Best travelgear – 16 must have items for travellers

My favourite travelgear is always packed to make the trip easier both in transit or when I arrive. I never leave home without these 16 items.

1. Collapsible water bottle

These water bottles are compact and will roll up small enough to fit into a zipped pocket in my backpack when I am not using them. I can clip them to the outside of a backpack, or slide them into the side pocket snugly when filled with water.

Usually, I will bring my Nomader through security empty and fill it up at a water fountain or with bottled water once I pass security. I can also take it with me when I am on the go during the day and fold it down once it is empty to save space.

There are a bunch of similar brands that you can buy but what I like about the Nomader in particular is that there is a plastic piece that slides up and down the bottle that keeps the bottle from squishing once it is half empty and you are trying to drink it. Not all collapsible water bottles have that feature, and it is really annoying trying to drink out of a bottle that is changing shape like a balloon at the same time.

The only downside is that the water bottle is not insulated/metal so it will heat up if it is hot outside. Some people may prefer the insulated metal bottle for this reason but obviously those don’t fold down as small.

2. Cross body bag

A good quality cross body bag with thick straps that cannot be cut or that will not break easily is an essential item that I think every traveller should own.

You can buy them in different sizes, but I especially like the Baggallini brand. The story is that two flight attendants who were global travellers met up and talked about their perfect travel bag. Fast forward to today and the two have become entrepreneurs and invented a whole brand of travel bags, backpacks, and purses to hold your travelgear.

You can tell that these bags are designed with travellers in mind. I love all the pockets and zippers in my bag to keep all my travelgear organized. The bags are a lightweight but durable nylon material and if you spill something on it or get it dirty you can easily throw it in the wash.

3. Wallet that holds my passport, money (bills and coins) and all cards

A travel wallet that carries your passport, cards, and money (including zippered pockets for change) and is compact is a must have for every traveller.

There are many passport holders out there but I’ve found that some are very large and will not easily fit into a purse or small bag. If your passport holder is separate from your money and cards you may find yourself juggling between both and it takes more room.

4. Packing cubes (compressible)

If you are not already using compressible packing cubes you need to start now. This is life changing for travellers. You can carry so much more stuff in packing cubes, particularly when you compress them. This is a necessity for packing a carry on bag only.

I don’t have a particular brand or style to recommend but recommend that you measure your suitcase, buy smaller sizes that will fit best, and make sure the zippers are high quality and won’t break easily. Amazon has a ton of different options to choose from.

5. Small packable tubes and containers for liquids in a clear plastic toiletry bag

I used to throw my liquids into my suitcase in the full sized packages they came in. Since you must pack liquids over 100 ml in your checked luggage this meant most of my liquids were not with me when I travelled.

After a bad experience where I was separated from my luggage for 9 days without any of my clothing, shoes, toiletries or other necessities I changed my ways. I am no longer confident that my luggage will follow me and I always bring all liquids, and any other items, that I must have for the entire trip in my carryon luggage. I only pack items in checked luggage that I could easily replace or don’t need urgently, like a larger bottle of sunscreen or hairspray.

The only way to bring everything you need is to pack liquids in small refillable containers and tubes. You can either buy travel sized packaged items to bring with you or buy a set of small refillable tubes and containers that you can use again and again. Some of your favourite products might not come in small travel sizes so this is a great option to bring what you need.

If you pack refillable containers or travel sized items in a clear plastic toiletry bag you can easily pull this out while going through airport security and they will see at a glance what you have. I recommend packing the liquids all together in one clear plastic bag and separate this from other items to get through security faster. Note that contact lense solution is usually considered “medical” and doesn’t usually need to fit in the plastic bag they give you at the airport.

I like the refillable silicone tubes because they get smaller and take less room as you use them up. They also seem to fit a lot more than the typical travel sized items I’ve used. I almost always use less than one tube for shampoo and one for conditioner in a two-three week trip.

I’ve gotten better over time at estimating how much I might need to bring, what I really can’t live without and what is optional. Surprisingly I can get by with a lot less than I used to think.

This is what I currently use for packing my own travel sized items.

These items are widely available on Amazon or I bought some of my through Indigo Chapters travel collection.

6. Mini travel straightener

While I was travelling with a friend, she showed me her mini travel sized hair straightener and I purchased one for myself as soon as I got back home. I love it! It heats up just as well as the one I have at home and folds down at half the size. Its dual voltage so it works in different countries.

7. Comfortable walking shoes

Most people have their own preferred brand of shoes depending on your foot shape and how it fits you personally. Whichever brand you get it’s critical to bring a travel shoe that has good cushion, support, is comfortable to you, and meets the weather conditions for wherever you are travelling.

A few brands of running shoes that many travellers love include Hoka, Vessi, Sketchers, or Allbirds.

Hoka

Many people love the wide platform of Hoka runners and they come in wide and extra wide sizes. They have a lot of cushion and a thicker sole which increases protection to your feet. They are also well known for their great arch support particularly if you normally wear an insole or have had past issues with foot injuries.

Vessi

Vessi boasts that they have element proof and 100% waterproof sneakers. They have a lot of stylish options to choose from and extra cushioning but their arch support is not as great as Hoka.

Sketchers

Sketchers focuses on performance and comfort and has a wide range of sizes available including wider widths and half sizes. They have a lot of slip on shoes and great midsole cushioning that reduces the impact on your feet. They are also widely available everywhere and have good price point.

Allbirds

Allbirds are made from soft, fine Merino wool and are praised for comfort and breathable, ecofriendly, materials. They have cushioned insoles, flexible soles, and they are lightweight with a lot of stylish options. This is a versatile shoe that you can wear dressed down or up but some people find them a bit narrow and the price point is higher than some other options.

8. Slides

I always bring a pair of foamy, plastic, slip on travel slides whenever I travel even if it is just for a night. You can wear them by a pool, at the beach, in the shower, or just for walking around your hotel room, especially when the flooring is a hard material like tile. After a long day of walking around and sightseeing I can’t wait to slip off my runner and slip on my cushy comfy slides. Carpets can be dirty and the slides are a great option to keep your feet clean and comfortable.

My favourite slides are Hoka One One slides because of its thick sole which provides lots of extra cushioning and protection particularly if I am walking around outside in them. If I want to save room in a suitcase though I might get a brand with a thinner sole like Addidas or Nike.

9. Weight scale for luggage

A weight scale is critical to ensure you don’t end up paying excessive amounts for last minute luggage. If you are travelling carry on only and want to ensure your luggage will come with you it is also important to ensure the weight is less than any limits set by your specific airline. Many airlines, especially budget airlines, are very strict about these limits.

I don’t have any specific brand to recommend but they are widely available on Amazon or at stores that sell luggage. Buy a scale that is compact and durable.

10. Kobo or Kindle

My husband bought me my first Kobo as a birthday gift and it has been the best thing ever for travelling. I am no longer weighed down with books to read when I am travelling to a new location and I save a ton of space in my bag. I have hundreds of books on my Kobo and am able to download many for free with my Audible membership.

My Kobo is small enough to keep in my purse and pull it out anywhere I go and don’t have to worry about internet access. It charges quickly, the charge lasts for a long time and so does the Kobo itself. I’ve had mine for many years with no issues at all.

11. Ipad

While I’m away I’m often looking up information about my destination, looking for travel routes or nearby stores or even checking in on things at home. I don’t like to take a full size laptop with me but I don’t want to do everything on the tiny screen of my phone. My Ipad is a great option to keep my luggage compact but still stay connected while I am in transit.

12. Portable power pack

A portable power pack is a must when you will be on the road for long periods of time without access to electricity to charge your devices. I use my smart phone a lot for pictures and videos and find that it may run low before my day is up. I love to have the option of charging my phone in my purse as I am on the go so I don’t run out of power.

13. Makeup eraser

Many locations that I’ve travelled to do not have washcloths or if they do they are the standard white hotel style. If you want to remove your makeup with a white washcloth you might permanently stain it and some hotels will charge you for damaging their cloths

You could bring disposable makeup wipes to remove your makeup or you could bring a makeup eraser that does double duty as a washcloth and makeup remover. It folds really small, comes in many colours, removes your makeup without tugging or chemicals, and is easy to wash in the sink with hand soap while you are travelling.

14. Good quality carry on suitcase, extra foldable bags and a backpack for your travelgear

Good quality luggage is an essential item for any trip that you plan to safely pack your travelgear. Wheels can bust off, bags can tear, and zippers can break. The best way to avoid this is to get quality luggage that can withstand the wear and tear of travel. Even the best quality suitcase can be damaged by airlines though unless you bring it with you instead of under the plane.

Since I mostly travel with carry on luggage I usually also pack a backpack. I slide the backpack underneath the seat in front of me and fill it with electronics, breakables, my water bottle, and other essential items I need on the plane. Once I arrive, I use the backpack for day trips or to take on a hike.

I recently purchased this travel cabin bag with a ton of pockets and places to store travelgear. It is narrow and fits perfectly under an airplane seat. You can also unzip it fully to get easy access to everything inside of it instead of digging your hand to the bottom and feeling around. Look for a bag that allows you to slide the backpack over your luggage handle when you are wheeling it along.

I also have a compact duffle bag that is thinner nylon material and folds up well. I use that bag if I am shopping for gifts and need an extra bag to put items in. Its not good for breakables but I can keep breakables in my carryon and transfer clothes to the duffle bag. I usually put any dirty clothes or items I don’t need in the duffle bag, and check that bag when I travel home, so my backpack and suitcase are lighter when I return.

15. Travel blanket and pillow

A few years ago I was travelling on an overnight trip to Europe on an airline that didn’t offer blankets either for free or for sale. The air conditioning was freezing, blowing on me all night, and it was a long, sleepless, and uncomfortable night. Never again will I travel without a travel blanket even when I am travelling carry on only.

I use my blanket on overnight flights as the blankets are quite small and thin when you do get them and I like to be warm. I also use my blanket in hotel rooms which don’t always have warm and cozy blankets in the rooms. My blanket also folds up and can be used as a pillow if needed. I like a nice soft micro plush blanket that isn’t too big and folds into a small compact size.

One more thing – Electric adaptors and converter

I guess I don’t technically always bring this item but if I’m travelling to another country that uses a different type of plug or voltage this is a no brainer. I don’t want to plug in one of my devices and cause damage if they are not dual voltage.

I don’t have a recommendation for a specific type or brand as there are so many different types available but I prefer one like this that is compact and ideally where I can plug in USB cords to the same adapter and charge multiple devices all at once.

To sum up, this is my list of the best travelgear for travellers that I personally use and would recommend:

1. Collapsible water bottle
2. Cross body bag
3. Wallet that holds my passport, money (bills and coins) and all cards
4. Packing cubes (compressible)
5. Small packable tubes and containers for liquids in a clear plastic bag
6. Mini travel straightener
7. Comfortable walking shoes
8. Slides
9. Weigh scale for luggage
10. Kobo or Kindle
11. Ipad
12. Portable power pack
13. Makeup Eraser
14. Good quality carry on suitcase, extra foldable bags and a backpack
15. Travel blanket and pillow
16. Electric adaptors and converter

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