A Traveler's Essentials Packing and Gift Guide
After traveling full time for the last 3 years, I have experienced my fair share of packing successes and failures through product trial and error. Using my experience and knowledge, I have compiled a list of travel essentials that I can absolutely not live with out. Listed and linked below are a few of my go-to travel items that make packing a breeze, won’t break the bank, and will last and endure for all of your adventures ahead. (Bonus: All of these items make great gifts for the traveler in your life!!!)
The Pack
I could write an entire blog (love letter) to my Osprey Packs Farpoint 55 travel backpack aka my home for the last 3 years. If there is absolutely one product worth investing in for your travels, it’s your travel pack. Especially on a multi-destination trip, you don’t want to deal with the hassle of lugging around a suitcase, squeezing it into buses and through airports. Rather, invest in a good, durable backpack that will allow you to quickly and easily navigate through your travels while housing all of your important items. If you’re looking for something a little bit larger, go with the Osprey Packs Farpoint 70 Backpack.
Carry on Backpack
I travel full time for work and this laptop backpack comes everywhere with me- on the plane, to the office, and everywhere in between. This backpack has several sleek compartments, built in USB charging port, a laptop pocket all bottled up into a stylish and ultra-affordable backpack.
Neck Pillow
In my years of travel, I had never, ever traveled with a neck pillow, disliking their bulk and inconvenience of carrying them through the airport….until NOW. I absolutely SWEAR by the TRTL Neck Pillow that looks more like a scarf, slides easily into a backpack pocket and is super light-weight and machine washable. I have been guilty of falling asleep before take-off and waking up at landing with this trusty neck pillow.
PACKING CUBES:
Never will I ever leave for a trip without my Packing Cubes. Packing cubes are essential for me to stay organized, sane, and, yes, sometimes cram all of the extra lovely local items I managed to purchase along my journey. I like to organize my cubes by item (ie: undergarments in one, athletic clothes in another) to make packing (and unpacking) feel like an absolute breeze.
Lock
It is always useful to carry a lock on your carry-on backpack, or if you need to ever store any items in a public locker or storage space. I always travel with my tiny, easy to use TSA approved Small lock and can’t even begin to tell you how many times this has come in handy!
Headphones
I had long been tired of tangled and in the way wires on my headphones, but wasn’t sure about spending over $100 on Apple Airpods. I ordered 2 knock off airpods that both stopped working shortly after buying them. I was already HOOKED on wireless headphones, especially while traveling and in the gym, and after spending as much on 2 pairs as I would have on one good pair I finally turned to amazon to order the real deal: Apple Airpods with Charging Case. WORTH EVERY PENNY! They have been my new bestie at the gym, on the plane, and in the car- highly recommend these for anyone looking to go wireless.
Toiletries
Bringing your own travel toiletries helps reduce single use plastic waste and also lets you bring with you a little piece of familiarity from home. There are a few routes to take with toiletries, and the most eco-friendly path is to use shampoo and conditioner bars. They smell amazing and are great for the environment: win-win! Second, I recommend buying travel size containers and filling them with your favorite go-to products you use at home: also a better-for-the-environment-option and you won’t have to worry about trying out new products on the road. Lastly, and my all time FAVORITE travel size toiletries brands are the incredible smelling Le Labo brand travel toiletries that make a wonderful gift for the traveler in your life (or for yourself!) They are great quality and Le Labo Rose 31 will keep you smelling fresh no matter where you go.
Rain Jacket
From working as a summer camp counselor, to trekking all throughout Southeast Asia, I have experienced many a rainstorm, and realized how much a small, waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket can transform your experience when the weather is less than ideal. I love Marmot because their rain jacket is lightweight and breathable, yet made of quality material that keeps you dry (and they also come in a variety of colors to keep you stylin’).
Footwear
Similar to my Osprey Packs Farpoint 55 backpack, I could write a love letter and entire post on Chaco Athletic Sandals. I bought my Chacos back in 2014 and 6 years later, still have the same pair that still look fairly new. They have been with me around the world and back, hiking, swimming, in the bar, at the beach, and everywhere in between. They come in a variety of colors and styles and are SO worth every penny.
Water Bottle
Do your part for the environment, stay hydrated, and look sleek all at the same time! This Reusable Water Bottle is my go to pick because it keeps beverages cold (or hot), fits easily into a backpack side pocket, and has the cutest styles to choose from. Triple threat.
Beach Bag
Whether you’re headed to the beach or out on a day excursion, it’s always helpful to have a small, foldable, and environmentally friendly (say no to plastic single use bags!) bag like this cute day bag. It even can double as a reusable grocery tote when you get back from your holiday.
Travel yoga mat
How many yoga mats is too many?! Though amazing in a studio, a standard yoga mat is unfortunately just too heavy and bulky for the active, on-the-go travel yogi. I recommend this Travel Yoga Mat as your ultimate yoga companion: it is ultra-lightweight, folds up, slip-free and from a quality brand I use and love. Taking a travel mat with you will not only enhance your practice, but turn any setting into your personal studio, from mountain tops to the inside of your hotel room, public parks, and everywhere in between.
Travel Towel
A towel is something most people wouldn’t think of when it comes to their packing list, but I can’t even tell you how many times I have used this lightweight quick dry towel and consider it a major essential. A yoga mat towel is perfect accessory to have along on excursions or hikes, will save you money if a venue charges for towel rentals, and also doubles as a no-slip yoga mat towel, which is especially perfect for hot destinations (Just make sure you wash it between its multipurpose uses!)
Yoga Mat Carrier
I use this exact yoga mat carrier (that doubles as a yoga strap) because it’s simple to use, multi-functional, and low hassle. I used to love brightly colored, beautiful yoga mat bags, but found them so annoying to use and difficult to stuff my mat back into the bag after each class. The strap is so easy to use, easy to pack, and I love that it doubles as a yoga prop as well.
PASSPORT Holder
A Passport Holder doesn’t sound like a necessity, but aside from making you feel like a glamorous travel queen, a passport holder/wallet is truly so helpful to manage and keep track of country departure cards, baggage claim tickets, receipts, global entry cards, some cash, or anything that you’ll need to have at the ready when navigating through the airport. This one is great quality, will keep your passport lookin’ fresh, and acts as a wallet to use for the aforementioned paper slips that are thrown your way during travel.
Travel Journal
I never travel anywhere without a notebook and pen. Having a Travel Journal along helps long car/bus/plane rides pass more quickly and is an excellent way to jot down notes, feelings, or facts that you can reflect back on and note your personal growth and trip sentiments long after the trip has come to an end.
blanket scarf
Lastly, but certainly not least, and probably in the top 3 of travel essentials out of this whole list is a travel blanket/scarf. No matter the climate, I never leave home without a scarf tucked in my backpack. In fact, I just got home from the Caribbean where it’s hot and sunny every day and still managed to use my blanket scarf every single day. First as a pillow/blanket to stay warm in the airport and on chilly flights, then wrapped around my legs in the air condition filled office space, and at one point as a makeshift picnic blanket. If space is an issue, substitute a warm scarf for a light sarong in hot climates- I usually prefer to buy those once I get to a destination to double as a functional purchase and local souvenir.
Travel is truly a gift in itself, and my motto with packing is always the lighter the better. All of the items linked above will help you focus on the sights, sounds, smells and tastes and less on the hassles of packing, unpacking and the stress of missing some major essentials you may not have thought about before your trip. Bon Voyage and happy packing, gifting and traveling!
These are products I own and use on every trip I go on and in my every day life. Some of these products are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I get a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting me on my mission to empower others through travel.