Ready to find out what the most important travel items are for your next trip? From two seasoned travelers, both domestically and abroad, we’ve combined our favorite items to pack. Including luggage recs, our fav headphones, and even bug protection. Whether you’re heading off on a camping trip or setting off over seas, we’ve got you!
Now let’s get into it!
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Luggage
Starting off with a total duh of an item – luggage! It doesn’t matter where in the world you’re heading, but quality luggage is an important travel item for your next trip. Whether you’re heading from New York to California, or flying out of country, the luggage you take can make or break a trip.
Talking suitcases first, Away Travel is our favorite brand of suitcases. We’ve found them to be reliable, durable, and most importantly – they don’t feel like you’re lugging around a bunch of deadweight when walking through the airport. If you’re looking for a new carry-on – you’ve got to check this one out!
Now, onto backpacks. A great travel backpack should not only offer comfort and support but hello – storage! We want alllll the pockets please. So might I introduce to you, the Siena backpack by Nordace. This backpack has numerous big pockets with plenty of smaller compartments inside. A spot for your glasses, an anti-theft pocket for your passport, and my favorite, a waterproof pocket.
Personally, I’ve had this backpack since 2020 and have traveled all over Perú and the US with it. After four years of constant use, the only damage I have is the tiniest bit of leather has peeled off of the top handle. I’ve been able to pack for week-long trips in this backpack and also fit two laptops in it at a time.
If you’re looking for a good backpack for your next adventure, consider checking out the Siena backpack!
While we’re on the topic of luggage:
I also recommend attaching something to your bag/suitcase so you can quickly/easily locate it on the other end of security or bag check. Personally, I have a cute crocheted Stitch keychain I got from Benji and Franki’s shop, which I’ve had as long as I’ve had my backpack.
On more than one occasion I’ve gone through security and been called to observe as TSA checked my bag. Beckoned over by comments about my keychain.
Tech Needs
The next stop on our list of important travel items – tech needs.
I had just gotten off a sixteen-hour flight, returning from my second trip to Perú, and was trying to get ahold of my siblings in the airport so we could find each other. Unfortunately, the row I was in on my way home had a faulty USB port and I hadn’t been able to get my phone to charge during the flight. By the time I landed, I was down to 14% of battery and hanging on by a thread. Departing from the plane I rushed to the nearest charge port to see if I could get a little extra battery so I could call my family.
Luckily, the 14% was enough to make a phone call and I was able to find them, but after that, my brother made sure I never ran into that issue again – by immediately purchasing a battery pack for me.
Now, to be honest, this is the only battery pack I’ve ever used, but I’ve taken it on every adventure with me since receiving it three years ago and it’s stood the test of time. My husband and I use it regularly throughout the week, around the house – because sometimes the power isn’t great here – and on buses and planes. This is my big brother-approved battery pack for all your travel needs. It can also be paired with the backpack I mentioned above!
Now, if you’re doing any overseas traveling, this is the converter I reach for.
- I like that you can plug multiple devices into it at the same time. When I first visited Perú, my roommate and I were both able to use the same converter. We never had to pull hers out.
- It’s also adaptable to many different countries.
- The con is that it’s clunky. Which is not ideal for packing in a backpack when you’re traveling light, but I usually just chuck it in the corner of my suitcase and I don’t have to worry about it.
Headphones are also a must for any trip.
I know a pair of headphones like these noise-canceling Beats Studio Pros can get pricey. But to me, headphones are an investment for my traveling hobby the same as they are for my remote work. I spend as much time riding on buses and planes on my way to my next adventure battling road sounds and snoring seat neighbors as I do fighting off rooster sounds in my daily work environment. Perhaps that’s a personal issue from working remotely in Perú. But así es la vida (this is life)…for me at least.
Travel clothes
I don’t know who needs to hear this – but take care of the thing that supports you every single day. By that, I mean your feet. You’re walking on them daily, they support you on every adventure, walking to the kitchen, standing, and everything in between. Whether you’re going to be adventuring to the kitchen for another round of snacks, or heading off to another country, I cannot recommend investing in a quality pair of socks enough.
My personal favorite socks for every daily moment or walking across Machu Picchu is Feetures. This is the only brand I’m reaching for. Both my husband and I wear them daily, and my sister and her spouse do as well.
We love the…
- No-show socks for daily life
- The tab socks for hiking and long adventures
- Therapeutic and compression socks for long days of walking or when I’m trying to rest on a plane or bus.
As far as “best travel bottom” goes, unfortunately, our favorite legging has been discontinued from Skin Worldwide and they haven’t yet made an equivalent. So I can’t point you to the perfect pair anymore. But please let me know in the comments if you have a brand/pair you recommend and I’ll definitely check it out! We’ve tried so many other brands (including Popflex, Senita, and Athleta), but are still looking for a perfect replacement.
However, I have a favorite jacket I wear when traveling due to its special, zippered pockets. Unless they’ve changed anything since I bought it five years ago, my go-to travel jacket is the Senita Quilted Jacket. It features a 1/4 zip design, a zippered pocket on the sleeve, and a zippered kangaroo pocket in the center front. This allows me to easily secure my phone, wallet, and passport without worrying about being pickpocketed. The zippers are sewn very neatly into the seams and are nearly invisible, not to mention secure, and don’t easily come unzipped without you intentionally tugging on it.
Lastly, a travel vest option. I like to reach for my reversible travel vest which I DIYed. It has a similar pocket to the jacket mentioned above, but it’s lightweight. So it’s great for wearing during the summer when I need something but don’t want the warmth the jacket offers. It’s perfect for hiking, motorcycle travel, and everything in between. When heading off to a local, Peruvian fiesta I love to dress it up so I can carry my phone and wallet without worrying about carrying/losing a purse or being pickpocketed.
Bug protection
If you’re traveling anywhere where there are bugs – you have to invest in some protection! That’s it, that’s all I have to say about this. Skincare is its own section.
This is my go-to “treatment regimen” for surviving bugs:
- Tall socks – My favorite socks come from Feetures. I typically purchase the no-show socks, but if I’m being realistic, those don’t cut it when you’re trying to survive bug season. Call me a dork with my high socks if you want to, but I don’t want to be a bug’s snack.
- Pants and long sleeves – you do you and pack whatever brand you favor. But pack the pants and long sleeves! I do find Athleta to have some great lightweight hiking pant options if you want something for summer!
- Bug spray – It took me a while to find a good, clean bug spray that didn’t make me want to gag when I used it again and again. This Quantum Health Buzz Away – DEET-free insect repellent really does the trick for me. I always buy an extra bottle to bring back when I travel to the States to visit family and pack it on every outdoor adventure or camping trip.
- Pimple patches – this one is kind of a two-in-one. Having the ability to pack the smallest pack of acne treatment in your backpack is the best! But also, these actually work so well at pulling out all that ick after you get a bug bite. I will say – if you don’t mind a little TMI, they work best when you pop it like a pimple first, clean it, and then apply the patch over the center of it.
- Copper serum – this one is also a two-in-one. It’s incredible skincare – but also works wonders as aftercare for bug bites.
Skincare
We did a whole deep dive of our favorite skincare in this post, so I won’t go too deep into it in today’s post. You can check out that other one to learn more! But, if you’re trying to figure out the essentials to pack for your next adventure, here are our go-tos:
- EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 – an absolute must if your travel/vacation plans have any outdoor activities planned.
- Toothpaste tabs – are a game-changer. Say goodbye to messy, bulky tubes (that TSA is just going to take from you in security check anyway), and hello to compact, spill-free convenience. These little white tabs are perfect for packing light, and they meet TSA guidelines effortlessly.
- We recommend this travel-sized container from Amazon. It makes it easier to take a small amount with you on your next vacation.
- Silk Pillow Case – uh yeah, we’re totally those people who travel with pillowcases. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for breakouts and frizzy hair when I’m in vacation mode. I just fold it up nice and tiny, then pack it next to my converter. Bada bing bada boom, let’s hit the road!
Remember to check out our other skincare blog post to learn all about our fav natural skincare!
Miscellaneous
- When traveling domestically, whether by plane or car, I like to carry a refillable water bottle with me. Something like this one from Owala, or one with a water filter (I’ve used this one from Brita, and heard good things about Epic Water Filters, but haven’t had a chance to try them yet).
- When traveling by plane I stick it in the side pocket of my backpack and carry it empty through security. Then once I reach the other side I fill it at the nearest drinking fountain.
- Phone Straps are a great way to protect your valuables while traveling. Whether you’re worried about losing your phone to pickpocketers or just don’t want it falling off your wrist during a bumpy ride, getting a phone strap is the perfect way to ensure the safety of your phone—and do it in a stylish way.
- Lens wipes are an absolute must-pack in my family. We use them regularly for cleaning glasses, phone screens, and even my laptop. They come individually wrapped, and are very small – so they’re perfect for travel.
- Finally, eye drops. Whether you’re dealing with dry airplane air, long days of sightseeing, or dusty roads and adventures, eye drops can provide instant relief and keep your eyes feeling fresh. They’re compact, easy to carry, and can make all the difference when you’re on the go. We prefer the Refresh Tears brand that you can get over the counter or on Amazon, but please do your own research or talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.
So those are our faves – now I need to know, what are your go-to travel items? Tell me, tell me, tell me! I want allllll the recs, please, and thank you!
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P.S. Looking for a fun activity to play while traveling to your next adventure? We put together a great freebie that you can play with your seatmate on a plane, train, or long bus ride, download your free trivia here.
Playing trivia is a great way to participate in fun activities with your friends and family, even when you’re 4,591 miles apart or constantly on the go. It helps you keep your long-distance relationships growing and is sure to provide lots of fun!
