You certainly know the type and there is almost definitely one of them on your holiday shopping list: the person who’s always in an airport, who’s always tracking their loyalty points. The one who, without Googling or even thinking much, can probably tell you which credit card you should get. This year (and most years for that matter), you have to shop for them. But just what do you get for the constant traveler? Here are some for the person you’re shopping for who’s never in one place for very long.
J-Pillow
“I’d never been able to sleep on planes before buying this,” says Dan Oshinsky, a frequent business traveler and the email newsletter consultant behind Inbox Collective. “It allows you to sleep in a semi-upright position and actually feels comfortable! And the way it’s designed, you don’t accidentally nod forward (like you would with most neck pillows).”
Signal Relief 4.5″ Patch
Long days spent cramped in a metal can hurtling 30,000 feet above bring pain, whether it’s shoulder, knee, or hip. Anyone who spends an above-average amount of time trekking from place to place needs remedies at their disposal, including Signal Relief’s pain patch. The best part? They can reuse it for up to a year, so they don’t need to carry around a heavy package of disposable options or create waste on the road.
Calpak Packing Cubes Set
As anyone who travels often will say, packing cubes make everything easier, from organizing your bag to keeping your dirties separate. This set from Calpak comes in a ton of cool patterns and colors, too. They come in five different sizes and include a waterproof envelope pouch as well — a must-have for the person in your life who’s always planning their next vacation.
Away Flex Carry-On
You’ve heard about Away. It’s the direct-to-consumer luggage brand. There’s a reason for that. Away suitcases can withstand being knocked around by baggage handlers and luggage carousels, and they include bells and whistles like cool colorways and USB chargers. The company has a very generous warranty, too. This is one of those buzzy products that actually holds up.
Beis Weekender
Sometimes an entire suitcase isn’t necessary. But the Beis Weekender isn’t your average duffle. With two compartments and a wide opening, it makes organizing clothes, shoes, and toiletries so much easier. It’s versatile, too — there’s a sleeve on one side that can go over a suitcase handle, so it can double as a carry-on.
Personalized Leather Dop Kit
Just a shot in the dark, but you probably know a male traveler who’s been carrying around the same ratty, ineffective toiletry case for years. Time for an upgrade! This editor can personally attest to this dopp kit, an Etsy find I gave to my husband for Christmas last year.
Mark & Graham Luggage Tags
Luggage tags are one of those things you can never have enough of. They inevitably wear out, but not as fast as those paper tags the airlines give out. So personalize these leather tags from Mark & Graham for the traveler in your life. Personalization checks the box for thoughtfulness, and the leather material and stylish font does so for design.
Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Headphones are an essential for flying. The convenience of a Bluetooth pair is certainly nice, but they’re not the right solution for someone who’s spending a lot of time on planes. And they need to be the kind that’s worn over the ears. “Over-the ear-headphones immediately send the message you want to be left alone, and most planes still don’t have Bluetooth if the monitors are in the back of the seat (so if you just have your AirPods, you’ll be stuck listening on the airline provided headphones),” says Aaron Berger, CEO of ASB Strategies, whose work has made him into a frequent flier.
These particular headphones do a great job canceling out noise, which is key on a plane. Should you want to use them without the cord, they have Bluetooth capabilities and a battery life of around 22 hours.
MZOO Sleep Mask
A good sleep mask is an essential in any carry-on. It’s not something you have to spend a ton of money on, either. The MZOO Sleep Mask is SPY’s pick for the best sleep mask for travelers because it’s basically impenetrable to light and it’s comfortable to boot. Bonus points? It doesn’t even come close to breaking the bank.
Sephora Hydrating Face Masks
It’s just a fact of life that being on a plane dries you out. Face masks can help with that, and no, these aren’t just for women. Everyone, including men, can benefit from a little extra hydration. Any traveler will like these — especially because they can slip a few in their carry-on and have them on-hand any time the need arises.
Bombas Gripper Slippers
No one wants to be the weirdo who takes their shoes off and walks around barefoot on a plane. That is a savage move, and not in a cool Megan Thee Stallion kind of way. That’s where slippers come in. This pair from Bombas will keep feet warm and won’t take up too much space in a travel bag.
Kindle Paperwhite
Sure, no one wants to be known as Barefoot Guy on a flight. Similarly, no one should aspire to be that one person who has their overhead light on when the cabin lights are off. Most self-respecting air travelers want to sleep on a plane. That’s why a Kindle Paperwhite is a travel essential. With a light-up display, it’s possible to read a book without bothering anyone else.
Papier Travel Journal
This gift is less for the constant business traveler and more for the type who just quit their job to trek through southeast Asia for the next six months. A journal is a useful thing to have on a big trip, and this one is aesthetically pleasing, travel-themed, and made with high-quality paper.
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
Gone are the days when travelers needed a different adapter for every country they’d visit. Now there are universal adapters, like this one from Epicka, which works in more than 200 countries and can handle charging six devices at once. It’s a must-have stocking stuffer for people who need to add more pages to their passports.
Away Sling Bag
Most people have moved away from the passport belt that’s worn under clothes. It’s 2023 and we know better by now. But it’s still helpful to have a bag that you keep close and allows for easy access to essentials. That’s why belt bags are having a moment, and Away’s version is surprisingly spacious and can be packed down into an even more compact bag.
Nimble Portable Charger
Gadgets die. Outlets may not be plentiful. Cords crap out. These are universal truths when it comes to traveling, and that makes a portable charger extra useful.
