As seasoned explorers, we’ve tested our fair share of gear and doodads to make our adventures far more enjoyable. So just in time for the holiday season, we’re sharing our gift guide for the wanderlust newbies or frequent flyers in your life!
Have other people to shop for this holiday season? Check out our other guides here!
Note that some of these products include affiliate links that come at no further cost to you, but give us a small financial reward for putting them on your radar. Plus, we’ve personally used every item on this list and can vouch for each product. Consider it the Chris and Alex guarantee!
1. Vessi
The first rule of travel? Comfortable footwear! The past two years, Vessi shoes have become our go-to for every day and travel footwear. We have tested them in rain, snow, sand, sun, mud, and have brought them everywhere from Alaska to Japan!
Not only are they easy to clean, vegan, lightweight, and trendy, but they are also completely waterproof! They have helped us travel more confidently because no matter what the weather throws our way, we’re prepared. If you want a little extra width or toe room, consider ordering a men’s size!
Be sure to check out their other accessories for your gift giving needs! Their gloves, backpacks, and cross body bags are made of the same dependable, waterproof material as the shoes and will leave you dry and stylish! Mind you, this is coming from two individuals who took photos in a tulip field in Amsterdam during a downpour and left with great photos but also dry feet… and a completely dry backpack!
Be sure to enter the code within the top black bar to get a free gift with your purchase!
2. Toad&Co
If you or someone else in your life is a lover of having ample, deep pockets – this is your dream clothing brand.
We have included Toad&Co items in our clothing rotation all year long and we’ve fallen in love with how versatile, durable, and practical the clothes are. That is, all the while remaining extremely fashionable and sustainable! This makes each piece a great option for travel, whether the weather is warm or cold.
In addition, should the travelers in your life prefer secondhand to new, Toad&Co sells pre-loved merchandise from previous seasons at a discount! Perfect for the budget-inclined backpacker who doesn’t want to compromise style for cost!
Some of our favorites for the winter season are:
Nomader reversible jacket
You really get the most bang for your buck with this Toad&Co Nomader reversible jacket! Because each jacket is fully reversible, you get double the color and styling options!
Campo Fleece overalls
Chris has been living in the Campo Fleece Overalls! They feel like living in a blanket, great for lounging around the house or dressing up to stay warm on a wintery adventure! We plan on using these apres ski this season!
Campo Fleece Jacket
This Campo Fleece Jacket packs down slim but will still keep you plenty warm! Plus, who doesn’t love a fun print during the dull, cold months?
For the warmer weather:
Sunkissed Skort Dress
This Sunkissed Skort Dress from the spring launch is now final sale! Not only is the material super comfortable in hot weather, but the dress also comes equipped with FOUR pockets! A dress with pockets? Yes please!
3. International Lifeline
We all spend a lot of time and money planning a trip, but one thing we often forget to do is to budget in trip protection. International Lifeline covers the things that you hope will never happen to you or your loved ones while traveling but unfortunately could happen.
Their trip protection membership covers worldwide medical evacuation and repatriation, kidnap and extortion, and emergency political and civil unrest evacuation. Enrollment can be on a trip-by-trip basis or annually, and for an individual, couple, or family!
For us, having the couple’s membership during our time in Alaska allowed us to feel so much more at ease while we were recreating in some pretty unpredictable elements. It’s also a great idea to cover kids away at university!
Use code “CANDA” for 20% off your trip protection plan!
4. Klean Kanteen
The gift that keeps on giving? An emotional support water bottle! We travel with Klean Kanteen insulated bottles, mugs, and straws, and trust us, they can take a beating!
They are a woman-founded, climate neutral, B corp with the cutest colors and designs for everyone in your life. Our newest fave has been their 36 oz tumbler because we really, really need a lot of emotional support lately.
5. Manta Sleep Mask
Think blackout curtains, but for your eyes! This Manta Sleep eye mask changed the way that we sleep – and it’s for the better. Fair warning, you may never want to sleep without it again!
Whether you’re at home, on a flight, or sharing a room with someone who needs to sleep with the TV on, the Manta Sleep Mask will lead you to believe you’re in a pitch black cave. There are adjustable eye cushions for your eyes and the head strap has velcro, so you can adjust the snugness of the mask. Anyone who we have inspired to use these masks has thanked us profusely!
6. Napfun Neck Pillow
It’s probably safe to say that we are all universally on the search for the most accommodating neck pillow. Skip the duty free selection at the airport and opt for something with a little more integrity, like the Napfun Neck Pillow!
On our recent trip to Japan, we tested out this neck pillow and loved how compact it folded down and how the unique shape cradled our necks! Fittingly named napfun, this pillow definitely made our naps more fun. Or at least, it made a 14 hour flight quite a bit more tolerable.
7. Apple AirTag
Whether you fly once a year, once a week, or are simply guilty of misplacing your things, Apple’s Air Tags are absolute lifesavers.
In 2022, our luggage was missing after landing at New York’s JFK Airport. The only thing that allowed us to recover it were our AirTags indicating it was misplaced within the actual terminal. This allowed flight staff to go and locate not only our bags, but also the 6 other folks from our flight who were also missing their things! In fact, this prevented us from having to fill out lengthy paperwork and have to return to the airport days later once they found them.
Opt for a four pack to split between you and your boo. Now we never travel without putting one AirTag each in a backpack and piece of luggage!
8. Scrubba Wash Bag
Picture it: you’ve been backpacking for a month through Europe when suddenly… you’re out of clean underwear! Fret not, we’ve lived through this exact scenario and can comfort you with a solution.
The Scrubba Wash Bag Portable Washing Machine is a portable, lightweight, travel washing machine that allows you to quickly wash your laundry on-the-go. Just scrub-ba away using the inner washboard and you won’t miss a beat of your precious travel time. We washed underwear, shirts, and bottoms in this little bag and then left out the goods to hang dry or blow dry. Of course, it’s also ideal for the campers and outdoors folk in your life!
9. Jetbag Protective Bottle Bag
Is there a jet-setter in your life who constantly visits wineries, breweries, meaderies, etc.? If so, they could definitely use these JetBag Bold Reusable and Protective Bottle bags for their travels!
Nothing is more heartbreaking than your taste buds falling in love with a new libation… only to find that the contents have spilled all over your clothes and other souvenirs from your trip. That is to say, this doesn’t prevent heartbreak once the bottle is finally empty.
10. AceMining Portable Door Lock
Have you ever arrived at a hotel or accommodation to find that the deadbolt on the door doesn’t lock properly or at all? Unfortunately, we have! And during these times we were so glad we had this AceMining portable door lock for extra security.
11. Birdie Personal Safety Alarm
When it comes to which personal safety items that are permitted on planes, the list is pretty short. That’s what led us to the Birdie personal safety alarm.
It’s very compact to fit into a purse, pants pocket, or backpack, and when the pin is pulled it emits a very high pitched, loud siren that can last 40 continual minutes. Simultaneously it also triggers a flashing strobe light. This is a particularly great gift for woman or solo travelers that could always use extra peace of mind!
12. The Cocktail Box Co. Cocktail Kits
These Cocktail Kits from the Cocktail Box Co. are a great gift for those looking to refine their in flight cocktail experience. They come with everything you need to be a barista whether you have the window or middle seat on an airplane!
13. Unihand AI Rechargeable Handwarmers
Tired of forgetting to bring enough hand warmers to hand out to the group? These Unihand Rechargeable AI Hand Warmers will keep your fingers toasty whether you’re traveling to a cold destination, watching a sports games, or playing in the snow! We got these for my grandmother whose hands were always cold from poor circulation and she sang their praises! And if Nana approves, you know it’s legit.