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1. A stroller that *actually* folds up small enough to fit as a carry-on in the plane's overhead compartments. Let's be real: You and your kiddo who has been screaming their head off since takeoff do NOT wanna wait to retrieve a checked stroller and now you won't have to.
Fun fact: This stroller was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller! It weighs 9.5 pounds and has a weight limit of 55 pounds.
Promising review: "Travel essential. I purchased this stroller for a recent trip to Canada. It was a lifesaver traveling through the airport because it is so easy to get through security, and you don’t have to worry about gate checking as it is small enough to carry on. During our trip, we used public transportation at times, and we ate out a lot, and it was so easy and convenient to have under a chair or table. It’s also lightweight to carry when my son decides he wants to walk, though he loves sitting in the stroller and is quite comfortable. I love that it easily reclines, and he even took a nap in it while being pushed on a dirt trail. We were mostly on concrete but also took the stroller on some easy/flat trails, and it did quite well. The basket is small but handy. All in all, I highly recommend this for travel and everyday use. I got many compliments and comments about this stroller!" —Matthew Gonzalez
Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in two colors).
2. A mini flat iron for anyone who knows the struggle of packing hot tools in a bag with very limited space. This handy gadget is smol, efficient, and just perfect for your travel needs.
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review: "100% recommend. Used this plugged into an adapter during my birthday trip to Paris this past week. I was skeptical at first when I saw the size, but it really was a game changer. It worked just as well as my CHI straightener that I typically use. It was cheap enough that if it didn’t work then it wouldn’t be a huge loss, but it worked great and I was very impressed! I have shoulder length fine/medium hair and this straightener got it silky straight in no time!" —David Gonzalez
Get it from Amazon for $16.97+ (available in three colors).
3. A pack of foldable hangers because the five hangers (if that?!) the hotel provides just isn't enough. You shouldn't have to risk getting your favorite blouse all wrinkled up because all the hangers are already being used to hold the dresses you brought.
4. A set of Tide sink packs if your goal is to pack less and re-wear more of the items you're bringing. These will make it so simple to do so. No washing machine required!
Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag.
Promising review: "Game changer for travel! We were gone for two weeks and I was able to wash all my clothes I packed! Helped with using only a carry-on for the trip and kept my clothes fresh and clean! So easy to use and smelled nice! Will never travel without them again!" —Kristy
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.94.
5. A super cool set of leakproof containers that are great for holding medication, skincare, and other liquids/creams. They're TSA-approved so you don't need to worry about buying travel-sized versions of products you don't even use, come in a bunch of lovely colors to mix and match, and they're magnetic so feel free to re-arrange them however you'd like!
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small biz that sells awesome travel products that help eliminate the need for single-use travel-sized plastics.
My colleague, Abby Kass, owns these and loves them! Here's what she has to say:
"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 (available in eight colors).
6. A collapsible water bottle — as much as you may love your stainless-steel one at home, leave it there during your trip. It'll be much easier to carry around this lightweight option when you're out and about on excursions and city tours, trust.
Promising review: "These were perfect for three days of trekking around the Universal theme parks. Very handy that they collapse to pocket size, but hold a very generous amount of water. Probably saved us $100 in bottled water costs (at $6 per bottle). Really like this product!" —Clay Weisenberger
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors, and other sizes/pack sizes).
7. A 2-in-1 case that'll hold your glasses on one side and your contacts, lens solution, and a tweezer on the other, and it's all about the size of one glasses case.
Promising review: "Because of my job, I live out of a suitcase, and I am always worried if I need an extra set of contacts or a spare pair of eyeglasses. This is perfect, because I just put it in the bottom of my suitcase, and I am confident I have them both in one place. I got the pink case, and it’s very cute. Very happy with this purchase." —N. Rivera
Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in 13 colors).
8. A 4-in-1 makeup pen for an eyeliner, brow liner, lip liner, and highlighter all in one fabulous little tool reminiscent of those retractable pens you may have used in your school days. What a great (and super fun way) to save space in your makeup bag!
This is cruelty- and paraben-free and vegan! Plus, it comes in recyclable packaging. Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz selling a wonderful assortment of beauty products.
My colleague Genevieve Scarano loves this makeup pen! Here's her review:
"This little pen is a big help, because I don't need to keep a mountain of cosmetics in my drawer *and* it makes quick touch-ups so easy. It comes with four (yes, not kidding here!) makeup products: an eyeliner, highlighter, lipliner, and an eyeliner/eyebrow pencil. Just click each side down, apply to your eyes, lips, and face, and you'll be good to go. If you're going to be out and about, this tiny tool easily fits in a purse or pocket, so you can bring it with you and still have room for essentials. Plus, you won't have to worry if your eyeliner smudges, your lip color comes off, or your brows need a little TLC, because this gem will be there when you need to reapply makeup again."
Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in two colors).
9. Plus, a Subtl beauty stack you can customize with up to eight cosmetics in one easy-to-travel-with stack. It also comes with a mirror lid, a base, and a mini brush.
Subtl Beauty is a small business that specializes in vegan, cruelty-free beauty products, including compact, customizable beauty stacks.
Promising review: "I absolutely love how compact this product is. I have been pleasantly surprised at how natural the makeup feels and I love the natural look it provides. I originally purchased for traveling, but have been using it daily and love it!" —Paula Bowie
Get the Starter Stak from Subtl Beauty for $60 (available in 15 tones), or customize your own stack starting at $12 per layer.
10. AND!!! To further minimize your cosmetic stash — a makeup remover cloth that only requires WATER to take off your makeup at the end of the day. No wasteful wipes, no cotton rounds and travel-friendly cleansing liquids, no hassle!
Promising review: "This is incredible! I can't believe how well this works! I travel a lot for work and usually take makeup remover wipes because of the liquid restrictions for travel, but they are expensive and heavy. I have been using this cloth all week and LOVE IT! A bit of warm water and everything comes off in a few easy swipes. I am super excited to travel with this. It weighs nothing and rolls up to take very little space. I am ordering another for my mom who also travels. Highly recommend!" —KT
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in five colors).
11. A Hackwith Design House Everything Top designed to be worn more than five different ways. It'll look like you brought numerous trendy tops with you, but all you really need is this one garment. We won't tell your secret if you don't!
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.
Promising review: "I’m being honest when I tell you this is the most 'worth-it' top around. I read a review from some frequent flyer who claims this is her go-to for flying. She said aside from the top’s flexibility — which allows much less packing as the top itself looks and behaves like four shirts and a jacket — it’s a savior on planes because it allows you to get into a usually overheated plane, and to weather the transition to iceberg that happens about twenty minutes into most flights, and it holds its shape and looks great. I was skeptical, as I do not have the money to blow on someone else’s opinion, but my husband told me to try it as I have the same issues with temps. Long story short, I got it. It’s a gorgeous fabric despite my usually hating the ribbed thing. It’s nice. REALLY nice. Yes, it’s extraordinarily flexible, and yes, it’s like a jacket,. There is a travel shirt Santa Claus. Ordering in the off-white now. Glad I read the article, and glad I bought the shirt. You should too." —Mary B.
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in five colors).
12. A dry shampoo powder you simply tap onto your roots, shake the excess powder out with your fingertips, style, and be on your merry way. SO easy! Not to mention, thanks to the fact that it's small and a powder (vs. an aerosol), it's easy to pack on trips and bring through TSA or toss in your bag to keep on hand for daytime excursions.
Promising review: "I’ve tried a few dry shampoos, from the spray in a bottle to powder. And I’d have to say this one has been my favorite. My very first time using it, I didn’t know how much to put and ended up coating my hair by A LOT. It left my hair feeling very dry and straw-like. I almost returned and got a refund but decided to give it another chance. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY. Trust me. You only need a few dabs on your head and that’s it. You can see the extra volume almost instantly. This stuff works sooo well that I wake up on my third unwashed hair day and it looks better than the second day when I used the dry shampoo. And let’s not forget to mention how convenient and compact the whole thing is. It’s so nice to just pat it on your head with no mess." —Thuy
Get it from Amazon for $16.
13. A set of compression organizers for keeping clothing and undergarments neat and orderly in your suitcase, which may just leave you enough room to get that extra souvenir you probably wouldn't have had room for if you didn't own these babies.
Promising reviews: "These bags are amazing! Everything fits, and the compression keeps everything in order and leaves space for last-minute additions. No more emptying the suitcase looking for an item. So easy and organized. My travel life just became 100% easier! Highly recommend them." —LYNN vT
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $33.99 (available in a variety of colors and as a pack of two or four).
14. And a shoe bag that can hold up to three pairs of footwear. Think of how much less clunky it'll be to place this compact cube in your luggage than having to make space for three separate pairs of shoes. Don't even get me started on dirt from the bottom of your shoes getting over all of your other belongings!!!
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 and patterns).
15. A Kindle Paperwhite because when you think about the fact that you can download numerous books before your trip onto this lightweight e-reader that takes up less space than ONE book...well...it's kinda a no-brainer that you'd need to bring it on your vacay.
Read BuzzFeed's Kindle Paperwhite deep dive for more info! (It's of the 2018 version).
Promising review: "I LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite! I recently upgraded from an old Kindle that didn't have a backlight, and what a difference. I really love being able to read in bed at night without needing to have a light on. The battery life is fantastic. The Kindle is great for travel, so you don't have to dedicate luggage space to several books, but also great for just keeping with you or having around the house. It's so lightweight and thin. I recommend for any avid reader!" —Marissa T
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available with or without three months of Kindle Unlimited and ads, in 8 GB or 16 GB versions, as well as a kids version).
16. A pack of compressed towelettes that expand with just water! These are a great option if you find yourself in a pickle in the bathroom of an airplane/train/bus, your travels include camping, or if your kiddos are prone to sticky hands post Mickey ice cream bars.
Portawipes is a small business based in Wyoming that sells compressed toilet paper tablets.
Promising reviews: "I originally bought these for a backpacking trip into the Wyoming Wilderness. A weight saving move as regular wipes are heavy. Everyone loved these. They weigh nothing and use almost no room in my pack. Easy to use. Add a few drops of water and they expand. Very soft but did not tear. Gave some to my wife for her trip to Spain. She liked them also. Easy to put a tube in her purse, saved a lot of room in her luggage." —KAL In GilbertAZ
Get a 102-pack from Amazon for $13.98 (also available in packs of 10, 40, 100 and 500).
17. A folding toothbrush because while you probably don't think of your toothbrush being some big, clunky item that interferes with your packing, saving a little bit of space here and there really does make a difference (especially when your goal is to pack light).
Promising review: "These are great! I travel around a lot for work, and also have Invisalign, so I like to keep one in my work bag as well as my travel bag. The best part is the convenience. I used to carry a toothbrush in a case that took up a lot of room in my work bag as well as my travel bag. Now I just use these. They are small, durable, easy to use, and the brush is full covered when it is fully closed, which is what I was a little worried about at first. It was exactly what I was looking for in a travel toothbrush. I highly recommend, and I will be purchasing again." —Demetri
Get the two-pack from Amazon for $5.99.
18. And a pack of chewable toothpaste tablets — there are just SO many liquids you have to ensure are under the 3.4-ounce limit. Having to remember a travel-friendly toothpaste tube on top of it is just plain ANNOYING! These will make your next trip (and all future trips) a little easier.
Promising review: "I took these on a three-week trip to Europe. Didn't have to put them in my liquids bag. You chew them (don't swallow), then brush. It doesn't seem like they'd work, but they did. My teeth felt clean after using. Good purchase." —Pattipeg S. Harjo
Get a 60-count from Amazon for $14.98.
19. A lightweight puffer jacket because winter travels from a cold climate to a hot climate means needing something that'll keep you warm on that journey from your home to the airport. You don't want to deal with carrying your thick down jacket, but you don't want to face Jack Frost's wrath. That's where this baby comes in. Meet your happy medium between staying warm and packing light.
This is also a solid option if you're someone who lives in a warm climate year-round and doesn't necessarily need to own a heavy jacket, but needs something warm enough for travels somewhere a bit more chilly than you're used to! Plus, this is available on Prime Try Before You Buy so you can test it out before committing if you're a Prime member!
Promising review: "This coat is the absolute BEST! I bought it for a trip and it was so worth it. The coat flattens down to nothing and even comes with a little sleeve to put it in (looks like a tiny sleeping bag!). Super warm for being lightweight. All the women in my family have one of these coats in varying lengths, and we all swear by it! Really worth it, especially if you catch it on sale like I did." —Hannah T.
Get it from Amazon for $35.90+ (available in 20 colors and sizes XS–6XL).
20. A collapsible travel cup perfect for filling with the free coffee/tea in the hotel lobby and bringing along as you explore a new city or a chaotic amusement park. When you're done sipping your drink, you can easily fold the cup down and store it away in your bag bulk-free.
It's also microwave-safe! Note that the 12-ounce size does not include a straw, but both the 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes do. Stojo is a small biz that sells reusable and collapsible kitchen/travel products!
My colleague Danielle Healy owns this cup and loves it. She says:
"This is of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in 4 sizes and in 24 colors).
21. And if you're staying somewhere that doesn't have free coffee, or you simply just need more while out and about, this portable espresso maker is compatible with your favorite Nespresso pods and lets you brew a delicious cup of java from anywhere. All you need is hot water!
Promising review: "The best thing for traveling ever!! I have to have espresso every morning and most small hotels and gas stations don't have espresso coffee so this is perfect! Easy to use. The cleaning takes 30 seconds; just rinse with water and let it dry." —Joanna Verdeja
Get it from Amazon for $54.90 (and here are some Nespresso pods to go with it).
22. A folding pill organizer complete with six compartments for keeping your medications separate and preventing you from having to pack multiple pill containers.
Promising review: "If you travel, I suggest buying several of these! They organize pills very well and always stay shut and are easy to pack. I also use one for my jewelry when I travel. They stay closed with a strong magnet and fit into a corner of your luggage very easily. I also used a label maker and labeled the individual spaces with the name of the supplement to help organize my partner!" —Anna Zucker
Get it from Amazon for $6.85+ (available in 11 colors).
23. Stasher scrunchies you can fill with your fave little on-the-go items like lip balm or cash, and wear around your wrist or tie into your hair if you don't wanna carry a bag.
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 $12.99 (available in seven color combinations).
24. An ultra-compact mini umbrella because we don't want you to have to choose between lugging around something to keep you dry when it's rainy outside and getting soaked because you didn't have room for an umbrella in your bag.
Promising review: "Used this during a recent trip to Disney and it was perfect. No sunscreen. No burn, and I typically burn very easily. Hot 90-degree sunny days and I was not nearly as hot as others. Lightweight. Easy to stuff in my pocket or bag on rides. Durable. Honestly, just perfect." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in 11 colors and packs of 2).
25. And if you don't wanna deal with carrying an umbrella, a waterproof, satin-lined Hairbrella allows you to ensure your hair stays dry and your hands stay free to hold more important things (like a yummy snack or a fun souvenir).
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect natural hair.
Promising review: "If you have natural hair that you wear in a silk press, you need the Hairbrella! If you have natural hair that you wear curly, you need the Hairbrella! If you have relaxed hair, you need the Hairbrella! Basically after losing my umbrella and resorting to the dreaded grocery bag over my head, I found Hairbrella on Amazon and I bought one for myself and two other relatives. We chose not to chemically straighten our hair, so humid or rainy days can be a choice to return to our beautiful curls if an umbrella is not handy. So imagine our excitement to find a stylish, lined waterproof rain bonnet that won’t have me looking wild with a grocery bag on my head as I enter buildings. Buy this. You won’t be disappointed!" —Sherry
Get it from Amazon for $44 (available in nine colors).
26. A travel blanket and pillow set that's truly a genius solution for cozying up en route to your next destination (as long as you're not the one driving, of course). All you have to do is unzip the pillow and take out the fleece blanket that neatly fits inside it when you're ready to snuggle up. Plus, you can either slide it over the handle of your carry-on OR use the included carabiner to clip it to your backpack or duffel.
EverSnug is a small business that sells travel sleeping care kits.
Promising review: "This product in my opinion it is worth it if you are traveling anywhere in the world. I just traveled to five different countries with it and I traveled by airplane, by bus, by train, and in every single one of my travels, this was a godsend. It is so good and so fluffy, and it’s good quality because it has been through a lot and it’s still in very good shape so I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a blanket that can potentially turn into a pillow. I highly recommend it if you’re traveling, it is a beautiful blanket and you will not be disappointed." —Kenlbel
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors).
27. A universal travel adapter you'll be grateful for if your travels involve hopping to various countries that all use different outlets. Now you won't need to buy and pack different adapters for each country you plan on visiting. Phew!
The charger can be used in Mexico, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and countries in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Promising review: "LOVE this adapter! I travel from time to time internationally and have always used just the 'standard' adapters found in airports. Could not pass up the opportunity to purchase this one after reading the reviews. Exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of. Used on a recent trip to Germany and it handled everything needed — laptop, cell phone (USB ports are so very welcome), alarm clock, dryer, etc. Did not miss a beat on the power provided. And, it is also attractive looking ;-) Thank you for making such a great, dependable product!" —Monkey
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
28. A portable travel razor set that comes with a moisturizing balm, a water spray bottle, and two triple-blade razors tucked away into a case. All you have to do is twist the nozzle on the case to access each of these features.
Promising review: "I love this product. I took it on a recent vacation and it really is a time saver. The moisturizer bar it comes with is sooo nice. I usually get a little itchy after shaving but the fact that you can rub in the excess product on the shaved area has helped with itch and ingrown hairs. Now that I'm not on vacation I use it right before I go the pool, I seriously take this thing everywhere." —Karlie Hanson
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in pink and purple).
29. And if you don't quite need all the bells and whistles of the product above, but you need a better solution than just taking the head off your razor and hoping for the best, this travel-sized razor is perfect AND comes with a handy case. You're welcome!
It comes with one handle and one blade refill!
Promising review: "I got this for a vacation and it was great! The little carrying container is awesome, and keeps you from having a weird, loose razor floating around in your suitcase. Plus the heads are the same as a regular-sized razor, so you can keep using it when that one is worn out!" —Tegan H
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
30. A Wallet Ninja — a card-sized tool that can be used as a bottle/can opener, a phone stand, a screwdriver, a fruit peeler, and more! It's gonna have you wondering how you ever got by on trips in the past without it! Just note that while this is TSA-approved, some reviewers said they did have to remove it from their bag and put it on the belt by itself to be safe!
Promising review: "This is definitely helpful to have on hand! The Ninja is small and slim but punches above its weight class in terms of usefulness. The tools are all things you might find yourself searching through a drawer for and are useful in a pinch. You obviously aren't going to be able to construct a deck with anything on this credit-card-size device, but it fits comfortably in your wallet and will help you open a beer or tighten a screw. The coolest feature that I couldn't find on most other similar products was the credit card phone stand. It is great for planes and other travel applications (I haven't had trouble bringing this on a plane anywhere I have traveled, FYI)." —Mary
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in packs of two, three, and five).
31. A little white noise machine because you don't wanna be the person asking the hotel front desk for a room change, but you also reallllly don't wanna be in the hotel room next to the elevator AND the ice machine.
Promising reviews: "I was skeptical at first about how well this little noise machine would work in my hotel room (I am a frequent business traveler). However, skepticism gave way to satisfaction. This little sound machine blocked out hotel noises very well and helped me sleep through the night. For a little machine, it provides very good volume and different noise options. I highly recommend this product!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $25.35+ (available in five styles/variety packs).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.