10 Pieces of Travel Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed and Will Never Be Without Again
I adore gadgets and gizmos. I consciously gravitate toward the luggage and bag section of any store, physical or online. My kids laugh and call me a ‘bag lady.’ I wear that badge with pride. Anything that will make travel easier and more efficient, I’m on board . . . literally. Less is more in the world of travel, and travel accessories that can multi-task, are affordable, and exceed expectations, well, you’ll always find these in my carry-on or purse.
Get the four-pack of Airtags and put one in every checked suitcase, carry-on or piece of luggage that travels with you. No need to purchase the holders; store the tags discretely inside each bag.
I have looked for large toiletry containers that hold enough for a longer trip, especially conditioners and body creams. I finally found them. Leak proof, they hold exactly the right amount.
Not sure how I ever lived without this gadget inside my purse. For every time I went to a public restroom and there was no hook on the door, the Heroclip was made for this moment. No need to cringe; just pull out the carabiner, slide the hook over the door and clip the carabiner onto your belongings. Keep it with you always.
I do have Bose over-the-ear headphones, but when I need the room in my carry-on for something other than headphones, these tiny earbuds do the trick. Noise cancelling. LED display. And if I lose them, I can replace them without breaking the bank. A great buy at $23.
I always add a few of these individual wrapped shower bombs to my toiletry kit. The aroma soothes and relaxes, and who doesn’t need that?
Always in my purse, L’Occitane Shea Butter hand cream is the answer to dry skin. I’ve used this company’s products for decades and swear by their healing powers. Ideal for winter travel.
You’ll get four in one order with labels to identify every compartment. They’re $6. How great is that? The compartments don’t jar open in transit like the long slender ones do.
This transmitter/receiver connects two devices, so you can enjoy a movie on the plane with your seat mate. Or, it also will connect to your personal headphones (blue tooth) so you don’t have to use the airline provided earbuds.
Self-care is a wonderful thing. These patches are great for dark circles or simply a refresh after a long drive or flight. Keep them in the refrigerator for extra feel-goods.
Most hotels provide an iron, but on the off-chance you’re staying at an Airbnb, you’ll probably need one. I try to only pack clothing that doesn’t need ironing, but there are sometimes, I need a refresh This one is lightweight (with steam), packable, and works worldwide.
My Newest Carry-On Bag
As we travel, we learn what does and doesn’t work, or what could be slightly improved. There are trips that demand a checked luggage, and we utilize our airline status to check bags free. Mostly, we travel with large carry-on luggage (Tumi International Expandable Carry-on); granted it’s expensive, but we made this investment five years ago, and the suitcase has traveled the world, still looks great, and rolls like a charm. It fits airlines international carry-on requirements, definitely something you need to think about when purchasing a large ticket item. Tip: Check the Tumi Outlet for up to 50% off; you might not get the color you want, but the savings are significant. Mine is pink!
An additional carry-on/personal item is usually a backpack, but mine is getting ragged and I’m ready to move into a more functional item and travel bag for the baby boomer traveler. I’ve discovered (and ordered) the Metro Tote Deluxe that has endless interior and exterior compartments, comes with pouches and crossbody strap, fits a laptop, and I can put my purse inside. With a luggage sleeve, I can place it on my rolling luggage, and I’m hands-free.
I’ll keep you updated with my thoughts.
What are some of the new products you’re trying out for travel in the upcoming year? I might need to add some of yours to my list. If you try any of these suggest, let me know what you think.