A couple of years back I started the Practical Travel Gear Blog as an antidote to what you usually see out there in terms of travel gear reviews. I was tired of just reading about $350 hiking boots, $600 sport watches, and expensive electronic gadgets designed more to make people keep working instead of allowing you to enjoy your travels in peace. I’ve tried to mostly review items that are useful, light, easy to pack, and a reasonably good value. Since we’re in the prime online shopping season for the holidays, here are a few picks for gifts under $20. (Though nobody is keeping you from buying them for yourself.)

Mini flashlight or a perpetual flashlight powered by shaking no batteries ($6 to $20 – shop around on the latter.)

Packing cubes to organize your bag. ($14-$20)

Travel book lights for dark buses, trains, and cheap hotels with dim bulbs. ($12-$17)

A heaphone jack splitter with separate volume controls. Great for sharing a movie or some music on the road. ($13)

Retractable cable lock for securing any luggage. ($14 – click on photo)

Secret stash money belt ($15)

Micropur water purification tablets – no iodine taste ($9-$15)

Flexible travel clothesline for hanging up the sink washing or wet bathing suits ($8)

Quick-dry travel underwear from Ex-officio. Sink wash at night, ready to go in the morning. ($15-$20)

Mini tripod for any lightweight camera ($15)

Have your own ideas about what is a great $20 or under travel gear gift? Is there a gadget you’ve picked up that was a screaming bargain? Put it in the comments!

Related posts:

1. The Best Travel Gear of 2010
2. Buying the Right Outdoor Gear and Apparel
3. Online Deals and Coupons for Travel and Gear