You may want to take your new grad on a trip this summer. Your child might have finished school, but that doesn't mean they're done learning. One of the best ways to find out about themselves and different cultures is to visit a new place. When they are ready, take with you a few of our travel essentials that will help you stay connected and have more fun on the road.
If your grad can't charge them when they're away from home, none of the gadgets we recommend are of much use. PlugBug Duo from Twelve South is an all-in-one charger for MacBooks that will save them money and headaches when dealing with different electrical standards. It comes with five different electrical plugs and works with all existing MacBook power adapters, giving coverage for Australia, Canada, China, continental Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and the US. It can be used to charge three devices at the same time. If your grad doesn't need the extra connections, the World Travel Kit from Apple is an option. You are giving them something that will serve them on many trips to come.
Buy PlugBug Duo at Amazon - $60
Crying babies, turbulence and rowdy passengers can make a already trying travel experience even more tiring. Speaking from experience, comfortable and capable noise-canceling headphones can go a long way towards making it easier. Thankfully, you don't have to look far to find the best option in the field: Sony's flagship WH-1000XM4.
The M4 has one feature that makes it especially suited for traveling, and that is the ability to play for up to 30 hours on a single charge, and another five hours after just 10 minutes of charging. They will get your adult child through a marathon of flights. If you don't have the money for the M4 you can still get the excellent WH-1000XM3 from Sony for about $249.
Buy WH-1000XM4 at Amazon - $348
If there is a backpack that gets close, it is the Daypack Original from Topo Designs. It is made in the US with Cordura fabric and YKK zippers. I have taken trips to Europe, Hawaii, South Korea, Japan, and parts of the mainland US and Canada. I've returned each time without a problem. Topo's trademark classic styling is complemented by details that make it particularly fit for traveling. A 21.6-liter capacity will allow your grad to carry a lot of stuff when they land on the ground. High contrast fabric makes it easy to see inside when you need to find a specific item, and there is a sleeve big enough to accommodate most 15-inch laptops. It has pockets for water bottles and plush shoulder straps.
If you want to give your new grad a backpack that they can take with them to work, we like the Classic backpack from Bellroy. It features a 20-liter capacity, a 16-inch laptop sleeve, water-resistant fabric, and a chic design that won't stand out when they're wearing professional attire.
Buy Topo Designs Daypack at Backcountry - $169 Buy Classic Backpack at Bellroy - $179
The X-E4 is the successor to the X-E3 and I have packed it on every trip I have taken. The exterior and size of the X-E3 is what I love about it. It has the perfect balance between image quality and portability. The X-E4 makes an already ideal travel camera even better by adding a 3-inch screen and a 26.1-megapixel X-Trans 4 sensor. The company's smallest interchangeable lens camera weighs less than a pound. You have a camera that will allow your kid to take great photos and easily transfer them to their phone to share over social media, and you also have a film simulation from Fujifilm.
You can buy the X-E4 with a 27mm prime lens. Don't judge this lens by its small size, because it has a field of view that will make it easy to compose shots. One of the best and most comprehensive lens ecosystems of any camera manufacturer can be found at Fujifilm. For almost every expensive piece of glass like the 56mm f/1.2, the company offers a more affordable f/2 alternative that is light, compact and weather sealed. The X-E4 is the perfect starter camera.
Buy Fujifilm X-E4 at B&H - $1,049
downtime is involved in every trip. Between long flights and train rides, as well as lengthy layovers, there are plenty of opportunities to do some reading and research. The perfect travel companion is an e-reader. The Paperwhite can hold thousands of books and it has a warm light, which makes it even more useful than a small paperback. The latest version is waterproof if the trip involves the beach. The Paperwhite's battery is good for up to six weeks on a single charge, and there is one less cable and charger for them to carry.
Buy Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon - $140
There are more than one photography-related item on this list. No one camera is perfect for every task. The X-E4 is great for stills, but if your grad is more adventurous, a camera like the Hero 10 Black is a better choice. The new GP2 processor makes a huge difference when it comes to image quality, interface speed and general performance. It has a bunch of new slow-mo and frame rate options that will give your grad more ways to line up the perfect shot.
Buy GoPro Hero 10 Black at Amazon - $500
Peak Design makes some of the most practical camera bags and accessories. It has made a name for itself in the travel bag space over the last few years. If you want to help your grad organize their cables and gadgets before they leave for their next trip, look no further than the Tech Pouch. There are a few nifty features that separate it from the competition. Even on a plane flying through turbulence, the exterior handles make it easy to open and hold the pouch. Inside you will find loops and Peak's signature folding dividers to make it easy to organize things. A cable passthrough allows you to keep a power bank inside and connect it to your phone in the front pocket. The nylon exterior is water resistant, so your grad can be sure their electronics are protected from accidental water damage.
Buy Tech Pouch at Peak Design - $60
At some point during their trip, the phone's battery is going to run out or it is going to die. It could happen when they are trying to navigate a subway. If you are in a place where you don't speak the language, that's a lot of stress. Help them avoid situations with a power bank. There are a lot of capable models, but we like the ones made by Mophie. The PowerstationPD XXL has a 20,000mAh cell, 18W fast charging, and a mix of ports. It will allow your grad to quickly charge three devices at the same time, so that they don't have to worry about the internet dying.
Buy Powerstation PD XXL at Mophie - $70
I don't travel without a water bottle. There are so many reasons to bring one with you on a trip, not the least of which is that you won't have to buy plastic ones. MiiR makes some of the best bottles in the business, with one of my favorites being the company's narrow-mouth style. It's perfect for travel because it can keep liquids hot or cold for long periods of time, and it won't sweat or transfer flavors to a drink. It looks great and comes in a variety of vibrant colors, so there should be one that will appeal to your grad.
Buy MiiR bottle at Amazon - $30
It can be difficult to get a full night's sleep after hopping countries and continents. That's where a sleep mask can help and one I've found to be better than the rest is made by a company called Manta. It makes a lot of different models, so take a look at their website to find the one that suits your child. The original Sleep model is a good place to start. The eyecups are not sewn into the mask. Instead, they are attached to the mask using a method that allows you to make the mask as comfortable as possible. The company says they are 100 percent effective at blocking out any light.
While we are on the subject of masks, why not give your grad some extra face ones? You want the peace of mind that they are taking care of their own safety and that of the people around them, even if they are vaccine free.
Buy Manta sleep mask at Amazon - $35
If your grad has a newer phone like the iPhone 13 or the S22, they don't need a dedicated camera to take great-looking video. There is a phone that can help with this. Making some of the best commercial drones in the world, DJI knows a thing or two about camera stabilization. The OM5 will help your grad film smooth and cinematic footage while they are on their trip. The magnetic mechanism on the latest Gimbal makes attaching your phone to it much easier than a traditional mount, and it weighs 100 grams less than the previous model.
Buy OM5 at Amazon - $159
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