‘Tis the Season – Great Gifts for the Global Backpacker (Part Two)

Here is Part Two of my gift guide for the global backpacker. Be sure to check out Part One for the rest of the list.

6. Netbook: A netbook is a very small (10” Screen) and light (usually 2-4 lbs) laptop computer whose primary function is to get onto the Internet. If you are traveling for 30 days or less, you probably will not need one, but for longer trips, this can be a lifesaver! Increasingly, wireless wifi is available for free at many hostels and cafés around the world. A netbook will allow you to conduct research, update social networking sites or blogs on the go – without having to wait in line for a computer at the hostel, or pay to use one at an Internet café. Another benefit for the netbook over a handheld like the ipod Touch is that you have a full keyboard to type on, and you can download pictures from your camera for editing and posting. Now, if only Apple were to make a MacBook this size!

7. Phrase Book: It is always handy to know how to order food or ask for the bathroom in the local tongue. Lonely Planet has phrase books and mp3s in over 50 languages for download. However, because I know that I will be spending some time in South America, the Rosetta Stone Latin America Spanish Set is what I really want for Christmas.

8. Money belt: This is not your parent’s money belt! I hate the old style money belts that fit around your body under your clothes. The Eagle Creek All Terrain Money Belt looks like a regular belt, feels like a regular belt and works like a regular belt. The secret, a zipper pocket on the inside of the belt. The only downside is that other than cash, it is too small to hold just about anything else.

9. Multifunction Watch: This watch takes the world “multifunction” to a whole new level. Besides telling the time and having a sturdy waterproof built, this watch also doubles up as a compass, altimeter, barometer, and thermometer.

10. Quick Dry Travel Towel: I already have one of these, but I could use a bigger one. Ultralight and quick drying, this towel does not have the same plush feeling as a terry cloth towel, but otherwise does its job pretty well.

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‘Tis the Season – Great Gifts for the Global Backpacker (Part One)

As I begin to put together a list of all the stuff that I am going to need want for my trip, I figured I might as well post my Christmas list out there so that in the remote chance that Santa comes across this blog, he’ll know exactly what to bring! Hint* Hint* 

When on a backpacking trip, anything that I take with me has to meet three basic criteria. First, the item must fulfill a specific function that I cannot do without. Second, it has to weigh as little as possible, and third, the item should ideally either fold or collapse into itself and take up as small a volume as possible. Each of the stocking stuffers listed below will meet one or more of those criteria.

1. Ipod Touch: The 3^rd generation ipod Touch makes this list because it is so full of features! Not only will it come in handy as a form of entertainment during long plane or bus rides, but it has thousands of apps for download (which I will discuss in a later post) and wifi connectivity (great for checking email and updating social networking sites and blog entries on the go). What really convinced me to buy an ipod Touch is that Lonely Planet now offers their guidebooks as PDF files, and you can buy them by the chapter. So instead of carrying large guidebooks for all the places I plan to visit, I can download just the chapters I want, and load it onto my ipod. Check it out here. Music player, computer, guidebook, all in one! Brilliant!

2. Joby Gorillapod: Every avid photographer needs a tripod for those long exposure shots, or simply to get yourself into the picture when you are traveling solo. With the Joby Gorillapad, you (and your camera) can now go where no tripod could go before.

3. Princeton Tec Quad Headlamp: Lightweight and very compact. Great for navigating through a dark hostel room in the middle of the night to get to the bathroom, or attempting to pack your stuff at 4am to catch the first bus out. 
4. Lightweight Daypack: I need a daypack that is sturdy, durable, and lightweight to carry everything from my camera, a rain jacket, to a bottle of water as I go about sightseeing during the day. The Vaude Mini Rock Comfort Pack fits the bill. Best of all when it is time to move on, it stuffs into its own lid for easy, compact storage! 
5. Leatherman Pocket Tool: The Juice XE6 combines everything you will find on a Swiss Army Knife plus a full size pair of pliers and wire cutter. When not in use, it folds up nicely into its own leather pouch (sold separately).

Be sure to check out Part Two for more perfect gifts for the global backpacker!

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