If you have someone on your list who has to catch a red-eye after the holiday party you’re hosting, this is the gift guide to pick their present from. Everything listed is sure to please the guy who has packing down to a science. From better travel bags to chargers that ensure his gadgets stay juiced while he’s off the grid, we’ve got him covered. Here’s a collection of the best travel gifts you can give this year.
AirScale
AirScale solves two of the most annoying things about traveling. First, it can give an emergency charge to any dying smartphone. That makes it super handy during any far-off expedition. On top of that, as the name suggests, it’s also a digital scale, allowing anyone to avoid surprise baggage fees that come with an overstuffed piece of luggage. There goes two birds with one sleek, attractive stone.
$59
Mophie Power Capsule
We’ve long been fans of Mophie’s portable battery packs. We’ve used them to keep our phones charged overseas and when we’re snapping pictures of far-off cities all day long. Now Mophie is doing for headphones, fitness trackers, and other wearables what they did for smartphones. The Mophie Power Capsule has a built-in 1,400mAh battery, which can help charge the contents of the case. Whether they need to power up their headphones for a flight or want to keep track of steps while they’re exploring Paris, this is the case they need.
$40
Native Union Tag Cable
Cables are inherently unsightly. They tangle into giant knots and don’t seem fit for the clean devices they help power. Not the case with Native Union’s Tag Cable, which will help charge someone’s iPhone when they’re on the go. The Tag Cable, as the name suggests, looks like a luggage tag when strapped to a bag. Instead of personal information, the Tag Cable hides an Apple Lightning connector for quick charging at an airport. It’s perfect for any modern-day jetsetter.
$50
Blue Bottle Coffee Timbuk2 Weekender Travel Kit
A good cup of coffee is hard to find in a lot of places, and don’t get us started on the sludge offered at many affordable hotels. The solution to this caffeine dilemma is this kit from Blue Bottle Coffee and Timbuk2. Included is a travel dripper, some Blue Bottle Coffee, two enamelware tumblers, felt covers for the drinkware, a hand grinder, filters, a brew guide, and the awesome bag it all comes in. It’s the gift of perfect coffee wherever they happen to be off to.
$179
Best Made Waxed Canvas Blanket
We’re huge fans of waxed canvas, as we have a collection of bags and small goods crafted from the durable material all over our office. For the traveler whose destinations often include campsites and chilly locales, give them a blanket made from our favorite winter-ready material. Best Made’s Waxed Canvas Blanket ensures they’ll stay warm wherever they go. Available in olive or orange, the blanket rolls up for easy transport and can be attached to any camping bag or weekender. The brass grommets even allow the owner to secure it if they’re using it to sit on, or string it up if the skies open up.
$178
Herschel Supply Chapter Travel Kit
No avid traveler should be without a nice dopp kit. Storing all those grooming necessities in a series of Ziploc bags is messy and unattractive. If you want to give him a dopp kit that looks good and won’t set you back, consider this one from Herschel Supply. Decked out in a range of different colors (we really dig the Raven Crosshatch), the simple storage solution offers a waterproof zipper detailed main compartment and an eye-catching fabric liner. If he’s still jetsetting with toothpaste-stained freezer bags, this is warranted.
$30
Arrowhead Trail Rolltop Pack
Remember those kind words we had for waxed canvas a few entries back? Yeah, here’s more proof of our devotion to the durable material. This backpack is crafted to protect anything tossed in it. Ideal for camping, hiking, or just as an all-purpose bag, the Arrowhead Trail Rolltop Pack boasts a weather-resistant roll top, bridle leather flap straps, and solid brass hardware. In terms of features, it sports an internal laptop sleeve, leather attachment points, pistol belt shoulder straps, and a collection of pockets. Each one is built by hand in the USA.
$180
Kapten & Son Campus Silver “Black Mesh” Watch
PARTNER When hopping time zones, a watch is key, as using your phone can get pricey overseas. When you’re hopping time zones on your company’s tab to hit meetings, a professional looking watch is also key. For that, give them this timepiece from Kapten & Son. It looks and feels like a special occasions watch, and the people they’re meeting with will notice that. Of course it doesn’t require big time deals; the Campus Silver “Black Mesh” watch looks good no matter where they’re off to. The 40mm timepiece boasts a stainless steel case, Ronda 762 quartz movement, a 7mm mesh strap and the style and sophistication any dapper traveler would demand.
$199
Marshall Major II Bluetooth Headphones
Ever since Marshall made their foray into headphones a few years back, we’ve been fans. Their latest, the Major II Bluetooth headphones, are our favorites yet. With 30 hours of playing time on a single charge, they’ll handle the music and movies on even the farthest flight. The analog control knob is also a cool, retro touch, as it allows users to control volume, play/pause music, and end calls with one attractive interface. Performance, as you would expect, is top notch. The 40mm dynamic drivers help to deliver strong bass and smooth mids. These will be a welcome addition to their carry-on.
$149
Stanley & Sons Market Bag
Don’t let the name fool you, this Market Bag is not limited to just carrying produce. In fact, it’s one of our favorite do-everything bags around. Built from cotton chambray, the indigo bag looks as good as your favorite pair of jeans. They can toss one in some luggage to tote around all the souvenirs and necessities they have while abroad. Made in the USA by Stanley & Sons, the Market Bag is perfect for the traveler who’s relied on a JanSport for far too long.
$98
Tech Dopp Kit Mini
Traveling today means carrying an assortment of gadgets and their requisite cords. This holiday, give the person who’s always flying the friendly skies the gift of stylish organization. The Tech Dopp Kit is a handsome storage vessel for all those cables and electronic gizmos. Handmade in the USA out of supple leather, the Tech Dopp Kit Mini offers interior straps to keep their gear free of knots.
$150
Aether Crosby Jacket
PARTNER The well-traveled man is always ready for unpredictable climates. Few jackets tackle the cold like Aether’s Crosby Jacket, which is constructed with a 3-layer, 100% wool exterior and a removable liner. The best part? Unlike other jackets that help you stay warm when temps dip, the Crosby Jacket doesn’t make you look like Ralphie in A Christmas Story. The water resistant, breathable coat boasts a refined look appropriate for flying from city to city. It also features dual-entry zippered hand pockets, an interior pocket, and magnetic snap closures. It’s all about staying warm in style.
$825
Mission Workshop The Fraction Bag
Mission Workshop builds bags durable enough to be trusted by NYC bike commuters. If it’s good enough for the guy dodging cab doors and confused tourists, it’s good enough for getting tossed in an overhead bin on occasion. The Fraction, the newest bag, is outfitted with multiple stash pockets and a space for a laptop. Same weatherproof compartments, urethane coated zippers, and internal framesheet as the larger bags Mission Workshop has released, only in a smaller, more plane-friendly option.
$185
Bellroy MAAP All-Conditions Phone Pocket
Stormy weather and smartphones don’t mix. For the guy who finds himself in far-off cities often, this can be an issue. When he’s sprinting London streets to get to a meeting, he’ll be happy he has this case from Bellroy. The MAAP All-Conditions Phone Pocket holds and protects an iPhone, 2-8 credit cards, and some coins and bills. Made from water-resistant all-conditions leather, the case/wallet boasts a microfiber lining to keep that Apple device free of scratches. If you know a guy constantly checking the weather report for an upcoming trip, give him some peace of mind with the MAAP All-Conditions Phone Pocket.
$110
Away Carry-On
Having a flight cancelled or delayed means a flurry of calls and emails that have to go out. A dead phone is a quick way to make a stressful situation 10x worse. That’s why we love this carry-on from Away. Besides being a stylish luggage option, it’s outfitted with a battery to charge any USB device. That means they can fire off emails, check the weather, and browse the web while they’re stuck at the airport. Other niceties include a nylon laundry bag, a TSA-approved lock, and a scratch-resistant finish. It’s the most clever carry-on around.
$225
Nomad Leather Charging Wallet
The Leather Charging Wallet combines classic style with a bit of modern ingenuity. With a built-in battery and charging cable, the wallet allows the owner to give new life to his second most important everyday carry item, his phone. The leather wallet is crafted from Horween leather that will age beautifully over time, and the battery is housed in the crease to keep the entire thing surprisingly slim.
$120
