Travel gifts for the road-tripper
Source: Iszak Bale / Unsplash
Vanlifers and road-trip enthusiasts usually know which items they like to travel with and — more importantly, given their limited living space — what they need. Check first what’s on their wishlist, or roll the dice with one of these useful gift ideas.
Travel-sized tire pump
Donrox Ride A924, €109.95
Anyone who’s taking a road trip on rough or remote terrain needs a proper pump in their setup. This digital tire pump is designed for cars and campers and stops automatically once you’ve reached the desired pressure.
What we like most about this travel gift: You can charge the pump using the cable provided, but then disconnect it to inflate your tires. Its battery is also removable and replaceable.
Caffeine on the go
AeroPress Coffee Maker — Go, €39.95
For travelers who want super-speedy French-press-style coffee with the body of an espresso, an Aeropress coffee maker is a no-brainer. Brew the grind with water (hot or cold) for two minutes, stir, then press it into the travel mug that comes as part of this nifty set. Afterward, just rinse it clean.
What we like most about this travel gift: This compact model is specifically designed for travel, with the whole apparatus packing down into the lidded travel mug.
Solar powerbank
Heko Spark 2, €89.99
Waterproof, dust-proof, and shockproof, this hardy and powerful charger is made for the outdoors, and uses the sun’s rays to recharge (or just plug it into your supply). It can charge multiple devices simultaneously and is compatible with other Heko products, such as foldable extra solar panels.
What we like most about this travel gift: As well as the ability to charge devices wirelessly, this model has four built-in cables to top up any device, so you don’t need to carry a bunch of cables on your road trip.
Swiss Army Knife
Victorinox Huntsman, from €39.99
This absolute classic outdoor gift has stood the test of time. Developed in 1891 for Swiss soldiers, these compact, multi-purpose knives are now a staple of travelers worldwide. Choose from single knives or collections of tools, from bottle openers and blades to screwdrivers and scissors.
What we like most about this travel gift: Every traveler needs at least one of these tools at some point in their journey, and the Huntsman is so compact that they won't need to make any space in their backpack.
Ambient light
BioLite Solar String 18' Warm White, €69.95
Help your loved one add some ambiance to wherever they’re spending the night with these sturdy and portable fairy lights that can be recharged in the sun or via a USB-C cable. Once fully charged, the 10 bulbs each last for 20 hours and can easily withstand the rain, wind, and cold.
What we like most about this travel gift: String these lights either inside or outside your van or tent. When you’re not using them, they wind neatly into their charging pack.
And the best gift for explorers who travel light…
Polarsteps Travel Book Gift Card, choose your own amount
Some experienced overlanders won’t appreciate extra things to fit into their vehicle, however well-meaning or thoughtful your travel gift idea is. Contribute to their trip in another way by buying them a Gift Card for one of our Travel Books. Your loved one can easily create a physical reminder of their adventure from their Polarsteps trip, with text, travel stats, the route, and their best photos to enhance the memories — all printed on luxurious, highquality paper.
What we like most about this travel gift: You can choose any gift amount, but as a rule of thumb, €95 will buy a 100-page Travel Book (shipping included). Choose one of our images to illustrate your Gift Card, or upload your own to personalize it.
Useful gifts for lovers of The Great Outdoors
There’s often a specific activity or hobby that avid travelers love to do while on a trip, whether it’s surfing, climbing, or hiking — either buy a gift related to their hobby, or find more general outdoor-oriented gift ideas for travelers. Perhaps your gift recipient already has one of these items, but chances are they will appreciate the upgrade.
Dry bag for beach or watersports
North Face Base Camp Dry Bag 8L, €42
When you’re camping, bikepacking, or overlanding, everything you take with you needs to pull its weight. This dry bag isn’t just great for keeping your valuables safe while you’re at the beach or on the water. It’s also handy for carrying water for boiling, washing up, or dousing fire embers back at camp.
What we like most about this travel gift: It’s made from recycled materials, rolls down to almost nothing, and can be clipped onto any other gear.
Portable party-starter
Yeti MOLLE-Mounted Zinger Bottle Opener, €40
A handy travel gift that takes up next to no storage space and can attach to a keyring, wallet, daypack, or existing travel gear so that you can always sit back with a cold beer when the moment calls for one. If your travel-loving person is already a big Yeti fan, this gift will fit seamlessly into their aesthetic.
What we like most about this travel gift: Because this bottle opener is MOLLE-mounted, it’s compatible with the MOLLE/PALS attachment system used by many outdoor and travel brands on backpacks, coolers, tool holders, and vehicle storage panels.
Lightweight, ultra-absorbent beach towel
Toalla Medusas by Erika Castilla, €48
Artist and graphic designer Erika Castilla takes inspiration for her pieces from her home in the Canary Islands, with many designs based around the sea. Made from lightweight, quick-absorbing material, her colorful travel towels look good hanging anywhere. They also dry really quickly and are treated with an antibacterial finish to prevent odors — handy for long-term travel.
What we like most about this travel gift: This stylish gift is bigger than your average beach towel but still takes up minimal luggage space. Plus, the colors are designed to resist fading, even with frequent use.
Merino wool sleeping bag liner
Campers who are far from their own beds can slip this liner into their sleeping bag to keep it clean and extra cozy. Instead of fleece, cotton, or silk liners, those made from merino wool are the softest of the lot and they adapt to the body’s temperature, whatever climate you’re in.
What we like most about this travel gift: This sleeping bag liner packs down to just 18cm x 11cm (handy for backpacking).
Hiker’s water bottle
Lifestraw Collapsible Squeeze Bottle with Filter, €44.95
By gifting the traveler in your life this clever bottle, you’ll make their next hike much more comfortable. With a built-in filter straw, the Lifestraw series already allows hikers to drink water from most sources, and this collapsible version is extra handy for reducing weight and bulk on your travels.
What we like most about this travel gift: It’s perfect for people who travel light, as it will take up almost zero space in their backpack or van.
And the best gift for explorers who travel light…
AllTrails subscription, €29.99/year
For keen hikers or anyone setting off on a long-distance cycling trip, this subscription is a wonderful travel gift. AllTrails’ downloadable route maps keep you on the right track, with real-time alerts for wrong turns, bad weather, and other on-the-ground conditions, plus location sharing with the other people in your group.
What we like most about this travel gift: Access to these trail maps makes new experiences in unfamiliar places much more enjoyable. You can hike or cycle hands-free, take in the scenery, and stop worrying about getting lost. And, you can choose between a digital or a physical voucher.
Gift ideas for hostel backpackers
Source: Tobias Tullius / Unsplash
Backpackers trade home comforts for adventure, and that’s why a thoughtful travel gift can really improve their trip and let them know someone is thinking of them when they’re away from home. Believe us: a little bit of luxury during a long-haul, low-budget trip is always appreciated.
Packing cubes
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 3L–6L–14L, €40, €50, and €65
Every organized traveler loves a packing cube! These come in three sizes, each with internal mesh pockets for keeping travel items in order, and their fabric is made from 100% recycled materials. Their dimensions are designed to nest snugly within other Patagonia products.
What we like most about this travel gift: Patagonia’s packing cubes are high quality and made in a FairTrade-certified factory.
Sleep-enhancing earplugs
Loop Dream, €44.95
Give the gift of a good night’s sleep! Loop’s design allows the recipient to tailor the plug to their ear size for a snug fit, and they’re easy to store in the accompanying travel case. Users will still hear the fire alarm, but they’ll sleep right through traffic noises, shared-dorm snores, and the comings and goings of roommates.
What we like most about this travel gift: Because of their rounded shape and soft silicone, these earplugs really do stay in your ears all night, and are comfortable and secure even if you sleep on your side. They’re a really small but useful travel gift — especially when paired with a travel sleep mask.
Hostel-friendly toiletry bag
Passenger Clothing Drop Wash Kit, €34.95
With a hook and a drop-down design, this toiletry bag is great for bathrooms in hostels, campsites, and other travel situations where personal space is in short supply. Its breathable pockets are made from recycled nylon and polyester, which helps keep everything inside fresh and dry. And you can choose from six color waves.
What we like most about this travel gift: The bag has one removable compartment, which makes it easy to organize your toiletries and grab just what you need.
Travel adapter
Anker Nano 5-in-1 Travel Adapter, €26.99
When you’re giving a gift to a traveler, the best things really do come in small packages. Treat a traveler to this small and slimline adapter, which is compatible with sockets anywhere in the world and can charge five appliances at once. It’s the kind of thing they would buy for themselves — they can spend the money saved on their actual travels.
What we like most about this travel gift: The Anker Nano 5-in-1 automatically stops charging if a device becomes overheated — good news for backpackers charging devices in unfamiliar or unconventional places.
And the best gift for explorers who travel light…
Add an upgrade to their planned trip
Ask to take a look at your loved one’s planned trip and make a note of where you can add a little surprise TLC. Perhaps one of the hostels they’re staying at has private rooms you can upgrade them to. Or, just offer to cover the cost of one of the activities they’ve booked.
What we like most about this travel gift: This is a more personalized way of gifting cash. By taking their trip into account, you’re not lumbering your loved one with extra luggage or gifting them an experience that doesn’t fit with their plans. Plus, you can see them enjoy the experience on their Polarsteps trip!
Travel-related gifts for frequent flyers
Source: Patrick Tomasso / Unsplash
Whether the traveler in your life is regularly airside for work or pleasure, these failsafe flying must-haves will make being plane-bound much more bearable. Update their luggage, add tiny treats into the mix, or prevent airport hiccups from becoming full-blown calamities with the magic of tech.
Neck pillow
Cabeau Slim TNE S3 Deluxe, $59.99
There are so many neck pillows on the market to solve the age-old problem of trying to sleep while sitting up. Cabeau is the best we’ve found: a Cabeau neck pillow is firm enough to offer proper support but also squishy enough to easily stuff into its travel pouch. It can attach to any plane headrest — then you just strap your head in and relax. The cover is also removable for washing between uses.
What we like most about this travel gift: Cabeau has pillows that fit all neck sizes, but because of this model’s smaller proportions, you can wear it with noise-canceling headphones.
Travel-size skincare and toiletries
Malin + Goetz Best-Sellers Travel Kit, €42
This travel-size pack is ideal for carry-on luggage or one-baggers — the cleanser and moisturizer keep the traveler’s face protected and hydrated in the air-conditioned cabin, while the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are revitalizing during that post-flight shower.
What we like most about this travel gift: Treats like mini toiletries are fantastic stocking fillers or gifts for travelers, and we love the invigorating herbal scents of these.
Endless library
Kobo Clara BW e-reader, €169.99
If the book-lover in your life is going on a long trip, this e-reader could be the most thoughtful and useful gift to buy for them. It’s light and slimline, supports multiple formats, and can even play audiobooks via Bluetooth. Plus, if anything happens to it on the road, the e-reader’s parts can be replaced at iFixit locations worldwide.
What we like most about this travel gift: Another great thing about this e-reader is that it’s compatible with many local online libraries, so you don’t always have to buy digital versions of the books you want to read. (However, this feature is most widely available in North America.)
Bluetooth GPS tracker
Ridge Tracker Card, €45
Slip this flat, credit card-size tracker into your loved one’s stocking to help them keep their valuables safe while on their travels. They can slide it into their wallet, cabin baggage, or important documents to keep track of them. The waterproof tracker can be charged wirelessly and lasts for 10 months — plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
What we like most about this travel gift: Unlike Apple AirTags, which are not compatible with Android devices, the Ridge tracker can be paired with both iPhones and Android phones.
The GOAT of carry-on luggage
Nortvi Front Pocket, €205
Marketed as ‘unbreakable’, these polycarbonate suitcases are also head-turners, with their matte color palette and sleek, subtle pockets. Measuring just 55cm x 37cm x 22cm, this model holds 39 liters of luggage, which makes it ideal cabin baggage for weekends away.
What we like most about this travel gift: Several members of the Polarsteps team use these suitcases for short trips — they like that they’re lightweight, stylish, and have a lifetime warranty.
And the best gift for explorers who travel light…
LoungePair gift card for airport lounge access at their departure point, from €25
If you know someone who regularly flies long-haul for work, or you have a family member backpacking around the world on a gap year, buy them access to an airport lounge on their route — and the quiet time, snacks, and free drinks that come with it — to add a touch of luxury to their travels.
What we like most about this travel gift: This gift takes up no packing space; it’s all about enhancing the travel experience. You can choose vouchers that contribute to a single lounge visit or cover access to several lounges.
Want to splash out on a bigger travel gift for a special occasion? Take your loved one on a trip — and plan it in the Polarsteps app! |
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