Alaska News

Must-have gifts for the minimalist traveler

What to get the traveler or jetsetter that's always on the go-go-go this holiday season? Lots of cool high-tech gadgets and gizmos are on the market this year for the discerning traveler who's on your gift list.

Let's roll through some of our top picks:

1. GoGo inflight wireless service. Stay connected in the air with Gogo on Alaska Airlines. I just bought a "Holiday 3-pack" for $19.50 that's for three one-day passes between now and Jan. 3, 2013. GoGo also offers a "reindeer 2-pack" for $14.50. Typically, a one-day pass for in-flight wireless service costs $14.95 so there's real money savings in this promotion, particularly for the internet addicts (like me) who simply must check their email and Facebook account every waking moment. More here.

2. Petzl Headlamp. Let your light shine with a Petzl Headlamp. This is basic survival gear for road warriors -- right up there with noise-canceling headphones (we'll get to them). Whether it's to read a book when your overhead lamp is burned out (that's happened more than once), or to find your way down a dark hallway, these portable lights are wonderful. My favorite models (Petzl Zipka 2) have a retractable band that slips over your head or your hat. It's available online at REI.com.

3. ExOfficio moisture-wicking underwear and undershirts. I feel good all under. It's unusual to be passionate about underwear (or is it?) but ExOfficio high-tech underwear are great for those long mileage runs. These are not long-johns. ExOfficio makes a variety of undies and T-shirts that are moisture-wicking, breathable and tough. You can wash them on-the-go in the sink and they dry quickly. Check out the retail store in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (right across from Anthony's near the C Concourse. You can also shop on the ExOfficio website.

4. RFID-shielding wallets. All the new passports and many credit cards now are embedded with readable chips. My black-ops friends write about how easily identity thieves and other bad guys to harvest this information. The folks at Magellan's Travel Store have a collection of wallets and document holders that shield the readers. You still have to get your passport out at the border, but otherwise tuck it away in these wallets. I have one that hangs around my neck. My kids think it's nerdy (they're right). But there are other low-profile models that slip into your front pocket for extra security from traditional pickpockets. Check out Magellan's Travel.

5. Rolling duffel bag. Most of the time, I'm strictly "carry-on" in the luggage department. But traveling during the holidays with the family blows that strategy out of the water. So I'm leaving my tight little rolling carry-on bag at home -- trading it in for a duffel bag with wheels. It's big enough for my tripod, all the gifts I cannot carry on board and plenty of other adventure gear. It's got wheels so I can drag it through the airport. More importantly, it folds up tight when I'm done with it and comes with its own storage bag (I'm leaving that at home). Magellan's also sales these bags; size up this bag's utility for your traveler with pictures here.

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6. Noise-canceling headphones. Find peace and harmony -- even in coach -- with an mp3 player, smartphone, iPad or other music player that's paired up with these headphones, a must-have for the groupie travelers, audiophiles or middle row seat assignment between noisy teenagers.

I'm a big fan of the Bose headphones, although several other companies make them. It's the same technology that's used in the headphones of your commercial airliner pilot's headphones; on long hauls from Alaska to just about anywhere, these really make a difference. Even if you're not playing any music, the active noise-canceling technology makes for a quieter ride.

7. Adventure accessorizing. Looking for the mother of all travel backpacks? In Seattle the other day I ran into Tom Bihn, who was producing a video in front of his shop for one of the Aeronauts. It's a big pack for adventurers. Pam Mandel, another travel blogger, crammed everything she needed for a trip to Tanzania into one of these all-purpose bags.

Me? I'm not that disciplined, opting instead for the Brain Bag. Simply put, my back will give outbefore I fill the bag to capacity.

Check out these features:

  • Laptop sleeve
  • Multiple exterior pockets
  • Roomy front compartments
  • Straps galore for bungeed raincoats, tripods, river sandals and the like.

Bihn and company make all of the bags for sale in his Seattle shop; expect a craftsman's attention to details like fabric durability, construction, the works.

8. Point and shoot camera. Point. Shoot. Repeat: I love my point-and-shoot camera, even though I replace them frequently. Thankfully, the prices have come down so it doesn't break the bank to go get a new one. My current model, a Canon PowerShot SX260 HS, was purchased at Costco Wholesale but these cameras are available everywhere. Travelers will appreciate the big screen and responsive auto-focus.

Another plus? Optical image-stabilization comes in handy for those of us who can't stand still much less focus our attention and intention on a subject or setting. Photos are easily transferred to your media device for easy downloading, thanks to the SDHC flash memory card. Lately I do more phone photographry than anything else, but this camera is a professional standby that I recommend.

Canon PowerShot cameras are priced between $199 and $249 across the web.

9. Two tickets to paradise. Of course, the best holiday gift you can offer a traveler is a trip somewhere! Gear up and get out of town!

10. What's the perfect gift for your traveler? Let us know in the comments section below. We'll post a selection of responses on the Alaska Dispatch Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

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