Frommer's, travel info publisher since 1957, is selecting for our annual travel gift guide. We seek travel-related items including luggage, tools, electronics, specialized clothing or equipment, gizmos, gadgets, etc. (We are not interested in cosmetics, lotions, food, fragrances, or the like—we want products that make the act of traveling easier, faster, safer, smarter, and better. Products must be actively available and not sold via Kickstarter or similar.) Send your pitch with the subject line GIFT GUIDE and include photos or a link to photos if you have them, please.

When I pack, I treat a suitcase like a box truck: stabilize the load and remove dead air. A compression packing cube system with rigid walls cuts volume by about 20-30%, and a digital luggage scale keeps you honest at the 50-lb limit. I add a fold-flat 35-40L duffel for the inevitable overflow on the return leg and two soft tie-down straps to keep the interior from shifting, the same principle we use on moving jobs. Pick 600D+ fabric, YKK zippers, and bar-tacked handles; they live through layovers. For searchability, this is my carry-on packing system: simple, durable, and readily available at big-box retailers.

In playgrounds, the parts that fail first are wheels, fasteners, and joints. Travel gear is no different. I look for luggage with user-replaceable wheels, screw-mounted handles, and corner guards; those three details add years of life. For backpacks, a sternum strap + hip belt puts the load on your frame, not your neck, and reflective panels are a small safety upgrade during night transfers. Families should choose child-safe buckles (no easy pinch points) and fabrics rated to >20,000 Martindale. My short list for a gift guide: a repairable rollaboard, a load-bearing daypack, and a bright, reflective rain cover, all common-stock items, not crowdfunding one-offs.

A modular smart packing cube system like the Solgaard Carry System is a real upgrade for travelers. It has built-in compression panels and Bluetooth trackers that connect to your phone, letting you locate your luggage anywhere in the world. The cubes connect magnetically inside your suitcase, which makes packing and unpacking fast and clean. It keeps your clothes organized and tightly packed while leaving enough room for extra items. This kind of system helps maintain order on multi-stop trips where space and time are limited.

I travel between Shenzhen and the US a lot and the one item that changed the way I move is a two-pouch flat sling that packs under a jacket and passes hotel and airport security without drama. It's sized to hold passport, two cards, cash and a tiny 10k battery so I don't open my main bag in crowds. I later sourced the same pattern for a brand through SourcingXpro on a 1000 USD MOQ run with free inspection and it sold out in 11 days. The appeal is not "style", it is friction removal. You pay for travel mostly in micro-interruptions and this one deletes a bunch of them.

GIFT GUIDE: Nurse-Vetted Essential Travel Equipment for Pregnancy and Postpartum The Tush Present is the most essential piece of specialized equipment for women traveling while pregnant or postpartum. With the popularity of babymoons and the necessity of travel to introduce the new baby to family, sitting for extended periods in unsupportive airplane or car seat creates a significant health risk—specifically lumbar strain, hip pressure, and disrupted healing after birth. This 100% non-toxic, Mom-Invented support cushion makes the act of traveling safer, smarter, and significantly more comfortable by providing portable, pressure-free alignment that ordinary pillows cannot. It ensures the comfort of Mom is prioritized while on the road, making a high-stress journey manageable. Danielle Zamarelli, DNP, CRNA, is the Mom-Inventor and Founder of The Tush Present, the first-ever pregnancy pillow and essential postpartum recovery cushion. She applies her expertise in clinical safety and financial discipline (author of Healthy Money and Real Estate Investor) to ensure the cushion is the most thoughtful and highest-ROI gift a person can give for a mother's health. Product: The Tush Present Specialized Category: Specialized Seating/Ergonomic Travel Equipment Retail Price: $75.00 Available at: TheTushPresent.com (currently shipping to U.S. addresses only) Affiliate Status: Yes, set up via Split Media Assets Link (Photos/Headshot): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-yzmxwKxKCg9pz_NErXqqbg6SaocPaWG?usp=drive_link Sample Offer: Complimentary sample available for testing.

Items like a passport holder with an AirTag slot (https://a.co/d/gCCvgyd), the Mogics Super Bagel (https://a.co/d/1dwmkGk), a travel clothesline (https://a.co/d/2gSVQ84), and the Gear Aid Hero Clip (https://a.co/d/e66ty2t) always have a home in my luggage. The passport holder and AirTag combo give me such incredible peace of mind when traveling and while it's at home. I always know where it is. The Mogics Super Bagel is a must for anyone with multiple devices that need to be charged. Just keep in mind that it's an adapter, not a converter. The travel clothesline is perfect for hotel or Airbnb laundry moments. The Gear Aid Hero Clip is the newest addition to my travel accessories and I love that my bag never has to touch the ground.