It is that time of year folks. The time of year when all your favorite blogs feature gift guides. I have always find them slightly annoying yet really awesome. Annoyed that beautiful pictures of hikes and travels are filled with products for sale and affiliate links, but also grateful for the gift ideas in the holiday season. So if you are slightly annoyed and excited about this gift guide, I am sorry and you are welcome.
This years guide is a little heavy on organization. Why? Because this tends to be the biggest struggle I have when planning for a trip (how to pack everything I need as compact and organized as possible). I also put in a few awesome electronics, a menu aid, a fun wallet, a genius idea for a water bottle, and a way to wash your clothes without a washing machine. Without further adieu, lets talk about awesome gift for the traveler on your shopping list.
Power bank, speaker and flashlight $40 (free shipping)
Katie Wanders Owned and Approved!
The first on my list is this water resistant, dust proof, and shock resistant 3-in-1 gadget. This little device is a power bank when you need to charge your phone, a flashlight when you need the light, and a speaker when you want to listen to some tunes. We bring this on all our camping trips when we need the light and want to charge our phones, and we always keep this guy in the car. "Outdoor Tech’s Buckshot Pro Bluetooth speaker has the enviable combination of wireless music, illumination, and power, encased in a rugged, ultra-portable housing. It provides reference quality Hi-Fi sound that pumps through its passive bass port and high end driver while still being directional enough not to bother the whole neighborhood while strapped to Jimmy’s tricycle on a Sunday morning ride. And with a built-in-mic and easy to access controls, Jimmy can answer grandma’s call and change tracks all with his phone in the safe confines of his Spider-Man backpack. The safety application is not to be overlooked - the bright 100 Lumen removable LED light attachment not only functions as a camping lantern with a bright and a dim (romance) setting, but also features a torch and a strobe setting for ultimate visibility.
Crabby Wallet $15 various colors (Amazon Prime item)
Katie Wanders Owned and Approved!
This is the perfect "everything you need and nothing you don't" wallet. I own one of these and I love it. It is the perfect size to slip in my credit debit cards, drivers license, insurance and cash (holds 1-10 cards). It also has a clip/loop for added security. "The Crabby Wallet is the perfect balance of Minimalist Design & Maximum Utility. The Crabby Wallet is a thin, minimalist front pocket wallet. First introduced as an incredibly successful Kickstarter Campaign, the L3 Version of the Crabby wallet is made of 100% Leather on the outer lining, and 100% polyester on the inner lining, and it will adapt to be as big or as small as you need. It is the most durable yet thin leather wallet in the Crabby Gear product line. Firmly hold anywhere from 1 to 10 cards while also bundling your cash, phone & a key or two".
Katie Wanders Want!
This one isn't as practical as the others, but a fun stylish option. How many times do we pull out our cellphone to check the time and get distracted by other apps, calls, and the internet? Or how often do we have to reach in our bag to pull out our phones risking possible theft and loss? Keep your phone safely stored in your bag and check the time like we did in the 90s. This watch is a cute addition to any travelers wardrobe and a tool to check the time while protecting your cellphone, security and battery life. This watch is made from a leather band and stainless steel plate in various colors.
Katie Wanders Want!
I am always on the hunt for good luggage. I have yet to find a carryon suitcase I love, so lets start with a carry on bag that fits under the seat. These days, many flights have gotten insanely strict on their baggage laws. Even worst, most budget airlines ticket price only includes a carry on that fits under your seat and carryons going in the overhead bin cost extra. This bag maximizes space and keeps your organized while keeping you on budget. A handle and rolling wheels, tote bag and a water bottle holder on the side makes this the perfect bag. "This carry-on is uniquely dome-shaped to provide easy access and a comfortable foot rest when in flight. For more than 35 years, Travelon has been making travel easier and safer with products that provide protection, peace-of-mind, safety, security and organization"
A5 memobottle $29.00
Katie Wanders Want!
When I first saw this I think my jaw dropped. Why didn't I think of this??!? A square water bottle means no more awkward waterbottles on the loose rolling down the aisle of the plane, or trying to fit that large cylinder in your bag. This flat square fits perfectly in the seat pocket in front of you, or in your bag. No runaways allowed "Holding 750ml, the A5 memobottle™ is a reusable water bottle for the premium drinker. The shape of the memobottle™ closely resembles the dimensions of a sheet of paper (available in A5 and A6 size) and is made from a durable BPA-free and cradle-to-cradle certified plastic".
Katie Wanders Want!
I love supporting Etsy shops and this was one of my favorite finds. This leather travel wallet/organizer made by House of LH is the solution to the "my purse is a black hole" problem. Sunglasses, pen, phone, tablet, ID's and passport all in one ZIPPERED stylish pouch. An external pouch keeps any documents easily accessible while the zipper keeps everything inside secure. This size holds a Large Moleskin Notebooks or iPad Air and also has a work portfolio cover sleeve document organizer folder. There are various sizes including a smaller option that holds an iPad mini.
How to read menus in France, Italy and Spain- $12 (Amazon Prime item)
Katie Wanders Want!
I love the idea behind this tiny book. Maybe you have been there, trying to figure out what to eat in a restaurant where nothing is in english. These tiny books fit right in your wallet and are the perfect guide to read menus in France, Italy and Spain. "These pocket-sized books, each just 24 pages, are sleek and subtle guides to making sure you understand every accent and idiom on dining menus in France, Italy and Spain. Tuck one in your travel bag so you can focus on enjoying Europe's culinary fare without a single linguistic worry".
Packing Cubes (4 pack) $20 (60% off and Amazon Prime item)
Katie Wanders Owned and Approved!
This. This is one of my secret weapons when packing a carry-on suitcase. First off, you keep all your closed compressed, compact, and organized. Second, you can pack cubes by day, meaning you only have to pull out the cube you need. No more unpacking and rifling through a suitcase, pack your cubes to keep your clothes organized and ensure they fit in your carry-on. "Our packing cube system fixes that issue by neatly packing all your clothes tightly into our space saving bags. It allows you to easily store and organize your clothing that makes it easy to pack and even easier to unpack. Your clothes will stay more wrinkled free and not get crushed during your travels. We've included a laundry bag with your cube set so that you can separate your dirty clothing from your fresh clothes on your journey back home".
AKG N60nc Noise Canceling Sealed Headphone $200 (Amazon Prime item)
Katie Wanders Want!
I know this one is on my Christmas List. Those ear plugs do not work to get rid of the crying baby, the humming engine, or the snoring neighbor on your flight. And those earbuds? Those always hurt my ears. This set of headphones cancels outside noises while providing high quality sound. "Reduces ambient noise especially when traveling to create a perfect sound environment where you can be alone with your music and yourself. Designed for convenient transport and storage thanks to the 3D folding mechanism and the carrying case, you can get up and go with your music at the drop of a high hat. Thanks to the 30 hours battery life and the convenient USB charging cable, the N60NC can be enjoyed all the way (and back)".
Scrubba Bag $49.95 (Amazon Prime item)
Katie Wanders Want!
If you want to pack light and re-wear the same clothes, at some point you are going to need to do some laundry. Who wants to hunt down (and wait at) a laundromat for clothes to be cleaned? This mostly amazed me for camping, but what a perfect gift for any traveler. You can do your own laundry (anywhere!) with this bag, some soap and water. I am a little on the fence about how well this product can work and a little intimidated by the price, but I love the idea and it made it to the list. "If you’ve ever been stuck paying exorbitant amounts to have a hotel do your laundry – or been stuck doing your own laundry in the sink because you refused to pay those amounts – then the Scrubba bag is for you! Super lightweight, packs up small, and allows you to easily do a load of laundry wherever you are by simply adding a bit of soap, some water, and using the built in scrubbing board. There’s even instructions on the side of the bag – it doesn’t get much easier than that! Ingenious idea and a great product that will save you tons of money and hassle in the long run."
Oooh some great ideas!!! -Alicia @ www.girlonahike.com
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