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Holiday Gear Guide 2012: 25 Picks for the Best Travel Gear of the Year

by Mike Richard

Every November, we select our 25 favorite bits of travel kit for the year. From solar battery cells to ruggedized portable speakers to the most versatile clothing we’ve ever tested, something on this year’s list is sure to bring tears of joy to the gearhead traveler in your life.

V-MODA Crossfade M-80 Headphones (White Pearl)

Seido Innocell 3800mAh Super Extended Life Battery

Outdoor Technology Turtle Shell Wireless Boom Box

iStabilizer Monopod

SYSTM iPhone 5 Cases

Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera TX20

ECBC Javelin Daypack

ECOXGEAR ECOXBT Portable Rugged Speaker

SteriPEN Freedom Portable Water Purifier

Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Mobile Kit

I-MEGO Walker Junior Noise Canceling Headphones

Bracketron Universal USB Travel Power Kit

solBAT II - Solar Powered Backup Battery and Charger

eBags EXO Hardside 24

ioSafe Rugged Portable SSD External Hard Drive

SCOTTEVEST Transformer Jacket

Triple Aught Design Praetorian Hoodie

DBEST Duo Rechargeable Bluetooth Mini-Speaker Set

Rhapsody Music Services

Sea to Summit CoolMax® Adaptor Traveller Liner

CarrySpeed.com DS-SLIM Camera Sling Strap

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Padded Soft Cell Case

G-Form Extreme Hydro Sleeve for Most Tablets

Triple Aught Design Legionnaire Pant

About the Author

Vagabondish founding editor, Mike Richard, is a Rhode Island native, professional web designer and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, hiking and seeing the world. He enjoys knit hats, small, declarative sentences and speaking in the third person. His professional credits include "Woman's World magazine contributor" and having once been interviewed by Tyra Banks (seriously).

La Viajera Morena
December 7th, 2012

Have you tried out the Bobble water bottle? That little thing is amazing, filters while you drink. I added it to my travel gear list.

Sil
December 26th, 2012

Sign of the times! Only half a dozen of these items would’ve been recognizable ten years ago! Pants, travel liner, jacket, hoodie, two packs and a suitcase.