10 Packing Essentials
No matter where I’m traveling, here are my essentials.
From backpacking through Southeast Asia to trips home to the midwest for the holidays, I have travel items that are always at the front line.
Packing Cubes
I have both Baggu and Eagle Creek packing cubes. I pack workout clothes in my green bag, dress-up clothes in my grapefruit bag, casual clothes in my white bag, etc., I love the organization! They also limit my overpacking - if it can’t fit in the cube it’s not meant to be.
Refillable Containers
I have two sizes, 3oz and 1oz, and the 3oz ones I’ve had since 2013. I recently bought the 1oz size for weekend to week-long trips. It’s a sustainable way to travel with my shampoo, conditioner, and face wash.
Carry-On Backpack
Full disclosure, I wore this to the office after I got it and was told I look like Bowser. However, if you want to maximize packing space, I like this backpack. I tend to put my toiletries, medicine, and electronics in here.
Water Bottle
While I love the water bottles with straws, mine kept leaking mid-flight with the air pressure change. This bottle has two different attachments so I can have the straw for my yoga classes at home and switch out the screw top when I’m about to hop on a flight!
Carry-On Suitcase
This brand is the most lightweight on the market. I love having 360º wheels, and I personally prefer soft luggage vs. hard shell. Don’t get me wrong, if Away sent me a free bag I would use it, but if I can’t spend that much on a carry-on just to get it scuffed up. (For reference, the Away bigger carry on is 8.4 lbs, and this one is 5.9 lbs.)
Jewelry Case
I used to have a small 2x2” pouch to carry my jewelry in, and I’ll still take that to workout classes when I take off my rings and necklace. However after a while I got tired of dumping it out and untangling everything. I grabbed this case off Amazon and it has done the trick keeping everything separated! You can take out the compartments if you prefer, but I tend to just put big earrings in the necklace pouch behind the mirror.
Travel Pillow
My dad got me this years ago and it has seen the world. He was so proud that it had a snap closure to connect to your backpack, and I agree that it’s a non-negotiable feature if I ever need to replace it. I usually throw it in the wash after every trip and it hasn’t gotten lumpy.
Shoe Spray
Shoe spray - honestly I have smelly feet so if you don’t have this problem skip it. I like spritz this in my shoes after a day of walking around.
Smartwool Socks
Same note as above, wool socks specifically target deodorizing and can be reworn a few times in between washing. I wear them year round and never throw them in the dryer. I have white no shows, black ankle length, and colorful tall ski socks.
Travel Backpack
This was my high school graduation present from my mom - I was about to embark on a three week backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and she wanted me to be prepared. I also used this backpacking through Europe and South America. If you’re looking for a travel backpack, anything you find in REI is going to be great! Make sure to look out for ample padding and ensure the size is right for you and your trips.
International / Long-Haul Add-ons
If you’re going on an international trip, I recommend these items to make your trip run more smoothly!
AirPod / Bluetooth Headphone Plane Adapter
I was influenced to get this on TikTok and it was a fabulous purchase. Instead of packing my bulky over-the-ear headphones or using the flimsy free ones they hand out on flights, you can plug this in and connect your Bluetooth headphones to watch any free entertainment provided.
Universal Adapter
I was gifted this by my university before I studied abroad, and it has served me well over the years. With one plug in and two additional USB’s, you can charge multiple devices at once. If you’re only going to one country or area and would like something more slim, you can grab individual ones as well but be warned - I did this on my last trip to Paris and was shit out of luck when I tried to charge my phone in the UK.
Compression Socks
I don’t typically use these for short-haul flights, but long-haul (4-5+ hours) I make sure to keep a pair rolled up in my backpack. They’re a life saver for international trips - I’ve made the mistake of not wearing them on a 17+ hour flight and my cankles when I landed were the most embarrassing sight I’ve ever seen. Seriously - I laid in bed with my feet up the wall while chugging water for an hour to no avail. I bought mine from either TJ Maxx or Marshalls, but you can find them online as well.
I plan on writing additional trip-specific packing lists in the future, so stay tuned!
