Every holiday season, there are always a few travel items on my wishlist. While stocking stuffers can easily turn into clutter, practical travel gear is the exception because every single piece actually earns its keep in a suitcase. This is a collection of small, high-utility items I have actually used and relied on throughout my travels.
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A Compact Phone Mount for Hands Free Flight Entertainment
I bought this for a flight, but ended up in bulkhead so I didn’t get to use it there. It was still lightweight to carry around, and I actually ended up using it as a phone holder at one point on the trip when I wasn’t on a plane. With newer plane designs, there never seems to be a good spot to prop up a phone or tablet for comfortable viewing, and I am hoping this device will finally solve that problem.
Earbuds that handle calls and flights really well
I’ve tried so many earphones and earbuds over the years, from clearance finds to over‑the‑ear styles. These are the ones I’m using now. The call quality has been excellent, and the noise cancellation has been perfect for long flights.
A Tiny Travel Clock to Keep You on Time
Even with cell phones everywhere, there are still trips where it just makes sense to have an actual clock—like on a cruise when you need to keep track of ship time versus actual time. This little clock is compact and travels well. While I wish the display stayed lit up all night for easy viewing in the dark, it does have a quick-press button to illuminate the face whenever you need it.
Travel Slippers that pack small and keep me comfortable anywhere
Sometimes the simplest item can make you feel comfortable anywhere in the world. For me, that item is Snoozies. They’re lightweight, cozy, and I haven’t traveled without them in years. I love the soft fabric, the grippy bottoms, and the fact that they’ve saved me from slippery floors more than once.
A soft scrunchie that helps my hair dry overnight
Even when my hair feels mostly dry, it still seems to take forever to fully dry out. I like sleeping in a bun with one of these scrunchies because it helps my hair finish drying and gives me a light curl in the morning. They have just the right amount of scrunch to make a difference.
Sunglasses That Play Nice With Prescription Lenses
I tried prescription sunglasses once and hated them. These fit perfectly over my everyday glasses without feeling bulky, and the polarized lenses make bright days easier. They’re lightweight, practical, and just make more sense for me.
A folding hair brush that saves me from bad‑hair chaos
My hair goes all over the place on the best days, so I do what I can to keep it under control. I found this collapsible brush right before a recent trip, and it instantly became a daily essential. It folds down small enough to fit in any purse or pocket, opens up to a full brush when I need it, and has officially earned a permanent spot in my travel kit.
A Slim RFID Wallet That Keeps Travel Bags Light
When I travel, I like to switch to a simplified wallet that is secure without the bulk of my everyday carry. This small RFID wallet hits the sweet spot. It is stylish, ultra-compact, and does not add unnecessary weight or space to a daypack.
Zipper carabiner clips that keep my bags feeling secure
When I travel, especially solo with a backpack, I always feel like I’m checking behind me to make sure everything is still secure, even when I know it probably is. These zipper carabiners give me a little extra peace of mind. They add simple, lightweight security to luggage and bags, and ever since I started using them, I haven’t looked back.
Multi-Purpose Carabiner Clips
I always like to have one or two of these carabiners with me on trips. It’s a just-in-case item that doesn’t take up much room, but always comes in handy. I’ve used them to connect bags at the airport to make them easier to carry, hang tripods and hiking sticks from a backpack, and clip an umbrella right to my belt loop.
Bright USB cables that never disappear on trips
I swear my charging cables vanish every time I travel, especially when I’m with other people. Switching to these bright blue cords has solved the problem almost completely. They stand out in hotel rooms and make it obvious which ones are mine. They come in lots of colors, but I stick with blue.
A Charger That Doesn’t Create Chaos
My cords always end up tangled, so I like this charger because the retractable cables keep everything contained. It charges quickly, stays in one place, and keeps me from having loose cables everywhere. It’s simple, fast, and makes powering my devices feel less messy.
Reliable SD Card for Travel Photography
This is my go-to SD card for my DSLR camera. It’s fast enough to keep up with the pace of my photography and has been a reliable companion on countless trips. When I’m capturing landscapes, wildlife, or travel memories, I want a card I can trust.
A phone grip that keeps my phone secure
Everyone has their own way of holding on to their phone from a mountain top or ship deck. This is mine. I like the strong grip these handles give, and I’ve used them for years. Whenever I need a replacement, I always go back to this brand.
FOMIN Soap Sheets for Those No‑soap moments
Have you ever been traveling and gone to wash your hands only to find there’s no soap? Me too. These little antibacterial soap sheets have become one of my favorite ways to stay clean on the go. They don’t dry my hands out too much, they’re always there when I need them, and they take up almost no space. Just make sure you never open the container with wet hands. Its a hard lesson learned.
A simple cover that keeps my toothbrush clean
I take these toothbrush covers on every trip. They help keep my toothbrush protected, and the different colors make it easy to tell which one is mine. They clip on securely and hold up well through travel.
Wipes That Keep Things Simple
These are my go‑to hand sanitizer wipes. I like keeping a few packs around for unexpected messes or when I just want clean hands. They’re fragrance‑free, individually packaged, and easy to stash anywhere.
A Lip Treatment that Keeps my Lips from Drying Out
My lips lose all their moisture the second I start traveling. This Clinique lip treatment is my go‑to for keeping them soft and comfortable. It helps prevent cracking and keeps my lips feeling hydrated throughout the trip.
Ginger Lozenges That Help Settle My Stomach
When I think there’s a chance of queasiness, I like to pack a few natural stomach calming items. This brand has always been my go to for both peppermint and now ginger lozenges. I like to use these same lozenges at home with a non-travel queasy stomach and these helped settle me in no time at all.
A Ginger Tea That Makes Cold Days More Comfortable
This tea is one of my favorites. It’s warm, calming, and nice to have on chilly days or when my stomach needs settling. Even on shorter trips, I’ve been known to carry one or two of these teabags with me.
A bedside catch‑all that keeps my essentials together
Any time I travel, I reliably have a few things I like to keep by my bedside. At night, I want to make sure my chapstick won’t roll under the bed, my lotion won’t tip over, and I can find my glasses quickly if I need them. This travel valet helps me do exactly that. It unsnaps to fold flat in my suitcase, then pops back into shape to keep all my bedside items organized and close while I sleep.
Bright Mesh Pouches That Keep Packing Organized
These mesh bags come with me on almost every trip. I really like the bright colors because they make it easy to color code and organize all my gear. I have used them for everything from little hotel cleaning kits and toiletry items to keeping small items neatly corralled in my suitcase.
A Passport That Travels Everywhere With Me
I’ve had a national park passport book since I was two, and I get it stamped anywhere I go. I’m at the point where I have multiple books now, each filled with reminders of the places I’ve visited and the fun I had along the way. It’s one of my non‑negotiable packing items.
Mini Watercolor Paint Set for Travel Journaling
I got this little watercolor kit for my Alaska cruise to paint scenes right from the balcony. Since then, it’s come along on several more trips. It’s an easy way to slow down, take in my surroundings, and end up with something much more personal than a quick photo. I’m definitely not an artist, but taking a few minutes to make a colorful travel log is entirely worth it.
Headlamp for Sunrise Hikes & Stargazing
I own an older version of this Petzl headlamp, and it has joined me on trips from Bryce Canyon to Arches to catch a perfect sunrise, as well as nighttime adventures in Joshua Tree and Crater Lake. I especially like the red light mode for stargazing because it helps preserve night vision. It’s comfortable to wear and keeps my hands free while hiking or handling gear.
Disposable Hand Warmers for Cold Weather Trips
These little chemical hand warmers are a game changer in cold weather. I remember my first time using them on a New York City street while waiting for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade to start, and having warm hands and feet on a freezing morning was more than worth the tiny bit of space they took up in my bag. I have used them ever since during camping trips and cold weather adventures, and they definitely help keep the chill away.
