These are the items that I personally can’t travel without – the things that make my trips run a little more smoothly, comfortably, and beautifully. Many of these products have been in my travel collection for several years, and I’ve done my very best to put them through their paces to ensure they are worth occupying valuable travel real estate and hauling across the globe:
This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links - this helps offset the many costs of running a blog, so thank you!
Suitcases & Duffel Bags
The big ones. I say that somewhat in jest, because none of my bags are larger than a carry on. In my style of travel, I’ll do anything in my power to avoid checking a bag, because that means I can explore my destination faster (rather than sitting and watching the baggage claim carousel), and do so with less of a burden. The Daily Carry On With Pocket is the perfect size for two or three nights’ away, and is especially suited for business travelers thanks to the built-in organization. The Weekender* is the best option for road trips and cabin getaways, since it is free from bulky wheels and is easy to squish into small spaces. But the bag I reach for the most is The Carry On (reviewed here). It’s an exact fit for the overhead bin on every airline I’ve ever flown on, and has held up so well over the years. And with a lifetime warranty, it’s an incredible value.
—
Overnight Bags
For a quick overnight stay, I’ll reach for one of these. The Classic Leather Zipper Tote (reviewed here) is arguably the most attractive of the three, and it’s the one I choose when aesthetics are important. It looks like a tote (because it is), and can pass as a purse while carrying everything I need overnight. The same thing goes for my Le Pliage tote, which has the added benefit of folding for storage. But primarily I travel with The Everywhere Bag (reviewed here), as it includes a number of built-in pockets for keeping me organized on the go. The trolley sleeve is an extra blessing in airports, as I can slide the bag right over my wheeled luggage.
—
Organizers and Accessories
Admittedly, The Centerfold Garment Sleeve doesn’t accompany me on that many trips. But when I’m traveling for an event, it’s the perfect way to protect a special outfit. The Caroline Zip Travel Jewelry Case travels with me much more often, and organizes and protects my precious pieces (see it in action here). Aesthetic-wise, the Clarity Jetset Case is probably the most beautiful iteration of a quart bag on the market, and it’s a treat pulling out my liquid toiletries each time. But when I need to travel with weeks of toiletries at a time, I reach for my flexible Black Zippered Travel Pouch, as I can squeeze in a few more tiny bottles. The Leather Travel Set (reviewed here) keeps my makeup and dry toiletries handy on my trips, even if it’s sometimes a bit tricky to pack. But The Insider Packing Cubes (reviewed here) always fit, since they were tailor-made for my suitcase.
—
Collapsible Bags
A Packable Backpack* is a really handy thing to bring on a trip that combines both city exploring and adventuring – you can stuff it in your suitcase for the plane, and later pack your essentials in it for a fun day hike (or whatever fun activities your plans include!). This Recycled Reusable Tote comes with a small zippered pouch, and the tote folds up to fit inside. I like to attach it to the handle of my overnight bag so that I’m always prepared to hold a few extra things. This Mini Maxi Travel Bag* lives up to its name – it can expand to a large duffle or fold up into a tiny pouch. While I do always try to live the carry on life, when I’m returning from a destination where I plan on doing a lot of shopping I’ll include this bag in case I need to check all of my new finds.
—
Miscellaneous Must-Haves
The Pakt Coffee Kit is an all-in-one pour-over coffee kit that’s perfect for rustic getaways; everything nests inside the electric kettle to make a great cup of coffee on the go. My Anti-Bottle is an incredible money- and environment-saver, since it can be refilled over and over at the airport water fountains (versus paying out the nose for a disposable water bottle in the shops). Although I am reluctantly living the AirPods life, I always keep a pair of In-Ear Earbuds in each bag since the entertainment screens on the airplanes haven’t caught up yet. I’ve been using this pair since college, and whenever it’s time to replace them, I’ll probably just grab the same pair since they offer decent sound quality for the price. My Travel Pill Box (reviewed here) is filled with OTC medications to help avoid dragging along a bunch of individual bottles – but I always check the regulations at my destination to make sure I can travel with pills that are not in their original packaging (and you should too!). This Powercore III Wireless Charger keeps my devices charged at home and on the go, and the wireless capability is a huge plus for charging my phone without a finicky cord inside my purse.
*Items that are no longer available are linked to a similar product; all images are sourced from the respective brands