Travelling with my over-ear noise-cancelling headphones has really improved my quality of life tbh, I think if they broke today, I'd order another pair by tomorrow.
I've been down the nose-canceling road before, including Bose. You know what works 10x better for 1/10th the cost? Wear any old ear buds and put noise isolating ear muffs over them. Like what you see people wear on gun ranges. You can get low-profile ones to look like less like of a weirdo. I do this for planes, trains, lawn mowing, etc. It's fantastic, and I have no idea why I've never met anyone else who does it. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.
I’ve used them and while they’re “barely” noticeable, you may feel a slight bit of pressure. They let me sleep on my side though which was always my issue with the foam ones, so that alone made them worth it
If you are a side sleeper I highly recommend getting custom made earplugs from an audiologist. They are way way way more comfortable than anything mass produced including Loop (I have the Engage).
They don’t expand. They can be flushed to your ear canals so they don’t get pushed too far in when you sleep on the side.
I spent less than US$100 on mine and they are totally worth it.
They don’t put too much pressure for me, but I personally prefer foam for sleeping. I do find Loops sometimes fall out for me during sleep. I have a few pairs, though, and love them for other settings. They are definitely a game changer.
I love my Loop earplugs, I have 3 pairs...one on my lanyard at work, one on my purse, and a third I keep with my travel stuff. They're more convenient than normal earplugs, especially with the little case. I never realized how much I would use them if they were easily accessible.
Definitely a game changer for traveling and unexpected loudness!
I'll go ahead and say that I always lose my outlet converters for international travel. Instead, what I've found more useful is a quality USB charging hub (I'm talking about ones with 4-7 USB plugs) with a detachable AC cable. You can buy different AC cables with the plug type for the region you're travelling in and most hubs will readily take between 110 and 240 V as a power source.
Most of the electronics I use on a day to day basis use a USB cable for power (e.g. phone, electric shaver, white noise machine for sleep, wireless headphones, etc). With charging technology as good as it is today, you could probably find ones that are plenty capable of charging even a laptop.
The one I use is the Satechi 165 W version of this charger (didnt see the link on the website)
https://satechi.net/products/108w-pro-usb-c-pd-desktop-charger/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0VmFyaWFudC8zMjExODQ1NDM4Njc3Ng==?queryID=6eb05a3c37fb9f8dcc430ae5aeb59a12
I’ve been lucky enough to be able to purchase each countries cable through their version of Amazon (or Amazon), so now i have a collection of 2-3 cables ready to go when traveling. Helps that i migrated all my devices to be usb C based as well so I only carry 2 USB C cables on top of the charger
This sounds like a nightmare to me. I'm the complete opposite. I dial in all my stuff to only use usb-c and then only bring one small usb-c wall outlet with 45W (enough for laptop) for all my devices.
And then I just get the cheapest smallest converter for the local country.
Keeps weight down, less items, less space used.
I do also have a nitecore nb10000 powerbank for situations with no outlets.
Why is this not at the top.
I personally use the Zendure with the 65w USB C that doesn't have the fuse and have decided to make it my daily driver so I only carry one thing everywhere all the time.
I also swear by an extension cord adapter - plugs in your destination country but has 3-4 outlets (plus a few feet cable) of home country plugs. Great for charging a few things at once/traveling with friends.
I swear by bringing a decent quality power strip with USB ports on the end. The plugs at my destination are often always in the wrong place. Gives me extra outlets. If I am traveling internationally, destination-contingent, it's helpful when outlet adapters are at a premium.
This (power strip)is the handiest thing I’ve bought in a long time and I take it everywhere. International and domestic. I have a small square one that the cord wraps around. It also has USB-C ports. Worth the money.
Packing cubes!! Been using them for over 10 years now and I don’t know how I ever lived without them. Great for packing organization and they seem to save space too.
I second the packing cubes. I'm a flight attendant and have noticed that many of us use them. You can put like clothing items together, or put an entire outfit in one cube, and easily dig through your suitcase without rumpling or unfolding anything. Just make sure you get the ones that are mesh on one side so you can see what's in them at a glance.
I used to think that packing cubes were a little OCD and then I got some. They somehow make things take less space. When I have to search through my bag, things don't unfold and create more chaos. I now use them all the time. I still think they are a little OCD, but don't care.
The Rick Steves clothesline, because it makes hotel laundry so much easier and therefore enables you to travel light.
Merino wool clothing.
Bose noise canceling headphones.
In addition to its obvious applications, a 3L or 4L dry bag also makes for a great portable clothes washer.
A half teaspoon of soap, some hot water, throw in your clothes. Roll it around a bit. Open the end and wring most of the liquid out by rolling from the other end. Rinse the clothes. Hang the bag inside out to dry with the clothes.
Whenever I'm doing sink laundry my clothing usually isn't dirty as in covered in dirt, it just needs a refresh. Which the surfactants in the detergent can help with. If there are stains I hit them with a tide pen.
So, I’m not actually Rob Portman. I made this account because I fucking hate Rob Portman and he once said that it should be illegal to use someone else’s name online, so that’s why I made this account. lol.
Oh great! I already have the Bose noise cancelling headphones!
Thanks for the other suggestions! My boyfriend’s dad keeps talking about merino wool whenever he visits too!!
Yup. Never forget that nobody you see when you are traveling is ever going to see you again. You can seriously wear the same outfit every single day and nothing bad will happen. Carry a backup outfit just in case, but also they probably sell clothes wherever you’re going. Otherwise it’s hotel sink laundry and only a backpack to carry.
I save my old ugly socks, pjs and undies for trips and then toss them out after I wear them. Then I come back lighter. Same for toiletries. If I am down to the end of a deodorant or lipstick that goes in the travel bag. Less to unpack.
Woolite packs for lingerie. You can wash in the evening, use a clothesline and they’re dry in 24 hr, collapsible back pack for stashing things you buy while you’re out for the day, portable charger.
Amazon Basics has an amazing 35l collapsible backpack that i use in my everyday life and it’s also an awesome travel bag for extra purchases. It holds an amazing amount of stuff and folds into a tiny square that fits in my fannypack. Cashiers at stores are always amazed when i pull it out and start filling it, holds alot of things!
Warm in the cold, cool in the heat, fights funk and dries quickly. I also like a lot of Duluth Trading's gear as travel clothes - comfortable and lots of pockets.
I have Bose NC700s and Airpod Pro 2s. I used to take my Bose whenever I flew, but then I got the AirPods and their noise cancellation is just as good without taking up nearly as much space in my bag. I hardly use my Bose at all anymore.
Wow that’s not my experience at all! I have AirPod Pros and Bose Quiet Comfort headphones and there’s no way I’d rely on the AirPods when I really needed to keep out the noise. They have earned their spot in my luggage!
I have this exact setup. I was shocked at how good the AirPod Pro’s were. I’ve stopped taking the Quiet Comfort headphones as I couldn’t tell a difference.
I’ve got the NC 700’s and AirPods Pro 2. Unless the flight has entertainment to connect to, I just bring my AirPods pro 2 as their noise cancellation is insane for how small they are
Came here to say nose cancelling headphones, though I've been happy with my Sonys. They're bulky for travel, but the sound is great, I can plug them in if I want, and they do make it fairly clear that I'm not interested in talking the whole. Entire. Flight.
Yes, I’ve had the same WrightSock Merino Wool socks since 2008, and they’ve lived/worked/deployed in Hawai’i, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Djibouti, Fiji, Sāmoa, Brazil, Japan, California, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Washington DC
Eye mask. Small container of vaseline for dried out inside of nose for rooms with cranked AC/heat or dry climates and chapstick for the same reason.
Edit: none of these things are really BIFL but you’ll want them anyway. Sorry: forgot what sub I was in.
You don’t want to do it long term because it can get inhaled and cause lung problems. Doing it for a week or two in a light coat won’t hurt ( I just had a sinus surgery and had an in depth convo with my ENT about this).
I also recommend bringing nasal saline. Using it before and after ascent and descent helps a lot with dryness AND getting sick!
I thought you meant aspiration pneumonia and figured the risk of this was completely circumstantial, but I looked it up and the Mayo Clinic says that some people, if they do this for long enough, can get lipoid pneumonia. So I guess it’s not medically recommended. The article seemed to imply it would take daily and consistent applications.
I’m going to keep doing it occasionally unless I get other lung problems, but keep that in mind if I randomly develop pneumonia.
Second the small tub! I like Smith’s rosebud salve or something with an opening like the Jack Black lol balms cuz even if it melts it stays contained and the same texture (lotsa solid lip balms and chapsticks in tubes melt too easily). I tend to bring a travel size moisturizer for the same reasons (planes are also dry as fuck)
Also, make sure you get up and walk a few times during the flight. You'll probably see some people stretching in the aisle or just walking up and down. It also helps with swelling.
Keeps blood circulation up by compressing the calves/veins.
Helpful for travels since bloodflow decreases when you are sat in a confined space for a long time, like on a plane/train/bus.
More technically the clot itself is called a thrombus and the [harmful condition caused by the thrombus in a blood vessel (i.e. the reduction in blood flow to distal and surrounding tissues) is thrombosis.](https://thrombosis.org/patients/what-is-thrombosis/)
If you like bar soap, the Matador soap bar case is amazing. I have no idea how it works, but you can put a sopping wet mess of a soap bar into it and it dries out within 24 hours. Even better, it doesn’t leak!
Flight attendant here: I use a small silicone stasher bag for this. I do usually dry the soap with a hotel towel before I put it in. A possibly cheaper solution - i think they’re $10.
I have the silicone ziplock bags from Target. A pain for food storage as you have to always wash and dry them but for traveling they’re awesome!! Thanks for the tip!
Dang, I wish those were in more conspicuous colors. I want it, but I'm not confident that I won't forget it too (along with my customary sacrificial soap).
This is small and often overlooked, but some kind of storage for your dirty clothes. Whether it’s a fold up bag or just a grocery bag you’re reusing, it helps to have somewhere to store the dirty stuff. I’ve had it come in handy so many times, for unexpected stuff like shoes that get covered in mud and still need to come home with me before I have access to clean them, wet items or containers that break and can spill, wrap them in a bag.
For me another big one is getting a SIM card/phone access. You think you’ll be fine on WiFi but I can not tell you how many times a crappy situation could have been immediately improved with cell service.
Ive been on T-Mobile since 2015 when I took a year off to travel. They have free international text and data (granted not high speed, but works). That saved my ass many times
I just take the laundry bag from the hotel I’m staying in! I actually found a nice big thick cotton one with drawstrings once, so that’s been my travel laundry bag ever since
I always just grab extra garbage bag liners from the hotel. There are always clean extras under the one current in there. Or else just ask house keeping.
I have an Anker 2-in-1 Hybrid Charger that has 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port. It's about the same size as my laptop charger, has enough ports to charge all of my devices, and also has a battery in case I run out of juice while traveling. I pair it with a 3-in-1 folding Magsafe charging dock and a USB-C cable, which covers charging all of my devices.
I travel with small children and between the adults and the ankle biters we need a ton of toiletries and I hate forgetting things, so I got [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWCGQDD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) toiletry bag and i fill it as soon as we return from a trip. Fully stocked, down to a week worth of vitamins, pain/allergy/cold meds, spare glasses, all my face goo, razors, lotion, detergent, sleeping pills, I even put a week worth of everyone’s prescriptions in there, on and on and on- it’s grab and go. I got a second one purely for the blowdryer, flat iron, curlers, etc for when it’s a fancy trip. Shove it in your bag with a pair of pants, shorts, long and short sleeve top, and two sets of underwear per person and you’re set.
As someone who struggles with climate control in buildings, planes, trains etc I found it incredibly valuable to have light easily added / removable layers.
One that quickly became my go to was a thin, longer (like mid hip length), sleeved cardigan. It was thin enough it rolled up small for easy packing. It was enough of a layer to keep me warm on the plane once the AC was jacked up. I could wear it backwards if I wanted a quick blanket just to cover my front and get some shut eye. It was black and versatile, so it went with any outfit and could make it a little more business casual or dressy if I needed it to be.
I also purchased the most compact rain shell jacket I possibly could that I could squish down to nothing and cram in the carry on. Nothing worse than having a jacket you don't need and not being able to pack it easily, or conversely being stuck without a jacket when you need one! I got MEC one that did the trick.
But yeah, like other people have mentioned, a fantastic carry on bag is a true BIFL travel hack. Keep wardrobe simple and interchangeable (google "capsule wardrobe" for inspiration). I have been travelling with the Tom Binh Aeronaut 30 for 5 years now and it's been a game changer when we've had to run across airport terminals or railway stations to catch our next flight or train anywhere. Tom Binh is life time warranty and really thoughtful designs made in Seattle. I definitely recommend their products.
Noise cancelling headphones. Sony MX or Bose QC. It doesn’t matter. They are basically the same to the average person. Buy whatever is less expensive. Sitting next to crying kids for 2 hours is one thing. For 10+ hours it’s a totally different form of hell.
I have a wallet for my passport. It has a pen in it. It’s been useful several times for filing out paperwork.
A regulation sized carry on travel backpack. I use an Osprey Farpoint 40 L. If you need business clothes, this is not the move. As your stuff will likely get wrinkly. Packing cubes are also awesome.
The headphones have a 30 hour battery life, so you’ll get a lot of charge cycles. Probably not fully BIFL, but they will last a long time.
The wallet will only be used while traveling. Get a real leather one and it will last forever.
Osprey has a lifetime warranty. I broke a buckle on mine that I could easily repair. They just sent me the buckle without issue.
As a a shortie- I was skeptical but I got one as a gift and this was a fantastic comfort item. I’ll never go on a flight longer than an hour or two without it
Get a packable backpack. If I’m traveling light that means I have my regular travel backpack and my carry on. The backpack is big and bulky. A packable backpack is nice to have while out exploring, it’ll fit your essentials and a jacket and space to put more. Plus, if you find yourself with more than you came, you can use the packable backpack as additional luggage.
I recently discovered [this](https://www.meijer.com/shopping/product/mytube-travel-3-ounce-silicone-squeeze-tube-1-ct/76023627937.html) refillable silicone travel bottles at Meijer, and I'm never going back to buying stupid travel size hairgel/shampoo/etc. for $2–3 dollars each time.
I'm going for these next since they have a lifetime warranty: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NMNWMYT](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NMNWMYT)
Similar to this, I love the STAX Stackable Containers (small). They hold enough for a two week trip for me, have never leaked and take up very little space. You can buy them on Amazon or REI.
Battery pack.
At least 5,000 mAh, preferably 10,000+ mAh, with USB-C, preferably with MagSafe, preferably two of them.
Also, having everything standardized to USB-C so that I only need USB-C cables (and specifically Thunderbolt 4 cables). I still have some USB-A devices, but I basically have a USB-A to USB-C adapters permanently attached to them.
Need to be careful these days as a lot of airports in Asia won't allow batteries >10000mAh and require storage capacity be written on the device! I've been questioned in Thailand and Japan on mine.
For me it's all about clothes: I want stuff that is light, multi-purpose, easily hand washable, and quick drying. A couple of years ago I was in western Europe for several weeks with a large group (like 20 people) coming from the US. We all flew together and at check-in about half the group had bags over the 50 pound limit. My single bag was 17 pounds, mostly because I had clothes almost entirely made of synthetics and picked items I could wear for business meetings and for casual use. Same with shoes. So for me-- I'm male --that meant things like a tan-colored travel blazer that didn't wrinkle easily; I could wear it to meetings, to church, to a nice restaurant, or over a quarter-zip for a hike. I also really love lightweight merino wool quarter-zips, which can be worn under a blazer, on their own as a sweater, or packed into a small bag for an outing.
So no specific items to rec, but honestly if you can make the bag you have to lug on/off buses, up the stairs in 17th century buildings, and across hundreds of yards of Roman cobblestones weight 50% as much as other people's you'll be happier for it.
Synthetic clothing harbours bacteria and stinks immediately though. I’ve switched out all my cotton and nylon tees, underwear and socks for merino wool. Merino is just as moisture wicking as nylon, but is also naturally antibacterial so can be worn multiple times before it needs a wash.
The Turtl head rest thingie for when you want to sleep but you can’t lie down. Waaaaay better than a bucky-type headrest. I don’t care how weird it looks it is awesome.
Noise cancelling headfones, not forever but should work many years at least. I use bose qc45.
Bad noises and white noises are annoying as hell over long time.
I often travel between the U.S. and Australia, so at least one 14-17 hour flight and total 22-26 hours.
My survival kit is:
1. Compression socks. Any flight over 6 hours I’ll wear these.
2. Smug eye mask (domes away from your eyes)
3. Sony WH-1000XM noise cancelling headphones. 5 years old and still in great shape, newer models out now.
4. Decent neck pillow
5. Small fanny pack with Benadryl, gas tablets, painkillers, cough drops, lip balm, moisturizer, mints, nasal saline spray, single use eye drops, pen, passport, phone charge cable. All the stuff I want to get to quickly and quietly on my flight.
6. Kindle. Nicer to read on than a phone and sometimes you get bored of movies.
7. Slim ~25oz metal water bottle and nuun tablets. I’ll drink at least 1 bottle per 2 hours, plus a couple of bottles during layover wherever it is—dehydration is the worst bit of flying.
The fanny pack is good for essentials on the ground, too—there id add sunscreen, hand sanitizer and a power bank to the mix.
A little tube of handwashing laundry detergent! If you try to wash clothes/underwear with regular hand soap, body wash etc they’ll not wash properly and will both still be stinky and get dingy from retained soap.
Bring a bespoke ‘first aid kit’!
Bandages and ointment
Moleskin and first aid scissors
Heel and toe blister bandages
Ibuprofen
Antacid
Claritin, Immodium, DayQuil
Throat lozenges
Aloe sunburn relief
Earplugs
Dental floss
It all fits in a very small soft case and has come in handy so, so many times!
Being anti nausea medicine. Also a nail file and a pen. Always fly with those 3 things bc idk about u but I tend to bite my nails only at the airport and am needing a nail file to fix it. Nausea medicine from a personal experience going form nyc to London . Turbulence so bad made me so sick. Motion sickness med is a must. A pen bc they sometimes give u customs paperwork to do before landing.
Take a vitamin c immune support emergen C packets the day of and the day before to strengthen your immune system. Grab a disinfectant towel from the front while boarding and wipe down everything. Once you arrive please go directly to shower and put ur clothes in the wash. You are covered in germs and don’t want to get sick during a trip.
I travel a lot internationally for the last 30 years and this is something I never see on any travel tips. I see the same old being a jacket cuz the plane gets cold advice 😂
Ah wow yeah, we were planning to wear masks for the week or so before our trip and possibly on the flight as well, but the extra caution makes sense. Thanks!
If you get cold on flights I highly recommend getting a travel blanket/wrap. The ones provided by the airline for longer trips are gross or too thin or non-existent. I don't always need to use mine, but whenever I do I'm SO grateful. It saved me when I had to sleep overnight in the airport due to an extremely delayed second leg and now I'll never travel without it.
Also, if you're caffeine-dependent like me, find a travel/instant coffee you like and never leave home without it. More and more hotels have Nespresso machines in the rooms which is great but they can be stingy with the capsules and if you ever get stuck with absolutely vile hotel room coffee you'll be glad you brought your own.
Travel bidet, athleta sweater, Bose noise-canceling headphones, IKEA slippers. The headphones are the biggest for me—people seem to have lost all sense of social norms during the pandemic and will just blast media or phone calls on their phone speakers ETA: I use Dr Bronner soap, and I’ve used it to launder my clothes in the sink/tub
Tom Bihn travel tray, keep all your pocket stuff, phone, and junk in one place. Nothing worse than having to leave on a tight timeline and not knowing where your keys are
Cool if you like that, but for travel I prefer multi-functional in items. Thus, I always bring a baseball/trucker hat. Works as a nightstand tray, sun shade, brim for keeping rain off your face (under a hooded rain jacket), or even as an eye-covering for a long or short snooze. Fits wallet, phone, & any other sundries. Bonus for not having to comb/brush hair if you’re running out the door or for protecting your dome if bald. Use a snap one so you can “clip” it to any bag/backpack handle if it doesn’t fit the occasion.
Honestly, not checking a bag would be the “item”, and it’s free! Just invest in a solid carryon (and you don’t typically need the tiny “international” size carry on, at least I haven’t in the 20 countries I’ve been to, but there’s still hundreds more that may be more stingy!)
Yes, carry-on + medium backpack only is the way to go! If the place you are going has better public transit/trains, you will be immensely grateful. Traveled 5 weeks (in summer) with just these! Make sure you wear heaviest clothes on the plane, bring a day bag like a small purse or fanny pack, and I recommend reading books on your phone.
Silk eyemask. I’ve had the same one for 5 years or so. It’s from Alaskan Bear I think is the name. I like it because it’s 2 straps which I find most comfortable. On Amazon.
For cruising, magnetic hooks. They are so helpful in the staterooms. The walls are usually metal and you can put the hooks on pretty much any walled surface giving you great spots to hang anything from your room key on a lanyard to a towel.
I bring a small cable converter kit that doubles as a phone stand, can do regular usb, the old usb, usbc and iphones all in one little package that was less than $10.
I also love my travel router, not having to reconnect all my devices to a new wifi is great, plus added security like my VPN and ad blocking. VPN makes it nice so my youtube and Netflix recommendations don't change languages on me.
A tablet is nice to have, sometimes the tvs suck or are too small and tablet is better. I use mine to take notes for work too. Nicer to use on the plane for watching movies than your phone too.
I travel with a silicone body scrubber, not all airbnbs have these or its up to you to wash them all the time. It's super easy to clean and dries quickly.
Recently started traveling with some Mio like drink mixers. Just convenient and ensures you have some familiar flavors from home.
Noise canceling headphones I think are a pretty obvious must.
I like a bluetooth speaker as well, most hotels and airbnbs do not have such a luxury.
I travel with a chromecast so I can plug it in and all my accounts are ready to go. No more forgetting to sign out before you leave.
**edit
Also want to add an extension chord, never know where those outlets are going to be located at.
- Hm for cooler climates, a good blanket/large scarf in a neutral color. Keeps you warm and doesn’t get stinky if you get a quality merino wool or similar fabric. Doubles as a small blanket/pillow on the plane.
- A good pair of leather, waterproof boots - can be styled casual or more formal and great for lots of walking
- a solid set of high quality socks!
- personal travel bag - I love the nylon foldable bags (le pliage is the expensive brand but get a $20 dupe on amazon) - perfect for travel day as I can fit an extra outfit or layer, travel pillow, along with all the day of essentials (kindle, chargers, wallet, water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, small bag of toiletries and little toothbrush)
- a good battery pack (I love anchor personally) and charging cords for your essential electronics
- not bifl, but some of my essentials are a couple bandaids, a chapstick tube of aquaphor for lips/nose/any dryness, Tylenol, ear plugs, pack of tissues, a few wet naps (I like the individually wrapped prep pads). Scrunchie or other tie if you have long hair.
Sea to summit inflatable neck pillow - I went through a LOT of neck pillows when I traveled a lot for work.
I noticed that what made a neck pillow GREAT was less padding behind your head and all the padding to the sides. Because what you don’t want is your head tilting forward when sitting upright - because the adding stuffing is pushing your head forward. You mostly just need to keep your head from creaking side to side.
The sea to summit one is collapsible and very small and light. When it inflates, most of the air is directed to the sides instead of the back.
Pro tip - inflate the neck pillow not all the way BEFORE you take off in the plane. Then when you get to altitude, the air pressure will make the pillow plump out to full.
Air fly to connect to the airplane tv thru Bluetooth
A fantastic airplane pillow that fits your needs. I like the trtle neck pillow/brace but my bro has one that attaches to the headrest to keep you more upright.
Earplugs/ eye mask
A cucumber melon exfoliating face wipe is hydrating and refreshing
For luggage- air tags/ washable suitcase cover to be easily identifiable and also minimize scratches and scuffs on your actual luggage
Knowing where to get my laundry done and how long it takes. I'll also clean my socks / underwear in a sink. 5 days of clothes > 10 days of clothes in regards to packing.
I hate lugging big bags around.
Weekend at Disneyland or 6 weeks in El Salvador I'm rocking a backpack and a overhead sized pelican roller.
Edit: also, nail clippers, toenail clippers, Emory board, and a way to manage your facial hair if a dude. keep it simple.
I take a small pedicure set with me everywhere I travel now. I bought this one and it's one of the best clipper sets I've ever owned.
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BCF8ZQP/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BCF8ZQP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
USB power adapter with at least 4 ports and cables for all the electronics
Chromecast just in case hotel doesn’t have smart TV
AirPods Pro for flight. Wired earbuds in case airplane has aux ports.
Smart water 1L. Bottle is slim and light so I just use it and toss it after a trip
Tldr:I say money is best spent on a reliable one bag system and don’t get suckered into expensive items and clothes. I like the mew MCL black hole patagonia thats about $200. Perfect for two weeks abroad.
Just wearing normal clothing i have and not being suckered into an expensive wardrobe. You don't need technical $90+ pants from REI, you can get $30-40 golf slacks from Target that look nice, can be dried and are a part of your normal closet. Undershirts from Kohls are $10 each or a t shirt pack from Hanes can all be dried and are super comfortable. Get a jacket for cold weather on an REI sale for sure, but a reliable bag is what holds your life together out there.
None of these are really BIFL - these are just things that after years of international travel that I immediately pack in descending order. The stuff toward the end of the list gets more "convenience" than anything else
* A ziploc bag that's probably 4"x8" that has tylenol, ibuprofen, pepto-bismol tablets, bandaids, safety pins, earplugs, cough drops, moleskin, chapstick, etc. It's the "fix anything" bag and it's probably the most essential piece of kit on an international trip. Depending on the country you're going to, getting simple things like cough drops isn't easy and having a few on hand just makes life better. Trying to get ibuprofen when you don't speak the language and it's sold by a pharmacy rather than in a grocery store can be an exercise in frustration
* Depending on where you're going - pepto-bismol tablets. There's a reason why traveler's diarrhea is called that. Yes, this is in the bag above. Yes, I'm calling out it out again
* Earplugs. Yes, those are also in the bag above. Yes, they also get a separate mention
* A plug adapter (or two, or three) for the country you're travelling to. These do not need to be expensive - the $1 versions work perfectly fine
* A USB charging brick with multiple ports *that accepts both 120v / 240v* that you plug into that plug adapter. Anker is a good brand name here
* A small day pack. When you get to your destination you'll need something to toss a few things in and walk around with. Ideally one that has a water bottle pouch on it
* A water bottle that has a flip top lid that locks. You do not want a straw - those are hard to clean when travelling. You don't want something with an exposed bite valve - those get covered in dirt when they get dropped on the floor of a bus and roll around. You want something like a Contigo bottle where the top closes over the opening and keeps dirt out. You need the locking lid because invariably it'll fall out of your pack and pop open and spray water everywhere. If you're going to a third world country you're going to be buying water so you might not need this
* A carry-on suitcase with wheels on it. Put the day pack in this and carry it on. Losing luggage sucks and doubly so when you're travelling to another country. If you pack right this is the only luggage you'll have and moving between places becomes much, much easier
* A headlamp or book light. If you're going to a country where the power isn't always reliable it's nice to have a light. Less important in certain countries, critical in others
* Laundry soap and a wide, flat sink plug (search for flat suction sink plug) if you're planning on doing laundry. This is "I'm going to a third world country" and won't apply if you're staying in a nice hotel
* Packing cubes. It seems silly but it's nice to be able to pull out the cube that has your pants in it and set it to the side to get to the one that has your shirts in it. If you're living out of a backpack you don't need these
Epika travel adapter. Comes with options for any type of plug you need and has a ton of USB A slots.
Over ear headphones are bulky but essential for me since wearing in ears start to hurt after a few hours. I really like my Sony M4 headphones.
Anker power bank in case you get caught without an outlet and your phone dies or you don't have a way to charge your phone on your flight.
Outlier’s pants are my favorites. Most of them have a DWR treatment for rain. The older styles were basic-looking garments made with impressive/advanced fabrics.
Also: merino shirts.
A dry bag. It takes up almost 0 space in your bag and it's so much easier to wash clothes in than a sink. Throw in some laundry soap, water, and your clothes and by the time you get back in the evening they're as clean as a machine would get them.
Trtl neck brace/pillow.
Compression socks.
High quality respirator mask (I prefer the 3M Aura 9210+; the easiest way to ruin your trip is to get sick, especially if it’s covid).
External battery to charge your phone anywhere.
Noise cancelling headphones (I like the Bose QC45s and typically layer them over my noise cancelling AirPods or WeatherX earplugs).
Packing cubes.
Dramamine (the drowsy kind) for long flights.
Pepto bismol, pepcid, Imodium, et al.
An unlocked phone so you can just pop in a SIM card once you’re at your destination.
Multiple pairs of comfortable shoes, because if you wear the same pair every day and are walking a lot, it doesn’t matter how comfy they are because they will rub in the same spot and you will get blisters. Switch two different pairs off day to day and your feet will thank you.
A small pillow that you can place on your lower back during flights. It makes it feel like the recline is a lot steeper.
Also, use a 2 wheel carry-on with a J hook strap, instead of a spinner. HERE ME OUT. If you put your personal item on the J hook it will act as a counter balance making your luggage seem lighter and easier to pull, even when u actually made it heavier. The 2 wheel carryons will also last a lot longer and are faster to pull. Theres a reason why majority of pilots/flight attendants travel use this set up.
My sister in law is Thai and got us on these! Fantastic for when you’re somewhere stinky, have a stuffy nose, etc. Just don’t use them too much for an extended period of time or you’ll irritate your sinuses and cause inflammation and stuffiness!
Finding a pair of shoes that maximizes comfort and versatility. Easier said than done, but being able to cut down on shoes you need to pack for travel makes your travel bags smaller and your life so much easier. Something like a waterproof Chelsea boot or a cute flat with good insoles will let yout dress up or down as much as you need to but will also allow you to walk through an airport or around a city comfortably. It beats having to pack a separate set of tennis shoes or heels and if you find something that fits the bill and your wardrobe, it's worth investing in IMO.
Bose QC over the ear headphones - mine are old-school wired, but I found a wireless adapter! I also bring my air pods for when I don't need sound control. Power brick for recharging. Outlet adapter + a three way plug with USB slots. Individually wrapped wipes. Thin wool base layers, merino socks and Blundstone or Doc Martin chelsea boots.
Oh and secure a carabiner to your water bottle so you can hang it off the ridiculously tiny pouch in front of your airplane seat.
Briggs & Riley luggage. The only negative is that you'll have it forever so you'll miss out on the opportunity to buy nice luggage in the future. I've had mine for 25 years.
Turkish towels. They are huge in size but compact enough to pack a few in your luggage or backpack. They dry really fast. You can easily shake the sand off them. You can wash them with your regular clothes. They can serve double duty as lightweight blankets, sun shade or a picnic blanket.
I've spent years testing out different ones & there are some $25-$30 brands that are as good as the $100 ones. We don't even have traditional towels in our home anymore except a couple stashed away for guests.
I was ripped to shreds for this travel tip in a photography forum but I will share it with you. It's not an item but sort of. I keep my socks and underwear that a normal person would throw away when they develop a hole or the elastic starts to give. I keep them in a bag for travel. When I go on a trip I fly out with "old" socks and "old underwear." I toss these items out each day that I use them. The next day I start again with an "old" pair of socks and "old" underwear. I find that I can get rid of items I would be throwing out anyway, and have more space for odds and ends that I purchase.
This doesn't mean that I don't bring nice socks or underwear, it just means that I can get rid of old stuff while on vacation. The same goes for T shirts Etc.
I hope someone finds value with this tip because I love it.
Giving myself time once I get to my destination to hit a grocery store or pharmacy before I head to my hotel or wherever I am going. There’s nothing better than some fresh snacks and the chance to pick up any little items you are missing.
That and really good shoes.
Zendure travel adapter with high wattage USB-C ports
Anker battery packs and USB-C cords
Sony over ear MX3 NC headphones, or Anker Soundcore earbuds to save space
Eye mask and Turtl chin rest for the plane
Travel button up short sleeve shirt, shorts and chinos (depending what you're doing) - Patagonia or Western Rise
Microfiber underwear (quick dry and take up tiny bit of space)
A good backpack to fit everything into the
Keep a full set of clothes in your cabin bag just in case
A solid travel power converter with built-in USB/USB-C ports for charging devices. Trust me, better to throw it into your bag just in case you need it.
I always bring a few heavy duty boot hangers (they have a hook on one side and rubberized clip on the other.) I use them to hang clothes, towels, etc in hotel as needed, and I use to hang my toiletries bag off the counter off the hand towel rack.
External battery, downloaded music and favourite t.v. shows and noise canceling headphones.
If I am ever stuck somewhere loud and hectic, I can escape into my own little world
A [Nomatic](https://www.nomatic.com/) backpack.
Expandable, more pockets than you’ll probably need, clean design. I always pack 1-2 days of spare clothes in my backpack when traveling internationally, the Nomatic line makes it far easier and comfortable.
Once had my checked bag not unloaded from the plane because it was “too windy” on the tarmac in AMS. So the plane returned to LHR with everyone’s checked bags on them.
My Victorinox Toiletry kit has lasted 15 years of traveling professionally. We're talking several thousands of hotel nights, most of the time a bit over stuffed. Still like new condition except for being a bit dirty.
Outlet plug transformer
SIM card for the country I'm visting
Personal wifi hotspot
Card sized phone charger that has a built in cord
ScottEVest trench coat with 1000 pockets
Ipad + charger
Neck pillow and headphones. Especially for long flights. It’s much more difficult to enjoy a vacation if you’re having neck pain. Also headphones/ earbuds or plugs because there is always at least one obnoxious child and parents who couldn’t care less.
Passport protector. I keep my passport in my bag...with a bunch of other stuff so it's nice knowing it's not getting ruined...they are kind of important.
I have fuzzy booties I stuff into my bag. It's really nice when I get done for the day after being on my feet, working all day to be able to change out of "adult shoes" and into something exceptionally cozy. I also bring along at least a sketchbook, or art set, or knitting- something to reclaim the day as mine a little at the end of it and do something creative and relaxing.
Merino wool tee shirts, underwear, and socks. Naturally odour absorbing, so you can wear them more often (and therefore pack less). More insulating in cool weather and superior moisture wicking in hot weather than cotton.
Portable charger. Water resistant pants. Wet wipes for the butt. Hand sanitizer. Shoes that are easy to get on and off at TSA. (I have reebok classic high tops with the straps.)
Download offline Google maps of anywhere you're traveling to that you're unfamiliar with the area. Can save you if you end up somewhere with little/no cell reception.
Ear plugs, both for any plane travel and because accommodations can be unexpectedly noisy.
Travelling with my over-ear noise-cancelling headphones has really improved my quality of life tbh, I think if they broke today, I'd order another pair by tomorrow.
Yep this. It not only saves your sanity it actually saves your hearing because you don’t have to crank the sound to hear over the engines.
I’m also on team over the ear noise canceling headphones. They make traveling so much better!
Which ones are the best?
I've been down the nose-canceling road before, including Bose. You know what works 10x better for 1/10th the cost? Wear any old ear buds and put noise isolating ear muffs over them. Like what you see people wear on gun ranges. You can get low-profile ones to look like less like of a weirdo. I do this for planes, trains, lawn mowing, etc. It's fantastic, and I have no idea why I've never met anyone else who does it. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.
Loop ear plugs have been a game changer for me, especially the ones for sleeping
Also for taking those out the to clubs. They have saved my eardrums
I'm a side sleeper, how much pressure do they put on your ears when you're on your side?
I’ve used them and while they’re “barely” noticeable, you may feel a slight bit of pressure. They let me sleep on my side though which was always my issue with the foam ones, so that alone made them worth it
They’re WAAAY comfier than foam earplugs, as a side sleeper myself I find them comfy without too much pressure, and they don’t fall out on me.
If you are a side sleeper I highly recommend getting custom made earplugs from an audiologist. They are way way way more comfortable than anything mass produced including Loop (I have the Engage). They don’t expand. They can be flushed to your ear canals so they don’t get pushed too far in when you sleep on the side. I spent less than US$100 on mine and they are totally worth it.
They don’t put too much pressure for me, but I personally prefer foam for sleeping. I do find Loops sometimes fall out for me during sleep. I have a few pairs, though, and love them for other settings. They are definitely a game changer.
I love my Loop earplugs, I have 3 pairs...one on my lanyard at work, one on my purse, and a third I keep with my travel stuff. They're more convenient than normal earplugs, especially with the little case. I never realized how much I would use them if they were easily accessible. Definitely a game changer for traveling and unexpected loudness!
Noise canceling headphones/earbuds are amazing for this as well. AirPods Pro are insanely good at this.
I’m 30 and I just realized how essential this is and I think of all the situations prior in my life that I had wish I knew
I used industrial earplugs for air travel back when I traveled for work. I think 3M makes some.
My most important comfort item!
A good universal outlet plug
I'll go ahead and say that I always lose my outlet converters for international travel. Instead, what I've found more useful is a quality USB charging hub (I'm talking about ones with 4-7 USB plugs) with a detachable AC cable. You can buy different AC cables with the plug type for the region you're travelling in and most hubs will readily take between 110 and 240 V as a power source. Most of the electronics I use on a day to day basis use a USB cable for power (e.g. phone, electric shaver, white noise machine for sleep, wireless headphones, etc). With charging technology as good as it is today, you could probably find ones that are plenty capable of charging even a laptop.
I’ve always felt this might be a good idea but I can’t find one that’s light and portable. Has anyone found one to recommend?
The one I use is the Satechi 165 W version of this charger (didnt see the link on the website) https://satechi.net/products/108w-pro-usb-c-pd-desktop-charger/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0VmFyaWFudC8zMjExODQ1NDM4Njc3Ng==?queryID=6eb05a3c37fb9f8dcc430ae5aeb59a12 I’ve been lucky enough to be able to purchase each countries cable through their version of Amazon (or Amazon), so now i have a collection of 2-3 cables ready to go when traveling. Helps that i migrated all my devices to be usb C based as well so I only carry 2 USB C cables on top of the charger
This sounds like a nightmare to me. I'm the complete opposite. I dial in all my stuff to only use usb-c and then only bring one small usb-c wall outlet with 45W (enough for laptop) for all my devices. And then I just get the cheapest smallest converter for the local country. Keeps weight down, less items, less space used. I do also have a nitecore nb10000 powerbank for situations with no outlets.
Why is this not at the top. I personally use the Zendure with the 65w USB C that doesn't have the fuse and have decided to make it my daily driver so I only carry one thing everywhere all the time.
Can I ask why you don’t want a fuse?
I also swear by an extension cord adapter - plugs in your destination country but has 3-4 outlets (plus a few feet cable) of home country plugs. Great for charging a few things at once/traveling with friends.
I swear by bringing a decent quality power strip with USB ports on the end. The plugs at my destination are often always in the wrong place. Gives me extra outlets. If I am traveling internationally, destination-contingent, it's helpful when outlet adapters are at a premium.
We do this and attach the converter on the power strip instead of of needing a bunch of them.
This (power strip)is the handiest thing I’ve bought in a long time and I take it everywhere. International and domestic. I have a small square one that the cord wraps around. It also has USB-C ports. Worth the money.
Packing cubes!! Been using them for over 10 years now and I don’t know how I ever lived without them. Great for packing organization and they seem to save space too.
I second the packing cubes. I'm a flight attendant and have noticed that many of us use them. You can put like clothing items together, or put an entire outfit in one cube, and easily dig through your suitcase without rumpling or unfolding anything. Just make sure you get the ones that are mesh on one side so you can see what's in them at a glance.
I'll go a step further and say COMPRESSION packing cubes. Saves even more space!
I like the compression packing cubes with the extra zip. Work particularly well if you have soft squishy items
I used to think that packing cubes were a little OCD and then I got some. They somehow make things take less space. When I have to search through my bag, things don't unfold and create more chaos. I now use them all the time. I still think they are a little OCD, but don't care.
The Rick Steves clothesline, because it makes hotel laundry so much easier and therefore enables you to travel light. Merino wool clothing. Bose noise canceling headphones.
In addition to its obvious applications, a 3L or 4L dry bag also makes for a great portable clothes washer. A half teaspoon of soap, some hot water, throw in your clothes. Roll it around a bit. Open the end and wring most of the liquid out by rolling from the other end. Rinse the clothes. Hang the bag inside out to dry with the clothes.
wait this is amazing. i already use one as a “dirty clothes” bag when i travel
I started using no rinse laundry detergent so I can skip the rinse step and don't have to worry about whether my clothing was adequately rinsed.
How does that not just redistribute the dirt?
Whenever I'm doing sink laundry my clothing usually isn't dirty as in covered in dirt, it just needs a refresh. Which the surfactants in the detergent can help with. If there are stains I hit them with a tide pen.
Tide pens are amazing, Costco sells a 10 pack for the price of 7!
That’s why I wash stuff in the shower.
I travel with no rinse wool wash and use it with everything.
I adore Rick Steves, had no idea he sold stuff. Thanks for the tip.
Oh hi you’re my senator.
Not anymore 🫶
Well who TF is then???
Sherrod Brown and unfortunately J.D. Vance.
You were one of the U.S.'s most bipartisan Senators, and one that seemed to care more about the country than himself. Thank you for your service!
So, I’m not actually Rob Portman. I made this account because I fucking hate Rob Portman and he once said that it should be illegal to use someone else’s name online, so that’s why I made this account. lol.
lol, this was a ride
Oh great! I already have the Bose noise cancelling headphones! Thanks for the other suggestions! My boyfriend’s dad keeps talking about merino wool whenever he visits too!!
Yup. Never forget that nobody you see when you are traveling is ever going to see you again. You can seriously wear the same outfit every single day and nothing bad will happen. Carry a backup outfit just in case, but also they probably sell clothes wherever you’re going. Otherwise it’s hotel sink laundry and only a backpack to carry.
I save my old ugly socks, pjs and undies for trips and then toss them out after I wear them. Then I come back lighter. Same for toiletries. If I am down to the end of a deodorant or lipstick that goes in the travel bag. Less to unpack.
Woolite packs for lingerie. You can wash in the evening, use a clothesline and they’re dry in 24 hr, collapsible back pack for stashing things you buy while you’re out for the day, portable charger.
Amazon Basics has an amazing 35l collapsible backpack that i use in my everyday life and it’s also an awesome travel bag for extra purchases. It holds an amazing amount of stuff and folds into a tiny square that fits in my fannypack. Cashiers at stores are always amazed when i pull it out and start filling it, holds alot of things!
Any chance you can link? Sounds interesting
Warm in the cold, cool in the heat, fights funk and dries quickly. I also like a lot of Duluth Trading's gear as travel clothes - comfortable and lots of pockets.
I have Bose NC700s and Airpod Pro 2s. I used to take my Bose whenever I flew, but then I got the AirPods and their noise cancellation is just as good without taking up nearly as much space in my bag. I hardly use my Bose at all anymore.
Wow that’s not my experience at all! I have AirPod Pros and Bose Quiet Comfort headphones and there’s no way I’d rely on the AirPods when I really needed to keep out the noise. They have earned their spot in my luggage!
I'm with you. Maybe it's the fit of the airpods, but the noise canceling on the QC is much better in my opinion.
I have this exact setup. I was shocked at how good the AirPod Pro’s were. I’ve stopped taking the Quiet Comfort headphones as I couldn’t tell a difference.
I’ve got the NC 700’s and AirPods Pro 2. Unless the flight has entertainment to connect to, I just bring my AirPods pro 2 as their noise cancellation is insane for how small they are
I agree with you 100%. I bought airpods for the whole family and I feel like a sheep. They are good. Not great. Many better options.
Came here to say nose cancelling headphones, though I've been happy with my Sonys. They're bulky for travel, but the sound is great, I can plug them in if I want, and they do make it fairly clear that I'm not interested in talking the whole. Entire. Flight.
Yes, I’ve had the same WrightSock Merino Wool socks since 2008, and they’ve lived/worked/deployed in Hawai’i, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Djibouti, Fiji, Sāmoa, Brazil, Japan, California, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Washington DC
Eye mask. Small container of vaseline for dried out inside of nose for rooms with cranked AC/heat or dry climates and chapstick for the same reason. Edit: none of these things are really BIFL but you’ll want them anyway. Sorry: forgot what sub I was in.
Ponaris nasal emollient is amazing for dry sinuses! You can buy it on Amazon.
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You don’t want to do it long term because it can get inhaled and cause lung problems. Doing it for a week or two in a light coat won’t hurt ( I just had a sinus surgery and had an in depth convo with my ENT about this). I also recommend bringing nasal saline. Using it before and after ascent and descent helps a lot with dryness AND getting sick!
I thought you meant aspiration pneumonia and figured the risk of this was completely circumstantial, but I looked it up and the Mayo Clinic says that some people, if they do this for long enough, can get lipoid pneumonia. So I guess it’s not medically recommended. The article seemed to imply it would take daily and consistent applications. I’m going to keep doing it occasionally unless I get other lung problems, but keep that in mind if I randomly develop pneumonia.
Second the small tub! I like Smith’s rosebud salve or something with an opening like the Jack Black lol balms cuz even if it melts it stays contained and the same texture (lotsa solid lip balms and chapsticks in tubes melt too easily). I tend to bring a travel size moisturizer for the same reasons (planes are also dry as fuck)
Compression socks are important for long travel days. They make a difference to how quickly your body recovers.
Also, make sure you get up and walk a few times during the flight. You'll probably see some people stretching in the aisle or just walking up and down. It also helps with swelling.
Why how what?
Some folks have issues with their feet swelling when they're sitting continuously on long flights. Compression socks help prevent it.
Thanks for the answer!
Also great for lots of walking
Keeps blood circulation up by compressing the calves/veins. Helpful for travels since bloodflow decreases when you are sat in a confined space for a long time, like on a plane/train/bus.
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A dvt IS a blood clot
More technically the clot itself is called a thrombus and the [harmful condition caused by the thrombus in a blood vessel (i.e. the reduction in blood flow to distal and surrounding tissues) is thrombosis.](https://thrombosis.org/patients/what-is-thrombosis/)
Any that doesn’t cook you alive?
I’ve seen compression sleeves (footless compression socks), but no idea if they function as well or in the same way at all…
If you like bar soap, the Matador soap bar case is amazing. I have no idea how it works, but you can put a sopping wet mess of a soap bar into it and it dries out within 24 hours. Even better, it doesn’t leak!
Flight attendant here: I use a small silicone stasher bag for this. I do usually dry the soap with a hotel towel before I put it in. A possibly cheaper solution - i think they’re $10.
I have the silicone ziplock bags from Target. A pain for food storage as you have to always wash and dry them but for traveling they’re awesome!! Thanks for the tip!
Thank you sm for this!
Dang, I wish those were in more conspicuous colors. I want it, but I'm not confident that I won't forget it too (along with my customary sacrificial soap).
This is small and often overlooked, but some kind of storage for your dirty clothes. Whether it’s a fold up bag or just a grocery bag you’re reusing, it helps to have somewhere to store the dirty stuff. I’ve had it come in handy so many times, for unexpected stuff like shoes that get covered in mud and still need to come home with me before I have access to clean them, wet items or containers that break and can spill, wrap them in a bag. For me another big one is getting a SIM card/phone access. You think you’ll be fine on WiFi but I can not tell you how many times a crappy situation could have been immediately improved with cell service.
Ive been on T-Mobile since 2015 when I took a year off to travel. They have free international text and data (granted not high speed, but works). That saved my ass many times
I love doing this also!
I just take the laundry bag from the hotel I’m staying in! I actually found a nice big thick cotton one with drawstrings once, so that’s been my travel laundry bag ever since
I always just grab extra garbage bag liners from the hotel. There are always clean extras under the one current in there. Or else just ask house keeping.
WedgeIt doorstop. Makes feel more secure, I’ve had too many hotels double book my room.
I travel a good bit for work and pleasure and have not had that happen yet..
To be fair I think having someone try to barge into your room once is too much. I've had it happen one time. Not especially cool.
I have an Anker 2-in-1 Hybrid Charger that has 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port. It's about the same size as my laptop charger, has enough ports to charge all of my devices, and also has a battery in case I run out of juice while traveling. I pair it with a 3-in-1 folding Magsafe charging dock and a USB-C cable, which covers charging all of my devices.
Shocked I had to scroll this far to see this. Absolutely a priority for me to have this with me when I travel
Turkish towel. They roll up nice and small
I prefer microfibre sports towels; the ones with tiny loops, not the smooth ones! They pack up tiny and dry very fast.
I travel with small children and between the adults and the ankle biters we need a ton of toiletries and I hate forgetting things, so I got [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWCGQDD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) toiletry bag and i fill it as soon as we return from a trip. Fully stocked, down to a week worth of vitamins, pain/allergy/cold meds, spare glasses, all my face goo, razors, lotion, detergent, sleeping pills, I even put a week worth of everyone’s prescriptions in there, on and on and on- it’s grab and go. I got a second one purely for the blowdryer, flat iron, curlers, etc for when it’s a fancy trip. Shove it in your bag with a pair of pants, shorts, long and short sleeve top, and two sets of underwear per person and you’re set.
As someone who struggles with climate control in buildings, planes, trains etc I found it incredibly valuable to have light easily added / removable layers. One that quickly became my go to was a thin, longer (like mid hip length), sleeved cardigan. It was thin enough it rolled up small for easy packing. It was enough of a layer to keep me warm on the plane once the AC was jacked up. I could wear it backwards if I wanted a quick blanket just to cover my front and get some shut eye. It was black and versatile, so it went with any outfit and could make it a little more business casual or dressy if I needed it to be. I also purchased the most compact rain shell jacket I possibly could that I could squish down to nothing and cram in the carry on. Nothing worse than having a jacket you don't need and not being able to pack it easily, or conversely being stuck without a jacket when you need one! I got MEC one that did the trick. But yeah, like other people have mentioned, a fantastic carry on bag is a true BIFL travel hack. Keep wardrobe simple and interchangeable (google "capsule wardrobe" for inspiration). I have been travelling with the Tom Binh Aeronaut 30 for 5 years now and it's been a game changer when we've had to run across airport terminals or railway stations to catch our next flight or train anywhere. Tom Binh is life time warranty and really thoughtful designs made in Seattle. I definitely recommend their products.
LAYERS Merino wool socks + merino underwear (if sleeping outdoors, add long underwear) + merino tee shirt + merino long sleeve mid layer + jacket (packable puffer or heavy sweater/shacket) + rain shell = my personal layer formula.
Have the Aeronaut 45. Took it to Europe last year, and use it for road travel all the time. Love it
That’s what my Patagonia Houdini jacket does for me. Super packable, and a little water proof. I take that thing everywhere.
Noise cancelling headphones. Sony MX or Bose QC. It doesn’t matter. They are basically the same to the average person. Buy whatever is less expensive. Sitting next to crying kids for 2 hours is one thing. For 10+ hours it’s a totally different form of hell. I have a wallet for my passport. It has a pen in it. It’s been useful several times for filing out paperwork. A regulation sized carry on travel backpack. I use an Osprey Farpoint 40 L. If you need business clothes, this is not the move. As your stuff will likely get wrinkly. Packing cubes are also awesome. The headphones have a 30 hour battery life, so you’ll get a lot of charge cycles. Probably not fully BIFL, but they will last a long time. The wallet will only be used while traveling. Get a real leather one and it will last forever. Osprey has a lifetime warranty. I broke a buckle on mine that I could easily repair. They just sent me the buckle without issue.
Foot hammock for long haul flights. Literally a game changer for economy
As a a shortie- I was skeptical but I got one as a gift and this was a fantastic comfort item. I’ll never go on a flight longer than an hour or two without it
Oh interesting! Does it disturb the person in front of you? I just worry about making others uncomfortable
Not at all. Clips around your tray table, no impact on passenger in front at all
I think that works only for shorter people, I personally can barely fit in the seat I can't imagine having something under my feet.
Came here to say this. Or a hard-sided carry-on that will tuck under the seat in front of me that I can rest my feet on for long flights. 5'1".
Get a packable backpack. If I’m traveling light that means I have my regular travel backpack and my carry on. The backpack is big and bulky. A packable backpack is nice to have while out exploring, it’ll fit your essentials and a jacket and space to put more. Plus, if you find yourself with more than you came, you can use the packable backpack as additional luggage.
I recently discovered [this](https://www.meijer.com/shopping/product/mytube-travel-3-ounce-silicone-squeeze-tube-1-ct/76023627937.html) refillable silicone travel bottles at Meijer, and I'm never going back to buying stupid travel size hairgel/shampoo/etc. for $2–3 dollars each time. I'm going for these next since they have a lifetime warranty: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NMNWMYT](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NMNWMYT)
Similar to this, I love the STAX Stackable Containers (small). They hold enough for a two week trip for me, have never leaked and take up very little space. You can buy them on Amazon or REI.
Battery pack. At least 5,000 mAh, preferably 10,000+ mAh, with USB-C, preferably with MagSafe, preferably two of them. Also, having everything standardized to USB-C so that I only need USB-C cables (and specifically Thunderbolt 4 cables). I still have some USB-A devices, but I basically have a USB-A to USB-C adapters permanently attached to them.
So I would add a universal adapter and at least one USB-A to USB-C cable too. USB-A ports are much more common than USB-C as of now.
Need to be careful these days as a lot of airports in Asia won't allow batteries >10000mAh and require storage capacity be written on the device! I've been questioned in Thailand and Japan on mine.
For me it's all about clothes: I want stuff that is light, multi-purpose, easily hand washable, and quick drying. A couple of years ago I was in western Europe for several weeks with a large group (like 20 people) coming from the US. We all flew together and at check-in about half the group had bags over the 50 pound limit. My single bag was 17 pounds, mostly because I had clothes almost entirely made of synthetics and picked items I could wear for business meetings and for casual use. Same with shoes. So for me-- I'm male --that meant things like a tan-colored travel blazer that didn't wrinkle easily; I could wear it to meetings, to church, to a nice restaurant, or over a quarter-zip for a hike. I also really love lightweight merino wool quarter-zips, which can be worn under a blazer, on their own as a sweater, or packed into a small bag for an outing. So no specific items to rec, but honestly if you can make the bag you have to lug on/off buses, up the stairs in 17th century buildings, and across hundreds of yards of Roman cobblestones weight 50% as much as other people's you'll be happier for it.
Synthetic clothing harbours bacteria and stinks immediately though. I’ve switched out all my cotton and nylon tees, underwear and socks for merino wool. Merino is just as moisture wicking as nylon, but is also naturally antibacterial so can be worn multiple times before it needs a wash.
The Turtl head rest thingie for when you want to sleep but you can’t lie down. Waaaaay better than a bucky-type headrest. I don’t care how weird it looks it is awesome.
Noise cancelling headfones, not forever but should work many years at least. I use bose qc45. Bad noises and white noises are annoying as hell over long time.
I often travel between the U.S. and Australia, so at least one 14-17 hour flight and total 22-26 hours. My survival kit is: 1. Compression socks. Any flight over 6 hours I’ll wear these. 2. Smug eye mask (domes away from your eyes) 3. Sony WH-1000XM noise cancelling headphones. 5 years old and still in great shape, newer models out now. 4. Decent neck pillow 5. Small fanny pack with Benadryl, gas tablets, painkillers, cough drops, lip balm, moisturizer, mints, nasal saline spray, single use eye drops, pen, passport, phone charge cable. All the stuff I want to get to quickly and quietly on my flight. 6. Kindle. Nicer to read on than a phone and sometimes you get bored of movies. 7. Slim ~25oz metal water bottle and nuun tablets. I’ll drink at least 1 bottle per 2 hours, plus a couple of bottles during layover wherever it is—dehydration is the worst bit of flying. The fanny pack is good for essentials on the ground, too—there id add sunscreen, hand sanitizer and a power bank to the mix. A little tube of handwashing laundry detergent! If you try to wash clothes/underwear with regular hand soap, body wash etc they’ll not wash properly and will both still be stinky and get dingy from retained soap.
Anti gas pills before a flight are always a good call. I get so bloated feeling when I fly
Bring a bespoke ‘first aid kit’! Bandages and ointment Moleskin and first aid scissors Heel and toe blister bandages Ibuprofen Antacid Claritin, Immodium, DayQuil Throat lozenges Aloe sunburn relief Earplugs Dental floss It all fits in a very small soft case and has come in handy so, so many times!
Being anti nausea medicine. Also a nail file and a pen. Always fly with those 3 things bc idk about u but I tend to bite my nails only at the airport and am needing a nail file to fix it. Nausea medicine from a personal experience going form nyc to London . Turbulence so bad made me so sick. Motion sickness med is a must. A pen bc they sometimes give u customs paperwork to do before landing. Take a vitamin c immune support emergen C packets the day of and the day before to strengthen your immune system. Grab a disinfectant towel from the front while boarding and wipe down everything. Once you arrive please go directly to shower and put ur clothes in the wash. You are covered in germs and don’t want to get sick during a trip. I travel a lot internationally for the last 30 years and this is something I never see on any travel tips. I see the same old being a jacket cuz the plane gets cold advice 😂
Ah wow yeah, we were planning to wear masks for the week or so before our trip and possibly on the flight as well, but the extra caution makes sense. Thanks!
If you get cold on flights I highly recommend getting a travel blanket/wrap. The ones provided by the airline for longer trips are gross or too thin or non-existent. I don't always need to use mine, but whenever I do I'm SO grateful. It saved me when I had to sleep overnight in the airport due to an extremely delayed second leg and now I'll never travel without it. Also, if you're caffeine-dependent like me, find a travel/instant coffee you like and never leave home without it. More and more hotels have Nespresso machines in the rooms which is great but they can be stingy with the capsules and if you ever get stuck with absolutely vile hotel room coffee you'll be glad you brought your own.
Travel bidet, athleta sweater, Bose noise-canceling headphones, IKEA slippers. The headphones are the biggest for me—people seem to have lost all sense of social norms during the pandemic and will just blast media or phone calls on their phone speakers ETA: I use Dr Bronner soap, and I’ve used it to launder my clothes in the sink/tub
A travel bidet has been such a quality of life improvement.
I’ve tried the battery ones but I’ve been using the Tushy and like it. It doesn’t require batteries—just clean water
The battery ones seem overly complicated, but I have been using the Tushy one for a while and like it
Tom Bihn travel tray, keep all your pocket stuff, phone, and junk in one place. Nothing worse than having to leave on a tight timeline and not knowing where your keys are
I second Tom Bihn travel tray. I have the large one and the small one. Love 'em!
Cool if you like that, but for travel I prefer multi-functional in items. Thus, I always bring a baseball/trucker hat. Works as a nightstand tray, sun shade, brim for keeping rain off your face (under a hooded rain jacket), or even as an eye-covering for a long or short snooze. Fits wallet, phone, & any other sundries. Bonus for not having to comb/brush hair if you’re running out the door or for protecting your dome if bald. Use a snap one so you can “clip” it to any bag/backpack handle if it doesn’t fit the occasion.
Trtl neck pillow. I went through so many but this is the best one I've tried so far.
Honestly, not checking a bag would be the “item”, and it’s free! Just invest in a solid carryon (and you don’t typically need the tiny “international” size carry on, at least I haven’t in the 20 countries I’ve been to, but there’s still hundreds more that may be more stingy!)
Yes, carry-on + medium backpack only is the way to go! If the place you are going has better public transit/trains, you will be immensely grateful. Traveled 5 weeks (in summer) with just these! Make sure you wear heaviest clothes on the plane, bring a day bag like a small purse or fanny pack, and I recommend reading books on your phone.
And try to book airbnbs with laundry, that helps a lot, did laundry 2x
I do all of this but prefer to read on a kindle vs drain my phone battery
Silk eyemask. I’ve had the same one for 5 years or so. It’s from Alaskan Bear I think is the name. I like it because it’s 2 straps which I find most comfortable. On Amazon.
For cruising, magnetic hooks. They are so helpful in the staterooms. The walls are usually metal and you can put the hooks on pretty much any walled surface giving you great spots to hang anything from your room key on a lanyard to a towel.
Interesting I'm going to check these out
I bring a small cable converter kit that doubles as a phone stand, can do regular usb, the old usb, usbc and iphones all in one little package that was less than $10. I also love my travel router, not having to reconnect all my devices to a new wifi is great, plus added security like my VPN and ad blocking. VPN makes it nice so my youtube and Netflix recommendations don't change languages on me. A tablet is nice to have, sometimes the tvs suck or are too small and tablet is better. I use mine to take notes for work too. Nicer to use on the plane for watching movies than your phone too. I travel with a silicone body scrubber, not all airbnbs have these or its up to you to wash them all the time. It's super easy to clean and dries quickly. Recently started traveling with some Mio like drink mixers. Just convenient and ensures you have some familiar flavors from home. Noise canceling headphones I think are a pretty obvious must. I like a bluetooth speaker as well, most hotels and airbnbs do not have such a luxury. I travel with a chromecast so I can plug it in and all my accounts are ready to go. No more forgetting to sign out before you leave. **edit Also want to add an extension chord, never know where those outlets are going to be located at.
A long charging cord
Very underrated. You never know how far from the bed your wall plug will be! Edit: spelling
- Hm for cooler climates, a good blanket/large scarf in a neutral color. Keeps you warm and doesn’t get stinky if you get a quality merino wool or similar fabric. Doubles as a small blanket/pillow on the plane. - A good pair of leather, waterproof boots - can be styled casual or more formal and great for lots of walking - a solid set of high quality socks! - personal travel bag - I love the nylon foldable bags (le pliage is the expensive brand but get a $20 dupe on amazon) - perfect for travel day as I can fit an extra outfit or layer, travel pillow, along with all the day of essentials (kindle, chargers, wallet, water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, small bag of toiletries and little toothbrush) - a good battery pack (I love anchor personally) and charging cords for your essential electronics - not bifl, but some of my essentials are a couple bandaids, a chapstick tube of aquaphor for lips/nose/any dryness, Tylenol, ear plugs, pack of tissues, a few wet naps (I like the individually wrapped prep pads). Scrunchie or other tie if you have long hair.
Sea to summit inflatable neck pillow - I went through a LOT of neck pillows when I traveled a lot for work. I noticed that what made a neck pillow GREAT was less padding behind your head and all the padding to the sides. Because what you don’t want is your head tilting forward when sitting upright - because the adding stuffing is pushing your head forward. You mostly just need to keep your head from creaking side to side. The sea to summit one is collapsible and very small and light. When it inflates, most of the air is directed to the sides instead of the back. Pro tip - inflate the neck pillow not all the way BEFORE you take off in the plane. Then when you get to altitude, the air pressure will make the pillow plump out to full.
Air fly to connect to the airplane tv thru Bluetooth A fantastic airplane pillow that fits your needs. I like the trtle neck pillow/brace but my bro has one that attaches to the headrest to keep you more upright. Earplugs/ eye mask A cucumber melon exfoliating face wipe is hydrating and refreshing For luggage- air tags/ washable suitcase cover to be easily identifiable and also minimize scratches and scuffs on your actual luggage
A pen. If you are going somewhere hot and there may not be A/C, bring a small USB powered fan.
Knowing where to get my laundry done and how long it takes. I'll also clean my socks / underwear in a sink. 5 days of clothes > 10 days of clothes in regards to packing. I hate lugging big bags around. Weekend at Disneyland or 6 weeks in El Salvador I'm rocking a backpack and a overhead sized pelican roller. Edit: also, nail clippers, toenail clippers, Emory board, and a way to manage your facial hair if a dude. keep it simple.
I take a small pedicure set with me everywhere I travel now. I bought this one and it's one of the best clipper sets I've ever owned. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BCF8ZQP/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BCF8ZQP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
USB power adapter with at least 4 ports and cables for all the electronics Chromecast just in case hotel doesn’t have smart TV AirPods Pro for flight. Wired earbuds in case airplane has aux ports. Smart water 1L. Bottle is slim and light so I just use it and toss it after a trip
Buff aka neck gaiter. SWEAR by it.
Tldr:I say money is best spent on a reliable one bag system and don’t get suckered into expensive items and clothes. I like the mew MCL black hole patagonia thats about $200. Perfect for two weeks abroad. Just wearing normal clothing i have and not being suckered into an expensive wardrobe. You don't need technical $90+ pants from REI, you can get $30-40 golf slacks from Target that look nice, can be dried and are a part of your normal closet. Undershirts from Kohls are $10 each or a t shirt pack from Hanes can all be dried and are super comfortable. Get a jacket for cold weather on an REI sale for sure, but a reliable bag is what holds your life together out there.
None of these are really BIFL - these are just things that after years of international travel that I immediately pack in descending order. The stuff toward the end of the list gets more "convenience" than anything else * A ziploc bag that's probably 4"x8" that has tylenol, ibuprofen, pepto-bismol tablets, bandaids, safety pins, earplugs, cough drops, moleskin, chapstick, etc. It's the "fix anything" bag and it's probably the most essential piece of kit on an international trip. Depending on the country you're going to, getting simple things like cough drops isn't easy and having a few on hand just makes life better. Trying to get ibuprofen when you don't speak the language and it's sold by a pharmacy rather than in a grocery store can be an exercise in frustration * Depending on where you're going - pepto-bismol tablets. There's a reason why traveler's diarrhea is called that. Yes, this is in the bag above. Yes, I'm calling out it out again * Earplugs. Yes, those are also in the bag above. Yes, they also get a separate mention * A plug adapter (or two, or three) for the country you're travelling to. These do not need to be expensive - the $1 versions work perfectly fine * A USB charging brick with multiple ports *that accepts both 120v / 240v* that you plug into that plug adapter. Anker is a good brand name here * A small day pack. When you get to your destination you'll need something to toss a few things in and walk around with. Ideally one that has a water bottle pouch on it * A water bottle that has a flip top lid that locks. You do not want a straw - those are hard to clean when travelling. You don't want something with an exposed bite valve - those get covered in dirt when they get dropped on the floor of a bus and roll around. You want something like a Contigo bottle where the top closes over the opening and keeps dirt out. You need the locking lid because invariably it'll fall out of your pack and pop open and spray water everywhere. If you're going to a third world country you're going to be buying water so you might not need this * A carry-on suitcase with wheels on it. Put the day pack in this and carry it on. Losing luggage sucks and doubly so when you're travelling to another country. If you pack right this is the only luggage you'll have and moving between places becomes much, much easier * A headlamp or book light. If you're going to a country where the power isn't always reliable it's nice to have a light. Less important in certain countries, critical in others * Laundry soap and a wide, flat sink plug (search for flat suction sink plug) if you're planning on doing laundry. This is "I'm going to a third world country" and won't apply if you're staying in a nice hotel * Packing cubes. It seems silly but it's nice to be able to pull out the cube that has your pants in it and set it to the side to get to the one that has your shirts in it. If you're living out of a backpack you don't need these
Epika travel adapter. Comes with options for any type of plug you need and has a ton of USB A slots. Over ear headphones are bulky but essential for me since wearing in ears start to hurt after a few hours. I really like my Sony M4 headphones. Anker power bank in case you get caught without an outlet and your phone dies or you don't have a way to charge your phone on your flight.
Thanks for the Epika adapter suggestion
Outlier’s pants are my favorites. Most of them have a DWR treatment for rain. The older styles were basic-looking garments made with impressive/advanced fabrics. Also: merino shirts.
Portable luggage scale.
A dry bag. It takes up almost 0 space in your bag and it's so much easier to wash clothes in than a sink. Throw in some laundry soap, water, and your clothes and by the time you get back in the evening they're as clean as a machine would get them.
Trtl neck brace/pillow. Compression socks. High quality respirator mask (I prefer the 3M Aura 9210+; the easiest way to ruin your trip is to get sick, especially if it’s covid). External battery to charge your phone anywhere. Noise cancelling headphones (I like the Bose QC45s and typically layer them over my noise cancelling AirPods or WeatherX earplugs). Packing cubes. Dramamine (the drowsy kind) for long flights. Pepto bismol, pepcid, Imodium, et al. An unlocked phone so you can just pop in a SIM card once you’re at your destination. Multiple pairs of comfortable shoes, because if you wear the same pair every day and are walking a lot, it doesn’t matter how comfy they are because they will rub in the same spot and you will get blisters. Switch two different pairs off day to day and your feet will thank you.
A bag for coametics/shower essentials with a hook, from my experience a lot of accommodations don’t have storage in the bathroom
Passport in a small freezer bag/zip lock
A small pillow that you can place on your lower back during flights. It makes it feel like the recline is a lot steeper. Also, use a 2 wheel carry-on with a J hook strap, instead of a spinner. HERE ME OUT. If you put your personal item on the J hook it will act as a counter balance making your luggage seem lighter and easier to pull, even when u actually made it heavier. The 2 wheel carryons will also last a lot longer and are faster to pull. Theres a reason why majority of pilots/flight attendants travel use this set up.
[https://www.bonappetit.com/story/poy-sian-thai-herbal-inhaler](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/poy-sian-thai-herbal-inhaler) You're welcome.
My sister in law is Thai and got us on these! Fantastic for when you’re somewhere stinky, have a stuffy nose, etc. Just don’t use them too much for an extended period of time or you’ll irritate your sinuses and cause inflammation and stuffiness!
Good comfortable headphones and a lot of music downloaded to my device.
A good backpack and a good crossbody bag . I like falraven
Finding a pair of shoes that maximizes comfort and versatility. Easier said than done, but being able to cut down on shoes you need to pack for travel makes your travel bags smaller and your life so much easier. Something like a waterproof Chelsea boot or a cute flat with good insoles will let yout dress up or down as much as you need to but will also allow you to walk through an airport or around a city comfortably. It beats having to pack a separate set of tennis shoes or heels and if you find something that fits the bill and your wardrobe, it's worth investing in IMO.
Bose QC over the ear headphones - mine are old-school wired, but I found a wireless adapter! I also bring my air pods for when I don't need sound control. Power brick for recharging. Outlet adapter + a three way plug with USB slots. Individually wrapped wipes. Thin wool base layers, merino socks and Blundstone or Doc Martin chelsea boots. Oh and secure a carabiner to your water bottle so you can hang it off the ridiculously tiny pouch in front of your airplane seat.
Paying for a seat upgrade.
Briggs & Riley luggage. The only negative is that you'll have it forever so you'll miss out on the opportunity to buy nice luggage in the future. I've had mine for 25 years.
Turkish towels. They are huge in size but compact enough to pack a few in your luggage or backpack. They dry really fast. You can easily shake the sand off them. You can wash them with your regular clothes. They can serve double duty as lightweight blankets, sun shade or a picnic blanket. I've spent years testing out different ones & there are some $25-$30 brands that are as good as the $100 ones. We don't even have traditional towels in our home anymore except a couple stashed away for guests.
On a plane, neck pillow along with high calf compression socks. I don’t care if I look like a crazy person; I arrive feeling better.
Eye mask. Let me sleep in peace.
Ziplock bags in various sizes. And packing cubes.
I was ripped to shreds for this travel tip in a photography forum but I will share it with you. It's not an item but sort of. I keep my socks and underwear that a normal person would throw away when they develop a hole or the elastic starts to give. I keep them in a bag for travel. When I go on a trip I fly out with "old" socks and "old underwear." I toss these items out each day that I use them. The next day I start again with an "old" pair of socks and "old" underwear. I find that I can get rid of items I would be throwing out anyway, and have more space for odds and ends that I purchase. This doesn't mean that I don't bring nice socks or underwear, it just means that I can get rid of old stuff while on vacation. The same goes for T shirts Etc. I hope someone finds value with this tip because I love it.
Giving myself time once I get to my destination to hit a grocery store or pharmacy before I head to my hotel or wherever I am going. There’s nothing better than some fresh snacks and the chance to pick up any little items you are missing. That and really good shoes.
Filson wool coat is pretty much attached to me in the colder climates for fall/winter
I love my Mackinaw Cruiser! Winter essential
Ditty bags/stuff sacks. Never know when you'll need a lil water resistant sack.
Taking an Aleve, Advil, Tylenol, before boarding a long flight.
Zendure travel adapter with high wattage USB-C ports Anker battery packs and USB-C cords Sony over ear MX3 NC headphones, or Anker Soundcore earbuds to save space Eye mask and Turtl chin rest for the plane Travel button up short sleeve shirt, shorts and chinos (depending what you're doing) - Patagonia or Western Rise Microfiber underwear (quick dry and take up tiny bit of space) A good backpack to fit everything into the Keep a full set of clothes in your cabin bag just in case
Fast drying underwear for backpacking lite.
A solid travel power converter with built-in USB/USB-C ports for charging devices. Trust me, better to throw it into your bag just in case you need it.
I always bring a few heavy duty boot hangers (they have a hook on one side and rubberized clip on the other.) I use them to hang clothes, towels, etc in hotel as needed, and I use to hang my toiletries bag off the counter off the hand towel rack.
My G650
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External battery, downloaded music and favourite t.v. shows and noise canceling headphones. If I am ever stuck somewhere loud and hectic, I can escape into my own little world
A [Nomatic](https://www.nomatic.com/) backpack. Expandable, more pockets than you’ll probably need, clean design. I always pack 1-2 days of spare clothes in my backpack when traveling internationally, the Nomatic line makes it far easier and comfortable. Once had my checked bag not unloaded from the plane because it was “too windy” on the tarmac in AMS. So the plane returned to LHR with everyone’s checked bags on them.
My Victorinox Toiletry kit has lasted 15 years of traveling professionally. We're talking several thousands of hotel nights, most of the time a bit over stuffed. Still like new condition except for being a bit dirty.
Outlet plug transformer SIM card for the country I'm visting Personal wifi hotspot Card sized phone charger that has a built in cord ScottEVest trench coat with 1000 pockets Ipad + charger
Neck pillow and headphones. Especially for long flights. It’s much more difficult to enjoy a vacation if you’re having neck pain. Also headphones/ earbuds or plugs because there is always at least one obnoxious child and parents who couldn’t care less.
Passport protector. I keep my passport in my bag...with a bunch of other stuff so it's nice knowing it's not getting ruined...they are kind of important.
I have fuzzy booties I stuff into my bag. It's really nice when I get done for the day after being on my feet, working all day to be able to change out of "adult shoes" and into something exceptionally cozy. I also bring along at least a sketchbook, or art set, or knitting- something to reclaim the day as mine a little at the end of it and do something creative and relaxing.
Merino wool tee shirts, underwear, and socks. Naturally odour absorbing, so you can wear them more often (and therefore pack less). More insulating in cool weather and superior moisture wicking in hot weather than cotton.
Portable charger. Water resistant pants. Wet wipes for the butt. Hand sanitizer. Shoes that are easy to get on and off at TSA. (I have reebok classic high tops with the straps.)
Download offline Google maps of anywhere you're traveling to that you're unfamiliar with the area. Can save you if you end up somewhere with little/no cell reception.