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1. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount designed for use on all airlines — not only can you mount it to the tray table, but to the arm of a chair or any flat surface, so you'll be able to stream content easy as pie.
Perilogics is a small business that specializes in tech-oriented travel products and backpacks.
Promising review: "I used it for the first time this week, when I was on three flights. I was able to comfortably sit back and watch TV, check the Internet, and even play a game on my phone. Guess what several friends are getting for Christmas from me ♥️." —adiaphora
Get it from Amazon for $12.97.
2. A set of super-comfy wax ear plugs that mold to the shape of your inner ear like putty, fully blocking out snoring noises when you're sharing a hotel room with friends or plane and car noises when you're trying to sneak a cat nap in on the road.
You can check out my review of Macks Earplugs for more deets: "The moldable silicone of Mack's Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don't hear noises from outside my room. Not only that, but once they're in place, they stay locked there until you decide to pull them out. I've also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it's loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye."
Promising review: "I have always bought earplugs based on the decibel ratings, but none of them have ever worked very well for me, because they don't stay in my ears. These have a lower decibel rating than any of the foam earplugs I have used in the past, but they are much more effective. They really block noise, and they don't go in your ear canal; they just cover the entrance to the ear canal. I find this much more comfortable. I am really glad I found these, and just wish i had found them sooner." —Portlandia
Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $12.99.
3. A set of affordable, highly popular wireless Bluetooth earbuds reviewers say are AirPod dupes, but better — not only are they noise cancelling and waterproof, but but you can listen to music during your flight, car ride, or even while you're sleeping *without* your ears feeling like they've been beaten up. These come equipped with several sizes of earbuds so you can get your perfect, painless fit.
These come with a wireless charging case that provides up to 14 hours of charge (with the earbuds able to play for four-plus hours with each full charge). The earbuds are also sweatproof and waterproof so you can use them during workouts or runs or even in the shower, and have a built-in mic so you can chat on the phone. Psst — these are also a great option for going outside in a mask, since they don't have wires that'll get tangled in the mask straps.
Promising review: "So many things to rave about with these! Quality of the design and feel of these is amazing. I could literally wear these all night while on vacation with a roommate who snored, they were that comfortable and good at noise cancelling. I use these most often to listen to music and the sound quality is superb. I have a pair of AirPods that I was *thankfully* gifted and I hardly ever use them because they just aren't as good as my Tozos!" —Alexis Arnold
Get it from Amazon $19.99 (clip the "20% off" coupon on the product page for this price; available in five colors).
4. A set of Sea Bands, which target an acupressure point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea — a must-have for anyone who gets motion sick on long car rides, cruises, buses, and trains.
Promising review: "I have always suffered from motion sickness. My whole life I have hated long car rides, even short car rides, as soon as I get in the car and buckle in I already feel the nausea. I couldn't enjoy rollercoasters (I still have yet to try these bands while riding one). I bought these for a 16-hour road trip and they worked 100%. I felt perfectly comfortable the whole way through. I could even watch movies and text on my phone and feel alright. My two daughters suffer from the same thing (ages one and three) but to the point where they couldn't keep any food down when going on long car rides. The kids' bands worked for them 100% of the time too. 10/10 recommend. I'll be buying more for sure." —Veronica
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.54.
5. A ridiculously soft Essential Hoodie from Pond LA, which is basically what happens when a cozy sweater and and a sleeping mask join forces to create the ultimate lightweight piece you can use for everything from light naps to full-on workouts. Not to mention...it's got a secret kangaroo pocket.
Pond LA is a California-based woman-owned, Asian-owned independent product design studio that produces in small, handmade batches from fabrics sourced in Los Angeles.
Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on flight. I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, oversized and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over ear headphone fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER! Like other reviews have said it is big so size down if you want something a little more snug. I have been wearing it everyday at home and can’t wait to get the black and blush one!" —Heather G.
Get it from Pond LA for $128 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and in three colors).
6. A pair of super-comfy period-proof underwear designed to hold two tampons' worth of period blood that are a *godsend* when you are traveling and need backup when you might not have immediate access to bathrooms. They're also ideal for overnight protection (you can pair them with a pad if you have a heavy flow) and for people who are worried about ~leakage~ when they're on the move.
Also, unlike your regular undies, you don't have to scrub the blood out of these. They're designed so it rinses right out in the sink with soap and warm water, and can get tossed in the washer and dryer from there. You can read the rest of my review on Bambody period underwear for more deets!
Psst — reviewers love these undies, but suggest sizing up!
Promising review: "My job requires traveling to places that may not always have a bathroom, so when I’m on my period I wear these as a fail safe in case my tampon or pad is at a max and I’m not somewhere I can change them out. It’s worked great so far and it makes it far more comfortable on the job." —Sam
Get it from Amazon for $15.90+ (available in sizes XS–6XL, eight colors, and in two, three, and six-packs).
7. A backseat hook perfect for road trips when you're trying to pack in as much as you can without squishing the folks in the backseat — this keeps the smaller bags and backpacks off the ground to give their legs some more room. This also makes for a great perch for the inevitable Giant Road Trip Trash Bag that will start to accumulate each day.
Promising review: "We travel a lot and of the few things we have bought to make the trips more comfortable, this is the best! I even use it when we are not traveling to hold bags, purses, diaper bag. It's great and can hold a lot of weight!" —GothicPoohBear
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.95 (also available in black).
8. A blister-preventing balm that basically magics an extra layer between your skin and your shoe, so you can go on all your hikes or long walks around new cities without worrying about getting big ole blisters on your feet without a Band-Aid in sight.
Promising review: "This stuff is amazing! I won’t wear my 'pinchy' shoes without it AND I’ll wear them more often. I jammed my toe on the first day of vacation, but had planned to wear my new strappy platform hells the next evening. This stuff made my new shoes comfortable for a full night of dinner, walking all over the resort, and dancing! Everyone is getting this for Christmas this year!" —SM Housel
Get it from Amazon for $9.
9. A reviewer-beloved travel laptop backpack worth every darn penny — it's fully waterproof to protect all your tech, and its main compartment includes a padded laptop compartment, an open pocket, two side pockets for umbrellas and water bottle, and three extra zippered pockets. The front pocket also comes with spots for your phone, wallet, and keys, and there's a space for a USB port.
A lot of nurses, teachers, and parents also swear by this backpack, since it's so well-organized, durable, and comfy!
Promising review: "Love how well made this is. I’ve spilled things on it many times and it is easy to clean off. All the pockets are amazing. Fits everything I need for work — laptop, small keyboard, headphones, charging cord, etc. very comfortable even though I have it fully stuffed." —Denise Wells
Get it from Amazon for $38.98 (available in 12 colors).
10. Plus a roomy duffel bag that's practically *screaming* "take me on a weekend road trip — this durable, water-resistant duffel comes with long handles for easy maneuvering, a side panel to hook it to a roll-on suitcase, and even has compartments to separate dry clothes from wet/dirty clothes.
It's water-resistant and has an adjustable long strap.
Promising review: "I recently went camping and was able to pack a lot into this bag.. It zipped up easily. I love the color, it's almost a 'neutral pink' and not too 'look at me, I'm Barbie in the woods!' The shoulder strap was comfortable, the handles were comfortable, too. It was snowing while unloading from the truck to the cabin and despite this bag getting wet (and VERY cold) everything inside was very dry." —Smile Saurus
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
11. A set of storage scrunchies perfect for anyone who needs an extra pocket (can't believe it's legal that some dresses are still made without them??). These are ~handy~ enough to hold little items like lip balm and mini hand sanitizers, and are a great discreet way to hold cash when you're on the move.
LokiStashed is a California-based small business that specializes in unique and practical hair accessories.
Promising review: "I got these scrunchies so I could stash away money, lip balm, and car/house keys while enjoying a hike, at the beach, or going to festivals ... basically places where you don't want to be worried about carrying a lot or you don't want people to know where your stuff is. I have very long thick hair and the scrunchie will go around my hair twice while in a ponytail or bun and it is comfortable." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two color combinations).
12. A set of homeopathic jet-lag pills to show all time zones and weary post-travel limbs who's boss. This doesn't have any side effects and won't mess with your *actual* attempts to sleep, but may help you feel more refreshed after long flights or (sighs deeply) red-eyes.
According to the instructions, you should take them at take off and then every two hours and then again once you arrive to help with relaxation and combat sleepiness.
Promising review: "I heard about this product from my cousin who used it for a trip to Japan and it was very effective. I used it for a trip to Washington DC that had multiple stops and delays — total of 15 hours to get to my destination. I was comfortable upon arrival. The next morning I was ready for a work day." —ELEANORE
Get a pack of 32 pills from Amazon for $14.40.
13. A memory foam seat cushion for your tushy so effective at relieving pressure from your tailbone that you'll finally be able to take long car rides and plane flights without cursing every bone in your back for making themselves known.
Promising review: "We enjoy traveling and spend several weeks on the road each year. I have lower back problems that require my getting cortisone shots for pain relief. For the last few weeks, I have also been having trouble sitting for more than a few minutes because of a pain in the area of my tailbone. I ordered this item for our last trip. I could not believe the difference it made! I was able to sit comfortably both driving and riding without any pain, and that made a huge difference in my enjoyment of the trip. When we got home I ordered a second one so I could leave one in the car and have one inside. I am recommending it to all my friends who need some relief." —Susan S.
Get it from Amazon for $44.95 (available in two colors).
14. A super-soft Trtl neck pillow designed to support your head while you're snoozing in midair so you don't land in a new city with a new crick in your neck to boot.
Promising review: "Small and sturdy. Keeps your neck positioned up instead of lolling off to the side. You will wake up refreshed and not sore (in the neck anyways) airplane travel is stressful but this little gem makes it bearable. Kudos to the creator! First time I actually slept comfortably on a plane. Other neck sleepers don’t compare." —Judy M.
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors).
15. Or an inflatable wedge pillow so you can fully conk out by turning that dead space between you and the chair in front of you into your own personal oasis — this is great for resting your head to watch stuff on your phone and also just for catching some ZZZs.
Promising review: "I used this on four international flights last month and it made all the difference in the world. It's compact, easy to inflate/deflate, very versatile in how you can position it, doesn't rely on the tray table, and works well for bulkhead seats as well as those with someone in front of you. I can't sleep with my head back without snorting myself awake, so this is a perfect alternative. I can very comfortably lean forward in my seat and sleep almost like I can in a bed. I'm 6'2" and this pillow is plenty tall enough to just rest on my lap and let me lean forward into it without feeling crunched over. This pillow will easily let me get enough comfortable periods of sleep on a 9-hour flight that I don't feel completely drained upon arrival. My wife tried mine out before we left on vacation and loved it so much she had me order her one. We both wouldn't travel without them now." —Still Chilly In Colorado
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
16. An airplane footrest, because yes, it IS possible to sit comfortably on a plane — all you have to do is hook this onto the tray table and boom, instant elevation (and a LOT less foot swelling to deal with post-flight!).
Promising review: "This is a game changer when flying! Immediately takes the pressure off your legs and adds tons of comfort. I used it on an 11-hour red-eye flight for the first time and it was the best experience, aside from being in first class. Highly recommend! Even for short flights." —Isa V.
Get it from Amazon for $12.95 (available in three colors).
17. A fully waterproof, super lightweight Columbia travel jacket that folds into an itty bitty square, taking up very little real estate in your carry-on for something that you will be *sooooo* glad you thought to pack when the rain comes out to play. It also features zippered pockets, an adjustable drawstring hem, *and* adjustable sleeves.
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime Wardrobe you can give this a spin before you buy it!
Promising review: "The jacket is waterproof and very comfortable. I like the bill on the jacket hood that keeps water from dripping into my eyes. A surprise was discovering that there are 'secret' inside mesh pockets perfect for securing things you don't want to fall out of your pockets or get snatched." —Paula Renfro
Get it from Amazon for $30.53+ (available in women's sizes XS–3X and 36 colors).
18. A popular water-resistant Under Armour face mask designed to sit off your lips, giving you plenty of room to breathe without getting fabric sucked into your mouth — a perfect mask for anyone looking to relax on a plane flight. It's also made with the company's Iso-Chill fabric, so it doesn't overheat despite being bulkier than other masks.
FWIW, if you're planning to exercise in a mask while traveling, this mask also has the approval of a *ton* of runners and athletes in its reviews. I have two of them in my own rotation, and I'm impressed by how comfortable they are on long flights *and* while working out. The straps are super soft on your ears — I've gotten so used to straps chafing and was surprised by what a difference this made. I gifted one of these to my dad for Christmas, too, and it's his go-to for walks and errand running. It's just an overall easier mask to breathe in (while still maintaining a tight fit and keeping the people around you safe!).
Promising review: "Like everyone else we've been using masks of varying quality. We work from home so I haven't thought much about airborne pathogens in close quarter environments, until my first business trip in 18 months, yikes. Bought this mask after great testimonials from colleagues who also travel, it worked perfectly for me. Continuous wearing up to seven hours in airports and multiple flights was no problem, very comfortable with great airflow. Is this an N95? No, of course not, but it is an effective barrier that you will use without 'taking breaks' and risking exposure. Highly recommended!!" —T. Martin
Type Of Fit: Around-the-ear loops
Pocket For Filter: No
Fabric Type: Iso-Chill fabric
Shipping Time: Standard shipping
Get it from Amazon for $18.40+ (available in five sizes and 10 colors; for reference, I'm wearing the Small-Medium above).
19. Plus a soft silicone ear-saver and mask-extender you'll be grateful for on long flights, train rides, and bus trips — not only does it take some of the pressure off your ears, but it helps make a more personalized fit on masks with elastic straps that don't *quite* fit your face, making them much comfier and more secure.
People are also using these to prevent their hearing aids or earbuds from falling out and getting lost while they're taking masks on and off. Plus this silicone ear-saver is anti-slip to keep it locked in place, and designed not to get tangled in hair.
Psst — a lot of reviewers mention this worked great for kids' masks, especially since sizing for kids' faces is all over the place and difficult to measure out when you're buying masks online!
Promising review: "I bought these for my second 10-hour plane ride because the back of my ears hurt so bad from the mask the first time! These are super comfortable and easy to use!! Love that it has three notches to adjust it better! Overall love the product!" —Carlee Wilson
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $6.99 (available in eight different color combos).
20. A pair of compression socks for anyone whose feet and legs are prone to swelling on long flights — these are a chic solution to keep you ready for action once you land.
Promising review: "Prevents your feet and ankles from swelling on long flights. Also gave me an overall more comfortable feel on a 12-hour flight. I didn't feel the need to stretch or wiggle my feet quite as much. Sizing guide was pretty spot on. They look like regular socks and I didn't have any issues with impressions on my feet. They also they were not super tight in the toe area which I liked. Time will tell if they stay in shape after multiple uses and wash cycles, but for that price it was a great deal." —Tar
Get it from Amazon for $17.81+ (available in 13 colors and sizes S–XXL).
21. A portable cordless phone charger that thousands of reviewers swear by as an easy, highly portable way to get a quick charge on their phones — especially great for trips where you're on the go so much that there's no time to go back to the hotel and charge.
Promising review: "This is an amazing product, I use it on a daily basis and it keeps my phone charged throughout the day. When it’s plugged in it perfectly matches the curve of your hand, making it comfortable to use when charging, it truly gives a huge boost to your battery life and I recommend it to people who frequently have to charge their phone, because this product solves the problem!" —Whistle Blower
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five colors).
22. A quick-release vegan leather travel belt to securely cinch your carry-on or duty-free goodies to the top of your rolling suitcase so you can shop around the airport between layovers (and/or sprint to reach said layovers) with ease.
Cincha Travel is a California-based small business that specializes in 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.
Promising review: "I try to go on trips with just a carryon and backpack. The issue is my backpack always gets so heavy and hurts my back in king travel days. This belt completely solves that problem! It is high quality, comfortable, and looks super sleek! It’s my favorite travel precut hands down! —Benjamin
Get it from Cincha Travel for $40 (available in 15 colors, and can be monogrammed for an additional $12).
23. An ultra breathable memory foam neck pillow that comes with (gasp!!) a 3D-contoured eye mask for sleeping, plus a set of ear plugs. Basically the dream team for airplane power naps if there ever was one.
Promising review: "I owned a couple of neck pillows previously, but none are nice and soft as this. It is like the memory foam pillow used at night. I used this during my trip to Japan, it is a 12-hour flight and thanks to this travel pillow, it helped me sleep most of the time. I can't really describe how soft the pillow is... but it's super soft. The fabric is nice and doesn't seem like it would irritate over long trips or flights. There's a zipper for the cover as well, so you could remove it and wash it if you really needed to. Other than the pillow, the black carrying bag also came with an eye cover (I'm obsessed with these, and they're better quality than the ones you get from the airplanes) as well as earplugs and case for it, which is nice because I sometime lost my earplug or get it dirty. Overall, extremely comfortable, so it's worth the price if you want a better quality pillow." —Dang
Get the set from Amazon for $17.59 (get this price by clipping the 20% off coupon on the product page; available in four colors).
24. A Bearaby travel napper for anyone who, like me, is common law married to their weighted blanket. Now you can take all that snuggly anxiety-reducing comfort on the road with this 10-pound version that fits easily into a compact duffel, making it perfect for adding some calm to long flights and road trips.
Promising review: "I have several weighted, high quality blankets but the Bearaby is by far the BEST! It’s incredibly comfortable against my skin, keeps me cool, and there are no beads to shift and make noise. It’s made extremely well and worth every penny! LOVE it!" —Mary R.
Get it from Bearaby for $209 (available in five colors).
25. A hands-free portable neck fan you can charge with a USB and take wherever you roam on long hot vacation days, because you know what?? Staying cool is the new fashion and fans are the hottest accessory.
It has three speeds to choose from and also lights up, making you more visible at night. Reviewers note that you should definitely put your hair in a ponytail (but that it's easy to unsnag if it gets caught).
Promising review: "I had never seen these before but was introduced to them by my daughter-law. As we live in Florida, we go to Disney World often and the heat here is unbearable sometimes. I purchased these and used them at the park and was surprised how comfortable they were to wear and the wonderful breeze it put out. Also, saw these worn by several others and had people ask me how they were and where I got them. Told them plus the exceptional value. LOVE them!" —Catherine
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in six colors).
26. A knee stabilizer band for knee pain relief both in the short term *and* long term, whether you get it from running, hiking, team sports, or jumping up and down every time you hear a Bruno Mars song start playing at a wedding reception.
Promising review: "Excellent for knee pain. I was able to go on vacation and walk for many miles with this on and not have any pain. It is washable and is very comfortable." —MR
Get a set of two from Amazon for $10.30 (get this price by clipping the 20% off coupon on the product page; available in four colors).
27. A pack of Dr. Frederick's Original Better Blister Bandages, aka the blister whisperers — if you're someone who tends to get blisters when your feet sweat in the heat, you'll want to invest in these. These waterproof bandages don't just protect blisters, but are designed to actively help heal them (and significantly reduce the pain from friction!).
Each pack comes with bandages to fit your heel, toe, and foot. People who wear heels also recommend these!
As a blister-prone human, I swear by these. A few years ago, before I invested in these running socks that prevent blisters, I got a blister on my big toe so unspeakably large and painful that I am cringing even TYPING about it, and no amount of rest from running seemed to heal it; it just kept coming back. I finally used one of these bandages, and the pain was virtually gone from the moment I put it on. It was also so airtight that nothing got inside, and it didn't loosen in the shower. You're supposed to take it off when it loses adhesive so it can come off gently without disturbing the blister if it hasn't fully healed yet. After using two of these in a row over the course of a week and a half, my blister was finally healed up enough that it stopped coming back.
Promising review: "So glad I thought ahead to buy these before going to Italy. I had new fashionable shoes and low-cut socks and we did 10 times more walking that I had anticipated. I tried the shoes on for an hour and got a blister. Wore these for 10 days in Europe and had zero issues, total comfort, left them on for multiple days through showers. I’ll never travel without these again." —Paul Hinman
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four types of packs).
28. A reviewer-beloved breathable, ultra soft cotton sleep mask designed to *completely* block out light so you can get the proper in-flight or on-the-road shut-eye you deserve.
Bagby is a North Carolina-based, family-owned Etsy shop established in 2017 that specializes in home and personal care products.
Promising review: "I’ve been looking for the longest time for the perfect eye mask. This is it!! I got one for me and one for my daughter and we both think it’s the most comfortable mask. The first time I used it I woke up feeling great. Love it!!" —Etsy Customer
When the jet-lag-preventing tablets put a pep in your step:
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