Whether you are searching for a graduation gift, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day present, or something for summer travel, these ideas can spark your list of ideas. Summer travel plans are fast approaching. These are solid ideas for the frequent traveling graduate, parent, friend, pilot, flight attendant or business traveler in your life.
Cotopaxi Clase 28L Daypack
This stylish backpack is large enough for business travel, but is squishy enough for any type of adventure. And that is what Cotopaxi is best known for…its flexibility for the active traveler that also might have professional needs.
That’s why I love this Cotopaxi Clase 28L Daypack, which comes in four colors, and has user-friendly features like a water bottle (or umbrella) pouch, interior pocket for laptop or tablet protection, other pockets for smaller items like pens, keys or Air Tags, and more space for a few clothes or carry-on items.
Separate zippered pockets keep your most important documents (like a passport) protected, and then there are key clips for things that you want to make sure never separate from the bag (this is also great for that Air Tag).
What makes this bag extra special (besides its durability) is that it is eco-friendly, too, made from 100% recycled ripstop polyester on the outside and interior. Cotopaxi has a loyal following of customers that swear by the quality of its bags. This model is carry-on friendly, fitting all domestic airlines’ bag specs, and is comfortable to wear thanks to padded straps making it a great gift for frequent travelers.
TravisMathew x St Andrews Links Collection
Popular apparel brand TravisMathew is at it again with new additions to its unique St Andrews Links line of golf and leisure wear. As the only brand to have its own boutique on perhaps the most famous golf course in the world (and also its official apparel partner), its clothing is a fan-favorite. Not just from players, but fans and even regular, everyday travelers don TravisMathew apparel.
The St Andrews Links branding adds even more excitement and sparks conversation wherever you go. Summer travel means the Scottish links are getting even more attention from players and tourists alike. We love the latest batch of apparel in the lineup, which still follows the brand’s well-known California-style of comfort.
The collection includes a limited-edition NuAge Mega Tartan shoe with waterproof multi-layer upper lining and NuAge Foam cushioning with replaceable outsole spikes. New polo shirts, hats and zip-up jerseys feature the new St Andrews Links Old Course logo with traditional tartan accents, too. Among our favorites are the Tartan Territory Polo, the Northwind zippered jacket, and of course, the Old Course snapback hat.
Wavwatch 2.0
As someone who travels almost entirely overseas and crosses time zones, the Wavwatch 2.0 is the type of device that works in the background to promote overall wellness. It actually looks like (and is) a watch, which comes in two colors, a grey-ish graphite or rose pink. You can even customize the wristband to your personal style.
But, this device actually uses frequencies aimed at the sympathetic nervous system to help your body fight stress and pain. They help boost circulation and the healing of bodily tissues. These same frequencies can help improve your sleep for deeper rest, and in the morning, a different set helps to stimulate the brain for mental clarity and greater overall energy. They can also help with overall weight management, body detoxification and swollen joints.
It may sound a bit scientific, but vagus nerve stimulation is a great way to address common health imbalances. The sound therapy is not something you hear or even feel, but it is providing natural healing using your body’s own support system. To use it, there is no Bluetooth syncing or WiFi required making it a great gift for those that are less tech-savvy.
Vybrance Labs Creatine Gummies
My aforementioned frequent time zone crossings had me eager to try Vybrance Labs Creatine Gummies, which give you energy, focus and a clear head while also helping to build muscle. Long flights dehydrate you, but even more so, tire your body. And popping four of these gummies (in either watermelon, citrus mango or green apple) the morning after a long flight was an easy way (no water required) way to think more clearly and not feel as lethargic as my watch makes me feel.
Available on Amazon, they use Vitamin B12 for energy and taurine to reduce brain fog and hydrate the body. Clinical studies show that it reduces that sense of brain daze by more than 16%. They are vegan as well as sugar and gluten-free without that impending crash that a cup of coffee might serve a few hours after finishing it.
Just remember that because it contains creatine, it can cause an initial weight gain because it is hydrating the muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, and this is just temporary. You are hydrating and repairing muscles post-workout, and these make it easier to build muscle mass. If you want to avoid this and simply benefit from its other functions, try taking half the recommended daily intake. It’s always wise to chat with a medical professional though.
Momentous Protein and Creatine Travel Packs
Speaking of building muscle… those that want to work out on the road and maintain their muscle boosting routine, it can be a pain to pack large containers of protein or creatine powder. That’s why I love these Momentous travel packs that come in individually portioned sachets. They are great for a quick weekend trip, but also make sense for longer trips. When I have poured protein powder from a large container into a plastic bag, I have had issues at security.
The creatine travel packs come with 5g of pure creatine monohydrate for strength support and muscle recovery. Since my travels take me across time zones, I also like how they boost cognitive clarity, too. The whey protein travel packs have 20g of protein, and they come in plant protein forms. Both of these not only save space in my carry-on bag, but also help me maintain my nutrition and exercise routines when traveling in foreign places where gyms and meal nutrition facts are not always available.
Activated You Prebiotics and Probiotics Superfood Powders
This brand has been one of my favorites for years. They produce gut-friendly formulas that come in containers to keep on your kitchen counter as well as individual travel packets to take on your next trip. There are morning and nighttime powders that support digestion with the latter designed to calm your mind (while the former boosts your energy). This proved helpful when on the other side of the world and I was looking for a way to wind down.
I love the Morning Complete packets that help streamline digestion and boost your mood (key when crossing time zones). For the first time, I tried the Morning Lift mushroom-infused coffee, too. And I love it! Not only does it follow the brand’s gut health focus, but also provides immunity, energy and focus from an entirely plant-based source. It has a six-mushroom blend with reishi, lion’s mane and chaga among them. This potent blend of adaptogenic mushrooms delivered caffeine and health boosting effects in one sip. To keep it fresh, I seal it in a Ziploc bag for double protection. You simply add a scoop to hot water, which is so simple to do when traveling.
Another new product for me was the Essential Skin Food collagen support supplements. These plant-based capsules help even out your complexion and firm up the skin (helpful after drying out on a long flight) with collagen. Activated You has a wide range of wellness supplements that make a great gift for frequent flyers.
Horizn Studios Spinning Cabin Luggage
On the hunt for hard-shell, light-weight cabin bags? The German brand Horizn Studios makes a variety of lines designed for unique purposes. The Air Series is designed for the most lightweight needs (like those traveling on airlines that weigh cabins bags). PRO Series bags are extra-durable, perfect for those that have to still check a carry-on when flying on regional jets or taking more adventurous trips.
The polycarbonate shell of all the bags can take a beating. I found the telescopic handle to be easy to retract, even when the bag is stuffed. Inside, there is a water-repellent liner to fight against any rain drops or water that sneaks into an unzipped edge. There are also two interior, zippered pockets helping you to stay organized.
All of the materials are 100% animal friendly and mostly made of recycled components. Perhaps the best part is that these bags are of similar (or even lower) pricing as other top-tier hard-shell bags. The only bad news is that the brand has temporarily suspended shipments to the U.S. due to import terrace. If you are shopping for an international buddy, however, Horizn makes a great gift.
Route One Skincare
This fragrance-free line of gentle (and simple) skincare products is affordable and designed for moisture. Instead of promising to erase wrinkles or remove dark circles (which is rarely accomplished with an over-the-counter cream anyway), these products get to the route of the problem: dehydration. Frequent travel takes its toll on the skin, and Route One Skincare is a cost-effective way to combat dry skin.
The ceramide moisturizer is light-weight enough to apply both morning and night. I detest feeling a greasy, heavy feeling throughout the day. This is a barrier-protecting cream that you won’t feel after applying it.
The gel cleanser is great for the end of the day, especially if you have been using sunscreen or makeup and want to clean your skin before applying moisturizer. It removes grease and dirt buildup without stripping the skin of the moisturizing elements you need. The cleanser contains amino acids, green tea extract, aloe and coconut although it has no notable fragrance.
Both made in Korea (world-famous for its beauty industry), the ceramide moisturizer and micellar gel cleanser come in 3.4oz or less, TSA-friendly containers. These make it easy to pack into a carry-on bag.
Dixie Grace’s Boiled Peanuts
Protein snacks are a growing industry for time-crunched travelers that may not have the chance to sit down for a proper meal. While there are supplements, powders and bars of all kinds, I found Dixie Grace’s Boiled Peanuts to be an especially intriguing option. This Black, female-owned business produces authentic boiled peanuts (yes, those famous salty snacks from the south) and packages them in travel-friendly pouches that need no refrigerating. Of course, they are more delicious when cold though.
They are soft and savory and come in a variety of flavors from plain to Cajun and even a hot and spicy blend. They pack 7 grams of plant-based protein per serving and are 100% vegan and gluten-free. That’s a tasty way to get fiber, magnesium and Vitamin E all in one go while remaining Keto-friendly. Interestingly, boiled peanuts (while not a diet snack) do contain quadruple the antioxidants of what you will find in roasted peanuts.
Antler Carry-On Luggage
Antler’s Icon Stripe Expandable Carry-on Luggage is a great quality product, and its hard-shell bags have quickly become a preferred travel item for me. I love the large, indented stripes on the side, which quickly set it apart from similar hard-shell bags.
Made of water-resistant recycled polycarbonate, it is exceptionally durable (travelers on regional jets know how important that is when they gate check carry-on bags). On larger planes, it easily fits into the overhead bin, and it has an easy-to-use, TSA-friendly lock on its exterior. Aside from the interior, zippered compartments and clasping ties to keep contents together, I loved the ease with which the wheels silently glided. That’s a big pet peeve when rollaboard bags are full, the weight pushes down on bags and makes them more difficult to roll. Not so with this fantastic carry-on. It’s no wonder this is Antler’s best-selling hard-shell suitcase.
Antler also offers its Discovery 45L backpack for those that prefer to carry their belongings over their shoulders. Two solid perks of this water-repellent, soft bag are that it has a padded laptop sleeve to protect your most important device and that it unzips like a suitcase. No more rummaging through a partial zippered opening at the top to grab something that fell to the bottom.
The large exterior pocket makes it easy to grab paperwork or important documents quickly. And I like how there are external compression straps so you can make the bag look more compact (again, out of watch of those eager gate agents that want to check bags).
The padded back straps can be adjusted based on the load, and you can also turn it into a front strap bag for ease of handling. I think everyone should be required to wear backpacks in front of them when in tight spaces like a subway car or boarding a plane to stop from knocking people over without realizing it! When not using these straps, there are little zippered pouches to keep them tucked away.
Deep Sleep Formula From immunizeLABS
Crossing time zones is tough on frequent travelers, and while melatonin is a natural way to get better rest instead of taking prescription pills, it doesn’t work for everyone. I prefer not taking too high of a dose, but I have found success with this all-natural sleep aid. It is designed to help lull you to sleep, but also stay asleep without constantly waking up.
Medication can lead to grogginess in the morning, but these supplements improve your sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) and can lead to deeper sleep. These are results I can attest to based on the results recorded on my Oura sleep ring. Even when traveling internationally, I notice similar patterns of deep and REM sleep as what I get at home (although it can vary depending on how far you travel, of course).
For me, I don’t want something that is habit-forming, and this is a great solution. The same brand has other products like all-natural pain relief pills and BreatheEasy nasal spray that can provide natural relief from allergies and work against sinus infections naturally.
I also really like their OralMiracle mouthwash, which was recently reformulated to improve its bacterial defense and pH optimization. This rinse performs all the things you expect like freshening breath by killing bacteria and also naturally whitening teeth. But, it also can help to reduce tooth decay and renew enamel strength targeting weak spots with the right minerals. The brand calls it medical grade mouthwash that can help reduce dentist visits, and almost everyone is sure to like that!
