Black Friday is back and if you’ve got travel on your mind, this is the moment to gear up smart and save some bucks.
From packing cubes and waterproof totes to eSIMs that keep you connected on the road, we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday travel deals designed to make your next adventure smoother, lighter, and better. These aren’t random discounts — they’re tried-and-true travel essentials from brands we trust and gear we actually use.
So whether you’re planning your next big trip, chasing winter sun, or just looking to upgrade your setup for the year ahead, these finds are your ticket to traveling better (and saving while you’re at it).
Some of our fav deals here include REI, Liveaboard and Gomatic/Nomatic.
Shop away.
Photo: Ralph Cope
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Our first Black Friday pick is an absolute game changer. The Timekettle W4 has revolutionised the travel tech world by turning real-time language translation into something hands-free, seamless, and genuinely natural.
It works like this. You pop the earbuds in, activate the app and the AI translator whispers to you in English (or whatever language you want….) in real time enabling you understand every single word. I first tested this out by eavesdropping on my girlfriend while she spoke to her Mother in French and yes, it turns out I was right and she has been plotting against me! Since then I’ve spied on Uzbek market traders and Pakistani taxi drivers who were blissfully unaware that this foreigner could understand every word they were saying!
Of course being able to understand is one thing, but how do you respond? Well, the intention of Timekettle is that you and the person you wish to converse with take one ear bud each. As long as you don’t talk over one another, the translator will work seamlessly between both of you.
Sure, there is a slight latency and of course it’s not an entirley natural way to navigate human interactions but fuck, this is serious progress. And this Black Friday period they are offering up to 33% off their various models.
The Venustas Men’s Heated Jacket (7.4 V) takes winter comfort to another level. With five carbon-fiber heating zones across the chest, shoulders, and back, it delivers even, lasting warmth for up to 10 hours on a single charge.
The wind- and water-resistant shell, lightweight FELLEX insulation, and detachable hood make it just as functional off the grid as it is on the morning commute. Reviewers praise its solid heat output, everyday practicality, and the rare fact that it’s genuinely warm even without switching it on.
This Black Friday and Christmas, it’s an easy win for anyone who loves the outdoors or just plain hates the cold. Think of it as the ultimate “wow” gift — practical, premium, and made for real winter weather. Wrap it up with a spare battery or matching heated gloves, and you’ve got the kind of present that keeps delivering long after the holidays.
And check this…during their Black Friday sale Venustas are offering 25% of all items which increases to 30% off if you buy 2 pieces. Stone cold bargains that will keep you toasty warm!
Photo: Aiden Higgins
Getting a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification is pretty much Lesson 101 of opening the door to a life of travel, cultural exchange, and real, lasting adventure. Pretty much all of us here at TBB have done it at some point or other somewhere in the world.
Whether you’re fresh out of school, looking for a lifestyle change, or simply wanting a way to make a few bucks when on the road, TEFL providers like TEFL.ie offer accredited online courses that prepare you to teach English anywhere in the world — from Bangkok to Barcelona to Birmingham.
This Black Friday, quite a few different TEFL platforms are offering discounts on their certification courses — making it the perfect time to invest in your freedom to work and travel. But the absolute best Black Friday bargain we found was Tefl and tefl.ai offering up to 72% off on certain courses! Wow!
Don’t forget, tho…
Shop Black Friday / Shop Travel Essentials
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
JetPac is one of the rising stars in the world of travel tech. Their mission? To make mobile data abroad as effortless as booking a flight. With transparent pricing, global coverage, and instant digital setup, JetPac takes the stress out of staying connected on the road — no more hunting for plastic SIM cards and no more getting hit with surprise roaming charges.
The JetPac eSIM app is a digital travel essential that every frequent flyer should have on their phone. You can activate a data pack in minutes, choose from flexible local or global data plans, and stay online in over 100 countries without swapping physical cards.
This Black Friday, JetPac’s deals make it even easier (and cheaper) to keep your adventures connected — wherever you’re headed next by using the code JETPAC10 for 10% off any pack!!
Black Friday has landed early this year, and both Nomatic and Gomatic have kicked things off with unusually long, traveller-friendly sales that offer up to 50% off!!
If you’ve been eyeing a new carry-on, a camera pack, or one of their famously organised everyday backpacks, this is one of the rare moments when the brands discount pretty much their entire lineup. Nomatic and Gomatic don’t do constant promos — their gear normally sits at full price because it’s built to survive years of one-bag travel, airport chaos, and daily commuting. So, an extended Black Friday window gives you time to compare, plan, and actually choose what fits your setup instead of panic-buying on the 29th.
For anyone who likes sleek, structured, minimalist travel gear, these sales are honestly gold. We love Nomatic/Gomatic gear – the brands are absolute stone cold favourites among the TBB team, digital nomads and carry-on-only backpackers thanks to their ultra-efficient layouts, durable materials, and “everything has its place” design philosophy.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
LiveAboard.com is the go-to platform for divers who dream of waking up right above the reef. They specialise in curated live-a-board diving trips around the world — from the Maldives to Mexico — connecting ocean lovers with vessels, itineraries, and crews that deliver the ultimate underwater adventure.
Look, these once-in-a-lifetime trips are pricey but for Black Friday 2025, LiveAboard.com is making it easier than ever to dive into your next big trip with some big discounts anywhere from 10-50% off! Whether you’re chasing whale sharks, exploring shipwrecks, or just want to spend a week surrounded by turquoise waters, the Black Friday and winter discounts on selected liveaboard experiences are the perfect excuse to book that bucket-list dive holiday.
RUX is redefining the way we pack, carry, and store our gear. Born out of the Pacific Northwest, the brand focuses on modular, adventure-ready systems that blur the line between storage and travel gear — rugged enough for the outdoors, sleek enough for city life.
The RUX Waterproof Tote Bag is built for people who are always on the move. Made from durable, weatherproof materials with a clean, collapsible design, it’s perfect for everything from beach days to weekend getaways. This Black Friday/Cyber Monday, you can score one at a rare 20% discount — and finally get a bag that looks good, works hard, and lasts forever.
Tortuga is a traveler’s favorite for smart, minimalist gear that makes packing less stressful and trips more streamlined. Known for their carry-on backpacks and clever accessories, the brand has built a cult following among people who want to travel light without sacrificing organization or quality.
The Tortuga Packing Cubes take the chaos out of your suitcase. Designed to fit perfectly inside Tortuga’s backpacks (and most others), these cubes keep your clothes neatly compressed and easy to find — no more rummaging mid-trip. This Black Friday, they’re the ultimate small upgrade that makes a huge difference to how you travel.
While we normally recommend the packing cubes by Osprey or Nomatic, Tortuga are offering 40% off this Black Friday which makes this a real no-brainer bargain!
The epic American outdoor retailer REI has been the heartbeat of the adventure community for decades. Known for high-quality gear, expert advice, and a genuine love for adventure, REI isn’t just a store — it’s a co-op built by and for people who live to explore. From camping gear to travel accessories, they’ve got everything you need to get outside and stay out there.
While REI don’t ‘do’ Black Friday in the classical sense (there is an ethical movement against Black Friday which we understand, but do not subscribe to as we love savings) – they do have an epic early winter sale every Thanksgiving, and this year is shaping up to be an epic one.
Whether you’re gearing up for a long-haul trip, your next weekend escape, or a dive into the great outdoors, their sales are the perfect excuse to upgrade your kit with trusted, durable gear built for adventure. The best REI bargains are often found on their own “Co-op” gear but they do offer savings on other top brands such as Patagonia and Arc’teryx with deals up to 30% off.
There are 2 kinds of Sunglasses in the travel sphere – cheap ones and quality ones. I will confess, I usually opt for cheap ones because I have demonstrated repeatedly that I cannot be trusted not to sit on them or drop them in the sea and I’d rather lose a $10 item than a $100 one.
Sun God glasses are most definitely and decidedly in the quality category. They are built for travellers who need durability, clarity, and comfort without the extra weight. Their frames use Adventure-proof materials, giving them a flexible, near-unbreakable feel that holds up during long travel days and outdoor adventures.
The 8KO lenses offer high-definition optics, full UV protection, and impressive scratch resistance — just great for backpackers constantly taking glasses on and off. With polarised and non-polarised options, plus custom colour-ways, they suit everything from city walks to high-altitude treks
And from the 17th of November until the end of the Black Friday period, every order includes a FREE £100 SunGod Gift so even unrepentant breakers of sunglasses like me can justify the purchase.
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉
Buy on REI!Final Thoughts
While there will always be other sales, Black Friday only comes around once a year and the best travel deals we’ve listed here won’t hang around for too long.
Whether you’re looking for a smarter way to pack, a faster, safer way to connect abroad, or a tool that makes every trip run smoother, these Black Friday goodies will make your travels better, for less.
So if something caught your eye, don’t wait too long to grab it.
See you in the sale people!
Photo: Audy Scala
Loved this roundup! Super helpful picks, and the deals look amazing this year. The Timekettle earbuds and Venustas jacket especially caught my eye perfect for travel and winter. Thanks for sharing such practical recommendations!