Traveler’s Gift Guide

Trekpod Go! Pro : It’s a walking stick! It’s a tripod! It’s both! And yes, those magnet mounts really are strong enough to hold your DSLR with the telephoto. No, really, I tried it with my Nikon and the 28-300 lens I use for traveling. Great for the outdoorsy photographer in your midst.

Tom Bihn Bags: Any piece of luggage by this Seattle based company is aces. I have the Ristretto for iPad — it fits my netbook perfectly and no lie, I love this bag. I love the wide, no slip strap, the bajillion pockets, some of them designed to fit exactly that one thing (my phone, my boarding pass, those cables etc…) and, well, this my be the best designed bag I’ve ever used for anything. No exaggeration. Dear Tom Bihn, if you could make me one that holds my netbook and my DSLR, I will be devoted to you forever. Oh, and you, reader, get some of their luggage.

Boingo Wifi: You know how I feel about paying for wifi, right? It’s a freaking utility and I hate being nickeled and dimed for it. That said, it’s not free everywhere, no matter what I think. Boingo seems to have wrapped up the wifi in places you’re stuck market and really, it is nice to have it when you’re delayed in Newark again. Buy that jetsetter a wifi pass, why doncha?

SmartWool or Ibex Anything: These two companies make the best clothing. Long underwear? Essential, don’t leave home without it. Socks? You can not have too many quality socks. I have a pile of SmartWool socks, a zip front Ibex sweater, and both brands of long underwear and they are long lasting, washable, warm, lightweight, the best travel wardrobe items I own.

Noise Canceling Headphones: These things used to be the exclusive property of the business class traveler because they were so damn expensive. But there are a least two brands that are reasonably priced — I tested both Able Planet and Plane Quiet and they really did work to cut out airplane noise.