Whether they (or you!) are road-tripping, jet-setting, or armchair-dreaming, this one’s for them.
Ever since I was little, I’ve loved to travel. The packing, the middle-of-the-night wakeups (I grew up in Alaska, where the best flights were always red-eyes), and the whole experience of flying used to feel magical. As I got older, that novelty wore off, especially after years of getting bumped off flights (perks of having a mom who works for the airlines!). But when I had kids, the excitement came rushing back.
Thankfully, my boys love everything about traveling too. Whether it’s a long road trip, a quick cabin getaway, or a flight halfway across the world, they’ve been the best travel partners since day one.
This guide is for anyone who always has a bag packed in the corner and a map covered in “someday” spots. It’s also for those like my sister, the armchair traveler -who may not have gone abroad yet, but dreams and plans like she’s ready to board tomorrow.
From gear that holds up through multiple airport transfers and bumpy roads to small comforts that make the journey smoother, these are the tried-and-true favorites that have earned their place on every adventure.
Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L
This one has been tossed into everything from dusty car trunks to overhead bins. I’ve carried on countless trips and now that I’m homeschooling, it’s become a great every day pack for our outings. After 180 days of very heavy use, it still looks brand new. The weather-resistant fabric shrugs off rain, and the 32-liter size hits that perfect middle ground: big enough for gear yet light enough to wear all day while exploring. It’s the bag I reach for when I don’t want to overthink it, it fits my laptop, books, cords, extra layers just in case, snacks and more. It’s both the perfect carryon bag and an everyday workhorse!
Thule Subterra 2 Wheeled Duffel
This bag is the unsung hero of our big family trips — especially when we head to New Zealand for a few months. Somehow, all our clothes, toys, and adventure gear fits into it, neatly and securely. The compartments make organizing easy, and it’s rugged enough to handle airports, car trunks, and gravel driveways without complaint. For families who travel often (and pack big), this roller is worth its weight in memories. We also sometimes use it for racing internationally as it is a bit more robust than a duffle where things can get tossed around and smashed. It’s also a heck of a lot easier to move around! Even our boys are at the point where they can roll it around, while it’s mostly used while playing – I’ll take it as it is so fun to hear their giggles in the middle of a long travel day.
Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag
Peace of mind in your pocket. I recently clipped this onto my checked race duffle during a cross-country flight, and watching it appear instantly in my teammates “Find My” when we landed was such a relief. The 85 dB alarm is no joke, you’ll know immediately if someone moves your bag. With its tamper-proof bolt and steel cable, it’s the traveler’s insurance policy you didn’t know you needed, until you do. The only downer is that it only works with IOS phones. I’m crossing my finger it comes out for us Android/Google people soon! Until then though, its a gift that keeps on giving to all my IOS travel buddies.
Miir Travel Tumbler with 360 Lid
Coffee, tea, and hydration all tastes better when it’s easy to take along. This Miir tumbler is a road-trip staple in our car (and a daily essential at home, too). The 360 lid makes sipping spill-free and effortless, and the insulation keeps drinks hot for hours which is perfect for long drives or chilly airport mornings. I don’t ever give my kids thermoses of warm drinks in the car usually because of the high spill rate, however with this there has been NO spills even when it has tipped on it’s side! And while I have not tested it on the slopes yet, I also plan to bring it onto the chairlifts this winter for some warm up drinks between laps as it fits inside my ski jacket perfectly! Durable, sleek, and endlessly practical it’s the kind of travel mug that becomes part of your “on the go” person’s everyday ritual.
Skull Candy Hesh 360
Good headphones can make or break a LONG travel day, and these are game-changers. The Hesh 360’scombine adjustable sensory bass with legit noise cancellation, so whether I’m drowning out airplane hum or the chaos of the back seat, I can actually find calm. Plus, they fold up small, hold a charge forever, and sound incredible for music, podcasts and story time. My son uses these almost every night because he loves listening to music as he goes to bed. Skull Candy does make kids ones, but so far I have found that they don’t hold a charge as long as these, so we just got them for the whole family. They are super cozy on the ears and right now they are also on sale- WIN!
Gravel Travel Blanket
I’ve wrapped up in this blanket on cold early-morning flights and on windy nights while spooning Jason in the middle of an expedition race. We originally got these for adventure racing because of their weight (only 11.8 oz!), however since getting them, we have also been using them for their purpose: traveling, and it’s been amazing! It snaps around your neck for hands-free naps (and keeps the wind out if you happen to be outside) and folds into its own little pocket so it never takes up space. There’s even a foot pouch for extra coziness. It’s the comfort you didn’t know you were missing, small enough to pack, cozy enough to make every stop feel like home (almost). We have been keeping two in our car at all times so the boys can feel cozy on our early morning trips out to the cabin and it’s made them so excited to have their very own for their “car” fort. I see this as a great gift for both adventurers and people who are constantly traveling.
Gravel Explorer Plus Toiletry Bag
Gravel nailed it with their travel kits. They are smart, compact, and surprisingly durable. The toiletry bag’s layout makes it easy to grab what you need without a full unpacking session in the airport bathroom as the how it is organized is genius! I’ve used mine on road trips and long flights, and it’s held up beautifully. I love the explorer version because I use it for our whole family, but if you or your person is solo, take a gander at some of the smaller options as the explorer may be a bit too much. For our family of 4 though, it is absolutely perfect. To complete my own gravel package, my next purchase for my own stocking will be the bottles because I hear don’t leak, they pass the TSA and they tetris together!
SPC/LST System Tote
Every day can feel like travel when you carry a bag built for motion. I toss this tote on for e -bike errands around town and in the back of the car for spontaneous trips to the cafe for a homeschool session. I love it because on the outside looks like it should be for a city person, but on the inside it fits everything: laptop, snacks, kids’ sketchbooks, water bottle, you name it—without looking like “we’re carrying our lives.” Made from recycled Cordura® with a weather-resistant finish, leather handles, and a removable cross-body strap, it’s equal parts commute and day trip escape ready. For the modern traveler who blends errands, airport cafe lounge waiting, and trail walking in one day, this tote becomes the kind of gear that keeps up and is used daily.
Patagonia Recycled Wool-Blend Sweater Jacket
This sweater is the perfect in-between layer for travel days that start cold and end warm. Honestly it has become my every day sweater jacket. I pair it with a simple tank underneath for when my day starts heating up. It’s not too chunky like other sweaters of this style and the big buttons are so fun and easy to button and button. My mom recently came to my house to watch our boys while we were racing and she too couldn’t take it off so she got one herself! She’s a flight attendant and carries it with her everywhere now. It’s cozy but structured, so it dresses up easily, and the recycled wool-blend feels both rugged and soft. A piece that’s equal parts practical and timeless which is exactly what you want whether you are a full time Mama or living out of a suitcase.
Daylight Computer
For travelers who write, read, or work on the go, the Daylight Computer is a total revelation. The screen feels like paper, no glare, no blue light, and no eye strain which makes it perfect for long stretches outside, on the plane, or in bright cafés. The battery life is unreal, and it’s distraction-free in all the best ways.
Jason has been using it for his late-night work sessions and finds he gets to bed much faster as there are no pop-ups or blue light to keep him scrolling. Once he’s done, he’s done! I’ve felt my own writing transform on this device as well, it is more focused, calm, and productive. It’s the rare piece of tech that actually makes you want to disconnect from the noise.
And because it’s so simple and gentle on the eyes, it’s even something I’ll hand over to the boys for their educational apps. On our upcoming trip to New Zealand, it’ll be our “homeschool lesson” device- lightweight, travel-ready, and blissfully free of distractions.
Use ENDURANCEMAMA at check out for for $25 off!
Cotopaxi Allpa 42 L Travel Bag
Another bag, I know. But travel bags are all just slightly different making them better for different ways to travel. The Cotopaxi Allpa 42 L Travel Bag is for those trips where you only need one bag (think 3-4 days) and it’s both short and simple. While I have fit everything for the boys and I over a weekend trip, it was kind of tight but totally doable. Where it works perfectly is either for a carryon bag on long haul flights or for trips where it’s just you. The Allpa line is my favorite: it’s vibrant colors radiate joy, it’s comfortable to carry, it has pockets everywhere, is wildly organizable inside, and durable enough to survive just about anything. I’ve lugged mine through airports, campgrounds, and riverbanks, and it’s as sturdy as day one (going on 4 years!). Whether you are getting this for an on the go friend, an adventurer or yourself, it’s one that will be appreciated many times over.
Carve Designs Mae Bottom & Tofino Top
Between river trips, lakeside swims and ocean-edge afternoons, this duo has become my go-to for going on 4 years. The Mae Bottom’s high-waist fit feels secure and flattering, while the Tofino Top’s long-line cut and quick-dry fabric make it equally perfect for paddling, surfing, running and errand running. In fact on hot summer days, I just put this on first thing in the morning because I know I’ll be getting in and out of the water at some point and I don’t want to take the time to change. Both pieces have UPF 50 built-in sun protection, and they move beautifully whether you’re swimming, stretching, or wrangling sandy-footed kids.
PDW Tracker Keeper
For the traveler who flies with bikes, this little stealth saddle stash has been a lifesaver. We’ve had our bikes lost in transit more than once, and clipping an AirTag into the Tracker Keeper gives serious peace of mind. Made from recycled waterproof fabric and weighing only 6.5 g, it tucks discreetly under the saddle while keeping your ride trackable. If you’re flying with bikes, kids, and all your adventure gear, this tiny accessory quietly ensures your bikes arrive safely and your travel stress stays to a minimum. We now just keep one on all of our bikes. Even though we live in a very safe neighborhood and lock our bikes when we are out and about, you just never know!
DUER Performance Denim Girlfriend
These are my go-to travel jeans, and honestly my everyday jeans. They are soft, stretchy, and ready for whatever the day brings. I’ve worn them straight off a plane into a trail walk, and they somehow manage to look pulled-together while feeling like joggers. Just yesterday I didn’t have time to run home and grab my leggings for climbing, so I just climbed in them and they worked great! I could do all of my high stepping in them and everything. The Performance Denim moves easily, resists wrinkles, and handles long hours on the road, at home or in the air like a champ. They’re the perfect mix of function and style, For that someone who is looking for a pair of everyday adventure jeans that feel good and look great in – these are it!
Spotify Playlist
Every trip we take has its own soundtrack. From the singalongs that fill the car on the way to a new trailhead to the mellow acoustic songs that play as we watch the sunset from our rooftop tent, music is part of our family rhythm. Before any big trip, we build a new Spotify playlist together. Max usually adds a few sailor style songs (think WellerMan) or a few Star Wars inspired songs, Revel puts in some old school pump you up rock songs (he loves ACDC and Brittany Spears right now) while Jason sneaks in his throwback favorites, and I round it out with a mix of mellow folk and indie vibes that make the miles melt away.
We keep them downloaded for the stretches with no service — which, thankfully, are often the best parts of the trip. If you’re putting together something special for the traveler in your life, try gifting them a playlist filled with songs that bring back shared memories or spark new dreams. It’s simple, personal, and something they’ll carry with them anywhere in the world.
Wrap It All Up
Travel at its heart, isn’t just about the miles or the stamps in a passport, it’s about the moments in between. The laughter in airport terminals, the roadside snack stops, the sleepy morning flights, and the thrill of seeing something new for the first time. These gifts are little pieces that make those experiences smoother, cozier, or more meaningful, whether you’re chasing new experiences or just dreaming about them from home.
For us, every journey, big or small is a reminder of how lucky we are to explore this world together. So here’s to the travelers: the planners, the dreamers, the parents who pack snacks like pros, and the kids who make even layovers an adventure. Wherever you’re headed next, may your bags be light, your playlists full, and your memories even fuller.