Almost any seasoned traveler will tell you that keeping organized and compact will make it all so much easier.
Travel goodies are just plain fun. I have become obsessed with anything that can make travel easier, lighter weight, or happier. I've gone through a lot of trial and error to find useful items, and I'd love to share my "finds" with you here!
My gear is not always the least expensive. I try to balance cost with quality. It's all about value and I (usually) want my stuff to last!
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So many times I don't need a full 3 ounces of some liquid or another. These 1 ounce travel bottles have come in so handy, and they haven't leaked! They have a squirt top and I have used them for sunscreen, mouthwash, shampoo, etc.
luggage / organizers, toiletry containers
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These are a little large for me personally but I do own them and they're good quality feeling and function nicely. They're atomizers, not for things like lotion. Good for body spray.
luggage / organizers, toiletry containers
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These tiny little guys are great for body spray or perfume. I have used them on many trips and they have remained leak-proof and in good condition. They're atomizers, not for things like lotion. 5 mL = approx .17 ounce
luggage / organizers, toiletry containers
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Need a small travel container for your make-up, hair products, lotion, etc.? These contact lens cases should do the trick.
luggage / organizers, toiletry containers
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I can't tell you how many times this has come in handy! I don't always travel with mine, but I use it at home all the time. So much easier than trying to weigh myself, then weigh myself holding my luggage (while trying to see my weight while holding the bag?! LOL). Don't think twice, just buy it.
luggage / organizers
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Not cheap, but it's a quality brand. Crossbody, RFID, washable, easy phone pocket. It has a few more compartments than I'm used to, but a really nice water-resistant little travel bag!
luggage / organizers, travel purse
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RFID blocking, small and rugged. This is a really cool little wallet for travel. Comes in lots of colors, too! This compact wallet is a must-have for the on-the-go adventurer. Its lightweight & durable construction has 2 pockets to stash cash & cards, with a key ring to attach anywhere you need it. Each wallet also includes a portable RFID Blocking card to protect your sensitive info as you travel.
luggage / organizers, coin purse
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Tried and true I have been using Eagle Creek Pack-It cubes since 2000. Like the SAME CUBES! They last forever and their customer service is stellar in case anything ever does break. These original cubes are heavier weight than the newer technology so if you want to shave a few ounces off, go with the Specters. But I love these.
luggage / organizers
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This is a great set! The packing folder is my number one must have! So grab a folder and a couple of cubes and you'll be off and traveling with wrinkle-free clothes and and organized bag. I use the folder for pretty much my entire wardrobe, then put my undies/bras/socks in a cube, and all my little loose items in another cube.
luggage / organizers
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You may already have packing cubes, but you don't have a double sided clean/dirty cube! Store your undergarments in one side of the cube, then move them to the other side when they're dirty. So the whole thing takes up the same amount of room, but it's separated by the barrier in the middle. Brilliant! And you have Eagle Creek’s No Matter What warranty.
luggage / organizers
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This little purse is the perfect size for minimalist travel. It's strong and doesn't stand out in a crowd shouting "tourist". It holds a passport, a phone, a coin purse, but not a ton of other stuff.
luggage / organizers
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Looking for a travel bottle container that doesn't leak? Look no further! They come 3 sizes 1.7 oz, 2.4 oz, and 3.4 oz (100 ml) to accommodate whatever you need to pack and the fun colors don't hurt either.
luggage / organizers, toiletry containers
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These are small and versatile and come in a variety of sizes. You can use them for jewelry, pills, and even lotions and hair products. They don't hold liquids, but I use mine for my Bumble & Bumble curl defining cream and it works great.
luggage / organizers, toiletry containers
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It's true, this bag is SO light! What an innovative design with the handle poles on the outside to eliminate the poles running down the inside of your suitcase - cool! It's a wonderful bag. This is a medium 28" New York Softside 8 Wheel Spinner checked bag.
luggage / organizers, luggage
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It's true, this bag is SO light! What an innovative design with the handle poles on the outside to eliminate the poles running down the inside of your suitcase - cool! It's a wonderful bag. The UK site also has a non-spinner model, and it's a lot less expensive. ;) The carry-on conforms to most international size restrictions.
luggage / organizers, luggage
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Their must-have bag now comes in a crossbody with a zipper! Okay this might be the new must-have day bag for travel! Check out their other Stash-It bag, too. It's my other love.
luggage / organizers, day bag, packable sling
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If only this bag had a zipper. BUT I still love it. It's small and strong and I use it everywhere as a day bag if I don't need a daypack.
luggage / organizers, day bag, packable sling
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I don't know why the best type of lock is the least seldom sold out there in travel-land. I find that the type of lock that is sort of like a carabiner is best because you can easily leave it clipped onto your zipper pull even when it's unlocked. I really only even lock my locks some of the time and the rest of the time they hang on my zipper pull as a deterrent - the thieves don't know if it's locked or not. Definitely always use a combination lock. The sleeker version seems to have gone away but these models do the trick.
luggage / organizers, luggage locks
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Although I'm really a diehard Eagle Creek girl, this pack is considered the best of the bunch right now. It's a good size, has good features (including zip-away straps), and Osprey has excellent customer service. This particular model is shaped for women.
luggage / organizers, luggage
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Although I'm really a diehard Eagle Creek girl, this pack is considered the best of the bunch right now. It's a good size, has good features (including zip-away straps), and Osprey has excellent customer service. This particular model is shaped for women. The 55 liter includes a daypack that zips and/or clips to the main bag.
luggage / organizers, luggage
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Although I'm really a diehard Eagle Creek girl, this pack is considered the best of the bunch right now. It's a good size, has good features (including zip-away straps), and Osprey has excellent customer service.
luggage / organizers, luggage
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Although I'm really a diehard Eagle Creek girl, this pack is considered the best of the bunch right now. It's a good size, has good features (including zip-away straps), and Osprey has excellent customer service. The 55 liter includes a daypack that zips and/or clips to the main bag.
luggage / organizers, luggage
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I love this super packable daypack to use as my travel day bag. It weighs almost nothing (5 ounces?) and is strong enough for what I need. I can easily stuff it in my big backpack when I'm not using it.
luggage / organizers, day bag, day pack
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This is a perfect sized purse, not too big, not too small, with all sorts of anti-theft features. You can fit a folded piece of paper in it. It even has a little cable so you can attach it to a chair if you are sleeping.
luggage / organizers
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I don't own this but it looks pretty good and I might have to try this one next. I like having a small purse for travel to carry only the essentials and Sherpani is a good brand. This little bag looks just right!
luggage / organizers
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Because of the price I'm almost putting these on here as a joke, but they really are the perfect lock. Why did everyone stop making these? You only want clip locks just like this, trust me! You can keep them clipped on your luggage even when they're unlocked. You don't set them down while you're getting into your bag, you can leave them on as a deterrent, great for your daypack, etc.
luggage / organizers, luggage locks
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I shopped a lot to find a slim passport holder that has a wallet, pen, and RFID. This one is a winner! It's perfect and not bulky.
luggage / organizers, passport holder
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Not all sleeping bag liners are created equal. If you can't stand the thought of being trapped in a narrow fabric sleeve, read on to find the best travel sheet out there.
Frequent travelers, backpackers in particular, are very choosy about their gear! From high quality equipment, to easy gadgets. here are some great gift ideas for budget travelers, frequent flyers, or just those simply wanting more comfort when they travel!
Doing hand-wash is a normal part of budget travel. So how about this bag that touts itself as a portable washing machine for backpackers?