We are super picky about our family’s travel gear.
We are always researching new products and brands that might work better for us. These are our best travel gear recommendations for the whole family. We’ve also included our favorite gift suggestions for travelers and traveling families.
Packing Lists
70+ Family Road Trip Essentials: What to pack for a Road Trip
Packing Guide for Long-Term Travel: Luggage Edition
Complete Packing Guide for Long-Term Travel or a Family Gap Year
50+ Essentials Items for Your Day Pack
Gear Reviews
Is the Trtl Travel Pillow Worth It? Our Honest Review
Crossbody Travel Bag Review: Why I Carry the Alpaka Flow Satchel
7 Best Kids Headphones for Travel
Our Favorite Travel Gifts
34 Fun Gifts for Kids Who Love to Travel (and Inspire Wanderlust)
31 Pretty and Practical Gifts for Families who Travel
34 Stocking Stuffers Travelers Will Love (and Use)!
17 Amazing Gifts for US National Park Lovers
Favorite Family Travel Gear Resources
These are a few of the brands and companies that we consistently use when shopping for travel gear, supplies, or gifts for our family. For our favorite resources for planning and booking travel, check out our Resources page.
Bookshop.org
Whenever possible, we like to buy books from Bookshop.org, because they support local bookstores. Check out our booklists, which range from Travel Inspiration to Parenting and Personal Growth.
REI Co-op
REI is a fantastic resource for clothing, gear, and know-how. A lifetime membership is just $20 and gets you access to all kinds of great deals and at the end of each year, you get 10% back of all eligible purchases. They also have one of the best satisfaction guarantees around.
Moosejaw
Moosejaw carries a lot of our favorite brands- they have great prices, they often run discounts, and have a great rewards program as well. This is a great place to start your gear research to see which brands may work for you in a specific category.
Patagonia
Patagonia has been making great gear for years. But they are also a company you can feel good supporting with recycled and responsibly sourced materials, as well as Fair Trade Certified sewn. Cynthia has their Torrent Shell 3L Jacket, I am wearing their Micro D Fleece Pullover as I write this and currently pining after their Down Sweater Hoody in Smolder Blue w/ Textile Green.
Salomon
I have relied on Salomon for hiking shoes for the last twenty years. After trying about five other brands for our Epic Cross Country Roadtrip that just did not fit quite right, Cynthia now loves her OUTline Low GTX Hiking Shoes in trellis/navy blazer/guacamole.
L.L.Bean
LLBean feels like it’s been a part of our family life for a long time. From totes, backpacks, and down jackets, to slippers and sweaters, they make great gear at reasonable prices, that last. I have traveled around Indonesia and across the US with their 70L White Mountain Backpack.
Darn Tough
Darn Tough socks are made in Vermont and every pair are unconditionally guaranteed for life (you read that right). Made with RWS-Certified Merino wool with lots of styles and colors to choose from, they are great for all types of activities in all seasons. Cynthia has the Women’s Run Quarter Ultra-Lightweight Running Socks.
Knockaround
Knockaround sunglasses are affordable, and polarized, with lots of styles and fun colors to choose from. We were tired of expensive glasses that did not fit well, so we started looking around for a better solution, and we’re so happy we found these. We liked them so much we got pairs for our kids!