2024 Holiday Gear Guide: 4 Useful Travel Gifts to Put on Your Wish List

We have a handful of handy travel and fitness recommendations for the upcoming holiday season. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)

We get shown a lot of gear and gadgets throughout the year. It’s our goal to try only the items that we think might appeal to our readers and might come in handy when you travel. 

With that in mind, we found a handful of items that we wanted to highlight and recommend to you this holiday season. These are travel and fitness accessories that just might make the perfect gift for you or a certain friend or family member.  

Check these out. 

1. The Cascade Backpack Is a Versatile Wonder

My favorite travel gear find this year has been my new Portland Gear Cascade Backpack. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)

Portland gear makes this versatile and stylish backpack that is weatherproof and sturdy. I really loved all the straps, loops, rings and compartments, including a secret zip pocket on the side that is a perfect spot for your key ring or valuables when you’re on the road. All of these extra little design features greatly enhance the functionality of the backpack. You have so many options for attaching carabiners or clips to hang items on the outside of the pack. 

So, it has all the necessary features that make a great travel backpack. The size is right, with a 21-liter volume, and there is the necessary luggage “sleeve” to fit over a rolling suitcase handle. 

However, the Cascade Backpack has a design style that is a different from any backpack that I’ve used before. This really ups the game. 

The top features a wireframe/zipper closure with loop handles that allows you to snap shut the backpack and carry it like a satchel instead of wearing it on your back. Portland Gear calls this “pop-top” technology. 

The base allows you to easily stand up the backpack, too. This means you have either a stylish valise or rugged backpack all in one.  

This Portland Cascade Backpack is priced at $98, and other attractive features include: 

Two extra-large water bottle sleeves (one on each side) 

Padded laptop sleeve 

Interior pockets for clean organization 

Easily adjustable straps and chest buckle 

The backpack has a matte finish and is easily cleaned if it gets wet or dirty by using a soft, damp cloth. 

I was able to use the Cascade Backpack as my sole piece of luggage for a recent three-night trip to Orlando to see my brother -- easily packing my computer, toiletries and few changes of clothing into the compartments and pockets.  

This is going to be a good choice for travelers heading out on vacations and hiking outings or for workers’ daily commutes to the office or out-of-town business trips. 

2. FitVille Walking Shoes Aid Foot Health

Trying out my new Fitville Rebound Neo Walking Shoe during a trip to Florida. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)

FitVille offers a hiking/walking shoe style that helps to keep your feet fit and fresh. The brand’s Rebound Neo Walking Shoe V1 is designed for people who seek extra comfort or relief from pain or other foot and ankle issues. 

First off, I will state that these aren’t the most sleek and stylish athletic or hiking footwear that I have seen. They have a bit of a chunky look, but they have to be this way to provide the extra room in the toe box and stability and comfort they are made for. So, I’d consider this a case of function over form. 

Fitville’s Rebound Neo Walking Shoe V1 has a wide toe box and thick base to provide comfort for people who might have foot issues. (Photo by John Roberts)

Here’s what I really like about these walking shoes, though.  

I have had some foot and ankle issues in the past year, and these shoes give me relief because of the extra wide toe area and cushion in the sole and heal. These shoes are specifically marketed as orthopedic shoes with special features that might appeal to you based on what you require to maintain foot health or help deal with ongoing issues or recovery (like I am). 

They can help people who have naturally wide feet or are dealing with bunions, arthritis or hammer toes. 

Fitville’s Rebound Neo Walking Shoe V1 offers a 30 percent thicker platform (for ultimate shock absorption), firm but flexible heel-hugging arch support technology and extra-grip soles.  

I have been wearing my pair for more than a month. They have a nice build quality and look as if they will last a while.  

I can do light jogging in them for short distances, but they definitely are way too heavy to be a primary running shoe. However, they have been wonderful for walking, hiking and wearing for workouts in the gym, offering a sturdy non-slip feel when on all kinds of surfaces.  

They are priced at $79, and you can use this link and the code John28 to get 28 percent off if you decide to buy these shoes or purchase anything listed among the FitVille Fresh Picks products listed on the page. 

3. The VSEAT for a Comfortable Bike Ride 

Trying out the new VSEAT on my exercise bike. The seat fits most exercise bikes and road bikes. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)

We own an exercise bike that we can enjoy with “self-directed free rides” or for Peloton-style workouts. It’s really great to have this piece of exercise equipment to use when the weather is rainy or cold or when the roads are filled with snow during the winter or if we just don’t feel like hauling out our bikes for a ride outside.. 

I know many of you really enjoy your cycling classes or road cycling as part of your fitness routines. I also know that bike seats can be uncomfortable, especially on longer rides.  

I discovered something really fascinating in the VSEAT, which can replace your existing bike seat to provide a better ride experience. You can see right away how different the VSEAT is from what you’re used to with a bike seat. I was skeptical when I first saw it. It’s so small! How can that small-looking seat fit my butt? 

The design removes the traditional “nose” of the seat with the goal of placing your weight on your “sit bones” instead of the soft tissues of your crotch. This way, you can take longer pain-free rides. 

Easy install

The seat is easy to attach and adjust for just the right fit — swapping out your existing seat with just a few turns of a wrench or pliers. The VSEAT fits on all standard bike brackets, including those on electric-assist bikes. It supports weights up to 250 pounds. The cost is $119. 

So, how does it feel? Is this the best bike seat? 

Well, it definitely takes a minute to get used to the design, which is far different from what you are used to in a bike seat. I liked that it is wider than my existing seat, so it did give me a better base. For short rides, I didn’t notice much of a difference. However, on longer riding sessions — 45 minutes or more — I was pleased to have no numbness or discomfort in my crotch, as well as no need to shift in my seat. 

Colleen reports that after a few rides in the seat, it really isn’t any more comfortable for her. She wants to have more time to get used to it, but thinks she might prefer our bike’s original seat. The design is so different that people of various sizes and shapes are going to have different reactions to how the VSEAT works for them and varying periods of adjustment before getting the intended benefits. 

4. Remedy Pack for Wellness Abroad 

The Remedy Pack is ideal for travelers, with a selection of medications in individual packets. (Photo by John Roberts)

This is a fantastic all-in-one “pharmacy” kit for travelers. This variety box is easy to pack and contains a host of medications that cover almost all common ailments that can threaten to upend your trip.  

The bundle features 50 over-the-counter meds that can get you back on track when you are hit with allergies, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, rashes, cuts, burns or even motion sickness. 

Remedy Pack contains individual little pouches that clearly state the medication and use and the active ingredients. I think this is the best travel medication solution I’ve come across and have mine box stuffed neatly into the bottom of my backpack and ready if an ailment strikes me or anybody I’m traveling with. 

The packs cost $28 and are good for about two years before expiring. The meds are for people 12 and older. 

Note: All of these items were submitted to In The Loop Travel for an honest review. We are not paid to promote any products on this website.