Just 19 Travel Items I Personally Bought (And Would Buy Again) So Far In 2023

Besides rent, travel is my second largest expense, so I take my accessories seriously. Here's what I'd spend my $$$ on again — no question.

1. An Apple AirTag so I know where my bag is at all times — especially if I have tight connections to make or am on a trip that involves planes, trains, and automobiles (aka Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis).

Amazon

After all of the flight cancellations, tarmac delays, and general travel disruptions of 2022, I finally decided to invest in an AirTag for my checked luggage. In my 15 years of international travel, I've only ever had a bag lost once (due to a missed connecting flight), but I figured it was time to stop tempting fate. I'm generally a carry-on-only traveler, but even those have been getting gate-checked more frequently and as my recent trip involved SIX flights, I felt better having this slipped inside. Using the "Find My" app I can see exactly where my bag was last located so when I land, I'll know if it made the flight with me.

Promising review: "Got these specifically to drop in two suitcases for an international trip. They worked flawlessly. In Munich, we were late getting through to baggage claim and were having trouble finding the luggage storage area. Followed the tracking on 'Find My' and found them behind some unmarked frosted sliding doors that served as the luggage collection area. In Geneva, we missed a connection and our bags didn’t come through the claim. The line for luggage tracking was long, but keeping an eye on 'Find My' showed us when they were delivered to the baggage claim about 20 minutes later. We got out of line and were on our way. Very effective, accurate, and convenient." —Sport303

Get it from Amazon for $29.

2. And an AirTag holder because as incredible as the little gadget is, I don't love the idea of a $30 device just floating around all willy-nilly in my suitcase.

amazon.com

This was a no-brainer for me because — like I said — I wasn't going to just throw the AirTag in my bag and hope for the best. Instead, I placed it in here and attached the key ring to a zipper on the inside of my bag. Easy peasy. 

Promising review: "When I purchased this I was worried my AirTag would accidentally fall out if it was not secure enough. When I got it, my worries were put to rest. The AirTag is super secure and I keep it on my keys. Will likely get another few for the rest of my AirTags." —Alli

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in eight colors). 

3. A 26-liter Calpak Duffel with soooo many pockets it's basically the bag equivalent of cargo pants.

Calpak

If you wanna talk about a ludicrously capacious bag, this right here is the winner!! I bought a basic economy ticket — with no baggage allowance other than a personal item — and managed to fit enough in here for an 8-day trip that included London, Oxford, and Edinburgh. I wore it as a backpack the whole time, but it does have adjustable straps that turn it into a duffel bag. It also has multiple carrying handles, a luggage trolley sleeve, a laptop pocket, an interior compression strap, a clamshell opening (so it opens just like a suitcase!), and, one of the best features — imo — a ripstop polyester shell (it's made from 27 recycled water bottles). I stuffed this sucker with not only my clothes and toiletries but a whole bunch of souvenirs on the way home and there was no ripping of seams or weird noises that made me think my bag might explode at any moment. Oh and the juniper color is just 😍

Promising review: "I recently used this bag for a trip to Florida and managed to pack so many outfits. It worked as a personal item so I didn’t have to pay for luggage. Not to mention, this bag had so many pockets. Definitely purchase if you’re on the fence." —Alyssa C.

Get it from Calpak for $175 (available in five colors).

4. A versatile denim jacket I will wear with any outfit and in any weather condition. Just ask anyone I've ever traveled with.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed, HM

I am a jean jacket devotee — so much so, that I pack one (or two; I also have this in white) for every trip no matter the weather forecast. This light wash one from H&M is a recent favorite as it goes with literally everything and the denim isn't too stiff so it's easy to fold up and put in my suitcase. I also love that the wrists aren't super skinny so if it's a warm day, I can roll up the sleeves and still be comfortable. Just an FYI — I found it runs really large. If you want it to be fitted, I'd size down two whole sizes. (I went down one and it's still oversized.)

Get it from H&M for $34.99 (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL and in three colors).

5. An itty bitty NYX brow glue that keeps my eyebrows in place all day long — even if I'm sweating my butt off as I walk countless miles in an outrageously humid destination.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed, Amazon

I wear very little makeup — especially on vacation — but there's something about doing my brows that makes me feel more put together. I recently went on a 12-day trip to the UK, Croatia, Montenegro, and Spain, and traveled carry-on only so I really had to pare down my toiletries — especially as the airports I traveled through made us condense all of our liquids into a single quart-size bag. This stuff is TINY but does the absolute most! I wouldn't say I have particularly thin or thick brows, but this really zhuzhed them up with next to no effort.

Promising review: "So natural and easy to use, it lasts me all day and is totally worth it and travel friendly." —Amelia

Get it from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in five shades).

6. Travel-sized Monday shampoo and conditioner because I'm a really relaxed, go-with-the-flow traveler but the one thing I won't do? Use hotel- or Airbnb-provided toiletries. It's bad enough that hair has to get used to new water, nvm new shampoos and conditioners, too.

Target

I'm really not a shampoo/conditioner snob but I feel like hotel ones always make my hair SO dry and knotted. These guys I picked up because they were super cute, I heard a lot of good things about them on TikTok, and they were $3 each so if they sucked, I wouldn't feel too bad throwing them away. Luckily, I ended up loving them so much, I bought the full-size versions when I got home. I really like the scent, but more importantly, they leave my hair super soft and manageable. 

Promising review (shampoo): "I bought this while traveling and wasn’t sure I was going to like it — I ended up using it for over two weeks! Great amount of product for the price and size. Leaves hair soft and silky. Smells great too." —hcfros

Promising review (conditioner): "Super cute little package. TSA-approved for travel as well. Love this brand because you don’t need to use a lot so this little bottle will definitely last a week trip." —SNewsom

Get the shampoo and conditioner both from Target for $2.99.

7. Reebok Club C Doubles — the only shoes I'd save from a burning building if given the opportunity.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed, amazon.com

You know that TikTok sound "If I like it…I'll just grab it in a different color"? These shoes are my kryptonite. I have them in four different colors and wear them with EVERYTHING whether I'm on vacation or at home. They go with skirts and dresses just as well as with jeans and they've never given me a blister!!! According to the health app on my iPhone, my most recent trip included 57 miles of walking and my feet were in tip-top shape despite walking all day, every day through four different countries. Pro tip: If you're a women's size 8 or smaller, you can get them in big kid's sizes (I'm an 8 women's, so I get a 6 in kids) and they're like half the price!!

Promising review: "They are soooo comfortable and soft on the inside I wish I’d bought them sooner. They were comfortable from the moment I put them on… didn’t even have to break them in.” —Sarahsmile

Get them from Amazon for $80+ (available in women's sizes 5–11 and in 15 colors).

PS: If you're a Prime member, you can try before you buy!

8. A zip-top L.L. Bean Boat and Tote that, as a New Englander, I am legally obliged to own. That said, I'd buy it again and again and again even if I wasn't.

L.L. Bean, Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed

I grew up in New Hampshire where literally everyone and their mother owns an L.L. Bean Boat and Tote (and duck boots, obvs) but this year, when I replaced an old one, I went with the zip-top version for travel purposes. I have the medium size and it sits perfectly on top of my suitcase so I can zip around the airport at maximum speed. I love that the canvas is super sturdy and even the cream color can take being kicked under airplane seats or being shoved in overhead train compartments without picking up too many stains. It's also the perfect vessel for all of my iron-on patches that I collect during my travels!

Promising review: "I needed a tote that zipped up for an airline trip. The medium was perfect. It held SO MUCH, zipped so nothing spilled out, and slipped under the seat in front of me on the plane. The quality is top notch. Exactly what I needed. Thanks, L.L.Bean!" —Cosmosmom

Get it from L.L. Bean for $39.95+ (available in sizes S–XL, two strap lengths, and six accent colors).

9. A *number* of plain Madewell tees I can mix and match with every bottom in my bag so I don't have to spend more than 60 seconds putting together an outfit.

Amazon

I am not good at planning outfits ahead of time. Often when I do, I end up not wanting to wear it anyways, so it does me no good. That's why I like traveling with three or four of these plain Madewell tees — because I can pair them with any skirt/pant I've packed and they go perfectly. They also fold up super small so they take up next to no room in back which is a major selling point. 

Promising review: "I do love my oversized shirts these days but sometimes you still need a tee that is more fitted. This is THE ONE! It’s great for bomber jackets, under Lululemon scuba sweatshirts, and any sweater/sweatshirt/jacket that is not oversized or long. It looks great just French tucked into some jeans. My favorite white tee. I ordered a second I like it so much!" —Maurine

Get it from Amazon for $18.50 (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL and in 15 colors). 

10. A mini Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray that prevents my makeup from melting off my face because if I'm going to spend $42 on a skin tint (it's expensive, but ILY <3 Summer Fridays), it better stay on ALL DAY.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed, Sephora

This lil' guy goes a long way and truly keeps my makeup in place all day. I will say I'm not an eyeliner/eyeshadow/contour person — I'm more of a skin tint/mascara/blush person, but I think it'd do just as well for the former.

Promising review: "When the song said 'It's gon' stay 'cause it's Urban Decay,' they weren’t joking. This has been my holy grail setting spray for so long and I will never even think to try another one. This one is perfect, for setting and for rehydrating the skin and giving a perfect glowy finish." —gulnuragimad

Get it from Sephora for $16.

11. Croc platforms. Full stop. They're ultra-comfortable, waterproof, and can take a serious beating if you — like me — need to shove them in the exterior water bottle pouch of your backpack because you bought more souvenirs than anticipated.

instagram.com, Amazon

If 2023 me told pre-2019 me that I would ever wear Crocs, I'd laugh in her face. That said, these may just be my favorite sandals ever. I am a big platform person so that's what initially sold me but better yet, they're just so freaking comfortable. They have a slight bounce and the straps do. not. rub. so I can wear them for hours on end. Since they're plastic, they can also get wet without issue and they dry off super fast. If you're on the fence because you're a Never Croc-er™ just give 'em a try. (You can always return them on Amazon if you're not sold!)

Promising review: "Alright, I've gotta say something because holy balls, man. If you want a cute and COMFORTABLE pair of shoes while you travel, you gotta buy these. I just visited Bali and literally wore these EVERY SINGLE DAY. I didn't even pull out any of my other shoes. Bonus, they're waterproof... how do I know that?? I walked 1.3 miles in them during a Bali thunderstorm back to our hotel! Honestly, I couldn't recommend these shoes enough!" —Devon C.

Get them from Amazon for $43.96+ (available in women's sizes 4–11 and in 13 colors).

PS: If you're a Prime member, you can try before you buy!

12. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter because if there's one thing I'm gonna do on a long flight, it's find myself watching the screen of a person a few rows over and then decide I need to watch whatever they have on even if I've literally never considered watching it before. (Question for therapists — do you think that's some form of FOMO?)

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed

Last year I splurged on some AirPod Maxes and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??).

PS: the AirFly Pro comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick start guide, and manual.

Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry multiple headsets! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three options).

13. A textured button-down that works as a regular ol' shirt and a coverup because I pack super light and pieces that can pull double duty are invaluable.

Urban Outfitters

I rented this in a recent Nuuly box because I was going to Jamaica for a week and needed lightweight options. I ended up loving it so much, I purchased it instead of returning it. It's super airy so it can be worn as a bathing suit coverup but if you button it, you can also wear it as a normal shirt. I like the crinkled texture because even if you ball it up in your bag, it doesn't look wrinkly — it looks intentional. I also love the distressed hem which gives it a bit of personality beyond your typical button-down.

Promising review: "So comfortable and fits oversized which I love. Perfect as cover up or just alone as a shirt!" —Bella5454

Get it from Urban Outfitters for $35.40 (originally $59; available in women's sizes XS–XL and in seven colors).

14. A waterproof Kindle Paperwhite so I can read right by the pool — unlimited strawberry daiquiris and mudslides in hand — without worrying about ruining the pages of my non-beach read. (Pictured below: RHOSLC Heather Gay's Bad Mormon.)

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed

Look, I love the feel of a paperback, but when you're traveling light, books are just such a hassle. This year, I finally got on the Kindle bandwagon and I'm glad I did. I charged this thing up *once* before a four-day trip to Cabo and then a weeklong trip to Jamaica and it was enough battery to get me through both trips and four whole books. I love the paper-like screen and adjustable brightness so you can read even if you're in direct sunlight but honestly, the best part is that it's waterproof. While I'm hesitant to test that feature out fully — like, I'm not about to submerge it — I did take it in the pool with me and it got splashed a few times without issue. 

Promising review: "The Kindle Paperwhite is a fantastic e-reader that has revolutionized the way many people read. As an avid reader myself, I can attest to the fact that the Paperwhite is an incredibly convenient device to have. It's lightweight, portable, and easy to use, and the display is easy on the eyes, even after hours of reading. One of the things I appreciate about the Kindle Paperwhite is its long battery life. With a single charge, the device can last for weeks, even with daily use. This makes it an ideal travel companion, as you don't need to worry about carrying around extra chargers or finding an outlet. Another feature I love about the Kindle Paperwhite is its integration with Amazon's Kindle store. It's incredibly easy to browse and purchase books from the store, and the selection of titles is vast. Plus, with Amazon's Kindle Unlimited subscription service, you have access to a massive library of books for a flat monthly fee. Overall, I highly recommend the Kindle Paperwhite to anyone who loves to read. It's a great device that provides an excellent reading experience and makes it easy to carry your entire library with you wherever you go." —James

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available with or without lockscreen ads and in two digital storage sizes). 

15. A mini wallet that fits all of my essentials but doesn't take up too much room in my bag so I have space for my portable charger, phone, keys, Chapstick, and whatever tiny trinkets I pick up throughout the day.

Amazon

I am a lover of tiny purses, so it was a natural move to swap my full-size wallet for a little one, too. This has plenty of room for my credit cards, ID, and whatever currency I'm using but doesn't take up much real estate in my bag which is exactly what I was looking for. 

Promising review: "I had such a difficult time finding a replacement for my RFID wallet that had finally worn out until I discovered this little beauty. Price wasn’t really a factor as I had tried to find designer wallets with the same options as this one and there simply were none. I travel constantly and change purses a lot so I needed a small RFID wallet that was durable, holds cash, change, and has at least 6 card slots plus an ID window. This was even smaller and cuter than my previous name-brand wallet and it is my favorite green color with sparkles. It’s already gone on many trips, both domestic and abroad, and has withstood everyday use and still looks new. It fits even in the smallest of my handbags. I’m so pleased and will be buying again." —Trumpcards

Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in 33 colors/designs). 

16. An Ouai mini detangler to help my hair combat hard water when I'm showering away from home.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed

So I *technically* got this in my free birthday gift from Sephora but, that said, I will be buying another when it runs out. I have short but unruly hair that knots at a moment's notice so this is an essential part of my routine. It smells delightful, untangles my hair, and doesn't leave it looking greasy which is always my number one concern when trying a new leave-in conditioner. Just a heads up: If you're sensitive to smells, you may want to try this out at home before taking it on the road. Some reviewers say the fragrance is too much for them. 

Promising review: "I brought this with me to the beach last summer and it perfectly re-hydrated my hair after rinsing out all the sea salt! My curly-haired friends enjoyed it too, and I find this to be a staple whenever I leave for a trip. No matter what water you had your head under, this product has got you covered!" —Felicitymick

Get it from Sephora for $16. 

17. A Uniqlo shoulder bag that is seriously a Mary Poppins bag if I've ever seen one. It may look small, but I frequently put a full water bottle in there along with all of my other bits and bobs.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed, Uniqlo

This is a great (read: cheaper) alternative to Baggu's frequently sold-out Nylon Crescent Bag. It's super spacious despite its small appearance, it has an interior pocket for important stuff, and the strap is adjustable so you can wear it a few different ways. I like that it's soft and slouchy so when I don't have much in there, it's super compact.

Promising review: "This bag is perfect for everyday use! It fits everything I need like my phone, wallet, Chapstick, hand sanitizer, and sunglasses, and still has so much space leftover for anything else I may need to carry along with me for the day!" —Tiffany

Get it from Uniqlo for $19.90 (available in eight colors).

18. Some TSA-approved Kitsch travel pouches which pack down to basically nothing at all — saving space for other essential toiletries I *can't* siphon into a travel container.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed

TBH I bought these on a whim because I saw them while I was standing in the checkout line at TJ Maxx but turns out, they're great! My shampoo and especially my conditioner get stuck in the bottom of traditional travel bottles and it's really annoying to have them taking up space in my bag once they've run out. That's where these come in clutch. I can roll them like a toothpaste tube to get out every last bit and then they pack completely flat leaving me with *extra* room on the way home.  

Promising review: "I absolutely love these little pouches. They have worked amazingly for the travel I have done recently. I have heard that some people have issue with them popping, but I think that is avoidable if you don’t fill them up all the way to allow for air expansion on the plane. Also squeeze out excess air. These are so cute and the plastic pouch them come in hold my razor and shower mitt. Most of all, I love how no product gets wasted. That is what I hated about structured travel bottles. Must buy!" —Ashley 

Get them from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in two colors). 

19. And a fashion-forward Cincha travel belt that can accommodate literally all of my carry-ons as it expands to 45 inches.

Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed, Cincha

Cincha is a BIPOC–owned business run by a couple based in Oakland, California. They've been making the chic travel belt since 2019.

Honestly, the designs are what sold me, but the functionality is there. I am someone who walks at a brisk pace and likes to go straight to my gate at the airport, bypassing slow walkers and strollers, so this comes in handy keeping my personal item attached to my carry-on. I've also used it as a compression strap around a backpack and duffel when I've overpacked them.

Promising review: "Such a simple yet brilliant solution for the ever-falling bag when trying to juggle all your luggage. It definitely made traveling less stressful." —Samantha

Get it directly from Cincha or from their Etsy shop for $40+ (available in 15 colors)/prints.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.