Caroline’s Favorite Things 2015

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to recommend my favorite travel products for the traveler in your life. I have traveled at least a week out of every month this year so I’ve tested these products firsthand. These are all items that I regularly use and, best of all, apart from the one nice piece of luggage, everything is under $100.

And let’s be honest, investing in a quality suitcase once in your life is a good idea because you get what you pay for. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom to win half of these products for yourself! 

This post contains affiliate links that can earn this website a small income. They will not cost you anything to use.

Clothing and Accessories

Speakeasy Travel Supply Scarf, $55

My friend Brooke gave me one of these scarves from Speakeasy Travel Supply for Christmas last year, which are made by my friends Beth and Randy of Beers & Beans. The scarves are made for travel, allowing you to store your passport, cell phone or even a flask in the secret pocket in the jersey fabric.

They come in beautiful and colorful prints and you can even get them custom made for your personal tastes. The zippers are of high quality materials and it can easily be washed on a delicate setting.

Win a Speakeasy Travel Supply scarf in the Fly Away pattern below or buy on their website.

Vim & Vigr Compression Socks, $32.95+

I first reviewed these cute compression socks over on Her Packing List. I already had a pair of plain looking compression socks to wear on my travels after I had surgery on my foot earlier this year, but once I received two pairs of Vim & Vigr‘s designer socks, I knew I would prefer these.

They make cotton and nylon varieties, as well as dress socks and stockings. The socks keep your blood circulating so they’re ideal for long haul flights or even just sitting at your desk for extended periods.

Win a pair of your choice of Vim & Vigr compression socks below or buy your own pair on Amazon.

Buff Original Headwear, $25

If you’re like me, the first time you saw a Buff was on the original episodes of Survivor. But over the years I’ve seen the appeal, as you can wear it so many different ways. As someone with short hair, I can put it on as a thick headband to cover my head when I’m having a bad hair day.

I can cover my head for entering mosques and use it as a scarf in colder climates. In fact, it can be worn 12 different ways. You can get them in all sorts of colors and patterns and some even have UV protection and are made of merino wool.

Buy your own Buff on Amazon.

Luggage and Packing Gear

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes, $8.50+

For a long time, I wasn’t a packing cube believer. Instead, I relied on compression sacks, which allow you to jam everything in one bag and pull straps to make it smaller. But after reviewing some for Her Packing List, I started to understand what makes them great.

They allow you to puzzle piece into your bag to maximize space. You can also color code or organize by items so that you always know where a certain item will be. I keep undergarments in one, pants in another and tops in another. Despite trying many brands, Eagle Creek makes the best, in my opinion, as they have varied materials and sizes for whatever items you need to pack. You can buy them individually by size or in a mixed pack.

Buy your own Eagle Creek packing cubes on Amazon.

Hartmann Lineaire Spinner Suitcase, $255

I’ve talked at length about how I’m a backpacker, and have now owned four backpacks, but for some trips, you need a suitcase. I’m talking about trips for work when I need to bring nice clothes that can’t be crumpled into a packing cube. So for my birthday this year, I received this nice, lightweight Hartmann suitcase on sale at my local Mori store.

It’s only 20 inches long and weighs less than 7 pounds empty. It survived being pulled down city blocks in New York when I was too cheap to take a cab!

Buy your own Hartmann Lineaire suitcase on Amazon.

Electronics and Stocking Stuffers

Nomad Goods Key for Apple Lightning, $24.95

I first became acquainted with Nomad goods through my fellow travelers. The company makes electronic tools for people on the go, such as this “key,” a charging cord for your iPhone that goes on your keychain. They also make a USB 2.0 version for items like your GoPro, but both versions are flexible and can bend to plug in at all angles.

You’ll become the most popular person at the airport when you have a way to charge electronics! The company also makes gear for your Apple Watch and charging devices.

Win a Nomad Key below or buy your own on their website. Use coupon code “FRND10” for 10% off your order!

Maxwell Scott Prato Leather Passport Holder, $66

A quality leather item makes a nice gift for travelers of all ages and genders. Maxwell Scott makes bags, briefcases, dopp kits and passport holders from Italian leather. You can even get them monogrammed or embossed to personalize them further. I tested out their Raffaele dopp kit a while back and still love it so much that I’m thinking about buying a bag from them as well.

Win a Maxwell Scott passport holder or buy your own on Amazon.

Urban Adventures Gift Certificate, $50

For the last two years, I’ve partnered with Urban Adventures, an affiliate of Intrepid Travel, checking out their day tours in destinations like Toronto, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Hanoi and Melbourne. Whenever I plan a trip, I first check to see what tours they run in my destination.

It’s a great way to learn more about a city you’re visiting without the rigid schedule of a group tour. You can also get connected with the locals, dining at their homes and learning more about the culture. I can’t say enough good things about this company, as they’re one of my favorite travel brands.

Win an Urban Adventures gift certificate below or book your own tour on their website.

Airportag Throw Pillows, $24.90

What do you get the traveler who has a home base? Airportag has throw pillows to remind them of their home airport or favorite destinations. The designs also come in t-shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs and much more. I’d love to have one for Atlanta and another for Sydney, two of my favorite places.

Buy your own Airportag throw pillow on their website. 

Cabeau Evolution Travel Pillow, $39.99

I’ve gone through dozens of travel pillows in the last ten years including the kind that feel like bean bags, the plush ones and at least two inflatables before finding the right one. My mom bought herself the Cabeau Evolution Travel Pillow before our trip to London this summer but my sisters and I ended up using it more than her.

The memory foam folds down small and supports your neck, even when you’re sitting in coach. I even used this pillow when I hurt my neck a few months back.

Win a Cabeau Evolution travel pillow below or buy your own on Amazon.

XShot Pro Camera Extender, $64.95

GoPro and regular camera users will love this heavy-duty version of what could be used as a selfie stick. XShot was the original creator of this type of product. The pro version includes mounts for both GoPros and universal tripod mounts with an extendable, waterproof pole.

It has a removable wrist strap and an allen wrench to change settings. I have both a monopod and selfie stick, but this is the best of both worlds, plus it folds down smaller than most cameras. The ball head allows you to capture almost any angle. I brought it on a recent trip and can’t wait to take it scuba diving!

Buy your own XShot Pro on Amazon.

Stanley 8 oz Classic Flask, $25

I’ve sung the praises of Stanley products in a previous post, but this is one of the few gifts in this guide that can be given to any gender and nearly any age group. The classic flasks are beloved by everyone from blue collar workers to modern day Kerouacs. Pour in your favorite alcoholic, or even warm, beverage for sipping on the go. The single walled flask has a lid that won’t get lost. It’s ideal for travel, especially road trips and music festivals.

Buy your own Classic Flask here. 

Giveaway Details

You must be 18 years old to enter. The Vim & Vigr socks are only available to United States residents, but the rest are open to all. The Speakeasy scarf design is the Fly Away design and cannot be changed. By entering, you are agreeing to accept the prize you are chosen for, but I will try my best to select the prize you prefer. Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours or forfeit their prize. Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note that some of these links are affiliate links, which provide a small income to me without costing you extra. The items in the giveaway have been donated by the respective companies and some of the images are used with their permission. Otherwise, all images are my own. All prices are in US dollars and prices were accurate from the date of publication.