The travel kit list: 10 ethical gifts for Christmas 2021
Give the travellers in your life a Christmas gift that contributes to a greater good — be it textile sustainability, charitable donations or environment-boosting initiatives.
The North Face Thermoball Eco Jacket; BioLite Campstove 2+; Millican Smith The Roll Pack.
1. The North Face Thermoball Eco Jacket, £160
This ultra-lightweight jacket packs away into its own chest pocket, but its small size doesn’t compromise on its warmth. A part of The North Face’s Thermoball collection, the synthetic, down-alternative fill and baffled design enhances the jacket’s insulation properties. It’s made from 100% recycled materials, and although you’ll need an extra waterproof layer for rainy days, its fabric is designed to become warm if it gets wet, just in case. thenorthface.co.uk
2. BioLite Campstove 2+, £149.95
The gas canisters used in camping stoves aren’t just difficult to recycle, they also use fuel — typically propane and/or butane — that isn’t environmentally friendly. However, this award-winning portable camping stove uses the twigs and sticks you find around you to generate a smokeless fire for cooking. An inbuilt battery stores surplus energy as electricity for charging phones and lights, too. biolitenergy.com
3. Millican Smith The Roll Pack 25L, £120
Crafted from 100% recycled polyester, this sturdy roll pack is lightweight, waterproof and hard-wearing. It features padded, ergonomic shoulder straps, a foam back panel and has removable waist and sternum straps to make for more comfortable cycling or hiking trips. There are plenty of pockets to keep your valuables in too, including a laptop sleeve, plus the buckles are made from lightweight aluminium. homeofmillican.com
Smartwool Hudson Trail Blanket; Blundstone x Finisterre Vegan Boots; Patagonia Downdrift Jacket; Vango Osiris Air 500 Tent.
4. Smartwool Hudson Trail Blanket, £112
Smartwool partners with an ethical wool-producer that safeguards the welfare of sheep and ensures environmental and social sustainability in the manufacturing process. This Merino wool roll-up blanket is 173cm by 140cm and comprised of 45% repurposed wool. smartwool.com
5. Blundstone + Finisterre Boots, £160
Adventure brand Finisterre has partnered with Tasmanian footwear company Blundstone to design and create these heritage-design, 100%-vegan, leather-look boots. Lightweight yet tough, the waterproof boots can withstand a range of terrains; while supporting feet on a comfortable footbed. finisterre.com
6. Patagonia Downdrift Jacket, £280
The jacket uses two of Patagonia’s sustainable fabrics: NetPlus (made from recycled fishing nets) and recycled duck and goose down. It’s Fair Trade-sewn, water-repellent, and comes with a removable hood. patagonia.com
7. Vango Osiris Air 500, £640
Part of Vango’s new Earth Collection, this five-person inflatable tent launches the company’s own line of fabric, Sentinel Eco, which is made from 100% recycled, single-use plastic. Fully waterproof and weather-resistant, the fabric is durable, lightweight and offers UV protection. The tent inflates quickly using the included pump, allowing for easy, pole-free pitching. Large bedrooms with inners designed to reduce morning light and clear windows in the living space give a little extra luxury. vango.co.uk
PowerTraveller Tactical Falcon 28E Solar Panel; Hilltrek Braemar Organic Smock; VSSL Camp Supplies.
8. PowerTraveller Tactical Falcon 28E Solar Panel, £139
This ultra-lightweight, foldable solar panel attaches easily to the front of a backpack, allowing travellers to generate clean energy while on the move. The durable, weatherproof panel is capable of charging most 5V devices, including phones, tablets, cameras and more. It’s made using recyclable materials, too. powertraveller.com
9. Hilltrek Braemar Organic SV Smock, £190
The winner of a sustainability award, this handmade windproof and showerproof smock is made from organic cotton and available in three colours as standard. The fabric is breathable, durable and low-rustle, while the hood is large enough to be pulled over a cycling helmet. hilltrek.co.uk
10. VSSL Camp Supplies, from £101
Eliminating the need to buy a range of plastic-packaged goods for your camping trip, the VSSL Camp Supplies tube is a beautifully simple and space-saving product that packs more than 70 essentials — from plasters and pins to matches and rope — into neat, stackable, waterproof, military-grade-aluminium tins that can be reused. vsslgear.com
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