1. A pair of Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers because the eighth layer of hell — the one Dante totally forgot to mention — is getting an excruciating blister on day one of your vacation and then having to either cancel all your walking-intensive excursions or suck it up and hobble through them.
FYI, these are included in Prime Wardrobe so you can give 'em a trial run if you're a member!
Promising review: "I purchased these for a vacation and am so glad I did. I walked 12 miles in them on day one of our trip and my feet were tired but also comfortable! I did get a tiny blister on the top of my ankle where the tongue rubbed above my sock, but considering the amount of walking we did this is pretty darn good! They are stylish and cute and not too bubbly (I hate the new style where the sole of the shoe bubbles out around your foot). They are classic and so comfortable, easy to slip on and off at the airport, and super stylish!" —Alicia
Get them from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in women's sizes 5–12 and in 38 colors).
2. A pair of Apple AirPods Pro ready to play hours and hours of whatever playlist you're currently digging so you can distract yourself whilst sitting at the airport. The accompanying charging case delivers 24 full hours of playtime, or — if your mind works like mine — enough juice to play the entirety of Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia 38 times.
Promising review: "Best earbuds I’ve ever purchased. For years I wanted wireless noice canceling earbuds after using the Beats Studios and Bose QC lines. Being an iPhone, user I always saw the appeal of AirPods but never could use them due to them not fitting my ear correctly and always falling out. As soon as I saw the design of the AirPods Pro, I instantly came to Amazon and ordered them. If you’re at all contemplating ordering these, I 100% recommend them. The noise canceling is slightly above average and the transparency mode is extremely useful on the go or whenever you need to hear your surroundings with your music. Amazing product definitely worth the steep price." —Corey P.
And here's more from BuzzFeed shopping editor Emma Lord: "I have a pair of these, and they're not playing around. Once they're securely in your ear, you can toggle the headphones between noise-cancelling and regular sound, depending on your situation. I've been working from home, and the noise-cancelling is so effective that I can work next to a window where my neighbor is doing heavy construction and I don't hear anything louder than a faint buzzing. It's quieter than if I'd just plugged my ears with my own fingers. I'm also a runner, and these don't budge when you're sweating, which is nice. It's also handy that these toggle out of noise cancellation mode, because I feel better being able to hear traffic and other people around me when I'm out and about. The TL;DR is I love these so much I have zero interest in owning another pair of headphones for as long as I live." Read her full review of the AirPod Pros here!
Get them from Amazon for $179.99.
3. A stretchy drawstring jumpsuit so comfortable but stylish, you can wear it on your flight and then roll right out of the airport and through the rest of your day without a wardrobe change.
Promising review: "I was a little skeptical and afraid of buying this online at first but when it arrived I was relieved. It’s soooooo soft and comfortable. And it fits true to size which is great since I was worried about it being small and form-fitting in all the wrong places. I love, love, LOVE that it has pockets. It looks great with a light top layer. I will be wearing this on my trip to Hawaii. Maximum comfort!" —STEPHENRH
Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in women's sizes S–XXL and in 32 colors/prints).
4. Or, a pair of Levi's pull-on skinny jeans if you're someone who doesn't like leaving the house in loungewear but wants to *feel* like they're wearing loungewear nonetheless.
Promising review: "Okay, I'm not going to lie. I was skeptical about these pants. I hate buying clothes online without trying them on first, but the reviews here said that they runs true to size, so I trusted them. I am SO GLAD that I did. These pants are everything I ever wanted. Make my butt look cute? Check. No nasty zipper to dig into my gut? Check. Perfect length for any season? Check. I can wear these with a cute blouse as a teacher, and still look professional, while still being comfortable. I feel comfortable wearing these basically any time, and I think that if you're lacking a pair of them and thinking about it, you should go get a pair. They're AMAZING." —AlySedai
Get them from Amazon for $17.44+ (available in women's sizes 2–28, in three lengths, and eight washes).
5. A RFID-blocking travel wallet with slots, pouches, and pockets for every form of currency and identification one would need to keep on their person. This way, you don't freak out when it's time to board and you have to track down your ticket and passport.
This wallet has a passport pocket, a boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a SIM card pouch, a coupon ticket slot, a cellphone pouch (max 5.8 inches), a money and coins zippered pocket (fits US dollars), a key holder, a pen holder, and a slim pocket.
Promising review: "This holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! Boarding pass, passport, ID and credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, etc.! Yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. Just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese Yen (¥), which are larger. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" —Anthony Luu
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 28 colors).
6. A luggage-mounted cup caddy because if you're anything like me, coffee is HIGH on your list of airport priorities and you could likely use an extra hand to carry it.
Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." —Philip
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in four colors).
7. A solid lotion bar you can keep in your purse or even in your pocket because although they're free, those lil' hotel bottles just ain't it.
Wild Poppy Soap Co. is a Bradford, New Hampshire-based small biz from Julie Bursey.
Promising review: "I ordered three lotion bars for upcoming trips. They arrived very quickly and are very nice, softening for my skin and smell wonderful. I’m very happy with my purchase!" —Karen Slack
Get it from Wild Poppy Soap Co. on Etsy for $6 (available in 22 scents).
8. A two-pack of refillable mini perfume atomizers because you spent $100 on your Versace eau de toilette and you're *not* about to have it confiscated by TSA because your forgot to put it into your checked luggage.
Filling them is super easy, too! Pull the leakproof bottle out of the aluminum sleeve and pour your perfume right in. Once you're done, just pop it back in and you're good to go.
Promising review: "These sprayers are great for traveling. They are small and compact, great for a weekend trip. Definitely nice as they lighten my load and I only have to take the quantity I need. I fill them with my favorite perfume. They are easy to fill; I have not had to deal with any leaks and they close shut tightly after filled. One bottle is good for nearly a hundred squirts. I like that these are lidless because I can’t keep ahold of a lid ever. The top will twist open when you are ready to use it. They are very pretty and stylish." —Momma
Get it from Amazon for $7.52+ (available in two color combinations).
9. A set of compression cubes if — despite your best efforts — you're prone to packing everything but the kitchen sink.
Promising review: "My wife have and I have done considerable traveling over the past five years. During this time, we've each used a single carry on for trips long and short. We've found packing cubes a must on any trip. Simply put, they allow you to pack more clothes. Now, having said that, not all packing cubes are the same. Here's why I feel the Tripped Travel Gear Packing Cubes are better than others. The compression zip alleviates the back from adverse strain during the zipping process, which, with other packing cubes, causes broken zippers, broken zip straps, and torn mesh fabric. The nylon fabric used makes a HUGE difference compared to mesh and cheap fabric styles. I've gone through three compression bags from other manufacturers and the issue with other fabric is the stretch it gives. You want it to give a little bit then stop. This nylon fabric used in the travel gear packing cube is perfect. In addition, the handle has come in handy in many situations where we have to take bags in and out during customs, camping trips, etc. The positioning of where the handle is stitched into, as well as the size of the handle, makes a big difference down the line and it can handle wear and tear. All in all, we feel these compression packing tubes are the best product on the market and they make your packing experience less dramatic, and handle all the issues of a long or short trip. These are a MUST buy." —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in packs of two, four, or six and in seven colors/designs).
10. A mini white noise machine so you can get a good night's sleep on the road instead of being kept up by unfamiliar noises like creaky Airbnb floors or rowdy hotel neighbors.
The small device has 11 non-looping sleep sounds (including fan and ocean sounds) and it can connect to wireless devices via Bluetooth so you can use it as a portable speaker and play your own audio.
Promising review: "Bought one of these for my hubby for Christmas and he loved it. Then I bought one for my daughter days later. A few days later, I bought our third — I had to have one also for when I travel. Love all the options to select from with the various sounds, volume control is great, love the Bluetooth. Brought it with us to a hotel on vacation and used it at night to drown out the noise of other guests walking and talking in the halls, and during the day rocked our music on Bluetooth!! Added plus, we used it with our new puppy to get him to sleep and stay asleep through the night. Only downside is I wish the battery life was longer. It lasts about three nights before you need to recharge." —Romeo's Girl
Get it from Amazon for $26.48+.
11. A Hackwith Design House shirt that can be worn ~six~ different ways so you can pack a capsule wardrobe and not have to lug around a large checked bag.
Hackwith Design House is a small, woman-owned business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS to 4X. On Mondays, they also release limited-edition designs so you can be one of only 25 people to own a piece!
I have this shirt and I *love* it. All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn't feel secure in it (I have a 38DDD chest and most wrap tops/dresses I've tried haven't stayed where they're supposed to), but I haven't had an issue with this! I've worn it tied in the front giving me a square neck (like the middle picture) and tied in the back giving me a V-neck upfront (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable and I didn't have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight so I'll be wearing it season to season and there's just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won't fall back down. All that is to say trust that I will be buying additional colors!
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $88(available in women's sizes XS–4X and in four colors).
12. A supportive and adjustable travel pillow because booking a red eye flight saved you mad $$$ but you're not about to sacrifice any sleep.
There's even a snapping strap attached that'll allow you hook it to your backpack, luggage, or purse for hands-free carrying.
Promising review: "We just flew across the country twice and loved using this travel pillow. It wasn't too hot around our necks and kept our heads supported while we slept on the plane. I wore mine during the entire flights, even when awake. I was able to comfortably read and watch a movie on my tablet while wearing the pillow. Rotating the pillow around your neck adjusts the thickness, so you can customize the fit and support. I have bought lots of different travel pillows and in my opinion, this one is the best!" —LW
Get it from Amazon for $25.45 (available in two sizes and seven colors).
This is our mid-priced pick for the best travel pillows!
13. A personalized travel bag you can use to store your bathing suit, dirty clothes, or even toiletries if you're afraid of them leaking on your other stuff.
Sprinkled With Pink is a Dallas, Texas-based shop from Kendra Eaton. They suggest personalizing your bag with two to three letters. You *can* technically do more, but the font will have to be sized down.
Get it from Sprinkled With Pink on Etsy for $14.99+ (bags are available in five colors and lettering is available in 20 colors).
14. A travel jewelry case because last time you threw all of your necklaces in a sandwich bag and ended up with a giant knot that took hours to undo. Like seriously, you could have solved a Rubik's cube faster.
Promising review: "I purchased this box for a weekend getaway. In the past I have just thrown all of my jewelry into little make up bags, but then everything gets tangled and disorganized. I love that this box keeps everything organized and leaves all my necklaces tangle free!" —Dogmom206
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
15. A universal travel adapter because plugs can be hard to come by and let's be real — without access to Google Maps, you'd be beyond lost. Heck, you don't even know your way around your own town, nvm somewhere you've never been!
This adapter covers over 150 countries. Keep in mind this is not a voltage converter!
Promising review: "Used this on a trip to Sweden and London. It worked great. Charged three things at a time with no problems. I love the compact design and not having to keep track of all the adapters." —tiffanyann7
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three colors).
16. A leather cable organizer so your phone charger doesn't get lost in the void that is the bottom of your bucket bag.
Author L is a Kyiv, Ukraine-based small biz with all sorts of handmade leather accessories.
Promising review: "I love this cable organizer! I had about 6 cables/chargers floating around my bag getting tangled, and this pouch fixed all of that! It fits SO MANY cables, and the quality is fantastic. The seller was really nice and shipped out pretty fast! 10/10 would recommend!" —moondevil1
Get it from Author L on Etsy for $27.88+ (originally $69.70+; available in 11 colors and with or without personalization).
17. A dual travel hair straightener/curling iron if you're so dedicated to your 'do, that whether you're at home or on vacation, it gets the same salon treatment.
Promising review: "This little thing is amazing! I have searched high and low for a travel flat iron that was worth saving suitcase space for and FINALLY found it. Switching between flat iron to curling iron is VERY easy... the switch is right by your thumb, but unlike other irons, it doesn't open at the slightest breeze. I haven't noticed any issues with the temp being too high." —bellewithab
Get it from Amazon for $32.99.
18. A waterproof makeup bag so you can take all of your toiletries on the road without having to worry about them exploding. Idk what it is about hotel shampoo and conditioner, but my hair hatesssss it, so I always have to pack my own.
Promising review: "I have tried many of these types of bags, but this is one of the best! I use this to store my makeup and brushes for daily use, and it is great for travel! When I don't use it, I can fold it flat and store it away. If it gets dirty, I can throw it in the wash! It's perfect all around!!! Great for beginners in makeup looking for a cute, functional bag!" —N.S.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in four colors).
19. A set of hydrating sheet masks because flying takes a lottttt out of your skin and your face is très thirsty!
Promising review: "A friend of mine recommended this brand to me and I will never use another brand of face masks ever again! The sheets fit my face better than most others (little extra room by my forehead but it’s fine!) and absorbs into my skin nicely after. I definitely have noticed a difference in my texture after just one week of using (every other day application)." —Alexandra
Get a 15-pack from Amazon for $15.99.
20. A BPA-free water bottle that's completely shatterproof and collapsible so it takes up next to no room in your luggage!
Promising review: "Now that I've used it for hiking and on a trip, I'm sooo glad I picked it. I walked all over New England, and this bottle was with me everywhere. It is very sturdy, stands up on its own, holds hot and cold liquids, and you can add flavor packets or essential oils to it. It can be a little tricky to roll up, but the bottle does collapse well enough to stick in the carry-on going through airport security or in your backpack when it's empty." —WriterGirlNM
Get it from Amazon for $26.95 (available in eight colors).
21. A powerful portable charger because you *will* take approx. one million photos a day and your phone's battery *will* drain in what feels like a matter of minutes.
This powerful battery pack weighs as little as a can of soup yet charges the iPhone 8 almost seven times, the Galaxy S8 five times, or the iPad mini 4 twice.
Promising review: "I travel for a living and have always needed a portable charger. This thing literally never dies. The longest-lasting charger I have ever had. I was out in London all day, phone nearly dead, and had to go straight to the airport for a nine-hour flight back to the USA. This charger charged my phone the ENTIRE flight, and then on my service car, my coworker needed to charge his phone. I had meetings all day and then a dead phone and I charged my phone to a full 100% again! This is a MUST-HAVE PRODUCT." —Kyle G.
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors).
22. A digital luggage scale so you don't have to frantically move items from your checked luggage to your carry-on in a desperate bid to stay under 50 pounds so you don't have to pay an overweight fee.
It measures in both pounds and kilograms.
Promising review: "This luggage scale does everything that a luggage scale should do. First, and foremost, it is accurate. I tested it against two other scales, and it was spot on. The scale is smallish, which is nice because it is the last thing that I am going to stuff into my luggage after I have finished packing and weighed everything else. Everyone that travels on an airplane should own one of these scales. At a bare minimum, it will save you from having to repack your dirty underwear in front of a gate agent, at the most, it will save you being hit with a $50–$100 extra baggage fee which negates the cost of that cheap ticket that you spend days searching for." —ManFromDola
Get it from Amazon for $11.29+ (available in two styles).
23. A waterproof Kindle Paperwhite because stuffing your backpack full of paperbacks definitely isn't the move. Instead, this guy lets you download as many titles as you want and there won't be any regret if you don't make it through them all (or even manage to crack the cover of one...).
Promising review: "I'm the kind of person who used to always buy the printed copies (I love the smell and feel of books). But I've got to admit this is a really practical way to carry around your books when traveling (it's really light and easy to take everywhere), and it really does feel like reading an actual book (compared to tablets and reading on your phone). The waterproof feature it's really just a wonderful plus." —Daniela
Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in four colors).
24. A pair of compression socks that — while not the most fashion-forward garment — will help with circulation so your legs don't have to be any more uncomfortable than they already are.
Promising review: "I have used quite a few compression socks and have found that these are the best. I travel extensively for work, which means long airport walks, sitting and waiting followed by long flights, and these have left my legs feeling great with no swelling and no leg pain later in the day. They do a great job of providing compression to the leg and calf without being too constricting in the foot area. Other products I have tried tend to be very tight in the foot area. I own quite a few pairs of these for longer than six months and use them regularly, I have found that they are durable and the compression has been consistent." —Ted E.
Get them from Amazon for $14.50+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors).
25. A bungee cord so you can strap your duffle bag or brief case right to your rolling luggage. That way, you don't have walk what feels like miles from security to your gate looking like a pack mule.
Promising review: "Don't know how I traveled without this piece of basic equipment, but it is a third hand and arm when you need it most. Easy to put into action, easy to put away when you are finished. For instance...I need a heavy coat outside the airport or conference center, but inside, it is a pain in the neck to carry and store while seated. I fold that big garment in half and attach it to my roll-around with this bungee, and the coat stays out of the way, stays clean, and is accessible. If you are tired of dealing with excess stuff while traveling, or you are in school/work and need to carry a coat around or a project around all day, then this is the go-to solution. What are you waiting for... put this in your cart!" —Patrick Molina
Get it from Amazon for $12.90+ (available in two colors).
26. A three-pack of noise-reducing inflight earplugs that naturally regulate air pressure in your ears so don't have to deal with popping or pain during takeoff and landing.
Promising review: "Never fly without these! Before I found these, I endured excruciating pain in my ears upon descent and landing. Felt like a hot poker being driven into each ear. My ears would also be plugged up, and it would often take two to three days for them to resume their normal state of being. I insert them about an hour before landing, as the plane is making its slow descent. I'm comfortable and the most discomfort I experience is a slight adjustment of pressure feeling in my sinus. NO PAIN. NO TEARS." —K. Tombrella
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $16.06.
27. A combination travel blanket/pillow/poncho because most flights are colddddd and if you're spending more than a couple hours in the sky, you're likely gonna want to take a nap.
Promising review: "I purchased this for my 13-hour flight and would highly recommend it. The blankets provided by airlines are usually re-used and made of itchy fabric. They also tend to slide off while I'm sleeping and fall to the floor several times, making them unsanitary to use. This Travelrest blanket has a slit that you put your head through. It rests on your back shoulders and stays on until you take it off. There's a front pouch that you can put your valuables in... this was very useful. Without this, I used to put my passport, wallet, phone, etc in the seat pocket in front of me....which is risky since the stuff can fall out of those pockets (very easy to lose/forget things). Also very lightweight and soft." —sartra
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in two sizes and colors).
28. A portable steamer so it doesn't look like your luggage ate your clothes and threw them up into a wrinkled pile. Regardless of if you folded them nicely, creases and crinkles are inevitable so it's worth having on hand.
Promising review: "This steamer does a great job of getting out tough wrinkles with little effort, which is great when you have a business meeting to go to that morning. This product is now an essential part of my travel gear on every trip." —Iffat
Get it from Amazon for $24.97 (available in two colors).
Want to know more? Read our full review of the PurSteam Elite Steamer!
29. A handheld fan to ensure the SPF you so liberally applied doesn't melt off your face the second the sun hits it. Add it to your mental check list before you head out the door — you know, phone, room key, wallet...handheld fan — and you'll be good to go.
The fan has two speeds and can be recharged by any USB cable.
Promising review: "I have used this mini fan for more than three months now. It’s good quality and works well so far. The fan is small in size but powerful enough that it blows out a large amount of air. I took it with me to Disney World and thanks to this fan, I had a nice vacation and I will use it this whole summer. It’s really a life saver on really hot days — highly recommend!" —Cruz
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four colors).
30. A sleek Quip electric toothbrush that vibrates for a full two minutes giving you a fresh-from-the-dentist clean. Since it's wireless, you don't have to worry about chargers or plug-in bases, either. Just pop it in your bag and you're g2g.
I have never been an electric toothbrush person but Quip has swayed me. I like how sleek and small it is and the fact that I don't have to plug it into anything or take up extra counter space. Best of all, though, is the built-in two-minute timer which buzzes every 30 seconds to let me know it's time to brush a different part of my mouth. Before, when I used a regular ol' bamboo toothbrush, I really thought I was getting in a full two minutes but boy was I wrong 😬I can *definitely* tell a difference in how clean my teeth feel after using Quip.
Promising review: "Amazing. My teeth have never felt so clean. It feels like you're getting a personal dental cleaning every time." —Nicole M.
Get it from Quip for $40 (originally $45; available in four metallic finishes).
31. A dress weight because dresses take up like no room in your suitcase, buttttt if the weather takes a turn for the windy, you could be in trouble. With these, you can avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment when a rogue gust or vortex-like subway grate tries to take your skirt for a spin.
The adhesive weights come in a pack of four and each weighs 0.5 ounces or — what Etsy seller Christina, of DressStrong, equates them to — 13 jelly beans. To use, just peel the label from the weight and stick it the hem of your dress or skirt. When you're done for the day, you simply peel it off and store it. When stored properly, you should get at least six uses out of each.
Promising review: "Such a great product, kept my lightweight summer dress down during friend's outdoor wedding. They are the perfect weight — heavy enough to keep your skirt down when it's very windy, but not too heavy that they pull it in an awkward way. They're also absolutely invisible and stayed on the whole time. PS: Fast shipping and a cute handwritten note from a seller, just great." —Marina
Get it from DressStrong on Etsy for $15+ (available in individual or bulk quantities).
32. And Drop — a completely free app through which you can earn rewards at places like Amazon, Netflix, Starbucks, and more. Simply link your debit/credit cards (it's easy — I swear) and then shop as you normally would for trip-related things like flights, Uber rides to the airport, food delivery, etc. and watch the points roll in!
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.