10 Cheap Travel Gear Gifts

12/6/2009 8 comments

I do lots of travel gear reviews in different budget ranges at my other blog, but in these lean times we’re living in, I’m especially tuned into which items are a great value. All of the following are $20 or less (in some cases much less), so if you’ve got a traveler on your holiday gift list, here are some ideas that won’t break the bank.

1) Retractable cable locks

I’ve been using one of these things since I first set off around the world in the early 1990s and I still pack one when I’ll be somewhere I need to lock up my stuff. It’s a great extra deterrent and with most packs the cable will go through your zipper loops or D-rings and secure the pack to something immobile. They range from only $9 for a model from Master Lock to $18 for a 4-dial Pac-safe version.

2) Word Lock

These little WordLocks are for your zippers or a locker and the novelty is that you can make your combination a word instead of a set of harder-to-remember numbers. In four colors for around $10 each.

3) Squishy Ear plugs

At only 7 bucks for 40 at Amazon right now, these Hearos earplugs are a cheap stocking stuffer that will be appreciated. For catching some sleep on a flight across an ocean to tuning out traffic or people noise at a hostel, these squishy earplugs are a lightweight way to make travel more pleasant.

4) Packing Cubes

As I wrote in this post on the pros and cons of packing cubes, I have mixed feelings about these things. But if you stick to a set of small ones, your recipient will use them for socks or dirty clothes and probably be happy. They work better for someone who travels with a rectangular suitcase rather than someone who will stuff everything in a backpack, but I’ve also known backpackers who were fanatical fans of these things as well. You can get a set of three for under $20 from Magellan’s, REI, Backcountry.com, or Amazon.

4) Shower gel sponges

I’m up for anything that lets me travel with just a carry on and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I and my fairer sex companion liked these inexpensive Spongeables travel sponges. They have built-in shower gel but pack as a solid. Great for making a cheap hotel feel like it came with first-class toiletries.

5) Flybag TSA-compliant toiletry kit

Here’s something dead simple that I’ve used on almost every trip this year: the Flybag. (Pictured at the top.) At heart it’s just a clear case with a zipper that helps you zip through security at airports. You toss anything and everything 3 ounces or under into it and you’re good to go with a carry on. The Flybag sweetens the pot as a gift item though by including an eye mask for catching some zzzz’s, a pair of squishy earplugs in a little case, and some plastic bottles for taking your favorite shampoo or conditioner. Less than $20 at Amazon.

6) Travel book light

If there’s one thing most cheap hotels and hostels around the world have in common, it’s crummy lighting. The low-wattage bare bulb hanging from a cord isn’t good for much beyond finding your way to the bathroom. There are lots of simple but effective book lights that are easy to pack and will stay bright for a very long time. I especially like the $10 i-Book light from Magellan’s and the Flex Neck light (also $10) from from Lightwedge. You can get that one and check out others at this Amazon link. You can also find a good selection at Barnes & Noble.

7) Mini tripod

This is an item that might not get used every day, but there will be some days (or nights) when this means the difference between a so-so photo and a remarkable photo. These various mini tripods start at just a few bucks and seldom go higher than $20, plus they take up very little room in the pack.

8) Sustainable travel flashlight

Help someone see the world without harming the world. Let them use their own muscle power to fire up their flashlight/torch instead of letting them toss acidic used batteries into the garbage and thus the ground. For under 20 bucks you can get a crank flashlight or a shake flashlight and your gift receiver will be set for a year or more of solid squat-toilet finding in the dark.

9) Laundry sheets for sink washing

If you pack light or you’re a budget traveler, there are times when you have to do some laundry in a sink. Detergent can be heavy and messy to carry around though, so I like to take along these compact Travelon laundry sheets. They’re a great stocking stuffer or gift for travelers because they’re unique, useful, wispy light, and easy to pack. Since they’re solid, no worries with carrying them through security either.

10) Survival Strap bracelet

I have to say I’ve never used this oddball item and probably won’t, but if you need a gift for someone who isn’t happy unless he is always putting himself in harm’s way, you might want to give a potential life saver. This Survival Strap bracelet is made of super-strong paracord that can unravel in a jam. In other words, it’s 18 feet of 550-pound tested spare rope that’s always coming along for a hike or rock climbing adventure.

[Full disclosure: some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning if you buy something from the online merchant it leads to, you won't pay any more than usual but I will get some change jingling in my pocket as a commission. But I only recommend stuff I like, so if you're from the FTC then go find a real problem to solve.]

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Comments

Written by Vera Marie Badertscher on 12/9/2009. Reply

LOL at your disclosure. Wish I’d thought of that! Good list, by the way.
Written by Travelogged on 12/10/2009. Reply

Great list! I also love your disclaimer… If the FTC is really poking around blogs then at least they are getting some great gift ideas for the holidays!
Written by Harry Wordsworth on 12/11/2009. Reply

This is really a great and helping list for travel.Thanks a lot for sharing with us.
Written by Wanderluster on 12/11/2009. Reply

Great list. Here’s to not needing the Survival Strap bracelet in 2010!
Written by Aaron Schubert on 12/27/2009. Reply

Nice list, some of those are really handy. Had to laugh at the bracelet though! I wonder how much it weighs.

Aaron
Written by Jack – eyeflare travel on 1/3/2010. Reply

I’d also recommend Mack’s silicon ear plugs. They go in and ‘cover’ your ear canal rather than go inside it, and swimmers use them to keep water out. Not quite as effective as the foam kind with sound reduction, but much more comfortable, especially if you sleep on your side or wear them for many hours.
Written by Dave – Primo Vacations on 6/2/2010. Reply

Some top tips here and I especially like the Survival Bracelet (A great fashion accessory in it’s own right – look stylish before your near death experience!!)

I use a good head torch which covers all bases – OK not too cheap but only need to buy one instead of book lamp and sustainable torch and the small batteries pack down well and have a 150 hour life.

Also, I always carry a lightweight packable hammock as well – cool.
- Written by tim on 6/6/2010. Reply
  
  Thanks for the tips Dave. The problem with a head torch though is you can’t ever look people in the eye without blinding them. Great for hiking alone or spelunking, but not so good for traveling in a group.