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1. A packing list pad so you can rest assured that you DID bring everything you intended (but not more things than you'll actually need).
Promising review: "I hate packing — I mean, I really hate packing! I am always afraid I am going to forget something, and the entire ordeal is a stressful one for me. Since I have to travel a lot, this is a game changer. No more guessing if I forgot my underwear — everything I need is on this list. I am thinking of just keeping one bag totally packed, filled with the items on the list, and just add my suit in when I am ready to travel. :)" —Dr. Oceanfront
Get it from Amazon for $7.
2. An I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo to tackle greasy roots without the aerosol formula. Cheers to skipping a morning wash for an early flight or bus...and still being able to carry on some dry shampoo without making room for it in your toiletries bag.
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $16.
3. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer so you'll have space for all the stuff you take from all the delicious food that sometimes makes you feel bad on your travels — like the legendary hot dogs at the state fair. (Totally worth it.)
Plus! As one TikToker points out, you can use any empty compartments to store your earrings.
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $6.97.
4. A collapsible silicone water bottle that'll make sure you stay hydrated without making you sacrifice other things in your bag or running the risk of leaving water in your bottle as you go through airport security.
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 $9.99 (available in 14 colors/styles).
5. Tide sink packets with the perfect amount of detergent for a sink wash to help lighten your clothing load. Plus! These'll easily slide into the toiletries bag that you thought had no. more. room. Can you tell I love a packet/wipe sitch?!
Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I've packed these on international trips to much success!
Promising review: "Taking these out of the country to wash under things is exactly the right size." —Laura Wilson
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.59.
6. Or a pack of laundry soap sheets. This way you can save more room for souvenirs than three changes of underwear for every day of your trip.
I travel just about any chance that I get and found a WHOLE lot of success with these little laundry sheets on an almost-three-weeks European vacation this summer where I carried on only and rewore outfits several times.
Promising review: "I saw these recommended on a travel blog, and I'm glad I bought them. I used them both in a washing machine and to hand-wash some items on my trip, and in both cases, they were super easy to use and got my clothes clean while taking up a minuscule amount of space in my luggage. I would highly recommend these for extended travel." —angal2
Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in four other styles, including hand soap and shampoo).
7. A set of Sea Bands with a little nub that targets the acupuncture point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea. This'll be great in case you get motion sick in a budget-friendlier car, bus, or ferry ride.
Promising review: "These are amazing, as someone who has pretty severe motion sickness and carries Dramamine with me everywhere this is magnificent. I used these on an overnight cruise in Europe. The sea was particularly choppy that night and was miserable for me even with Dramamine and ginger. These did the trick! They were fairly tight on me (I am plus size) but the relief they gave me was immense." —Jena Freyermouth
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53.
8. A *solid* Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen that really sticks to your skin on your tropical (or just plain sweaty) vacation. Oh, and because it's a solid, it's carry-on–friendly!
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.
Get it from Amazon for $7.66.
9. An on-the-go Gillette razor that'll spare you some precious space in your bag without sacrificing quality. You already plotted your road trip around visiting a bunch of antique malls, so you could use the trunk space for all your cool finds!
It comes with one handle and one blade refill!
Promising review: "I love this product. After receiving it I made a road trip to Mexico and I took my razor. It's the cutest thing ever. The box helps keep your clothes safe from the blades and it fits everywhere you put it. I will buy another one for sure" —Dalia
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
10. A set of DEET-free handy mosquito-repelling bracelets in case the thought of putting something else on your skin (like smelly bug repellent) after SPF sounds like a total nightmare.
Check out a TikTok of the mosquito-repelling bracelets in action.
Promising review: "I moved last year from Southern California to North Carolina. Bugs of all types have always been attracted to me but the amount of bites I got last summer was WILD. Someone gave me one of these types of bracelets to use one day and it seemed to work SOOOOOO I decided to buy myself an arsenal to prepare for this summer. I read the reviews and about 99% of them had great results. I've only used this bracelet twice but both times I was outside and un-touched. Delivery was very quick so that was a plus. I'm not fond of the smell, I'm hyper sensitive to smells, but I'd rather have the odor than being chewed alive." —Tracey Agopian
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $8.49.
11. A travel scarf with hidden storage in it to keep your hands free for toting back ALL the gas station snacks to the car without having to stick your phone, wallet, and keys in your back pocket.
Waypoint Goods is a small biz that specializes in travel accessories.
Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE my travel scarf. This piece is perfect for every occasion. Whether I am traveling on a plane or a road trip, at work, or trying to dress up an outfit to go out, it is perfect and functional. My phone, credit cards and keys fit seamlessly in the pocket without changing the look or fit of my scarf. At times I have put all of that plus a boarding pass and passport in the pocket!!" —Caroline
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in 14 styles).
12. A belt bag that'll double as a travel belt with a pass-through trolley loop so you can use it to secure your personal item to the top of your roller suitcase. And then when you're out and about at your destination, you can use it as a purse!
Cincha Travel is a small business in California that develops adjustable travel belts made out of vegan leather. The brand donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families.
Check out a TikTok of the Cincha belt bag in action. When flying with this, I rec leaving it on as the belt for your suitcase while boarding your flight. On a few flights I've been on this year, I've heard gate agents make people put their belt bags worn around their waist or cross-body into their personal item. So just be mindful of that!
Promising review: "Great little double-duty bag. Highly recommend. I could fit four passports, an iPhone, a slim wallet, and many more things in my new travel bag. A must for your next adventure." —Lindsay
Get it from Cincha Travel for $67.50 (available in four colors/patterns).
13. A pocket-sized, refillable travel perfume atomizer you simply pump on your normal size perfume bottle to keep you smelling like your signature scent while you're on the go. Yes, I paid all that dough for a Le Labo but no I won't pay more dough for their (still v pricey) travel bottles.
^ That's me pumping my signature perfume into one of these travel atomizers I've been using for about a year. As the reviewer down below mentions, it's great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it's about the size of my thumb and therefore takes up very little room. Plus! It's smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I'll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three...especially at this price point.
Promising review: "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 four-pack from Amazon for $8.65.
14. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs. But it'd also make an incredibly comfy riding outfit so you'll get a number of wears out of it on one trip.
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime, you can give this a spin before you buy it!
Promising reviews: "It is the most comfortable outfit that you could dress up or down! You could actually wear it with both on the shoulders too. I wore this for a road trip back home from the beach, and it was amazing. The only thing is if you are in a bit of cold weather and have anything else on, you have to take it off to go to the bathroom ;) But it’s all worth it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns).
15. A clear TSA-approved toiletry bag so you can Lego-fit all your liquid and spreadable bbs in there with ease. No, you aren't going through TSA on your road trip, but if you need a new toiletry bag, this'll do the trick for this trip and many MANY more.
Promising review: "This little bag is amazing. I can fit so many tiny 3 oz bottles in there due to its shape. I've started using it for road trips, just separating out liquids into their own little bag. This one item has changed the way I travel for my short trips. I just need a duffel bag. I love this bag. I am very high maintenance, extra, all of that. But, this guy lets me take my handmade deodorant, my facial oils, my gentle cleansers, lotion, lip balm, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, mascara; all travel sized, but still! No looking for my things. So organized." —Mittens
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
16. A set of six Cadence containers that are magnetized and'll stick together in your toiletries bag. They're super sturdy, leak-proof, and even work great for a few days' worth of vitamins or holding small jewelry. They've quickly become one of my packing go-tos.
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon as a way to eliminate single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
But I'm not the only fan on the BuzzFeed Shopping team. My co-worker Abby Kass has these and loves them! Here's what she has to say about them: "I recently got a set of four of these, and, wow, I love them so much. I used them on a six-day trip recently, and they were perfect. I customized the label so I knew which one was my shampoo vs. conditioner and did a general label for any other things I wanted to bring along. They do hold a surprising amount. According to the brand, they hold approximately one to two weeks of skincare products, more than two weeks' worth of serum, two to three days' worth of haircare, and more than 15 tablets (for medicine and such). And while two to three days worth of haircare might not seem like enough, I found it held more than that for me, but I also don't wash my hair every single day. They were small enough to slip right into my toiletries bag and go through TSA with no problem. The container was easy to open in the shower (even with wet hands), and I had no leakage from them (like I did from my face wash bottle that will not be making the trip with me next time, SMH). These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels will want in their luggage."
Get a set of six from Cadence for $76 (originally $84).
17. Or some leak-proof refillable pouches you can decant stuff into, and then when your trip is over, you can easily empty them (I can't be the only one who does this!) and shove them in your suitcase because sometimes fitting all your toiletries back INTO your toiletries bag can be a major pain. These lie almost completely flat when empty, so they'll take up minimal suitcase room.
18. A soft faux-leather tote will be the perfect bag to use as a personal item on the plane...and then carry around for the rest of your trip.
Promising review: "Bought this to put what I needed in the car on a road trip. Exactly what I needed! I was able to fit so much in it yet it doesn’t look bulky, and still have so much room!" —XMusicislife
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in a variety of colors and two sizes).
19. A five-pack of packing cubes with mesh tops to help you separate everyone's clothes into different cubes while still making the most of your space.
Shacke is a small biz specializing in travel gear and accessories.
Promising review: "I hesitated to spend money on packing cubes but I'm so glad I purchased this product. I used them in a three week road trip and my luggage stayed organized and neat. I easily could find the clothing I needed and pack and unpack quickly. This product was a good investment for us!" —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $19.79 (available in 10 colors).
20. A compact, budget-friendly portable white-noise machine will help drown out all the unfamiliar noises and help your baby travel to Dreamland even faster. (Oh, and adults talk about how it helps them in the reviews, too.)
Promising review: "We took it on a long road/camping trip, and it was awesome. Didn't have to leave our phones by the baby or have an echo connected to wifi for some white noise. The battery never ran out, and we ran it all night and for several naps for at least a week and a half. It was great!" —Soren Lewis
Get it from Amazon for $16.10.
21. A super roomy duffel bag that's durable enough to toss around from home to car trunk to bus to wherever. It's water-resistant and can hook onto a rolling stuitcase. And if you take a last-min dip into the lake at that picturesque lake house your pal's aunt owns? Np. You can put your wet swimsuit in one of the separating compartments.
It's water-resistant and has an adjustable long strap.
Promising review: "Nice bag! I bought this for a road trip. It more than served its purpose. I could fit tons of things in it. I love the waterproof section for toiletries. I didn’t have to worry about my clothes getting ruined if something leaked. I would highly recommend this." —Joanne
Get it from Amazon for $21.49+ (available in five colors).
22. A fanny pack with a ton of storage room inside that has a long enough strap to wear crossbody *or* comfortably fit over outerwear for some hands-free adventures. And in case it looks familiar, TikTokers compare it to the Lulu waist bag. Yes I wore it in Iceland in February, but it'll come in handy now during the warm weather too!
I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors.
Promising review: "Bought this for a trip to Europe and it was perfect. Wore as a crossbody. It was comfortable and held a lot of things plus my iPhone Pro Max fit with no problem." —Maine
Get it from Amazon for $16.98 (available in 40 styles).
23. A waterproof satin-lined Hairbrella hat that'll easily fold up and be ready for those days when you look like you have GREAT weather. Then, all of a sudden the sky opens up and starts pouring, ruining your perfect hair day.
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 wanted something that would protect my head/hair/blowout without lugging an umbrella. This definitely did the trick. Two of the 3 days were rainy (some quite heavy), and my hair stayed totally dry. It stows nicely, too." —Miss Information
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in five colors).
24. A shine and anti-frizz hair bar can take the place of a liquid hair oil or serum. After all, you want your hair to look fab on vacation but don't want to waste precious time on styling when you can be out sightseeing or crouched under an umbrella at a picturesque beach.
You can also use the bar as s leave-in treatment, oil mask treatment, or a hair wax for a sleeked-back look.
Get it from our Goodful shop for $29.
25. A Hackwith Design House shirt you'll wear in 6(!!!) different ways...which takes "travel capsule wardrobe" to a whole new level without feeling like you're repeating. (Though, there is *no* shame in repeating.)
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS–4X. On Mondays, they also release limited-edition designs so you can be one of only 25 people to own a piece!
My colleague Chelsea Stuart owns this and loves it. Here's what she has to say:
"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 up front (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 $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in four colors).
26. Some high-top sneakers for the look of Chucks with some serious rain protection. No need to pack a pair of *just* rain boots for your two days in Seattle. These'll cover you!
They're also a popular pick with people who have jobs where waterproof shoes come in handy (like working at a restaurant or dog groomers).
Promising review: "I absolutely love these shoes! I originally bought them for a trip to Washington D.C where it was going to rain most of the time. I have Hunter rain boots, but knew we would be walking a lot and didn't want to be 'weighed down' on the trip. I was four months pregnant and wore these for two of the days where we walked over 9 miles each day (ugh!) and these were SOO COMFORTABLE! My feet didn't have any blisters or sore spots (which I am very prone to) and handled the rain/puddles like a champ! I love that they looked like normal shoes, but wiped clean with a baby wipe!" —AmazonFamily
Get them from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 18 styles, including low-top and high-top options).
27. Plus some quick-drying Teva sandals if you're traveling in warm locales where you'll be doing a lot of walking in sandals — including some potentially wet hikes. You'll get a ton of wear out of these for several days instead of packing an extra set of water shoes.
One reviewer said their last pair lasted for EIGHT YEARS. This isn't your average sandal that falls apart after one season.
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Promising reviews: "Comfiest shoes on the planet. I bought them for my trip to Thailand, which included a heavy amount of walking and hiking. I now wear them all the time, even for non-adventurous activities. They are so darn comfortable, and have great grip." —Caroline V.
Get them from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in sizes 5–14 and 31 styles). You can find a version available in men's sizes here.
28. A solid facial cleanser gentle enough for sensitive skin that'll be small in your bag but last you for weeks and weeks and weeks instead of figuring out how to pack a liquid cleanser or invest in the one-use foaming facial cleansing cloths.
This brand specializes in solid toiletry options that are perfect for travel. I gave this cleansing stick a spin on a 2.5 week trip to Vietnam and Malaysia where I only did a carry-on. So I had to make some sacrifices with my toiletries in order to do that. Using this green stick didn't feel like a sacrifice! It helped get off makeup and sunscreen easily, and I still have a LOT of the stick left after that long trip! It's also worth noting that I have rosacea and dry, sensitive skin. This worked great on it.
Get it from WYOS for $20.
29. A mini lightweight flat iron to help you get your signature smooth locks, or at least tidy up your blowout you're really banking on lasting for a few days.
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review: "Would buy again. I bought this for a trip to Europe as opposed to buying an expensive and bulky voltage converter for my flat iron at home and was not disappointed, it saved a ton of luggage space and it worked like a charm both curling and straightening my hair! I will say though, since the flat iron is quite smaller than the typical flat iron and my hair is only just past my shoulders it would probably take considerably longer to use on long hair." —Holly M
Get it from Amazon for $15.97.
30. A wheeled carry-on bag small enough to qualify as a personal item on super stringent airlines. It can fit underneath an airplane seat! You can avoid checking a bag, glide through security, *and* don't have to hurt your shoulder by carrying a duffel bag that'd also fit strict bag measurement policies.
Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!
Promising review: "This is the perfect bag that will fit Spirit's 'strict' personal item policy. I was able to fit it under my seat on Spirit and had no problems from any flight attendants about its size (no one even checked to begin with). Very lightweight and easy to maneuver around. All the zippers and wheels work perfectly. I recommend investing in this bag if you're a college student and/or travel a lot for short breaks." —Haegi Oh
Get it from Amazon for $51.78+ (available in three colors).
31. A weekender bag that'll easily slide over the handle of your wheeled suitcase in case you're in the market for a new personal item. (It'll also fit under an airplane seat according to reviewers.)
Promising review: "I’m so happy I purchased this bag! I’ve been using a backpack as my carry-on for years but saw this and thought I’d give it a shot. I was able to pack a small backpack (approx. 12"x14" but the top was folded), a purse (approx. 10"x6"), Beats headphones (in their bubble case), a pair of Birkenstocks, and a travel blanket with plenty of room to spare. The side zipper/compartment is SO convenient to hold your cellphone/wallet/passport for easy access. I love that it sets nicely on top of a carry-on size bag without toppling over. The bag also has a shoulder strap which was nice to use when actually boarding the plane." —Jen
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in 15 colors/patterns).
32. A pair of super comfortable pull-on Levi's jeans you can wear on your flight and then also throughout your trip. Cheers to looking more put-together than the folks who obviously came in their PJ pants. Also, no loose fabric means less of a likelihood of weird stuff showing up on your body scan.
Promising review: "These are really comfy. They're a good compromise for comfy skinny jeans. I'm a 30-year-old mom, and I'm about a 12/14; a 12 in these fit PERFECT. They give you a nice booty, and I can bend in them without showing anything. So that's a definite bonus. They are a good mom jean without being a MOM JEAN. Thumbs-up." —Polka Dots
Get it from Amazon for $9.65+ (available in women's sizes 2–28, three inseams, and 18 styles/colors).
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime Wardrobe, you can give this a spin before you buy it!
33. A pack of collapsible pails that'll take up a little way less space in your suitcase for the very important task of building sand castles. Have you ever bought a sand bucket at a tourist shop? Yikes.
34. A magnetic luggage tag that clips onto your tote bag so you can bring along your favorite shady hat while freeing up your hands for other stuff and sparing you some major packing room.
See it in action on TikTok here.
The Fileist is an LA-based woman-owned small business that creates fashionable and functional accessories to make your life easier.
Promising review: "I went to Cabo with this hat clip for the first time last week! Wow! It held my hat perfectly! Love this design!" —Brooke
Get it from The Fileist for $55 (available in two colors).
35. Or a packable floppy hat if you're in the market. This will pack down easy into your bag. And with this wide brim, it'll provide some extra shade from those harsh beachy rays.
Promising review: "Honey, this hat was giving me everything I needed it to give! I felt Gone With The Wind fabulous in this hat for my cruise vacation. It provided the adequate shade for my face and shoulders while allowing me to shade myself from people I didn’t want to talk to! Bay-bay! It was EVERYTHING I needed it to be AND the size XL fit over my braids. So my girls with protective styles or just big hair, this is the hat for you! 🎉" —1922blue
Get it from Amazon for $24.69+ (available in sizes M–XL and in eight colors).
36. Double-buckle slides (that totally resemble Birks) you can slip in and out of pool or beachside, then wear around other places. And yup, they're waterproof.
The seller recommends checking the size chart, which details the best size for your foot length. The back strap is also adjustable!
Promising review: "Whether I’m on the beach or in my yard, these are so convenient! Cute and indestructible slide-ons. So glad I got them!" —~donna
Get them from Amazon for $17.99 (available in sizes 6–10 and two colors).
37. A two-pack of beach wraps to help you style your beloved bikini you bought who-knows-when in between dips in the pool or ocean.
Promising review: "I bought these for my cruise this summer. The material was light and well made. You can't go wrong with the colors they offer. I felt comfortable wearing these while walking around the cruise ship. Just buy these before you need them." —Shalena D.I.V.A. (Author)
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 28 color combinations).
38. A strappy bikini with an interesting enough top to make it a strong contender to pair with that cute high-waisted skirt you're packing for dry activities. Just make sure you wear sunscreen!
39. A Beis backpack that zips open like a suitcase without *looking* like one of those backpacks that does that. I used this last year as my personal item on a four-leg European trip last summer to great success. It kept me organized even though I rarely spent more than a few nights in each place.
I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. I had a trusty (now discontinued) InCase backpack I used as a personal item and served me well on dozens of trips for about five years. But I wanted a bag for some upcoming travel (2.5 weeks in Europe with *just* carry-on for five flights) that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on two long weekend trips (Amtrak to Newport, Rhode Island, for a wedding and regional train to a Connecticut country lake house) with no complaints. In fact, for both of those trips I packed MORE than I needed.
Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry-on for a plane. In the mesh pocket I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eye glasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less.
I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley passthrough to easily fit on my roller suitcase I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. At nearly $80, this isn't the cheapest backpack option but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure.
Get it from Beis Travel for $88 (also available in beige).
Here's to avoiding this struggle because (unfortunately) there won't always be a handsome Danny Castellano type there to help you:
