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    32 Travel Products That’ll Actually Help Save You Some Money During Your Next Trip (So You Can Actually Buy Those Souvenirs You Want)

    If you have a beach vacation on the horizon, you need to stock up on sunscreen sticks to avoid paying the markup price at your destination.

    1. A stuffable travel luggage pillow any budget-savvy traveler needs because you can roll up your clothes and turn them into a comfy travel pillow. No carry-ons allowed? No problem! 😎

    A pile of clothes on the floor next to a black unzipped tube
    The tube full of clothes to become a travel neck pillow propped on a suitcase

    Tube is a small business that created this problem-solving travel pillow. 

    Promising review: "I bought this looking to both save space and gain comfort for those long airplane rides. I was pleasantly surprised that they worked so well and fit so much into them while not sacrificing baggage space. I could fit at least a full day's worth of clothes in it. Also works well if you have one of those backpacks with the attachment clip and loop system as you can use this as a strap to avoid purchasing another carry-on bag from airlines." —Victor Tolentino

    Get it from Amazon for $34.95.

    2. A compact umbrella you should just keep in your go-to carry-on bag so you never forget to pack it. That way you'll never be forced to buy an umbrella from a random street vendor at a high markup when it inevitably starts to downpour during your trip. Plus, this inside-out design keeps the wet part inside when you close it, meaning you won't get water everywhere when you go inside.

    reviewer holding closed black travel umbrella
    another reviewer's open black umbrella

    Promising review: "This is the best travel umbrella I’ve ever owned! It’s very easy to open and close one-handed with the push button. It’s very sturdy and fits nicely in a carry-on or backpack." —C.J.

    Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in four sizes and 36 colors).

    3. Or a Hairbrella small enough to fold up and keep in your bag because you never know what the weather is going to do when you're on vacation. One minute it's sunny and the next it's down pouring. The satin-lined hat will protect your hair against snow, humidity, wind, and anything else Mother Nature decides to send your way. 

    Reviewer wearing black flexible cap with small plastic visor on their head
    Model pouring water on another model's head while wearing the hairbrella, then taking it off to show hair perfectly styled and dried

    Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather since 2016. 

    Promising review: "I traveled to London last month with a raincoat that did not have a hood, and I wanted something that would protect my head/hair/blowout without lugging an umbrella. This definitely did the trick. Two of the three days were rainy (some quite heavy) and my hair stayed totally dry. It stows nicely, too. I'm still learning how to adjust it while it's on my head (easier to adjust first and then put it on). Also, when I do have it tightened/pulled to the right place, the loop/slack from where I adjusted it sort of sticks out and gets in my peripheral vision. I wish the adjustment/clasp was on less prominent. But, all in all, this is perfect for anyone who wants to keep their blowout fresh in the rain." —Miss Information

    Get it from Amazon for $39 (available in 10 colors).

    4. An anti-blister balm for when you're in a ~pinch~ and want to make sure that you don't get blisters from the only "comfortable" shoes you packed. No need to go out and buy a new pair of shoes when this will help protect your feet for the whole trip.

    hand holding the balm
    person applying the balm to the back of their ankle

    Promising review: "I purchased two of these for our one-week Disney World trip. I knew I’d be walking around A LOT, and my feet aren’t used to the many miles of walking a day in the hot and humid environment, so I didn’t want to be uncomfortable. I'm happy to say I put it on once in the morning, slipped on some socks and comfy shoes, and I didn’t get one blister or issue with my feet! I wish I knew about this a long time ago!" —Michelle

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available as a bundle).

    5. AirFly, a wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so you can enjoy all the free entertainment without being forced to bring two sets of headphones or use the crappy ones they have the AUDACITY to charge for on some flights.

    It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.

    Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009. 

    Promising review: "I love this gadget ... I fly a lot and this works on the majority of wide-body planes I’ve taken over the past six months. Just plug into one of the three-prong outlets (or single outlet in economy), and you can connect any Bluetooth device. Doesn’t always connect on the first try as I have several devices that my headphones are searching for, but if you turn off all other devices, it seems to connect right away. Once connected, it works for many hours. A few planes I’ve taken recently (Qatar Airways) have USB charge points so close to the headphone jack that you can even plug it in while it's working and never lose the charge. Highly recommend for travelers." —Joseph Britto

    Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four styles and in black and white).

    6. A Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen stick that's TSA-friendly so you can pack as much as you'll need for your week-long vacation and not deal with those liquid requirements. And when the beach towns double the price on sunscreen, you'll have your own stash ready to go to keep your protected.

    model rubbing sunscreen on face
    Amazon

    BuzzFeed Shopping Editor Elizabeth Lilly says: "I first bought this for a weeklong Croatian vacation last year when I did carry-on, and as long as you are *thoroughly* reapplying, this stuff stays on pretty well. On a beach club afternoon, I did haphazardly reapply and missed a strip on one arm, but I tend to do that with spray-on or lotion sunscreen, too. Since then, I've packed this for any trip I've been on, including a two-day Disneyland trip where I toted this around in my bag and shared with friends. I sometimes carry it with me in my purse on my everyday adventures because I know it's so easy to apply. Also worth mentioning...I am about the palest lady you've ever seen and swear by daily application of sunscreen. But when on a beach trip, I'm constantly swimming in the water and sweating. So yeah, this stuff works."

    "And if you're a bit hesitant about jumping on the solid sunscreen bandwagon, you can pack a stick of this, knowing you have enough sun protection to get you through to finding some spray-on or lotion SPF at your destination." 

    Promising review: "Love this stuff!! My sensory sensitive kiddo love this. The sent is mild, it soaks into the skin well and provides great protection. Will buy over and over again!" —Vinny

    Get it from Amazon for $9.88.

    7. Some laundry soap sheets to have on hand when you realize you've run out of clothes because you've decided to extend your trip even longer because there was no way you were going home without visiting the Eiffel Tower.

    Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." —Katie

    Get it from Amazon for $10.85.

    8. 16-piece travel toiletries set filled with everything you need to bring your hair, skin, and makeup products with you. No need to go waste any money on the expensive travel-sized versions of your go-to products. This set will make it super easy to transfer the right amount to comply with those pesky TSA rules. 

    The set comes with four bottles, two jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers (to help transfer creams), one funnel (to help transfer liquids), one cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a bag that everything fits in.  

    Promising review: "This is essential for flying! I fly pretty often throughout the year and after having numerous leakage issues with regular plastic travel containers, decided to go the silicone route and am so glad I did. I love that this set includes different sizes of bottles and tools to help fill/empty them so reusing them is a breeze and there is no wasted product. The variety of colors is great so I can easily tell apart my toiletries, even without the included labels! Love this set and highly recommend it!" —Hennie S.

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four color combinations). 

    9. A portable espresso maker because your morning cup o' Joe is just plain necessary, and this little gadget lets you use Nespresso pods to make your essential brew from anywhere on the map and not have to buy a coffee from a shop every single day.

    hand holding the espresso maker, showing it's about the size of a travel cup
    a hand pushing a button, showing how the espresso comes out the bottom of the maker
    Amazon

    Promising reviews: "The best thing for traveling ever!! I have to have espresso every morning and most small hotels and gas stations don't have espresso coffee so this is perfect! Easy to use. The cleaning takes 30 seconds; just rinse with water and let it dry." —Joanna Verdeja

    "Save money when traveling! Love this! I travel often, and this thing saves me a bundle from hitting up Starbucks or the hotel cafe." —Thomas

    Get it from Amazon for $54.90 (and here are some Nespresso pods to go with it).

    10. An inflatable booster seat perfect to use in cabs, Ubers, or any other mode of transportation you're going to take. It also comes with a seat-belt positioning clip to ensure your child is comfortable and safe. And it's collapses small enough to fit in a carry-on bag so you can avoid having to rent a booster seat during the whole trip.

    reviewer image of the booster seat in a car
    reviewer image of a child using the booster seat in a car

    It's recommended for kids ages 4–11 or 40–100 lbs.

    Promising reviews: "Bought it for a trip to Europe. It saved us a lot of money because we didn’t have to rent a child seat in the car rental. It is comfortable for the kids and lightweight to fit in the carry-on bag." —Maria Ines Vera

    "I had my doubts initially but decided to order this for a trip with our five-year-old. I’m so glad I did! It worked great and was super convenient. It collapses quickly and is light so I carried it in my carry-on bag and then was able to quickly inflate while waiting for our ride share. It positioned my child appropriately for the seat belt, and I was especially impressed with the shoulder strap positioning, which is not even a feature on many normal backless boosters. It was so helpful to not have to worry about ordering and waiting for a car with car seats/boosters." —LynnS

    Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in black and pink chevron). 

    11. A freezable snack box designed with built-in cooling technology that you can fill with snacks that will stay cold all day long, so you don't have to spend ~$5,385 on snacks at the airport. Reviewers say this is not only great for storing snacks for littles, but also for people with food allergies, and even breastfeeding people who need to store milk while away from home. 

    reviewer image of the snack box in triangle stripes
    Reviewer's photo showing the box in triangle stripes print filled with snacks

    Promising review: "This is a must-have for travel! As someone with food allergies, I often travel with food. This was the perfect solution for how to keep items cold while traveling. The bag is quick to freeze and has plenty of space for snacks and food. It seems to keep cold for a full day flight and no issue taking thru TSA." —Sunshine_AW

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in 13 colors and prints).

    12. A digital luggage scale so you don't have to spend any time worrying that your bag is overweight at the airport and then trying to rearrange while your suitcase is open on the floor, for the whole airport to see. 😳 Maybe this is a very specific fear that I personally have, but owning this scale will ensure that you never have to pay an overweight baggage fee.

    You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements. 

    Promising reviews: "I cannot imagine how we would have managed a big international trip without this. It saved us so much stress and, I’m sure, surprise charges at the airport." —Potter Freak

    "This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel." —Robert

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in four colors and also a two-pack).

    13. A pack of LeakLocks Toiletry Skins you can slide right over your toiletries to stop any spilling that might occur during the trip. Not only will you avoid cleaning up a mess in your luggage when you arrive, but you won't have to take a trip to replace your favorite products to get you through the whole trip.

    Rinseroo is a small business creating problem-solving cleaning, travel, and pet products.

    Promising reviews: "Although I wouldn’t say these are 100% leakproof, they do a pretty darn good job. As someone who has been traveling a lot internationally lately, these have saved me from having to buy new products whenever I am away from home. There are a few products that the item still are leaking from the top bought these sleeves help protect it from getting into the rest of my bag that’s why I still give it a 5-star review." —M&R's mommy

    "I used these on my travel toiletries on a month-long road trip. On several occasions, the toiletry lids opened, but none of the product leaked out of the toiletry skins. I was even able to pour the leaked shampoo back into the bottle. I rinsed out the skin and placed it back on for the next leg of my journey. These are my new travel must-haves." —Tyson Mohr

    Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two colors and in an eight-pack). 

    14. A compact tote bag designed to fold up into itself so you can store it in your bag without taking up too much space in your suitcase. Then when you get to your destination you can take it with you as you explore and have a place to stash all your purchases, especially now that some cities charge extra for a bag. 

    model carrying the purple tote with small white flowers on it
    Open suitcase with a polka-dotted pouch on it
    Calpak

    Plus, it's made out of durable and water-resistant fabric. 

    Promising review: "I got the blush-colored bag. It is such a pretty neutral color. I packed it in my overnight bag to have an extra bag for shopping. It came in handy when I needed it! I put my water and a light sweater in there. Also, I put my shopping items in there instead of carrying extra store bags that leave a mark on my wrists. This little bag zips up compact and will always be a necessity when traveling anywhere! I highly recommend getting one!" —Nubia C.

    Get it from Calpak for $35 (available in 14 colors and patterns). 

    15. A skyline mini wallet emergency kit filled with so many practical items you may need throughout the trip (i.e. Tylenol, a hair tie, etc.) but that's small enough to fit in your carry-on bag (and then your purse), meaning you can keep it with you at all times and not have to find a local drug store when you get a headache.

    A small white faux leather pouch with a black skyline print surrounded by a mix of travel-sized toiletries and on-the-go essentials
    Anne Cate

    Anne Cate is a woman-owned small business based in Cleveland, Ohio that handmakes minimalist keepsakes with a skyline from more than 100 cities and colleges around the world!

    The kit includes a hair tie, ChapStick, two floss pics, a sewing kit, bandages, emery board, two safety pins, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, a deodorant wipe, a Shout wipe, a tampon, hand sanitizer, and Tylenol.

    BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy says: "I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this at the start of COVID-19 to keep in my work tote. Unfortunately, I haven't touched my work tote in months because...*gestures at the world around*...but it's a really handy kit I know will save me a ton whenever I regularly leave the house again. Everything from Anne Cate is super high-quality. The wallet on its own is adorable and could be used for a million different things."

    Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in different skylines).

    16. The newest version of the Kindle Paperwhite designed with a larger display, adjustable lighting options, a glare-free screen, weeks-long battery life, and (IMHO the best feature) it's waterproof! This may be your most-used item because you won't have to pay full price for a new book when you finish the page-turner on the plane.

    reviewer image of the kindle
    reviewer showing the back of the kindle

    Promising review: "I’ve held onto physical books for a long time, but with a two-week vacation planned, I decided to splurge on the Kindle for my birthday gift. I have read 11 online books since I bought it, and my only regret is that I didn’t purchase it sooner. I love the quick downloads, library organizing, and the ability to have so many options in such a small device. I now carry my Kindle everywhere I go to pass the time in various places. The feature of book suggestions has also helped me find a few new fave authors. The biggest plus for me is how you can change the lighting at night to read in bed without a book light. Total game changer. Buy the Kindle — you will love it." —Erin P.

    Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in three colors and with or without Kindle Unlimited).

    17. A set of vacuum storage bags if you're looking to squeeeeze as much into your bag as humanly possible. These bags can increase your storage space but up to 80%. It's especially great if you're traveling for a long time and don't want to deal with paying for a checked bag over and over again.

    A BuzzFeeder's bulky clothes in a sealed bag with text:
    The BuzzFeeder's same clothes now vacuum-sealed with text:
    Jasmin Sandal / BuzzFeed

    Former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jasmin Sandal says: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*."

    Promising review: "My wife and I just moved to Spain and have been traveling throughout Europe and these bags have saved us so much money. We have been flying with as few suitcases as possible and these bags let us pack twice as many clothes in each suitcase. We've been using them repeatedly for almost a year and none of them have torn, though one does slowly leak (takes about 48 hours to expand) so it might not be as good for long-term storage as short-term travel. Overall, I couldn't be happier!" —Anon

    Get a six-pack from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in six sizes as well as other multipacks).

    18. A water-resistant cosmetic bag perfect for anyone who simply *cannot* pack lightly. It's OK to admit. This bag is here to help keep ALLLLL the products you'll need during the trip. There's no such thing as overprepared when it comes to avoiding repurchasing something you already have at home. It has four compartments and a hook so you can hang it in the bathroom and not have to deal with unpacking and repacking everything. 

    reviewer pic of all their products in a pile on a bed
    reviewer image of the toiletries holder filled with all the products and neatly organized

    Promising reviews: "I bought this bag specifically for when I travelled across the country with my two small children. One of whom is a medically complex child. I put ALL of my toiletries, ALL their toiletries, and ALL of my son's medications in this bag. Everything fit perfectly, and nothing was broken. The hanger is durable and carried lots of weight when it hanged on the back of the bathroom door. I bought the largest size, and it was 100% worth what I paid for. If you are traveling by yourself, I would recommend the smaller size. But if you are packing for others or just pack heavy, definitely buy the larger size. I absolutely loved it! And it was very compact in my suitcase. Very sturdy as I carried it. I HIGHLY recommend buying." —Hannah Funderburk

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors). 

    19. An eight-compartment pill organizer you can fill with any kind of medication you might possibly need while you're away (that you won't have to buy). From Tums, to Tylenol, to Dramamine, you'll be prepared and ready. Reviewers confirm they can fit up to 10 pills in the small compartments.

    Promising review: "These travel pill cases are totally worth it! We are always out and about traveling, and this case helps keep the travel pharmacy organized! No more clunky pill bottles. The pill case is very sturdy and has a clasp that stays tightly latched. The compartments on the inside are easy to open with plenty of storage for pills. I was able to fit about 10 larger pills into the smaller compartments. It’s nice to also have the larger compartments too. You can fit wrapped cough drops or other medications in those. Highly recommend!!" —Sydney Harsh

    Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97.

    20. A stroller so lightweight and compact it can fit in the overhead bin on a plane. This means you don't have to wait around for it to be retrieved from storage after you deplane or even rent a stroller when you get to your destination.

    reviewer image of the stroller in grey
    reviewer showing how the stroller folds up small enough to be considered a carry on on a plane

    It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds.

    Promising review: "This is a must-have for all parents with toddlers, especially if you are going on a trip. We went to a place where they do not recommend a stroller because it’s too bulky and gets in your way. Well, using this was not a problem at all. People were amazed at how this thing works, and it’s really handy. Very easy to fold. Very light and not space-consuming in your trunk! Love it so much!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in six styles and three colors).

    21. A portable lock box you can secure around two beach chairs to stash your wallet and phone in as you head into the ocean to snorkel — no more worrying about someone grabbing your stuff when you're face-first in the water.

    reviewer image of the portable lock box in white
    reviewer showing the inside of the lock box and how a wallet easily fits inside

    You can also use this in your room to keep valuables protected.

    Promising review: "This is a must-have for vacations. We took it to Atlantis in the Bahamas. It worked perfectly. Held our phones, room keys, etc while we were out enjoying the beach or pool. Just looped it to beach chair or table. Highly recommended." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $44.95+ (available in six colors).

    22. collapsible silicone water bottle so you can stay hydrated but also not lose $7 for a plastic one once you get through security. Plus, it won't take up a lot of much room when it's not full!

    silicone water bottle opened to full capacity
    same water bottle rolled up small enough to fit in palm of hand
    Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

    BuzzFeed Shopping Editor Elizabeth Lilly says: "I bought this water bottle before a 2.5-week trip to Vietnam (where you don't drink tap water) and Malaysia (where you do). I didn't want to bring one of my ride-or-die S'well bottles because it would take up extra room in my bag when I wouldn't be able to use it during the majority of the trip. This handy silicone bottle did just the trick! It's very easy to roll up and *stays* rolled up thanks to the just-stretchy-enough loop. Said loop was also very handy while walking through airports and just around sightseeing. The bottle is easy to clean and doesn't make my water taste weird. I'm now using it as my daily water bottle and feel confident it'll serve me well for a long time. Plus! With a collapsible water bottle it's easier to remember if you left water in it before you go through security."

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $10.99 (available in nine colors/styles).

    23. A set of four mini and refillable fragrance atomizers designed to hold more than 70 sprays of your favorite perfume, all without having to splurge on a travel sized size of your go-to scent. 

    reviewer photo of them holding four atomizers in gray, black, purple, and chrome
    reviewer photo of them holding a gray atomizer next to a bottle of Chanel perfume

    Promising reviews: "It saves money from having to buy a rollerball for travel of my favorite perfumes. Easy to use, but spraying it for the first time takes a minute." —C9

    "These are perfect for those expensive bottles you don't want to travel with! Worked beautifully on my perfumes and husband's cologne for our Europe trip. Now I keep them in my purse for ease of use :)." —Jpot

    Get a set of four from Amazon for $8.99.

    24. A travel pouch that attaches to your bra so you can keep the most important things closest to you (such as your money, credit cards, and a copy of your passport) without fear of some pickpocketing wizard breezing past you, barely touching you but somehow getting away with all the money you saved up for the trip.

    the small pouch attached to the side of a bra
    the same pouch now attached to the middle of a bra
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This was a LIFESAVER while traveling. I kept my cards and cash in it and had no stress about thieves lifting my essentials while traveling heavily pickpocketed cities. I loved it so much, I actually continued to use it when I got home instead of carrying a purse! The top flap did start to unravel after about six months — but this was also after six months of everyday use." —Krista Hinz

    Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in three colors).

    25. A USB-chargeable fan you'll be SO grateful you have on your next trip to Disney or any amusement park in the warmer months, especially when the cart rolls around with similar products that are three times the price.

    BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga says: "I picked up one of these bad boys for a recent trip to Walt Disney World and BOY was it worth every penny. It really does make a difference when you're walking around in the scalding hot sun. It also folds up so it isn't super bulky when not in use."

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors).

    26. And a stroller fan with bendable legs you can wrap around a stroller, car seat, or anything else to keep your kids cool, even if it's so hot they feel like they're "melting."

    The stroller fan in black
    Reviewer with their family at Disney using the blue fan which is attached to the stroller

    Promising review: "This fan was so perfect for our trip to Disney World! Powerful little fan! The heat was pretty much unbearable but this fan kept our littlest one cooled off. The LED light was perfect at night for seeing where we were walking. Make sure you bring a power bank though for extended use. It really saved us."—Kimmy

    Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three colors).

    27. A 2-in-1 travel blanket and pillow because you never really know if you're going to step on a sweltering or freezing airplane, but either way you'll be prepared with this. You can use it as a pillow if it's warm but unzip it and use it as a blanket if it's cold. Plus, it has a convenient handle pass-through that slips right on your suitcase to easily take it with you through the airport.

    reviewer leaning their head on the blue pillow while flying
    reviewer using the grey blanket while on a flight
    reviewer photo of the pink blanket and pillow wrapped up in its carrying case and attached to the handle of their suitcase

    Promising review: "I bought this product before taking a six-hour flight, and it was a lifesaver. The pillow has a strap behind it to put it on your luggage so that it doesn't have to be carried. Very convenient when traveling. The blanket kept me warm on the plane and when the blanket is folded into the pillow it is also comfortable. Would definitely recommend." —Robynn

    Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors). 

    28. set of packing cubes once you use them, you'll wonder how you've lived this long without them in your life. They help keep your clothes organized and allow you to pack more in your carry-on, thus eliminating the need to pay for a checked bag.

    This set comes with an extra large cube, large cube, medium cube, small cube, roomy shoe bag, and a laundry bag for dirty clothes!

    Promising review: "I always heard of packing cubes but never tried them until recently. They are a game changer. They really help save space in a suitcase and they hold a lot. They are great for organizing everything too. My husband and I used one set for a week trip and we fit 10-12 outfits in them. I highly recommend them." —Katya Ochoa

    Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 12 colors).

    29. Or a set of compression packing cubes perfect for anyone who tends to overpack (🙋‍♀️) yet refuses to pay for a checked bag. It condenses the clothes down by removing the extra air to take up less space in your luggage. Essentially, if you took a packing cube and a vacuum bag and meshed them together, you'd have this genius product. 

    reviewer image showing how large the packing cube is before it's been compressed
    reviewer showing how small the packing cube is after it's been compressed

    Promising review: "I love these! They are a great substitute for a vacuum bag. I am a chronic over-packer and always have trouble fitting everything I need/want in my luggage. I was able to pack everything I needed for a four-day trip into a personal item, with space to spare, because of these bags. I would absolutely recommend these to anyone trying to save some space in their luggage!" —Amanda Bouton

    "Carry-on, the only way to travel! And these packing cubes make it possible. I went on a month-long trip to Europe during the winter months with just a carry-on using packing cubes. I confess it was difficult since I consider myself a bit of a fashionista, and I’m a bit older, but it was so much easier just handling a small piece of luggage. So much easier in and out of airports and train stations, and travel in cars with three other women. Think of the money saved in luggage fees alone!" —Janet

    Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 29 colors and size options). 

    30. A beach tent that comes fully assembled — you can ~pop~ it open as soon as you arrive at the beach and have a shaded area to hang out in. The best part — it fold up to be about the size of a tote bag, which will easily fit in a suitcase so you don't have to rent an umbrella every single day during your vacation.

    reviewer image of the blue tent at the beach
    reviewer shwoing how small the tent folds up to be

    Promising review: "This was the best investment I made for our beach vacation with a 1-year-old! She was able to take her naps at normal time so we weren’t packing up to go back and forth. The extended floor was so nice to keep sand out and be able to sit and play with her. Holding onto it for the next trip, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone traveling with a baby or toddler!" —Heather

    Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in blue and green). 

    31. A super soft multifunctional jersey scarf wrap that packs up small and won't take up a lot of room in your luggage but will be very useful during the trip. You can wrap it around your shoulders when it gets cooler at night and avoid buying a pricy sweatshirt you'll never wear again or even use it as a blanket on the flight.

    a reviewer using the scarf as a blanket on a flight
    a reviewer wearing the scarf in paris

    Promising review: "A flight attendant loaned me her wrap on an overnight flight as there were no blankets. I was amazed at how soft and warm it was. It’s so versatile and compact. I throw it in my handbag for a blanket at the movies. Easy to pack and use for travel. They make great gifts!" —Don Hammond

    Get it from Amazon for $46 (available in 9 colors). 

    32. A helpful checklist so you can plan out everything you need to pack and not forget something important...such as underwear.

    Honestly, that feeling haunts me no matter if I go somewhere for a weekend or a month.

    Promising review: "I hate making lists trying to figure out what I need, and this is PERFECT for trying to figure that out. It has a lot more on the checklist than I would ever take on a trip, but it does accommodate for every kind a trip, from a simple vacation across state lines, to a business trip, to a wedding halfway around the world. I'm pretty pleased!" —Alyssa Kauffman

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.