in our view.
Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, Poppy Orange, One Size
Available from: Amazon
6. Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit
The Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit is the ultimate adapter kit. With six attachable prongs, this travel adapter can plug in anywhere in the world (except on certain outlets in South Africa). It also charges up to five devices simultaneously via two standard (US) outlets, two USB ports, and a built-in micro-USB charging cable.
We’re particularly drawn to the Ceptics’ design because it uses attachments. Compared to other adapters that include pop-out prongs, this one’s much slimmer, meaning it can slide into any bag pocket. At $24, it’s also reasonably priced given all that it delivers.
7. Mpow Universal Waterproof Case
Here’s the perfect stocking stuffer. At $8 for a pack of two, the Universal Waterproof Case is perfect for keeping phones away from the elements. We use ours on visits to the beach, on kayaking and canoeing trips, and on hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes.
The IPX8 rating means this case will protect your devices submerged in water as deep as 32 feet (9.7m). The plastic casing uses transparent PVC, meaning you’ll be able to operate your phone through the case. You’ll also be able to capture memories through your phone’s cameras above the water’s surface or under it.
8. Etymotic Research ER20 Earplugs
Most travelers need earplugs, but most travelers don’t bring them. Worse, unless they’re traveling in a city, it’s rather difficult to find stores that sell them. That makes a pair of earplugs a solid gift for travelers.
The $10 ER20 Earplugs we feature is geared towards musicians and concert goers, but they work great in travel. In real world use, expect the ER20 to reduce outside noise by 20dB.
What makes the ER20 so special is that it blocks noise while still maintaining “clarity.” An internal chamber built into each earplug reduces how much your sound gets muddied. That makes them useful when you’re strumming a guitar or rocking out on drums. Coincidentally, it also helps you get some quiet without compromising how you hear.
Aside from concerts, we use the ER20 to get shuteye on long train and plane rides. Here, the ER20 passes through PA announcements, but blocks out most other ambient noises. We also like these earplugs for sleeping in shared dorms in hostels for the same reason. They block out just enough sound for a good night’s rest, but not so much that we’re completely oblivious to the outside world.
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