Top 10 Travel Gifts for the Holidays
Happy Monday friends! This week marks the beginning of the busiest buying season of the year as retailers & online brands gear up for Black Friday sales, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday traffic. Over the last several weeks, I’ve received a lot of interest and engagement on Instagram Stories when sharing my favorite travel gear...so today I’ve put together my top 10 travel gifts for the holidays.
Each year it feels like the holiday shopping season grows longer and more intense, and while I’m excited to share a few of my favorite things with you today, I first want to say that any or all the products which are helpful to me may be completely unnecessary to you. No “deal” is a deal if you don’t need it, and the most beautiful gifts are completely free — like time with loved ones and time outside in the beauty of nature. Please don’t get caught up in the hype of “things or stuff” this holiday season (including anything I share here). Shop or don’t shop in a way that best makes sense for you personally and in a way that leaves you with more peace, not less. Having said that...please consider scrolling all the way down to #10 to receive a special Christmas gift from me to you - no purchase necessary.
Just so you know, some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps in offsetting the cost of running this site so we can continue to provide you with free content to help you plan your next adventure. 😊
American Hat Makers Jawa Wide Brim Fedora
1. Hats
American Hat Makers Jawa Wide Brim Fedora Hat
If you’ve been following my adventures over the past few years, you know I love a good hat...and the most asked question I get about any of my adventure gear on Instagram has always been about the hats I wear on my travels. Since I’m often hiking throughout the day, good sun and wind protection is a must for me. I’m a huge fan of American Hat Makers, a California owned family business that’s been designing and creating quality hats for over 50 years. I have multiple AHM hats and they have stood the test of each and every adventure I’ve thrown at them. The hat I personally wear most often is the Jawa Wide Brim Felt Fedora, but I also have the Bondi Womens Wide Brim Felt Fedora which I love and have worn on countless adventures.
American Hat Makers will be running a Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale (11/22-11/29): Buy 1 hat get 25% off. Buy 2 hats get 30% off. Buy 3+ hats get 35% off!
Click here for Jawa Wide Brim Fedora purchasing options.
American Hat Makers Sidecar Leather Cap
American Hat Makers Sidecar Leather Cap
When I’m running around town or on adventures that call for something a little more low profile than my fedoras, I throw on my Sidecar Leather Cap. Another great offering from American Hat Makers, this ball cap is lightweight, fully adjustable, and super comfortable.
American Hat Makers will be running a Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale (11/22-11/29): Buy 1 hat get 25% off. Buy 2 hats get 30% off. Buy 3+ hats get 35% off!
Click here for Sidecar Leather Cap purchasing options.
Kodiak Fernie Hiking Boots
2. Hiking Footwear
Kodiak Fernie Waterproof Street Hiker Boots
My favorite everyday footwear is Kodiak Fernie Boots. Inspired by classic Norwegian hiking boots, these waterproof leather boots are insulated and perfect to wear year-round. This is truly the most comfortable footwear I own, and while I wouldn’t take these boots out on my most rugged trail adventures, they are perfect for everyday wear, like heading to the store, gardening in my backyard, or hiking out on one of my favorite local trails. I’ve gone on multiple national park adventures in these boots...in fact, I spent a week in Yellowstone National Park walking the geothermal boardwalk in the snow and these boots kept me warm, dry and comfortable the entire trip. I have three pairs in three different colors, so you know they’re a favorite of mine!
Click here for purchasing options...or check out my complete “Top Hiking Boots for Women” post.
Oboz Sypes Hiking Boots
Oboz Sypes Mid Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots
I have a full guide to my favorite hiking boots, and there are some wonderful brands that safely guide hikers on there adventures, but this year my Oboz Sypes have become my go-to on my weekly hikes. With roots in Bozeman, Montana, Oboz actually plants a tree for every pair of shoes sold, and they have the highest of standards, being very transparent about their materials, suppliers, and manufacturers. In fact, if you look at my last 20 blog posts I’ve been wearing my Oboz on 15 of my adventures. From wearing them in saltwater at Death Valley’s Badwater Basin to the clifftops of Pothole Dome in the Yosemite Wilderness, these shoes are lightweight, incredibly sturdy, and supportive in the most rugged of conditions.
Click here for purchasing options...or check out my complete “Top Hiking Boots for Women” post.
Kodiak Fernie Hiking Boots & Woolx Socks
Woolx Everyday Light Cushion Crew Socks
When it comes to what you’re wearing inside of your shoes, I’m a huge proponent of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, odor-resistant, and breathable. These Woolx socks are a perfect choice for hiking in any season and they have added arch support, which I appreciate on long days out on the trail.
Click here for purchasing options.
Woolx Sawyer Shacket & American Hat Makers Jawa Fedora
3. Outerwear
Woolx Sawyer Shacket
I discovered the Woolx brand while searching for a quality, versatile shacket that I could take on my cool weather adventures. I loved the look and feel of this shacket the moment I received it. The loose oversized fit is perfect, and as a Merino wool product, it’s extremely warm...but what really surprised me was how breathable the fabric was, I didn’t expect the temperature regulation to also keep me so cool and comfortable on sunny days. This outer layer has swiftly become a favorite in my closet and go-to garment on countless adventures — whether I’m heading up to the Yosemite mountains or the Big Sur beaches. You’ve probably seen this on many of my blog posts and you’ll definitely see it in many more!
Click here for purchasing options.
Insta360 X3
4. Photo & Video Gear
Insta360 X3
Over the last couple years Nate and I have really enjoyed capturing the night sky, and these starry adventures have quickly become a favorite of mine. Originally I got an Insta360 Go to help me capture starlapse footage while shooting the Milky Way. I was so impressed with it that I built up my collection of Insta360 gear over the last year, and by far my favorite piece is the Insta360 X3. Not only does it capture incredible night footage of the stars, but it has become quite a companion lately on my blog adventures. Since you capture everything in 360, you can adjust the direction and perspective of the footage in post (even in mid video). The addition of the Extended Edition Selfie Stick brings an even more dynamic shot, mimicking drone footage...which is great when in state and national parks that don’t allow drones. Make sure to check out my Behind the Blog YouTube video at the top of this post for some sample footage of my latest adventure in Joshua Tree National Park.
Click here for Insta360 X3 purchasing options.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV & Peak Design Tripod
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Many years ago when I started blogging, Nate and I decided to invest in a DSLR. Our starter camera was the Canon Rebel T6, which I highly recommend for anyone unfamiliar with shooting on a DSLR. However, we quickly upgraded to the 5D Mark IV, and it’s been our camera of choice ever since. We love it for its robust and intuitive features, the great photo quality, and its versatility for switching back and forth from still photography to video. The price tag may seem high, but it’s been well worth the investment for us. You can add to your arsenal of lenses over time, but currently we swap between the ultra-wide angle 11-24mm, the versatile 24-105mm, and the zoom 100-400mm. Just make sure to invest in a good quality tripod like my Peak Design...the last thing you want to do is skimp on the very thing that is tasked to stabilize and protect your expensive equipment!
Click here for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV purchasing options.
Jackery Explorer 240
5. Portable Power
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240
When I’m camping and I need to charge my Insta360, iPhone, and Canon camera battery after a long day of shooting, I have a Jackery Portable Power Station. As someone who is continually capturing content on my adventures, this is easily at the top of my list for things that I won’t leave home without. I have the Explorer 240, and it charges all of my electronics (even my laptop), featuring ports for USB-A connectors, wall chargers, and car chargers. It’s great for camping road trips and any emergency back-up power I might need.
Click here for purchasing options.
Spardar Portable Car Kettle plugged into my Jackery Power Station
6. Hot Water On-the-Go
Spardar Portable Car Kettle
After a series of California national park road trips, I decided to invest in a portable hot water boiler as one of those “personal indulgences,” but now I can’t imagine traveling without it. I personally love the Spardar Portable Car Kettle because, unlike most of its competitors, it really does take cold water to boiling in less than 15 minutes. I’ve tried multiple other products which take well over a half hour or more. It’s the perfect size to heat up water for tea, oatmeal, or soup for both Nate and I, and I use it on the road in my car as well as when we’re camping, I just plug it into my Jackery or my car with its built-in car charger. It’s made of food-grade stainless steel and it has proved itself to be extra durable out on my adventures.
Click here for purchasing options.
Night Cat Pop-Up Tent
7. Camping Tents
Night Cat Pop-Up Tent
When we get to a campsite, typically we are pretty eager to go explore and capture the beautiful creation around us, and the last thing we want to do is spend time reading directions and fiddling around with a tent. When I discovered pop-up tents, my affinity for camping certainly grew lol! Now all I have to do is remove the folded up tent from the pouch, throw it, and watch it pop up before me! What used to take 10 minutes now only takes 10 seconds, and it’s rather spacious inside at 6.5’x9’. Folding the tent back up takes some practice, but you get the hang of it over time, and the ease of setting it up makes it well worth it.
Click here for purchasing options.
Quest Rec Series Dome Tent in Joshua Tree’s Jumbo Rocks Campground
Quest Rec Series Dome Tent
This lightweight dome tent was the first camping tent we purchased. It’s a Dick’s Sporting Goods exclusive and is a great option for the casual camper. It’s cost effective and pretty simple to put up and take down, containing only two fiberglass poles that crisscross in the middle. Plus it has a removable rain fly if you prefer to lay back and watch the stars. It’s dubbed as a 3-person tent, but in my opinion it’s better suited for 2 people at 7’x6’.
Click here for purchasing options.
Cliq Chair
8. Portable Seating
Cliq Chair
I first highlighted Cliq Products on my blog back in 2021, and I am actually still using the exact same chair. It has visited eight of California’s national parks and has truly gone on hundreds of adventures with me. When I’m out in Yosemite shooting the night stars, I sit comfortably in this chair — sometimes all night long. Plus, having a camping chair that is so comfortable, compact, and easy to set up & take down is a huge win in my book...and probably one of the reasons I’m still using the same chair after nearly 3 years.
Click here for purchasing options.
Leefy Prana Turmeric & Ginger
9. Pain Management & Immune Support
Leefy Organics
Leefy is another product I can’t speak highly enough of. I also first shared the Leefy Prana Turmeric & Ginger back in 2021, and with all of my hiking bumps and bruises, this is still my first line of defense for pain management. Leefy actually produces three products, and I use all of them faithfully. The Nidra is my go-to for a wonderful night’s rest whether I am on an overseas redeye flight or crashing in my tent after a long day of hiking. While I don’t want to pick favorites, Leefy Immunity is the first thing I reach for if I feel like there’s even a hint that I might be feeling under the weather or coming down with something...I take it with me on every trip.
Click here for purchasing options, using FLYINGDAWN15 for 15% off.
SuddenlySee Etsy Shop - Grand Canyon National Park T-Shirt
SuddenlySee Etsy Shop - Yosemite National Park Mug
10. National Park Shirts, Mugs & Posters
SuddenlySee Etsy Shop
I might be a bit partial, but the best gifts to put under the tree of a fellow adventurer this year has got to be national park apparel and fine art. Last year, Nate and I started an Etsy shop that sells our very own custom-designed shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, prints, posters, and printables, featuring our favorite national parks & destinations. We would be so grateful if you’d check out our shop this Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season...and to thank you for your incredible support & kindness this year, we’re offering a special 10% discount on everything in our Etsy shop through the end of the year to anyone who signs up for my email list below. However, I would hate for you to feel like you have to purchase something, so we are also gifting our Half Dome Explorers Workbook (created as a wonderful game book by Nate and I for kids & adults alike) to each email subscriber as a Christmas present from us to you. And because it’s the holiday season and next week I’ll start sharing my Joshua Tree adventures here, I’m also including a 1-sheet of my Best Rock Formations in Joshua Tree National Park.
Click here to check out the SuddenlySee Etsy Shop.
Pet Gear Stroller for Cats & Dogs
Bonus: Traveling with Small Pets
Pet Gear No-Zip Pet Stroller for Dogs & Cats
Over the years, you may have seen my small furry bundle of joy show up on my adventures with me. Thumper is my rescue dog and she’s been traveling with me for over a decade now. As a senior dog with extensive mobility issues now, I love having my Pet Gear No-Zip Jogger Stroller so she can join me along dog-friendly trails. This stroller features large 12" gel-filled tires, which make it perfect for jogging or navigating uneven terrain. Thumper loves strolling the Yosemite Valley in her stroller and she gives it two “paws” up!
Click here for purchasing options.
SuddenlySee Etsy Shop Joshua Tree T-Shirt & AHM Sidecar Leather Cap
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week and checking out my top travel gifts for the holidays. For more views of these products, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement where you go!
Quest Rec Series Dome Tent in Joshua Tree’s Jumbo Rocks Campground
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Today we're exploring the Cap Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park. This is the perfect family friendly spot to take an easy hike and enjoy a bbq lunch at the picnic area amidst towering rock formations, cactus & endless Joshua trees. Read this travel guide to discover one of the top things to do and places to go in Joshua Tree on your next SoCal weekend road trip from Los Angeles.