6 On Your Side: Consumer Confidence, Gifts for Travelers

(ABC 6 News) – Whether you’re traveling for the holidays or welcoming family and friends into your home, Consumer Reports has tried and tested travel essentials you can get or give this season.

“When you’re traveling you want the comforts of home but maybe not the weight of all the comforts of home so we culled a list of quality products that are also travel-friendly,” says Consumer Reports’s Perry Santanachote.

No matter where your loved ones wander, they’ll need to stay hydrated. And they can with a CamelBak, which is easy to tote around. Plus, once the valve is closed it will not leak into your bag.

Speaking of bags, CR’s tests of luggage turned up some great options. The Patagonia Duffel bag converts to a backpack for the adventure-seeking traveler on your list.

For a more traditional carry-on, consider gifting a Made by Design Hard Shell. Not only did it shine in CR’s durability tests, but it’s also very easy to maneuver, and comes in several fun colors.

Just because your globe trotter is jet-lagged doesn’t mean their hair needs to look bad. CR’s panelists said the “Weightless” dryer from Rusk gets “nice and hot” and doesn’t smoke and singe your hair like many hotel hair dryers.

Finally, CR says no matter how near or far they plan to go, experiential gifts are a thoughtful option.

“These gifts can be anything from self-care like a massage, or yoga class, to learning something new like a language or a cooking class. Buy them an experience for when they get to their next location,” says Santanachote.

And because there’s nothing to wrap or throw away there’s less waste which is a gift for the earth, too.