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These 10 gifts are perfect for adventure travelers
Photo courtesy of iStock / AzmanJaka
The perfect gear for explorers
Wherever your adventures take you, whether into the national parks of North America or remote villages on the far side of the globe, good gear can make or break a trip. To curate a gift guide for adventurers, 10Best's team of travel experts hand-picked 20 pieces of travel gear for our 2019 Readers' Choice Awards.
Those were then whittled down to 10 amazing items by popular vote over 28 days. Scroll to browse these standout products deserving of a place on any adventurer's wish list.
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Photo courtesy of Kokopelli Packrafts
No. 10: Kokopelli Packrafts Rogue-Lite
The Rogue-Lite is the lightest packraft from Kokopelli, weighing in at under five pounds. “It packs down into the size of a paper towel roll,” says 10Best Travel Expert Marla Cimini, making it a convenient option for backpacking, compact car camping or other backcountry paddling adventures.
To buy: kokopellipackraft.com, $825
Photo courtesy of Sweet Protection
No. 9: Interstellar Goggle Limited Edition
These freeride goggles from Sweet Protection feature proprietary RIG lens technology, providing better contrast in low light conditions. “You can swap between the eight available lens options without touching the field of vision, so this means no fingerprints,” explains 10Best Travel Expert Marla Cimini.
To buy: sweetprotection.com, $219.95
Use code 10-OFF-SWEET-
No. 8: LARQ Bottle
The LARQ Bottle is the world’s first self-cleaning water bottle and purification system. UV-C LED light eliminates up to 99.9999 percent of biocontaminants with the touch of a button. The bottle comes in 17- or 25-ounce sizes and five colors.
To buy: livelarq.com, $95
Take 10% off all orders (20% for orders over $125) from Nov. 26-Dec. 2
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Photo courtesy of NEMO Equipment, Inc.
No. 7: NEMO Stargaze Recliner Chair
The NEMO Stargaze Recliner Chair is the first swinging and reclining camp chair on the market, and it works on any surface with no hanging required. The chair’s aircraft-grade aluminum poles are tough and lightweight, and the fabric seat features pockets for beverages and media.
To buy: nemoequipment.com, $219.95
No. 6: Joovv Go
The Joovv Go puts the power of light therapy in the palm of your hand with this portable device. The wireless and rechargeable Joovv Go uses professional grade LED lights for quick results. “I use it on my feet after a long day of walking,” says 10Best Local Expert Jacky Runice.
To buy: joovv.com, $295
Get 0% APR financing for the holiday season
Photo courtesy of iStock / Jovanmandic
No. 5: Smart Travel
This first aid kit was designed with travel in mind to include blister supplies, wound care supplies and medication to treat stomach illness, dehydration, pain and fever. A Visual Communication Tool helps you get the care you need even in far-flung destinations.
To buy: adventuremedicalkits.com, $49.99
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Photo courtesy of MyChelle Dermaceuticals
No. 4: MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield
The line of suncare options from MyChelle Dermaceuticals are reef-safe and mineral-based. Options include a non-tinted SPF 50 liquid sunscreen, tinted sticks, a clear spray with SPF 30 and a SPF 50 body lotion.
To buy: mychelle.com, $20-$24
Photo courtesy of iStock / Ilse Oberholzer
No. 3: BioLite HeadLamp 330
This no-bounce rechargeable headlight is light and sleek with moisture-wicking fabric on the band to keep you cool and dry. “The HeadLamp 330 is great for all adventures, or even an early morning run,” says 10Best Local Expert Corinne Whiting.
To buy: bioliteenergy.com, $49.95
Photo courtesy of Fireside Outdoor
No. 2: Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up Fire Pit
This portable fire pit packs smaller than a camping chair but sets up in 60 seconds to create a fire large enough to keep your whole camp warm. It also cools down enough in 90 seconds to pack up and continue on your adventures.
To buy: firesideoutdoor.com, $99.95
Use code USAToday for 34% off (applied automatically with above link)
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No. 1: Good To-Go Weekender Pack
These meal packs from Good To-Go include one breakfast and two entrées, perfect for a weekend camping trip. Meals are handmade in Maine with gluten-free ingredients. Choose from meals like pad thai, New England corn chowder, chicken gumbo or Korean bibimbap – just add water!
To buy: goodto-go.com, $21.50
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About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
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The Experts
Beth D'Addono
Beth D'Addono is a respected New Orleans-based... Read More
Beth D'Addono is a respected New Orleans-based travel journalist who hails from Philadelphia. She has written extensively about the USA over the last 20+ years and is constantly on a new adventure. Her work is published often in magazines including AAA Traveler, Southern Living and National Geographic Traveler.
Beth D'Addono
Beth D'Addono is a respected New Orleans-based travel journalist who hails from Philadelphia. She has written extensively about the USA over the last 20+ years and is constantly on a new adventure. Her work is published often in magazines including AAA Traveler, Southern Living and National Geographic Traveler.
Corinne Whiting
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she... Read More
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's backpacked around Australia, taught English in Argentina and explored (so far!) countries from Cambodia and Egypt to Turkey and China. Corinne served as associate editor at Where magazine for five years; as a freelancer, she now writes for publications like National Geographic Traveler and Amtrak's OnTrak. Here in the lovely Northwest, she's attempting to debunk the rain myths, up her coffee and live music quotient and find her Zen near/on the water.
Corinne Whiting
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's backpacked around Australia, taught English in Argentina and explored (so far!) countries from Cambodia and Egypt to Turkey and China. Corinne served as associate editor at Where magazine for five years; as a freelancer, she now writes for publications like National Geographic Traveler and Amtrak's OnTrak. Here in the lovely Northwest, she's attempting to debunk the rain myths, up her coffee and live music quotient and find her Zen near/on the water.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home... Read More
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Joanne and Tony DiBona
Joanne and Tony DiBona know a thing or two about... Read More
Joanne and Tony DiBona know a thing or two about creating photo galleries to share their personal travel experiences around the world with their readers. Their articles have been featured on 10Best for the past decade, as well as in national and international print and online media. Their awards for photography and journalism fill up an entire wall in their office, the most recent being a top national award for their US and international galleries published on 10Best. Follow their travel adventures on their scenic photography website and travel blog. Have a question about travel? Contact them on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Joanne and Tony DiBona
Joanne and Tony DiBona know a thing or two about creating photo galleries to share their personal travel experiences around the world with their readers. Their articles have been featured on 10Best for the past decade, as well as in national and international print and online media. Their awards for photography and journalism fill up an entire wall in their office, the most recent being a top national award for their US and international galleries published on 10Best. Follow their travel adventures on their scenic photography website and travel blog. Have a question about travel? Contact them on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice... Read More
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
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