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1. A unique water-resistant nylon water bottle holder with so many pockets so you aren't fumbling around with your wallet, phone, passport, chargers, and water bottle while you rush through security so TSA doesn't yell at you for holding up the line.
Calpak is a family-owned business that makes high-quality travel products that are both innovative and stylish.
This water bottle holder has an insulated interior that fits bottles up to 40 ounces, a detachable shoulder strap, and four roomy exterior pockets for storing all of your essentials.
BuzzFeed writer Haley Zovickian has this and says, "I recently bought this and it's my new favorite possession. I either carry my Nalgene or my Yeti everywhere (if I'm not drinking water, you can bet I'm guzzling coffee), which is unwieldy in my tote bag, to say the least. I end up carrying the bottles by hand, which, besides being tiring, makes me prone to losing said bottle. Enter the CalPak holder, which has low-key upgraded my life. I don't even carry a tote anymore — I can pack my lipsticks, scrunchies, wallet, keys, phone, earbuds, and sunglasses in the outside pockets with my coffee, water, or tea snug inside. The strap is adjustable so you can wear it crossbody or over your shoulder. This is an investment, but one that has been well worth it for me. I recently brought it to the airport with me for a flight I was taking, and it's made me love this little thing even more. I am easily frazzled in airports and am constantly anxiously digging around in my carry-on for my ID, charger, wallet, and what have you. The Calpak water bottle holder *shined*, keeping everything I needed close and neatly organized in their own compartments, plus my drink close. I will never travel without this again — mark my words."
Promising review: "Didn’t realize how needed this was until I got it!!! I use it for walks, going to my kids sports and practices, and hiking! It will be perfect for my trip to Hawaii soon!!!" —Caitlyn J.
Get it from Calpak for $42 (available in 10 colors).
2. A packing cube ingeniously designed with built-in shelves so you don't have to rummage around in your suitcase to find that one pink shirt. When you get to your destination, just take this out of your suitcase, hang it in the closet, and boom, you're all set and neatly organized.
Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom you can put all your dirty clothes in, so they don't get mixed together and you end up just washing everything when you get home (@ my husband who automatically dumps the ~entire~ contents of his suitcase into the laundry without question).
Promising review: "I got one for a friend's birthday and after hearing her rave about it I got two for myself (diff sizes) This is so cool. It’s easy to pack, takes up half the space than normal, and when you arrive at you destination just unstrap it and hang it up!!! I like the zippered area for dirty clothes or extra shoes or toiletries or whatever. And the large size still fits in a carryon with extra room for more stuff!! This was a great find!!" —Wizard
Get it from Amazon for $27.88+ (available in two sizes and five colors).
3. A stroller so lightweight and compact that it can literally fit into the overhead bin on a plane (!!) so you can keep it with you for your whole journey. I may not have kids, but I do recognize the struggle of having to worry about it getting damaged coming out at baggage claim.
It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for all parents with toddlers, especially if you are going on a trip. We went to a place where they do not recommend a stroller because it’s too bulky and gets in your way. Well, using this was not a problem at all. People were amazed how this thing works, and it’s really handy. Very easy to fold. Very light and not space consuming in your trunk! Love it so much!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $159.96+ (available in three styles and two colors).
4. A chic, clever anti-theft backpack that opens from the back so you can feel secure no matter where you're walking that everything in your back stays in your backpack. Plus, unlike some other anti-theft bags, this one is *actually* roomy enough for all your essentials, including water bottle and tablet!
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross loves this bag, "I went to Italy this summer, and as someone who prefers a small backpack over a purse most of the time, I thought this would be a great purchase, as it would give me some peace of mind as I spent hours wandering around different cities. I'm happy to report that after two weeks of daily use, I'm convinced I'll be bringing it on every trip I take from now on. It's small enough so that it doesn't feel bulky or uncomfortable throughout the day, but has plenty of space for everything you'd need on the go — I fit my wallet, sunscreen, glasses case, hand sanitizer, water bottle, snacks, and even a small umbrella, with room to spare! And the fact that it opens from the back means someone would literally have to pry it off of you to get to your valuables. I bought the medium size in black pebbled faux leather, and it's actually quite cute for the price!"
Promising review: "I bought this backpack to use as a purse while on vacation, and it worked perfectly. The main pouch is protected when you’re walking around because the zipper is protected by your back. There are also two side zippered pockets, one of which kept my phone and the other perfect for sunglasses and a few other items that I wanted to access more easily. I loved that I could wear it as a purse to dinner but use it as a backpack during the day so that my shoulder didn’t get tired. I highly recommend this item!" —Allison
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes and 14 colors/patterns).
5. A portable white noise machine to drown out even the noisiest of neighbors when you just want some shut eye.
It features 20 nonlooping sleep sounds, 32 volume levels, and a timer — plus, it weighs less than half a pound!
Promising review: "Wonderful sound machine. Compact enough for travel. We took ours on vacation and are so glad we did. This drowns out hotel noises perfectly! I like how small it is when on my dresser at home, too. So thankful for the nonlooping sound. Would recommend over and over again." —Hill.jess
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
6. A set of scrunchies with a discreet zipper to hold more secrets than Gretchen Weiners' hair. No one will even know that you've got a lip balm, keys, money, or any other small essentials conveniently wrapped around your wrist.
Loki Essentials is a small business based in California that sells cute storage scrunchies!
Promising review: "Quality is AMAZING! Super soft and comfy to wear on your wrist, but tons of elasticity to wear in your hair as well. PLENTY of space in the hidden pocket! Can fit chapstick + so much more! They are just as cute in real life as the picture!" —Nichole Bentz
Get a three-pack from Loki Essentials on Etsy or from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three color combinations).
7. A packing checklist so when you are packing weeks in advance you can remember what's actually made it into your suitcase so you don't wind up with 40 pairs of socks and no underwear.
Promising review: "We travel frequently and have two children. As any parent knows, packing for yourself and your children can be overwhelming (especially for trip longer than a few days). I have found this list to be a lifesaver and I also give it as a gift for other traveling families. It is easy to plan, organize, and list out items that are easily forgotten. You can also list the quantity of each item needed. It has a variety of clothing options and space to add more. Overall, wonderful purchase and has likely saved me many forgotten items!" —I-really-bought-this
Get it from Amazon for $7.
8. A JetKids ride-on carry-on suitcase with so many functions it will absolutely change the way you fly with kiddos. It has wheels so they can pull it or the option for them to SIT ON IT (!!) and ride it if their little legs get tired. Then, once you get on your plane, it transforms into a leg rest so they can stretch out and take a full-on nap. I mean, come on, that's awesome…where's the adult version?!
It's recommended for kids ages 3–7 and fits most standard economy seats. Plus, it has an adjustable strap so you can carry it over your shoulder, a top handle, and a mattress inside that can be removed and used while in the flight. Parents have even used this product while in the airport waiting for the flight to keep their kids comfy and happy.
Promising review: "Traveling with a toddler is always a challenge but comfort is key and this little magic package makes the airport trip that much smoother. We can store small toys, pillow, and one throw blanket for our family of three. Great idea and great buy. We will be using this until it breaks." —TifferTheTrend
Get it from Amazon for $229 (available in six colors).
9. A Hackwith Design House shirt designed to eliminate the "need" to pack 12 shirts for your week-long trip. This shirt is made to be worn six different ways, so no one will ever know you've been wearing the same shirt for the past three nights.
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business that creates made-to-order apparel. This shirt can be worn as a V-neck, off-the-shoulder, boatneck, V-back, and even open as a jacket.
BuzzFeed Shopping Editor Chelsea Stuart says: "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 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 sizes XS–4X and five colors).
10. A sturdy, lightweight eight-compartment pill organizer to save some space in your bag by not having eight bulky pill bottles rolling around.
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 $11.97.
11. A transparent waterproof toiletry bag that can even fit your full-sized bottles!! The first time you use it you'll probably be astonished by how much can fit inside...Mary Poppins bag who?!
It has interior elastic straps to hold your bottles upright and a 360-degree rotating hook for you to hang in the bathroom for convenient, easy access.
Promising review: "We are a family of seven and this held all of our bathroom supplies for a weekend trip. This is a must-have for traveling. The best feature is it being able to hang up on a robe hook or the back of a door. It frees up hotel sinks and keeps you well organized." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors).
12. Some expandable hangers to have on hand just in case you end up at one of those hotels that gives you like two hangers when you're staying there for over a week.
13. A seat back organizer that has pockets for all your essentials (glasses, phone, magazines, books, water bottle, etc.) and covers your tray table to provide you with a clean surface.
Promising review: "Every time I whip this thing out, someone leans across the aisle, asks what it is, and then makes a note to buy one when they get home. On a long-haul flight, it's simply a must for organizing your reading materials, headphones, sanitizing wipes, etc. One seat back pocket just doesn't do the trick! My favorite use for this thing, though, is when I've fallen deep asleep along the way only to wake up in a fog and in a rush to deplane. Instead of having to hastily dig things out of the seat back pocket (and wherever else I've squirreled things during the trip), I just slip the entire thing off of the tray table, pop it in my bag and worry about sorting things out when I get to where I'm going — safe in the knowledge that I didn't leave anything behind because it's all in the pouches. Love it!" —justinglen
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
14. A convenient luggage strap to give your arms a break when you're sprinting around the airport to make it to your next flight in time. It hooks onto your luggage to make a convenient spot to hang a purse, backpack, jacket, or whatever else you want!
Promising review: "I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse." —Michele
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in two colors).
15. A crossbody phone holder so you don't have to walk around holding it everywhere you go, but can feel good that it's safe and secure and not vulnerably sticking out of your pocket.
Your Color Your Style is a California-based small biz that makes stylish yet functional crossbody holders for smartphones.
BuzzFeed writer Haley Zovickian has this and says, "I have one of these and it's one of my favorite purchases, period. I love always having my phone on me without having to carry it by hand (and because my clothes often don't have pockets included). It's a dream for traveling too because it allows me to never misplace my phone, since it's always on me, literally. An amazing travel and TBH life hack."
Promising reviews: "Love the colors I chose!!! Quality is great!! Taking it on vacation, cannot wait to use the lanyard with the case!!!" —Amy Koester
"Fun, bright and it will simplify your life and give you your arms back. Beautiful colors to choose from and received lots of compliments." —Rosey
Get it from Your Color Your Style on Etsy for $31.34+ (originally $32.99; available in 14 sizes and 12 colors, and with customization).
16. A shoe bag designed to fit at least three pairs of shoes so you can keep them all compact and organized without worrying about how to perfectly arrange your suitcase so none of the shoe dirt touches any of your clothes.
Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in nine colors/patterns).
17. A car cupholder expander so you can have a spot for your drink *and* a snack while you're driving. With this, you won't have to juggle your burger and fries in your lap hoping you don't slam the brakes too hard and end up with a fry landslide.
Unlike some other products, with this one you can still eat while you're driving so you don't have to pull over!
Promising review: "After other attempts at finding products to make my car more user friendly, I happened on this and it is perfect! When we first tried to install it was wobbly, then I remembered it said the base was adjustable. Hubby adjusted and no wobble whatsoever. It even holds my full and heavy 32oz water cup and I'm never afraid of it falling over. I love the fact that I now have a tray without losing one of my cup holders. The tray is perfect for holding my phone, keys (I'm a realtor so always have keys laying in my car!), snacks or whatever is needed. The tray rotates out of the way, but I've found it is easy to get in and out of the passenger seat even while it's positioned in front of the seat. I highly recommend this OFY Car Cup Holder Expander Tray with Adjustable Base! 5-star all the way!!!" —Judy S.
Get it from Amazon for $32.95+ (also available in a version with wireless charger).
18. A collapsible water bottle that won't take up like half the room in your backpack, but still saves you from having to buy an $8 disposable water bottle when you get to the airport.
It's lead-, latex-, and BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and can be used for hot or cold drinks.
Promising review: "Well this is the coolest thing ever! I travel quite a bit, and I usually don't take a bottle with me because they are big and bulky and I usually lose them! This collapsible water bottle is a perfect traveling accessory. It stays collapsed until after security, and then I fill it up for the trip. It's a good size and fits in my side compartment in my travel backpack, and the cap screws in securely so I don't have to worry about it opening accidentally and spilling all over the place. I follow the instructions on how to clean it and it works just fine." —M. Lyons
Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in eight colors).
19. A skyline mini wallet emergency kit perfect for just tossing in your purse or backpack so you can be prepared for any hiccups (i.e. a broken hair tie, a headache, etc.).
Anne Cate is a woman-owned small business based in Cleveland, Ohio that handmakes minimalist keepsakes with a skyline from more than 100 cities and colleges around the world! These kits are made to order so they should ship in 7-10 days.
The kit includes a hair tie, ChapStick, two floss pics, a sewing kit, bandages, emery board, two safety pins, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, a deodorant wipe, a Shout wipe, a tampon, hand sanitizer, and Tylenol.
Promising review: "I got one for myself and one for my daughter. I love how compact this emergency kit is. It fits in any purse. I would suggest and recommend for anyone. I’m sure it will lighten a purse for many by condensing it into this one small emergency kit." —Eileen M.
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in 96 skylines).
20. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount you can use whether you're traveling by bus, car, train, boat, or anything else. It clips on to any surface so you will be able to keep up with the Kardashians (or the reality show of your choice!) no matter how long your journey is.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months for a multi-leg, ultra long haul trip and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well-built and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far it still feels solid and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $12.97+ (available in three colors and a pack of two).
21. A resealable travel-size pack of antibacterial wipes because you never know what kind of messes you'll get in to during your journey. Be prepared, don't find yourself in a sticky mess with nothing to clean it up.
22. A Dagne Dover carryall duffel bag reviewers love for all the well-thought-out features: a padded laptop sleeve, two water bottle pockets, a nylon shoe/laundry bag, and more. It also holds even more items than you would think based on the size, and of course, still fits under an airplane seat.
PS — It also has a sleeve that allows it to slide onto the handle of your wheeled luggage!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma McAnaw owns this very bag (in size medium) and raves about it: "I use this every time I travel — and I never, I mean NEVER, check bags. I even took this with me to Amsterdam and easily packed about four sweaters, DOC MARTENS, and all my undies and toiletries. To be fair, I wore the same pants for four days (I am cheap, guys), but I never felt like I needed more space. And yes — even Spirit lets me take this."
Promising review: "LOVE this bag!! It's the perfect size for me. Fits perfectly under an airplane seat and has ample room for all my carry-on stuff/ simple weekend getaway. I also love how it slides onto my roller bag. Did I mention that I get LOTS of compliments on it, too??" —ChicagoJM
Get it from Dagne Dover for $125+ (available in five sizes and eight colors) Nordstrom for $215 (available in four colors).
23. Or, a wheeled carry-on bag small enough to qualify as a personal item — and fit underneath an airplane seat! — on even the strictest airlines (looking @ you, Spirit Airlines). All with the added bonus of not having to lug it around on your shoulder.
Promising review: "I can't understand why anybody would give this less than five stars. I've spent years looking for the ideal under seat, bag, and — like me — you've probably noticed that a large percentage of the 'airline approved' bags do not actually fit under the seat in front of you. This one, however has fit under every seat, in every single flight. It has room for my laptop, a sweater for those cold cabins, umbrella, keys, adapters, and everything else I need for a long flight. Best of all (a VERY important detail missing from so many), there's a slide through in back so you can place it on top of a larger bag's telescoping handle. If it ever broke, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. I have never regretted the purchase. Bafflingly, it feels like most travel companies have not gotten the memo that people want a bag that actually makes sense." —PA
Get it from Amazon for $103.90 (available in three colors).
24. A nine-pack of tide sink packets packaged with the perfect amount of detergent for a much needed sink wash because you have finally evolved from packing one outfit per day of your trip and decided being an outfit repeater actually will *not* ruin your trip.
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: "I have taken these packets on travels throughout the world. They are small and fit in my bag. They are good for a wash in a sink or wash bag. I use tide at home donut is my wash if choose. Glad to have them. They don’t leak either." —Barbara Jefferson
Get it from Amazon for $6.69.
25. A mini lightweight flat iron so you can still get the hair of your dreams no matter where you are or how full your suitcase is.
26. Leakproof travel capsules perfect for getting your necessary beauty products, other liquids, or small items through TSA without those annoying travel bottles that are a mess to fill. Plus these are magnetic so they will stick together in your bag so you don't have a mini heart attack when you can't find the bottle of your precious face cream.
Cadence is a woman-owned small business specializing in personal care travel solutions. Each mini capsule is created from recycled ocean-bound plastic and is refillable and reusable!
Check them out on TikTok here.
BuzzFeed writer Jasmin Sandal uses these travel capsules and said: "I love my little containers that allow me to downsize but still carry my necessities while I'm traveling. They're not only cute to look at but they're pretty practical. I have used mine to store my vitamins, earrings, face cream and have not run into any issues. They have tight, screw-on tops so you know everything is secure *and* you can customize their labels so you know exactly what's in what. Oh, and the fact that they're magnetic? Genius. This way, they stay tightly together in your case or can be conveniently stored in a makeup bag."
Promising review: "This is my go to for all my travel, gym, camping trips. I can keep enough for four to five days of skincare. The best set I've had for carry-on toiletries." —Cadence Customer
Get a set of six from Cadence for $84 (available in eight colors and 34 labels options).
PS — When you choose your bundle size, each capsule can be a different color and comes with a pre-made label (custom labels are available for an additional charge).
27. A dry shampoo powder just as effective as the traditional aerosol ones, but more travel (and environmentally) friendly because you can throw it right in your carry-on.
Hair Dance is a US-based cruelty-free, vegan small business that specializes in haircare products.
Promising review: "I was a little unsure about this product but wanted it for vacation to limit aerosols or liquids. I am mind blown! It smells great, doesn’t leave a residue and both volumizes and keeps my hair looking fresh. It also lasts for much longer than an aerosol if you’re someone who uses this daily or every other day. The bottle is small enough to not take up space, but I’ve had my first bottle for months and am barely through half. This will be my go-to from now on." —E
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two sizes).
28. A pet backpack with WHEELS so you can stop flinging your fur baby around while you ~briskly~ walk to your next gate. Now they can just glide right along with you and save your shoulder and them from motion sickness. Once you've made it to your plane you can just put them right under the seat in front of you.
The medium size fits pets weighing up to 10 pounds, and the large fits pets weighing up to 18 pounds — that said, some reviewers mentioned that the large size works perfectly well for their 20-plus-pound dogs. It can be wheeled using the telescoping handle, held using the strap, or worn as a backpack.
Promising reviews: "First time flying with my dog. I bought a large. He is a 21-pound Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He was able to sit and lie comfortably in the carrier. When on the plane, remove the hard-back bottom to fit beneath the seat. It is easily removable and reattached. I got a window seat, which allowed me to wedge the bottom at the edge of my seat/arm rail when detached." —Karen
"This is the best cat carrier I have ever found. I needed something for when I was flying. It fits under the seat in front of me, and it’s easy to pull because of the wheels. My cats can sit up and watch or they can lie down. I highly recommend." —Jane
Get it from Amazon for $59.95+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
29. A foot hammock made out of memory foam so you can kick your feet up and pretend like you're flying in business class.
Promising review: "This is an amazing product. It's so simple but works incredible to prevent swelling and pressure on legs while flying. I just flew the first leg of an international flight and used it, and I am on a layover now and had to pause to write this review. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!! It easily attached to the tray table, and I adjusted to my desired height. It is like a hammock for your feet. You just prop them up inside the thing/swing/hammock — which is very cushiony — and your feet are hoisted up comfortably. I'm a big girl, and weight is no issue. DEFINITELY A MUST-HAVE ON ALL MY FLIGHTS NOW. This thing is great!!" —Queen
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three colors).
30. An AirFly wireless transmitter because finally someone understands that pretty much nobody has wired headphones anymore and the ones they hand out on the airplane just aren't cutting it. Now you can connect whatever headphones you have via Bluetooth and start your movie marathon — no, we won't judge that you're on your third movie of the flight, what else are you supposed to do?!
Promising review: "You don't know it yet but you need this. A friend recommended this and I decided to try it. It works well in flight. Huge improvement in comfort and sound quality over the airlines headphones. Also used for various tours when traveling. Again far more comfortable than the typical tour listening equipment." —PJ14
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three variations).
31. A portable lock box that can easily secure to beach chairs or tables so you can stash your phone and wallet while you go jump in the waves. Now, you can enjoy beach time as a family instead of having to leave someone at the chairs to guard your stuff.
You can also use this in your room to keep valuables protected.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for vacations. We took it to Atlantis in the Bahamas. It worked perfectly. Held our phones, room keys, etc. while we were out enjoying the beach or pool. Just looped it to the beach chair or table. Highly recommended." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in five colors).
32. A super-soft Trtl neck pillow designed to put an end to the head flop that can wake you from even the deepest sleep. The unique design comes up much higher than traditional neck pillows to help give you that extra support you've been needing.
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 $59.99 (available in four colors).
33. A ridiculously soft hoodie combining everything you'd want in a sweatshirt to keep you warm and cozy during your flight, with a built in sleep mask to help you block out your neighbor's overhead light that they seemingly refuse to turn off even though everyone around is trying to sleep.
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: "Wow! I am so obsessed with this sweatshirt it is made traveling, long car trips, and just wanting to be able to snuggle up and nap on the couch so much easier and nicer and I have convinced all of my friends that they absolutely need a sweatshirt like this for when they travel! I highly highly recommend it." —Alexandra M.
Get it from Pond LA for $102.40 (originally $128; available in sizes XS–XL and other colors here).
34. A tiny pack of 200 hand soap sheets because you never know when you'll wind up in a ~sus~ bathroom that doesn't have soap in any of the dispensers. This little container is slim enough to throw in your bag or pocket and you only need one sheet to get a sudsy wash 🫧.
Multiple reviewers note that you'll want to pull the sheet out of the container *before* you get your hands wet, though!
Promising review: "We were so impressed with these soap sheets. I have never owned any and these truly blew my mind. The soap sheets provide a good lather and washes off easily, leaving no residue. We take many road trips with our dogs and sometimes come across places with no bathrooms or bathrooms with no soap. it's great to have these around, and they fit in any purse or even your pocket! This is a MUST when you travel overseas, you won't regret it! For people who are sensitive to strong smells, this works for you too! My mother is very allergic to regular soaps and this worked out for her." —DMV2015
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.39.
35. A car baby monitor so you can stop fiddling with mirrors or wrenching your neck to see your baby in their car seat while you're at every stoplight…that would make for one sore neck after your eight-hour road trip.
PSA: It goes without saying, but please keep your eyes on the road while the vehicle is in motion.
Promising reviews: "This camera is a new must-have. I was using a mirror and constantly was readjusting it and relying on my mirror to see his mirror and it was stressful. I knew there had to be something better when I ended up driving at night with my 2-month-old to the hospital and he was freaking out and I couldn’t see him so I was pulling over to check on him every few minutes and it was a nightmare. This camera has been my saving grace. I was hesitant at first reading reviews saying it’s not night vision but mine automatically switches even in parking garages to night vision. I love that I can see my baby and not have to fix a mirror. Or turn my head to see fully what’s going on with him in the back. I really really recommend this for peace of mind!! —Jennifer K
"This is honestly the best purchase I’ve ever made since becoming a mom. Like, hands down, my favorite product ever. This camera definitely makes life easier, and I wish I had it for my other two when they were babies. It took less than five minutes to get it up and running and they included everything I needed. I have a Dodge Grand Caravan and it reaches all the way to the third row. I recommend it to all my mom friends!" —Kristin Morgan
Get it from Amazon for $31.99.
36. An Apple AirTag to digitize anything so you can find the location because IDK if you've been seeing it but checked bags are getting lost left and right, so now you can check to see where your suitcase is (and if it even left your departure airport).
37. Or a smart Tile tracker kit if you wanna be extra secure and have ~digital~ eyes on anything from your wallet, keys, luggage, or anything else you may be prone to losing.
The essentials pack comes with two Mates, one Slim, and one Sticker. The Tile can also make a beeping sound until you find your items.
Promising review: "A must-have. I have these on everything, including my wallet, car, luggage and dog. After being separated from my bag in another country and tracking it down, I swear by these things. Highly recommend." —Izzy Castro
Get the pack from Amazon for $74.99.
38. A quick-release vegan leather travel belt so you can securely attach your carry-on to the top of your suitcase so it doesn't come flying off while you're running to get to your gate.
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 just returned from my first trip using my Cincha, and it was fantastic! My backpack stayed on top of my roller bag instead of me carrying it, or falling off. And it was so easy to pop on and off the roller handle when I needed to. I highly recommend!" —Cheryl
Get it from Cincha Travel for $40 (available in 18 colors/patterns).
39. A pair of Bluetooth headphones that fit comfortably and snuggly in your ears so you can take the jams with you no matter where you go…or block out the person next to you who has been snoring since you departed.
These compact wireless headphones come with a charging case that provides up to 35 hours of uninterrupted listening, while the earbuds themselves will last eight hours on a single charge. They also quickly and easily pair to your phone via Bluetooth to provide quality sound with minimal lagging. Similarly to AirPods, they have smart touch control so you can play, pause, skip, answer calls, adjust the volume, and more by simply touching the earbud without having to worry about finding your phone.
Promising review: "I bought these because a friend had a pair, and he always sounded crisp and clear when talking. I can admit that I'm a sound snob on a beer budget. I don't like cheap sounding knockoffs with low bass and bad battery life. But these... OH MY! THESE! They are completely awesome! Sound quality is excellent. Battery life is out of this world! I now reach for these Tozo T10's many times over my AirPods. Hands down the best rechargeable headphones I have ever owned. You will not regret buying these! They cost a little and give quality in return!" —Jeremy
Get them from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five colors).
40. A container of travel-sized Vaseline because there's something about spending hours on a plane or in a car that just sucks the moisture out of your entire body. If you have this little guy on hand, you can slather it on your hands and lips and go about your business.
Promising review: "This is the perfect size for travel, and they last forever. I keep one in the car and another in my toiletry bag for when I'm on the move. I can never find it in the stores so was glad to find it here." —E. Furan
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $4.68+ (available in three sizes and various pack sizes).
41. A waterproof car trash can so you don't have to worry about a pile of wrappers, juice boxes, and other miscellaneous trash piling up in the backseat of your car.
Promising review: "By far, this is the best trash can for a car I’ve had in my life! And yes, I have tried others! I have a small SUV, and this is large enough to collect the trash from receipts, napkins, and apple sauce pouches from my kid, and it straps to the back of my console so it’s in easy reach! The snaps on the side keep a trash bag in place, but if there is a spill it’s very easy to clean! And the lid keeps everything inside if it happens to get kicked! I definitely recommend!" —Kristi
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in a larger size with a lid).
42. A fully stocked toiletries bag designed to take away at least some of the stress of packing. It comes loaded with everything you may need for your trip — shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, a toothbrush, flossers, a spare bag, and a styling comb — all in TSA-approved sizes.
Pro tip! A lot of people brought these for their hospital stays to have their kids!
Promising review: "This is amazing!!! Like imagine everything you would need for a short trip and visualize it in front of you. This kit: perfection! Everything you would need! They even supply you with a medium ziplock bag to put everything in if you were to go on a plane (since they request you put your toiletries in a see-through plastic bag anyway) this is amazing and I have nothing but nice words to say. This is such a genius idea and it’s perfect for any short trip!!! Five stars!!!" —Alexis
Get it from Amazon for $9.59+ (available in two product varieties).
43. A vacuum-free space-saving compression bag for all the over-packers (guilty 🙋♀️) who think they need 1.5 shirts for each day they'll be gone. Just load up the bag, zip it, roll it, and alllllll the extra air will come out leaving you more space to add that other pair of shoes you desperately wanted to bring.
Promising review: "Omg, i will never free pack another bag for vacation again. These saved me soooooo much space. I just folded my clothes in groups together, shoved them in the bags, sealed them up, rolled them and they are vacuum sealed! No vacuum needed. Super easy to use. Saves so much space. And I'm a heavy person so my clothes are larger and lots of material so these helped soo much. Buy them and you wont regret it. Comes with instructions and they are reusable." —Brittany
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $16.97.
44. The Ollie Swaddle to keep your baby as snug as a bug in a rug so they go straight to sleep before the plane even takes off and no one even notices there's a baby on the plane. And it's made of moisture-wicking fabric to prevent your little one from overheating with the unpredictable plane temperatures.
The Ollie World is a small biz based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, founded by a foster mom who set out to make her own swaddle that could meet all of her foster son's needs.
Worried about having to unswaddle for every diaper change? Don't! They thought it alllll through and have added an easy opening on the bottom for quick diaper access.
Promising review: "Took our son at four months old to Scotland and could have never done so without our Ollie. He slept like a dream on the plane." —Amanda H.
Get it from The Ollie World for $65 (available in five colors).
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.