Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
If you're anything like me (and I suspect you are... you're here, after all), you may have a tough time deciding what to get for the beloved people in your life. There's a moment during the holiday season where you get that all-too-familiar brain lock and your mind decides it's not going to decide on anything since there are entirely too many choices.
To help overcome that dreaded paralysis-by-analysis, I've done the shopping for you! If you're looking to grab a gift for a fella (or fella-identifying person) in your life, these are some of the coolest travel gifts for men anyone can get this year.
1. Herschel Little America Backpack
When it comes to travel bags, Herschel is one of the best choices. These bags are durable and built to last for years to come, and they're sturdy enough even for international travel. This is a slightly smaller version of another travel bag available from the brand, and it will come in handy no matter what kind of adventure you're on. Available in all sorts of colors and patterns, as well as two handy sizes, you can be sure this is the perfect gift for the ramblin' man on your list.
2. MLB Game Used Uniform Wallet
When you find the perfect wallet, you may carry it until it's falling apart - and this wallet has the potential to be someone's new favorite, especially if they love Major League Baseball. This incredibly unique wallet has internal dividers made of actual, game-used jerseys from MLB games. This might just be the single coolest, most unique gift to give a man who loves sports there is.
3. Deluxe Packing Travel Set
Perfect for any guy on the go, this awesome travel kit organizer helps even the messiest packer get (and stay) organized. It has eight labeled organizers (in both bag and packing cube form) that he can use to make sure his bags are packed with expert care. The travel kit organizers are available for both men and women (the men's edition is black and comes with a sock and underwear bag instead of a bra and lingerie bag).
4. Travel & Recovery Compression Socks
Long periods of time spent on planes or in vehicles can wreak surprising havoc on the feet, but compression socks are an excellent way to prevent various kinds of discomfort. Compression socks bring numerous health benefits, and these ultra-soft bamboo ones are a treat. Wearing a pair of compression socks can improve blood flow, help heal muscle soreness, and reduce swelling, among other benefits. He'll travel with them once and wonder how he ever travelled without them!
5. Bose QuietComfort Wireless Active Noise Canceling Headphones
What's one travel accessory that, should one forget to pack it, might make an entire trip lose its luster? If you answered headphones, I agree entirely. Soundly sleeping on an airplane, commuting on a busy train, or just winding down in a hotel room is so much easier when you have noise-cancelling headphones. Bose is known around the world for its high-quality sound engineering endeavors, and these awesome noise-canceling headphones are over-the-ear and perfect for long car rides, train trips, or flights. Engine noise? What engine noise?
6. YETI Rambler Straw Mug
Yeti is a popular brand amongst outdoorsy folks and travelers alike (and oftentimes, that Venn diagram is just a circle), and no dude's travel repertoire is complete without one of these popular mugs. It's pretty remarkable just how long this insulated mug can keep a cold drink cold and a hot drink hot. Not only does it come in a variety of colors, but you can buy designs with and without a handle, too. Sip in style on the road with a Yeti Straw Mug - and may your drinks be as delicious as your journey.
7. Portable Digital Hanging Scale
Let's be real here: Few things are more annoying than having no idea if your luggage is going to be within weight requirements to fly. Well, the fella in your life can worry no more with this highly portable hanging luggage scale, which can weigh bags up to 110 pounds. It travels well and fits easily in the very luggage it weighs, and nobody who considers themselves a frequent flier should be without one.
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8. FlatPak Waterproof Toiletry Case
This helpful waterproof toiletries bag will keep his shampoo, conditioner, body soap, shaving kit, and other supplies nice and dry, even if he brings the entire bag into a steamy bathroom with him. It seals shut and keeps water out, doubling as a cell phone/electronics holder while he's out at the lake, too.
9. A GrubHub Meal Delivery
Perhaps this is an obvious gift idea, but that doesn't make it any less genius. Traveling can be an exhausting endeavor, and at the end of a long travel day, the last thing most people want to do is cook or go grocery shopping. But, a delicious meal can just be a click away! Buying a gift card to GrubHub will prove to be the ultimate useful gift - and he'll think of you every time he orders that delicious chicken marsala from that one place in that city he loves.
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10. Compact Travel Cord Carrying Case
Nowadays, we all travel with a plethora of electronics that require chargers, cords, cables, and dongles... and keeping them organized is key. Otherwise, they'll mysteriously tangle themselves up into an unsolvable puzzle ball, as cords are want to do. This compact travel cord carrying case is an amazing organizer that'll help even the messiest of folks clean up their luggage. He can safely store charging bricks, cords, SD cards, dongles, USB drives, and more. Not only will it reduce mess, but he won't end up losing a necessary charger (and buying yet another one from a convenience store).
11. SALAV HS-15 Quicksteam Travel Steamer
If you're shopping for someone that travels for work or other professional endeavors, chances are he's going to bring a wardrobe that'll need steamed or ironed. No one likes a wrinkly, crinkly button-down! Fear not, working professionals: this tiny little portable clothes steamer is here to straighten those kinks and tie up those loose ends.
12. RFID-Blocking Travel Family Passport Organizer
For those who often travel out-of-country with family, you'll be familiar with every traveling dad's most dire pet peeve (well, other than someone playing with the thermostat): unorganized and misplaced passports. This clever gift means never losing track of an entire group's passports, tickets, or luggage tags. The passport organizer (which doubles as a wallet) can attach to a keychain or luggage, and takes up little space, so pulling out passports will be a breeze.
13. Worldwide High-Power Converter For Single Volt Appliances
Last but not least on this list is a practical must for any international traveler. These electrical adapters will allow the man in your life to use his US-based electronics internationally (and he won't have to resort to buying the overpriced versions at a foreign airport). Everyone loves practicality, too, so these travel smart adapters are an across-the-board winner.
There you have it: 13 thoughtful gift ideas for the man in your life that loves travel (or really anyone who loves travel). If you need a bit more inspiration in the art of gift-giving, check out our round-up of the best travel gifts you can buy on Amazon.
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