Stocking stuffers for the adventure traveler

Joby Gorillapod

Stuck for ideas on what to buy that adventure traveler in your life this holiday season? Typically if someone is about to backpack across Southeast Asia or trek Patagonia, they want to stick with the essentials. That silver travel tealight holder may look pretty, but it’s not going to make the cut when the intended recipient is packing as minimally as possible for a big trip.

Here are a few stocking stuffer ideas for that adventure traveler in your life:

Joby offers the Gorillapod, a flexible tripod for the amateur or professional photographer who doesn’t want to haul around a ton of equipment, yet still wants high-quality shots. The tripod features flexible legs that you can wrap around pretty much anything, whether it’s a railing, a tree branch or even a bottle of scotch. And there’s a range of Gorillapods for small portable cameras to professional video cameras, and even a Gorillamobile for iPhones.

One challenge with travel nowadays is the “no liquids or gels” rule at airports (though even up until fairly recently I walked through security at a local airport in Nicaragua while swigging a bottle of water – mind you, they also weighed my backpack while I was still wearing it). As a result, I’m always on the lookout for nifty products I can carry on the plane with me.

Flight 001 offers carry-on travel packs, such as The Paper Soap Travel Pack that includes laundry paper and anti-bacterial paper soap (30 single-use sheets per pack), designed to meet airport security requirements. The Man On The Move Paper Soap Set includes shaving paper, paper soap and body wash paper, while the Girl On The Go Paper Soap Set includes paper shampoo, paper soap and body wash paper. Just add water to dissolve.

I’m a big fan of Pacsafe, which at least on one occasion saved my backpack from being slashed. The company offers a range of anti-theft and security devices, such as the RetractaSafe, which is a retractable plastic-coated steel cable in a lightweight dial-resettable combination lock. This is ideal for locking your backpack, camera equipment or bike to a secure fixture (such as locking your backpack to the luggage rack in a train while you’re sleeping or to the bedpost in your hostel while you’re out).

If you’re trekking or camping, To-Go Ware offers reusable bamboo RePEaT utensil sets to help reduce your “forkprint.” The utensil holder is made of RPET (recycled PET plastic) and the flatware is constructed of bamboo, which is lightweight and long-lasting, heat and stain resistant and won’t absorb flavours. And it comes in fun colours such as avocado, beet and pumpkin.

Photo Credits: Joby; Flight 001; Pacsafe; To-Go Ware