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!
Any of the light pack towels are great. I do usually go for the largest one just for personal preference. I like to be able to wrap it around me. Some are a bit more chomois-like than others but the technology has improved over the years.
gadgets / stuff, towel
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You DO NOT want to travel without one of these! Plain and simple, it will fit any size drain so you can do your laundry in the sink.
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A recent addition to my travel gear, I use this mostly in hot climates as a, well, a sweat rag. That sounds kind of gross but it's so nice to able to wipe the sweat off your forehead when you're out and about. It's also handy if there are no napkins at the roadside stand where you're grabbing lunch. It's so small that I just keep it in my purse.
gadgets / stuff, towel
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This was pretty inexpensive at Costco so I was wary, but I used it in an absolute torrential downpour in Mexico City and I kept dry! For some reason my arms were a bit wet but the rest of me was dry. It's a bit stiff and plasticy but I love the color, weight, price, and functionality so it's a keeper. As an extra bonus, I love the colors, too.
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So far so good! I just got a 2-pack of these at Costco for $16! I have been wearing them on these hot days at home. They are fitted so are cute and have done well in the heat keeping me dry and smell-free. They are light and thin but not too thin.
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This stuff has saved me more than once from scratching my skin off. The best one to get is the one with antihisthimine in it.This stuff has saved me more than once from scratching my skin off. The best one to get is the one with antihistamine in it.
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Strong deet in a pump spray. This size will last me 1-2 months in full mosquito battle conditions. You might hear mixed reviews since deet is so toxic, but this works, plain and simple.
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You want some sort of flashlight for sure since you might be somewhere without electricity, or on a night hike. I don't necessarily wear this on my head, but it's nice to have the option. I like having a red light to keep your night vision. The buttons are really difficult to remember how to work them though.
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Although these don't seem as necessary as they once were since most hostels and cheap hotels now provide sheets, hands down the best travel sheet is Cocoon. Not just the brand, but the one w/ the zipper! This will allow you to use it as a flat sheet or just unzip it part of the way so you are not trapped in a sheet sleeve. Also, if you are a couple, you can zip two of them together to form one big sleep sack for the two of you! My little treat to myself is the silk-cotton combo but the cotton one is great too.
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This is a bit thicker than, say, the Zero Rules. It's more like cotton but it still performs well in the heat. It looks more normal than other high performance tees.
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This t-shirt performs well in the heat but is not quite as soft as the Zero Rules shirt. The fabric is also not quite as soft.
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My absolute favorite hot weather t-shirt. It's slightly fitted, comfortable, and keeps you cool.
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I keep it pretty simple but I do have my preference of these inexpensive purse-sized brushes.
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Now I will admit that I have not used one of these but I have traveled with ladies who have. They love them.
health & beauty
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I have the LD15R and wow, that little guy packs some power! Everyone is impressed with how bright this light is. It gets hot at highest beam and the red is so dim it's almost worthless but this is otherwise a winner.
gadgets / stuff, baby shampoo
ShopWow, this little guy packs some power! Everyone is impressed with how bright this light is. It gets hot at highest beam and the red is so dim it's almost worthless but this is otherwise a winner.
gadgets / stuff, baby shampoo
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I love my space pen. It works anywhere even if it gets wet. Lying in bed doing crossword puzzles? This is the pen for you! Extra bonus that it's compact.
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These are so cool to have in your bag. These coupled with your utensils allow you to eat anywhere and save a bunch of money by buying food at the grocery store.
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I originally bought this to try traveling to have fewer liquids and less weight. Then after my first use -wow- my teeth feel so clean! And you don't rinse it either which is way more convenient for travel.
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Stand up to pee outdoors or in yucky toilets! My boyfriend's daughter has one of these and just loves it.
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I keep it pretty simple but I do have my preference of these inexpensive purse-sized brushes.
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I love these inexpensive, lightweight, full-sized, heat resistant utensils.
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Pretty standard rubber flip flops but these have a nice thick base and hold up really well.
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If you are planning on snorkeling, bring a tiny bottle of this along. It's the BEST thing to use for no fog in your mask. Better than spit! ;)
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How cool is this MacGyver style travel plug adapter that they say works in 150 countries?!
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With the braided laundry line, you don't need clothespins. You just stuff a corner of your garment in the braid. I don't use the suction cups (just leave those at home). You can almost always find a place to hang this either in your room our outside. I just loop the hook back onto the clothesline to attach it to something. This is my long time favorite.
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I don't always bring this but it's great to have for in-room coffee. You boil water in minutes. Use the flat cup (above) and some 3-in-1 coffee packets and you're all set!
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I have never understood the giant things people tote around with them around their necks or hanging off of their luggage. Such monstrosities! This has been my favorite pillow for many years. It folds down to nothing, is pretty sturdy (I have only gone through 2 or 3 of them in 18 years) and I like the shape the best of all the pillows I've tried.
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This black laser mouse works on ALL surfaces. It's just what you need for working in non-typical travel locations.
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Thin-lined, water-resistant cover, lightweight and flexible for portability.
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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, gadgets / stuff, 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:
gadgets / stuff, luggage locks
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This comes in handy from time to time. Sometimes you need to supply your own lock at a hostel or you want to lock your bag to a pole while sleeping on an overnight train, at an airport, or leaving your luggage at a hotel for a few days.
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This top really surprised me. It's so versatile and rather flattering. It is modest enough to wear in lieu of a tank top and goes with almost everything. It also performs extremely well in the heat.
clothing, tank top / sleeveless, tops
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This comes in handy from time to time. Sometimes you need to supply your own lock at a hostel or you want to lock your bag to a pole while sleeping on an overnight train, at an airport, or leaving your luggage at a hotel for a few days.
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These are a great rugged flip-flop. This is the only shoe I bring on some trips. The bottle opener on the bottom has actually come in handy! UPDATE: Manufacturing has changed and now these rub the foot raw. :(
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This falls under "better safe than sorry". These are so slim that there's no reason not to use them.
gadgets / stuff
ShopThe lightweight quick-dry fabric is great, and with the velcro closure, you have some leeway in how much ice cream you eat. I don't like that they put the rough side of the velcro facing out so that it might snag my shirt, but all in all, if you can get one on sale, it's a great travel skirt with a flirty pleat on the back. Now they sell dresses too (but they look a little frumpy)!
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This top is super comfortable, pretty good in the heat, and a bit longer to wear with leggings.
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Strong deet in a pump spray. This size will last me 1-2 months in full mosquito battle conditions. You might hear mixed reviews since deet is so toxic, but this works, plain and simple.
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Strong deet in a pump spray. This size will last me 1-2 months in full mosquito battle conditions. You might hear mixed reviews since deet is so toxic, but this works, plain and simple.
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New kid on the block claims to be just as effective as deet without melting your gear. Woohoo!!
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Although there was an initial learning curve, I do like it! Read my full review in my posts section.
gadgets / stuff, laundry bag
ShopI have the regular size bad and although there was an initial learning curve, I do like it! Read my full review in my posts section.
gadgets / stuff, laundry bag
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For some reason most non-slip headbands seem like they are made for children. Way too small for me. This one is perfect. It's snug, DOES stay in place all day long, dries quickly, and it not hot on my head. Unfortunately it does get stretched out after a while.
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I can't tell you how many times I have either dropped or leaned on or smushed hair clips and broken off the tines. These are fantastic! They are designed so they don't have tines sticking out, they're sturdy, and even have rubber pieces inside to really make sure they stay put. I love these!
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I love that this is small, lightweight, and not liquid but I found it was just not soapy enough for me. I needed a lot of sheets to wash anything of substance.
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I used this all the time in SE Asia. A few shop owners even asked me where I got it.
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I can't stand wearing hats when I travel to hot climates. My head gets all sweaty and uncomfortable. I have tried everything from a standard baseball cap to a more stylish brimmed hat. I end up sacrificing coolness for keeping the sun off my face which I pretty much don't see the point. Enter the SunDay Afternoons Sun Tripper Cap. OMG my head doesn't get hot! And to top it off, it packs flat and dries quickly. I'm in love.
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The airism line has been amazing for travel. It's not very good quality and does not seem to hold up very well. But at these prices, it's pretty much disposable clothing (did I just say that?). Lightweight, quick drying, great in the heat. The fabrics can be a bit thin and shiny. Use this link for $10 off your first order of $75 or more.
clothing
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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?
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.
Taking a bit of food with you when you travel not only saves money, but there are times you'll be so grateful you have something familiar to eat! Here's a list of some easy snacks to pack from home.