My Favorite Travel Essentials

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When it comes to my travel essentials, I have spent a lot of time sourcing the best products while keeping value in mind. I have wasted a lot of money purchasing products marketed for travel, only for them to fall flat and not live up to their promise. It seems that each time I travel, I find myself looking for the newest and most highly-rated travel products. I've done the heavy lifting and spent the money to recommend products I own and have put to the test, trip after trip. When I talk about my favorites, I reference them as essentials, but the truth is, these items are absolute must-haves for travel. These products have proven their worth in ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable journey. From efficient packing to keeping my belongings safe and secure, these items have become my trusted travel companions. So, let me take you through my favorite travel essentials.

First up is our VIP; a great suitcase is essential for any trip; one of the highly-rated suitcases I recommend is the Amazon Basics 30-inch Hardside Spinner; a good piece of luggage doesn't need to be expensive to meet my high standards; it does need to be functional, durable, and lightweight. Another of my favorites is from U.S. Traveler; they offer quality luggage in various sizes and colors at all price points. Keep in mind that when purchasing a bag, durability is essential. If you have ever seen how luggage is handled at the airport, you know it isn't with tender care. Like a child or pet, no one else will love your suitcase like you do. A hard-sided design protects your belongings and withstands rough handling, while the lightweight materials make it easier to carry or lift the bag as needed. I used the wrong luggage for many years; when my bag was weighed down, the wheels barely moved, and I had to drag it on its hind wheels. I never even considered functionality or ease in the past when making a purchase decision for a suitcase; it only needed to be cute and trendy. The lack of maneuverability wore me out during long trips. Trust me, when walking through long airport concourses or navigating cobbled uneven streets, you want to ensure effortless maneuverability by using a suitcase with multidirectional wheels. Now that I've learned my lesson the hard way, I always put a lot of thought into my purchasing decisions. Functionality always comes first, and then I look for luggage that fits my personality. I like the vibrant, brilliant suitcases made by BEOW; they come in various sizes, so there is a perfect size for all members of the family. After several back-to-back personal and business trips, I realized that I might own a few too many suitcases; It's a good problem to have. When I think about vacations or business trips and the value of the belongings I entrust to my bag, I see luggage as the best travel investment. The good news is that when you purchase your next suitcase, you can find a great one at several price points.

Once you find the perfect suitcase, or maybe you already have, never leave home before connecting a heavy-duty luggage tag. The Shacke Large Luggage Tag (2pc) is the best luggage tag I have ever purchased. No amount of tugging will separate this luggage tag from your bag; it has a secure buckle attachment which ensures your contact information stays intact throughout your journey. I like its privacy cover that keeps my personal information private. The quality of this luggage tag is so great that I don't think I will ever have a reason to purchase another one.

When it's time to start packing, what does that process usually look like for you? Do you find yourself picking out your favorite clothes, folding them into squares, and scrunching them in your suitcase? That describes how I used to pack; I would be frustrated when the big bulky squares of clothes meant I couldn't fit everything correctly. Thankfully that all changed when I discovered compression packing cubes from the Well Traveled Store; they are one of the most game-changing inventions for frequent travelers. These nifty little organizers not only keep your clothes neatly sorted, but they also maximize space in your luggage. In my travel packing tips, I recommend rolling clothes to help reduce wrinkles; the last thing I want to do on vacation is iron clothes. Having quality compression packing cubes means I can bring more clothes than I will wear. With compression zippers, you can easily condense your clothing, allowing you to fit more items into your suitcase.

Speaking of more items, you can't forget your favorite shoes for traveling. I'm going to level with you; I love shoes, but I don't love that they are covered inside and out with bacteria; the bottom of our shoes averages over 400,000 bacteria. With that information in mind, the last thing I want to do when packing is to place my shoes alongside my clean packing cubes. Using YAMIU Travel Shoe Bags is a lifesaver to avoid transferring dirt, bacteria, or odor inside your suitcase. Another alternative is the emissary Shoe Bag which holds up to three pairs of shoes in a single pouch ensuring everything inside your bag stays separate and clean. Travel shoe bags come in various sizes, so you can easily pack everything from sandals to boots.

Keeping the inside of your suitcase tidy and contents compressed can help ensure that gone are the days of struggling to zip up an overflowing bag!

The thought of an overflowing bag triggers the same stress I feel when anxiously standing at the check-in counter, waiting to find out my suitcase isn't overweight. The weight of my bag is the first thing I stress about when arriving at the airport. The experience of having an overweight bag isn't something I wish anyone to go through. It typically goes like this. First, I panic, then I drop to the ground and open my suitcase, which undoubtedly ensures that everyone standing behind me in line can watch as I sort through my belongings and quickly try to transfer the contents of one bag to another or hastily stuff items into a carry-on. The thought of ever having to go through that experience again is too much stress, something easily solved by having a luggage scale. The Etekcity Luggage Scale takes away the guesswork and ensures you know the exact weight of your bag before you leave for the airport. Compact and easy to use, a luggage scale is necessary for anyone who wants to avoid any unexpected stress, fees, or hassle.

The following travel essential is my BAGSMART Toiletry Bag; it is an absolute must-have when organizing my bathroom essentials. Counter space can be challenging depending on where you travel or how many people you share a bathroom with. Have you seen the size of a cruise ship bathroom? There is barely enough room to turn around, let alone display your much loved and needed items. This bag keeps your toiletries organized, and with multiple compartments and pockets, you can quickly sort and keep things accessible. The functionality is a plus if you are like me and want to keep your make-up, toiletries, and skincare in separate compartments. The best part? Its foldable design allows you to hang it anywhere, making it a perfect travel companion.

One essential that you will always find inside my hanging toiletry bag are my GLOBEGEAR Silicone Travel Bottles. Over the years, I have gone through many travel-sized type bottles, most are flimsy, and every single one has always leaked, leaving a mess in my bag. I have had to clean up more goopy messes inside my toiletry bag more times than I care to think about. I always thought I had found a better solution or travel bottle, only to get the same messy results. Another similar product I use is my Mrsdry Travel Bottles; they are leak-proof and help ensure that my liquids aren't lost in flight. Both recommendations are BPA-free, leak-proof, and squeezable, making getting every last drop of my product easier. With their design and TSA-approved size, you won't have to worry about messy spills.

Once my bags are packed, the last thing I do before I hand my luggage over at the airport counter is to ensure I have an Apple AirTag or Tile Mate tucked away inside. If you have ever worried about losing your luggage during a trip, a tracker can bring you peace of mind, and you can easily track your suitcase through your phone. I highly recommend an AirTag or Tile Mate placed in your carry-on bag as well; I have personally had this come in handy when I left a backpack on an airport concourse tram in Miami. Losing that bag containing medication, passports, and valuables would have ended a trip before it began.

I like all aspects of my travel days to be easy. When I find myself in a bustling airport or busy train station, I want to know that my luggage is secure. I always put my carry-on or handbag on top of my suitcase to reduce the load on my shoulders. I would try to secure them together using the handles, but 10 out of 10 times, the bag on top would always fall away. When I found the PARIS IN RAIN luggage straps, I knew they were the solution I was looking for. I have purchased several of them since they offer many designs and colors. They provide extra protection for my bags, preventing them from accidentally opening, falling, spilling out, or being tampered with.

In conclusion, these travel essentials have helped me streamline my journeys and make them more enjoyable. From efficient packing with compression cubes to the convenience of a hanging toiletry bag, these items have become my go-to companions. So, make sure to add them to your travel essentials list and experience stress-free travel like never before!