Summer Travel Must-Haves
Joining a group chat with seasoned travel writers always leads to discussions about essential travel gear. Whether it’s about packing cubes or power banks, everyone has valuable insights to share. Over my nearly decade-long journey in the industry, I’ve gathered a collection of gear based on recommendations from these experienced writers and colleagues. Together, they possess over 100 years of travel experience and product testing.
While I’d love to have you in our chat, it’s already bustling with activity. Instead, I’ll share our top picks here. These items range from budget-friendly options to splurges, but each one is considered a worthwhile investment by our group. From reliable shoes that have accompanied me across continents to a game-changing $15 foot hammock for airplanes, here are 16 must-haves travel essentials that continue to be our favorites.
Ray-Ban Polarized Aviator Sunglasses
During my time studying abroad in Rome at 19, I purchased a pair of “Ray-Bans” from a street vendor, only to discover they were counterfeit when the sticker peeled off. Despite this, I’ve become a dedicated fan of the brand and now own five pairs. Among them, my preferred choice is the Polarized Aviator Sunglasses, renowned for safeguarding the eyes of travelers and pilots since 1937. Available on Amazon in 17 different colors, these sunglasses boast over 7,100 five-star ratings, making them a popular and trusted choice for eye protection.
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
For my upcoming stay at One & Only Cape Town, I’m preparing with the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter, essential for South Africa’s Type C plug. This adapter is a must-have for my international travels, offering compatibility with all outlet types despite its slightly larger size. Gone are the days of purchasing separate adapters, as this universal option covers over 150 countries, including the U.S., EU, Australia, and the U.K. Furthermore, it can charge up to six devices simultaneously and features USB ports.
At Amazon, this adapter is a top-seller with nearly 11,800 five-star ratings, proving its reliability and popularity among travelers worldwide.
RTIC 52-Qt. Ultra-Light Cooler
While I primarily focus on international travel, I also cherish domestic adventures, particularly camping trips and visits to our breathtaking national parks. A key essential for my road trips is a durable cooler like the top-selling RTIC 52-Qt. Ultra-Light Cooler. Available on Amazon, this cooler boasts an impressive 4.7-star average rating based on nearly 1,200 reviews. What sets it apart is its 30% lighter weight compared to similar coolers. With ample space for all my favorite beverages and snacks, this cooler’s 2.5 inches of closed-cell foam insulation ensures they stay refreshingly cold throughout the journey.
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Cotopaxi Chasqui 13-L Sling Bag
Cotopaxi is a must-have brand for outdoor enthusiasts, and it’s gaining significant traction among travel writers. With its vibrant and durable gear, Cotopaxi has become a favorite in my travel writer chat. Personally, I’ve taken my Cotopaxi Backpack to over 50+ countries, while fellow writer swears by her Cotopaxi Chasqui 13L Sling bag.
According to my fellow writer, the Chasqui Sling bag is surprisingly spacious for its size, featuring numerous pockets, including one for a laptop, ensuring excellent organization on the go. She also appreciates its eco-friendly construction, made from 100% recycled nylon and polyester ripstop material.
Duer Adaptive Denim
Duer Adaptive Denim, a favorite among travel writers. These jeans stand out for their exceptional features, including the ideal balance of stretch, comfort, and water-repellent fabric, They wears them during flights, around town, and even on hiking trips, praising the Coolmax technology that regulates temperature and the flexible cotton-spandex blend that ensures comfort on the move.
Fuse Reel The Side Kick Collapsible Charger (w/Adapter)
Michael ensures he’s always prepared for unpredictable hotel room outlets by carrying a 12-foot charging cable for his MacBook. To maximize space and maintain organization, he relies on the popular Fuse Reel The Side Kick Collapsible Charger, a MacBook charger organizer that doubles as a cable protector. Brandon praises its utility, describing it as a lifesaver during work sessions in cafes, airports, and other on-the-go settings.
With over 1,400 five-star ratings on Amazon, the Fuse Reel Side Kick Collapsible Charger proves its effectiveness and reliability, making it a trusted choice for travelers like Michael.
Royce + Rocket Luggage and CubesÂ
This premium luggage set exudes luxury and sophistication, featuring six packing cubes for organization and a built-in shelving system for enhanced functionality.
Despite its premium price tag, the practicality of the Royce + Rocket luggage. They particularly appreciates the built-in shelving system, which addresses the common issue of limited drawers in hotel rooms. As a self-aware over packer, they finds this feature indispensable for staying organized during travels.
Baboon to the Moon Carry-on Bag
The larger Go-Bag Small, with a 40-liter capacity, is still cabin-friendly, fitting into overhead bins and adhering to TSA regulations, making it an excellent carry-on choice. Worried about the price? Rest assured, Baboon to the Moon Bags are crafted from sustainable materials and are backed by a lifetime warranty.
Cadence Capsules
These innovative containers are designed to store essential toiletry items like shampoo, cleansers, and pills, whether liquid or not. Creating a compact pack that remains easily accessible in her bag. The interchangeable lids offer flexibility for reorganizing as needed.
With eight color options and customizable text labels, the Cadence Capsules are both practical and stylish. They are TSA-compliant, holding up to .56 ounces, making them perfect for travel.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack
During my recent trip to Africa with my fellow writer, she captured stunning wildlife photos using her camera and a versatile camera backpack. This backpack boasts an impressive 4.8-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews, making it a popular choice among photographers. She finds it super versatile, using it as a carry-on with extra space for essentials, as well as for hiking, urban exploration, and various other activities.
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack, with a 20-liter capacity, is not only durable but also backed by a lifetime warranty, ensuring it lasts for many adventures to come.
Amazon Shacke Pak – 8 Set Packing Cubes
My fellow traveler swears she doesn’t travel without these Packing Cubes Set. She considers them essential as they ensure impeccable organization and help her pack more efficiently. Although numerous packing cubes are available, this four-piece set stands out with over 28,000 five-star ratings. Each cube is equipped with a double zipper pull for effortless access and features a top mesh panel for visibility of its contents. We appreciate the protective layer they offer, especially when packing shoes in a chaotic suitcase.
GoPro Hero 10
During my trip to the Maldives last year with Ana, she captured stunning footage of nurse sharks using her GoPro Hero 10. According to Ana, this camera is her constant companion due to its lightweight and easy-to-pack design. As a creator of impressive Instagram reels, she values the versatility of the GoPro, noting that you never know when you’ll encounter something worth filming. Currently on safari, Ana emphasizes the camera’s compactness, waterproof features, built-in stabilization system, and 5.3K video recording capabilities.
Travel Makeup Bag Organizer(waterproof)
My friend and travel writer McKenzie is currently in Africa, where she’s excited about the Travel Makeup Bag Organizer. This case is equipped with patented technology to maintain a safe temperature for products, ensuring makeup doesn’t melt under the hot Kenyan sun. McKenzie also mentions that her Google Pixel 6 Pro, which tends to overheat, stays cool in this case. Remarkably, this award-winning bag doubles as a protective case for her phone. Featuring a roomy interior pocket. Its sleek design and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.
Altra Olympus 5 Trail Shoe For Women
While these shoes are relatively new in the market and thus have fewer reviews, they have already garnered glowing five-star ratings from Amazon customers. One reviewer emphasized that they are “worth every penny” and praised their comfort, stating, “These are hands down the best and most comfortable right out of the box. No sores, no numbness.” I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment; I find them incredibly comfortable and durable, to the point where I want to buy them in bulk.
Manta Sleep Mask
Travel writer Megan is a big fan of her Manta Sleep Mask. Introduced to it by a sleep expert during an interview, Megan has experienced significantly improved sleep, especially during flights. This mask is gentle on her eyes while effectively blocking out 100% of light. With over 9,500 perfect five-star ratings on Amazon, it’s also a top 20 best-seller in the sleep masks category. Additionally, it’s machine washable for added convenience.
Airplane Footrest
Here’s a travel tip: Not all travel writers opt for first-class flights. For those lengthy journeys in economy class, my travel writer colleague Tiffany highly recommends using what she fondly refers to as a “foot hammock.” According to Tiffany, this accessory helps maintain proper circulation by allowing her to keep her legs extended comfortably. Simply wrap it around the tray table in front of you and adjust as needed.
While there are various foot hammocks available, this particular one, recognized as an Amazon Choice product, boasts nearly 2,500 five-star ratings. It also includes a convenient carrying case for easy transport.
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