2021 Holiday Gift Guide: The Travel Tech Edition

10 innovative essentials for the travel lovers in your life.

As we emerge from our cocoons and begin to fly, it seems we’re a little out of practice. The packing, the planning, the preparation; It all takes a little extra doing to travel now. But we’re eager to gear up and get to it — much like the newbie fisherman or skier who buys all the fancy accoutrements just to cast the wrong bait or waddle his way up the bunny hill. Don’t be that guy!

Whether you’re planning to reunite with family, embark on an epic cross-border journey or simply trade in your exotic Zoom backdrop for a real one, it’s time to make the most of your travels. Here is a curated list of 10 make-it-count travel gadgets and elegantly innovative products designed to meet the moment. Pack light, shop smart, and get ready for your grand reentry into the world.

The BlendJet ($49.95)

No more excuses! You’re on the road again, but you can stay on track with plant-based, protein-rich smoothies that actually taste good if you have a powerful blender like the BlendJet. The cool part is its water-resistant USB-C charging port that powers at least 15 blends. Patented technology gives it big-blender speed, and that’s important if you’re crushing ice, pulverizing dark leafy greens or making baby food in the back of an SUV (we see you, parents).

The Race to Zero T-Shirt ($110)

The futuristic clothing company Vollebak just dropped a space-inspired “Mars jacket” and pants made of thick, tough ballistic nylon. And it’s really the perfect look for billionaires in space. For those of us here on earth, I recommend the company’s ultralight, wickable “race to Zero” workout wear. Even if you’re not running a marathon, the entire kit, including a t-shirt, shorts, jacket and puffer jacket, weighs only 21 ounces and could fit in your glove compartment.

The Picopresso ($129.90)

If you’re traveling within the continental United States, finding a decent cup of coffee can be hit-or-miss. We light-drip, taster’s choice Americans need a little help appreciating the subtleties of fine espresso. Enter the new Picopresso, which puts great coffee in the palm of your hand wherever you are. Outdoor types will need to pack ground coffee and a kettle to boil water, but otherwise, this gadget will handle the brew.

The Theragun Mini ($174)

Muscle tension from a long flight or road trip needs extra attention. Thank goodness for the Theragun mini, which offers relief in a travel-sized package. If you can’t get the real thing where you’re going, this agile massage device will serve as a reliable stand-in. More importantly, this (PRODUCT)RED purchase contributes directly to the Global Fund to fight pandemics around the world.

The Silviano Tech Sleeve ($262 USD)

The best kind of travel gadget seamlessly marries hi-design with technology, and this leather folio is a prime example. Crafted by the House of Silviano, the accessory hides tech discreetly inside a beautifully crafted two-tone sleeve that comfortably encases a 16” laptop. You wouldn’t know it by looking at it, say, on the arm of a Milanese fashion designer, but this sleeve includes a powerbank, so you can charge your mobile devices on the go, and a bluetooth tracking device, so it never gets lost.

M&D’s Sport Earbuds ($349)

When you’ve found noise cancelling earbuds that cling to your ears at just the right angle even when you’re running a marathon — it’s time to invest in four different color combinations. It’s like finding the perfect pair of designer jeans, except this pair of MW08 Sport earbuds comes with a wind-reduction microphone, IPX5 water resistance, and an ambient mode to keep you aware of the real-world outside your music bubble. The best part? These deliver up to 12 hours of play time, with 30 backup hours in the charging case.

Coravin Sparkling System ($399)

Even professional restaurateurs swear by their Coravin. Who wants to waste valuable wine or champagne if you don’t have to? Wherever you choose to celebrate the holidays, you can keep your bubbly from going flat after opening it with this clever device that keeps it fresh for four weeks. Here’s how it works.

The Editor Brown Carryon ($476)

There’s nothing quite like an old-world set of luggage that embodies the bygone era of glamorous travel. Steamline Luggage is a brand whose approach to modern travel makes many of today’s ‘smart suitcases’ seem clunky and classless. Who cares if you have to carry a charger, if you can pack it in stunning ivory linen and brown leather case? Just grasp the soft handle of this durable bag, and tell me you’re not dreaming of a long train trip on the Orient Express, or making a grand entrance in the lobby of some exotic hotel?

The Nikon Z fc, Starting at $959.95

Sometimes high-tech gadgets look best in retro fashion, as is the case with Nikon’s Z fc mirrorless camera. Though it looks like something your grandpa tinkers with in the garage, it is actually designed for savvy next-generation content creators who will be keen to test the flip out video screen with live streaming capabilities. If you’re in the market for a tangibly satisfying camera beyond the smartphone, this is a wonderful gift.

Prop Plane Tickets, Ranging from $295 to $725 per seat

The ultimate luxury is the ability to fly private, be it on a prop plane (hundreds of dollars per seat) or private jet (thousands per seat). Tradewind Aviation provides both on-demand private jet flights and scheduled charter flights throughout the Caribbean and the Northeast, including Martha’s vineyard, Nantucket, New York, and Vermont. The company came early to the idea of making private flights more accessible, and now sells tickets without requiring membership fees. Just book your seat, pack your bag, stow a bottle of champagne and go.