40 Great Gifts for Travelers

Sunset

From must-have accessories to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, here’s how to make your favorite adventurer’s holiday a treat

Sunset

E. Spencer Toy

1 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

Electric bike

Our staffers fought to road test the Electra Townie Go! e-bike. You pedal, but a battery and motor offer extra oomph—30 no-sweat miles per charge.

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Marbled surfboard

Whether you're a grey belly or a grom, catch a barrel on these boards handmade in NYC and California.

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Jeffery Cross

3 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Stand-up paddleboard

Designed in Hawaii for an outfit based in Washington State, the Armundson TR-X bamboo-carbon board taps the gusto of big-wave surfers and the know-how of sailboarders used to the windy Columbia River Gorge. Which should be comforting, even if all that’s on the agenda is a quiet paddle around the nearest pond.

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E. Spencer Toy

4 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

Beach towels

These luxurious, plush towels have double-sided patterns inspired by ocean-side mountains and iconic pink flamingos. It’s a 2-in-1 deal.

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Camping sleeping pad

Be ready for all-season adventure with this 19.6-oz. insulated, inflatable, and comfortable sleeping pad on standby in your pack.

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Jeffery Cross

6 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Camping pillow

High on both the cozy and the cute factor, this hook pillow from Portland’s Budd + Finn is a reminder of roads traveled in warmer weather—or a little piece of the Airstream we all want. (Even four-legged family members.)

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Jeffery Cross

7 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Canvas and leather rucksack

The Wilderness Rucksack may not be cutting-edge technical gear, and, sure, when you summit your next fourteener, you’ll probably carry your carabiners in something all nylon and neon. But for reminding you—as you navigate concrete canyons—of the weekend’s adventures awaiting, nothing beats this stylish, outdoorsy-looking bag, made by hand out of waxed twill canvas and leather in Tanner Goods’ Portland workshops.

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Jeffery Cross

8 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Light It Up

Yes, this play on a fisherman’s lantern is nice to look at, but we really love it for its smooth dimmer that lets you illuminate the whole campsite or give off soft light for cuddling up in the tent. The pint-sized, sturdy light lasts more than 200 hours on low or three hours on all-out high.

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E. Spencer Toy

9 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

Thermos

These sleek, petite thermoses keep soup hot for up to four hours; they’re also perfect for fresh snacks.

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Jeffery Cross

10 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Lifted Spirits

Warm up by the fire with sips out of this shatterproof polypropylene flask. The slim design means it fits perfectly in cargo pockets and picnic baskets for spirits or pure hydration. Thanks to its wide mouth and clear walls, it also is easy to clean and lets you know when you’re running low on libations.

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E. Spencer Toy

11 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

Folding knife

A leather or felt case updates this classic knife--a camper's best friend.

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Jeffery Cross

12 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Multitasking Mug

Built to satisfy big appetites, this 4-cup mug is a workhorse. From keeping drinks hot or cold with the insulated sleeve to measuring out the perfect amount of water for hot cocoa to holding a fair share of the chili, this mug is for more than sipping. Plus, the screw-on lid means no dishes, or mess, until you’re back home.

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Jeffery Cross

13 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Instant Cozy

What better way to bring the classic Pendleton plaid along for the ride than with this Stanley vacuum insulated mug. The king of camp mugs will keep coffee hot for 7 hours and water chilly for 30. It easily fits in a cupholder, and the updated lid is easy to open and close with one hand to make #vanlife even better.

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Stainless steel water bottle

With this sturdy, stylish stainless steel bottle, keep your hot bevvies hot and cold drinks cold—and make your mark with an engravable cap.

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Jeffery Cross

15 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Life Saver

Pouring rain is no problem with these matches. The waterproof container has handy strike pads and holds up against wind. The handy kit is a must have for outdoor fun and emergency kits.

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Camping stool

At the campfire, pull up a seat with panache when you unfold this polo-leather saddle stool handcrafted in Argentina.

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Utility blanket

Make anywhere a colorful picnic with a durable utility blanket that'll resist spills, but encourage good times.

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E. Spencer Toy

18 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

Hammock

Sometimes, the best gift you can give in the dead of winter is a candy-colored reminder of the warmer, sunnier days around the corner. The rainbow-bright Kilauea Hammock, from San Francisco-based Yellowleaf, is just that. The hand-woven, weatherproof hammock is big enough for two and made of super soft yarn that ensures a comfortable nap. As an added bonus, your gift will keep giving: Each Yellow Leaf Hammock directly creates sustainable jobs in rural Thailand, with a focus on employing mothers.

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Brandon Flores

19 of 40 Brandon Flores

Collapsible hot tub

When we first saw this, from Portland-based Original Nomad, we thought, This is brilliant—a hot tub you can take camping! Just fill it up and flip on the heater coils (which can be fueled by either propane or firewood). Then we tested it and realized it’s just as handy to have at home—especially if you’ve been reluctant to devote a large chunk of your yard to the usual permanent hot-tub infrastructure.

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Jeffery Cross

20 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Dog trailer

You know, you’re not the only member of the family who’d like to follow the sun in a cute little travel trailer. Get Max his own canine-size take on the classic Airstream, Shasta, or Nomad, handmade to order by Straight Line Designs in British Columbia. Okay, it’s really a doghouse and not exactly roadworthy, but a dog can dream, can’t he? P.S. Your cat would love one too.

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Off-the-grid device

Never worry about your signal again with the goTenna Mesh. Whether you're hiking, camping, or just exploring the great outdoors, the goTenna Mesh gives you the ability to text and use GPS while you're off the grid.

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E. Spencer Toy

22 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

Waterproof speaker

Wherever you go, whatever you do, take your Boombot Pro speaker with you, and you’ll always have a reason to jam out. It’s waterproof (up to 3 feet), hands-free, and small enough to carry.

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Daypack

Inspired by the utility of a military rucksack, this smart daypack handles all your essentials for that photo safari, urban trek, or trip to the office.

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E. Spencer Toy

24 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

Canvas backpack

Handcrafted in Denver, this waxed canvas backpack sports leather straps that darken with age and tucked-away pockets for stowing those special souvenirs.

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Jeffery Cross

25 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Outdoor Snuggles

Cozy up under the stars with this insulated outdoor blanket. The bottom is made from rugged waxed canvas to keep the water out, while the top is a soft polyester and wool blend, providing extra comfort. The leather binding and carry handle make it easy to carry to camp, or when you’re back home, to go from picnic to concert to beach without missing a beat.

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Jeffery Cross

26 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Picture Perfect

Some of the best memories are made outside. Capture the good times, the unforgettable sunsets, and the unexpected moments with Leica’s new instant camera. The camera uses Leica or Fujifilm Instax Mini film packs to make printing and sharing photos as simple as pushing the capture button.

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Jeffery Cross

27 of 40 Jeffery Cross

High Definition

Capture the entire view from the summit, live broadcast an epic ski run, or get a good photo of the whole family when no one will sit still. Samsung’s Gear 360 shoots 4k video and sends it straight to your phone so you can hit replay over and over. The tiny camera fits snugly in your hand or stands on its own to get the right angle.

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Metallic iPad Case

  • Emily & Meritt Metallic Cat iPad Air Case, $69; pbteen.com

Give the family tablet some glitz with this metallic case, complete with monogram and cat ears for added flair.

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E. Spencer Toy

29 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

iPad case

Soft, smart, and sustainably made, our favorite iPad cases are fashioned from reclaimed Patagonia fleece or Woolrich wool.

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E. Spencer Toy

30 of 40 E. Spencer Toy

iPhone case

  • LifeProof iPhone case (available for iPhone series 5 through X) from $50; lifeproof.com

The adventurers on your list may take a spill or capsize, but their phones will be fine with the best cases for worst cases.

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Jeffery Cross

31 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Boots Made for Trekking

Yes, these boots are built for the trails with waterproof full-grain leather, moisture-wicking fabric liner, and deep lugs to keep steady in the mud, but they’re just as at home in everyday life. Heel and forefoot gel inserts make these boots exceedingly comfortable and the timeless style means they’ll age beautifully.

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Jeffery Cross

32 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Whittle Away

Bring back the time-honored camp pastime with this coffee table worthy book. With more than 200 illustrations and 50 projects, your recipient will be making chopsticks, bird feeders, bottle openers, and chess pieces by New Year’s.

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Jeffery Cross

33 of 40 Jeffery Cross

Travel dominoes

Playing Candy Crush can kill some time while waiting for a flight, but we’d rather get to know our fellow travelers. You won’t regret carrying these laser-cut, birch-ply friend-makers.

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Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center

34 of 40 Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center

Learning retreat

The setting is one of the most beautiful anywhere in the world—the brilliantly colored mesas and canyons of Northern New Mexico, a landscape made famous by artist Georgia O’Keeffe. (That’s no coincidence. She built her home and studio just across the highway.) But Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center offers a lot more than just scenery. Want to learn something amazing? Find inner peace? Ghost Ranch is ready to help you, with workshops ranging from astronomy (Ghost Ranch has incredible star-filled skies) to desert photography to The Power of Listening as a Sacred Art. Participants stay in simple cottages or can choose to tent- or RV-camp. Workshops run from a weekend to one week, and range in price from $625 to $1550, lodging and meals included.

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National Park Service / Dan Johnson

35 of 40 National Park Service / Dan Johnson

Rafting trip

River rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon should be on everybody’s life list. But so should rafting the Colorado’s biggest tributary, the beautiful Green River, as it runs through the eastern Utah’s Dinosaur National Monument, including the spectacular gorge known as the Gates of Lodore. Trips range from 1 to 5 days and you can choose to run the river in rafts or inflatable kayaks; whatever you choose, you’ll be dazzled.

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Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

36 of 40 Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

Luxury camping trip

For a splurge, there’s Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. The romantic luxury tents on Vancouver Island are worth a seaplane ride. It’s camping without all that pesky … camping.

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NatureBridge

37 of 40 NatureBridge

Wilderness trip donation

Thanks to Yosemite-based NatureBridge, kids in underserved urban areas get to take wilderness trips all over the West.

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Courtesy of Global Press Institute

38 of 40 Courtesy of Global Press Institute

Global women's organization donation

Global Press Institute trains women in developing countries to become journalists. They can support their families and tell important stories that other reporters might miss, via the non-profit's respected wire service.

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Courtesy of Redwoods League

39 of 40 Courtesy of Redwoods League

Nature conservation donation

Longtime conservation stalwart Save the Redwoods League is devoted to preserving the West's beloved trees.

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Thomas J. Story

40 of 40 Thomas J. Story

Sunset Magazine Subscription

  • Sunset gift subscription, $16 per year

From gardening ideas to up-and-coming travel destinations to wine recommendations, Sunset brings great ideas for living in the West to your fingertips. An annual subscription makes for the perfect stocking stuffer or add-on gift.

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