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The Best Products to Take on Your Travels for Winter 2021

It’s time to get back out there.

winter gear awards travel Cameron Oden

By Gear Patrol

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This story is part of the 2021 Winter Gear Awards. To see the full list of winners, click here.

Forgot what it’s like to travel? It’s OK, most people did. As folks get ready to pack up and head out again, it’s time to reevaluate what you bring on your next adventure. We took vetted the best products you need so that you’ll be smooth sailing when you’re ready to travel again. From the suitcase to the photography gear, these are the best travel products for this winter.

Take to the sky towing a bag with built-in functionality. Arlo Skye’s Zipper Carry-On Max comes with an easy-access, hard-shell front pocket for laptops, extra layers and all of the documentation you need to board nowadays. Plus, there’s an antimicrobial liner and an integrated (and removable) USB-C charger.

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Taylor Stitch’s Gibson Jacket gives you the practicality of a blazer without the stuffiness of a suit. It represents the right middle ground between dressed up and comfortable courtesy of its 97 percent cotton/ 3 percent spandex construction. It’s lightweight, has pockets for important EDC and will retain its shape even after being folded.

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An iPhone is fine for documenting daily life, but the Fujifilm X100v is a fantastic upgrade for serious shooters. With a 26.1MP APS-C sensor and an f/2.0 lens, this tidy package can capture better photos than any smartphone, especially in low light.

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Billykirk’s Toiletry Bag is constructed from a water- resistant waxed-canvas exterior, a water-resistant nylon lining and a durable, full-grain leather bottom. Not only practical, it’s a polished take on a mundane must-have.

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Are you averse to roller bags? Annoyed by the convenience? (Looking at you, David Coggins.) Filson’s Duffle Bag is for you, then. It’s rain- and scuff-resistant, easy to carry with either the handles or shoulder strap and sized to the TSA’s exact maximum carry-on specs.

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Bose QuietComfort 45Amazon

Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 45

These noise-canceling headphones have basically the same lightweight (and extremely comfy) design as the company’s QuietComfort 35 II (last updated in 2017), but Bose drastically improved their active noise-cancellation and transparency skills, as well as their call clarity.

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Simply the freshest, most consistently high-quality airplane coffee there is. The company’s production process, focus on quality beans and its variety of roasts have kept it one step ahead of an increasingly competitive category.

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An excellent combo of value and power, the RAVPower 30,000mAh AC has enough juice to charge a phone, tablet or laptop. With a USB-C, USB-A and 100-watt AC outlet, it can resurrect anything you need charged.

There’s nothing worse than tweaking your neck while sleeping on a plane — whether you’re in the aisle seat or by the window. Correct your nap posture with Travelrest’s Memory Foam Pillow, a wraparound style that cradles without choking you.

If you need Wi-Fi, the ZTE ZMax Connect can provide it at a great value. Capable of turning a mobile data signal from AT&T or T-Mobile into a Wi-Fi signal for as many as 10 devices, the Max is limited to 4G speeds but benefits from ubiquitous 4G coverage.

This 20L zip-top pack strikes a chord between minimalist design and maximalist features. Though it comes in a variety of durable fabrics, this all-black version is made with Bellroy’s Dura nylon material. It features a slew of compartments cleverly hidden throughout including a water-resistant top pocket for your phone and other small electronics.

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Pay hundreds of dollars or pay around $40 for the same or better quality. Wyze’s affordable smart camera is the best cheap security camera and, by extension, a perfectly suitable option for pet owners who aren’t fussed with confusing their pets with a treat-shooting monolith.

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