Christmas Gifts for Culture Lovers: The Commuting Edition

[Unless otherwise stated, all items have been bought by Quaere Ltd and gifted to people in exchange for honest feedback over the life of the product.]

Commuting has quietly become one of the biggest quality-of-life factors in our week. The pandemic reshaped our habits: although many of us travel to work less often, those journeys have, in the UK at least, become significantly longer. The number of “super commuters”—people travelling 90 minutes or more each way—has doubled since the pandemic.* For anyone facing these long stretches of trains, buses, pavements and platforms, the right tools can make a real difference to how each day feels.

That’s why a thoughtful Christmas gift can genuinely enhance a loved one’s daily life—not by adding something ornamental, but by making their commute smoother, more comfortable, and far more enjoyable. Below, I’ve gathered together a range of gifts that I’ve personally used, tested, or gifted (with long-term feedback). Many sit at the higher end of the price spectrum, so they can work beautifully as a collective gift—a shared gesture of care for someone who spends a lot of time on the move.

One of the most important factors in a comfortable long commute is choosing a bag that genuinely suits your needs. After researching, testing, and gifting a range of commuter bags, I can confidently say there is no single “perfect” option that carries everything—especially if you also need to pack gym kit. However, several bags I’ve used or gifted consistently stand out for performing exceptionally well in specific commuting scenarios.

A year ago, I gifted the Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack (25L) to a friend with a demanding commute and a lot of tech to carry. He travels one or two days a week, with each journey taking around two hours each way—a true long haul. After a full year of use, here’s what he has to say about the Mous backpack.

“The Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack (25L) has become a dependable upgrade to my daily cycling–train–walking commute. It’s durable, weatherproof, and cleverly designed, with sealed zips, a secure lid closure, and a suspended laptop sleeve that even fits my 16” laptop. The suitcase-style opening and structured layout make packing easy, and details like the stretchy water-bottle pocket and base straps are genuinely useful.

It’s not perfect—the key pocket is tight, the sternum straps can come loose, and a waist strap would improve comfort—but after one year of heavy use it’s held up brilliantly. Overall, it’s a secure, well-built, and highly functional commuter bag that handles daily life with ease.”

Another commuter-bag brand I can wholeheartedly recommend is Pacsafe. I prefer backpacks for their balance and posture benefits, but I’ve never loved the feeling of having all my valuables behind me—especially on crowded public transport or in busy urban areas. Pacsafe is the one brand that has truly addressed this problem. Their bags are designed with thoughtful anti-theft features that significantly reduce the risk of anything being taken while the pack is on your back.

I’ve tested several Pacsafe styles, all excellent, but my go-to combination for travel or trips into London is the Pacsafe® W 10L anti-theft backpack paired with their Pacsafe® W anti-theft 3-in-1 sling.

The small bag gives me quick, secure access to my phone and essentials, while the compact backpack comfortably fits everything else—including a 13-inch laptop—without feeling bulky. A well-chosen Pacsafe bag could make a hugely practical and appreciated group gift for anyone who commutes through busy, high-traffic areas.

For the super-commuter, a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can mean the difference between arriving at work exhausted or arriving calm and restored. After a decade of heavy use with my beloved Bose over-ear pair, I recently upgraded to the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), and they are genuinely transformative. The noise cancellation is outstanding—capable of turning even the loudest train carriage or café into an oasis of calm.

What I love most, though, is their size: top-tier noise cancellation in a pair of earbuds that slip easily into a pocket, freeing up precious space in your commuter bag and lightening your load. If you’re pooling resources for a thoughtful group gift, these could make a real difference to the daily quality of life for someone with a long commute.

This next recommendation may sound unusual, but after testing Vivobarefoot shoes— including on work trips—I’m convinced they make commuting safer and far less tiring. I used to rely on cushioned trainers (Hoka Cliftons) for long days of walking, assuming the extra padding was helping. In reality, I often ended up exhausted after a few hours, especially on hard urban surfaces, and I always felt a bit unsteady on escalators.

Switching to Vivobarefoot shoes has been a revelation. Because there’s no cushioning to absorb my energy, every step translates directly into forward motion, and I can walk for hours without fatigue. I also feel noticeably more stable on stairs, pavements, and escalators—properly grounded in a way I didn’t expect. If you’re buying a thoughtful group gift for someone with a long commute, a pair of Vivobarefoots could be a genuine game-changer. Just remember: transitioning to barefoot shoes should be gradual to avoid injury, and AI can help you create a personalised switch plan.

---

If none of these suggestions resonate, you might enjoy my other posts on thoughtful Christmas gift ideas, which you can find here. I update them each year, so you’ll also find the latest insights on how well each gift stands the test of time.

*Research on Super Commuters.