Somehow, I have ended up with several trips on my calendar already and I’m thinking about traveling, packing, and how I experience an almost sick enjoyment when plotting my packing list for maximum flexibility and minimum weight/items.
Since I’m refining my packing list and gathering all my travel necessities, I thought I’d share some of my new and older favorites. I’m also researching different tools, so I welcome your suggestions!
NB: Some of the links are affiliate coded, so if you use them, we may earn a commission – and if you don’t use them, that’s totally cool, too. Thanks!
I also want to recommend shopping through the Rakuten portal. Many of the stores have kept their increased percentages. I have a referral link good for a $30 cash back bonus when you spend $30. You’re welcome to use it and get extra cash for yourself!
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I already travel with a carry on (either a secondhand Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 or an eBags MotherLode) but as I grow older, hiking through airports with a backpack on becomes more arduous, so I’m looking for other bag options. That said, wheelie bags would be deleterious to my shoulders, so I’m really chasing my tail while I research. I think I need a backpack with a hip belt to take the weight/pressure off my shoulders.
So let me start by asking you: What carryon do you travel with? How do you like it? I think my searching and reading will continue for a bit and I welcome suggestions!
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I recommended this charging station with a 10′ cord in the last Stuff We Like:
Ultra Thin Charging Station, $12-23
I took two with us on a weeklong trip to Vermont for snowboarding, and it worked wonderfully, except for one thing: the cord is wrapped in fabric and is a little stronger and heavier than the base of the charging station itself. The station base weighs very little, and most of the weight seems to be in the cord, so with plugs and cables inserted, the base moves around more than I expected. I want it to stay put.
I’m solving this problem by bringing some Command Strip adhesives and using that to temp stick it to whatever surface I need on. That way it’s not moving about, and I don’t have to worry about taking the finish off of whatever table it’s on.
That said, it was terrific to have So! Many! Places! to plug things in and not have to do the adapter shuffle. Extra outlets in older hotel rooms that only have only one, and often unreachable, outlet? Win.
Currently the 10′ cord is 21% at $19 – not bad!
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I bought two of these travel pillboxes and filled one with all the over-the-counter meds we might need. They came with labels, too, so it’s very clear what’s in what compartment. I’ve got Benadryl, Pepcid, Nyquil and Dayquil, decongestant, two kinds of pain relievers – if anyone spikes a fever or gets a cold or a headache, I’m on it. My teenagers love it and each want one of their own.
Pill organizer with labels: $6
My problem du jour: prescriptions! Apparently I’m at the age where, if I go to the doctor, there’s a 62% chance I’m getting a new prescription. And sometimes, the pillbox I have isn’t big enough to hold all my mighty, mighty medicines.
Some travel folks online suggest bag systems, like this one:
AM/PM Slim Pill Organizer, $17
Or this one:
Lewis N. Clark AM/PM Folding Pill Organizer, $10
The baggies would hold more than the compartments, and I’d be able to organize by day, or even put two weeks’ worth of pills inside. And extra bags seems to be easy to find – they’re at CVS, even.
I do worry about traveling internationally with prescriptions that aren’t in their bottle (and controlled substances have to stay in their bottle, per the pediatrician) but this seems like a very effective and space-efficient solution.
That said, this pillbox, though not big enough for my hefty regimen, is EXTREMELY CHARMING.
Poisons & Antidotes pill case, Etsy, $13
So is this adorable case with mushrooms:
Mushroom & Moth Pill case, $15 (on sale until 3/31)
And while I was shopping online for pill holders, my younger child spotted this:
Neurospicy Hot Sauce pill container keychain, $14
Y’all, the “hidden pill case” search on Etsy is delightful.
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Some previously-featured items that are still at the top of my packing essentials include this rechargeable fan.
Every person in my house has one, and once, when we were at a resort, the waitstaff asked me about it. It weighs very little, and it’s pretty strong for being so small. A single charge usually lasts all night on medium speed, but with the charging station above on my nightstand, I left it plugged in. In May, mine will be 2 years old and it’s going strong. We don’t travel without it.
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I bought this set of microfiber cloths purely for cleaning my glasses. I have come to the conclusion that the most effective way to clean them and avoid smudges and smears (and scratches) is if microfiber is involved. So far, I’ve been right – and seeing clearly. (I hate when my glasses are dirty. It makes me eyes cross.)
Microfiber Cloth, set of 2, $15
Then my son was home for spring break, and had the same set with him – for cleaning his trombone and equipment. I thought he’d stolen mine at first.
I did some more reading about microfiber (my brain is into weird things lately) and found this entire page of cleaning cloths designed for car washing and detailing from The Rag Company. Glass cleaning cloths, 5 for $20? Premium microfiber towels, 3 for $19? Oh, yes, please.
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Amanda: I have two things that have helped with sleep time! Our white noise machine – love it!
Yogasleep White Noise Machine, $37
I also bought a Happy Wax wax warmer and I put it on during my bedtime wind down time, especially a lavender scent.
I have this one:
Mod Wax Warmer, $45 (6.5″ x 4.5″)
There’s also a smaller model:
Mini Mod Wax Warmer, $30 (4.5″ x 3.5″)
The wax warmers are great because you can set them for 3, 6, or 9 hours. Easy clean because it has a silicone dish. Great flameless options if you like cats who singe their belly hairs (ask me how I know).
They have lots of scents in the shape of gummy bears.
There’s also a mystery pack, if you love a mystery box. I also have a wall plug in wax melter from their mystery box but haven’t tested it yet.
Also if any of you are interested, I can send you a $15 off coupon for your first order of $40. Just email me.
And if you also has scent sensitivity, you can choose how many of the wax bears to put in the warmer to control how strong it is.
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Elyse: This has been my go to “we don’t know what season we’re in” hoodie.
Sherpa lined hoodie sweatshirt, $40
It’s super warm and works well for layering on those in between weather days.
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Shana: I’m currently obsessed with this SPF 50 lip gloss. My lips sunburn very easily. I wore this out to the beach and while my face got sunburnt, my lips did not. That never happens! Plus, wearing lipstick at the beach makes me feel like a glamorous bombshell.
Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Pop Sungloss in French Kiss: $14 Ulta | $5 Amz
The color is supersaturated, so if you’re looking for more of a nude, I recommend getting the clear version. There’s a four-pack of all four shades, including the clear gloss, on Amazon for $17, or a two-pack from BlackGirlSunscreen.com for $22.
What about you? What travel items do you swear by? Any recs?
Eagle Creek luggage – I’ve had my carry-on over 25 yrs and it’s still going strong. Sent it to them to repair a wheel, and they repaired it for free! Almost all of our luggage is Eagle Creek
LL Bean toiletry bag – Something else I’ve had for forever (maybe 20 yrs?) and still in good shape
If anyone can recommend a good small dual-voltage hair straightener, let me know. The plates on the one I have tug a bit on the hair, so I’m looking for something smoother.
@SBSarah, can your Aeronaut add the 1-inch padded hip belt from Tom Bihn? My luggage Tetris depends on how long a trip I’m taking. I use the Tom Bihn Bixi with hip belt and a TravelPro MaxLite 5 20-inch carryon for longer trips (I don’t check luggage after too many problems). For shorter trips, I use the TravelPro and a lightweight Vera Bradley Grand Traveler tote/duffle (it’s washable and has a luggage/trolley sleeve). Always carry a small belt bag to keep a thin wallet with ID, handkerchief, hand sanitizer, chapstick and keys in it. I’m using the MZ Wallace Metro Belt Bag more now, but I used to use the Costco dupe for the Lululemon one.
And if you’re wondering about masks while traveling amid the measles and other outbreaks, I upgraded to a FloMask a few months ago. It was highly recommended for particulate matter after the L.A. fires, and it’s fairly comfortable.
But a great thing is what I use to corral all of my various cords. I learned about it from SBTB awhile ago. The Bevegekos Travel Accessories Organizer Case, about $14 on Amazon.
Maybe I’m missing it, but does SBTB have an Amazon page with your recommendations in one place so our purchases can give you affiliate credit? (Yes, I’m cutting back my big-box shopping but sometimes I need things that I can’t find quickly in my area, so I use Amazon and Target.)
@LittyN: I Had no idea there was an additional hip belt!! Thank you very much for this info! I think you have entirely blown my mind and I am so excited. I also love love love MZ Wallace bags.
I booked plane tickets for my daughter and I to Greece last week. Don’t mind me, just bookmarking this page.
I use a Samsonite SXK Spinner.
https://shop.samsonite.com/luggage/carry-on-luggage/sxk-spinner-underseater/130445XXXX.html?dwvar_130445XXXX_color=1304451077&cgid=luggage-carry-on
It was not cheap, but I’ve had it for a couple of years and I *love* it. I’m 5’8 and the extendible handle is high enough that I don’t have to lean or bend to use it. If I’m packing for a cold weather location or a longer trip, I might pair it with a backpack.
In theory it says that it’s small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, but I have not tested that and do have some doubts about the claim. It is however small enough to be considered a carry on in Europe, which was also a big selling point for me.
Eagle Creek luggage! My original carry on, purchased in 1997, has been handed down to my daughter. Still going strong with no issues. I replaced it with another model which I love. I prefer a 22inch with two wheels because you get a little more space.
For my second carry on I use a weekender bag (or daypack depending on my packing needs) both have a trolley sleeve that fit right over the carry on handle. I pack my crossbody into my suitcase.
Finally I have found the BagSmart compression packing cubes. An absolute game changer for me. The other packing cubes (Eagle Creek) didn’t work well for me.
If you want to travel light remember you have to be willing to forgo having multiple outfits with coordinating shoes. I have a formula that works well for me. Not everyone wants to do that. It’s a tradeoff. Also you can have laundry done anywhere. Don’t overpack!
iFLY luggage. Took it to San Miguel de Allende, where we had to walk up and down the cobblestone hills nearly a mile to our AirBnB while pulling the luggage. Survived all the flights, too.