10 Travel Essentials You Need Now
In the not-so-distant past a person could throw a change of clothes, some toiletries and a good book into a tote bag and hit the road. As much as we love our electronic tech, packing all of the chargers, extra batteries, and assorted cords brings complications never imagined back in the good-old, bad-old days. While it’s still a bit easier to travel quick and light in a personal vehicle, 21st century security requirements for public transportation has made a huge difference in how we pack, what we pack, and the containers we pack into.
Travel marketeers are always on the hunt for products that streamline the travel process. After all, the easier it is to head out on a trip, the more likely we will. We’ve taken a look at some of the best new travel products and narrowed them down to our favorite ten items. We have done the research and testing so you don’t have to. See? We’ve made your next trip easier already.
Zippered Case for All Those Digital Accessories
When you have a specific place to pack an item, it’s less likely you’ll forget something. Like the time I forgot my computer charger on a trip to Germany. Thankfully, I realized I had forgotten it before leaving U.S. voltage, so I bought one at the airport before my flight left. Zip up with assurance that you have all of your charging cables, cubes, and other digital necessities in one place brings peace of mind, as well as easy access for on the go charging.
This convenient organizing case is large enough to pack all of your digital essentials, while small enough to fit in a backpack, purse or carry-on. It’s made of high quality durable waterproof oxford and soft sponge to protect your gadgets. It even has a small handle to carry on its own or to snap onto other bags when space is at a premium.
Carry-on That Fits Below Seat
As complimentary luggage allowances continue to decrease and size restrictions increase, travelers need better carry-on options. This new class of carry-on acts as your personal item, allowing you to take a full-size carry-on as well. The bag is only 5 lbs, has a telescopic handle and spinner wheels, and fits underneath the seat in front of you at 17(H) x 14(W) x 9(D) inches.
Made of waterproof polyester, with tough two-way zippers, its spacious main compartment has room enough for a change of clothes, cosmetic bag, and additional purse or other items. A padded compartment in front fits electronic devices up to 13.3 inches. Small items can be accessed from the front zippered organizer, while side zipper pockets can hold water bottles, phones, and other accessories.
A USB port allows device charging from the side, however batteries are not included. A sleeve across the back allows piggyback stacking on the handle of another luggage.
This particular underseater comes with a 3-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, and lifetime repair sevice which covers the cost of repair for damage or replacement of a defective bag.
I’ve used one like this for a while now and it really helps with keeping in-flight essentials right at my feet. I recall with irony the time a flight attendant insisted it wouldn’t fit underneath the seat. The smirk she gave me when it slid nicely below the seat in front of me is classic.
Underseat Carry-On
Hanging Cosmetic/Shaving Kit Bag
Available in two sizes and three colors, this hanging toiletries bag takes the confusion out of all of those bottles, brushes, and bands. The large bag has room enough in its four compartments for an entire family’s cosmetic needs. (These days my husband and I each have our own version of this, but back when I packed for my kids, their stuff when into my cosmetic bag.)
The inner main pockets have elastic straps to hold bottles upright. Several pocket are accessible even when the bag is not fully opened. The inner pockets are transparent for providing clear overview of contents. Water-wicking polyester outer layer is stain-resistant and well-padded to protect interior contents.
The handle doubles as a hanging strip, while the bag also includes a 360-degree non-slip metal hook for hanging over shower rods and other odd placements.
Once you settle your toiletry items into this organizer bag you’ll find it useful for much more than travel. With all of my important cosmetics in one place, my bag goes with me to the gym and anywhere I may need a freshen up during a long day.
Airless Jars for Easy Dispensing
Anyone who’s traveled since 9/11 knows that liquids of all kinds are restricted to 3 oz for airline and cruise ship carry-on bags. Many cosmetic companies offer travel size bottles and jars, but options are limited. If you prefer a specific body lotion that isn’t found in the travel size bins at the market, you’ll find yourself pouring the good stuff into travel size bottles.
These airless pump bottles are your best solution for cosmetics around town, country, or sea. This set comes with both spray (liquid) and pump (lotion) tops for the bottles. The bottles are offered in 3 different sizes, including 2 1.7 oz (50 ml), 2 1 oz (30 ml) and 2 1/2 oz (15 ml) bottles. The bottles come with tops attached, but you can switch them around to suit your spray or lotion needs. Also included in the set are 2 cream bottles (unfortunately, not airless pump), as well as a cleaning brush, spatula, funnel, and pipette (for drawing up liquids from one bottle and squeezing it into the travel bottle).
Liquids are easy to pour from one bottle to another using the funnel or pipette. Lotions in a tube are easy to squeeze into a jar, but other lotions can be tricky.
I use these bottles ALL THE TIME for cosmetics at home, as well as travel. They are so easy to use–mostly just one pump is enough for a single application. In the airless bottle I can see the level of consumption as the piton moves upward, allowing for less waste.
Here’s my tip for easy, squeezy filling of lotions into jars: Fill a zippy bag with your product, then snip off a corner to form a small opening–just like with a piping bag. Place the opening as deep into your pump bottle as possible and squeeze lotion in. As the lotion fills, lift the zippy upward. Once the airless jar is full, remove the zippy bag and if it’s not yet empty, place it into another zippy bag and save it to use at home.
Travel Sized Surge Protection and Extension Cord
For years I traveled with a standard 6-ft extension cord in my carry-on luggage, for there never seemed to be enough power outlets where I wanted them. After a lightning strike took out our TV a few years ago I’ve learned the hard way how important surge protectors are for power accessories. Thus, this travel size surge protector with a 6-ft cord (also available with a 10-ft cord).
This 3-side power strip features 8 AC outlets and 3 USB A and 1 USB B, and can power up to 12 devices simultaneously. It’s wide range voltage design can be used on 120v to 240v circuit. Surge protection rated for RoHS, FCC and ETL certifications.
The main power plug is flat to fit into narrow spaces. Although the cord doesn’t retract as do some models, I’ve found retracting cord apparatus break frequently, so that wasn’t a deal breaker for me.
Lightweight Compressible Packing Cubes
If you’ve ever had a suitcase fail, you’ll want these packing cubes. Not only do they protect your personal items from being flung about if a zipper or latch breaks, they bring organization within your luggage. I like this set because of their versatility: 2 large, 1 medium, 2 small, and an additional shoe bag bonus. The shoe bag has a handle that allow you to carry it separately if and when necessary.
Made of high-quality nylon fabric and mesh, the cubes are lightweight and strong with sturdy two-way zippers. Unlike compression bags that must be suctioned of air, these have mesh closures to allow fabric to breathe while compressing your items within the bag. You can pack more into your suitcase without adding extra bulk.
The rectangular designs allow for geometric stacking and packing within luggage. I like packing shirts and pants in the large bags, underwear and socks in the small bags, and accessories in the medium bags. Depending on the size of your shoes, you can generally fit one pair of sneakers, loafers, heels in main compartment, and a pair of flip-flops or sandal in an additional pocket within the lid.
Strappy Wallet with Scan-Free Protection
It’s a good chance at least one of your ID or credit cards has a chip that can be scanned from outside your purse, backpack or wallet. Recent passports also have embedded chips that can be read by nefarious people who use handheld RFID scanners. This type of crime is nearly invisible, because a criminal doesn’t even need to touch you to steal your vital identification or financial information.
If you don’t already have an RFID scan-blocking purse, wallet or other protective devise, this strappy wallet is for you. It can hang around the neck, across body, or attached to a belt. For added theft protection, I often wear my strappy travel wallet underneath my outerwear. Three compartments with secure zippers can help organize passports, travel docs, money, credit cards and even plus-size phones. It’s available in five colors.
Savvy travelers don’t carry around printed tickets or even boarding docs anymore, but we do need our phone or other ID handy and this travel accessory keeps everything accessible and safe.
Luggage Strap for Piggyback Stacking
I call this a luggage piggyback strap. I’ve seen them called all kinds of things, but no matter what you call them they are a lifesaver. I’ve traveled all over the world alone, schlepping my luggage from train, to bus, to airline, and even around town. I got my first piggyback luggage strap many years ago at a travel trade show and I’ve used it on every trip I’ve taken since.
Take a good look at the image above and you’ll see how easy and versatile this piggyback luggage strap is to use. When you’re not needing to strap a bag onto the telescopic handle of your wheelie, it adjusts to fit around the outside of your luggage as extra protection against failing zippers, clasps, and snaps.
Plus, it folds into a small square bundle that can be zippered into your luggage when not in use.
Inflatable Pillow for Upright Sleeping Comfort
If you’re able to sleep while traveling on a plane, coach or train, you’ll often find yourself jerking awake as your head slips onto the passenger beside you. Those U-shaped neck pillows may keep your head upward, but your core muscles never relax. Enter the latest way to sleep comforably and even soundly with this crazy-looking sleeping support.
When traveling ovenight—especially crossing time zones when you need to be bright-eyed on the other side of landing—sleep is the best way to pass the time. I often bunched up my coat, purse, airline blankets, or anything else handy to create a wedge-like support on my fold-down airline table and laid down upon it. One time I received an inflatable beach ball at a trade show and used it effectivly as a pillow on my chair table.
This new-fangled travel pillow is a brilliant design for upright sleeping. It allows your arms to slip inside the pillow for stabilization, while also offering an air hole for those who wish to sleep without turning their head. By laying across the pillow your body can relax, allowing greater comfort and steady sleep.
In addition to sleeping, the pillow can be used as a light-blocking device for viewing digital devices while in flight. Cool, yes?
If only this had been a thing back when I was traveling back and forth to Japan when my family lived there. Alas.
All-in-One Charging Unit
When you’re limited to how many outlets are available in your travel accommodations, a lightweight, folding charging station eliminates the need for multiple charging cubes and cables. This really matters when traveling into countries where voltage is different and the wall plugs need adaptors. You’ll only need one wall adapter for this single device that charges three items: your phone, your watch and your earbuds. It’s a great charging station at your bedside as well.
Available for both Apple and Android products, this charging station does it all.
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