Gifts for Travel Lovers (Green Gift Ideas!)

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These sustainable gifts for travel lovers are kind to your wallet and kind to the planet!

Prices and inventory are changing fast. All effort is made to provide in-stock items at an accurate price. Where possible, two vendors are provided for purchasing flexibility.

As always, buy local when and where you can!

Let’s dive in!

My favorite gifts for travel lovers in 2023

An expanding carry-on suitcase is an ideal gift for travel lovers

Sustainable Brand: Solgaard

Brand Features: Commitment to removing ocean-bound plastic. Uses eco-conscious materials like recycled polycarbonate, Shore-Plast™, and Shore-Tex™. Uses fabric from excess luxury handbag materials and recyclable aluminum.

Sustainable Gift Features: Perhaps my favorite item on this year’s list of sustainable gifts for travel lovers. The Solgaard carry-on closet makes packing a breeze! Built-in shelving system, USB charging port in bag for on-the-go power, made from eco-friendly materials, and saves 229 plastic bottles from the ocean. Comes in two sizes and eight colors. Ten-year warranty.

Price: Regular price is $275 from Solgaard for the medium-sized carry-on (20″ High, 13.5″ Wide, 9″ Deep) or $295 from Solgaard for the large-sized carry-on (22.4″ High, 14.6″ Wide, 9.6″ Deep) + free shipping in the United States.

For every item sold, we remove 229 ocean-bound plastic bottles.

solgaard

A 3D wooden world map for the wall

Sustainable Brand: Enjoy the Wood

Brand Features: Creating beautiful maps made out of high-quality fiberboard made from reclaimed wood chips.

Sustainable Gift Features: Handcrafted, lifetime warranty, natural wood. There are four different sizes and multiple color options. Options for a blank map or a map with country names. Pushpins are an add-on. Antarctica is an add-on.

Price: Varies widely depending on the size of the map and add-on. At the time of writing, maps are up to 60 percent off. I purchased my map in large (35″ x 59″) in the color terra with the “prime” option (country names, borders, and Antarctica), and with no pushpins. On the Enjoy the Wood website, the subtotal came to $204 before coupons and shipping. I was able to use a coupon code (SA15) for a $30 savings, but shipping was $39. The total came to $212.40. But…⬇️

Visit here for the map I purchased with exact specs

Green gifts for travel lovers under $20

National parks passport is a great gift for travel lovers

Sustainable Brand: America’s National Parks™ stores 

Brand Features: Operates in nearly 170 national parks and online. 100 percent of the proceeds from purchases go toward educational and preservation efforts at America’s national parks.

Sustainable Gift Features: The perfect gift for anyone who loves exploring America’s national parks. Every visitor center offers stamps to add to this pocket passport. (I bring mine with me everywhere!)

Price: $12.95 from America’s National Parks™ stores while a fancy, spiral-bound parks passport sells for about $25 on Amazon.

 Since 1947, we have provided more than $166 million in aid to the NPS through our park stores, tours & programs, and custom products.

America’s National Parks™ stores

Make your own lotion bars for a thoughtful gift from home

Sustainable Brand: For ingredients, see the video above or this post with the recipe (as well as 17 other sustainable lotion solutions).

Sustainable Gift Features: I’m not that into DIY, but these lotion bars are SO easy. Each bar is a no-plastic lotion solution that packs easily and lasts a very long time, making it a great option for travelers. And it’s seriously cost-effective for you!

Price: Varies depending on batch size and use of optional essential oils. If you purchase $50 in materials, you should have enough lotion bars for at least five people.

This is a green gift for travel and coffee lovers

Green gifts for travel lovers under $30

The adventurer gift bundle: Solid shampoo, shaving & laundry bars

Sustainable Brand: Ethique

Brand Features: Woman-owned business, B-Corp, plastic-free shipping, cruelty-free, vegan, palm oil-free, ethically and fairly sourced, 100 percent plastic-free, 2 percent of all sales donated to charity, climate positive (they offset 120 percent of carbon emissions!), direct trading for ingredients, and staff are paid a living wage.

Sustainable Gift Features: One solid shampoo bar that doubles as a shaving bar and one laundry bar that doubles as a stain remover. Perfect for packing light and avoiding plastic bottles and single-use shampoos or laundry detergents. Compostable packaging. One tree is planted for every order.

Tip: When purchasing this sustainable gift bundle directly from Ethique, you’ll be able to order it gift-wrapped in sustainable packaging.

Price: $18 direct from Ethique. You can buy Ethique products on Amazon as well. Shop the Ethique store on Amazon here.

Durable and sustainable socks made for travelers

Sustainable Brand: Patagonia

Brand Features: The original co-founding company of 1% for the Planet, committed to prolonging the life of clothing through a Worn Wear program, committed to removing oil from clothing and production, products are made based on environmental profit and loss, 87 percent of the Patagonia line uses recycled materials, and more.

Sustainable Gift Features: Do you know who does want socks for a gift? Travelers! There is nothing better than a good pair of socks that are useful for both travel days and long hikes. These are my favorite. Made from itch-free, responsibly sourced merino wool, nylon, and spandex.

Price: $22 from Patagonia.

We kept 149 tons of plastic waste out of the world’s oceans by turning fishing nets into gear.

Patagonia

Green gifts for travel lovers under $50

Sustainable sock gift sets

Sustainable Brand: Darn Tough

Brand Features: While I’m on the topic of socks (see above), these gift sets from Darn Tough are epic. Made in Vermont, Darn Tough socks are guaranteed for life, so no need to waste money or environmental resources on new socks (unless you lose them in the washing machine!)

Sustainable Gift Features: Guaranteed for life. Sets include two to three pairs of socks made for hiking in beautiful patterns.

Price: Prices for the gift sets range from about $36 to about $80 at Darn Tough.

Sassy and sustainable traveling hat

Sustainable Brand: tentree

Brand Features: Plants 10 trees for every purchase, ethical manufacturing, garments made from environmentally conscious materials, B Corp., and climate-neutral.

Sustainable Gift Features: A good, sustainable hat for the plane or festival is hard to find! That’s why this hat is at the top of the list of gifts for travel lovers. It fits the bill (pun intended)! Made from recycled wool and cork. Comes in brown, blue, black, or olive green. The ideal gift for travel lovers in search of their perfect travel hat.

Price: On sale at the time of writing for $36 from tentree

A sustainable toiletry set is a perfect gift for travel lovers

Sustainable Brand: by Humankind

Brand Features: Offers subscription programs to offset individual plastic-waste footprint; 100 percent carbon-neutral; cruelty-free; and natural ingredients that are sustainably sourced and fair-trade certified.

Sustainable Gift Features: Natural deodorant, natural mouthwash tablets, biodegradable floss, and toothpaste tablets. All in refillable, non-plastic containers.

Price: $45 + free shipping from by Humankind

Each product is designed to eliminate 90% or more of the single-use plastic found in the products we use in our daily routines.

by humankind

Sustainable hammock

Sustainable Brand: Coalatree

Brand Features: Started as an organic farm in Colorado before making sustainable outdoor clothing and gear. Gives back to charities and maintains hiking and biking trails in Utah.

Sustainable Gift Features: Weights just 13.4 ounces, packs into a small bag that connects to the hammock for a stuff-sack while lounging, made from sustainable materials, and easy to hang.

Price: On sale at the time of writing for $49 from Coalatree

iPhone case made from recycled cases

Sustainable Brand: Nimble

Brand Features: Tech made for good! Climate-neutral, certified B Corp, technology made from recycled materials, a 1% for the planet company. All items are sent with a biodegradable bag and pre-paid mail-in label to ship used technology to Nimble’s eWaste recycling partner.

Sustainable Gift Features: Made from recycled materials (including iPhone cases), shipped with plastic-free packaging, and protects against breakage for a drop of up to 15 feet. Made for the iPhone 13 series.

Tip: Use this link for $10 off. Then search for “spotlight case”.

Price: $49.95 from Nimble

Since Aug 2018, we’ve collected over 5,000 lbs. of e-waste, phone cases and compact discs from our customers for proper reclamation by Homeboy Electronics Recycling and other partners.

Nimble

A hanging toiletry bag is on the list of must-have gifts for travel lovers

Brand: imblu

Brand Features: imblu creates durable, waterproof organizers for your luggage out of DuPont™ Tyvek®. While this is a high-value recyclable material for its second-life potential, it is a form of plastic. I HATE plastic, especially single-use plastic, but the durability, recyclability, and ease of use make this toiletry bag a good fit inside your sustainable luggage set.

Sustainable Gift Features: This hanging toiletry bag is made from DuPont™ Tyvek® that is seriously durable and recyclable. It’s water-resistant, lightweight, and easy to clean. Comes in small, medium, and large. I can attest to the durability as I own this toiletry bag, and it takes a beating inside my sustainable luggage!

Price: $39.89 from imblu for the large toiletry bag.

Green gifts for travel lovers under $75

Portable charger made from recycled materials

Sustainable Brand: Nimble

Brand Features: Tech made for good; climate-neutral, certified B Corp, technology made from recycled materials, a 1% for the planet company. All items are sent with a biodegradable bag and pre-paid mail-in label to ship used technology to Nimble’s eWaste recycling partner.

Sustainable Gift Features: Up to eight full phone charges, charges up to three devices at once, made from recycled aluminum and plant-based bioplastic, shipped with plastic-free packaging, weighs only 1.03 pounds.

Tip: Use this link for $10 off. Then search for “8-day fast portable charger”.

Price: $59.97 from Nimble

Reusable airplane seat cover

Brand: Nice Seats

Brand Features: Woman-owned company. The product gets sustainability points for being reusable and washable, especially as the increase in single-use seat covers is on the rise during the pandemic.

Sustainable Gift Features: Reusable, washable seat cover stretches over the airline seat and headrest to protect you from germs. The carrying pouch serves as storage so you can avoid using the back-seat pocket (where dirty diapers are often stored…yikes!)

Price: $59 on Amazon or $59 from Nice Seats

Understandably, the door to the toilet [on the plane] tests high for bacteria but still lower than the headrests and seat pockets.

nice seats

Sustainable travel yoga mat

Sustainable Brand: Jade Yoga

Brand Features: Jade plants a tree for every mat sold and uses natural rubber. Jade says it made the first green and non-toxic yoga mat. Designed by a family in the rug-making business as a non-slip mat.

Sustainable Gift Features: 1/8″ thick and weighing in at just over three pounds, this travel yoga mat is one of the top gifts for travel lovers and yogis. Good grip, thick enough for comfort but not too thick to carry, folds into luggage (though I carry mine with an over-the-shoulder strap onto planes). Made from the natural rubber of rubber trees. Comes in purple, midnight blue, olive green, or black.

Price: $64.95 directly from Jade or $64 on Amazon

Sustainable hiking pants that pack into a pocket

Sustainable Brand: Coalatree

Brand Features: Started as an organic farm in Colorado before making sustainable outdoor clothing and gear. Gives back to charities and maintains hiking and biking trails in Utah.

Sustainable Gift Features: The Trailhead pants are waterproof and breathable. Stain- and tear-resistant. Four-way stretch and antimicrobial (so less washing is necessary). Packs into the right pocket for easy packing! Made from recycled materials and Fair Wear® bluesign® 88% nylon, 12% spandex with DWR finish.

Price: $66.99 from CoalaTree

Hip bag made from sustainable materials

Sustainable Brand: Lo & Sons

Brand Features: Asian-American-owned family business with 50 percent of products made from recycled materials and a goal of 75 percent by 2023. Use recycled poly made from plastic water bottles, organic cotton, recycled nylon, and Leather Working Group-certified leather. Ships in 100 percent recyclable bags and packaging with no silly plastic covering on the zipper pull!

Sustainable Gift Features: Whether you call them hip bags, hip packs, or fanny packs, every traveler needs one of these! Made of recycled poly and Leather Working Group-certified sheepskin.

Price: On sale at the time of writing for $58.80 from Lo & Sons

Tip: Shop Lo & Sons full eco-friendly collection here.

Spread kindness globally with one of these organic t-shirts

Sustainable Brand: prAna

Brand Features: First apparel company in North America to bring Fair Trade Certified™ clothing to market, cruelty-free, uses circular manufacturing methods, supply chain is 100 percent free of viscose fibers and generic rayon (that shed harmful fibers), plastic-free packaging, fair labor and living wages, and much more.

Sustainable Gift Features: Kindness tee is fair-trade 100 percent organic cotton. Fair Trade Certified™ and bluesign® product. Bear hug tee is made from organic cotton and recycled polyester. Fair Trade Certified™ with bluesign® approved materials.

Price: Kindness tee: $39 from prAna Bear hug tee: On sale for $24.50 from prAna at time of writing

Tip: Shop all prAna sustainable gifts for under $50 here

Every second, one garbage truck of textiles is dumped in the landfill or burned. But using circular manufacturing methods, we can bring these existing materials back into the process—minimizing waste and making them useful once again.

prana

A soft, cozy sweater is a must for travel days

Sustainable Brand: prAna

Brand Features: First apparel company in North America to bring Fair Trade Certified™ clothing to market, cruelty-free, uses circular manufacturing methods, supply chain is 100 percent free of viscose fibers and generic rayon that shed harmful fibers while in the washing machine, plastic-free packaging, fair labor and living wages, and much more.

Sustainable Gift Features: The Polar Escape sweater is made from recycled polyester chenille fleece knit, organic cotton, and recycled polyester blend. Part of prAna’s traveler collection that is made for durability, quick-drying, comfort, and packing ease.

Price: On sale for $44.50 from prAna at time of writing

Tip: Shop the full women’s prAna travel collection here and the prAna men’s travel collection here

Green gifts for travel lovers under $100

Adventure blanket that turns into a poncho

Sustainable Brand: Coalatree

Brand Features: Started as an organic farm in Colorado before making sustainable outdoor clothing and gear. Gives back to charities and maintains hiking and biking trails in Utah.

Sustainable Gift Features: The Kachula blanket is a multi-use blanket good for picnics. Or fold it into its pouch to make a pillow. Or snap together with other Kachula blankets at festivals. Or make a light sleeping bag. Also makes a poncho with a hood. Water- and spill-resistant. Made from recycled materials and 100% bluesign® ripstop nylon with DWR coating and 100% ComforMax® insulation.

Price: $87 from CoalaTree

Jeans you can hike in (made from plastic and coffee!)

Sustainable Brand: Coalatree

Brand Features: Started as an organic farm in Colorado before making sustainable outdoor clothing and gear. Gives back to charities and maintains hiking and biking trails in Utah.

Sustainable Gift Features: UV protective pants that you can lounge, hike, or rock climb in. Hidden-zippered pocket, anti-microbial (so you need to wash them less), super stretchy, water- and stain-resistant. The pants are unisex (I have a pair and they look and feel great!) Made from recycled plastic and coffee grounds. Made using a waterless dye method to conserve water. Pants are designed to keep you cool in the heat. Perfect for dressing down or dressing up while traveling! These pants are an ideal gift for travel lovers.

Price: $76.99 from CoalaTree

Eco-conscious joggers inspired by travel destinations

Sustainable Brand: Inkkas

Brand Features: Works with ethical partners and with sustainably sourced materials. Partners throughout the supply chain are paid a fair living wage. One tree planted for every purchase. Prioritizes carbon offsets. Each shoe is inspired by a destination.

Sustainable Gift Features: Handcrafted. Durable, high-quality, and sustainably sourced. Look for a shoe from a destination that your favorite traveler loves.

Price: $79 from Inkkas or $79 on Amazon

Luxury gifts for travel lovers

By luxury sustainable gifts for travel lovers, I mean over $100. These gifts are sure to delight the travel lover on your list.

Packable, puffy jacket made from sustainable materials

Sustainable Brand: tentree

Brand Features: Plants 10 trees for every purchase, ethical manufacturing, garments made from environmentally conscious materials, B Corp., and climate-neutral.

Sustainable Gift Features: Made from recycled materials, packs into an attached pouch, water-resistant, toxin-free, cruelty-free insulation. A packable puffy coat is one of those gifts for travel lovers that you’ll see in their pictures for years to come!

Price: On sale for $142.20 at the time of writing from tentree

33 plastic bottles were used to make this jacket.

tentree

Stylish weekender bag made from recycled polyester

Sustainable Brand: Lo & Sons

Brand Features: Asian-American-owned family business with 50 percent of products made from recycled materials and a goal of 75 percent by 2023. Use recycled poly made from plastic water bottles, organic cotton, recycled nylon, and Leather Working Group-certified leather. Ships in 100 percent recyclable bags and packaging with no silly plastic covering on the zipper pull!

Sustainable Gift Features: Stylish and durable. Detachable, padded strap. Separate compartment on the bottom. Uses recycled poly made from plastic water bottles or organic canvas.

Price: On sale at the time of writing for $129 from Lo & Sons

We are an Asian-American owned family business that’s on a mission to inspire and empower people to go places, while leaving a positive impact on people’s lives and the planet.

lo & sons

Slip-on shoes knit from plastic water bottles

Sustainable Brand: Rothy’s

Brand Features: The thread for shoes, bags, and accessories is made from single-use plastic water bottles. Algae-based material is used under the insole. Outsoles are made with 35 percent natural and renewable materials. Insoles contain 30 percent plant-based oil and recycled rubber. Use knit-to-shape method rather than cut-and-sew, resulting in 30 percent less material waste. Plans to “close the loop” by making every pair of shoes recyclable.

Sustainable Gift Features: Knit from thread spun from plastic water bottles, comfortable slip-on shoes are perfect for travel, easily dressed up and dressed down, machine washable, and durable. Ships plastic-free with recyclable packaging.

Price: $145 from Rothy’s (women) and $185 from Rothy’s (men)

We’ve transformed millions of single-use plastic water bottles into our signature thread.

Rothy’s

A sustainable backpack (with a closet inside!)

Sustainable Brand: Solgaard

Brand Features: Committed to removing ocean-bound plastic. Uses eco-conscious materials like recycled polycarbonate, Shore-Plast™, and Shore-Tex™. Uses fabric from excess luxury handbag materials and recyclable aluminum. Every purchase saves 229 plastic bottles from our waterways.

Sustainable Gift Features: The Solgaard closet suitcase made my list of favorite items (above) and the backpack is a close second. Unfolds from a lightweight backpack into a hanging closet. Made with Solgaard’s signature fabric developed from recycled water bottles. Includes removable hanging closet, drop-proof laptop storage, glasses pocket, cable organization, and four secret pockets. Water-resistant bottom. 28 liters compact and 38 liters expanded. Comes in cannes sand (pictured), granada green, Atlantic blue, and baltic black.

Price: $189 from Solgaard + free shipping in the United States

Luxury travel gifts made from bamboo

Bamboo, wireless earbuds

Sustainable Brand: House of Marley

Brand Features: Partnered with the Bob Marley family to create superior sound in an eco-conscious way. Products are mindfully sourced. Donations to One Tree Planted have contributed to 223,000 trees planted.

Sustainable Gift Features: Eight hours of playtime from a single charge, made with bamboo, natural wood fiber composite, sustainable braided cable, and delivered in 100 percent recycled packaging.

Price: $129 on Amazon or $120 from House of Marley + free shipping

House of Marley’s eco-conscious identity was created in collaboration with the Marley family to carry on Bob Marley’s legacy of love for music and planet. 

house of marley

Portable bluetooth speakers made from bamboo

Sustainable Brand: House of Marley

Brand Features: Partnered with the Bob Marley family to create superior sound in an eco-conscious way. Products are mindfully sourced. Donations to One Tree Planted have contributed to 223,000 trees planted.

Sustainable Gift Features: 3.5” Woofers, 1” Tweeters, 10 hours of playtime, removable carrying bag with shoulder strap, made from bamboo and REWIND™ fabric, and delivered in 100 percent recyclable packaging.

Price: $225.21 from Amazon or $279 from House of Marley + free shipping

Stylish bamboo sunglasses

Sustainable Brand: WearPanda

Brand Features: Sales benefit Optometry Giving Sight, “fashion with a purpose” is the cornerstone philosophy.

Sustainable Gift Features: Made from FSC-certified bamboo, 100 percent polarized lenses.

Price: $120 from WearPanda + free shipping

We promise that all WearPanda’s bamboo sunglasses and watches will be constructed from sustainable materials that are kind to the environment, and we will never sell something without giving back to those in need.

WearPanda

Stylish watch made from bamboo

Sustainable Brand: WearPanda

Brand Features: Sales benefit Optometry Giving Sight or Gift of Education, founded with “fashion with a purpose” as the cornerstone philosophy.

Sustainable Gift Features: Made from recycled metals and bamboo, splash resistant.

Price: $160 from WearPanda + free shipping

Sustainable and unique travel gifts

The Lorax Line: Sustainable Dr. Seuss-inspired gear

Sustainable Brand: tentree

Brand Features: Plants 10 trees for every purchase, ethical manufacturing, garments made from environmentally conscious materials, B Corp., and climate-neutral.

Sustainable Gift Features: Who doesn’t love the Lorax? The Lorax Line by tentree celebrates this mighty climate warrior. Materials are eco-conscious.

Price: Range from $8 – $78 from tentree (hurry these are selling out fast)

Give the gift that keeps on giving with an audible membership!

Brand: Audible is an Amazon company

Brand Features: Audible changed the way I travel. No joke. I always have a book on while waiting to board, waiting to buy tickets, or riding the train. And I’m often listening to a book while strolling along the beach. This is how I read (listen) to more than 100 books a year!

Sustainable Gift Features: This gift requires no shipping and no packaging, and it’s literally the gift that keeps on giving! Every month the travel lover in your life will receive a credit for a new audiobook without any packaging or physical book production.

Price: Typically the price is $14.95 per month for an Audible subscription. This includes one credit each month which equates to one audiobook. But audible is running some great deals on subscriptions at the moment. 👇

Related:

A Trusted Housesitter Membership is the perfect gift for travel lovers

Brand: TrustedHousesitters

Brand Features: A membership community of both housesitters and homeowners. When a homeowner books a trip, they post a need for a housesitter in the portal. Travelers can search for places to stay for free in exchange for caring for the home and any pets who live in the home. I use this often when I travel, and I’ve had great experiences.

Sustainable Gift Features: There is no carbon footprint for this gift (though your favorite traveler may be booking a flight soon with this gift in hand!)

Price: The basic sitter plan is $129. (That’s what I use, and it works very well for me.) There are membership tiers that go up from there.

Tip: Are you a homeowner looking for housesitters to watch your pets for free while you travel? There is a membership plan for you, too! The basic plan is also $129 for homeowners.

Give a Harvest Host membership to your van lifer!

Brand: Harvest Hosts

Brand Features: Harvest Hosts is a huge network of vineyards, breweries, farms, dairies, and even museums that offer a place for van lifers and RVers to park for the night free of charge. Vehicles must be self-contained with a toilet, water tank, and inside cooking facilities. (No tents.) While the traveler gets a free place to park, the deal is that a purchase should be made. Buy a bottle of wine or a tasting tour, etc.

Sustainable Gift Features: No shipping or packaging for this gift. Plus you are supporting local businesses. Your favorite traveler will have a network of free places to park while local businesses benefit from increased customers. I love using Harvest Hosts when I’m in the van. I’ve toured an alpaca farm and woken up on a vineyard!

Price: Annual membership is $99. Use this link to receive a discount and enter HHFRIENDS20 at checkout.

Sustainable gifts for cheeky travel lovers

Funny sustainable shoes make a fun gift for travel lovers

Sustainable Brand: Inkkas

Brand Features: Works with ethical partners and with sustainably sourced materials. Partners throughout the supply chain are paid a fair living wage. One tree is planted for every purchase. Prioritized carbon offsets. Each shoe is inspired by a destination.

Sustainable Gift Features: This joke translates in pretty much any language! The BadASS slip-on is vegan with a soft cushion insole. Handcrafted in Latin America.

Price: $65 from Inkkas or $65 on Amazon

While we’re on the subject of donkeys…

Sustainable Brand: prAna

Brand Features: First apparel company in North America to bring Fair Trade Certified™ clothing to market, cruelty-free, uses circular manufacturing methods, supply chain is 100 percent free of viscose fibers and generic rayon that shed harmful fibers in the washing machine, plastic-free packaging, fair labor and living wages, and much more.

Sustainable Gift Features: Wise Ass Journeyman graphic tee made from organic cotton and recycled polyester. Fair Trade Certified™ and bluesign® approved materials.

Price: On sale for $24.50 from prAna at time of writing

Tip: Shop all prAna sustainable gift ideas for under $50

Thank you for your commitment to sustainability! I hope this sustainable gift guide helps you with the travel lovers in your life all year long!

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