7 Bad Travel Gifts

"Every year I see more and more ads and articles about the best travel gifts (I've even written some). But far too often I see items recommended that I know, as a frequent traveller, would make terrible gifts. A real “Awww, well… it’s the thought that counts.”

So don’t get suckered in by fancy marketing and tantalizing photos." Here’s a list of items that are almost certainly bad travel gifts.

Looking for GOOD gifts for the traveller in your life? Check out Gift Guide For The Infrequent Traveller and Gift Guide For The Frequent Traveller.

Luggage

Unless the traveller in your life has mentioned some backpack or carry-on they like, luggage is a bad gift. The regular traveller knows exactly what they want and need in their luggage. Best to let them pick it out for themselves. Then again, if you know they’d dig something like Target’s French Bull shown above… go for it.

Bad Noise Cancelling headphones

Good Noise Cancelling headphones are a great gift. The problem is, most noise cancelling headphones are terrible. Most don’t actually reduce all that much noise, and most also sound terrible. The two best on the market are both by Bose (as tested by me and many others). Check out the QuietComfort 20 in-ears, or the QuietComfort 25 over-ears. If you’re curious about the testing that lead to those, check out Best Noise Cancelling In-Ears and Best NC Over-Ears

Travel Clothing

I've tried a lot of travel clothing, and most doesn't hold up to the rigours of heavy travel. Some might, admittedly I haven’t tested everything. Two exceptions, SmartWool socks and shirts are amazing, and have lasted far longer than anything I’ve travelled with over the last two years of nearly non-stop adventuring. I also like WrightSocks.

Then again, socks as a gift? I’ll leave that judgement to you.

Power Converters

Those fancy pricey power converter to convert foreign wall current to something US-gear-friendly? Basically, no one needs them. Almost all regular wall adapters (like what came with your phone) do this already. All you really need is adapter plugs to fit the different outlets. Those make a great gift.

Multi-adapters

Yep, I know I just said adapters make a great gift, but not the bulky every-country-in-the-world multi-adapters. Look, I love gear with multiple uses, but the fact is, most people aren't travelling to countries with multiple outlet shapes during one trip. Even if they are, packing two or three adapter plugs is way easier.

Travel SIM cards

Travel SIM cards are terrible. Well, slightly less terrible if you get one for free, I guess. Travel SIM cards are more expensive than buying a local SIM. You’re better off giving someone $30 in cash and letting them buy something local where they’re going.

Travellers Checks

Amazingly, these are still a thing. Must be a generational thing, as I don’t think most people younger than 40 (60?) would even think of these. They’re going to be far more hassle for the recipient than if you just give them cash or a travel card (though check the fees involved with those first, they’re likely not great).

Conclusion

Hopefully this will help steer you in the right direction. I also have my own guides, Gift Guide for the Frequent Traveller and Gift Guide for the Infrequent Traveller, based on stuff I’d like to get (or I’d recommend).

Gotten any travel gifts that weren't… great?