I can’t believe it’s December. Not because the holiday season is fast approaching, but because the start of December marks the 11 month of our year long journey. It’s crazy to think back. It seems like just yesterday we were making very specific holiday wish lists, including only the most essential travel items.

With a whole lot of travel behind me, I’ve come to learn what you actually need to pack for vegan travel. Here are some gifts ideas to surprise and excite vegan travelers. And not only vegan backpackers, but vegans heading off on vacations, business trips, camping trips and more.

Stocking Stuffers for the Vegan Traveler

I’ve always enjoyed emptying out my Christmas stocking and unwrapping a bunch of small items. If it’s a vegan traveler you’re shopping for, consider stuffing their stocking with solid shampoo, a vegan passport, energy bars, protein powder, camping meals and a spice kit.

Vegan Travel Shampoo

Seanik Solid Shampoo Seanik Solid Lush Shampoo – $9.95

Limp, lifeless hair could use a little inspiration from the sea. We make this ocean blue bar full of fine sea salt for volume and Nori seaweed to soften and nourish lame locks. We put in lemon oil too, to cleanse your hair and make it shine and topped it off with the glorious fragrance of mimosa and orange blossom absolutes. Thanks be to the inventors at LUSH and the deep blue sea!
Ethically Engineered No-Bottle Shampoo & Conditioner Pack – $19.95

A saponified and naturally sudsy shampoo bar that requires no plastic packaging and swirls natural, organic suds down your drain while returning these natural ingredients to the nurturing bio-sphere. The Lime scented Gear Head Conditioning Bar will quickly become the favorite secret for those of us with thick hair looking for more shine and manageability.

Vegan Passport

Vegan Passport Vegan Passport – $8.00

The essential passport sized travelling companion for vegans has just increased in size from 56 to 73 languages, now covering over 95% of the world’s population, with a page saying what vegans do and don’t eat in great detail. Let the waiter show it to the cook and you’ll be sure of a totally vegan, animal free feast in restaurants anywhere even if no one speaks a word of your language.

Vegan Travel Snacks

24 Pack of Clif Energy Bars – $22.59

8 Crunchy peanut butter; 8 chocolate chip peanut butter; 8 oatmeal raisin walnut (now contains 8 chocolate chip instead of 8 oatmeal raisin walnut). Made with organic oats and soybeans. High in protein; no trans fats; 23 vitamins & minerals. Nutrition for sustained energy.

12 Pack of Pure Bars – $20.77

Our Chocolate Brownie Bar is made with fair trade organic, virgin cocoa meeting the highest quality standards on the market. We combine this with California Deglet Noor dates which provide fiber, potassium, and magnesium – nutrients that respectively, can help stabilize blood sugar, maintain healthy blood pressure, and build strong bones.

Vegan Protein Powders


 Sun Warrior Protein 1Kg – $46.95

The ultimate anti-aging protein designed for athletes, body builders, and health enthusiasts. Ideal for those who want to lose fat, build muscle mass and be extremely healthy and fit.98% correlation rate to mothers milk and a 98.2% digestion efficiency making it one of the highest digestibility and efficiency ratings of any other protein sources.

Vega Smoothie Infusion - Box of 12 Snack Packs Vega Smoothie Infusion – Box of 12 Snack Packs – $27.50

Vega Smoothie Infusion will give your favorite shake or smoothie an instant boost of complete protein, fiber, Omega-3 EFAs and green foods! Just blend Vega Whole Food Smoothie Infusion with some fruit, ice, water or juice to create a whole food fortified custom smoothie creation your entire family will enjoy. Conveniently available in a box of 12 single snack packs!

Vegan Camping Meals

Outdoor Herbivore Vegan Camping Meals – 2 Day Weekender $24.99

Outdoor Herbivore makes great tasting, lightweight, high calorie dried foods for backpackers and campers. Organic and vegetarian, with many vegan options. Try their A 2-day supply of dehydrated meals consisting of five (5) total meals. Total weight is 25.2 oz and 2,875 calories. Meals include Curried Apple Couscous, Curried Apple Couscous, Toasted Sunburst Muesli, Coconut Chia Peel and Blackened Quinoa

Travel Spice Kit

 Mobile Foodie Survival Kit – $30.00

For foodies, nothing is scarier than being in a strange place where you’re subject to sub-par food. The horror! With this handy Mobile Foodie Survival Kit, you can doctor up even the most repulsive meal. Stocked with organic herbs and spices, plus indispensable extras like soy sauce and wasabi. Kit includes: Organic dill, mustard, clove, garlic, nutmeg, paprika, basil, onion, ginger, thyme, rosemary, curry, oregano, cayenne, salt and pepper; conventional wasabi, soy sauce and Tabasco sauce. Each pot holds about 1.5 tablespoons. Made in the USA and India. Featured in Redbook magazine.


Multi-Spice

 Multi Spice Kit – $7.99
Get 6 popular spices in one container! Each spice has their own flip-top shaker lid. Includes:

  • Paprika
  • Curry
  • Cayenne
  • Garlic Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Salt

Women’s Vegan Travel Clothing

For long-term travelers, it’s really important to have versatile clothing that’s easy to wash by hand, and drys quickly. That’s why I’d recommend tops made from moister wicking fabric, and convertible pants.

Arcteryx Women's Motive Boatneck SS Shirt (Fall 2010) Arcteryx Women’s Motive Boatneck Shirt $39.99 – $49.00
 Women’s Motive Boatneck Short Sleeve by Arcteryx

  • Moisture wicking
  • Capped sleeves
  • Curved hem Boat neck
  • Double needled construction
  • Embroidered logo
  • Non-chafing heat transfer label
  • Fabric: DryTech-Cotton/Polyester/Lycra blend
The North Face Women's Horizon Convertible Pant (Spring 2010) The North Face Women’s Horizon Convertible Pant $37.99 – $44.99
Women’s Horizon Convertible Pant by The North Face.

  • Lightweight, packable, abrasion-resistant nylon ripstop
  • Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50
  • Quick drying
  • Converts into a 14″ short
  • Partial elastic waist for comfort
  • Gussetted crotch for increased mobility
  • Secure back zippered pocket
  • Patch cargo pockets
  • Stow pocket feature
  • Snaps at leg opening

Women’s Vegan Travel Shoes

Shoes are a tricky one. Often it takes at least two pairs to accommodate the variety of scenarios that come up when traveling. It’s nice to have a comfortable pair of shoes you can slip on and off easily, especially when in airports. It’s also a good idea to have a sporty pair of shoes for long walks, hiking and exercise. Sadly, when it comes to sporty vegan travel shoes, there aren’t a lot of pretty options.

Garmont Women's Nagevi Vegan XCR Shoe (Spring 2010) Garmont Women’s Nagevi Vegan XCR Shoe – $114.95

The Nagevi XCR Vegan Shoe by Garmont is an active – any speed outdoor multisport shoe with enough comfort for everyday urban wear. Running shoe technology with trail stability – protection and traction. Weight – flex and comfort for casual use – with trail performance ready when needed.

Sanuk Women's Donna Shoe (Fall 2010) Sanuk Women’s Donna Shoe – $48.00
The Women’s Donna Shoe by Sanuk is get back to your hippie roots in these Donna’s. Natural colors with herringbone texture and a little color for your girly side… oh yeeeeeah!.

  • Wash them and watch them come to life.
  • Women’s version of the classic Donny slip-on
  • Reduced height on vamp lends a feminine side
  • Herringbone texture with accent colors keep it fresh
  • Cotton canvas
  • Sole: EVA foam

Patagonia Release Gore-Tex Women Patagonia Release Gore-Tex Women – $69.30

Trail enthusiasts don’t have to sweat the puddles with the new Release Gore-Tex, a durable, waterproof, stabilitytrail companion with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort fabric that is both waterproof and highly breathable. A Dynamic FitLacing System runs through the upper and connects down to the midsole for a secure and individual fit and a gender specific trail running last with Patagonia Air Cushion Plus provides shock absorption and a precise fit for both men and women.
Patagonia Naked Maui Moc Women Patagonia Naked Maui Moc Women – $75.00

The Naked Maui Moc’s hemp fiber and whisper-weight construction make wearing it the next best thing to going au-naturel. The shoe’s breathable hemp upper and slide-on styling are ultra comfortable; polyester air mesh lining circulates air flow for an unstuffy feel.Recycled (20%) EVA footbed and midsole are supportive underfoot.

The Male Vegan Traveler

If it’s a male vegan traveler you’re looking to spoil, he would do well with a sturdy bag, travel shaving kit, a nice shirt that can be worn casual or dressed up, and a comfortable pair of shoes.

Patagonia Daily Grind Shoulder Bag (Fall 2010) Patagonia Daily Grind Shoulder Bag – $69.00
Patagonia’s fully padded laptop-compatible shoulder bag is made of recycled fabric. Padded main compartment holds and protects a 17″ or smaller laptop and keeps you organized. Two organizer pockets (one with a zippered security pocket) keep smaller gear at your fingertips. An easy-access exterior document sleeve holds airline tickets, reading material or a notebook. Long, adjustable shoulder strap and top-mounted carry handle. Fabric: 1-oz 1,200-denier 100% recycled polyester. Lining: 3.3-oz 200-denier 100% polyester.

Ethically Engineered Vegan Shave Cream Kit – $26.00
 Our organic, vegan shave balms moisturize and nourish your face without unnatural chemicals or animal products. Everyone loves this super-rich cream in a tin. My adventures have taught me to enjoy a fresh, creamy shave whether at home or waking up at base camp. But to get it right — really right — I need a shaving brush. That’s right: Old School. Like your Dad and his Dad enjoy; a morning ritual of fresh, warm lather setting your whiskers up straight for a superb shave. A lightweight packable travel tin and a mug of water from the camp stove sets me right. It’s a timeless pleasure for you and her both to enjoy.
Patagonia Men's Long-Sleeved Migration Hemp Shirt (Fall 2010) Patagonia Men’s Long-Sleeved Migration Hemp Shirt – $65.00

Comfortable hemp blended with plush organic cotto. Lightweight and cool against the skin. Work shirt inspired drop-in button chest pockets with pencil pocket detail on left chest pocket. Shirttail hem. Regular fit. Fabric: 4-oz 55% hemp/45% organic cotton. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program.
Garmont Men's Nagevi Vegan XCR Shoe (Spring 2010) Garmont Men’s Nagevi Vegan XCR Shoe – $114.95

The Nagevi XCR Vegan Shoe by Garmont is an active – any speed outdoor multisport shoe with enough comfort for everyday urban wear. Running shoe technology with trail stability – protection and traction. Weight – flex and comfort for casual use – with trail performance ready when needed.

Give the Gift of Giving

Long term travelers are limited in what they can carry with them. Instead of giving a material gift, consider buying Kiva credit (start at $25+) for your loved ones so they can donate to entrepreneurs in the countries they are traveling to. John gave me some Kiva credit a few years ago for my birthday and I’ve made nine loans to entrepreneurs around the world, many of them based in South America.

Still Looking for the Perfect Gift?


Our gift guide is just a short list of suggestions for vegan travelers. For many more ideas, check out our new Vegan Travel Store. You’ll find vegan snacks, travel accessories, luggage & bags, sun screen, bug spray, books, clothing, shoes and mini kitchen staples you can take on the road.