If you or someone you know is planning a trip in 2024, whether it be for leisure, business, honeymoon, babymoon, couple’s getaway, or solo female travel trip, these are great gifts for someone going traveling, according to a travel writer. Me!

Part of what I do for a living, aside from photography, is travel writing. Between running this travel blog and writing travel articles for other publications, I am on the road A LOT. On average, three to four trips a month. So, I know a thing or two about what works well for traveling solo, female travel, adventure travel, and women over 40 who like to travel. Below are just a few of the items I can’t live without and have recently discovered that would make great gifts for someone you know going traveling.

Please note that all items below I personally use in my daily life and while traveling. I will continue to update this list each year with new items I have discovered. 

Hanging toiletry kit

As I like to say, in my previous life (before becoming a travel writer) I used to work as a buyer at an online retail company called eBags.com They specialized in selling luggage, backpacks, handbags, and travel accessories online. You could say this is how I got into the travel space.  

I worked with top-name brands such as North Face, Tumi, Samsonite, Patagonia, and more. So, with that being said, I know a thing or two about travel gear, such as luggage and backpacks. 

Ebags also had its own proprietary brand of luggage, backpacks, handbags, and travel accessories. Although they have since sold to Samsonite, you can still find them online at ebags.com. One item I love from them is their hanging toiletry kit.

I have been using this toiletry kit since I first started working for eBags in 2013. It was one of the first items I purchased. As a buyer, I made frequent buying trips to New York, Las Vegas, and many other places, and this was my favorite traveling companion. And still to this day, working as a travel writer, I bring it with me on all my travels.

I love how it lies flat, and no matter how full you think it might be, there is always room to add more. I fit everything in here, from my makeup to my hairbrush and more. The different mesh compartments make it easy to organize and find your things. The hook on the main flap is perfect for hanging on the back door or vanity drawer for easy access. I use this for two-day trips up to weeks or more.

Travel Clothing 

When I travel, my clothing is all about comfort, versatility, and compactibility. These three items hit all three of these components for me.

The Perfect Travel Pants

Knab Pants from Prana

If you know me, I am obsessed with the Prana brand. I love their versatility in taking you from the trails to the town. Their clothing is durable, stylish, and comfortable. I have many items from their clothing line, but one I love the most is the Knab Pants. 

I love the jogger style, so if that isn’t for you, then these aren’t your pants. Some of my favorite features include the knit cuffs at the bottom and the knit waistband for a relaxed fit, the zippered pocket on the left leg, and the almost flush front pockets. They are designed as climbing pants with double-layered fabric at the knees, but I wear them every time I fly. They are form-fitting enough that they don’t look unflattering and still provide so much comfort

Kuhl FREEFLEX Move Pant

Another one of my favorite travel pants is from Kuhl. I recently started wearing their Freeflex Move Pant, and I am in love. The FREEFLEX™ fabric is lightweight and soft, and moves with you wherever you go. I also love its quick-dry, moisture-wicking features for those unfortunate spills. 

They’re super casual, so they don’t work the best for me if I have to go straight to a meeting from the airport. But the lightweight fabric can’t be beaten, as it rolls up nicely in my luggage and hardly takes up any room or adds any weight.

THE ONE Jacket by Kuhl

Another item I recently traveled with from Kuhl was The One Jacket. I can’t get over how comfortable and lightweight this jacket is. It almost feels like you aren’t wearing it all. I wear it on my walks on cool days in Denver and on the airplane for a lightweight extra layer. I can’t wait to take it backpacking with me this summer!

I feel protected from the elements by its waterproof, windproof, yet highly breathable fabric. THE ONE™ Women’s Jacket features KÜHL’s temperature-regulating AERO™ KNIT technology for breathable comfort and performance. I’m always a sucker for underarm gussets that release excess heat, and this jacket has them. When you live in a place like Denver, where it can be 25 degrees in the morning and 70 degrees in the afternoon, a versatile jacket like this is essential. 

Travel gear, backpacks, and packing cubes

Eagle Creek packing cubes

As an avid traveler, I never go anywhere without my packing cubes. I’ve tried a few different brands over the years, but I always come back to Eagle Creek. Their lightweight design means you can take them anywhere. I especially love their compression packing cubes, which seal up any extra space inside and leave plenty of room on the outside for other items in your pack. Plus, packing cubes make it easy to organize your items, which is great for this over-40 female traveler!

The machine-washable, water-resistant fabric is lightweight yet durable, featuring rip-stop technology. You don’t feel like you’re carrying a lot, but these packing cubes pack in everything you need for traveling light and easy.

There are two different versions of these compression packing cubes: the Pack-it Reveal and Pack-it Isolate. The packing cubes featured here are the Pack-it Isolate. The Pack-it Reveals have a mesh front so you can see what is inside. You can shop them online or on Amazon for quicker delivery!

Osprey backpack

I’m a big fan of traveling with a backpack wherever I can. For the past 5 years, I have been traveling with the old (outdated version) of the Women’s Fairview travel backpack. This backpack has taken me around the world, and I see no signs of it stopping anytime soon.

I love it for its durability, substantial padded handles, comfortable ventilated back panel, a stowaway harness and hip belt, and a removable daypack with a lockable main compartment. I mainly use this as my carry-on, but have checked it a time or two, and it is still in such good condition. 

Brevite Camera Backpack

I am a professional photographer as well, so whenever I travel, I carry my camera. Years ago, I was on the hunt for a camera backpack (non-ugly) that could also hold a few other items and my laptop. I wanted to be able to carry it through airports, use it while walking the city streets, and take it on a quick day hike.

I came across Brevite and was instantly sold on its look and design, as well as its price point. I have been using the Runner in Pine Green for four years now, and it goes with me everywhere. I use it as my one personal item on the plane as it sits perfectly under the seat in front of me. I can carry my Nikon D750 with lens, my 14” Macbook Pro, chargers, two books, my travel documents, sunglasses, reading glasses, and more. 

Wear it as a backpack or use the luggage pass-through. And the velcro, soft fabric dividers are great for securing your camera equipment. 

Travel gifts that inspire

Gifts for the traveler aren’t always about gear; it’s also about experiences and gifts that inspire. 

National Parks Pass

A National Parks Pass is one of the best gifts you can give any kind of traveler: the curious traveler, the road tripper, the novice traveler, or the adventurer. I buy a park pass every year because you just never know where your adventures will take you.

National Parks Water Bottle from Outdoorsy

A National Parks Pass pairs nicely with something to commemorate each visit. Sometimes, traveling gifts are about recognizing major travel moments and celebrating them. For those who have a goal of visiting every U.S. National Park, give them The Original Parks of the USA Bucket List Bottle from Wondrey Outdoors.

A little less utilitarian than some of these other gifts, this water bottle is the perfect way to commemorate visiting each U.S. National Park. Plus, they have other bucket-list bottles for travelers, including Euro Trips, Parks and Reserves of Canada, Fifty States of the U.S., and more. 

Something I just discovered

Living in Denver, I often encounter cold weather. So, I am always on the lookout for a good pair of warm socks, gloves, and jackets. I recently came across socks from the Gordini brand. The independently-owned company based in Vermont has been in business for 65 years. While they have made a name for themselves by selling gloves made for the slopes and a wintry lifestyle, they are now introducing socks into the mix.

This season, they introduced performance ski socks, winter boot socks, and hiking socks. Gordini invested in an Italian knitting technology that uses structural layering to improve insulation, moisture transfer, and durability. And they feel good too!

*All images taken by Jessica Hughes and are subject to copyright.