Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide of Gadgets, Goodies & Gear for the Travel Savvy

If you’ve been aimlessly looking online, fighting holiday crowds that are anything but cheerful and racking up miles in malls and urban enclaves and still coming up short, fear not. This is your holiday hit list for the globetrotters, wanderlusters and outdoor enthusiasts on your list and in your life.

There’s a little something for everyone here, including yourself. There’s everything from chic geeky gifts, to fashion finds and a good bit of health, wellness and beauty, which every weary traveler needs. So, pull up a chair, grab a laptop and pour a holiday cocktail. It’s ready, set, shop time!

GEAR

OFFICE WEAR - ExOfficio has quickly become a favored brand with unrivaled balance of fashion and function. For starters, every intrepid traveler has several pairs of their underwear ($24). This season’s favorites are the lightweight and fleece lined Emei Trench ($200) and the sexy Odessa Jacket ($125) with it’s clean equestrienne styling.

MOUNTAIN HIGH - Mountain Hardwear always packs a punch on the adventure front. The new STRETCHDOWN RS Jacket ($280) is no different, as it’s lightweight, yet keeps you dry with it’s weather resistance. Their Dry Commuter 22L OutDry BackPack ($139) is sure to keep your computer dry on outdoor jaunts or in wild urban adventures.

COLUMBIA TESTED - Sleeping out in the Alaskan wilds for two nights meant I needed a jacket that could battle the elements of both ice and rain, so that I could focus on the fun at hand. Columbia’s Barlow Pass Jacket ($280) more that stood the test. It’s city slickness together with Omni-Heat reflective lining, 550 TurboDown™ insulation and waterproof/breathable fabric was just the Alaskan ticket, as it kept me warm, dry and stylish in the icy rain.

GREAT SCOTT - If you’re looking to have jet sexy adventures with a Bond like slant, grab a few pieces from SCOTTeVEST. It’s covert couture for the adventure sect. The women’s ANNIE ($325/$200 with GIFT2016 code) is designed with military madness in mind. The stylish softshell jacket on the outside conveneiently comes with 35 subtle pockets on the inside. Consider this your carry on, as you can stash cash, tablet, phone, magazines and more en route. Take that TSA!

LUGGAGE & BAGS

A LIGHT WEIGHT - The only thing missing in Osprey’s Ozone Series – Ultralight travel wheels is the weight. I walk the line between packing a punch on the adventure front and turning it out on the fashion front. Both directions can get weighty. A few boots, be it fashion or polar, weigh in heavy, not to mention the layers and wraps. I usually start trips at 50 lbs, which leaves no room, nor weight, for so much as a sock. The Osprey 80L/28” ($250) weighs in under 5 lbs and it comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. Bring on the boots!

CARRY ON - To carry on or not to carry-on, that’s the travel question. The recipient of this gift can make that decision on the fly, in flight, or switch hit in between trips. Thule’s new Crossover Carry On 22”/56cm ($299) is a one-of-a-kind hybrid upright, that can be checked, tucked under the seat, roll with you en route, or be strapped onto your back like a knapsack. Options are everything when traveling.

CAN’T TOUCH THIS - Even free spirited travelers like to know that safety’s on their side. I feel safer knowing that I have my passport, credit cards, cash and travel documents all in one place. Unfortunately, most passports, credit cards and ID cards now contain a RFID micro-chip. This chip contains all your personal, sensitive information. Identity thieves can access this info from up to 10ft away with the help of an RFID reader. Pacsafe is travel gear for smart travelers and their RFIDsafe™ V200 RFID Blocking Travel Organiser ($45) blocking material prevents your data from falling into the wrong hands by blocking out virtually all transmissions. That’s one less thing to worry about while away. Take 15% off with MERRY16 code

SHOES & BOOTS

ADVENTURE STEPS - Sorel boots are far from new to the fusion front, as they’ve been making fashion savvy boots for intrepid adventurers for several seasons now. This winter grab the Joan of Arctic Holiday Boot $250 with its full-grain waterproof leather for extracurricular ski activity. Then slip into any of their fierce fashion boots, like the Addington Chelsea Boot ($210) for all things apres ski. The leather grip will have you stepping, not slipping out into fashion.

BOOTY - Aside from the necessary sandal, boots are my shoe of choice when traveling, be it a hiking, snow or chic streetwear. In the latter category, I love a good looking boot that can take me from day to night, casual to upscale all the while in style. BED|STU is just that boot. I am obsessed with this brand. You will be too and so will the recipient of this gift. Inspired by Brooklyn, located in LA, yet exuding the handcrafted care of an old time Italian cobbler, the Isla Black Rustic ($255) is the perfect bootie to cross many a continent in.

TECH

BACK THAT THING UP - In today’s work, backing up and proper storage is everything. You don’t want to be on the road with full memory cards or hard drives, nor an inaccessible cloud. WD’s My Passport Wireless PRO ($229 - 3TB) is wireless storage wherever you go with an SD card reader built-in so you can clean cards while in the back of a van, or in between travel stops. My Passport Portable Storage: ($129 - 4TB) is an ancillary hard drive for on the road or at home. With 4T as your backup, you have years of travel that can be captured. My Cloud - ($179 - 4 TB) is your own centralized perstorage with automatic backup that plugs into your own home network and can be accessed anywhere. If you have priceless memories and valuable footage or photos, you can’t back up enough.

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT - When I was robbed in Africa, I was devastated that I lost several days of shooting, as they stole my memory cards. Now I put the biggest cards I can find in my cameras and I keep them in there until I am home safe. Kingston SDHC 128 ($66) memory cards are a great investment for any camera. You can capture well over 10,000 images and videos on a 128G card alone. Kingston’s MobileLite Wireless G3 & Pro ($91) is both battery back up and holds up to 64GB of storage. It extends USB drives and SD cards on the road and at home.

POWER PLAY - Always back up is the mantra of any savvy traveler, as you can’t afford to miss an Instagrammable moment or a viral video in the making. I’ve certainly been on trips, in the wilds of Alaska or in the bush of Africa without power or internet for days on end. The RAVPower AC Portable Charger 27000mAh 100W Built in 110V AC Outlet Universal Power Bank Travel Charger ($169.99) will keep your gear charged for days when off the grid, so there’s no missed moments.

FASHION

SWEET JEWELRY - Jet Set Candy’s high-end travel charms are a chic treat for any time of year. The charms for bracelet and necklaces are incredibly clever and include all from international cities to lifestyle themes and luggage tags. Charms aside, the brand keeps expanding with trendy chokers, stackable rings and sleek bracelets like this Wanderlust Cuff ($248). They’re great stocking stuffers for any jet sexy friend.

FASHION SAVVY TRAVEL - Eva Varro is a travel savvy brand, as the material is incredibly comfortable, never wrinkles and is cocktail ready upon arrival. If looking for a something classic, yet you want tp break away from black, black and more black, their Mid Curve Dress ($205) is just the splash of color and creativity you need. To add a bit of cutting edge to the casual, their side Leatherette Lace Up ($235) is sure shake up any leggings routine.

THE ROYALS - Royal Robbins sweaters are made 100% extra fine merino wool. The weightless warmth, anti-microbial, and quick dry performance makes it a match for travel and adventure, while the classic look makes it an ace for urban outings. The First Fleet Mock Neck Sweater ($85) in violet is the perfect pop of color.

A GOOD SPANX-ING -

Aside from being runway ready, Spanx is travel savvy. The brand has expanded above and beyond their undergarment ways into a full blown clothing line. There’s nothing better than their leggings, as they too pull it all in, yet remain city sleek. The Fuax Leather Leggings in Gunmetal and Wine can be put in a stocking or on any sexy leg. Ho! Ho! Ho!

A CHIC SLEEP - Sometimes there is nothing better than a great pair of posh PJ’s at home or while away. BedHead PJ’s ISABELLE LIBERTY OF LONDON ($282) is made with 100% Tana Lawn Cotton by Liberty of London. The paisley print is soft to the touch and pleasing to the eye.

BEAUTY, HEALTH & WELLNESS

RAW AND ORDER - Supplements are essential when you travel, as the best of vacays away can still take a toll on mind, body and soul. My go to site for high grade supplements is Raw & Order. Omegas, YES™ Ultimate EFAs ($33) are organically produced and cold-pressed seed oils containing “parent” omega 6 and “parent” omega 3, far better than fish oil supplements. For some serious green, Oceans Alive Marine Phytoplankton ($33) makes available to us - every amino acid, vitamin, mineral, polysaccharide and essential oils that the body needs. For probiotics, CP-1 Adult Formula 60 Billion CFUs, Acidophilus and Bifidus with 60 billion microorganisms should aid in a steady system while away.

BEAUTY NOT THE BEAST - Nothing takes more of a beating than your skin while in transit. The first thing I do when I get off of a plane is shower. The second thing is exfoliate my face. Then I douse it with mega moisturizers, as it’s so stripped while in flight. Kerstin Florian is a must for the the seasoned travelers. Their Caviar Age Defense Serum Infusion 1 fl. Oz. ($175), Caviar Eye Creme 0.5 fl oz. ($120) and the Caviar Night Creme 1.7 fl. Oz. ($150) are rich in caviar extract, peptides, phytoessential actives and Co-Enzyme A. They’re a true treat for the skin. For a quick fix in flight or on the go, pick up their Caviar Travel Collection ($140). Take 20% off this holiday season with HOLIDAY20 code.

CAMERAS

GO GoPro GO! - GoPro is the obvious go to for any intrepid traveler. If there’s one on your list and they don’t have a GoPro, or several, or they have yet to add the latest model(s) to their adventure arsenal, then the GoPro HERO5 Session Holiday Bundle ($299) is a good direction to head in. I’s the newest GoPro together with many accessories. Do note, there is nothing a GoPro geek loves more than GoPro accessories. Any and all of them make for a great gift, in or out of a stocking.

POINT AND SHOOT - Many think phones have made the point and shoot obsolete. I don’t agree. As much as I love my iPhone, the ease, size, the weight and the fact that it’s always on me, even when I don’t pack a “camera”, I still love having a good point and shoot in my purse. While traveling, it’s a bit of break at night when I don’t want a DSLR hanging around my neck. They’re also great for food and low light shots on the fly. Canon’s PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera ($679) is a great camera to put into any bag, be it a pro or a novice.

MIRROR MIRROR - The DSLR has recently been upstaged by the uptick in interest on mirrorless cameras. This season, nothing says Merry Christmas quite like Sony’s a7 II (Body only $1,499), the world’s first full-frame camera with 5-axis image stabilization with broad lens capability, 24.3-megapixel resolution, low noise and an extremely wide dynamic range. The quality of the images is exceptional and the weight is considerably lighter than a traditional DSLR.

360 - Another raging trend on the image end is the 360 scene. If wanting to capture all sides of any story, the Ricoh Theta S Spherical VR Digital Camera ($347) records 360° Spherical Photos/Videos and Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps. You can also do live streaming via USB or HDMI.

GADGETS

OH HOLY LIGHT - On big adventure trips, light is as important as power. Biolite’s ultra-slim PowerLight Mini ($44.95) is a credit card-sized rechargeable lantern and power bank. It packs a lantern, headlamp, bike light and charger into one palm-sized product! It features four lighting modes: a white dimmable lantern, red night vision, strobe lighting, and a point-light for maximum visibility. Clip it on a shirt, hang from a tent or grab the spotlight and man handle it yourself.

HOT POCKETS - The only thing worse than being cold on a trip is being wet. Unless of course you are cold and wet. That’s the worst. I have lost a few shoes and boots through the years, as they never quite dried out on big adventure trips. Dry Guy Travel Dry DX ($40) dries a pair of boots or shoes in two-to-five hours. Now you can go to sleep, rest assured that you’ll have warm toes in the morn. Their Hot pockets DryGuy Warm N’ Charge ($40) is a rechargeable electronic hand warmer that will provide up to 5 hours of warmth per use. It will also provide up to two full charges on most smartphones. What’s in your pocket?