The best thing money can buy is an experience. The next best thing is an innovative product to make that experience–wherever in the world it takes place–even better, and more memorable. As holiday travel season approaches—and with it a gift-giving frenzy—we’re here to guide your own wishlist and inspire what to get your favorite travel partner too. From a radically advanced GPS smartwatch to modern flannel, we’ve put together the adventure travel must-haves that even the most seasoned wayfarer will be stoked on this holiday season.
1. The One Watch for Every Adventure
From backcountry trails to urban skylines, the Garmin fēnix 6 smartwatch [$600 and up] is our favorite adventure-ready smartwatch on the market. More than just a fitness tracker, the GPS-enabled Fenix features everything you could ask for in a ruggedized, rough-and-ready watch—from a barometric altimeter, distance tracker, heart rate and calorie tracker to point-to-point navigation and preloaded ski resort maps. It works with both iOS and Android and looks just as good paired with a suit as a ski shell. Plus it syncs with your favorite streaming services, so you can listen to tunes without your phone. Give (or get) the fēnix 6 and be prepared to hear stories about the epic times had while wearing it for years.
2. The Rambler’s Sipper
Every adventurer needs a pick-me-up every now and again. Whether it’s Irishing up a little mug of dark roast while waiting for the sun to come up at the trailhead, sharing a late-night shot on a bus in Prague, or savoring the last of a particularly good bottle of Japanese whiskey, the Stanley Master Flask [$40] is our go-to. Sturdy 18/8 stainless steel finished with a dense powder coat makes this mighty little flask nearly scratch and dent-proof, and the shape slides into a range of discrete pockets.
3. This Shacket Can’t Be Beat
Designed and tested in Jackson Hole, Stio makes outerwear and apparel for the modern ski bum, err, adventurer. The new Skycrest Snap Shirt [$179] is built for shoulder seasons in the Tetons, where layering a shirt jacket counts as dressing up. But don’t let its casual city vibe confuse, it will stand up to serious abuse too—perfect for colder climates and exploring. The classic insulted silhouette lends itself to a vintage look, but this definitely isn’t your dad’s puffy from the 70s.
4. The Ultimate Outdoor Sleep Setup
Forget that crinkly backpacking air pad and embrace the Hest Sleep System [$349]. Now, we know what you’re thinking, and yes, it’s a massive price tag for a supposed camp mattress. But after a couple dozen nights on it everywhere from Moab, Utah to Rocky Mountain National park though, and we’re sold. Hest’s combination of rigid air pad (made with the same durable stuff white water rafts are) and memory foam result in the absolute best sleep under the stars. For the dirtbag road tripper who sleeps in the back of a Subaru, pickup, or van more often than not, Hest is a must.
5. A Bag Built For the Long Haul
Mission Workshop’s bags and apparel have one mission–to be as rugged and useful as they are stylish. The Rhake [$455] harnesses that set of ideals to handle everything from bike commutes to cross country treks. The main roll-top compartment expands to 22-liters, holding electronics, travel documents, and an overnight kit with ease. The 500D nylon pack fabric means that if you have to check it (or want to hike with it), the Rhake can stand up to some serious abuse.
6. A Flannel Capable of Doing It All
Every traveler needs a go-to flannel (or a closet full of them, we’re not here to judge). This isn’t some discount department store plaid—the Western Rise TechWool Flannel Shirt [$119] is a modernized flannel that perfectly blends wool, CoolMax yarn, and a light polyester. Comfortable in a wide range of temperatures, this shirt will become your everyday go-to. Pub crawls on an 8-hour layover in London? Hitting the trail right after landing in Denver? Bring your new favorite shirt along for the ride, and thank us later.
7. Contemporary Classic Sunglasses
SPY isn’t the only eyewear brand out with a frame like these, but they do make the best one. The new Helm 5050 [$110-150] takes the recognizable style and shaves off the bottom of the frame for a contemporary look that’s equal parts classic and edgy. Perfect for hiding hangovers, and that definitely-not-posed-at-all sunset Instagram selfie.
8. An All-terrain Sneaker Upgrade
Hitting the high points for a do-it-all travel shoe, the new Range Low [$140] from Forsake features Vibram megagrip outsoles and a dense, polyurethane midsole, meaning you’ll grip everything from pavement to tarmac to sandstone. Full waterproofing and a classic styled leather upper helps the Range Low pull duty from airport to trailhead (and every brewery in between).