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The best gifts for all of the travellers on your shopping list this year.
Read on for the best holiday gifts for that travelling friend that’s always on-the-go, that corporate-world relative that’s constantly flying out of town for work or that book club gal who is never actually at book club… because she’s always visiting some other far-off place. Here are 40-plus presents for your favourite globetrotters.
From suitcases and sleep masks to hoodies and headphones, here are 43 of the top gift ideas for intrepid travellers and weary wanderers this holiday season.
The MEC Travel Light organizer pouch ($30) is handy for keeping essential items organized while on-the-go, from keys to passports to small souvenirs.
A good moisturizing lotion is a travel necessity in the dry air of the typical airplane cabin. Soothe Nourishing hand lotion ($18) from Vancouver company AG Care keeps hands hydrated with its mix of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and shea butter, and its 89-millilitre size is permitted in carry-on. Plus the lotion smells wonderful.
Staying hydrated is simple with the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Flex Straw Cap travel bottle ($60) from MEC. The insulated water bottle has a wide mouth—perfect for adding ice cubes—along with a built-in straw, loop handle on top and tapered based, so it can fit in most cupholders.
Rings, necklaces, bracelets and other tiny treasures stay neatly organized in a Bon Voyage square travel case ($55) from Vancouver-based Lover’s Tempo.
Elate is all about reducing waste in the beauty industry. The Victoria company sells different sizes of customizable bamboo makeup palettes that can be endlessly filled and refilled, making the palettes versatile travel companions. The Capsule palette ($25) can hold two pressed foundations, or four blushes, or eight brow balms, or 16 eyeshadows—or a combination thereof—and the makeup comes in recyclable aluminum pans that are secured in place in the palette by magnets.
Available in an array of colours and made from mulberry silk, the Silk sleep mask ($35) from Silk & Snow helps ensure a good night’s sleep by blocking out light in a bright airplane or hotel room.
Whether going by plane, train, or automobile, every traveller can use a pair of Dime Evo earbuds ($100) from Skullcandy. They come nestled in a slide-out case with a built-in clip, making them easy to attach to bags and keychains. And these water-resistant headphones boast up to 36 hours of battery life.
Jetsetters and backpackers alike collect Travel rings ($8 to $10) from Traveller Collective as tokens of their wanderings. The lightweight stainless steel rings are engraved with continents, countries, cities and more—even custom names and destinations. The Vancouver company also makes ring carriers ($33) such as clips and necklaces.
Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing night serum capsules ($44) from RoC Skincare deliver the perfect nightly dose of retinol serum—used to reduce wrinkles and firm up skin—in a travel-friendly format.
The Matador Travel earplugs kit ($13) from MEC includes three sets of memory foam earplugs and two soft silicones cases, each of which can hold one pair of earplugs—a travel must-have when coping with noisy airports, loud hotels and snoring seatmates.
The secret to looking fresh-pressed while away from home? The Conair CompleteSteam travel fabric steamer ($29) from Hudson’s Bay. It heats up in just one minute, then it delivers five minutes of steam time.
Wearable either cross-body or around the waist, the adjustable RB belt bag ($36) from Rose Boreal is the perfect size for holding essentials while on the move.
The Insignia All-in-One travel adapter/converter ($50) from Best Buy Canada includes common plugs for North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
Compression socks help prevent deep vein thrombosis, making them a necessity on long flights, and Supporo compression socks ($15 to $52) come in an array of fun colours and patterns.
The Malin+Goetz Best-Sellers 6-Piece travel kit ($54) from Hudson’s Bay contains essential toiletries for the face, body and hair. These sulphate-free vegan products are all packaged in travel-sized recyclable aluminium tubes.
Sun-seekers can protect their precious peepers in a pair of Jace sunglasses ($38) with polarized lenses from Kits, a Vancouver company that has its flagship store right across the street from Kits Beach.
With its two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, the Belkin 10000 mAh Dual USB power bank ($35) from Best Buy Canada can charge up to three smartphones and tablets simultaneously.
Even if the only travel destination this holiday season is the rainy Lower Mainland, not the sunny south, a sun-kissed look is easy to attain with Buttermelt bronzer ($16) from NYX. Thanks to ingredients such as mango butter, shea butter and almond butter, the pressed bronzer goes on like butta. Plus it comes in eight fun shades—including Butta Cup, Deserve Butta and Butta Than U—and stays on for up to 12 hours.
To make the most of precious suitcase space—and keep belongings organized during globetrotting adventures—the Samsonite Travel Accessories 3-Piece Compression packing cube set ($54) from Hudson’s Bay is a must-have. The set includes three sizes of zippered cube, each with breathable top mesh that’s easy to see through.
The Mancini Casablanca RFID Genuine Leather Bi-fold passport cover ($35) from Best Buy Canada is more than just a classy-looking leather passport holder—it also has RFID-blocking technology to thwart identity thieves.
Making time for a much-needed manicure before going on vacation can be challenging, but applying the press-and-go imPRESS Design Holiday – Only Wish ($9) takes almost no time at all. No glue is required, and the instant manicure lasts for up to seven days.
Vancouver brand Monos teamed up with Los Angeles fashion and lifestyle influencer Julie Sariñana (better known as Sincerely Jules) on the limited-edition Monos x Sincerely Jules travel collection. It includes polycarbonate suitcases and trunks, roomy totes, adjustable crossbody bags, water-resistant toiletry cases and compressible packing cubes. For the ultimate in convenient storage, the Hybrid Carry-On suitcase ($405) can nestle inside the Hybrid Check-In Medium ($495), while the Hybrid Carry-On Plus ($425) can be tucked inside the Hybrid Check-In Large ($535). The earthy colourways of Adobe Brown and Cactus Green pay homage to the landscapes of both L.A. and Mexico.
Made from recycled sterling silver, the Journey Word Bar pendant ($260) from Bloodline is an apt travel companion for any adventure, whether around the corner or around the world. Fittingly, the Vancouver company’s slogan is “Life’s a journey. Decorate it well.”
To be prepared for every type of inclement weather on a trip, pair a Waterproof rain jacket ($540) with a Re:Down Light puffer jacket ($380), both from Vancouver company Adhere To. Each one can be worn on its own, or the puffer can attach inside the rain jacket using a hidden zipper. The waterproof, breathable rain jacket is made from recycled fabric, and it has a removable hood that attaches under the collar. The puffer is crafted from water-repellent recycled fabric and filled with recycled down, and it has a crossbody strap, making it easy to carry when the temperature climbs.
With its stainless steel case, radiant blue dial and diamond accents, the Sport Luxury watch ($575) from Citizen is the perfect travel accessory, going effortlessly from a beach outing to a mountain hike to a fancy dinner. This sporty but elegant timepiece is water-resistant to 100 metres, and it’s powered by Citizen’s ingenious Eco-Drive technology, which means everyday light sources keep it charged—no battery replacement required, ever.
The Osprey Fairview 55 travel pack ($280) from MEC is comfortable to wear—like any good backpack should be—and its main compartment opens like a suitcase, so it’s easy to pack and unpack. Lightweight but durable, this cleverly designed bag has an integrated 15-litre daypack in the front; when the daypack is zipped off, the rest of the bag meets most airlines’ restrictions for carry-on luggage. Its padded shoulder straps and hipbelt can be tucked away behind a panel, magically transforming the backpack into a suitcase whenever it needs to be checked. It also has lockable zippers.
The Arctic Crest Sherpa Full Zip fleece jacket ($160) from Columbia Sportswear uses the Omni-Heat Arctic insulation system to deliver warmth without extra weight. Inspired by how polar bears stay warm in the extreme cold, the innovative tech allows solar energy to pass through a garment’s outer layers and reach the inner layer. The cozy jacket also boasts a fleece-lined hood and zippered chest and hand pockets.
Hip travellers hit the road in style toting a Done Proper Fedora travel case ($180) from Brixton. The hard-shell case can hold a wide-brim hat—and it looks mighty fine while doing so.
Made from all-natural materials, the breathable Kakun Organic Latex pillow ($139) from Victoria company Resthouse can be customized by removing some of its shredded-latex fill, to achieve the perfect loft. This hypoallergenic pillow features machine-washable inner and outer cotton casings, and it comes in four sizes: travel, standard, queen and king.
LOJEL—the acronym stands for Let Our Journeys Enrich Life—recently landed in Vancouver, opening its first North American flagship location. The Kitsilano store is filled with versatile travel accessories and luggage, including the expandable Cubo suitcase, available in four sizes: small (carry-on, $430), medium ($500), fit ($530), and large ($560). Each one has a TSA-approved combination lock and an interior lining that can be removed and washed.
Anyone who’s ever squatted to pee in the great outdoors—or used a squat toilet when travelling overseas—will appreciate a pair of Go There pants ($215 U.S.) from Gnara. These soft and stretchy water-resistant pants have a regular zipper fly, for taking the pants on and off, along with a GoFly pee zipper, which starts beneath the regular fly and goes all the way under and around to the back waistband, allowing the wearer to unzip as far as needed to answer nature’s call. An external fabric flap hides the GoFly zipper the rest of the time.
Cold, wet conditions are no match for Baffin’s Pond rubber boots ($120), which keep tender tootsies toasty warm and dry—plus they look darned cute.
With its distinctive overlapping front resulting in a wide V-neck, the Cotton French Terry Kimono hoodie ($150) from Good for Sunday is easy to slip on (or off) during chilly (or sweltering) plane rides. Plus it has a kangaroo pocket, useful for both stashing stuff and keeping hands warm. Good for Sunday clothing and accessories are manufactured in Toronto, from the milling, dyeing and cutting of the fabrics to the sewing of each garment.
The Epiq SE Hooded down jacket ($350) from Kathmandu not only keeps the wearer warm, but it also is kind to the planet. Its soft outer fabric is made from recycled plastic—including end-of-life car tires. And the puffer packs down into a small stuff sack (also included), taking up minimal suitcase space.
The Solis 5G Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot ($540 U.S.) from SIMO delivers fast, secure 5G and 4G LTE speeds in more than 135 countries, eliminating the need to switch SIM cards before checking email and browsing the web while on the road. The Solis connects automatically to whichever carrier’s signal is strongest, and up to 16 devices can use it simultaneously. Each Solis comes with 1 GB of data monthly, usable globally. Its battery lasts up to 24 hours, and it can also function as a power bank, to charge other devices.
The No Sweat Everyday pant ($139) from Vancouver company Duer belongs in the suitcase of every globetrotter. Soft and stretchy, these pants are as comfy as sweatpants—perfect for an afternoon of sightseeing or a long day of flying—but stylish enough to wear for a casual dinner out.
Available in various colours, the leather Small Carryall crossbody ($198) from Roots is a versatile multitasker. It has an adjustable and removable long strap, which means it can be carried by hand, on a shoulder or cross-body. The bag also has a removable zippered pouch that can function as a standalone clutch.
The Women’s 125 ZoneKnit thermal leggings ($150) from Icebreaker are a must for anyone travelling to a wintry climate who intends to do strenuous outdoor activities. Made from a blend of Tencel Lyocell and merino wool—which naturally resists odours—these lightweight, breathable leggings are the perfect base layer, designed to help regulate body temperature.
Comfy enough to wear on a long day of sightseeing, the Courtside Classic ($160) from Vessi offers a snazzy take on a beloved ’90s style. And though they look like regular footwear, these sneakers—and all Vessi shoes—have an ingenious secret: they’re waterproof, made from a knit material that keeps water out while letting sweat escape. The company was founded by a trio of Vancouverites who were tired of getting their feet wet in the city’s infamously soggy weather.
Crying babies, loud phone talkers and blaring videos all just magically disappear, blocked out by Bose QuietComfort Over-the-Head Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Stereo headphones ($480) from Canadian Tire. The headphones have a built-in microphone and up to 22 hours of battery life.
The long, lightweight Judy rain jacket ($415) is far more stylish than the typical water-repellent jacket, with its roomy sleeves and adjustable cuff ties. Each jacket is made to order by A Bronze Age, a Vancouver company focussed on crafting long-lasting garments and eliminating waste in the fashion industry.
With its many pockets and pouches, the Logo utility bag ($350) from Moose Knuckles is useful on trips both short and long, and its top handle and adjustable strap allow it to be carried or worn in multiple ways.
Warm, water-repellent, and wind-resistant, the lightweight Minus Degree down puffer ($800) from Peak Performance looks just as good on the slopes as it does in the city, and it can pack down small, to take up very little space in luggage.
