From tech gadgets to keep your electronics powered up and luggage accessories that ensure you're not hit with an overweight baggage charge, these are the things I hate to travel without.
A tote is the ideal personal item—it's roomy enough to store all your odds and ends, and everything you'd want with you during a flight, and is usually pretty pliable, meaning you can squeeze it under the seat without taking up all of your foot room.
Classic Easy Zipper Tote
Water-resistant materials and ample space for your toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, soaps, and more. Depending on where you're headed, and who you're traveling with, you might want to opt for a hanging bag that allows you to keep items tidy and off ...
Hunter neoprene Toiletry Bag
Don't underestimate the power of a good packing cube. These small-but-mighty travel essentials help keep you and your suitcase a whole lot more organized, and in the case of compressive cubes, help you squeeze more inside a suitcase, too. They range ... sweaters and jeans. You can also use them to separate clean and dirty clothes on your way back home.
Eco Compression Packing Cubes (6-pack)
A rule to live by: Never check your valuables, especially jewelry. Keep necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings safe and neatly organized inside a jewelry case that gets stowed in your tote, backpack, or carry-on luggage. These durable, compact cases have enough room to store a few different jewelry options—enou...
Jewelry Case
Rather than buy plastic minis of a generic shampoo and body wash every time you travel, get yourself a set of leakproof travel bottles that allow you to bring your at-home favorites on the go.
18pack TSA Approved Silicone Travel Bottles
Instead of bringing your entire bottle of daily medication or vitamins, pack a compact pill case that holds only as much as you'll need for the length of your trip.
Cadence | The 7-Capsule Pillcase Set | Leakproof Magnetic Travel Containers
Super lightweight, compact, and has proved to be a must-pack travel accessory
AGIKET Silicone Makeup Brush Holder Travel Bag
All of those tech items you're bringing along mean you're going to have plenty of charging cubes and cables to keep track of. Save space in your backpack—and save yourself the headache of digging through your bag when work calls—by keeping everything wrapped up in a travel organizer designed specifically for your electronic accessories, like the ones below.
Tech Kit | A clever zip pouch to store your tech accessories
These lightweight bags take up little suitcase space and have enough room for your daily essentials: wallet, keys, sunnies, lip balm, and hand sanitizer.
Carry Me | Cross Body Bag
A high-quality passport case (bonus points if it has space to hold your credit cards) to keep your most important document protected. Made of genuine Italian leather, Cuyana's sleek passport case is a thoughtful gift for any traveler in your life.
Passport Case
If you’re prone to overpacking, give yourself some added peace of mind with a digital luggage scale; it’ll let you know how much damage your souvenirs did before arriving at the check-in counter on the way home.
Digital Luggage Scale 110lbs Handheld
Smart idea to attach a luggage tag to your checked bag so you can easily track it. You'll have peace of mind knowing your personal belongings made it safely to the right destination, and are right where you left them when you venture outside your acc...
Galaxy SmartTag2
You may want to bring a portable steamer along to make sure your formalwear looks its best after you take it out of your suitcase. These editor-tested steamers aren't too bulky to pack and actually get the job done.
Nesugar Portable Handheld Clothes Steamer
Depending on your destination, a travel-size umbrella might be worth the space in your luggage. And if you're driving, tossing one in the backseat is a no-brainer.
Lightweight & Strong Travel Umbrella
For those who run cold, an oversized scarf will get plenty of use in transit, and can even double as a blanket. Opt for a quality material you can pack for years to come, like cashmere. These cozy wraps from Quince are well-made and more affordable t...
Mongolian Cashmere Wrap
Lancôme offer some great moisturizer that leave your skin feeling hydrated and plump.
Don't forget to pack a trusty reusable water bottle, so you can stop buying overpriced bottles at the airport (and be kinder to the environment).
FreeSip® Water Bottle
Nuun Sport tablets are great at keeping you hydrated on long, active days in warm climates.
Nuun Sport
Another must for general wellness: hand sanitizer. Buy a set and drop one in all your most-used totes and crossbody bags so you're never without. Wet Ones wipes are nice to have on hand, especially if you're traveling with little ones.
Wet Ones US
A good pair of compression socks to fight that pins-and-needles feeling that comes from sitting still for too long, be it on a long-haul flight or a road trip.
Women's Everyday Compression Socks (15-20mmHg)
There's nothing like a dead battery to slow down a trip. Keep all your accessories charged up with a power bank.
Miady 2-Pack 20000mAh PD 22.5W Charger
For international travel, a power adapter is a must to make sure you can get devices charged up in the airport and your hotel room. Joomfeen's under-$20 travel adapter has one AC power socket and two USB slots, and comes with US, EU, UK, and AU plugs...
JOOMFEEN Worldwide All-in-One Travel Adapter
Whether the plan is to listen to music, watch a movie, or just drown out noisy neighbors, most of us won't board a plane without headphones—especially a pair that are noise-canceling. Make sure you have your go-to on hand, plus a pair of corded earbu...
Sonos Ace: Wireless Over-Ear Headphones with Noise Cancellation
Apple option
AirPods Pro 2
Even travelers with a library full of books at home have to admit it: E-readers are an essential travel accessory for bookworms. They are so much lighter than even one paperback book, and let you bring as many options as you want along for the ride.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite : Tablets & E-Readers
There are tons of occasions where it's made sense for us to bring one along in the past: beach trips, bachelorette parties, anytime we're staying in a rental home, for those of us who like to have music on in the background most waking hours of the d...
JBL Go 4 | Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker
For a comfortable journey at 30,000 feet—especially long trips where you’re hoping to get some shut-eye—an eye mask is crucial.
TEMPUR-Sleep Mask
Another comfort essential: a travel pillow. It can take some time to find the style you like best, and your pick might vary depending on whether you're in-flight or in a car.
Evolution S3® Neck Pillow for Comfort & Support
Hokas deserve every bit of hype
Clifton 9 Running Shoes & Trainers
More than just a neck pillow, the Pluto Pod boasts a lightly structured and padded hood, as well as a pull-down eye mask.