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1. The crowd-fave Away carry-on roller bag whose hard outer shell, incorporated TSA lock, and four spinner wheels make transport safe and simple while extras like interior compression straps, a dirty laundry compartment, and an optional USB charger sweeten the deal.
2. A classic Moleskine notebook so you can keep a journal of all your adventures without being SO tied to your phone. Opt for a hardcover if you tend to be a little rough on your journals or try a soft cover if you want it to more flexibly tuck into bags. I have and love both.
3. A travel pouch that attaches right to your bra to avoid any pickpocketing and simply to travel hands-free. Not having a bag to worry about is a freedom like no other. I know that sounds dramatic, but I genuinely mean it!
4. A portable charger because in this day and age, traveling and having your phone die on you can be a genuine safety concern. That's your credit card, ride home, ticket, map, reservation...everything! I've been rocking this Anker for years and it's still going strong.
5. A contoured eye mask that will majorly come in handy if and when you're crashing somewhere where light is bugging you, whether it's a hotel with a city view, a hostel, or even an airplane.
6. And a pack of soft silicone earplugs if there's some noise that goes along with the light, as there usually is! This twofer is gonna help you get the shut-eye you need no matter how far from home you are.
7. An old-school pair of corded Apple headphones because my number one travel tip? Don't rely too much on Bluetooth or battery power to get you through your days. These are über reliable, never run out of charge because they literally can't, and are SO affordable compared to AirPods. The last part is essential considering how much running around you're about to be doing.
8. A universal travel adapter so you're never faced with an outlet you can't use when traveling internationally — a horrifying fact every traveler encounters at least once and vows "never again."
9. A set of packing cubes for anyone who's ever tried and immediately failed at keeping their luggage in check while on longer trips. Vacation isn't the time to fret over organization — let the cubes do it for you.
10. A set of scrunchies with — get this — ZIPPERED POCKETS to keep cash, keys, and other small items completely concealed and without having to carry a cumbersome bag.
11. A tube of Lanolips 101 Ointment because I personally find travel to be very hard on my lips and skin. Whether you need to moisturize and heal your pout, cuticles, or dry skin, this multipurpose balm is simply nice to have around.
12. A Calpak Luka Duffel which is far and away my favorite travel bag. I just did three weeks in Europe with *just* this bad boy and it handled beautifully. Its best quality? It's the exact dimensions needed to count as an under-seat "personal item" on a plane, which is a game-changer for booking cheap flights and traveling light.
13. A six-port USB charger that plugs right into the wall and will allow you to charge (hopefully) any and all devices that need it in one fell swoop.
14. An Ethique shampoo bar so you're not subject to whatever over-drying shampoo your Airbnb has out but you *also* don't have to go through the hassle of bringing liquids along on your trip. Win, win.
15. A Takeya Actives stainless-steel water bottle with a screw-top spout lid that ensures that it's always leak-free, no matter how much you throw it around in your bag. I love mine! It holds just enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day — and avoiding single-use plastic water bottles whenever possible is obviously for the best.
16. An anti-blister balm so your feet stay in tip-top shape even as you hop, skip, and jump all around the exciting city you're visiting for the first time.
17. A space-saving compression bag that blessedly doesn't require a vacuum to function! Now you can get as much into your suitcase as possible on *both* legs of your trip without tracking down a Dyson.
18. A portable door lock to give you a little extra manual assurance that your door can't be opened when you're staying in hotels or new places. Doesn't hurt to be sure!
19. Or a wedge doorstop alarm that both physically stops the door from being opened by a stranger *and* triggers a mighty loud alarm if somebody tries for a bit more peace of mind.
20. Expandable hangers for anyone who likes to unpack when they get to their destination but never sees what they need when they open the closet. Alternatively, these are perfect for folks who will need to hang dry laundry on the road — garments just dry so much faster and more evenly when hung up.
21. A pair of compression socks to keep swelling at bay whether your travels include flights or partaking in a big ol' road trip.
22. A Baggu Medium Crescent bag, which to me is the ideal purse both for everyday life and for travel. It tucks neatly under my arm so I always feel like my belongings are secure, and although it looks small, it fits my wallet, notebook, and water bottle with ease.
23. A USB-chargeable fan that's a no-brainer for hot summer trips. One day of heat? Sure. A weekend? Do-able. A week plus? Time to call in some backup.
24. A soft silicone ear-saver and mask-extender if you still want or need to mask while traveling but are *beyond* done with the ear pain that can come along with it.
25. A digital luggage scale to ensure your baggage is in compliance with your airline's weight restrictions, avoiding some nasty fees in the process. Bring it along with you if you want to make sure you're good to go on the way home, too! All those souvenirs add up.
26. A water-resistant cosmetics bag that hangs on the back of a door and rolls down instead of making you spread every single item out on a hotel counter. Honestly groundbreaking.
27. A travel wallet with an RFID-blocking shield material to keep all of your travel documents and cards in one handy place. No more checking every nook and cranny of your suitcase to make sure you have everything you need.
28. A waterproof anti-theft backpack whose zippered compartment ingeniously is only accessible from the back, keeping your valuables out of reach from any casual passersby. The fact that it also looks pretty darn cool is just a bonus.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.